The Prince's Reluctant Mate by Mutya

Torn between duty and destiny, can a rejected she-wolf find love and acceptance in the most unexpected of places? Ayla Hemmig, scarred by the sting of rejection from her first mate, seeks solace and a fresh start with her grandparents' White Oak pack. Just as she dares to envision a brighter future, her world is upended by a decree from the formidable Crown Prince Griffin. He's hosting a grand ball to select his chosen queen, and Ayla's parents, seeing an opportunity for their daughter to ascend to royalty and remain with the White Oak pack, encourage her to attend. For Ayla, this ball represents more than just a chance at finding a mate; it's a desperate bid to escape the shadows of her past and the pain inflicted by David's rejection. Thrust into the unfamiliar world of royal courtship, Ayla finds herself grappling with newfound hope, buried insecurities, and the daunting prospect of becoming a queen. But Prince Griffin carries his own burdens and yearns for a connection that defies fate. Griffin is haunted by a mark that foretells the tragic demise of his fated mate before they ever meet. He finds himself captivated by whispers of second-chance mates, igniting a flicker of hope within his weary heart. His parents, however, are determined to secure his reign and press him to select a suitable queen through a traditional ball, inviting all unmated she-wolves to compete for his favor. As Griffin navigates the complexities of royal expectations and the pull of destiny, his sister Ayla wrestles with her own emotional turmoil. News of her sister Kate finding her fated mate stirs a mix of joy and unexpected longing within Ayla, a reminder of what she believes she may never have. Seeking clarity, Griffin embarks on a solitary run, his thoughts consumed by the possibility of a second chance at love. Meanwhile, Ayla uncovers a shocking truth about her sister's mate, and faces relentless bullying from a jealous she-wolf named Hannah and her spiteful friends. In a world governed by ancient werewolf laws and simmering rivalries, Ayla and Griffin's paths are destined to collide. Will Ayla find the strength to embrace her destiny, even if it means confronting her deepest fears? Will Griffin defy fate and discover the second chance he so desperately craves? Or will the weight of expectation and the shadows of the past condemn them to a life of unfulfilled longing?