Chapter 1

The setting takes place in the 19th century. In this story, there are nine packs, which they refer to as nine lands. These include the Blood Rose Pack and the Silver Rose Pack, which are rivals, as well as the Red Rose Pack, Crimson Pack, Moonlight Crescent Pack, Midnight Howlers, Mystic Rose Pack, and Blackthorne Pack. The Blood Rose and Silver Rose Packs are demarcated by boundaries.

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Samantha’s Pov

I wrapped my hands around his swollen length.

I craved him. My hands slid down to the base of his cock—and he pulsed beneath my touch.

“Cocky girl,” he whispered, his voice low and teasing. I loved it when he called me names, when he praised me. It did something to me every single time. I turned him over, cradling him from the top. My hands stayed on his pulsating length—long, hard, and ready to release.

Or in me. God, I hoped so.

“At some point, we’ll have to get out of bed,” he groaned.

“No, I don’t want to,” I pouted stubbornly.

He chuckled, and that sound always did wicked things to me. I loved hearing him laugh or even just chuckle—that little grunt he gave whenever he did so was intoxicating.

“You have to, baby, plus tonight is the night,” he said with a smirk.

I rolled my eyes dramatically. “I know, I know—you have to get ready.”

Glancing at my wrist as if checking an invisible watch, “It’s still noon… there’s time.”

He chuckled again at my antics before shifting himself so that I was lying beside him instead of on top of him.

“I still have to meet with the council.” He got up and walked over to his dresser in search of clothes.

I couldn’t help but admire him from where I lay—his strong frame, his confidence in every movement. He could manhandle me right now if he wanted to, and I wouldn’t make a sound of protest.

“Tell me, why do you have to be so handsome all the time?”

He brought his hand to his mouth in mock innocence. “Really?”

“Don’t play innocent with me, Alpha Killain.”

“Not yet,” he replied with a sly smile as he shrugged on the robe that completed his outfit for the day.

My gaze lingered on him once again—Killain Black, the love of my life. Our future Alpha and my husband-to-be. I had loved him for as long as I could remember, and my greatest joy was knowing that one day I would stand by his side as Luna.

Killain walked over and bent down in front of me, cupping my cheeks gently in his hands. “I’ll see you later, love,” he murmured softly before pressing a kiss to my forehead.

I nodded and smiled up at him as he turned toward the door. Just before leaving, he paused and glanced back at me curiously. “That’s right—you wanted to tell me something last night?”

“When you get back,” I replied with a beaming smile. Killain nodded and left the room.

As soon as the door closed behind him, my hands instinctively went to my stomach, resting there with warmth. Our baby. Last night, the pack doctor had given me the amazing news—I was pregnant. It still felt surreal knowing that Killain’s pups were growing inside me—not one but two little lives.

I had wanted to tell him immediately but decided to wait for the perfect moment. Today was his Alpha ceremony—and it felt right to share this incredible news once he was officially ordained as our new Alpha. Killain and I aren't mates—we were just courting. He was three-and-twenty and I, one-and-twenty. We loved each other regardless. I dressed up and left the room as I needed to go prepare for the ceremony tonight.

I walked down the halls of the Alpha’s House. The servants whispered when they saw me—acting like I couldn’t hear them. Well, I could.

My pack, the Blood Rose Pack, questions my abilities. They gossip about me and claim I simply slept my way into Killain’s heart. Look who’s becoming the next Luna—me. Sometimes I wonder what would happen when they find out that I am their true Alpha. A long time ago, my parents were ambushed at the border by Rick, the present Alpha and Killain’s father. Both my father and mother had the alpha blood, which makes me the rightful Alpha. My parents were killed, and Rick thought he could get rid of me. Let’s just say it didn’t work out as he planned when Beta Morris took me in. I had to hide my scent, it's easy because my wolf, Aldrina, is a rare white wolf, so we have abilities.

I can suppress or alter my scent, making it difficult for others to scent—except my true mate, of course. After Rick killed my parents, he wanted me dead so I had to hide my scent for protection. This made Rick think I was useless to him and he let me live. Only the Beta and I were aware of this. Everyone thinks I’m an unscentable and useless wolf. They call me the disgrace of the pack—useless.

My initial intentions were to have my revenge when I've grown, and take my throne, but I have fallen in love with Killain, and he is a respectable man—a viable candidate for an alpha. I do not care about being his Luna—amidst the societal norms of our pack. Killain loves me, and honestly, that's all I have ever wanted.

“There you are!” My best friend, Korra, pounced on me from behind. “I have been looking for you everywhere—Dad wanted to see you.”

Beta Morris was Korra’s father. Her mother was barely around, as she was always with our present Luna.

“I’ve been…busy,” I said to Korra.

“Oh, well,” she said, “I need you to pick out some dresses for me. Today is the alpha ceremony, and everyone from far and near will come to Blood Rose. I need to look sexy if I want to meet my mate!” She shrieked excitedly.

Korra has been so positive about meeting her mate. She is two years younger than I am and always goes on and on about finding her mate. I am happy for her; she is young and holds a more promising future. I only want the best for Korra and would give her a position when I become Luna.

"What did your dad want?"

"I don't know. There's no time; Alpha Rick will soon arrive with Killain and the council. The ceremony will start soon! We have to hurry!"

Korra dragged me out of the house and occupied me throughout the afternoon. When night had finally fallen, everyone was outside for the party. I sneaked back into Killain's room—it was time to give him the good news.

"You look amazing in that," I complimented from behind. I strode to him and held his hands in mine.

"You look beautiful, Sam, always." He gave me a soft kiss on the lips and withdrew.

I noticed the frown lines formed on his forehead. He is usually confident, but I wouldn't blame him. He had always prepared to become the next Alpha and take over from his father.

"What's the matter?" I cupped his cheeks as I questioned.

"I'm scared, Sam. Really scared."

"You can do this. You deserve to be our alpha."

"What if I'm not good enough? What if I fail my people and my pack? What if I fail you?" he whispered.

"You won't. You are strong and you're ready for this new journey, my love, and I'm always here for you." Just then, I felt it. Our mate bond.

The irresistible pull—he could feel it too.

'Our mate, Sam. Killain is our mate!' my wolf, Aldrina, groaned in joy. I looked back at Killain, who already had his eyes on me. But he was stiff, and his eyes held something much more.

"We are mates, Killain."

He gave no response, not even a smile.

He slowly closed his eyes and inhaled sharply. No. It shouldn't be what I'm thinking. He wouldn't do that to me.

"I can't, Sam. We can't be mates."

"What are you saying? We are mates! I'm so happy." I cupped his cheeks in joy and was about to kiss him when he pulled back from me completely.

"We can't. I can't have you as a Luna—so we can't possibly be mates."

No.

"Don't say it! Don't do this to us, please." I launched at him, but he backtracked—avoiding my gaze completely.

"You're unscentable. You're not fit as my Luna."

"But you love me!" I argued. "You said that you love me. Look at me! Look me in the eye and tell me you don't love me anymore, please, Killain."

Please.

He straightened, and I swear I could see the pain in his eyes. "I, Killain Black, Alpha of the Blood Rose Pack, reject you, Samantha Forbes, as my mate and lover.”