An Alpha Bound By The Moon

Chapter 1 The Weight of the AlphaJason had always thought that death would come with violence. A rogue’s claws. A rival’s betrayal. Something fitting for an Alpha and Luna.Not this.Not sterile white walls. Not nurses with eyes filled with pity and masks pulled too tight across their faces. Not the soft, mechanical beep… beep… beep of the machines keeping his father alive long after the spirit had already slipped away.The scent of antiseptic filled Jason's nose, sharp and out of place to a wolf's senses. His own scent Fresh cut Pine, Honeysuckle. Strength felt foreign here. Weak. Trapped in grief.He sat quietly beside the bed, one of his father’s heavy hands resting inside his own.“Dad…” Jason’s voice cracked slightly. He hated that it did. “You don’t have to talk.”But the older man gave a small smile, weak but still full of the Alpha’s fire. “I’ve never been good at being quiet, son.”Jason gave a huff of laughter through his nose. “No. You haven’t.”His father’s chest moved sl

Three weeks blurred past in a cycle of sweat, dirt, and growing dread.The Moon Swept Pack, once more known for sharp minds than sharpened claws, now echoed with the sounds of fists on flesh, claws ripping into training pads, and barked orders ringing across the fields.Jason stood at the edge of the main training grounds, arms crossed, watching two younger wolves spar in the center circle. Their form was sloppy, but their hearts were in it. That mattered.Beside him, Nathan handed over a folded map, the ink still smudged at the corners.“We’ve got confirmation,” Nathan said flatly. “Markus is leading them. No question now. Old patrol routes show his scent at every gathering site. Three separate scouts made visual contact. Same arrogant walk, same bastard grin.”Jason exhaled through his nose. “Numbers?”“Three hundred. And rising.”Jason’s jaw tightened. “All rogues?”“Yeah,” Nathan nodded. “Most of ‘em loners for years. Markus is offering them something they haven’t had in forever a

The first rays of dawn painted the training grounds in pale gold.Jason stood in the center of the field, his breath misting before him in the cold morning air, muscles tense beneath his black t-shirt. The quiet before the storm was unnerving. Even the birds seemed to sense what was coming.A voice brushed across his mind, sharp with humour but edged with exhaustion.“Thought I told you to get some rest, Beta.”Nathan’s mind link reply came with a faint chuckle. “Yeah? Someone forgot to tell Mia. Half the bloody pack knows I’m alive this morning.”Jason smirked faintly. “See you in five.”And then came the scouts, padding into view like ghosts from the tree line, dirty, tired, but alive.“They’ll be here before the sun’s at full rise,” the lead scout said grimly. “Five hundred strong now. Markus recruited every stray from here to the east coast.”Jason nodded, his jaw tightening.Nathan approached, the two standing shoulder to shoulder as they reviewed the hastily drawn map scratched

The morning of departure was crisp and bright. The sun shimmered on the surface of the water like scattered diamonds as Jason, Nathan, and Mia arrived at the port in Adelaide. The cruise ship loomed like a floating palace sleek, vast, and pulsing with energy. Dock workers bustled beneath its towering frame while passengers formed tidy lines, luggage rolling behind them on smooth wheels.As they boarded, Jason couldn’t help but feel the difference in energy around him. The pack’s land was always humming with purpose, weight, and responsibility. But here, the air smelled of salt and citrus and the promise of new beginnings.Their rooms were modest but comfortable each with a full ocean view. The Moon Swept Pack was not wealthy by any means, but neither were they poor. Their strength had always been in balance and resourcefulness, not extravagance. The funds technically belonged to the Alpha’s family, but Jason’s parents had never hoarded it. What

As Jason slept, the ship continued its smooth journey across the open sea, cutting a quiet path through the waters between Australia and New Zealand. The stars overhead blinked and shimmered while the vessel moved steadily toward its next port, Auckland.By sunrise, the harbor came into view. The ship docked with quiet grace, and a fresh wave of passengers prepared to board. Among them was a tall young woman with fiery red hair pulled into a loose braid, a duffle bag slung over her shoulder and nerves fluttering beneath her skin.Aurora.She moved through the check in process, quietly absorbing her surroundings eager but cautious. This was her first time leaving New Zealand, her first time boarding a cruise ship, and already she felt out of place among the flashing cameras and loud conversations. Her two closest friends flanked her, already buzzing with excitement over what awaited them.“Relax,” one whispered with a grin. “You’ll