Chapter 0002 The moon chose wrong

“I…I’m…”.

Words stuck in Iver’s throat, unable to form. No reasonable excuse could justify what he had just done, yet the memory of the contact, itched blazingly on his palm.

Iver was shocked at what he had done, but was more bothered about him being bereft due to the loss of contact, of a stranger whom he had only encountered few minutes ago.

“Your hands should be chopped off for what you just did?!”.

“…its all a mistake…”.

“To hell with your explanations. Just make sure I never see you again. Fucking psycho!”. The stranger barked at him, with a look of untamed disgust, and fury brewing in his eyes. He pushed past him with an intentional force, and stormed off.

Iver clenched his jaw, as he dusted off debris from his clothes. Never had he foreseen someone labeling him a pervert on his first day in the palace.

‘‘What a self conceited bastard’’. Iver , his eyes murmured, staring at the dispersing male, but then he realized the man looked powerful in his regal outfit, like a royal. He couldn’t understand it, but something about his aura was shrouded in authority.

As he was about to find his back, a tall slender lady, with flaming red hair and hunting gear emerged.

“There you are!”. She huffed in relief.

Her blue eyes flickered to his surprise but she was more focused on the man ahead. “Faiz we need to head back, the elders must be waiting”. She called out to the stranger ahead, almost running to him.

Iver’s ears perked up instantly, as his gaze went back to the man. The familiar name rang in his head…no damn way!

He didn’t just touch a random man, but the Alpha king!

Shit!

His stomach dropped with a loud thud, as his face palmed himself. The man who he had just groped shamelessly, was the ruler of Drathmoor, the one whose approval was needed to become the head warrior.

And worst…Faiz had looked at him as if he was just dirt underneath his boot.

***

It was minutes after the incident in the woods. Iver had managed to locate the training field. The events of the past minutes continued to bug his mind ceaselessly.

Iver could notice the pairs of eyes on him, experience made him understand what those leery stares meant.

“If it wasn’t for the elders being so generous why would a clan member be amongst us”. A male from his right said, pride oozing from him.

“He seems familiar to me”. Another chipped in, and took a step closer to him, raking him from head to toe.

“Who could forget the wretched Omegas who were ousted years ago”. A tall toned man muttered, as he walked past him to where he was summoned for his assessment, a cocky smile on his face.

Iver clenched his jaws, hating that his family’s situation was a subject of mockery to them. He wanted to fire back at their lewd words, but he held back himself knowing that the assessment would be an avenue to show them what an ousted Omega was capable of doing.

When it was finally his turn. He was glad that his sparing partner was one of the males, who had insulted his family. Iver moved with precision, every blow and strike, honed from the years of surviving his family's harsh brutalities.

From the edge of the field, Faiz the alpha king watched keenly, the same male, who had saved him from the arrow, yet defied him, was now on his turf. His body as if remembering what had happened, stiffened delectably at the memory.

“Also intrigued by him?”. Ilias, his beta asked, mirth evident in his tone. Faiz knew who he was referring to. “I knew he would be the best among them”. Ilias continued.

He had many warriors, but had never seen such face before. One who could act brazenly only made him more intrigued. Faiz didn’t know when he asked about his identity, until Ilias’ response.

“Iver Kyronne. One of the clan members, from a family filled with Omega’s. He is also here for the position”. Faiz’s head whipped in shock at his explanation.

“What?!”. Faiz thundered, the creases on his forehead deepening in anger. His eyes went back to Iver. He was a damn clan member, and also an omega!.

“It’s a means, by the elders, to unify the kingdom". Ilias continued, which only brewed more fury in Faiz's blood.

“Why wasn’t I informed about it? Of all people, it’s the fucking clan member they extended the invitation to!”. Faiz scoffed in disbelief.

The problems the kingdom had faced in the past, and which still haunted them, was caused by the clan families. He had done everything within his means, to make sure they all stayed as far away from the royal ground.

Faiz ran his hands through his hair in anger, as the sparring match between Iver and his opponent ended.

And one after the other, Faiz watched as Iver took out each opponent as easily, till he was the last one standing.

Yet it didn’t feel like victory to Iver. Gasps continued to echo all around the field, followed by murmurings he knew weren’t of praise, but of disdain.

Faiz, although intrigued by Iver, hated a part of him and felt impressed. He began to saunter wordlessly, to where Iver stood, amongst the elders, the chosen one for the position.

“I wonder what a clan member is doing here?”. Faiz said, loud enough for Iver to hear him.

Iver froze. An indication the Alpha king was present. A few feet from where he stood, quite looking like the alpha king he was, in his dark leather royal cloak.

Meeting his cold gaze, Iver could sense his resentment, bubbling intensely beneath his stoic expression. A resentment he knew was due to his identity.

“I never knew traitors were allowed in the palace”. Faiz said to no one in particular, but his tone was ice-like. Eyes on Iver, who seemingly didn’t let his words get to him.

“We can’t continue to allow the past to hinder the stability of the throne and your position. He is a good fit for the position, regardless of his family background”. Monrique, one of the elders, spoke up, his eyes flickering briefly to Iver’s direction.

At the elder’s words, Iver stood tall. A subtle defiance against Faiz’s disposition. Faiz smirked, and nodded his head in agreement, but Iver knew he was far from accepting him as the new head warrior.

Faiz had sensed this same air of confidence, in the woods. But now it was primal, unsettling the very air around him.

“I was quite impressed, but it seems like your skill just scratched the surface to only help elevate your status”. Faiz muttered, a mocking edge to his tone, as his eyes took in his frame, before it refocused on the deepest shade of brown eyes he had ever had the opportunity to behold.

Blood pumped in Iver’s vein, as he cracked his knuckles. Oddly he had seen it coming. Faiz resolve, to not only test him, but to also break him, using his disdain for his clan, as a weapon. Iver smirked, then he threw the bait, which the king wanted so badly.

“We should both find out, shouldn’t we?”. Iver might have backed down, if it was someone else, but it was the Alpha king himself, and a little game wouldn’t hurt any of them.

Faiz moved more closer, a shrewd smile tugging at the corner of his lips.

Then she appeared again, just like before. Sashaying her body to where Faiz stood, and curled her frame beside him as if staking her claim on him for all to see. Her strong citrus scent drifted fastly over the space.

Iver’s nose twitched instantly…something was off, and it wasn’t just the scent.

“You shouldn’t be here Rae”. Faiz muttered under his breath, a subtle irritation in his tone, at her unexpected disruption.

“I should know, who would be the next head of warrior as your queen to be”. Rae said too sweetly, her eyes shining brightly as she peered at Iver, familiarity creeping up her eyes.

“This face…”.

Then it happened.

Her voice faded distantly in Iver’s head. His pulse roared in his ears, as his wolf raged to the surface. On wobbly feet, he tried desperately to get a grip of himself.

He knew what was happening too well, he had heard of it ever since he became of age. The world around him seemed to drift away, except for one horrifying realization.

His mate was here!

But it wasn’t Rae. He took a step back in denial, breathing hard, as his chest tightened in panic. If it wasn’t her who would it be? His mind mulled over the thought. And just as his eyes flashed to Faiz, he already knew who it was.

‘MATE!’

His wolf thundered in his head. Faiz’s scent, like a smoke from an infused royal incense…yet maddening and wild, pervading his senses like a starved animal.

No no no no.

The words a loop in his head, futile against the bond anchoring him relentlessly to Faiz.