An Alpha for an Alpha

Nora’s POV

I couldn’t believe it was my mating ceremony.

The thought alone made my chest ache. How could they do this to me? My mother, how could she?

I had begged the Moon Goddess for only one thing when I turned eighteen. I prayed that I would meet my fated mate, that my wolf would recognize him, and that love would come naturally. But Instead fate gave me Alpha Pitman of the Dreamer’s Pack.

I met him during my first shift.

 With bones breaking, skin tearing and the forest spinning around me, I was terrified.

Then he appeared out of nowhere, steady and commanding, anchoring me to myself. He stayed until the pain passed.

I couldn't help but fall for him. I was a Beta from the Moonlight pack and he was from the Dreamer's Pack, The Alpha.

There was nothing stopping us. So I thought, until two days ago when my mother brought the news of my fated mate and a rushed mating ceremony.

After hearing the news, I rushed to the Moonlight pack to see Alpha Pitman.

“Let’s leave,” I whispered to him. My hands shook as I clutched his shirt. “Let’s disappear. I don’t care about fate… not anymore …I choose you.”

Alpha Pitman’s face went rigid. He looked like a man standing on the edge of a cliff, staring down at everything he would lose if he took one more step.

“Nora…” His voice crackled and he turned away. He dragged a hand through his hair as if he couldn’t bear to look at me. “Do you have any idea what you’re asking me to do?”

“I’m asking you to choose me,” I said desperately.

He chuckled. “I already did...”

He faced me again, eyes shining with something dangerously close to tears. “If I take you with me, your parents will hunt you. My pack will call you a liability. You won’t be free.”

“I don’t care!” I cried. “I’ll survive it if I’m with you.”

He cupped my face then, his hands trembling. His thumb brushed my cheek, catching a tear. His jaw clenched so tightly I thought it might break.

“I love you,” the words tore from his chest, and I felt my heart thumping. “...But I love you enough not to destroy you.”

“No,” I sobbed. “Don’t say that. Don’t make this sound noble.”

“I have to,” he whispered. “Because if I don’t walk away now, I will tear your world apart just to keep you.”

I shook my head violently. “The elders…my parents… they claimed Alpha Fauz is my fated mate. But I feel nothing. No pull. No bond. Nothing like what I feel with you.”

“Alpha Fauz Zlan?” Pitman's eyes widened. He bit his lips and closed his eyes.

When he opened them, he looked vacant and emotionless. Something inside him had died.

“The elders are rarely wrong,” he said quietly.

“And even if they are… perception is truth. You stay with me, and you’ll be branded a traitor. A spy. Your life will never be safe.”

I grabbed him again. “Please.”

He kissed my cheek, then my forehead, lingering like a man memorizing something he would never see again.

“Sometimes,” he said hoarsely, “love is choosing pain so the other person doesn’t have to.”

Then he stepped back and walked away. The man who saved me once in the woods left me standing alone in the woods.

“My lady!”

The sharp voice of a maid snapped me out of the memory.

“You’re crying! Your mascara…”

“Get your fucking hands off me!” I barked, ripping the ornaments from my hair and neck.

“Leave us,” my mother’s voice suddenly boomed from behind the door, sounding calm and composed.

She entered moments later, glowing with satisfaction, dressed like today was her victory.

“Is this about Alpha Pitman?” she asked, her tone deceptively calm.

I stiffened.

She smiled knowingly. “Oh, don’t look so shocked. Did you truly believe your foolish little affair went unnoticed?”

“You knew,” I whispered.

“Of course I did,” she replied. “And I let it happen… because he is an Alpha…” her eyes twinkled and my breath caught.

“Now that we have the rightful Alpha knocking at your door, you need to get Pitman out of your system.”

She stepped closer, adjusting my gown as if I were a doll.

“You knew but allowed me to continue because he was an Alpha? And now?” I asked bitterly.

“Now you should stop romanticizing Pitman. He should have been the first to ask for your hand in marriage, but he is late now.” She rolled her eyes and I stared at her in horror.

“You should be thanking the Moon Goddess. You got an Alpha for an Alpha. No loss,” she smiled.

“Alpha Fauz is your fated mate. An Alpha strong and respected. This union will elevate us.”

“What about what I want?” I sobbed, looking away from her.

She tilted her head. “What you want doesn’t always align with what’s best for you.”

She lowered her voice. “Do you know how many she-wolves would kill to stand where you are today? Don’t embarrass me by acting ungrateful.”

The words sank deep into me.

“The Grand Hall is full. Guests from reputable packs all came to see you get mated. Aren't you thrilled?” she said, stepping back. 

“Dont mess things up. The guests and your mate are waiting,” she said with a final note and began to walk to the exit.

“Remember, everything I’ve done is for you.” she paused at the door before leaving.

I stood there shaking. Hatred and heartbreak coiled up in my chest.

I beckoned the maids hopelessly. They returned silently, and finished my preparations.

“You’ll see him soon,” Lila, my wolf, suddenly whispered.

“Shut the fuck up!” I yelled, startling my maids.

“Do you even know if he is indeed our fated mate?” I linked Lila up in my thoughts.

“We will know when we see him.”

“What do you know? As soon as we enter the grand hall, it will be too late, even if he is not the one. there would be no going back.”

Lila remained silent until the maids were through.

“We are all done,” they said and led me to the mirror.

My ball gown was exquisite and expensive. Well, that was a given. My mother prepared everything. I was getting mated to one of the strongest and richest Alphas in the city.

The mirror reflected a flawless future Luna. It was the most beautiful and expensive image of myself I had ever seen. But it all didn't matter. Behind those e

yes were grief, fury, and loss.

Is Alpha Fauz indeed my fated mate? Would finding out that he is indeed my fated mate bring me peace?