LOGINJay—POVSamantha Smith.What a fucking mess.My fated mate.The Moon Goddess's so-called perfect match for me -- an omega. Out of all the wolves in the realm, she had to go with Samantha.I had believed I could utilize her. That perhaps there was some latent strength I had yet to witness. But no. She was not merely useless, she was a liability. I treated her with clemency because the bond, though imperfect, had a hold. I had a weakness. But the weakness was solidifying.I would not allow one weak omega to destroy all that I had labored to create."She's pregnant."Dr. Evelyn's words were still ringing in my ears long after she had left the room. I hadn't spoken much, nodded once. She knew better than to stick around.I felt my hands shake slightly as I stood by myself. The walls felt like they were closing in on me, tighter and tighter.Samantha. My mate for fate.Pregnant.My pup.The idea made me feel ill.A pup with an omega. No, worse with her. That wasn't in my vision. I'd had an
Jay was on edge. His control had already broken, and as he glared at me, the rage in his gaze told me he was just holding on."What am I supposed to do with a bleeding woman?" he growled to the girls at hand. "Get out of here!"His face was flushed, contorted with anger, totally falling apart before they even had the chance to defend themselves."Um… Alpha," Lydia said softly, her eyes big. "She shouted your name. She screamed your name. She wouldn't let us help her.""What?" Jay barked. "Call Doctor Evelyn if she's bleeding!"I moved forward, cool despite the frisson in the air. I fell into the role I knew they needed—the kind Luna. "Why is she bleeding? Where is she now? Show me.The girls pleaded with wide eyes at me. Before they could respond, Jay caught my arm."Where are you going?" he barked. "We have a conversation to complete! You're not a doctor!"His face was set in anger, lips curled, and he appeared utterly ridiculous in his desperation."It has nothing to do with you—leave her a
I panicked. My thoughts were a confusing whirl, careening in all directions but the one I required. I couldn't make sense of anything.What was a month-long mating ceremony?My breath caught at the idea. Mating? No, no, that couldn't be. I hadn't gone so far and survived so much only to be bound to the very man I was going to bring down.I had stuck with Jay for one reason: to plan his downfall.This was never going to be about love. Not even passion. And certainly not some ancient, binding ceremony that would tie me to him forever. Engagements could be dissolved with a handful of harsh words and a neat departure. But a mating?The moment that f***ker marked me, there would be no turning back.The door slammed open with the power of enthusiasm I couldn't keep up with."Yay, Melody!" Mary shrieked, her tone high and shrill. "I knew the Alpha wouldn't hold out long!" Lydia followed hot on her heels, her face split by a grin so wide it was almost painful. "Miss, you ought to have seen Samantha'
I wasn't the only one shocked by Alpha Don's announcement.Gasps spread through the assembly, but none quite as biting as the fashion in which the Luna Queen's lips twisted tightly with absolute contempt. Her piercing eyes were on Don, who in return had a face as serene as ever, unflapped by the rising hum of scandal gathering around him.I cursed silently, the words tasting bitter on my tongue. "This wasn't what we planned," I whispered venomously.Did we not talk? The deal was to shift this win, this gigantic accomplishment—meant to boost Don's image. Find a new, single woman. Make her the envious woman whose image everyone wants. Use this as the opportunity to boost his image.Instead, he had deviated from the plan. Totally.Alpha Don stood firm at the border of the ceremonial area. His height was dressed in an elegantly tailored, earth-colored tunic, with delicate embroidery that replicated the markings of his pack.His square jaw was speckled with stubble, and his raven-black hair had
The day was still vivid in my mind as I donned my ceremonial cloak and prepared myself for the Alpha Hunt. Although I wouldn't be joining in, my assignment was simply to observe. I could already sense the live electricity that pulsed in the air. The Luna Queen herself had offered me the privilege of attending the event, which was flattering but also suspicious. I should have known better than to believe that there weren't political layers tied around this so-called ‘friendly competition.’Alpha Hunt was not only a display of power -- it was among the deciding factors in the selection of the Alpha King. As the current Alpha King and Luna Queen had no heir to succeed them, the leadership of the kingdom would soon be in the hands of a new king, selected from the strongest and best among the twenty packs. The hunt would prove not just physical strength but also cunning, leadership, and popularity with the crowd.As I stepped into the open-air stadium located on the outskirts of the royal
Don Carter's POVThe instant I met Melody, I was hopelessly captivated by her. It wasn't physical—it was something more, something that wound itself around my chest and ignited my wolf, Sid, with yearning. He was agitated from the beginning, growling every time her scent blew near, clawing at my hold the instant her eyes locked with mine. And when she said something, it was done. I couldn't think, couldn't inhale. My whole body was screaming mate.And yet. she didn't sense it.Aren't I supposed to feel the same? That pull? That deep recognition? I could hardly gaze at her without shaking with the exertion of holding Sid back. But Melody? She regarded me as if I was a pest. Worse—a dislikable oaf. Her eyes contained no glimmer of connection, no interest, no hunger. Only gracious distance and the occasional glare.That afternoon, hours back, altered everything and nothing simultaneously. We were two of us in my study, quarreling over strategy and allegiance. Discussing the Alpha King ba







