A Girlfriend Chosen for the Throne

Aven did not visit the Alpha house by accident. She never did anything without intention. By the time she climbed the stone steps that morning, the pack was already buzzing. Not loudly. Not openly. The whispers had learned caution. But they still slipped through corridors and lingered in doorways, curling around names and glances and unfinished thoughts. The omega is in the Alpha house. The rejected one. Why is she still here.

Aven heard every word and smiled anyway. She wore white today, the color chosen carefully. Soft fabric, modest cut, nothing sharp or aggressive. The kind of dress the elders approved of. The kind that whispered stability and tradition without saying it aloud. The guards at the door straightened when they saw her. “Alpha is with the council,” one said. “I know,” Aven replied gently. “I am here to see Elara.” The guard hesitated.

“She is under the Alpha’s protection,” he said, as if testing the words. Aven tilted her head. “I am aware, that is why I am here.” After a moment, the guard stepped aside. Elara was sitting on the edge of the bed when the knock came, hands folded tightly in her lap. The pain from the night before had faded into a dull ache, leaving her exhausted and hollow. She had not slept. Every time she closed her eyes, heat bloomed beneath her skin and her heart raced for reasons she did not understand. “Come in,” she said quietly.

The door opened, and Aven stepped inside. Elara’s breath caught. Aven looked exactly as she always did. Perfect. Calm. Untouched by the ugliness that clung to Elara like a second skin. Her eyes swept the room once before settling on Elara, sharp and assessing. “So,” Aven said lightly. “This is where you have been hiding.”

“I am not hiding,” Elara replied. Aven smiled, slow and cold. “Of course not.” She crossed the room without asking permission and sat in the chair near the window, folding her hands neatly in her lap. Sunlight caught in her hair, turning it almost golden. “You caused quite the stir,” she continued. “Running from the pack, being carried back by the Alpha.” People are talking you know. Elara looked away, “then why are you here.”

“To be kind,” Aven said. The word landed wrong. “Elara,” she went on, her voice softening, you must understand how confusing this has been for everyone, for Rowen especially. He has waited years for a mate, years. When the Moon finally revealed one, and it was you…, She paused, as if searching for the right word. “It was difficult.” Elara’s hands curled into fists. “He rejected me,” she said. “Publicly.”

“Yes,” Aven agreed. “And that was necessary.” Elara snapped her gaze back to her. “Necessary for who.”

“For the pack,” Aven said smoothly. “For stability. For leadership. An omega without status, without training, without a wolf until now, cannot stand beside an Alpha. You know that.”

“I did not ask to stand beside him.”

“And yet the Moon chose you,” Aven replied. Her smile sharpened. “Mistakes happen.” The words hit harder than Elara expected. “You should be grateful,” Aven continued. Rowen is merciful, he could have punished you for crossing the border. Instead, he brought you back and offered protection. That is more than most omegas would receive. “I did not ask for protection either.”

Aven sighed, as if disappointed, “you make this harder than it needs to be.” She stood and stepped closer, stopping just short of Elara’s personal space. “Rowen and I will announce our bond soon,” she said quietly. “I will be Luna of Blackmere.” And that is already decided. Elara’s chest tightened. She had known this was coming. Still, the finality of it stole her breath.

“You will remain here for now,” Aven went on. “Out of sight, out of trouble and in time, the pack will forget.” Elara laughed softly, the sound brittle, “you think they will forget the omega the Alpha rejected.”

“They will,” Aven said. “Because they want to.” She straightened and smoothed her dress. “I wanted you to hear it from me, woman to woman.” Aven turned toward the door. “Elara,” she added, pausing. “Do not mistake the Alpha’s attention for affection, he is protecting the pack, not you.” When the door closed behind her, Elara sat very still.

Her wolf stirred uneasily, hackles raised, sensing threat even if Elara could not yet give it a name. Rowen felt the shift the moment Aven entered the Alpha house. Not through the bond, through instinct. By the time the council dismissed, his patience was gone. He left without explanation, strides long and purposeful as he headed toward the upper wing. Aven was just stepping into the corridor when she saw him.

“Rowen,” she said, her expression brightening. “I was hoping to see you.” He stopped in front of her, “you went to her.”

“Yes,” Aven replied. “I thought it best.” His eyes darkened. “Without my permission.”

“She is in your house,” Aven said carefully. “That concerns me.”

“It should not.” Aven’s smile faltered. “I am your chosen partner, your future Luna.”

“You are my girlfriend,” Rowen said flatly. The distinction landed like a slap. “You told the council,” Aven said, her voice tight. “You told the pack.”

“I told them what was convenient.” Silence stretched between them. “You cannot undo this,” Aven said. “Not without consequences.” Rowen leaned closer, his voice low. “Neither can you.” Aven searched his face, alarm flickering beneath her composure. “I did nothing wrong,” she said. “You provoked her,” he replied. “You will not do it again.”

“She is an omega,” Aven snapped, the mask slipping. “She does not belong here.” Rowen straightened slowly. “You forget your place.” The words stung. Aven stepped back, lips pressed thin. “Very well,” she said. “I will not interfere.” She walked away without looking back. Rowen stood there for a long moment before turning toward Elara’s door. He knocked once, then entered.

Elara was sitting on the bed again, shoulders stiff, eyes fixed on the wall. She did not look at him. “She came to see you,” Rowen said. “Yes.”

“What did she say.” Elara hesitated, then shrugged. “That she will be Luna and that I should stay out of the way.” Rowen’s jaw clenched. “She does not decide that.”

“You already did,” Elara replied quietly. The words were not angry. That hurt more. Rowen stepped closer. “I rejected the bond but I did not reject responsibility.”

“Responsibility is not the same as wanting me here.” Silence filled the room. “You should not have run,” he said at last. “You should not have rejected me,” she shot back. The bond flared, hot and sharp, forcing both of them to breathe through it. Rowen exhaled slowly. “I am trying to fix this.” Elara laughed again, bitter and tired. “You cannot fix what you broke.” Her wolf stirred beneath her skin, restless and growing stronger by the hour.

Outside the Alpha house, the pack whispered. Inside, two lives strained against a fate neither of them had chosen properly. And somewhere beneath the surface, something ancient was waking, listening, waiting for the moment when choosing would no longer be optional.