Chapter 1: The moon, the Alpha, and I

Zyra's pov…

While everyone was out and about enjoying the Luna initiation ceremony I wasn’t even allowed to watch. 

Let alone dream of participating.

Even omegas were invited but not me, a lowly palace maid who was only here by the mercy of the queen.

On the bright side, I had the palace to myself and I didn’t have to witness Roland choosing a mate. 

I wasn’t sure I would ever heal from it. 

I was free to roam places I had never been before.

For one night, I had the freedom to do whatever I wanted, yet I still chose to return to the only place that gave me solitude.

An empty terrace that was almost a hidden spot in the large palace garden, covered by so many trees and vines on the wall.

I have been coming here every night since I was 17.

Tonight was a full moon and the terrace was exceptionally beautiful.

There was a small pond in the middle that reflected the moon, making the water glow and shine like crystals in the dark. 

I moved closer over the body of water to touch it, that was when I noticed a presence.

He stood hidden in the dark shadows, his eyes focused on me. 

I shifted backwards and hugged my chest tightly to keep my heart from jumping out of its cage, “Alpha Roland, what are you doing here?” 

“Do I need permission to tour my palace?” 

“No you don’t… but the Luna initiation ceremony… everyone would be looking for you.” 

“Everyone?” 

“Yes, everyone.” 

“Then why aren’t you there yourself?” 

“I am not allowed to be in attendance.” He didn’t answer, he moved towards me taking brief steps.

I stepped backwards, maintaining the original distance between us. 

He stopped moving when he realized I had backed up. 

For a moment, just a brief moment, a part of me allowed myself to believe that he noticed my absence at the ceremony and decided to come here.

But in my over 20 years of being in this palace, Roland had never noticed me, so who was I kidding?

It won’t be a random night that he will start thinking about me.

He was about to speak when the cloud cleared up completely revealing the full moon.

The moon wasn't bright like other nights; it shone red and gold, casting its softness over us.

It was time.

Time for the Luna to be chosen. 

He looked up at the moon, “I have to go.”

I nodded in response because that was the only response I could manage as my head suddenly felt heavy. 

The entire terrace appeared to be spinning in that moment.

Just as Roland moved past me, it was like electricity jolted through both of us. 

He turned towards me, gripping my hand, a gold cord wrapped around both our hands, binding us tightly.

“Mate!” He groaned, staring deep into my eyes.

Before I could make out what just happened his lips crashed into mine.

Hungry and dazed with need.

I gave in to his kiss, opening up my mouth to grant him access.

He shoved his tongue into my mouth taking me whole.

In minutes our clothes were on the floor, tossed aside as we tangled ourselves giving into our desires.

“Zyra.” He moaned my name as he nibbled on my skin.

I was too consumed to even process the fact that he had just called my name. 

He knew my name. 

My back arched forward as I pressed my body into his, desperate for more skin contact. 

“Roland, I want mor—” Almost like that was the go-ahead he needed. 

He turned me over and thrust deep into me. 

My mind was a mess but my body was even worse. It became like jelly, my legs no longer supported my own weight. 

Roland placed a hand just below me to steady me. 

The pace of his thrust increased, the sound of skin slapping and our moans mixed drowning out our surroundings. 

And just as I was about to reach a release, he bit me on my shoulder with his fangs marking me. 

The action tipped us over as we both reached our release at the same time. 

The mark was painful at first but the pain was soon replaced by sweetness that spread all over my body.

———

Eight weeks and 10 days had passed since the night I had sex with Roland at the Terrace.

I knew the weeks because my courses were exactly eight weeks late.

I held the pregnancy strip in my hand, staring at the positive sign.

I was pregnant.

I had not spoken or seen Roland since that night.

I would have thought he was avoiding me, but what business does the Alpha have with a maid like me?

“Zyra!” Marcelline’s voice echoed around the place, sometimes I imagined the windows shaking whenever she shouted.

I threw the test strip in the bin, to answer Marcelline.

“Yes.”

“You stress me a lot by making me shout.”

”I am sorry.” It wasn't my fault I didn't have a wolf and wasn't able to mind-link like the others, but with Marcelline, I always had to apologize.

"Get two cups of my special tea ready.” she barked in response, not bothering to look at me.

"Okay.”

I brought the tea in after some minutes, but she wasn't alone anymore, Roland was there seated across from her.

I served Marcelline and then Roland.

He completely avoided my gaze, not paying any attention to me. 

What was I expecting?

But it still didn't help the ache in my chest as I shook slightly as I served the tea. 

I waited for their meeting to end as I paced down the hall, transferring my weight from one foot to the next.

“Alpha Roland," I called out stopping him in his tracks.

He didn't turn to face me, but that didn't stop me from moving closer, “About that night—.”

He turned to face me pinning me with his glare, "What happened that night was a mistake.”

I touched the mark on my shoulder, “Doesn't this mean I am your fated mate?” 

The closer I got to him, the hotter it burned.

A mocking laugh broke out from Roland.

“You… a mere human, as my fated mate?”

“Then explain the mark and full moon attraction.” 

“A mistake, as I said..”

I had to use the wall as support as my knees knocked beneath his glare.

The sting of just two words made my breath shudder.

I gripped his hand purely from instinct, and a gold cord appeared binding us together.

“We are mates, I may be human, but I grew up with wolves all my life so I know a mating bond when I see one.”

He backed me up against the wall, "I already have a mate, this is nothing but a mistake from the moon goddess.”

“The moon goddess doesn’t make mistakes.” I barked in response.

“I would never accept you as my mate, so let's be done with this BS.”

“No!” I pleaded in objection to what he was about to do.

His eyes shone brighter, as he ignored my plea, “I Roland Vale, reject you Zyra Moore as my fated mate.”

The words slammed into me like a physical blow.

A sob broke out from me as pain grossed my features, falling me to my knees.

I clutched my chest, screaming. My heart felt like it was splitting open.

“Roland…” I sobbed, my voice barely a whisper now. 

“Please…take it back.”

But he was already turning away.

The golden cord between us flickered violently, then snapped.

The emptiness that followed was worse than the pain.

I lay there trembling, my tears soaking into the stone floor, while the bond that had tied my fate to his dissolved into nothing.

Rejected. Unwanted. Alone.