Her over all

KAEL'S POV

"Reject her and you reject us." My wolf snarled.

I slammed my fist hard against my study desk. " Silence!" I commanded my wolf, though the word was barely audible even to my own ears. It has been a constant headache since my encounter with our fated mate.

Fated mate.

The very words tasted like ash in my mouth. A Luna needed to be strong and resilient for the pack. She needed to exude power, command respect and lead thousands of warriors at ease. And my fated mate? A daughter, abandoned and wolfless, cast out from her birthright. How could she protect the pack, stand by my side in battle or command the respect of the elders and the entire pack? It was an insult to my lineage, to my pack. It was a weakness.

I pushed back my chair. The study room, a sanctuary of power, felt like a cage. Bookshelves filled with ancient texts lined the walls, maps of territories, old battle strategies and pack histories.

"A Luna who can inspire, not merely exist," I muttered to the empty room. " A Luna who has earned her place, not given through some weird beliefs."

That was why Selena was the right choice. Selena, the Pack's strongest warrior, whose strength is rivaled by many. She was a formidable presence. She was everything my fated mate clearly wasn't.

"Enter!" I commanded as the knock on the door interrupted my thoughts.

The door opened, revealing Jayden, my Beta, he stepped in. Jayden was a good beta - loyal, intelligent and fiercely protective of the pack. In addition, annoying.

Jayden paused slightly as he took in my tense posture and the dark circles under my eyes. " Morning, Alpha," Jayden began, his voice unusually cautious. " Selena just arrived, she's waiting in the living room, she said she needs to see you immediately."

So this is what it is. Someone's arrival is worth interrupting my thoughts.

My jaw clenched. The very mention of Selena, the woman I had decided would be my Luna, felt like another affront to my wolf. It was as if my wolf saw Selena as the reason for our mate's rejection, the pain in my head intensified, and the thought of dealing with Selena's immediate push for affection.

"Immediately?" My voice boomed, laced with aggression.

"Does she not understand the concept of an Alpha with duties? Does she think she can just walk in here demanding an audience whenever she pleases? I am not her servant!"

"Alpha, with all due respect, she simply stated it was urgent. She just arrived and sent word." He replied, maintaining a calm tone.

"Urgent?" I scoffed.

"You're my Beta! You should be screening these interruptions, not bringing them directly to my door! Are you not capable of managing simple communications?" I glared at him.

" Alpha, I was simply relaying a message. I thought you would want to know what your chosen mate has to say. My apologies if that was an inconvenience to your busy schedule." His last words were spoken softly, almost a murmur.

I sighed, running a hand through my hair. " Send her in and bring me black coffee." I waved my hand dismissively.

" Now. And for future reference, I expect you to handle these minor details. I have more pressing matters than managing Selena's arrival times." Jayden nodded.

Moments later, the door reopened. This time, it was Selena. She swept into the room, her movements confident.

"Kael," She walked towards me, her hips swaying subtly.

"It's Alpha for you, Selena," I responded, my tone flat with no hint of emotion.

She took a half step closer. " I heard you made your decision about me."

"I'm ready, my Alpha. Ready to be your Luna. Ready to share your burdens and most especially your bed." She smiled, her lips curved.

I took a step back, widening the distance between us." Selena," I stated, my voice firm, leaving no room for misinterpretation. " The Luna ceremony will be this Saturday."

" That's only five days away. We haven't discussed the preparation or anything." Her eyes widened in surprise.

" You are a warrior, Selena. You know how to lead, how to fight. That is what this pack needs in a Luna. Not someone occupied with parties. We'll have a simple ceremony," I interjected, cutting her off before she could continue.

" And my role as Luna?" The seductive lit was gone, replaced by a challenge.

"Your role will be to stand by my side, to represent strength and loyalty and to assist in the training and defense of the pack," I informed. " If you have anything else to say, speak to my Beta, and he will relay your message to me, and he might as well solve it himself."

"I'm to be your Luna, but I'm to speak to your Beta about my affairs. Am I even allowed to breathe without his permission, Alpha?" She spoke sarcastically.

"You can leave now." I sighed. She stomped her feet on the floor and left in anger.

And a few minutes later, the door opened again and I didn't have to look up to know it was Jayden.

"Coffee, Alpha, as requested." He said, placing the mug on my desk.

He stood there like a log of wood, not leaving.

" Do you have a purpose for standing there, Beta, or are you here to provide unnecessary comments on my personal life?" I stared into his eyes.

Jayden shrugged. " Just observing Alpha. It's my duty to understand the happenings in the pack, after all. And the future Luna seems unpleasantly surprised by her impending marriage." He paused, then added, " She seemed to think there would be more... give and take. Perhaps, less delegation to the Beta." He teased.

" Why now, Jayden? Did you find your fated mate?" He questioned, and my expression changed, I couldn't hide anything from him, but this I was unwilling to answer. He already knew the response; he just wanted to clear his doubts.

Just as I was about to speak, a sharp pain cut through my chest and the mug in my hand fell to the ground.

"Kael." Jayden panicked, rushing to my side.

"Mate," My wolf screamed, and reality dawned on me.

Danger! Our mate! She's in danger!