CHAPTER THREE

RONAN'S POV

As I lay on my bed, thoughts of the past forty-eight hours kept replaying in my head. Everything about Seraphina kept confusing me.

So she doesn't have a wolf? Then why did my wolf act that way when she was close to me that night?

But the moment I first saw her that night at the training center, something inside me shifted. My wolf had stirred restlessly in excitement.

"Our mate," it purred.

Thinking about it now, I don't think it's possible. There's no way the future Alpha King will be paired with a wolfless girl. But when I stared into her eyes, I felt it—that indescribable feeling of excitement.

Seraphina's piercing green eyes had pulled me in so deeply that for a second, the entire world around us disappeared. She was breathtaking in an effortless way, an ethereal beauty with thick raven hair and flawless caramel skin, which made her look so captivating.

I found myself staring at her longer than I should have until one of the warriors cleared his throat loudly because he wanted to ask a question. I snapped out of my thoughts, annoyance flashing through me. But what confused me the most was my wolf's reaction when I got closer to her that night.

An alpha wolf would never react that way to a wolf, much less a wolfless girl.

I sat up abruptly, running a frustrated hand through my hair.

"What exactly are you, Seraphina?" I muttered under my breath.

I let out a heavy sigh as another troubling thought settled in.

If she was truly my mate, would the pack accept her? Would they accept a wolfless girl as their Luna?

Considering the way they all acted last night when they found out that she doesn't have a wolf, accepting her should be the last thing I should be worried about. Instead, I should be more worried about how she will constantly get mocked and bullied. Any mistake she makes is going to be used against her mercilessly.

And deep down, the thought angered me more than it should. My jaw tightened as Amara's smug face flashed through my mind. Why did she have to expose Seraphina in front of everyone?

I groaned tiredly as I forced myself out of bed.

"I can't keep stressing over this. Maybe I should talk to Mom about it after breakfast," I muttered to myself.

The selection ceremony is only a few days away, and I already have enough responsibilities weighing on my shoulders. I have to ask for advice so it doesn't affect my alpha duties.

***

Father sat at the head of the table, going through the pack's report, and Mom sipped calmly from her cup of tea while the servants served us breakfast.

The smell of freshly baked bread filled the room. I wasn't having any appetite, but I knew I needed to eat if I wanted to function well that day.

Mother glanced up first.

"You look exhausted, Ronan."

"I barely slept," I admitted.

Father lowered the paper slightly, studying me carefully.

"Is something bothering you?"

I hesitated. Talking to Father about Seraphina might be dangerous. If he found out that she's my mate, he would not only persuade me to reject her because she's wolfless, but rumors would also spread throughout the kingdom and Seraphina would not only be a subject of mockery, she could also be a target for political games.

"Not really," I said as I continued eating.

After breakfast, Father left to attend to some important pack matters. Then I turned to Mom.

"I really need your advice, Mom," I said, dropping my fork onto the plate.

"What is wrong, dear?" she asked, looking concerned.

I hesitated before asking,

"What should I do if the Moon Goddess chooses someone unsuitable to become the next Luna Queen?"

"You've found your mate?" she asked excitedly.

"That's not the question I asked, Mom."

"What do you mean by unsuitable? Is she weak, or is it that she doesn't know how to fight?"

"Not any of that. The thing is... she doesn't have a wolf."

Mom reached across the table gently and held my hands.

"The Moon Goddess doesn't make mistakes."

I wanted to believe that. I truly did.

But then she continued, "But not having a wolf as a Luna Queen is not possible. Her weakness will constantly be used against her. She won't be strong enough to take over the Luna duties. She lacks the power of a wolf, so she will find a lot of things difficult, and she might not survive it. So I would advise you to reject her so that the Moon Goddess can select another mate for both of you before it's too late."

The mere thought of rejecting her shattered my heart, and my wolf howled in protest.

***

The training grounds were louder than usual today. Young wolves sparred aggressively while the warriors trained upcoming wolves.

Normally, training helped me clear my mind, but today was different. The young wolves walked on eggshells, noticing my irritation.

"Alpha Ronan," one of the warriors called out after successfully dodging my distracted attacks.

"What is it?" I said as I dropped the wooden sword to the ground and took a gulp of water.

"You look distracted today. Why don't you take a rest?" he spoke carefully, trying not to anger me.

"I'm fine."

Murmurs spread quietly among the trainees as they all bowed their heads.

"RONAN!"

Father roared, his voice echoing through the pack grounds.

I turned to see him standing near the gates with a blank expression.

"Meet me in my office," he ordered before walking away.

Great.

I dismissed the wolves before heading to his office reluctantly. The second I stepped inside, Father's cold voice filled the room.

"You were distracted today. That kind of carelessness gets people killed."

He paced around his office restlessly.

"I'm sorry," I said as I lowered my head in shame.

"A future alpha cannot afford to be weak. You must always be alert, cold-hearted, undefeatable, and strong."

I clenched my jaw silently. I've heard this countless times.

Why do I have to be cold-hearted like him? I want to be a respected yet carefree alpha. I don't have to act cold toward everyone just because I'm an alpha. Sometimes it feels really exhausting pretending to be emotionless all the time.

Father stopped walking immediately.

"I saw you discussing something with your mom this morning at the dining table after I left. What did you talk about?"

My heart skipped.

"Nothing important," I answered.

Before he could press further, the Beta entered the office.

"Alpha, the council elders have arrived," he said.

Relief flooded through me instantly as Father dismissed me with a wave.

I decided to go to my favorite place to clear my head, so I headed straight to the pack lake, which was luckily close to Seraphina's house. My wolf danced in excitement.

I knew I needed a quiet space to think and clear my mind, but I also knew that seeing Seraphina might make my restless wolf calm.

Maybe it's not just my wolf that wants to see her though, but it's mainly because of my wolf.

***

The lake glistened beautifully beneath the sun.

And her skin glowed beneath the rays of the sun.

My mate.

Seraphina sat quietly by the water and absentmindedly tossed tiny stones into the lake.

For a moment, I simply stood there watching her.

She looked peaceful as the wind played softly with her beautiful dark hair.

I stared for so long that my feet started to hurt, then I noticed a hand wrapped around mine.

I looked up, annoyance flashing through me as I saw the person who made my mate sad.

Amara.

She pressed herself closer instantly, her perfume almost suffocating.

"Ronan," she said sweetly. "I've been looking for you everywhere."

"It's Alpha Ronan," I said as I gently removed her hand from mine and created some distance between us.

"What do you want, Amara?" I asked through gritted teeth.

Her smile faltered briefly before returning.

"You've been avoiding me."

Because you annoy me.

"I've been busy," I answered as I looked over to where Seraphina was seated. She was still preoccupied with her thoughts.

She leaned closer again.

"You know the pack already expects us to be together since we both don't have mates."

I stared at her coldly. She rejected her mate when she found out that he was the omega's son.

"He's below my level," she had said.

And since then, she had been obviously throwing herself at me.

She slowly pulled her hand away from mine when she noticed my cold gaze.

Before she could speak again, a movement near the lake caught my attention.

Seraphina had turned around, and she saw us.

For a second, our eyes locked.

My wolf whimpered painfully inside me.

Not excited.

Not possessive.

Afraid.

An alpha wolf should never react this way toward his mate.

As I struggled to process my thoughts, Seraphina stood up to leave.

Panic rose in my chest.

I tried calling her.

"Seraph..." but suddenly Amara grabbed my face and smashed her lips against mine.

My entire body froze.

Shock exploded through me as my eyes widened.

Seraphina stood still in shock, watching us. The small smile she had moments ago disappeared instantly.

I quickly pushed Amara away.

Before I could run to meet Seraphina, she turned and walked away.

My wolf let out a sad howl inside me.

And for the first time in my life...

I felt scared and heartbroken.