2. Kian

Kian's PoV

Steam clung to my skin as I stepped from the shower, towel-drying my hair. For three months of pack runs, I’d felt it—something, someone—watching from the same spot in the forest. Every time I returned, there was nothing. My wolf, Mayhem, prowled restlessly inside me, unsatisfied. We’d run with unmated wolves from neighboring packs for two years, yet still no mate. The bond gnawed at us like hunger.

“Kian, may I come in?”

My father didn’t wait for an answer before stepping inside. The Alpha King filled the room with the weight of his authority. His eyes said what his words soon followed.

“Still nothing, Father?” I asked.

He sighed. “Son… maybe it’s time to accept you may never find her. What if she’s not a wolf? What if she’s human—or worse, a witch?”

The thought struck me like lightning. I had never considered it.

“Would you have settled, Father?” I challenged.

“I found my fate the first year I turned eighteen. You’re approaching twenty-one. The throne cannot remain without a Luna.”

“You cannot strip me of my birthright.”

“I won’t. But the Council will not wait forever. There are plenty of she-wolves who would love to stand by your side. Vera, for one.”

I scoffed. “Are you spying on me?”

“I’m your father. It’s my duty.”

“I’ve been with many she-wolves. That doesn’t make them my Luna.”

His jaw hardened. “Vera is Alpha Mercury’s daughter. Dishonoring her could cost you.”

“Dishonor?” I laughed coldly. “She gave herself to her mate first, then rejected him for being a warrior. I only learned afterward. What happened between us was nothing but frustration. A mistake.”

My father’s face darkened. “Five months, Kian. If you don’t find her, the Council will choose for you.” He stormed out, the door slamming like a verdict.

Five months. Mayhem growled inside me. We would find her. I could feel her close.

---

Weeks later, I was polishing my black Suzuki Hayabusa when River, my future Beta, whistled.

“Sweet ride. What happened to the Harley?”

“It’s in the garage. This one’s for our next run.”

“Run? On bikes?”

“We’re going to Verona City. The Wicked Cauldron is celebrating the next Witch Supreme’s birthday. If my mate isn’t a wolf, she might be there.”

River hesitated. “A witch gathering? Kian, that’s dangerous.”

“Afraid, Beta River?” I smirked. “Witches are powerful, but they can’t break us. And my Luna will be worth any risk.”

---

The full moon rose, and over forty engines roared down the highway, wolves turning riders in black leather. When we arrived, the city pulsed with life, the Wicked Cauldron spilling with witches, wolves, and everything.

I took my place at the bar on the second floor, scanning the crowd. Hours passed. Nothing. I turned away another bold witch pressing herself too close when Mayhem surged.

'Mate.'

The scent hit first—wild, intoxicating. Then I saw her.

She stood at the entrance, platinum hair spilling like silk to her waist, violet eyes glowing under the lights. Her dress clung to every curve, barely covering her, and I wanted to wrap her in my arms and hide her from every hungry eye. My chest pounded. My mate was a witch. And she was devastatingly stunning.

Her gaze swept the room, searching. A stab of jealousy flared—who was she looking for? Then our eyes locked. Her lips curved into a smile, and everything else vanished.

She moved through the crowd, flanked by two witches, yet no one dared block her path. Power radiated from her like a crown already claimed. Whispers trailed behind her:

“Can’t believe she’s here.”

“Did you get a picture?”

By the time she reached the second floor, she was alone. With a flick of her hand, she cleared the space around me.

“I knew you’d be here, wolf.” Her voice was velvet, wicked, and intoxicating.

“Is that so? Do you know me, witch?” My voice came out rough, strained.

“Oh, I’ve seen you.” She slid onto the stool across from me. With a twirl of her finger, my whisky refilled, and a cherry martini appeared before her. She plucked the cherry, holding it between her lips before biting it. Red juice stained her mouth, and my cock hardened painfully.

“And what is it you want from me?” I asked, unable to look away from her lips.

Her tongue swept over them, slow and teasing. “I want you to pop my cherry.”

For once, I was speechless. She sipped her drink as if she’d asked about the weather, then reached out, fingers tracing the muscle of my arm.

“Interested, wolf? Or should I find someone else?”

A growl ripped from my throat before I could stop it. She laughed, delighted.

“Already possessive? Come then. Take me out of here, do whatever you want.”

I seized her wrist, sparks igniting under my skin. Mayhem purred, mate with worshipful hunger.

“You’ve been a bad little witch,” I murmured. “And I’m Alpha. Do you know what that means?”

Her eyes gleamed. “That you’ll punish me?”

“You can bet on it. But not here.”

---

She climbed onto the back of my bike, arms wrapping tight around me. Her thighs pressed against mine, tormenting me with every turn. The twenty-minute ride to my apartment felt like hours. I could barely keep from pulling off the road and taking her against the nearest tree.

The moment we arrived, I crushed my lips to hers. She leapt into my arms, wrapping her legs around my waist, grinding against my hard length. She tasted like sin.

Then a voice split the night.

“Aminda!!”

We turned. A tall, broad man with a beard and a man-bun charged forward, flanked by suited men. His glare promised death.

“Get your filthy hands off her, wolf!”

Aminda spat, “Fuck you, Alister!”

I pushed her behind me, ready to fight, but the world shifted before they could reach us. A puff of magic, and we were in the forest.

She smoothed her dress down, only for the neckline to dip lower, exposing the curve of her perfect breasts. My gaze dragged over her, hungry.

She smirked. “Is this change of scenery better, Alpha?”