4. Searching For My Luna

Kian’s POV

I stood in the forest, chest heaving, frustration clawing at me. I hadn’t even gotten to tell her she was my mate. She’ll figure it out when she sees the mark. The need to claim her had been overwhelming, primal—I hadn’t asked, I’d just… taken. She’s probably furious.

But I can’t lose her.

Four mind-link conversations buzzed in my head at once.

“Rusty, dig into everything about the woman I left with last night.”

“On it, Alpha.”

I pinched the bridge of my nose. My mate. A witch. Dad is going to have a heart attack.

“River, did everyone make it home safe?”

“Yes, Kian. Where the hell were you last night?”

“I found my mate.”

“…You what? That’s incredible! The Alpha King will—”

“She’s a witch. And I lost her. Get someone to pick up my bike from the penthouse. Meet me at our spot.”

“…Yes, Alpha.”

I closed my eyes, replaying her in my mind—her scent, soft curves, the fire in her gaze. My mate was everything. Now I just had to find her again.

“Poison, what’s the pack’s status?”

“The King has been asking for you, Alpha.”

“Tell him I’ll be in the city a few days.”

“Understood.”

Soon after, I was dropped off at the werewolf diner in Moonstone Town. River was already waiting, a smug grin plastered on his face.

“What’s with the stupid grin?” I muttered.

He slid a thick folder across the table. “Rusty’s report. About your mate.”

My heart kicked hard. “Spit it out.”

River’s smirk widened. “Why did your mate leave you stranded in the forest?”

“She’s only eighteen. Probably in trouble at home. I’ll find her, bring her back where she belongs.”

River shook his head. “That’s going to be… impossible.”

“What do you mean?”

“She’s the heir to the Witch’s Supreme throne. Her aunt, Marilla Darkhaven, has ruled for three centuries. Aminda is next.”

I nearly choked on my coffee. “Say what?!”

River leaned back, enjoying my shock. “All of Verona City celebrated her birthday last night. When she went missing, her stepfather launched a manhunt. She’s the apple of his eye—and Marilla dotes on her. They’ll never let her go. Only one Supreme Witch is born every few centuries.”

A cold dread washed over me. Moon Goddess, why pair me with her?

But my wolf snarled, and my answer was instant. “I won’t give her up. I already marked her. She’s mine.”

River’s jaw dropped. “You marked her? Without consent?”

I growled, defensive. “My wolf acted. That bastard Alister was hovering like he owned her.”

“You ran into Alister Silverlake? Kian, he’s poison. He hates our kind. If he knows you marked her…”

I raked a hand through my hair. “Why did she have to be their queen?”

River chuckled. “A queen for a king. Fitting, huh?”

I scowled. “Not funny.”

We went back and forth until he revealed the rest—her elite school, hilded cage, and carefully guarded life. I barely listened. All I could think about was her mouth on mine, her body arching beneath me. She’d sought me out, rebellious, daring. She’d wanted me to ruin her—and I had.

By Monday, I was pacing the tree line outside her institute, hidden in wolf form. When I felt her presence, I shifted and tugged on the shorts I’d carried in my mouth.

Then she appeared.

My jaw went slack. White tied shirt, pleated black skirt barely covering her thighs, gartered stockings, high heels. Every inch of her screamed forbidden temptation.

“What the fuck are you wearing?” I tried to sound stern, but my voice cracked high.

Her arms crossed under her breasts—perfect, distracting. “Eyes up here, Alpha King,” she said icily.

That title froze me. My gaze followed her hand as she brushed her hair aside, revealing my mark, glowing faintly against her skin. Regal. Irrevocable.

“Care to explain this?” she demanded.

“Why are you hiding it?”

“Because I’m the next Witch Supreme. I can’t flaunt a werewolf mark on my neck! You didn’t ask me, Kian. You had no right. How do I get rid of it? I’ve tried everything.”

“You don’t. It’s permanent.” My voice dropped, rough. “Because you’re mine.”

Her eyes flashed, but I caught the flicker of heat beneath her anger.

“I’m not just a wolf, Aminda. I’m the next Alpha king. And I need you as my Luna.”

She inhaled sharply. “And I already have a kingdom. Witches and wolves don’t mix. I only sought you out to feel something different.”

I closed the distance in two strides, gripping her waist. “Don’t lie to me. You’ve been watching us run in the forest for months. You wanted me. And now you’re mine—marked, mated, fucked.”

Her lips parted to protest, but I silenced her with my mouth. She melted, hands clutching at me as I pressed her against the wall, lifting her easily. The taste of her arousal filled the air as I slid inside her, her thighs locking around me. Every thrust branded her deeper as mine.

Her climax tore through her, her body gripping me like a vice. My bite sank over my mark again, and I followed with a growl. She gasped my name like a prayer.

Then—

“Your Highness.” A man’s voice rang from the distance.

She stiffened. “My guards.”

I eased her down, brushing my thumb across her swollen lips.

“Don’t look for me again, Kian. My family is dangerous. I don’t want them to hurt you.”

I smirked darkly. “I’d like to see them try.”

“Please,” she whispered, sadness clouding her eyes. Then she turned, fog swirling to obscure her path. Gone.

I snarled at the space she’d left behind. If she thought a little magic could keep me away, she was wrong.

She was mine. And I wasn’t letting her go.