She's My Fated Mate

Kiera's POV

Staring into the mirror, I applied the final touches to my face, a smile curling on my lips as I blew a playful kiss at my reflection. Grabbing my handbag from the nightstand, I strode toward the door, the sharp click of my heels echoing across the marble floor.

“Good morning, Kiera. How was your night?” Cole asked, trailing behind me as I descended the staircase, each step taken with deliberate grace.

“The best night ever,” I answered softly, heading straight for the dining area.

“That’s clearly written all over your face, my Luna,” the butler remarked with a warm smile as he began to serve my breakfast.

“Do you mind if I brief you on the preparations so far?” Cole inquired, already pulling out his tablet. I nodded faintly, lifting my spoon and fork.

“Go ahead,” I replied, and he immediately tapped on the screen.

“Alpha Preston is scheduled to arrive in two hours. I received word that their plane landed in South America ten minutes ago.” A smile tugged at my lips before I could stop it. I quickly shoved a spoonful of food into my mouth to conceal it, though it felt impossible to suppress the excitement blooming within me.

“The hall has been decorated, and the welcome party is almost ready. They’re just waiting for your signal before heading to the pack gate,” he continued, listing all the final touches. His words filled me with pride; I'd handled everything so well. Preston would be proud when he returned.

“That’s wonderful. In an hour, tell the welcoming team to begin the singing and dancing, then have them proceed to the pack gates,” I instructed.

“Noted,” he replied, typing swiftly.

“That’ll be all,” I added, resuming my meal, though my thoughts drifted to Preston. Every fiber of my being longed to be in his arms again. Five whole years, five agonizing years apart from my mate.

After marking me as his Luna, war broke out between the werewolves and vampires in Asia. A brutal, devastating war. Every Alpha from across the globe was summoned to Asia with at least a hundred warriors. I hadn’t wanted him to go. I’d begged him to find an excuse, to send Cole in his place, but he refused. Preston was a proud nationalist, a protector of the werewolf kind. Renowned and respected for it.

No matter how much I pleaded, he wouldn't bend. I feared losing him. Nothing was guaranteed on the battlefield, except death. And I couldn't bear that. I simply couldn't.

“I promise to come back to you once the war is over.” His words from that very day still echoed clearly in my mind, like he was whispering them right now.

“In my absence, you’re the Alpha. Take care of the pack until I return.” I had been too overwhelmed to speak. My tears said it all. My lips moved, but no sound emerged.

“I love you so much, and nothing can change that.” Those were his last words before he kissed me deeply and then walked away without glancing back. I found my voice too late. I called out. Likewise, I ran after him, but it was no use. He was gone. It felt like my soul had been ripped away. I could barely breathe.

For days, I remained locked inside, trying to adjust to the space beside me at night. It was the hardest period of my life. But his words, they strengthened me. “In my absence, you’re the Alpha.”

I vowed to make him proud. I wasn’t just Alpha; I was still his Luna. Furthermore, I built emotional bonds with my people and stayed strong when they needed a leader. Not only that, but I became a warrior for them. There were moments when I wanted to break down, to vanish, but his promise gave me strength.

And my people, they made it bearable. Sometimes, without asking, they threw celebrations in my honor, recognizing my efforts. Those moments were everything to me. Their support kept me afloat, even in the face of fire and storms. For them, I learned to fake my smiles.

In the blink of an eye, five days became five weeks, then months. And when I thought the pain would end, I woke up to realize five years had passed.

“My Luna, they’re approaching Moonlight Pack,” Cole announced, snapping me out of my thoughts.

“What?” I exclaimed, springing to my feet. “Signal the welcoming team. Immediately,” I commanded, striding toward the front door.

“How did that happen? They just arrived in America moments ago…” I mumbled as I walked toward the parking lot.

“I received a message from Will; they chartered a private jet,” Cole replied behind me. I let out a small “Oh,” then climbed into the already opened car door.

“Good morning, my beautiful Luna. How was your night?” the driver greeted as he settled into the driver’s seat.

“It was lovely. Take me to my office. We’ll head to the pack gate afterward.”

“Yes, ma,” he replied, starting the engine and driving off immediately. Along the way, I spotted the welcoming team forming neat groups, dancing and singing their way toward the pack gate.

Upon reaching the office, I stepped out and rushed inside. I retrieved the garland I’d made just for Preston, holding it like a sacred treasure, then descended the stairs and reentered the car. Without needing instructions, the driver took us straight to the pack gate.

As soon as we arrived, I stepped out. The welcoming team’s drums thundered, their dances more vibrant and joyful than ever. But beneath my calm exterior, my heart pounded with anxious excitement.

I tried to imagine his reaction; would he kiss me passionately? Hug me like he'd never let go?

“Kiera, pull yourself together,” I whispered to myself, drawing in a steady breath.

Just then, the jet came into view. The drumming intensified. We all waited, watching intently as the aircraft descended and touched down. The air staircase extended, and the team inched closer in rhythm to the beat.

I walked toward the jet as the door opened, and then I saw him. Preston emerged from the cabin in a sleek all-black ensemble, sunglasses perfectly perched on his face. My breath caught as I noticed he was holding a woman’s hand. They were looking into each other's eyes as they descended together.

My shoulders dropped, but I forced my smile to remain in place, even as my heart shattered into fragments.

I approached him, raised the garland, and gently kissed his cheek, then briefly his lips, before placing it around his neck.

“Welcome back, honey,” I murmured, and he smiled, returning the kiss without letting go of the other woman’s hand.

“Who is she?” I mind-linked him, embracing him tightly, my heartbeat louder than the surrounding drumming.

“She’s my fated mate.”