Chapter 1

The full moon hung brightly in the night sky, Shining on the Midnight Pack’s central clearing.

Elara Voss stayed at the edge of the crowd with her worn cloak which was pulled tight around her shoulders as if it could shield her from the stares she knew were coming.

At twenty-four, she had learned exactly where she belonged in the pack hierarchy, she was frmly at the bottom. Her huge soft bold curves, and generousity, had always marked her as different where as other she-wolves were slim and athletic. They were built for speed and battle while Elara was all broad hips, thick thighs, and a full belly that strained against the simple green dress she’d chosen for the occasion. The fabric clung in ways that made her self-conscious, but it was one of the few things she owned that didn’t look too old.

She adjusted the basket of healing herbs on her arm, the familiar scents of lavender and moonroot grounding her. As the pack’s assistant healer, she was invisible but useful. Tonight, though, every wolf in the pack had gathered to witness the ascension of their new Alpha, Kai Blackthorn.

Elara felt nervous, she hadn’t seen much of Kai since he returned from the border wars three years ago.

Elara was sure he'll be taller, broader, and look more terrifying than the young man who had once broken a girl’s heart in front of the entire pack. That night was never forgotten by the gossip circles. He had felt the mate bond snap into place with some poor, unremarkable she-wolf and publicly rejected her on the spot.

“The Luna of Midnight Pack must be strong. A warrior, not… this.” he said.

Elara had never learned the girl’s name. She preferred it that way. Knowing fully well that it would make the cruelty feel too real.

A drumbeat rolled through the clearing, deep and resonant. The ceremony was beginning. Elara stayed near the back, half-hidden behind a younger wolves, but the Moon Goddess seemed to have other plans.

Alpha Kai strode into the center of the clearing like he owned the moonlight itself. He was breathtaking in a certain way with his honed muscle, dark hair cropped short, a jagged scar running from his left temple to his jaw. His black ceremonial tunic stretched across powerful shoulders, and his presence made the air feel thicker. Every unmated female in the pack watched him with hungry eyes.

Elara stood breathless for a few seconds. A strange warmth bloomed low in her belly, pulling at something deep inside her chest. She frowned, pressing a hand to her sternum.

It is definitely indigestion or just my nerves, she told herself.

The pack elder, Mira with silver hair raised her arms. “Tonight, under the full moon’s blessing, we welcome our new Alpha. Kai Blackthorn, son of the fallen, guardian of the Midnight Pack. May the Goddess grant him wisdom, strength, and a Luna worthy of our legacy.”

Kai’s sharp gaze scanned over the crowd. For a of a second, then it landed on Elara.

Her heart slammed against her ribs. Then the bond exploded to life like lightning striking her spine.

A golden thread of pure energy snapped taut between them, flooding her veins with heat, need, and an overwhelming sense of recognition. Her wolf, usually quiet and subdued, surged forward with a joyful howl inside her mind.

“He's my mate, Mine.”

Elara gasped, as her basket slipped from her numb fingers. The herbs scattered across the grass. Every head turned , whispers erupted.

“Elara Voss? The chubby healer?”

“She can’t be…”

Kai’s golden eyes locked on her. Shock, then horror crossed his face. A deep growl tore from his throat, but his words cut like ice.

“No.”

Elara’s world shattered. Tears

The entire clearing seemed to freeze as every wolf scented the change in the air. Kai’s head turned toward her. His golden wolf eyes now widened in shock, then a possessive growl tore from his throat echoing across the clearing, raw and primal.

“No,” he rasped, the word cutting through the silence like a blade.

Whispers erupted immediately.

“Is that… Elara Voss?”

“The healer? The fat one?”

“She can’t possibly be…”

Elara’s cheeks burned with humiliation. She wanted to sink into the earth. The bond was singing, pulling her toward him with magnetic force, but Kai’s expression was furious. The same cold rejection she had heard stories about was written all over his face.

He took one step forward, then stopped, fists clenched at his sides. “This is a mistake.”

Elder Mira looked between them, her face paling. “The Goddess does not make mistakes, Alpha.

The bond has chosen, Elara Voss is your fated Luna.”

A cruel laugh cut through the murmurs. Lila, one of the pack’s elite warriors and a notorious bully who had tormented Elara for years, pushed forward. Her lithe, athletic body gleamed under the moonlight as she spoke.

“Her? Our Luna? She can barely keep up on a training run. How is she supposed to stand beside our Alpha in battle? Look at her!”

More laughter arose through the crowd. Elara wrapped her arms around her soft belly, wishing she could disappear. The bond’s warmth warred with the ice spreading through her chest. This couldn’t be happening. Not to her and definitely not front of everyone.

Kai’s jaw flexed. For a moment, something almost like pain flickered across his features. But then his Alpha mask slammed back into place.

“The pack needs strength,” he said, with his voice low and dangerous. “Not… complications.”

The words landed like blows. Elara lowered her chin, are tears rolled down her eyes.

A heavy silence fell among the clearing. Kai stared at her, his gaze dragging over her curves with an intensity that made her skin prickle with unwelcome heat. The bond thrummed between them, demanding and insistent. She could feel his wolf fighting him, pushing to claim what was his.

For one suspended heartbeat, she thought he might cross the distance and pull her into his arms but instead, he turned away.

“We will discuss this later,” he growled to the elders. “The ceremony continues.”

Humiliation rushed through Elara as the wolves began whispering again, some with pity but most with scorn.

She bent to gather her scattered herbs, as her fingers trembled. The golden thread of the mate bond tugged painfully at her heart with every step he took away from her.