Plot Twists Werewolf Short Stories & Luna Contract Marriage Novels

Ever since I was little, I knew my future mate would be one of two Alpha candidates: Mitchell or Jax. Even with all their Alpha pride, I never once doubted that set future. The pack elders always said it was natural for Alpha candidates to focus on getting stronger and controlling the pack. My mother, Lyra, even told me that every brutal fight they got into was so the winner could give me, their Luna, the ultimate honor. That is, until I and Elara – this Omega stray they'd taken in – got ambushed and captured by our old enemies, the Nightshade pack. Mitchell and Jax only had enough of the life-saving Moonpetal herb for one of us. And they both chose to give it to Elara. To save myself in that fire, I forced a shift. The power surge was too much. The heat twisted my cheekbone, and just like that, I was disfigured. After they dragged me out – like an afterthought – I watched those two future Alphas crying over Elara, who didn't have a scratch on her. "Thank the Moon Goddess, Elara, you're alive." "Once we sort out who's the new Alpha of Blackwood, whoever it is will give you the most honored spot right under the Luna, Elara. Don't you worry. We'll give you the best of everything our pack has, make sure you never suffer again." "Elara, you're the real Luna in our hearts." When I came to, I cut off that ridiculous mate bond for good. Empty promises and a trampled destiny? I was done with it. But after I left, they stayed by my cave every day, begging me to come back.

After my sister died, my parents forced me into a ten-year contract with my Alpha brother-in-law, Ethan Brooks. I became Luna in name only—and stepmother to his ten-year-old son, Daniel. At the Full Moon Festival, they placed on me my dead sister’s crown—her favorite. And in front of the entire pack, Daniel splashed holy water across my face, that cold smirk a mirror of his father’s. "Don’t think becoming Luna means you can replace my mother! You’re just a thief! What gives you the right to host our festival? You should strip naked and get out of me and Dad’s pack!" The holy water was ice-cold. And staring at the child I’d raised for ten years, all I felt was… relief. Fine. The agreement’s over—I’m leaving. But then why, after I walked away, are both Ethan and Daniel suddenly begging me to return?

By the third year of my mate bond with Caesar, the reigning Alpha, the she-wolf who had once abandoned him returned. For the thousand-and-first time, I launched into my well-rehearsed performance—the devoted, desperate mate. "Do you still love me?" I asked. And for the thousand-and-first time, Caesar turned away without a word, his silence a colder rejection than any shout. On the surface, I was the picture of heartbreak. Behind closed doors, I went straight to Caesar's uncle to collect a hefty payment for my performance. "Three years of this acting," I said. "Can I leave now?"

During our marking ceremony, the patrol leader of my arranged mate, Alpha Cassian Locke, asks me to swear in the name of the Moon Goddess before all the other werewolves. First, I shall not enter the Alpha's room without permission. Second, I shall not kiss the Alpha on any part of his body without permission. Third, I shall not do anything that may cause the Alpha to feel uneasy. The list goes on. Suppressing my anger, I listen as he recites all 188 vows in the oath. Then, I turn to the werewolf sitting on the side with an upright posture. "Alpha Cassian, could you please explain the 99th vow? What do you mean, I must raise your heir no matter whose pup they are?"

I accompany the Luna of the north and my future mother-in-law, Willow Joynes, on a cruise for a vacation. A high-pitched, feminine voice resounds behind us not long after we make our way to the deck. "Who gave you permission to be here? Moonshine is reserved for noble wolves. Rogues have no business being on this cruise ship!" I turn around and see a she-wolf clad in a tailored gown and dazzling jewelry. She marches toward us and lets out a scoff after she scrutinizes Willow’s plain clothes and mine. "Whose maids are you? Or did you sneak onto the ship? How repulsive. The Moon Goddess blessed this part of the sea, and yet it's been tainted with the stench of poverty that both of you reek of." My expression immediately turns cold. "Moonshine is open to all invited patrons," I say. "If you don't like looking at other wolves, you should buy your own cruise ship." The she-wolf's expression darkens. She points an accusing finger at me and exclaims, "Do you have any idea who you're speaking to, you bitch? I'm Beatrice Quillo, and my mate is the future Alpha of the north! This entire stretch of sea is his territory. The luxury suite on this ship is open only to me! "Get on your knees and grovel for my forgiveness right now. If you don't, I'll teach you the consequences of getting on my bad side." Willow and I frown as we exchange glances. It's true that this part of the sea belongs to the north. However, the future Alpha of the north, Julian Layton, is Willow's only son—as well as the wolf I'm about to be mated with. When did Julian get another mate?