FORSAKEN BY MY ALPHA

ARIA

Gárvoh's territory is as magnificent as I remember coming here as a child long, long ago. The moon is shining tonight, but not so bright. It's casting shadows all around, the bushes rustling and the crickets singing.

I step out of my carriage. I think of how far I've come. I've been dragged here by my bond. To meet my mate. My wolf is eager, so am I. I take a deep breath but regret it once the cold air reaches my chest.

My heart beats rapidly in my chest, not only because the bond has dragged me here, but because dozens of eyes were on me.

They are gathered – Warriors stand in dark leather, arms crossed, muscles tense, weighing me like prey. Omegas with trays of food forgotten in their hands, Elders lean on carved staffs, their eyes sharp with judgment. Their voices rise like a tide as I move forward, each whisper sharp enough to cut.

"She looks breakable."

"A Luna should stand like a shield, not wilt like a flower."

An omega mutters, "The moon must have miscast the bond."

"She's so small."

"That's the Alpha's mate? She doesn't look like a Luna"

"The Moon Goddess must be jesting."

I forced myself to keep my chin lifted, though every murmur sinks deeper into my skin. The bond burns in my vein, steady and insistent, pulling my gaze to where he stands.

Damon Kael Blackthorn. The Alpha of Garvoh. My fated mate.

He's standing on the steps of the great hall towering at 6'4, his shoulders broad, arms wrapped with muscles. A warrior's body built from years of training and battles.

His jet-black hair is as dark as midnight. His jaw lines so pronounced. His handsome face is one to behold. His brows are raised as he continues to glare at me, a faint scar near his right eye brow.

Even from a distance, the bond's pull is twisted inside my chest, urging me forward, urging me to reach out.But Damon doesn't move. Not a smile. Not a word of welcome.

The silence stretches until it becomes cruel.

I swallowed hard. The bond should feel like a homecoming, like a promise. Instead, under the weight of his gaze, it feels like exile.

When I finally reach the steps, Damon descends one pace, just enough to stand before me. The entire pack lean in closer, waiting, expecting – an embrace, a kiss, some sign that their Alpha has accepted me as the mate the Moon Goddess has chosen for him.

Instead, Damon's voice cuts through the air, cold and clipped.

"You'll be given quarters near the training grounds," he said, his eyes never softening. "Don't expect special treatments."

The whispers explode again, hasher this time.

No touch? Not even a hand on hers? An Alpha who wouldn't claim his Luna – trouble's coming.

I feel my cheeks burning. I want to run to him and have him claim me even for a moment. But I don't. I can't have him, and everyone else, think that I am weak.

The bond is screaming inside me. I want to beg him to come closer, to touch, and to acknowledge me as his mate. But his rejection is louder still.

Her wolf surges against her ribs, urging her to step forward, to touch him, to claim. But Damon's silence shoves the wolf back into retreat, tail tucked in shame.

Behind the crowd, a familiar voice rises above the noise.

"Clear the way," Elias calls, his tone warm but commanding enough to scatter a few of the gawkers.

Elias Rowan Duskbane steps forward. His green eyes catching mine. My best friend and companion in the whole world. He has always been my anchor. The one person I rely upon, even as children.

Even now, when everyone around me is giving me sharp stares and cold shoulders, he's smiling at me, trying to be the comfort I'm yearning for. He bows faintly to Damon, though his jaw tightens as he does so. Then he turns to me, offering his arms.

"Come on Aria. You've travelled far. Let me see you to your quarters"

I hear something else, though. Something in his voice. Like protection. Or pain. Like he's more hurt by the reception my supposed mate just gave me than I am. I just can't place it.

He looks at me, lingering a bit longer than a friendship might allow.

Damon's glaring at us, his gaze shifting between Elias and I. For a moment, I think I see an emotion on his face. Is that regret? Or longing? I'm yet to figure out what it is when it disappears, his expression back to indifference. Maybe I just imagined it.

The pack parts for Elias as he leads me past the warriors, past the whispers, towards the stone path that wound around the training grounds.

I don't look back at Damon, but I feel him. I feel him as much as I want him. I can't breathe. I feel this sharp ache in my chest as though it's being squeezed. This isn't how I imagined how meeting my mate would turn into.

Yet, my wolf keeps whining and growling. She keeps reminding me that he's ours and we need to go back to him. But I don't, instead I let Elias lead me out of the great hall.

DAMON

The moment her eyes meets mine, I felt the bond ignite – a force like wildfire, searing through my chest, pulling me towards her.

My wolf roars with triumph: Ours. She's ours. She's here. My mate. The Moon Goddess's choice. And yet... fragile. Too small. Too fragile.

My wolf continues to roar inside me, demanding I claim her, protect her. But pride, control, the weight of the pack... I cannot. Not now.

Her eyes are on me, shimmering with the bond's pull. And it aches. It aches because she is mine and I cannot give her what she needs – not yet, or maybe not ever.

The whispers of the pack only sharpens my resolve. If I give in now, they will see weakness. If I fail to protect her, they will see weakness. I lock my jaws, my fists clenched behind my back.

To give in means surrendering my pride, my control. I am the Alpha, not some puppet dancing on the strings of the Moon Goddess. I must appear untouchable.

I force the fire down, burying it beneath a sheet of ice. I will not be chained by destiny, I vow to myself, even as my wolf snarls.

When I speak before the pack, my voice is flat. Flatter than I intend, stripped of warmth:

"You'll be given quarters near the training grounds. Don't expect special treatment."

And though my eyes linger on her trembling from a heartbeat too long, I tear them away. Better cold distance than the weakness clawing at me inside.

I retract my steps as Elias escorts her, my jaw still locked tightly. I feel my wolf's growl as the bond tugs me toward her. Not now. Not yet.

Walking back into the great hall, I think of the years behind me – my father's voice, the pressure of leadership, the burden of being Alpha.

I can't let my longing be seen. She will learn what it means to be mine when the time is right.

ELIAS

I move beside her, arm offered, smiling softly to mask the quickened beat of my own heart. Aria leans lightly into my arm as we walk past the staring pack members.

She shouldn't be alone in this. Not tonight.

I notice Damon's glare on us as he disappears into the hall. So tense. So cold. He doesn't know what's coming... and neither does she.

The whispers trail us, but I keep my tone light, reassuring.

"Come on, Aria. You've travelled far. Let me see you to your quarters."

Her gaze flickers to mine, doubt and worry mingled with the bond tugging at her chest. I keep my own feelings carefully hidden behind a mask of loyalty.

She doesn't need to know what I feel – not yet. My priority is her comfort.

And somewhere deep inside, a thought lingers: I will protect her. No one else will. Not him... not anyone.