Her Pack Betrayed Our Fated Bond

Lucia was six years old when Alpha Sophie brought her into the Blue Moon Pack.

She had been abandoned, alone and vulnerable, but Sophie saw potential in her—something rare and untapped.

"Kaeli," Sophie said to me, her tone firm yet carrying the weight of an Alpha’s command, "Lucia will be under your care from now on. Train her, guide her. She’s your responsibility."

I nodded, my voice calm and steady. "Understood."

I’ve always been emotionally detached, my focus singular—training, combat, and the strength required to uphold the pack’s hierarchy. From that day on, Lucia became my shadow, a constant presence at my side.

When I trained, she would curl up nearby, her small frame nestled against the grass, watching me with wide, curious eyes.

When I ran pack drills, she’d sit on the sidelines, munching on stolen pastries, her cheeks puffed out like a chipmunk’s.

And when I achieved a new milestone in my training, she’d be the first to celebrate, sneaking into the pack kitchen at night to bring me a jar of honey mead.

I frowned, taking the jar from her hands. "Lucia, you’re too young for this."

She pouted, her lips curling into a mischievous grin, and before I could stop her, she grabbed the jar back and took a few quick sips.

"See?" she said, holding it out to me, her eyes sparkling. "It’s not even strong! I swapped it with juice before I came here. Aren’t I clever?"

I sighed, inspecting the jar. The scent was sweet, almost like fruit, with barely a hint of alcohol.

Before I could respond, she yawned, her energy spent, and slumped against me, her head resting on my lap.

"Mmm," she mumbled, her voice drowsy, "you’re the best, Kaeli. The best sister ever."

The best?

I paused, considering her words. I’d always been distant, even among the pack. My focus on training and combat left little room for bonds or camaraderie. Other pack members respected me, but they kept their distance.

But Lucia—she was different. She saw something in me that no one else did.

As I looked down at her, her cheeks flushed from the warmth of the drink, I felt something shift within me—a softness I hadn’t known existed.

The next morning, she was back to her usual antics, sneaking into the pack’s fishing grounds to catch one of the prized trout.

By midday, she returned, dripping wet and clutching a massive fish to her chest. "Kaeli!" she called, her voice echoing across the pack grounds. "Let’s have a feast tonight! I caught this for us!"

Behind her, Francis, the Head Elder, hobbled into view, his face red with frustration. "Kaeli," he barked, "do you see what your charge has done now? She’s terrorizing the pack’s resources!"

Nearby pack members paused to watch, their whispers carrying over the breeze.

"How long do you think Kaeli will put up with her?" one asked.

"I give it a month," another replied.

Lucia spun around, holding the fish like a weapon. "You’re just jealous I caught this before you could!"

I stepped forward, my gaze sweeping over the onlookers. The whispers died instantly, replaced by silence.

No one expected what came next.

That day marked the beginning of a bond that would last nearly a decade—a bond I never knew I needed.