Rejected the Alpha, Now I'm the Most Beloved Luna

Richard's POV

I woke up feeling strangely relaxed. The curtains were drawn tight, blocking out the light, but I could tell it was already the next morning.

Last night, someone from the rival pack slipped something into my drink-something meant to mess with my head. They clearly underestimated my control. I didn't turn into some crazed beast. I just went into a heat I couldn't ignore.

The moment the drug kicked in, I knew exactly what had happened. I made my way from the basement to the top floor quietly. No one would know. Once I reached my room, the urge inside me only grew stronger.

I told myself I'd deal with those bastards later, once the effects wore off. They'd regret thinking they could play me like that.

Truth be told, heats weren't really a thing for me. This was the first time I'd let lust nearly take over.

I didn't have a mate-not that an alpha like me needed one.

But right then, I had to take care of the problem. So I called Byron, my ever-efficient beta. "Byron, it's me. You should know what's happened. Find me a female. Now."

"Yes, alpha," he said without hesitation. "She'll be there soon."

I hung up, trying to stay calm while waiting for whoever he'd send. Sure enough, the door cracked open after a short while.

She called my name. That was all the confirmation I needed-must've been the one Byron sent.

I didn't hold back with her. She responded to every move, her body writhing under mine, breathless and eager. That only pushed me further. She clung to me like I was the only thing that mattered, her body trembling under the weight of what we both needed.

I poured myself into her, kissed her like I couldn't get enough. Her lips were addictive, her skin intoxicating.

But more than that-it was her scent. The moment I caught it, I knew. She was my fated one. I couldn't stop thinking about her. I tried to mark her, claim her fully, but she resisted.

That pissed me off. I had to pull back, bracing myself against the heat building inside. Then she spoke.

"Just... not now."

I backed down. There was something about her-this mix of boldness and shyness, strength wrapped in sweetness. She tasted just like her scent promised.

Maybe she just needed time. Our meeting wasn't exactly planned. No one expected to find their destined mate like this-but here she was. And she was everything.

Even now, completely sober, I couldn't stop replaying the night in my mind. It'd be impossible to forget her.

After sitting on the bed for a few minutes, I called out for Byron. He showed up fast.

"Alpha, how are you feeling?" Byron kept his head bowed, voice steady. "I turned away anyone asking about you last night, even the hotel manager. Do you have any new orders?"

I got dressed, lifted my chin, and went ice cold. "Did you find out who drugged my drink?"

Byron didn't skip a beat. "Belen Morgan, Silverfang's alpha. He wanted to team up with you but didn't know how to convince you. So, he brought in a hot female. Worried she alone wouldn't do the trick, he had something slipped into your drink. I got rid of her before she even got close."

"Silverfang," I said his pack's name like poison. "Byron, I don't want to hear another word about them pulling stunts like this again."

For a pack that tiny, they sure had some nerve. They came at the wrong alpha. I wasn't one to let something like this slide.

Byron looked a little surprised. He knew this meant war-and Bloodmoon didn't take war lightly. It had been a while, but I hadn't forgotten how to burn traitors down.

Being played like that? Yeah. I hated that most of all.

Byron lowered his head again, looking serious. "I'll pass on your orders quietly to a few deltas. Silverfang got greedy. Bloodmoon doesn't take threats lightly. They're gonna pay for it."

I pulled the curtain aside, squinting into the flood of sunlight. Warm, just like the soft curve of that she-wolf from last night.

Damn it. I couldn't stop thinking about her. I needed a cold shower-fast. Heading for the bathroom, I asked before I went in, "Byron, where exactly did you find that she-wolf last night?"

"What?" Byron blinked like I'd just slapped him. He looked honestly confused. "I got her from our pack."

"Okay, then I need her name."

"But... she never came, Alpha." Now he looked rattled. "She said there was already a she-wolf in your room when she arrived, so she left without going in. She didn't dare bother you. I figured you'd handled it yourself."

"I didn't." My voice stayed calm, but my mind wasn't. "So who the hell was she?"

Byron's eyes went wide. Then came the nervous glance. "Wait... you really didn't know her?"

This had officially gotten weird. A random stranger sneaks in to sleep with me? That wasn't just suspicious-it was dangerous. What if she was a spy, sent from another pack to get something out of me?

I touched the scratch marks she'd left on my neck. Oddly enough, I didn't feel angry. All I could think of was how she smelled-how she felt. Everything else faded.

"So, I guess I slept with the wrong person," I muttered. "Maybe she just walked into the wrong room."

Was I seriously trying to defend her? To ease Byron's concern? I couldn't believe myself.

Not that Byron would question me. He's always been loyal to the core. I didn't have to explain a damn thing. But something about her stuck with me. Maybe that's what it means to find your true mate. If so, I couldn't say I minded one bit.

"I understand," Byron said, definitely not pushing it. "But Alpha, there's something else. The meeting with Ashen Pack-it's today. Alpha Francis is bringing his daughter to meet you this morning."

His reminder hit me like a brick. I paused, thinking. "Right. I'll be there."

One thing was clear-I'd gotten myself into a whole mess. A mysterious mate who vanished into thin air. A promised mate from Ashen Pack I'd never met.

Back when Ashen Pack still stood strong, their Luna made a pact with my grandfather. She once saved his life, and that's how our packs started working together.

Since then, both of them passed away. The connection between our packs faded.

I rose to lead Bloodmoon as its youngest Alpha ever. I'd built everything to perfection. We were powerful-untouchable. That was something I took pride in.

Meanwhile, Ashen Pack was crumbling under Francis. I knew they were in trouble-frequent rogue attacks, barely holding on. So Francis remembered the old deal.

My father chose to honor it. They'd sworn to the Moon Goddess, after all. A promise like that couldn't be ignored.

Francis's daughter was meant to be my mate, the Luna of Bloodmoon.

But now, my heart had already chosen someone else.

She was the one-I was sure of it. And I was going to find her.