The morning air buzzed with excitement.
I could hear the servants rushing through the halls, polishing every wooden surface, fluffing the worn rugs, and stacking fresh fruits onto silver trays. Even the walls seemed to hum with energy.
Two new Alphas were coming today.
Father hadn't told me much about them, only that they were powerful leaders from neighboring packs. Strong. Respected. Potential mates.
I tried not to roll my eyes at the thought.
We'd played this game before.
Meet. Greet. Feel nothing.
And every time, the hope in Father's eyes dimmed just a little more.
I tightened the sash around my waist and stared at my reflection in the mirror.
The blue dress Adah had picked for me was lovely, I supposed. Soft velvet, embroidered with little silver leaves along the hem.
It made my dark hair look even darker and brought out the unusual brightness in my eyes.
"You look beautiful," Adah said from the doorway.
I turned and offered her a small smile. "Thanks."
She crossed the room, her own dress rustling softly. She tucked a loose strand of hair behind my ear.
"You never know," she said lightly. "Today might be the day."
I didn't answer.
Because deep down, I wasn't sure if I wanted it to be.
By midday, the pack house was spotless. A feast had been prepared, simple but hearty—roast meat, fresh breads, bowls of berries, and pitchers of cold spring water.
I sat stiffly beside Father at the head table, my hands folded neatly in my lap.
The front doors swung open.
The room quieted at once.
Two figures entered, flanked by their Betas.
The first man was tall and broad, with silver hair that caught the light like steel.
Alpha Kael. His gray eyes swept the room coolly, missing nothing.
The second man—
My breath caught.
He was younger than Kael, but carried himself with the same deadly confidence. Dark hair, dark eyes, and a smile that could melt iron.
Alpha Darius.
And when his eyes met mine—
Something stirred deep in my chest.
A spark.
A pull.
It wasn't the crashing wave I had expected when meeting a fated mate.
But it was enough to make my heart stumble against my ribs.
Enough to make me forget, just for a moment, why I had sworn not to get distracted.
Father rose to greet them. "Welcome to Thornridge," he said warmly.
Kael nodded stiffly. Darius gave a lazy smile, bowing slightly.
"We are honored," Darius said, his voice smooth like rich velvet.
Introductions were made quickly. Kael was all business, barely glancing my way.
But Darius…
Every time I looked up, he was watching me.
I tried to focus on my food.
Tried to pretend I didn't feel the way my skin heated under his gaze.
Tried to remember my mission—the prophecy, my mother, everything at stake.
But it was hard.
So hard.
After the meal, Father led the group into the grand sitting room for more private conversation.
I found myself seated between Father and Darius, with Kael standing near the fire.
"I hear Thornridge has held strong for generations," Kael said, his voice low and clipped.
"It has," Father said proudly. "Though strength is not just in numbers, but loyalty."
"True," Kael said.
Darius leaned closer to me, his voice dropping so only I could hear. "And beauty," he added with a wink.
Heat crawled up my neck.
I cleared my throat and shifted slightly away from him, pretending to listen to Father's long speech about border patrols.
But Darius didn't seem deterred.
"So, Luciana," he said casually, "what do you like to do when you're not stuck hosting boring meetings?"
I blinked at him.
No Alpha had ever spoken to me like that before. Like... a person.
Not a prize.
I hesitated, then said, "I like to be outside. In the woods. Near the creek."
He smiled. "Nature girl. I like that."
I shrugged. "It's peaceful."
He nodded thoughtfully, studying me like I was something rare.
"You don't seem like most pack daughters," he said after a moment.
I frowned. "What do you mean?"
He leaned in a little more. "Most of them are desperate to find their mate. You... you look like you're thinking about being anywhere else."
I stiffened, wary.
Was it that obvious?
Darius chuckled softly. "Relax. I'm not offended."
I didn't answer.
Because what could I say?
That he was right?
That I was thinking about being somewhere else?
Somewhere far beyond Thornridge's walls?
"Tell me," he said, his voice softer now, "do you believe in fate?"
I looked at him then, really looked.
His dark eyes weren't mocking.
They were... curious.
Maybe even a little sad.
"I used to," I admitted.
"And now?"
"Now I think fate sometimes gets it wrong," I said quietly.
For a moment, the whole room seemed to fade away.
Darius smiled again, but this time, it wasn't lazy or teasing. It was... understanding.
"I think fate makes mistakes too," he said.
Something inside me twisted painfully.
How could he know?
How could he see me like this—after only a few minutes—when most people never did?
I looked away, my hands clenching in my lap.
I couldn't afford to get drawn in.
Not now.
Not with everything on the line.
When the formalities finally ended, I practically fled outside.
The cool air hit me like a slap. I welcomed it.
I hurried toward the stables, needing space, needing to think.
But footsteps crunched behind me.
"Running away already?" Darius called.
I turned sharply. "I needed some air."
He smiled, easy and unbothered. "Mind if I walk with you?"
I hesitated.
Every instinct screamed that this was dangerous.
But a quieter voice whispered... What harm could a walk do?
I nodded once.
We walked side by side in silence for a while, past the stables, down toward the edge of the woods.
"You're not like the others," he said suddenly.
"You said that already," I muttered.
He laughed. "I mean it."
I looked at him, frustrated. "Why are you even here? Looking for a Luna?"
His smile faltered.
Just slightly.
"Maybe," he said. "Maybe not."
I raised an eyebrow.
"I came because... I was curious," he admitted. "I heard stories about Thornridge. About a girl who hadn't found her mate yet. And I wished we were mated. Fortunately also, I'm feeling the pull right now since I've looked into your eyes."
I flinched.
My heart hammered painfully against my ribs.
I stared at him, words catching in my throat.
"I barely know you," I said finally.
He smiled, that slow, devastating smile.
"I know," he said. "But sometimes... you just know."
A part of me wanted to believe him because truth be told, I felt as he felt. I felt a spark. A pull. It's a heat under my skin, urging me to hold him and show him passionate love.
But this is just a siren that a part of me wanted to forget the dream, the warning, the mission.
But I couldn't.
Not yet.
I stepped back.
Just slightly.
"I should go," I said.
Darius watched me, something unreadable flickering in his dark eyes.
He nodded. "I'll see you around, Luciana."
I turned and walked away, my steps faster than necessary.
Because if I stayed another second longer...
I wasn't sure I would have the strength to keep walking.