Moonbound Tyrant

The Goddess’s Warning

The night after the dinner, I could not sleep. My body was exhausted, but my mind refused to rest. Every time I closed my eyes, I saw his silver gaze.

When sleep finally came, it was not peaceful.

The air grew cold, and I found myself standing in a silver field under a pale moon. The grass shimmered like frost. In the distance, a woman stood in a flowing gown of light. Her eyes were glowing blue, her hair white as snow.

I fell to my knees. “Luna Goddess.”

Her voice was soft, yet it echoed through the air. “Child of the Moon, your bond is sealed. The blood of kings has claimed you.”

My heart pounded. “No,” I whispered. “I do not want this. Please, take it away.”

“The bond cannot be broken,” she said. “But beware. Blood calls to blood. The shadow of envy hides within the royal line.”

I frowned. “I do not understand.”

“You will,” she said sadly. “When the twin moon bleeds.”

Before I could ask what she meant, the ground cracked open beneath me. A dark hand rose from the earth, clawed and trembling. I screamed.

I woke up gasping, drenched in sweat. The morning light was dim, filtered through clouds. My hands shook as I tried to catch my breath.

Rebecca burst into my room. “Abby! The king is calling a meeting. Everyone is to gather outside.”

“What? Why?”

“He says he found his mate,” she said breathlessly. “He plans to leave with her today.”

The blood drained from my face. “He cannot mean…”

Rebecca stared at me. “You?”

I didn’t answer. I didn’t have to.

Downstairs, the pack courtyard was filled with people. The king stood before them, flanked by his guards. His expression was calm but commanding.

My father stood near the front, tense and pale.

Raze’s eyes found me at once. “Abigail Reed,” he said. “Come forward.”

The murmurs around me were like thunder. I stepped out, my legs weak.

He held out his hand. “The Luna has spoken. You are mine.”

A sharp gasp went through the crowd. My father moved between us at once. “Your Majesty, with respect, she cannot leave. She is my only daughter.”

Raze’s eyes hardened. “She is your daughter, but she is my mate.”

“She is not ready to be queen,” Father said firmly. “She is barely twenty.”

“I do not need your approval,” Raze said. “The bond is sacred.”

“Then let her decide,” my father said. “Do not force her.”

Raze’s voice grew colder. “Do you dare question me, Alpha Thomas?”

“I dare protect my blood,” Father said. “Even from a king.”

The tension in the air grew thick. The guards stepped closer, hands on their weapons.

“Father, please,” I whispered, but neither of them heard me.

Raze took a step forward, his aura crashing over everyone like a wave. “You forget your place, Alpha. Defiance against the crown is treason.”

My father’s wolf surfaced in his eyes. “And forcing my child is tyranny.”

“Enough,” Raze said sharply. “She leaves with me today.”

“I will not allow it.”

Before I could move, Raze’s power burst outward. The earth trembled beneath us. My father’s men tried to shield him, but the king’s aura threw them aside like leaves in the wind.

I screamed as Raze raised his hand. Blue light flared around him, raw and deadly.

“Stop!” I cried. “Please, stop!”

He didn’t. The power hit my father like a storm, sending him crashing to the ground. He coughed blood, clutching his chest.

“Father!” I ran to him and dropped to my knees. His breathing was shallow, his body trembling.

Raze’s expression didn’t change. “He lives,” he said. “For now.”

I looked up at him with tears in my eyes. “Why would you hurt him?”

“Because he stood between me and what is mine,” Raze said coldly. “I gave him a chance.”

“You had no right!” I shouted.

His gaze sharpened. “Watch your tone.”

I stood up, shaking. “You are cruel.”

He stepped closer, his voice low. “You are my mate. You will learn what it means to stand beside a king.”

I backed away, my hands trembling. “I am not your possession.”

“Then prove it,” he said. “Come with me willingly.”

Everyone watched, silent and afraid. I looked at my father again, his face pale, his eyes barely open.

“Go,” he rasped weakly. “Do not make him angrier.”

Tears blurred my vision. “Father—”

“Go, Abby,” he said softly. “Live.”

I turned back to the king. “If I go with you,” I said quietly, “you will not harm my pack again.”

He nodded once. “You have my word.”

My voice shook. “Then I will go.”

He reached out his hand again. This time, I took it. His palm was warm, strong, and terrifying. The moment our skin touched, the bond flared to life. My chest burned with strange energy, half pain, half yearning.

Raze’s expression softened for a fleeting second before the cold mask returned. “Pack your things. We leave within the hour.”

As he walked away, the crowd parted for him like waves before a storm.

Rebecca ran to me as soon as he was gone. “Abby, this is madness,” she whispered. “You cannot go with him.”

“I have no choice,” I said. “If I resist, he will destroy everything.”

Tears filled her eyes. “Then I am coming with you.”

“No,” I said quickly. “You must stay here. My father needs someone to help him recover.”

She grabbed my hand. “You think I will let you walk into the lion’s den alone?”

Before I could argue, my father coughed again. “Let her come,” he said hoarsely. “She is loyal.”

I bit my lip. “Alright. But stay close to me. Do not anger him.”

We hurried to my room. My hands shook as I packed the few things I owned. My favorite book. A small necklace my mother left me. A scarf Rebecca had given me years ago.

When I looked out the window again, I saw the king’s convoy waiting. Black cars gleamed in the sun, guarded by Lycans in armor.

Rebecca touched my shoulder. “Are you ready?”

“No,” I said. “But I must go anyway.”

We walked downstairs together. My father waited at the bottom, leaning against one of the pillars. He looked weak but proud.

“Abigail,” he said quietly, “remember who you are. Do not let fear change you.”

I nodded, tears stinging my eyes. “I promise.”

He cupped my cheek. “You are my moonlight. Never forget that.”

Raze appeared at the door, his presence filling the space. “It is time.”

I looked at my father one last time, then followed the king out.

As I stepped into the car beside him, I felt the bond pull tighter, a strange ache in my chest. The palace gates closed behind us, and my old life disappeared with them.

Raze sat beside me, silent, staring out the window.

I turned my face away, fighting the urge to cry. “You did not have to hurt him.”

“He raised his hand to me,” Raze said simply. “No one does that and lives.”

“He did it because he loves me,” I said.

Raze looked at me then, his silver eyes calm but unreadable. “Love makes people weak.”

“Then I would rather be weak,” I whispered.

He did not reply. The car rolled on through the forest road, the sky darkening above us.

Somewhere deep inside, the Luna’s warning echoed again. The shadow of envy hides within the royal line.

I glanced at Raze’s reflection in the glass. His expression was carved from stone, but for a brief moment, I thought I saw something flicker beh

ind his eyes—pain, or maybe fear.

I turned away. Whatever it was, I would soon learn.

Because I was now the mate of the Moonbound Tyrant.

And there was no turning back.