The Cursed Heart Of His Contracted Luna

BURDENS

RYKER’s POV.

I stood at the edge of the rooftop, looking at the bubbly city before me . The wind was calm , as the wolves went about their businesses but my mind was far from calm . My pack, the Manhattan Moonlight, is a mess. Discrimination , power struggles, and loyalty issues threaten to destroy us. All because of my father's single mistake.

Guilt and anger fill my chest, a reminder of the darkness that follows me. My father's actions, his cruelty and iron hands,have left deep,terrible scars. I thought I would make a difference and correct the mistakes he made.

As Alpha, I'm supposed to be strong. But the weight of responsibility, the fear of failing my pack, was beginning to crush me. I feel like I'm not living up to the expectations of others and still living in my father’s shadows.

I took a deep breath, trying to clear my head. The full moon was approaching, and I need to be focused. But my mind keeps wandering back to the one thing that brings me solace – the mysterious woman I bumped into a few days ago. Her beauty was like no other, her faint scent still lingered in my mind.

Just as I was lost in my own thoughts, I heard a low cough behind me. Turning around, I came face to face with my beta and best friend, Axel.

"Ryker, my friend, you need to snap out of this funk," Axel says, his voice laced with concern. "You're not the same Alpha I once knew."

I ran a hand in my hair, frustration evident in my actions . "I'm fine, Axel. Just dealing with some...family problems and stuffs like that.”

Axel steps closer, his eyes filled with sympathy . "Family baggage? You mean your father's crap?"

I nodded. "That's exactly what I mean."

Axel places a hand on my shoulder. "Ryker, you can't keep carrying this weight alone. Your pack needs you, and I need my friend back. You are far too lost in the thoughts.”

I sigh, rubbing my temples. "I know, Axel. But it's hard to shake off the feeling that I'm going to repeat his mistakes."

Axel's grip tightens. "You are not your father, Ryker. You're a better Alpha, a better man. Don't let his past shape you."

I look at Axel, his words getting a place in my head . Maybe he's right. Maybe it's time to face my demons, get rid of my dark past and move forward.

"Thanks, Axel. Just talking to you makes me feel better."

Axel smiles. "Anytime, Ryker. That's what betas are for."

Even though I tried to assure Axel that all was well, I still could not help but feel worried and I guess it forced its way out of my mouth. "You know, Axel, sometimes I feel like I'm trapped in a nightmare . My father's mistakes, his dark past ... it's like I'm going to do it all over again."

Axel gave me a small smile . "I know, Ryker. But you're not alone. We're all here for you, the pack, me... we're your family now."

I nod, feeling a knot form in my tummy . "I know, Axel. And I'm grateful for that. But sometimes, it feels like no matter how hard I try, I'll never be able to escape the dark side of it.”

Axel places a hand on my back, leading me to a nearby chair . "Sit down, Ryker. Let's talk this through."

We sit in silence for a moment, the city sounds filling the air. Then Axel speaks up, his voice gentle but firm. "Ryker, you need to let go of the past. Your father's actions, they're not yours to pay. You're a good alpha, a good man. You deserve to be happy."

I look at Axel, his words ringing in my mind. Let go of the past... it's easier said than done. But maybe, just maybe, it's time to try and get rid of this past.

"Axel, do you believe in fate?" I ask, my voice barely above a whisper.

Axel raises an eyebrow. "Fate? Like, destiny?"

I nod. "Yeah. Like, do you think our paths are already set, or can we change them?"

Axel leans back, his eyes looking into the nearby distance . "I don't know, Ryker. But I do know that we have the power to choose our own way. We can't change the past, but we can shape our future."

His words made sense to me. Maybe, just maybe, it's time to start shaping my own future, instead of letting my father's past stop me from loving.

And then, as if on cue, my phone buzzes in my pocket. I pull it out, my heart skipping a beat as I see a text from an unknown number.

"Meet me at the old warehouse at midnight. Come alone."

My gut tells me to ignore it, but my curiosity gets the better of me. Who could be reaching out to me like this? And why like this?

I show the text to Axel, his eyes narrowing. "What do you think it means?"

I shrugged my shoulders . "I don't know, but I think I need to find out."

Axel's expression turns serious. "Ryker, be careful. This could be a trap."

I nod, my mind already racing with plans of attack and counter attacks . "I will, Axel. I promise."

“Who could this be and what do they want?”