From Outcast To Alpha's Mate

Akira ran through the woods. The rogues were dangerously close. She looked at the crying newborn in her arms and tried to calm her. Not too far long now, she thought. She walked a bit more before she found a small cottage and barged in. An old man turned around, startled. “Elder Hugo. It’s time. Quick! They’re here,” she said. “Are you sure about this? I cannot guarantee it will be kept locked in forever. It will eventually be triggered,” Hugo said. “As long as she has a chance to live,” Akira said, her eyes pleading. There was a loud banging on the door. They were here. She turned to him and handed him her newborn daughter, kissing her goodbye. “You know what to do. I’ll buy you some time,” she said and looked at her baby one last time before going to tame the beasts outside. ***** Hanna’s voice echoed at the river bank. Her humming was accompanied by the sound of the river and the birds in the trees nearby. She looked at her reflection on the water. At her crystalline blue eyes and her very pale blonde hair. Almost white in the moonlight. “Hanna! Quit singing to the water and get over here!” a familiar voice yelled and Hanna rolled her eyes. Naomi, her best friend. Well, only friend. Hanna reluctantly got up from her peaceful haven. “What now?” Hanna whined. “Your father called for a meeting,” Naomi said and Hanna slightly tensed. “What for?” “Only one way to find out. And we better be quick or your father will have our heads.” “Race?” Hanna suggested and Naomi scoffed. “You always suggest that knowing fully well you’d lose.” “Who knows? I might win this time,” Hanna said, making Naomi laugh. “You are so delusional you know? I always win. I’m faster,” Naomi said and Hanna couldn’t help but feel a slight sting. She brushed it off. “Are you going to keep bragging? Or are we racing to the cave?” Hanna said and took a headstart into the woods. “Hey! Wait!” Naomi yelled after her. Of course it didn’t take long for Naomi to reach and run past her. Hanna knew she would. She always did. She just liked the idea that maybe, just maybe one day she would stand a chance. “Slow down. Wait for me!” Hanna yelled after her but Naomi just laughed and ran faster, her curly brown locs catching the wind. Hanna ran as fast as her inadequate, almost mundane legs could. She skidded to a stop when she saw Naomi standing at the end of the woods with a satisfied smirk on her face. “Ready to give up now?” Naomi mocked. “Never!” Hanna said and Naomi shook her head. They saw the pack rushing into the cave and immediately joined them. At the stone throne sat her father. Edmund Acwulf. Alpha of the Dark Moon pack. He had brown eyes and long greying dark hair with scars all over his body from several wolf fights. She looked nothing like him. People told her she only looked exactly like her mother. Unfortunately she didn’t have any evidence for that. Her mother died during childbirth. Edmund barely gave her a glance before clearing his throat for his announcement. He never paid much attention to her. To him she was a disappointment and a burden. He cleared his throat. “Brothers and sisters, be seated,” he said and the clan sat on the ground. “We have come back from another successful hunt and tonight, we feast!” said Edmund and the clan howled. “We have also reconciled with our relatives from the east wing. The bond between our clan and Onyxbite remain as strong as ever.” More howls. Hanna cheered up a little. At least there was good news. Edmund raised his hand, silencing the clan. “I have another announcement. A very special one,” he said and Hanna could swear the clan leaned closer. “As you all know by now, I am no longer a young wolf,” he said and the clan laughed. “I am getting older and dare I say weaker,” he continued. “Therefore this clan requires a new alpha and I have selected my choice.” There was dead silence and Hanna held her breath. She knew who he was going to select. She was his only child and yet it wouldn’t be her. She hadn’t shifted in her 19 years of life. She was dormant. And most of her pack considered her even lower than an omega. “I designate Theron Fenris, son of Boris Fenris and future mate of my daughter, as your new Alpha,” Edmund said and the crowd cheered. Theron stood tall and unsmiling as his father patted him on the shoulder. He had long dark hair and almost black eyes. And he was Hanna’s mate. Well, apparently. “He’s so handsome,” Naomi whispered in her ear and she scoffed. She was meant to be the next in charge. But she was dormant and instead replaced by her acclaimed mate. Mates were predestined, specially selected by the moon goddess. It was said that at first eye contact one would feel a very strong and special connection with their mate. She felt nothing with Theron. He said it was because she was dormant which stung her. He said he felt everything he needed to feel and that was all that mattered. She, however, wasn't so sure. But it wasn’t like she had much of a choice. Her father had specifically selected Theron. He favoured him and being mated to him was the only thing keeping her relevant in the pack. “Come, Alpha Theron,” Edmund summoned and he walked and stood beside him with an air of authority. The clan cheered and Hanna shrank beneath their yells. Her eyes went to Theron. He was staring but not at her. She looked at her side to find Naomi staring back at him. They both held eye contact for some seconds before Naomi looked away and… blushed? Hanna frowned. That was weird. But she didn’t think much about it. She had new things to worry about. ***** Hanna was back at the river bank the next day. It was almost mid-day. This was the only place that brought her peace and took her mind off things. She didn’t know what her life would be like as Theron’s Luna. Maybe he would be kind to her. But he hardly spoke to her. Would she even be a good Luna? What kind of Luna couldn’t even protect herself? She sighed. “Hanna?” Naomi’s voice called and Hanna turned to her. “The new Alpha has called for a meeting,” she said and walked away, not meeting Hanna’s eyes. Hanna frowned. She had been acting weird since yesterday. She shrugged and walked back to the cave where her pack had already gathered. It felt so strange seeing Theron on the stone throne instead of her father. “You’re finally here. Good,” he said as soon as she walked in and cleared his throat. “Brothers and sisters, I have an announcement to make.” The air grew tense and Hanna couldn’t tell why. Everyone waited to hear his announcement. “I hereby reject Hanna Acwulf as my mate.”