The alphas runt

The Blood Moon Gathering

The Blood Moon Gathering was unlike anything Lyra had ever seen.

As Kael’s black SUV wound through the snowy mountain roads beneath the silver glow of the moon, her nervousness only grew stronger with every passing mile. The gathering was being held deep within neutral territory—a massive ancient estate hidden among frozen forests where northern packs met each winter beneath the Blood Moon.

The closer they got, the tighter her chest became.

Tonight, every powerful alpha in the north would see her.

Judge her.

Hate her.

And worse…

Judge Kael for choosing her.

Lyra sat quietly beside him in the backseat, silver gown pooled elegantly around her legs while soft moonlight illuminated her pale skin and white hair.

Kael hadn’t stopped staring at her since they left the estate.

Not even once.

It was becoming a problem.

“You’re doing it again,” she whispered nervously.

His silver eyes slid toward her slowly.

“Doing what?”

“Looking at me like that.”

A faint smirk touched his mouth.

“Like what?”

Lyra flushed immediately.

“You know exactly what.”

“No,” he said calmly. “Explain it.”

From the front seat, Damien groaned dramatically.

“I regret getting into this car.”

Kael ignored him completely.

His large hand rested possessively against Lyra’s thigh now, thumb brushing slowly against the silver fabric of her dress.

Grounding her.

Claiming her.

The bond purred happily beneath her skin.

Mine.

Kael leaned slightly closer.

“You’re nervous.”

“Obviously.”

His expression softened immediately.

“You look beautiful.”

Her stomach flipped dangerously.

“You already said that.”

“I’ll keep saying it until you believe me.”

The quiet sincerity in his voice nearly hurt.

Because part of her still couldn’t understand how someone like him could look at her this way.

The vehicle finally slowed as enormous black gates appeared ahead.

Lyra’s breath caught softly.

The estate beyond them looked ancient.

Massive stone walls covered in ivy and frost stretched high into the night sky while golden lights glowed warmly from towering windows. Luxury cars lined the entrance while wolves dressed in expensive suits and gowns moved toward the ballroom inside.

Power.

Money.

Danger.

Every powerful pack in the north was here.

Kael stepped out first before immediately turning toward her side of the vehicle.

The moment she placed her hand into his—

The entire atmosphere shifted.

Several nearby wolves froze openly.

Conversations stopped.

Eyes turned toward them instantly.

And Lyra felt the exact second everyone realized who she was.

Shock spread visibly through the crowd.

Because no one expected the alpha’s runt to look like this.

Kael’s hand tightened slightly around hers.

Mine.

The possessive pulse through the bond wrapped around her like armor.

“Stay close,” he murmured quietly.

Like she planned on doing anything else.

The moment they entered the ballroom, silence exploded outward through the massive room.

It happened in waves.

One conversation stopped.

Then another.

Then another.

Until nearly the entire ballroom stared openly at them.

Or more specifically—

At Lyra.

Crystal chandeliers illuminated the enormous hall while wolves from dozens of northern packs filled the room dressed in black, silver, and crimson formalwear.

And every single one of them looked stunned.

Kael noticed instantly.

His posture shifted subtly beside her.

Predatory.

Warning.

Several alphas stood near the center platform speaking quietly together. The moment Lyra entered, their attention snapped toward her immediately.

Then froze.

One actually forgot what he was saying mid-sentence.

Another openly stared.

A third looked genuinely confused.

Because this wasn’t what they expected.

Not at all.

They expected weakness.

Something ugly.

Broken.

Instead—

Lyra looked ethereal.

Like moonlight given human form.

Kael’s jaw tightened visibly as more eyes followed her across the ballroom.

Damien leaned closer quietly.

“They’re all screwed.”

Lyra swallowed nervously.

“They hate me already.”

“No,” Damien murmured. “Now they’re confused.”

Kael guided her deeper into the ballroom with one hand against her lower back.

Every wolf they passed lowered their heads respectfully toward Kael.

But their eyes always returned to Lyra.

Curious.

Shocked.

Uncertain.

Whispers spread instantly through the room.

“That’s the runt?”

“She’s beautiful…”

“No wonder the alpha lost his mind.”

“She doesn’t smell weak.”

Lyra stiffened slightly at that.

Kael immediately noticed.

His fingers flexed protectively against her waist.

Across the ballroom, Elder Magnus looked furious.

Good.

For the first time in her life…

People weren’t looking at her with disgust.

And somehow that angered him more.

A tall alpha with dark brown hair finally approached them carefully.

“Alpha Draven.”

Kael nodded once.

“Alpha Laurent.”

The male’s gaze shifted immediately toward Lyra.

And softened.

“Your mate?”

Kael’s expression turned dangerously possessive.

“Yes.”

The alpha studied Lyra for a moment before bowing his head respectfully toward her.

“Lady Lyra.”

Shock flickered through her.

Lady.

Not runt.

Not omega.

Not worthless.

Lady.

She quickly dipped her head politely.

“It’s nice to meet you.”

The alpha blinked slightly like he hadn’t expected her voice to sound so soft.

Then his expression became thoughtful.

“You honor the gathering with your presence.”

Kael looked mildly smug beside her.

Damien nearly gagged again.

This continued for nearly an hour.

One alpha after another approached carefully.

Some out of curiosity.

Others clearly expecting scandal.

But every conversation ended similarly.

Confusion.

Because Lyra wasn’t arrogant.

Wasn’t manipulative.

Wasn’t trying to climb socially.

She was simply…

Kind.

Gentle.

Soft-spoken.

And that shattered expectations more effectively than anger ever could.

Even wolves who clearly disapproved found themselves hesitating after speaking with her.

An older luna from the Black Hollow Pack touched Lyra’s arm softly during conversation.

“You have a calming presence, dear.”

Nearby, Kael looked one compliment away from starting a religion dedicated to her.

Lyra noticed.

Heat flooded her cheeks immediately.

Kael leaned down slightly near her ear.

“You’re blushing again.”

“You’re staring again.”

“Because everyone else is.”

The dangerous edge beneath his voice made her glance around nervously.

Sure enough—

Several male wolves were openly watching her.

Including alphas.

Kael’s wolf hated it.

The bond pulsed with possessive irritation.

Mine.

One particularly arrogant alpha approached holding a glass of whiskey.

Young.

Handsome.

Smirking.

Trouble.

“Well,” he drawled casually, “Silver Fang certainly kept secrets.”

Kael immediately looked annoyed.

“Leave, Tristan.”

The younger alpha ignored him completely.

His gaze remained fixed on Lyra.

“You’re even prettier up close.”

Kael stepped slightly in front of her instantly.

Damien sighed heavily.

“And there it is.”

Tristan smirked lazily.

“I’m complimenting your mate, not stealing her.”

“You’re breathing near her,” Kael said coldly. “That’s enough.”

Several nearby wolves quickly hid smiles.

Apparently jealous alpha behavior entertained everyone except Kael himself.

Tristan raised both hands mockingly.

“Relax.” Then he looked toward Lyra again. “You must be exhausted.”

She blinked softly.

“What?”

“Dealing with him.”

To Lyra’s surprise, a small laugh escaped her.

Kael stared down at her immediately like she’d betrayed him personally.

The room somehow became even quieter.

Because no one expected the runt to laugh so openly beside the terrifying Silver Fang alpha.

And they definitely didn’t expect Kael’s entire expression to soften afterward.

The effect on the room was immediate.

Shock.

Because powerful alphas weren’t supposed to look at anyone that gently.

Especially not runts.

Tristan noticed too.

His teasing smirk slowly faded.

Interesting.

Very interesting.

Before anyone could speak again, a loud voice suddenly echoed through the ballroom.

“Alpha Kael Draven.”

Silence fell instantly.

Ronan Blackwood stood near the grand staircase overlooking the gathering.

Beside him—

Elder Magnus.

Lyra’s stomach tightened immediately.

This wasn’t good.

Ronan’s amber eyes swept briefly across the ballroom before settling on Kael.

“The council wishes to address the gathering.”

Tension snapped sharply through the room.

Kael’s hand found Lyra’s immediately.

Protective.

Steady.

Mine.

Magnus stepped forward slowly, gray robes flowing behind him.

“The northern packs deserve transparency.”

Kael’s silver eyes darkened dangerously.

“Choose your next words carefully.”

Magnus ignored the warning completely.

“For centuries, our people survived because we respected strength above all else.”

Murmurs spread quietly.

“Silver Fang now stands at a crossroads. Our alpha has chosen sentiment over tradition.”

Lyra felt dozens of eyes turn toward her instantly.

But before shame could settle—

Kael squeezed her hand once.

Grounding her.

Magnus continued coldly.

“A runt cannot lead beside an alpha.”

Silence followed.

Then unexpectedly—

Another voice spoke.

“She seems kinder than most leaders I’ve met.”

The room turned in surprise.

An older alpha stood near the back of the ballroom, studying Lyra thoughtfully.

Others slowly began murmuring agreement.

“She carries herself well.”

“She’s respectful.”

“She doesn’t seem weak.”

Magnus’ expression tightened visibly.

Because doubt had entered the room.

Tiny cracks.

But cracks nonetheless.

Lyra looked around in shock.

These wolves weren’t defending her because she was powerful.

Or feared.

Or politically useful.

They defended her because she’d treated them kindly.

And suddenly, for the first time—

The old traditions didn’t seem quite as absolute anymore.

Kael looked down at her then.

Silver eyes softer than she’d ever seen them.

Proud.

The realization hit her hard enough to steal her breath.

He was proud of her.

Not despite who she was.

Because of who she was.

And somehow…

That mattered more than anything else in the world.