The First Warrior Wolf

Chapter 2: Nightmares Are Real

_Allison POV_

I never wanted to get married. If I had a choice, I’d be on an island somewhere, living in peace. But life didn’t give me choices. So I did what Hellen would have done: I made my own solution.

It was early. The sun just kissing the dew on the trees. I stopped mid-run in the thick forest to catch my breath.

My watch vibrated — _perimeter breach, east quadrant_. Two figures, ∼80kg each. I tapped the screen, rerouted the camera feed to my phone. Tagged them: _teens, not threats_. Logged it. Rose would murder me if I missed another false alarm before wedding duty started.

I was twenty. Top of my class. Extra merits in elite combat. But here? I was the girl checking sensors at dawn.

My watch beeped again. 6:47 AM. _Time to get back._

Today was my wedding day. At seven sharp, Aunt Mel would waltz through my door with Rose and Jessy on her heels to start faffing over me.

With a sigh, I jogged back toward the Pack house. Six stories, wraparound decks on every floor. Top floor: Alpha’s penthouse. Fifth floor: Alphas’ sons, visiting Alphas. That’s where my guest room was. Fourth: Betas and Deltas. Second: Omegas. Ground floor: kitchen, dining, offices, library. Basement: cinema, laundry, winery.

I slipped into my room to find three angry faces. “Where on earth have you been? We have so much to do,” Rose said, already bypassing my lock with her phone. She never knocked. “Your firewalls are still trash,” she tossed me a coffee. “I patched them while you were playing in the woods.”

“I had to log the breach and get a run in,” I said, heading for the bathroom. A fragranced bubble bath waited for me.

The day blurred after that. Rose — tech smart, mated to my cousin Matteo. Jessy — Alpha blood, mated to James the future Beta, and our head chef. And Aunt Mel, who’d been my mother since mine died when I was nine.

We laughed. We remembered. Then I was in the mirror.

Black hair in a high curly bun, loose tendrils framing my heart-shaped face. Off-the-shoulder lace sleeves, sweetheart neckline, dress hugging my waist before flaring out. 5’6”, athletic with curves. Minimal makeup, but it made my chocolate brown, cat-shaped eyes pop. Soft pink lip gloss.

The three of them smiled at my reaction, then left to take their places.

I took a breath. _‘Allegra, be on alert. Something’s going to go wrong,’_ I told my wolf. I got her at thirteen. Most don’t get theirs until eighteen. She’s special.

_‘I feel it too,’_ she replied. _‘Foreboding excitement. I can’t explain it.’_

Time flew. Next thing I knew, I was at the altar with Lysander. We said our “I do’s.” Everything was smooth until Allegra tensed. _Someone entered pack grounds._

I tapped my earpiece. One word to my team. They alerted the Alpha: _expect company._

I turned back to Lysander as the pastor announced us future Alpha and Luna. He pecked me on the cheek to seal it — and the doors burst open.

Mint and earth hit me first. A scent I’d never forget, even through scent-masking cream. My knees nearly buckled.

_“MATE!!”_

Lysander stepped in front of me, protective. But I already knew. I kept my head down. If I looked up, Allegra would scream _mate_ out loud. For now, she just bounced in my head, chanting _he’s back he’s back he’s back_.

I didn’t realize I was holding my breath until Lysander held me and announced we were wed. I exhaled, hoping that was the end of it.

Then my stepfather stood.

“Actually, that is not true!” Culim stepped forward, bowed to the Alpha. “Since Allison is my only child and I am her guardian, I ensured she’s treated with respect. Her marriage contract states she is marrying the _next Alpha_ of the Misty Moon Pack. Because Alex has returned — right on time — Alpha Lysander stood as a placeholder. My daughter is not married to Lysander. She is married to Alpha Alex. And he has just called her his mate. Perfect.”

The blood drained from my face. Fear gripped me. My worst nightmare, alive.

Lysander argued. Alpha Manuel silenced everyone and led us to his study. Culim’s grip on my arm was bruising. _‘If you mess this up for me, girl, I will make your life a living hell,’_ he hissed through the mind link. _‘The least you can do after I raised you is accept and obey your mate.’_

I said nothing. If I didn’t have a wolf, you’d see the bruises. He was one reason I needed this marriage.

In the Alpha’s office, I put distance between us and stood by Lysander.

Alpha Manuel read the documents. When he looked up, his face was grim. “Culim is correct. I’m sorry, son, but Allison is legally Alex’s wife.” Culim crossed his arms, puffed up like a peacock. I hated him more than ever.

“Now we can make the formal announcement,” Culim said.

“Not so fast,” Alpha Manuel cut in. “We discuss this as a family first. Damage control.”

Culim nodded, then turned to me. “Come, daughter, let’s entertain your guests.”

I was a future Luna now. I didn’t answer to him anymore. I dug up some courage, met his eyes. “This discussion involves me. I will be staying.”

Alpha Manuel nodded and waved Culim out.

Once the door closed, Lysander grabbed the contract. “There must be a loophole.”

“There is none,” Alpha said. “Culim is the best there is.”

Then he turned to me. “I want honesty. You knew Alex was your mate. How long has Sanders known?”

“Three years,” I said, feeling like a scolded child.

“Do you love her?” Alex asked, eyes on Lysander.

I looked at Alex. The moment our eyes met, the bond _clicked_ into place. _‘Mate,’_ I whispered before I could stop it. My body wanted to throw itself into his arms. But I rooted myself. He didn’t deserve my love. He hurt me more than Culim ever could.

Lysander looked at me for permission. I nodded. He gave me a sad smile. “She’s like a little sister to me. That’s as deep as our love will ever go.”

Alpha Manuel wasn’t amused. “If you two knew, why agree to marry?”

“We had no proof,” I said. “And you wouldn’t have believed us.” Then I added my way out: “Besides, if Alex doesn’t reject me, I’ll simply reject him as my mate.”

Allegra whimpered. The thought alone terrified her.

Everyone was shocked. For a moment, pain flashed across Alex’s face before a smirk replaced it.

“While I never wanted a weak omega as my mate,” he said, making me ball my fists, “she may prove to be a live wire. I respect the goddess and her choices. I will not be rejecting or accepting any rejections.”

His gaze pinned me. I felt defeated. If he wouldn’t accept my rejection, and Culim’s contract was binding, I was trapped. The goddess truly had a vendetta against me.

“If that is what you want, I will not fight,” I said softly. Alpha and Luna looked approving. Lysander looked worried and hugged me. “You sure you can do this?” When I nodded, he promised support.

Alpha cleared his throat. “Damage control. Sanders, go calm the guests. Tell them how happy you are your brother is home and that you knew he was coming.” Lysander kissed my forehead, bowed, and left.

“Alex, freshen up at the pack house. Then we host the reception.”

Alex, annoyed, insisted I escort him. “Better cover story if she goes.” He wasn’t wrong. I hated it. I bowed and walked out, head high but feeling defeated.

Rose and Jessy waited in the hall. Before they could speak, I shook my head. “Jess, add malva pudding to dessert tonight.” Then I introduced them: “Alpha Alex, this is Rose, mated to my cousin Matteo. And Jessy, our head cook and James’s mate.”

They greeted him formally. I promised to see them later and led the way to the pack house, carrying my dress to keep from tripping. We took the garden route.

A group of teens ran toward us. Two girls slammed into me with a hug, knocking me into Alex. He steadied me. Sparks shot up my arms where he touched me.

“Miss Ally!” they squealed, then apologized. The three boys with them grinned. I raised an eyebrow until they remembered formal greetings.

“Miss Ally, do we call you Luna Ally now?” one boy asked, sparking an argument.

I cleared my throat. “I’m escorting Alpha Alex to freshen up. How about I answer you all at next week’s training lesson?” They nodded eagerly and ran off.

Alex asked, “Since when did they let you train teens?”

I shrugged and opened the front door. At the stairs, I turned right to the elevator. I was _not_ climbing stairs in this dress.

Alex raised a brow but followed. “When did we get an elevator?” he asked as we stepped in.

“About two years ago,” I said. “We also have a security system in place now.” The doors opened on the fifth floor. I walked right.