A DEAL WITH ALPHA DAMIAN

Chapter 3: Preparations for the Moonlit Hunt

Pack meetings always seem to swirl into chaos, the kind of chaos that claws its way under your skin and fills your veins with electricity. Tonight is no different.

The air in the main hall is thick with tension, the atmosphere charged with anticipation. Warriors, hunters, Omegas, and elders are packed in like sardines, their bodies pressed together in a sea of murmurs and whispered speculations. The scent of sweat, leather, and faint notes of adrenaline swirl around me, and I can feel the restlessness buzzing through the room. Everyone is talking, wondering what the Alpha’s big announcement could be.

But I already know.

The Moonlit Hunt.

This is Maxwell’s moment. His chance to take control, to show everyone he’s ready to lead. And it’s my moment too.

I lean against the cold stone wall near the back, trying to blend into the shadows with the other Omegas. Not that anyone is paying attention to us. The higher ranks sit closer to the dais, right under Alpha Killian’s gaze. Beside him stands Maxwell, the heir to the pack, but it’s Liam’s presence that commands the most attention. His towering frame is perfectly still, his dark hair combed back with effortless precision. He stands like a statue, the epitome of power and control, and yet, beneath all that composure, I know there’s so much more. He’s the boy who kissed me under the full moon, who whispered that I was the best part of his day. And every time his eyes flicker in my direction, my heart skips a beat.

I bite my lip, holding back a smile. This is it,the beginning of everything. The beginning of us.

The murmurs die down as Alpha Killian steps up to the podium. He doesn’t need to ask for silence. His presence alone demands it.

"As you all know," Alpha Killian begins, his deep voice filling the hall, "the Moonlit Hunt is almost upon us. A tradition as old as this pack itself, a test of strength, endurance, and loyalty."

The crowd stirs with excitement, but I hardly hear the murmurs around me. I can feel my heart racing, my pulse quickening. The Hunt is the most anticipated event of the year, the one that marks who’s truly strong and who’s not. The warriors train for it, the rest of us watch in awe, and all of it is a reminder of who holds power.

"But this year," Alpha Killian continues, sweeping his gaze across the room, "the Hunt carries greater significance."

A quiet hush falls over the crowd, and I can feel every eye in the room on the Alpha, waiting for the reveal.

“This year,” Killian says, voice steady and commanding, “my son, Maxwell, will choose his mate.”

The words hang in the air like a thunderclap, and I can’t help the smile that spreads across my face. Gasps and whispers ripple through the crowd, but I hardly register them. My heart is pounding so loudly in my ears that it drowns out everything else. Max will choose his mate.

It’s happening.

I glance over to Maxwell, standing beside his father. He looks calm, composed, but I know him. I know the way his eyes have always found mine, the way he makes me feel like I’m the center of his world.

Maxwell’s gaze shifts around the room, and for a split second, it lands on me. It’s brief, a flash of recognition, but enough to make my breath catch. He sees me. He always sees me.

Killian keeps speaking, outlining the logistics of the Hunt, but I’m lost in my own thoughts. I’m picturing the moment when Max declares me as his mate. The shock on everyone’s faces. The looks of disbelief as they realize that the Omega girl, the one no one thought would be anything but a servant, is the one Max loves.

“And when the time comes,” Maxwell’s voice cuts through my thoughts, and I realize he’s speaking to the crowd again, “I’ll choose someone who embodies trust, connection, and strength. Someone who will stand beside me and lead this pack with honor.”

He pauses, and I feel the weight of his eyes, quick but unmistakable, as they flicker to me again. The whole room is silent, but in that moment, it feels like he’s speaking only to me.

That someone is me.

I can feel it in my bones.

The rest of the meeting passes in a blur. Killian goes on about the preparation for the Hunt, but I don’t hear his words. My mind is spinning, replaying Max’s speech over and over, savoring the promise in his eyes.

By the time the meeting ends, the hall is buzzing with chatter. The air is thick with speculation. Groups of wolves huddle together, throwing out names of who they think Maxwell might choose.

I slip out quietly, weaving through the bodies, until I’m finally outside. The night air is cool, a welcome relief from the heat inside.

“Raven!”

I turn to see Lily jogging toward me, her curly hair bouncing as she moves. “Did you hear that? The Hunt! Max is picking his mate!”

“I heard,” I say, smiling, though I try to keep my expression neutral.

Lily lowers her voice, leaning closer. “Do you think he’ll choose someone from another pack? My mom says it would be smart, politically, to form an alliance.”

I feel a sharp prick of jealousy, but I force it down, pretending I don’t care. “I don’t know. Max doesn’t care about politics.”

Lily gives me a knowing look, narrowing her eyes. “You’re acting a little too calm about all of this. I’d be freaking out if I were you.”

“Well, you’re not me,” I say lightly, dodging her suspicious gaze.

She huffs in laughter, clearly unconvinced. “Fair enough. But seriously, this is huge. Whoever he picks, it’ll change everything.”

I nod, but don’t say anything more. I don’t owe her an explanation.

That night, sleep evades me. I lie in bed, staring at the ceiling, my mind replaying every word of Max’s announcement. I can still see him standing there, his posture strong and proud, his eyes scanning the crowd like he was speaking directly to me. His words are etched into my mind, a promise of what’s to come.

Tomorrow, everything will change.

The next day, the pack is still buzzing with excitement. Everywhere I go, whispers follow me.

“I heard Max has been spending time with the Silverfang girl. Do you think it’s her?”

“Could be. Her father’s an Alpha. That would be a good alliance.”

“Yeah, but what about Lisa? She’s been training with him for years. They’d be unstoppable together.”

None of their names matter. Max isn’t picking them. He’s picking me.

By midday, the training center is packed with wolves preparing for the Hunt. Warriors spar in the main arena, their movements fast and deadly. Omegas and hunters haul equipment, clearing paths in the forest, setting up the obstacle courses.

I scrub bloodstains off the mats, but my mind isn’t on the work. It’s on Maxwell. I can feel his presence before I even see him, the air around me shifting as he enters the room.

I glance up, catching sight of him on the far side of the arena. His black gear clings to his form, his movements fluid as he speaks to one of the senior warriors. His voice is low, authoritative.

He looks so handsome. So unreachable. And yet, when I close my eyes, I can still feel the way he holds me, the way his hands seem to belong on me.

Soon. We’ll be together soon.