THE ALPHA WHO CLAIMED HER

The first rays of sunlight spread across the Moon Shadow Pack, but Luna Carter had been awake long before dawn. While the rest of the pack prepared for another day, she carried buckets of water from the river, swept the Alpha's mansion, and helped the kitchen servants prepare breakfast. At twenty-one, Luna had accepted that this was her life. She wasn't a warrior. She wasn't a respected pack member. She was the wolfless girl. Every werewolf found their wolf before turning eighteen, but Luna never had. Since then, whispers followed her everywhere. "The Moon Goddess rejected her." "She's cursed." She had heard it so often that it barely hurt anymore. "Luna!" She looked up as Mrs. Helen, the Alpha family's housekeeper, marched toward her. "The banquet hall must be spotless before sunset. Every Alpha in the kingdom will be here tonight." "Yes, ma'am." Without complaint, Luna picked up her broom and continued working. When she finally stepped outside, the sound of swords clashing echoed from the training grounds. Young warriors laughed as they sparred, their wolves making them stronger with every strike. Luna paused for only a moment before forcing herself to keep walking. She had stopped wondering what it felt like to have a wolf. "Luna!" A cheerful voice broke her thoughts. Mira, the healer's daughter, hurried over with a warm smile. "You've been working all morning again." Luna laughed softly. "Someone has to." Mira rolled her eyes. "Forget work for a minute. Have you heard who's coming tonight?" "The neighboring packs?" "No." Mira lowered her voice dramatically. "Alpha Kael Blackwood." Luna blinked. The Alpha of Night Fang. Even she knew his name. He was the strongest Alpha in the kingdom and had never found his fated mate. "They say every unmated she-wolf hopes he'll notice her," Mira said. Luna smiled faintly. "I'm sure he'll find the right person someday." Before Mira could reply, mocking laughter interrupted them. Serena and two of her friends approached. "Listen to her," Serena sneered. "The wolfless girl is talking about fated mates." The girls laughed. Luna lowered her eyes. "I don't want any trouble." "But trouble always finds you." Serena stepped forward and knocked the basket from Luna's hands. Herbs scattered across the ground. "You should remember your place." As Luna knelt to gather them, the laughter grew louder. Then a calm voice silenced everyone. "Enough." Elder Rowan slowly approached with his wooden staff. "A true warrior does not find pleasure in humiliating others," he said. Serena muttered an apology before walking away. After helping Luna collect the herbs, Rowan smiled kindly. "Do not lose hope, child." Luna looked at him sadly. "Hope has never changed anything." The elder's eyes softened. "Sometimes destiny arrives when we least expect it." Before Luna could ask what he meant, the great horn echoed through the vall The sound of the great horn filled the Moon Shadow Pack as excitement spread through the village. Every pack member gathered in the central square to welcome the visiting Alphas. Lanterns glowed beneath the rising full moon, while long tables overflowed with food and drinks. Laughter echoed through the air as warriors stood proudly at the entrance. Luna stayed in the background. Even during celebrations, she was expected to serve. Just as she was arranging cups on one of the tables, Mira appeared carrying a folded dress. "You can't spend tonight in your work clothes," she said with a smile. Luna looked at the silver-blue dress in surprise. "It's beautiful... but I can't wear it." "You can," Mira insisted. "It's only borrowed. Besides, everyone deserves to feel beautiful once in a while." After much persuasion, Luna changed into the dress. When she stepped outside, Mira smiled proudly. "I knew it. You look stunning." Luna laughed shyly. "I still feel like the same girl." "Maybe," Mira replied, "but tonight could change everything." Before Luna could respond, another horn sounded. "They're here!" someone shouted. One after another, powerful Alphas entered the square with their Betas and warriors. The crowd applauded each arrival. Then silence suddenly fell. A line of black vehicles stopped at the entrance. Alpha Kael Blackwood stepped out. He was tall, handsome, and carried himself with effortless authority. Dressed in a black suit beneath a long coat bearing the Night Fang crest, he looked every bit the powerful ruler the stories described. Every unmated she-wolf watched him with admiration. Kael acknowledged no one. As he walked through the gathering beside his Beta, Damon, he remained calm and unreadable. "Still no sign of your mate?" Damon asked quietly. Kael shook his head. "If fate has chosen her, she'll appear when the time is right." The celebration soon began. Music filled the square as people danced beneath the full moon. Luna carried a tray of drinks through the crowd, careful not to draw attention to herself. Suddenly, someone bumped into her. The tray slipped from her hands. The silver goblets crashed onto the stone floor. The music stopped. "I'm so sorry," Luna whispered, kneeling to pick up the broken pieces. At that exact moment, Kael froze. A sweet scent reached him, and his wolf stirred violently. Mate. His heart pounded. Slowly, he turned toward the young woman kneeling on the ground. The moment their eyes met, the world around him disappeared. Without thinking, Kael walked straight toward her. The crowd stepped aside in confusion. Luna's breathing quickened as the powerful Alpha stopped in front of her. She looked up, her green eyes filled with uncertainty. Kael's silver eyes locked onto hers. In a deep, unwavering voice that echoed across the silent square, he spoke a single word. "Mate." Gasps rippled through the crowd. "The Alpha King's mate?" "The wolfless girl?" Serena stared in disbelief. Mira covered her mouth in shock. Luna slowly shook her head, taking one frightened step backward. "No... you've made a mistake." Kael held her gaze, his expression firm. "My wolf has never been wrong." Beneath the glowing full moon, the destiny of two strangers was sealed, and the lives they had always known changed forever.ey. The Full Moon Gathering had begun