A MATE SHE COULDN'T ACCEPT
932 Words
Silence gripped the Moon Shadow Pack.
Every eye remained fixed on Luna and Alpha Kael Blackwood. The music had stopped, the laughter had faded, and no one dared to speak.
Luna's heart pounded in her chest.
"No..." she whispered, shaking her head. "This can't be happening."
She took another step back.
Kael's eyes never left hers. His wolf had never reacted this way before. There was no doubt in his mind.
She was his mate.
"Luna," he said calmly, "you don't have to be afraid."
His gentle tone surprised everyone. The ruthless Alpha King was known for his cold personality, yet he was speaking to the wolfless girl with unexpected patience.
Before Luna could answer, Serena stepped forward.
"Alpha Kael," she said with a respectful bow, "there must be a mistake. Luna doesn't even have a wolf."
Several pack members nodded in agreement.
"She's not worthy of becoming a Luna."
"She'll only bring shame to Night Fang."
Whispers spread through the crowd.
Kael slowly turned toward them, his expression hardening.
"My mate's worth is not yours to decide."
His deep voice carried enough authority to silence everyone instantly.
No one dared to speak again.
Luna felt overwhelmed.
For years, no one had ever defended her.
Not like this.
The Alpha of Moon Shadow finally stepped forward.
"Alpha Kael," he said carefully, "perhaps you should rest before making such an important decision."
Kael looked at him without hesitation.
"I have already made it."
He turned back to Luna.
"When the gathering is over, I would like to speak with you."
Luna opened her mouth but no words came out.
She simply nodded.
As Kael walked away with his Beta, the crowd slowly began talking again.
Some were shocked.
Some were jealous.
Others simply couldn't believe what they had witnessed.
Mira rushed to Luna's side and grabbed her hands.
"Luna! Did you hear him? The strongest Alpha in the kingdom just claimed you as his mate!"
Luna stared at the ground.
"I don't understand."
"You don't have to understand right now."
"But... why me?"
That was the question no one could answer.
Far across the square, Kael stood quietly beneath the moonlight.
His Beta, Damon, folded his arms.
"You've finally found her."
Kael nodded.
"But something isn't right."
"What do you mean?"
"When I looked into her eyes... I sensed sadness. She's been carrying pain for a very long time."
Damon followed his gaze toward Luna.
"Then perhaps your first task isn't claiming your mate."
Kael remained silent.
The celebration slowly resumed, but the joyful atmosphere had disappeared. Everywhere Luna walked, people whispered behind her back.
"How could the Alpha King choose her?"
"She's wolfless."
"There has to be some mistake."
Unable to bear the stares any longer, Luna slipped away from the crowded square and wandered toward the quiet river at the edge of the pack. The moon reflected beautifully on the calm water, but it did little to ease the storm inside her heart.
She wrapped her arms around herself and sighed.
"My life was already difficult," she murmured. "Why would the Moon Goddess do this to me?"
"You think finding your mate is a punishment?"
Luna gasped and turned around.
Alpha Kael stood a few steps away. He had removed his coat, but his commanding presence was just as overwhelming.
"I didn't hear you coming," she admitted.
"I wasn't trying to frighten you."
For a moment, neither of them spoke. The only sound was the gentle flow of the river.
Finally, Kael broke the silence.
"I know this is difficult."
Luna gave a bitter smile.
"Difficult? My entire pack thinks you're making the biggest mistake of your life."
"I don't care what they think."
"But I do." She looked down at the ground. "You deserve a strong Luna... someone respected by everyone. I'm not that person."
Kael stepped closer, stopping a respectful distance away.
"When my wolf recognized you, I didn't see weakness."
Luna looked into his silver eyes.
"I saw courage," he continued. "You've survived years of rejection, yet you still choose kindness over bitterness. That takes more strength than most warriors will ever have."
His words caught her off guard.
No one had ever spoken to her that way.
"You don't even know me," she whispered.
"I intend to."
Before Luna could answer, hurried footsteps approached.
"Alpha!"
Beta Damon bowed quickly.
"We've received troubling news. Rogue wolves have been spotted near the eastern border."
Kael's expression darkened instantly.
"Are they attacking?"
"Not yet. Our scouts believe they're searching for someone."
Kael frowned.
"For someone?"
Damon nodded.
"We don't know who."
A strange feeling settled in Kael's chest. His instincts told him the report wasn't a coincidence.
He glanced at Luna, who stood quietly beside the river, unaware that danger might already be closing in around her.
"We leave at first light tomorrow," Kael ordered.
"As you command."
Damon walked away to prepare the warriors.
Kael turned back to Luna.
"I'll return soon."
She hesitated before speaking.
"Please... don't expect too much from me."
A faint smile touched his lips.
"I expect only one thing."
"What is that?"
"Give me a chance."
Before she could respond, Kael walked away, leaving Luna alone beneath the moonlight.
She watched him disappear into the darkness, her heart more confused than ever.
For the first time in years, someone had looked at her and seen value instead of weakness.
But neither of them knew that hidden in the shadows beyond the pack, a pair of glowing red eyes watched their every move.
And the hunt for Luna Carter had already begun.It's earning her trust."
- Writer
