The Alpha Who Buried My Heart

The full moon rose slowly over Blackthorn Mountain, bathing the valley in silver light. To every werewolf in the kingdom, the full moon was more than a beautiful sight. It was a blessing from the Moon Goddess herself, a reminder that every wolf carried a fragment of her power within their soul. For Lyra Ashwood, however, tonight's moon meant something even greater. It was the night her destiny would finally unfold. The entire Blackthorn Pack had been preparing for weeks. Every cottage was decorated with silver ribbons and moonflowers, whose delicate white petals glowed faintly under the moonlight. Lanterns lined the stone streets leading to the Alpha's castle, their warm golden flames dancing in the cool evening breeze. Music echoed across the valley as wolves laughed, danced, and celebrated. No one had seen such a grand festival in years. After all, this wasn't just any celebration. Tonight, Alpha Kael Blackthorn would publicly claim his mate before the entire kingdom. Tonight, Lyra Ashwood would become the future Luna. The Moon Blessing Festival was supposed to be the happiest night of her life. Silver lanterns lit the sky while hundreds of wolves gathered in the Alpha's courtyard. *Lyra pov* Tonight, I would become Luna of Blackthorn Pack and stand beside the man I had loved since childhood. Kael Blackthorn. My mate. My future. The moon hung high above Blackthorn Pack, glowing like a silver crown against the velvet sky. Its light spilled across the ancient stone courtyard, where hundreds of werewolves had gathered to witness the Moon Blessing Ceremony. Laughter drifted through the crisp evening air. Musicians played soft melodies while servants hurried between long banquet tables overflowing with roasted meat, fresh fruit, and sparkling wine. Tonight was supposed to be the happiest night of my life. I stood before the polished mirror in my chamber, smoothing invisible wrinkles from my white ceremonial gown. The silk shimmered under the candlelight, embroidered with silver threads that traced the phases of the moon. Every Luna before me had worn a similar gown on the night she accepted the Moon Goddess's blessing. My fingers trembled as I reached up to touch the moonstone necklace resting against my collarbone. "You look beautiful." I turned to see my mother smiling from the doorway. Tears glistened in her eyes as she walked toward me and adjusted a loose strand of my chestnut hair. Eleanor Ashwood looked elegant despite the silver strands beginning to appear in her dark hair. Her warm brown eyes immediately filled with tears the moment she saw her daughter. "My beautiful girl..." Lyra laughed softly. "Mother, don't cry. You'll make me cry too." "I'm allowed." Eleanor smiled through her tears. "I've imagined this day ever since you and Kael found each other in the training fields when you were children." That memory instantly returned. Lyra had been only ten years old. She had wandered too far into the forest chasing a glowing butterfly and gotten hopelessly lost. Night had fallen, strange noises echoed through the trees, and fear had gripped her tiny heart. Then a boy carrying a wooden practice sword had appeared. "I'm Kael," he had said confidently. "Don't worry. I'll take you home." He had held her hand the entire way back. Years later, during the Moon Festival, the Moon Goddess had confirmed what everyone already suspected. They were destined mates. From that day forward, the entire pack believed their future was written in the stars. And so did Lyra. Eleanor opened the wooden jewelry box and lifted out a delicate silver crown decorated with moonstones. "This belonged to your grandmother," she said quietly. "Tonight, it belongs to you." Lyra lowered her head while her mother gently placed the crown on her hair. "There." Eleanor stepped back, admiring her daughter. "You truly look like a Luna." A blush crept across Lyra's cheeks. "I hope Kael thinks so." "Oh, child..." Eleanor chuckled. "That boy has looked at you as though you hung the moon itself ever since you were fourteen." Lyra couldn't help smiling. Kael wasn't the most expressive man. Even as a teenager, he had been calm, disciplined, and serious. While other young wolves fought to impress everyone, Kael trained from dawn until sunset, determined to become the strongest Alpha his father had ever seen. But when they were alone... He became someone else. He smiled. He laughed. He teased her endlessly whenever she lost at archery. He always made sure she ate whenever she became absorbed in her books. He remembered every promise he ever made. Or at least... She believed he did. Outside, a loud cheer erupted from the courtyard below. The guests had begun arriving. Lyra walked toward the window and looked down. Hundreds of wolves filled the castle grounds. Noble Alphas from neighboring territories had traveled for days to witness the ceremony. Merchants displayed rare treasures from distant kingdoms, while musicians filled the air with joyful melodies. The entire kingdom had come to celebrate love. None of them knew they were also about to witness heartbreak. Lyra rested her hand against the cool glass. For reasons she couldn't explain, a strange uneasiness settled deep inside her chest. It was only a faint feeling. A whisper. Like the wind trying to warn her of a storm still hidden beyond the mountains. She closed her eyes. "You're imagining things," she murmured. After all... How could the happiest night of her life possibly become the worst? I smiled as I walked toward him in my white ceremonial gown. Every heartbeat echoed with excitement. This was the beginning of our forever. Then Kael drew his sword. The cheers stopped. The music died. The smile on my face faded. "Lyra Ashwood," his deep voice rang across the courtyard. "You are accused of conspiring with rogue wolves to assassinate the Alpha King." The world froze. "W-What?" I whispered. Gasps spread through the crowd. "No..." I shook my head. "That's impossible." A guard stepped forward holding a bloodstained letter. "We found this in her room." I stared at it in disbelief. "I've never seen that before!" No one listened. My father lowered his eyes in shame. My best friend took a step away from me. Even the servants who had watched me grow up looked at me as though I were a monster. Finally, I turned to Kael. "You know I would never betray you." His jaw tightened. "I know only what the evidence tells me." His words cut deeper than any blade. Tears blurred my vision. "We're mates," I whispered. "Please... look into my eyes and tell me you believe I'm not guilty." For one brief moment, pain flickered across his face. Then it disappeared. "I, Kael Blackthorn, reject Lyra Ashwood as my mate." A sharp pain exploded through my chest. I fell to my knees, clutching my heart as the sacred mate bond shattered. It felt as if my soul had been ripped in two. The crowd watched in silence. Some looked horrified. Others smiled. I searched Kael's face, hoping this was some cruel nightmare. It wasn't. "Take her away," he ordered. Two guards seized my arms. "Kael!" I screamed. "I love you!" He never looked back. No,this can be. Tonight, those promises he had promised me all my life supposed to become reality. Little did I know... By sunrise, every promise would lie buried beneath the earth. As they dragged me toward the forest, one question echoed in my mind. If I wasn't the traitor... Who was?