Chapter Two - The Alpha's Mate
835 Words
The forest was silent.
Snow drifted gently from the dark sky, settling on the ground around Luna as she lay frozen in place. Her ankle throbbed painfully, but she barely noticed. Her eyes were fixed on the enormous black wolf standing only a few feet away.
His silver eyes never left her.
He looked terrifying—powerful enough to tear apart an entire pack.
Yet... he hadn't harmed her.
Instead, he lowered his head and gently sniffed the air around her once more.
Mate.
The word echoed in Kael's mind.
Impossible.
After years of believing the Moon Goddess had never destined anyone for him, his mate was standing before him.
An omega.
A frightened, starving omega.
Kael's wolf paced restlessly inside him.
Take her home. Protect her. She's ours.
Kael shifted back into his human form in a flash of silver light.
Luna gasped and quickly looked away, her cheeks burning.
The man standing before her was tall, broad-shouldered, and covered in fresh scars that spoke of countless battles. His dark hair fell over sharp gray eyes, but despite his intimidating appearance, there was something calm in the way he looked at her.
He noticed her embarrassment immediately.
Without saying a word, he removed his long black cloak and wrapped it gently around her shoulders.
"You'll freeze," he said quietly.
His voice was deep but surprisingly gentle.
Luna clutched the cloak tightly.
It was warm.
Warmer than anything she had worn in years.
"T-thank you," she whispered.
Kael frowned.
Her voice shook.
Not from the cold.
From fear.
He crouched beside her.
"Are you hurt?"
She hesitated before nodding.
"My... my ankle."
Kael carefully examined it.
Swollen.
Not broken.
But she wouldn't be walking anytime soon.
He looked at the cuts covering her arms.
Bruises darkened her wrists.
Some were old.
Some looked fresh.
His jaw tightened.
"Who did this?"
Luna's heart pounded.
"No one."
His eyes met hers.
"You don't have to lie."
She lowered her head.
"If I tell you..."
She stopped.
Years of punishment had taught her one lesson.
Never speak against your pack.
Kael didn't push her.
Not yet.
Instead, he stood and slipped one arm beneath her knees and the other behind her back.
Before she realized what was happening, he lifted her effortlessly into his arms.
Luna's eyes widened.
"I-I can walk."
"No," he replied simply.
"But I'll slow you down."
"I don't care."
The answer came so quickly that it caught her off guard.
No one had ever said that before.
She stared at him in silence as he began walking through the snowy forest.
---
Several hours later...
The trees opened into a wide clearing.
Dozens of warriors wearing black armor immediately rushed forward.
"Alpha!"
The tallest among them—a man with sandy blond hair—stopped abruptly when he noticed the girl in Kael's arms.
His eyebrows shot up.
"Who's she?"
Kael answered with only two words.
"My mate."
The entire clearing fell silent.
Even the wind seemed to stop.
The warriors looked at one another in complete disbelief.
Their Alpha...
Had found his mate?
The blond warrior smiled broadly.
"Finally."
Kael shot him a warning look.
"Not now, Damon."
Damon raised both hands.
"I didn't say anything."
He absolutely wanted to.
But judging by Kael's expression...
He valued his life.
---
Luna felt every pair of eyes on her.
She shrank closer into the cloak.
"They're staring..."
Kael looked down at her.
"They're curious."
"They probably think I'm strange."
"They're wondering who was lucky enough to become my mate."
She blinked.
Lucky?
No one had ever described her as lucky.
---
One of the healers hurried over.
"Alpha, she's injured."
"I know."
"Bring her inside immediately."
Kael carried Luna straight into the largest cabin in the camp.
The warmth hit her instantly.
A fire crackled in the fireplace.
The smell of fresh bread filled the room.
Her stomach growled loudly.
Luna's face turned bright red.
"I'm sorry..."
Kael looked at her.
"When was the last time you ate?"
She counted silently.
"...Yesterday."
His expression darkened.
"And before that?"
She looked away.
"I don't remember."
The room became deathly quiet.
The healer stared at Luna in shock.
Kael slowly clenched his fists.
Someone had starved his mate.
His wolf growled furiously inside him.
Find them. Punish them.
Kael took a slow breath to calm himself.
One thing at a time.
He turned to the healer.
"Treat every injury."
"Yes, Alpha."
Then he looked back at Luna.
"You'll eat first."
She shook her head immediately.
"I don't deserve—"
Kael interrupted her.
"Never say that again."
She froze.
His voice wasn't angry.
It was firm.
"You deserve food."
"You deserve warmth."
"You deserve to feel safe."
Luna felt tears sting her eyes.
No one...
No one had ever spoken to her like that.
She quickly wiped her eyes before they could fall.
But Kael had already seen them.
And in that moment, he silently made a promise.
No one would ever hurt his mate again.
- Writer
