Returned As The Alpha's Bane

NYRA Marcos' mansion is a spectacle of dark stone and ancient wood, built among the sacred hills where, for centuries, lunar marks have been granted. Today will be my turn. Today I would officially become a Luna and be marked by Marco. I can't stop smiling. The hallways are full of cheerful voices, soft tribal music, and the sweet aroma of lunar flowers picked especially for the grand ritual tonight. It's an informal celebration before the ceremony. Marco is the alpha of the powerful Moon Shadow Pack. I walk among the werewolves of the pack, receiving smiles, shoulder taps, curious glances. Some seem surprised that Marco chose me, but no one dares to question it. He is the direct heir. And I, although without noble werewolf lineage, have been loyal, dedicated, and marked and chosen. My dress is simple with silver accents. My hair is loose, as tradition demands for females who will be marked for the first time. My heart keeps pounding hard inside my chest. I turn my head and see Marco still talking with a group of important werewolves. Our eyes meet, and I smile when he raises his glass toward me. I'm about to join him when I hear a voice behind me. "You look beautiful, Nyra," says my sister, approaching with a gentle smile. "Only because you helped me choose this dress," I reply laughing, and she rolls her eyes. Amber is my older sister. She was adopted by my mother when her parents died. I was only five years old when she was brought into our home. We grew up together. But she was always everything I wasn’t: beautiful like a royal werewolf, daughter of an important advisor and my father’s best friend, and cousin to Cael — the most insolent and spoiled werewolf I’ve ever met. “Well, you look perfect. I’m sure our mother is proud of you too,” she points out, and I blink as I see our mother watching us while talking to the important wives. I tense up when I feel her cold gaze on me. “She’s not proud, Amber. Maybe she’s just relieved to finally get rid of me,” I whisper. I remember our childhood and the way she always treated us differently since we were kids. “Don’t say that, Nyra. She loves you in her own way.” “She hates me…” I whisper, and Amber shakes her head, holding my hand. “I love you, Nyra. You’re my little sister, and I’m happy for you.” “I’m nervous.” “Don’t be, dear. Everything ends tonight,” she says, kissing my cheek, and I frown. She walks away before I can ask. The party continues, but I stay cautious. I want to be perfect for tonight’s ceremony. Marco is going to bite me. Once we are marked, our destiny will be sealed. I will never be weak or invisible again. I will be the Alpha’s mate. I’m on the balcony, feeling the soft hill breeze, when a male voice calls me. “For you.” A glass is extended toward me. I turn and come face to face with Cael. Amber eyes, crooked smile. He’s wearing a black shirt, open at the chest, and the Blackmoor necklace glows on his tanned skin. His blond hair falls over his forehead. “Thank you,” I say, a bit suspicious. “But I’m already thinking of stopping drinking.” “Just a sip,” he insists, with that lazy and smug way of his. “I brought this straight from Italy. A special wine for a special woman. Only for the chosen ones.” I give a shy smile and accept it. The liquid is sweet, smooth, and goes down too easily. I keep watching the sky, and when the moon appears, the ceremony will begin. “Are you ready to become Marco’s mate?” “Yes, I want this more than anything.” I smile and turn to look at him. He smiles at me in a strange way, and I take another sip of the wine. Cael also grew up with us; our mother sees him as the son she never had. “That’s good.” “I’m glad you liked it. I’ll see you later, Nyra.” Cael walks away with a nod and leans against the wall again, watching me from afar. I walk among the people again. I talk with some elders, receive blessings, smiles, and good luck wishes. But gradually, my body starts to feel heavy. First, a slight dizziness. Then, a strange warmth rising up my neck. My fingers tingle. My vision blurs slightly. I ignore it. It must be excitement, anxiety. I lean on a pillar, and suddenly Amber is beside me. “Are you okay?” she asks, looking at me with concern. “A bit dizzy…” I reply, blinking several times. “I think it was the drink… or the heat…” “It’s anxiety,” she says, gently touching my shoulder. “You need to be well tonight. Come, I’ll take you to rest in a room. A nap before the ceremony will do you good.” “I can’t… I…” “I’m sure Marco will want you feeling good tonight, come on…” I hesitate for a moment, but she’s right. I nod and let her guide me. We climb the dark stone staircase. Ancestral tapestries surround me, and the torches light everything with an orange glow. Each step feels harder than the last. I blink, feeling dizzier and unable to walk anymore. “Amber… what’s… happening to me?” I murmur. My tongue feels heavy. She doesn’t answer. She just grips my arm tighter. At the end of the hallway, a door opens. From inside, Cael appears. He’s smiling. It sends chills through me. Something is wrong. Very wrong. “Amber…” “Take her to the room. Make sure she stays there until I return,” says Amber with a coldness I’ve never heard in her voice before. Her voice… sounds like someone else’s. “You promised you'd give me what I want if I helped you,” I hear his voice. “I promised, and I will. Soon you’ll have your place in the Moon Shadow Pack. Now stay with her and follow our plan.” “No… wait… I didn’t…” The words stumble. My legs fail. Cael steps forward and catches me before I fall. “What a restless girl,” he murmurs, like it’s a joke. “What’s happening to me…?” I whisper, trying to open my eyes that insist on closing. Amber approaches. Her fingers touch my face, tucking a strand of hair like she always did since we were kids — but it’s not affection. It’s like a farewell. “Sleep, Nyra. When you wake up, everything will be… different.”