Chapter 1: The Girl In The Rain
The orphanage was never a place Luna considered beautiful. The walls were old, the furniture had been repaired more times than she could remember, and the small garden outside needed more care than they could afford. But to Luna, it was home. It was the place where she had grown up, the place where she had learned kindness, and the only place where she had ever truly felt she belonged.
"Luna, don't forget the medicine from the market," Mrs. Grace called from the doorway. The older woman held a small list in her hand as Luna walked toward her. At twenty-two years old, Luna was a college student, but unlike many people her age, her life was not filled with luxury or comfort. She spent most of her time balancing her studies with helping at the orphanage that had raised her. She had always been the kind of person who noticed other people's needs before her own. If someone was hungry, she shared her food. If someone was struggling, she offered help without hesitation.
Mrs. Grace looked at her with a mixture of affection and concern. "You always remember everyone else, Luna. But you forget yourself." Luna gave her a small smile and accepted the list. "I'm fine," she replied softly, the same words she always used whenever someone worried about her. Mrs. Grace knew Luna well enough to know that she often said she was fine even when she was tired. "Be careful. The weather looks like it might change," she warned.
Luna nodded before leaving the orphanage. She walked through the busy streets toward the market, holding the small amount of money carefully in her hand. She counted everything twice before buying the supplies. Bread, milk, and medicine. Simple things that many people bought without a second thought, but to the orphanage, every item mattered.
After finishing her shopping, Luna checked the bag once more to make sure nothing was missing. A small feeling of relief filled her chest when she saw everything was there. She placed the receipt safely inside the bag and began her walk back home.
She had almost reached halfway when the first drop of rain touched her cheek. Luna looked up at the sky and noticed the dark clouds that had gathered above her. Before she could find shelter, the rain began pouring heavily. People around her quickly rushed into nearby buildings, opening umbrellas and escaping the storm, but Luna stayed still for a moment as she looked down at the supplies in her hands.
She quickly removed her thin jacket and covered the bag, protecting the things the orphanage needed. The rain soaked through her clothes, and the cold wind made her body tremble slightly. She was already not as strong as others her age, having grown up with limited resources, but Luna had learned to endure quietly. She continued walking through the rain, holding the bag close to her chest.
Because someone was waiting for her to come home.
Across the city, another person was finishing his own day.
Inside a black luxury car moving through the rain-covered streets sat Alex Blackthorn. To the human world, he was a powerful CEO known for his intelligence and ruthless business decisions. To the supernatural world, he was the Alpha King of the Black Moon Pack, a man whose name carried both respect and fear.
Alex had lived for three hundred and seventy years. In that time, he had experienced more than most people could imagine. He had known power, war, betrayal, and loss. He had also known relationships. Beautiful women from both the human and werewolf worlds had entered his life, but none had ever awakened the ancient bond every wolf waited for.
Until now.
His Beta and closest friend, Adrian Vale, sat across from him, looking through the documents from their business meeting. "The negotiations went better than expected," Adrian said. "The agreement will be signed tomorrow."
Alex looked out of the window at the rain. "Good."
Adrian sighed. "That's all you have to say? Most people would celebrate after closing a deal this important."
"I don't need to celebrate."
A small smile appeared on Adrian's face. "Sometimes I forget you're a CEO, and sometimes I remember you're an Alpha who has been alive for centuries."
Alex gave him a cold look, but Adrian only smiled more. After all these years, he was one of the few people who could tease Alex without fearing the consequences.
Then suddenly, Alex froze.
Something inside him shifted.
A presence that had been silent for centuries awakened.
Shadow.
His wolf.
Alex's expression changed slightly as he felt the unfamiliar urgency coming from his other half.
Mate.
The single word echoed through his mind.
For the first time in hundreds of years, Alex had no answer.
He had known attraction before. He had known desire. He had shared moments with women who had been beautiful, intelligent, and powerful. But this was different.
This was not simply wanting someone.
This was his wolf recognizing someone.
Someone who was meant to be his.
Find her.
Alex stared into the rain.
The Alpha King, the man who controlled businesses, packs, and entire territories, had found the one thing he could not command.
His own wolf's choice.
"Stop the car," he ordered.
Adrian looked up in surprise. "What?"
"Stop."
The driver immediately obeyed.
Alex opened the door and stepped into the rain.
For the first time in centuries, Adrian watched his Alpha walk toward something he did not understand.
And somewhere in the storm, the girl who would change everything was waiting.
