THE ALPHA'S UNWANTED LUNA

Aria I should have known better than to enter a room full of Alphas.The Bloodstone pack house loomed before me like something from a nightmare, all dark stone and sharp edges, nothing like Silvermoon's warm wooden lodge. Madison squeezed my hand as we stood at the entrance, her usual confidence replaced by something that looked suspiciously like nervousness."He's not as scary as everyone says," she whispered, though her trembling voice suggested otherwise. "Just... don't look him directly in the eyes. Alphas take that as a challenge."Perfect. I'd survived six years of werewolf politics only to walk straight into the territory of the most dangerous Alpha in the Northwest."Maybe I should wait in the car," I muttered."Too late." Ethan appeared behind us, his hand protective on Madison's lower back. "They already know we're here."The massive oak doors swung open, and my breath caught in my throat.The man standing in the doorway wasn't just handsome, he was devastating. Tall and powerfully built, with dark hair that fell carelessly across his forehead and eyes so pale blue they looked almost silver. Scars traced along his jawline and disappeared beneath the collar of his black shirt, and the raw authority radiating from him made my knees weak.Alpha Dante Blackwood, Madison's brother. The wolf everyone feared.His gaze swept past Ethan and Madison, then locked onto me with an intensity that made my heart stutter. Something flashed in those silver eyes, surprise, maybe, or recognition, before his expression hardened into cold indifference."Madison." His voice was deep, rough. "You brought a human to my territory?""This is Aria," Madison said quickly, stepping forward. "My friend. The one I told you about.""I didn't agree to host strays." His words were ice, but his eyes never left my face. "Humans are weak. Liabilities."Heat flushed through my chest. After six years of being called weak, I'd developed a thick skin,but something about his dismissal stung worse than usual."Then I'll leave." I lifted my chin, forcing myself to meet his gaze despite Madison's warning. "I didn't want to come here anyway."The air between us crackled with tension. Dante's eyes narrowed, and for a moment, I thought I saw his jaw clench. Then he stepped aside, his movements fluid and predatory."You'll stay in the east wing," he said flatly. "Don't wander. My wolves don't take kindly to intruders.""Dante…." Madison started."That's Alpha Blackwood to outsiders." He turned and walked away, his broad shoulders rigid. "Dinner is at seven. Don't be late."---The room they gave me was beautiful and isolating, all dark furniture and floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking dense forest. I unpacked my single suitcase, trying to ignore the way my hands still shook from that encounter.“Weak. Liability.”I'd heard it all before. Why did it hurt more coming from him?A knock interrupted my spiraling thoughts. I expected Madison, but instead found a tall brunette woman with golden eyes and a hostile expression."So you're the human." She looked me up and down with obvious disgust. "I'm Selene, the Beta female. Alpha Dante wants you in his office. Now."My stomach dropped. "Why?""How should I know? I'm not paid to babysit." She turned on her heel. "Follow me. And try not to embarrass yourself."The walk through the pack house felt like a death march. Wolves stopped to stare, their expressions ranging from curious to openly antagonistic. Whispers followed in our wake.“Human girl. What's she doing here? Weak little thing.”Selene stopped before a heavy wooden door and knocked twice before pushing it open. "The human, Alpha."Dante sat behind a massive desk, papers spread before him. He didn't look up. "Leave us."Selene's eyes widened. "Alpha, protocol dictates—""Out."The single word carried enough command to make even me want to obey. Selene left, closing the door with more force than necessary.Silence stretched between us. I stood awkwardly, unsure whether to speak or wait. Finally, Dante set down his pen and leaned back in his chair, studying me with that unnerving intensity."Why are you here, Aria Matthews?"The use of my full name startled me. "Madison invited me.""That's not what I asked." He stood, moving around the desk with predatory grace. "Why did you agree to come to a place you clearly don't want to be?"Because Madison was the first real friend I'd had in years. Because I was tired of running. Because something about his voice made my pulse race in a way that terrified me."I don't know," I whispered instead.He stopped inches away, close enough that I could smell cedar and something wild. His hand lifted, and I froze as his fingers brushed my jaw, tilting my face up to his."You should leave," he said softly, and for a moment, the coldness in his eyes cracked, revealing something raw and desperate underneath. "Tonight. Before it's too late.""Too late for what?"His thumb traced my lower lip, and heat pooled in my stomach. "Before I decide to keep you."Then he stepped back, his expression shuttering closed. "Dinner. Seven o'clock. My wolves need to see that you're under my protection, whether I want you here or not."He returned to his desk, dismissing me without another word.I fled before he could see the way my entire body trembled, though whether from fear or something far more dangerous, I couldn't say.