A WARRIOR'S HEART

CHAPTER ONE

WILLOW'S POV.

The forest raced past me in blurs of silver light and shadows as my paws beat against the ground.

The full moon had risen—always the most dangerous time for Shadow Moon pack. Every tragedy remembered in our history seemed to struck beneath this cursed light of the full moon, which was why security was especially tight, doubled, and warriors stationed at every path at night like this. As Delta and head warrior, I should have been leading the patrols, standing watch, ensuring every corner of our lands was protected.

But my mind refused to focus.

I slowed near an ancient oak, shifting as my furr gave way to bare skin. The cold air of night swept over me, raising goosebumps.

“You’re restless again,” Lily, my wolf, whispered inside me.

“I’m fine,” I answered shortly.

“Liar,” she pressed. “You ran harder than usual. Something’s digging into you, Willow.”

“I just needed to run. Clear my head.”

“It’s about him, isn’t it?”

I exhaled, shaking my head. “Don’t start. I don't care about him, Lily. Not anymore. He made his choice, I made mine.”

I pulled on the folded clothes hidden in the tree’s hollow, tugging the boots on tight. Around me, the woods sang with whispers of wind and distant howls, but even nature couldn’t mute the echo of last night.

My father’s voice still rang in my head.

Dinner had been quiet, broken only by the sound of silverware and faint breathing. My father, head of the Shadow Moon council, rarely spoke at meals unless the subject was grave. When he cleared his throat, I braced—but nothing could have braced me for what came.

“Something surfaced during the council this morning,” he said, putting down his fork. “News has reached us. Alpha Atlas has returned to Obsidian Crescent.”

The knife slipped in my hand, clattering against the plate. My mother gave me a questioning glance, but I couldn’t meet her eyes. They didn't know. It was something I kept only to myself.

“From what we've heard, his return wasn’t by choice,” Father went on. “With his father’s passing, he had no choice but to return home and take back leadership of Obsidian Crescent. The council fears his presence may reignite old rivalries… or force long-buried alliances back into play. We’ll be watching closely.”

They spoke on, but I was gone, drawn backward into the place I swore I’d buried.

Alpha Atlas.

The name still crushed the air from my chest.

Three years ago, he had been more than a name. He had been my future—my fated mate, chosen by the Moon Goddess herself. And he had been the one who cast me aside beneath this very moon.

The memory sliced through me.

It returned in sharp, cruel fragments. storm-gray eyes locking on mine, the fire of the bond snapping in place, and then… his voice. Distant, Icy.... The rejection spoken aloud, carving straight through my heart.

That night, I had woken in an empty bed, the heat of our shared passion lingering like a cruel reminder. Atlas was gone. I called his name, but the silence answered me instead. Wrapping the bedspread around my body, I stepped into the sitting room of the cabin.

He was there—standing still, staring out the window.

“Atlas,” I called, moving closer.

He turned, expression blank, and unreadable.

“Atlas, what’s wrong?” I asked, my brow furrowing.

“Willow…” His tone was calm, but dark. “This isn’t going to work. I’m not ready for… this life. A mate. A bond. I can’t give you what you need.”

For a moment, I stood frozen. Just last night, he had been everything—intense, claiming, promising with every touch. And now he was someone else entirely. A stranger.

“So that’s it?” My voice stayed steady. “After last night, this is what you think?”

“Yes.” His gaze was cold. “I won’t do this. I don’t want the bond. Pretending otherwise would hurt you more.”

My breath released slowly, anger rising like fire beneath my composure.

“Fine,” I said, meeting his eyes without flinching. “If that’s how you feel, then there's no use wasting both our time. I accept your rejection, Alpha Atlas.”

Ignoring the crack in my head, I dressed, turned, and walked out, leaving him in that cabin—alone, as he had left me. Every step was heavy, weighed down with disbelief and fury, but clarity too. My mate had made me a fool. And I'd let him.

Not long after, came the attack. I remembered the chaos tearing through the packs, the news spreading like wildfire. Alpha Atlas of Obsidian Crescent had been involved in a deadly attack. He'd barely survived. But he woke broken, his wolf silenced for weeks, his mind fractured. Entire pieces of his memory was gone—wiped away as though the Moon herself had erased them.

And I was among the pieces lost.

The sharp gust of night pulled me back to the present, rustling the oak branches. I pulled my jacket close, though the cold reached through me anyway.

Atlas was back.

Three years later, and still his shadow clawed at me. His amnesia remains. He would not remember me. Not our bond, not the rejection, not the love that had bled into ruin. To him, I would be no one.

And I was fine with that. Because I didn't want him to remember. Not when I had forgotten him as well.

A twig snapped, and my hand went to the dagger hidden in my boot, pulling it free—just as a guard stepped into view.

“Delta Willow,” he said, bowing. “Alpha Tyler requests your presence.”

My eyes narrowed. “What for?”

He shook his head. “He didn’t say. I'm not in position to question the alpha, Delta.”

I exhaled slowly and let my dagger fall to my side. “Fine. Go ahead. I’ll follow.”

But when I turned to leave, I realized he was still standing there, staring awkwardly at me.

My patience snapped. “Do you need anything else?”

The guard cleared his throat. “Alpha ordered me not to come back without you, Delta.”

Of course. That was alpha Tyler. Always commanding, always needing control, even when I wasn't in the mood. I brushed past him. “Where is he?”

“The training ground,” the guard answered. “He said he couldn’t reach you through the mind link.”

Of course not. I’d closed my barrier since the news last night.

When we arrived, alpha Tyler was sparring with one of the warriors. Sweat glistened across his brow as he dismissed his opponent. His gaze landed on me instantly, dark and intense. “Willow,” he said, voice smooth as silk.

My stomach curled with irritation. His charm was a mask for obsession, his concern a leash I refused to wear.

“You called for me,” I said flatly, keeping my expression guarded.

He smiled faintly, stepping closer. “I did. Come on, we'll talk in my office.”

“That won't be necessary.” I shook my head. “Whatever you wish to say, say it here. I'm listening.”

Annoyance flickered across his face before it was gone. “Always so cold,” he murmured, coming closer. “I could grow used to it.”

“I have duties to attend, alpha,” I said sharply.

Tyler chuckled, brushing a hand through his hair. “You make things difficult, Willow. You always do. But I enjoy a challenge.” His eyes lingered on mine, heavy, hungry.

I remained silent, staring at him.

He straightened, tone shifting. “Fine. Something more pressing then. Alpha Atlas. He’s on his way here as we speak.”

I blinked, caught off guard for a moment. “What for?”

“Not sure,” Tyler said, his alpha mask sliding into place. “ We're hoping it's about the long dead alliance between our packs. He’s requested a meeting with me and the council. Whatever it is, we won’t take chances. Patrols doubled. Warriors at every post. No mistakes.”

I nodded. “It’ll be done.”

Tyler’s gaze sharpened again, his voice lowering. “And Willow… don’t think I don’t notice how tense you still get around me. I’d be lying if I said I didn’t enjoy it. It shows I in fact have an effect on you.”

“This isn’t about you,” I said, firmly. “It’s about duty.”

His eyes darkened, voice low. “I like a woman loyal to her pack. But loyal to me first.”

“That’s not me,” I replied coldly.

His smile returned, slow and knowing. “Not yet.”

He stepped back, tone hardening again. “Do not fail me, Willow. Atlas has been gone too long. He’s unpredictable. I expect perfection.”

“You’ll have it,” I said evenly.

His gaze lingered before he finally nodded. “Be alert. Atlas’s return changes everything. Every single pack is on guard. Don’t let anyone see a weakness in you.”

I swallowed. “I won’t.”

He studied me for a long moment, eyes shadowed with things unsaid, before waving me away. “That’s all.”

As I turned to leave, Lily’s voice stirred inside me.

“That,” she said, “is how you stand tall while the storm gathers.”