Mated To The moon Goddess

We’re Getting Married

Marcus Pierce — POV

I sat in my office, staring at the documents spread across my desk.

Unread.

Unprocessed.

Useless.

My focus refused to settle.

Every thought led back to her.

Her scent still lingered faintly on my hand—cool, floral, impossible to ignore. It clung to me like something unwilling to fade, no matter how much time passed.

Who is she?

And more importantly—

How is that even possible?

Shadow Reach had been destroyed centuries ago.

I leaned back in my chair, jaw tightening as the questions circled, each one sharper than the last. I did not overlook details. I did not ignore inconsistencies.

And Hazel Lockwood was nothing but inconsistencies.

I needed answers.

Reaching through the mind link, I called out—

Eric. My office. Now.

The response came almost immediately.

A few minutes later, the door opened and he stepped in without hesitation.

“Alpha.”

“I need you to investigate Hazel,” I said without preamble. “She claims she is from Shadow Reach.”

His brows pulled together slightly.

“That territory was destroyed centuries ago,” I continued. “Find out everything. I want a full report by tonight.”

Eric nodded once. “Consider it done.”

He paused, studying me briefly.

“Won’t you come for breakfast?”

I stood, pushing the thoughts aside—for now.

“Fine.”

⸻

The moment I entered the dining hall, my gaze found her.

Hazel.

She was already seated at the table.

With my family.

I took my seat across from her, Eric settling beside me.

“So, Miss Lockwood,” I began, my voice controlled, “why don’t I introduce you to my family—”

“Alpha.”

The interruption came smoothly.

Kira.

She walked in with her usual confidence, her presence calculated, deliberate. She had always known how to place herself exactly where she wanted to be.

“Would you mind if I join you for breakfast?” she asked, her tone soft—but her eyes were not.

They flicked toward Hazel.

Measured.

Sharp.

“Sure,” I replied.

She moved toward her usual seat beside me.

And stopped.

Hazel was already there.

“Hey,” Kira said, her voice tightening slightly. “Miss stranger. Who are you—and why are you sitting in my seat?”

“I’m Hazel Lockwood,” she replied calmly. “And I was not aware the seat belonged to you. You may sit elsewhere.”

Kira’s expression hardened.

“No,” she said flatly. “I will sit here.”

Before the tension could escalate further—

“Kira.”

My voice cut through the room.

“Take another seat.”

Silence followed.

For a moment, she held my gaze.

Then—

“Alright, Alpha.”

But the look she gave Hazel before turning away was anything but calm.

She moved and took a seat beside Eric instead.

A maid entered shortly after, beginning to serve tea.

When she reached Hazel—

Her hand slipped.

The cup tipped.

Hot liquid spilled directly over Hazel’s hand.

“Ouch—”

The reaction was soft, controlled—but it was enough.

I was already moving.

I took her hand without thinking, guiding it into the bowl of cold water beside the table.

For a brief moment—

I saw it.

Red skin.

The beginning of a burn.

Then—

It vanished.

Completely.

When I lifted her hand from the water, there was nothing there.

No mark.

No injury.

Nothing.

My gaze narrowed slightly.

That should not have happened.

And more importantly—

Why had I reacted so quickly?

Before I could think further—

“Marcus!”

My head snapped up.

“Mother—”

I moved instantly, catching her just before she collapsed. Her body went limp in my arms as panic erupted around us.

“Get the healers!” someone shouted.

I lifted her without hesitation and carried her out of the hall.

⸻

Minutes later, her room was filled.

Healers.

Doctors.

Voices layered with urgency.

None of it mattered.

None of it worked.

“Alpha,” one of the doctors said finally, turning to me. “This is not physical.”

My jaw tightened.

“What do you mean?”

“It is… spiritual,” he said carefully. “Her body is intact, but something is wrong beyond what we can reach.”

A pause.

“There is nothing we can do.”

Silence followed.

Heavy.

Suffocating.

“There is something you can do.”

The voice cut cleanly through the tension.

I turned.

Hazel.

She stepped forward, calm as ever.

“Your mother can be healed,” she said.

“How?” I demanded, my voice tightening.

“You have to trust me,” she replied. “Leave the room. Let me handle it.”

A quiet, humorless laugh left me.

“You expect me to leave my mother in your hands?” I stepped closer, my gaze sharpening. “Tell me something, Hazel—who are you?”

I did not stop there.

“You claim Shadow Reach still exists,” I continued. “A territory buried for centuries.”

Her gaze did not waver.

“It was destroyed,” she said.

Then—

“But not everything remains buried.”

Her voice remained steady.

“It was rebuilt. In secrecy. By those who survived. It exists beyond the reach of ordinary territories.”

A beat.

“You would not know of it unless we allowed you to.”

Silence.

Then—

“Right now,” she added, “I am your only option.”

Her eyes held mine.

“If you choose not to trust me, that is your decision.”

A pause.

“But if she dies…”

Her voice softened slightly.

“You will be the one responsible.”

My jaw tightened.

She was right.

And I hated it.

For the first time since she arrived—

My wolf was not resisting.

He was still.

Waiting.

Trust her.

The thought was not mine.

But I listened.

“…Fine,” I said at last, the word heavy on my tongue.

I turned sharply.

“Everyone out. Now.”

The room cleared quickly.

I walked toward the door, stopping briefly as I passed her.

The air around her was cold.

Not natural.

Something deeper.

I paused at the threshold, glancing back.

“If she is not breathing when I return,” I said quietly, “you will not leave this territory alive.”

She did not react.

Not even a flicker.

I stepped out.

And the doors closed behind me.

⸻

Waiting was worse than fighting.

I paced the corridor, unable to stay still, every second pressing harder against my chest.

What if something goes wrong?

What if I lose her?

The door opened.

I turned immediately.

Hazel stepped out.

Pale.

But composed.

“You can come in now.”

I did not hesitate.

I walked past her and into the room.

My mother was awake.

Weak.

But alive.

Relief hit harder than I expected.

I moved to her side, taking her hand.

“Mom… are you alright?”

“I am,” she said softly. “She healed me.”

Her grip tightened slightly.

“My son… I need to talk to you.”

My chest tensed.

“What is it?”

Her gaze steadied.

“Hazel is your mate.”

Everything in me stilled.

“And this pack needs a Luna,” she continued. “I want you to marry her.”

The words landed heavier than they should have.

Not just surprise.

Responsibility.

Pressure.

Something shifting beneath everything I thought I understood.

Before I could respond—

“I do not know how long I have,” she added quietly. “But I want to see you settled.”

I exhaled slowly.

“I will think about it,” I said. “Rest.”

Then I stood.

And left.

⸻

I found Hazel at the end of the corridor.

By the window.

Still.

Watching the distant horizon.

I stopped a few steps away.

“I owe you a debt,” I said.

“She is alive,” she replied. “That is enough.”

“She wants a wedding,” I said plainly. “She wants you as Luna.”

A pause.

“And you?” she asked.

I met her gaze.

“I believe in results.”

I took a step closer.

“If a marriage keeps my pack stable, then I will do what is necessary.”

My voice lowered.

“This will be an alliance. Nothing more.”

Her expression did not change.

“Very well,” she said softly. “If that is the role you wish to play, I will stand beside you.”

“Good.”

I turned to leave.

But as I reached the door—

My hand tightened slightly.

Not from fear.

From restraint.

Because for a moment—

I had almost gone back to her.