Bonded by moonfire

Whispers of rebellion

The following days were torture. The bond pulled at Kieran constantly, his wolf restless, snarling every time Elias avoided him. And Elias was good at avoiding—training with others, patrolling different routes, slipping away before Kieran could corner him.

But the pack noticed. They always noticed.

“Did you hear?” one warrior whispered near the sparring grounds. “The Alpha heir’s mate is his Beta.”

“Impossible. The Moon Goddess wouldn’t—”

“She did. I saw it myself.”

“An Alpha tied to a Beta? That’s weakness waiting to be exploited.”

Kieran’s fists clenched around the wooden practice blade until it cracked. His golden eyes flared as the warriors went silent under his glare. They bowed quickly, muttering apologies, but the damage was done.

By nightfall, rumors spread like wildfire. Some wolves whispered curses, others laughed, and a few even suggested Elias had manipulated the bond to elevate his rank.

When Kieran stormed into the Beta’s quarters that evening, Elias was waiting—sitting calmly by the fire as though he had expected him.

“You hear it too,” Elias said softly, not looking up.

“I don’t care about gossip,” Kieran growled. “What I care about is you acting like none of this matters.”

Elias finally lifted his gaze. The firelight flickered in his storm-gray eyes. “It matters more than you realize. The bond isn’t just between us—it affects the pack. They’ll question your authority, Kieran. You’re supposed to be untouchable. But if they think I’m your weakness…”

“They’ll learn you’re my strength.”

Elias’s lips curved in a bitter smile. “Strength or weakness—it doesn’t matter. Someone will challenge you. And if you lose…”

Kieran stepped closer, his voice low and dangerous. “I don’t lose.”

The bond flared between them, hot and unyielding, pulling them closer until they stood breath to breath. For a heartbeat, Elias didn’t move away. His scent wrapped around Kieran, grounding and intoxicating all at once.

Then Elias whispered, “That’s what I’m afraid of,” and pushed past him, leaving the Alpha alone with a bond that burned brighter than ever.

But outside, in the darkness of the forest, other eyes watched. Rival wolves who had smelled the tension, who whispered of opportunity.

The Alpha was distracted. Vulnerable.

And soon… they would strike.