Twice Claimed a Luna

A Game of Dice

Standing frozen still like an ice statue, Selene tried hard to suppress her nervousness by not breathing at all.

The thought of having an alpha like Warrick for a mate shocked her to the bone and even though she wasn't all too sure or rather didn't want to believe, she was still feeling as anxious as ever.

Alpha Warrick was a great warrior indeed, a powerful and strong wolf. Handsome as he was, he was in his early thirties but looked like a twenty-year-old lad.

He had always led his pack without any struggles and every wolf knew just that. Always, he protected them and other neighboring packs. Having the fact that he was willing to take in the remnants of what used to be the silver wood pack. Every wolf adorned him and followed his lead.

In the hard winters, he shared the food and equipment he could, caring for other wolves like he was their alpha.

Even with all those good qualities, Selene still felt on edge. She had only turned nineteen that very day with a lot of pain in her heart. The last year had left her more scarred and broken than the harshest winter to ever hit the Dense Depth, the village she was from. That winter was the worst yet, leaving them with dead animals and no crops at all.

It had been hard to survive on the hard bread, cheese and dried meat they had left, but they did survive it. But the attack by the rogues left most of them dead and those alive forever scarred from the pain.

It hurt her head just to think about it. Standing in front of her now was a powerful alpha who might be her mate. As other wolves always said, a silver wolf like hers was seldom mated to ordinary wolves. Almost every silver wolf recorded in history has been mated to alphas as they were born lunas.

But she ignored that fact; Three out of a hundred percent were mated with betas and hunters and other ordinary wolves, and she was highly convinced that she would be a part of that three percent. Not until she believed her mate had died in the wrath of the rough attack upon her pack.

"Selene?" Alpha Warrick's voice dragged her from her whirlpool of thoughts and she blinked. "Are you feeling alright? You seem a little pale."

She breathed out heavily. She really had been holding her breath that it felt like she would drop dead. She had been staring at him but not even seeing him. Her thoughts had blinded her eyes and deafened her ears.

Staring at those icy blue eyes now, she refused to believe she could be worthy of an alpha like him.

Alpha Warrick didn't seem to be feeling any connection though, and she found it hard to focus on her wolf. Lorelei still spoke in her head that he was their mate! "I'll have to be weary for now. 'Let's see how long this connection will last." Selene decided.

If it severed as quickly as it had risen, it meant he was not her mate, but if it remained...

"I am alright." She responded, managing a half smile. It would be best to keep her speculation to herself for now at least, since she wasn't sure if he was her mate. Even if he was, would she be able to bring herself to say anything? Why wasn't he feeling anything? Or was he? Did he decide to pretend not to feel anything because he refused to be mated to a girl like her?

"You think lowly of yourself," Lorelei said to her, but she shrugged the words to the back of her head.

Alpha Warrick let a smile touch his face. "You have been standing here for a while now without company and I wonder if anything is not to your liking. Do you perhaps feel uncomfortable around others? Would you like to discuss what it is that makes you feel tense?"

She shook her head with a smile. "I am alright, alpha Warrick. Your worry. I appreciate it though. I was simply just looking around for my friend, but it seems she will be busy the rest of the night. I might as well return home myself and--"

"No, I cannot allow that." Alpha Warrick suddenly broke her speech. Tonight, everyone has to have a good time. I know it won't be easy, feeling at home in a stranger's bed, but I can assure you that only a matter of hours can do the trick. Come."

He suddenly grabbed her hand and led her towards a table. Selene felt like she had been hit by a lightning bolt. She could feel her cheeks flush red as a shiver ran down her spine, but she managed to keep herself comported.

A group of five stood at a table, their attention buried in the game of dice and cards. They weren't betting on any silver or golden marks, except the loser had to drink.

"Everyone, this is Selene." Alpha Warrick introduced her to the gang of wolves. "She would like to join in your game of dice."

She wanted to reject the offer, but the other wolves accepted her into their midst with a smile. Not minding that she was a stranger. They all introduced themselves, not that she kept track of their names.

But she smiled and nodded every time they spoke their names. The only female in their midst--Maryn--was mated to the one who called himself Zenon. He was a sentinel and she a hunter.

Time passed by in a flash, yet Selene had yet to get a drop of wine down her throat. Luck had always been on her side and she was even luckier that night as she won every throw she made. If there were silver marks on the bet, she would have been rich.

Throwing the dice once more, she landed a perfect six yet again and her opponent groaned in disappointment. She wasn't sure, but he had called himself "Bren" or "Bryn".

He staggered in an attempt to put himself together. Reaching for the cup, his hand almost knocked it down and he smiled. "Oh sorry, sorry my fair maiden. Your luck runs wild tonight, but tomorrow, I shall defeat you. When you are free... Dice again with me tomorrow."

She chuckled softly as he staggered like a performer doing an awkward dance. His legs were on the ground, but he acted like he was afraid to trip. 'Alcohol does funny things to men.' She smiled at her thought.

She felt the breath of someone run down her neck and as she turned--

"It seems I have succeeded tonight," Alpha Warrick whispered softly into her ears.

Her body became stiff from the closeness and her cheeks burnt red. "What do you mean?" She managed the words.

His soft whispers continued. "I have made you smile. A smile from the heart. You should keep smiling, it makes you look even more beautiful than you already are."

Her knees chose that moment to weaken, and she leaned against the table, hoping alpha Warrick hadn't noticed it. How could a man's voice have so much effect on her? His body was so close she was afraid to move an inch backwards and stumble against him. She found herself wondering what it would feel like to have her body pressed against his and her feet had already started to take her back.

He didn't move away. She thought he grew closer. A few more inches and she would--

"Alpha Warrick!" a voice cried from the entrance. "The rogues have broken in through the gates!"

Selene's eyes widened in shock, and she felt her heart cease.