Moonbound heiress

The sharp click of designer heels echoed down the gleaming marble hallway of Blackridge University’s administration building. A young woman walked briskly, her dark waves cascading like midnight silk down her back, her face carefully blank despite the stares that followed her. Siena Rivers inhaled deeply, the familiar perfume of polished wood and fresh linen filling her senses. She hated this place already—not because of the institution itself, but because of what it represented: another gilded cage her family had forced her into. “Miss Rivers, your enrollment is finalized. Welcome to Blackridge,” the registrar said with a polite smile, handing her the student ID and schedule. “Thank you.” Siena’s voice was soft but steady, practiced in diplomacy. She took the card and tucked it into her leather purse, her fingers trembling only slightly. Except no one here would know her as Siena Rivers. On the university’s records, she was simply Siena Blake—an ordinary transfer student from a smaller university on the East Coast. A calculated lie, arranged through her grandfather’s most trusted advisor, to shield her from the press, gold-digging suitors, and vulture-like business associates. Siena was heiress to Rivers International, a conglomerate spanning technology, real estate, luxury brands, and pharmaceuticals. The media had dubbed her The Billion-Dollar Bride since her 18th birthday. Suitors lined up like wolves, and her controlling grandfather was determined to see her married off strategically to cement the family’s power. And Damien Knight had been their chosen pawn. Tall, coldly handsome, and heir to another corporate empire, Damien had appeared the perfect match. Except he didn’t love her. He barely tolerated her—when he wasn’t parading around with Veronica Vale, the socialite he truly adored. It was no secret. Siena had seen the texts, heard the whispered phone calls late at night. But every time she tried to pull away, Damien reminded her of the consequences—how her family would crumble without the merger, how her grandfather’s fragile heart couldn’t survive the scandal. So Siena stayed. Quiet. Compliant. Caged. Until today. Coming to Blackridge was her one act of rebellion. Away from the suffocating walls of her family estate, she hoped to breathe freely for once—even if only under a false identity. But freedom, it seemed, was an illusion. As she stepped into the grand courtyard, a familiar shrill voice sliced through the air. “Well, well, look who decided to crawl out of her hole.” Siena stiffened. Turning slowly, she faced Veronica Vale—platinum-blonde, surgically perfect, and dripping in designer labels. Flanked by her clique of wannabes, Veronica regarded Siena with a predatory smile. “New girl thinks she can come here without introducing herself properly,” Veronica drawled. “Didn’t your mother teach you manners?” “My mother passed away when I was eight,” Siena replied coolly, though her heart hammered against her ribs. “Oh, tragic,” Veronica pouted insincerely. “Then again, maybe that explains why you don’t know your place.” Laughter erupted from her minions. Siena’s nails dug into her palm. Don’t react. Don’t give her the satisfaction. “I’m here to study, not socialize,” Siena said simply, turning away. “Hmm, funny. Your… boyfriend seems quite the social butterfly.” Siena froze mid-step. Veronica’s smirk widened. “Oh yes, Damien transferred too. Couldn’t bear to be apart from his precious Siena. Isn’t that right, girls?” Another wave of malicious giggles. Siena’s stomach sank. Damien hadn’t told her he was transferring—let alone bringing her. It wasn’t coincidence. It was strategy. Another way to tighten his grip, to ensure Siena remained under his control. Fighting the tears threatening to sting her eyes, Siena straightened her shoulders and walked away without another word. But Veronica’s parting sneer followed her like a shadow. “Run along, poor girl. No matter what you pretend to be, we know your place.” Later that evening, Siena sat alone in her modest apartment off-campus, staring blankly at the city lights. The apartment had been another act of defiance. Her grandfather had wanted her in the penthouse suite their company owned, complete with private security and a driver. Siena had refused. If she was going to have even a sliver of normalcy, it had to be on her terms. She should have felt triumphant. Instead, she felt hollow. How long can I keep this up? she wondered bitterly. How long before they crush me completely? Her phone buzzed, the screen flashing Damien’s name. With a sigh, she answered. “Why didn’t you tell me you were transferring?” she asked quietly. Damien’s voice was laced with impatience. “Because it doesn’t concern you. Our families want us seen together. You knew this.” “And Veronica?” A pause. Then, coldly: “Don’t start, Siena. You know the arrangement.” Arrangement. That was all she was to him—a pawn in a grand, soulless game. “I won’t let her use my name, Damien,” Siena whispered, her voice trembling. “I won’t let her take what’s mine.” A cruel chuckle echoed through the line. “You won’t let her?” he mocked. “Sweetheart, without my family’s approval, your company’s next merger falls through. Your grandfather knows that. If I say Veronica gets the spotlight, she does. Play your role, Siena. You’re lucky I’m even bothering with you.” The call ended before she could respond. Siena stared at the phone, her hands shaking. Lucky? Tears blurred her vision as she buried her face in her arms. She was tired. So tired of pretending. Tired of being used. Tired of fighting a battle she seemed destined to lose. Yet beneath the exhaustion, something ancient stirred—a stubborn ember of defiance she didn’t understand. And far away, under a blood-red moon, another restless soul felt the same pull. Across the country, in a sprawling estate nestled deep within the Blackthorn Forest, Alpha Kael Dorian paced the length of his study, his eyes wild with frustration. “You’ve searched every known pack,” he growled. “Every rogue network. Every seer. Nothing?” His Beta, Marcus, shook his head solemnly. “No trace of her, Alpha. It’s as if she doesn’t exist.” Kael slammed his fist against the mahogany desk, the wood splintering beneath his strength. “I have three months left, Marcus,” he rasped. “Three months before the curse takes me. And still no Luna.” The words felt like acid in his mouth. For years, he had ruled as one of the most powerful Alphas in North America—wealthy, feared, respected. But none of it mattered without his fated mate. The curse, laid upon his bloodline generations ago, was simple and cruel: Fail to bond with your fated Luna before your thirtieth year, and your soul will wither until death. Kael had always believed he would defy it. That fate would bend to his will. But now, with the deadline looming, desperation clawed at him. “She’s out there,” Kael said, voice rough with conviction. “I can feel her. But something is blocking the bond.” “Perhaps she’s human,” Marcus suggested hesitantly. “There are old records… it’s not unheard of.” Kael stilled, the possibility chilling him. A human mate would complicate everything—politically, magically, even biologically. Yet his instincts screamed that Marcus was right. “Find her,” Kael commanded. “Human or wolf, I don’t care. Search the human cities. The colleges. The corporations. I want her found.” He turned to the window, his gaze piercing the forest beyond. Hold on, my mate. Whoever you are. Wherever you are. The moonlight caught the silver strands in his hair, a haunting reminder of time slipping away. I will find you. Even if it’s the last thing I do.