The ALPHA'S STOLEN HEIR

Selene's first memory? Fire. It devoured the night, red and gold flames eating the Silverfang walls. Wolves shrieked—steel against claws—their cries cutting through the burning wood. The air reeked of blood and smoke. Barefoot, she ran through the mess, arms shaking, protecting her newborn, her kid wrapped tight, but the blanket couldn't fight the heat. Selene! Voices yelled, too many, too close. Her guy, Darius, the Alpha, was out there, his dark wolf tearing through the bad guys. She loved him. Trusted him. Thought he'd always keep her safe. But that night, she caught something in his eyes that scared her more than the fire: a strange, wrong, red flash. She pushed it away. No time for fear. Her baby whined, little fists on her neck. She kissed his head, tasting ash and salt. Shh, Lucian. I'm here. Then he was gone. A shadow rose from the smoke. Claws snatched her baby before she could see anything. She screamed until her throat was raw, lunging forward, but something hit her head. The world spun. Before black, she saw Darius's wolf, eyes locked on hers—not with love, but rage. Then, nothing. Seven years later. The forest was too quiet. Selene stood at Moonveil's edge, boots sinking into the wet ground, cloak tight against the cold wind. Above, the moon was b****y red, making the trees look evil. It was the Blood Moon, a night when wolves get stronger, when connections are louder, when the dead mess with the living. Her silver wolf was restless under her skin. Seven years away had changed her—her soft hands were now scarred, her healing hands now ready to fight. But the worst scar was from the fire. She thought her son was gone. Thought her guy died protecting them. But the dreams bothered her. Dreams of a kid laughing far away. Of a boy's bright eyes calling to her. And tonight, under the Blood Moon, that laugh seemed too real. Selene closed her eyes and breathed in. The forest smelled alive—pine, moss, water. But there was something else, faint. A connection. A tug in her chest. Not her wolf. Not her own need. Something… someone. Her kid. Her heart raced, and she knew it. He was living. Seven years wasted on sadness. Seven years of anger, feeding a fire she couldn't stop. She came back for revenge, yes—on the Alpha who ruined her pack. But mostly, she came back for her son. And she'd burn Moonveil if that’s what it took to get him. A howl cut through the night. Selene’s wolf got tense. Not a lone wolf—a warning, a claim. The Blackthorn Pack. She hissed. The wolves she hated, wanted to kill. Her fingers curled. The connection pulled again, harder, almost hurting. Her son was here, in those walls. She knew it. “Lucian,” she whispered. She stepped forward, boots crunching on frost. Everything told her to run, but the pull was stronger. Her wolf said he was close, she couldn't stop. The forest got thicker, shadows blending, branches grabbing her cloak. She pushed, heart pounding, until the trees cleared—she saw them. The Blackthorn Alpha's place. Stone walls rose, with wolves in armor guarding towers. Firelight shone on steel, and she heard voices—deep, strong, mean. She tightened her jaw. Kaelen Blackthorn.His name was poison. He slaughtered her pack. The one she blamed. The Alpha who took everything. But, as the moonlight hit her, her wolf shivered. Something felt off. Her body burned, her heart skipped. A smell hit her—cedarwood, smoke, metal. It wrapped around her. Her wolf howled, not with hate… but recognition. Selene fell back, holding her chest. No. Could not be. The moon was wrong. Her guy died. She saw it. But the connection was real. The Blood Moon told a truth she didn't want: her forever guy was living. And he was her enemy.Kaelen saw her from the shadows. Seven years hadn't changed her beauty. She was dangerous. Not the soft Luna he knew—a survivor, strong, with moon in her eyes. His wolf snarled, digging into his skin. Mate. The word was like a punch. He gritted his teeth. He felt the connection when she stepped on his land, tearing him apart. He hoped this wouldn't happen. Selene. The woman who cried in his arms. The woman who hated him. The woman who thought he stole her kid. Maybe he did. Kaelen looked toward the stronghold, where a boy was sleeping. His boy. Their boy. Lucian. He felt bad. The kid was strong, but things were weird. The boy's powers came out at night, visions that scared him, secrets Kaelen couldn't fix. Powers from bloodlines darker than Selene knew. Now she stood at Blood Moon, her wolf strong, her heart full of revenge. Kaelen’s wolf snarled, not with anger—but wanting her. Fate was cruel. He made fists, eyes burning in the dark. He couldn't let her have the boy. Couldn't let her mess up what he made. But… one thought kept bothering him. If he touched her, he'd never let go. Kaelen turned, his cloak moving in the wind. The night was changing. The Blood Moon wanted blood, wanted truth. When morning hits, nothing in Moonveil would be normal.