Tamed and Claimed by the Hockey Alpha

Prologue: Zephyrius

Prologue:

Zephyrius Pov

Today is supposed to be the best day of my life.

I can barely contain the excitement thrumming through my veins as I pace around my room in the Hornwell Pack mansion. In just a few hours, I'll officially become the Alpha of the most prestigious pack in the northern territories after waiting and training for years, Dad said Coronation takes place once I'm 25 years. The Hornwell Pack had over three thousand wolves strong, with territories spanning across four states.

"Zephyrius, stop pacing and let me fix your ceremonial robes!" Mother calls from across the room, her hands full of golden fabric and intricate embroidery.

I grin, running my hands through my dark hair.

The real reason for my excitement isn't just the coronation. Last week, I finally discovered what I'd hoped for since we were kids, Liana is my mate. My childhood crush, my best friend, the girl I've been in love with since I was twelve years old. She's my fated mate, and tonight, after the ceremony, I'm going to ask her to be my Luna.

"Honey, you need to calm down," Mother laughs, but I can see the pride shining in her eyes. "The maids are running around like headless chickens trying to get everything perfect, and your energy is making everyone more frantic."

She's right. I can hear the commotion throughout the mansion, footsteps running up and down the corridors, voices calling out instructions, the clatter of dishes and decorations being arranged. Everyone wants this coronation to be perfect, of course who wouldn't, this was the largest Pack situated in the Coast of other Werewolves.

"Where's Father?" I ask, trying to stand still as Mother approaches with the ceremonial robes.

Her smile falters slightly. "He's in his study. Still not happy about... well, you know."

I know exactly what she means. Father has made his feelings about Liana crystal clear. He thinks she's beneath our family's status, that her father is too close to the rival Shadowmoon Pack. He's called her father an enemy more times than I can count, I couldn't say anything else making the atmosphere tensed. My mum knows I've made up my mind and nothing can change that.

My Mother sighs, her hands gentle as she adjusts the golden fabric across my shoulders. "Your father loves you, Zeph. He just wants what's best for the pack."

"What's best for the pack is having a strong Luna by my side. And Liana is the strongest woman I know."

And that was true. Ever since we were kids, Liana has been everything anyone could ask for. Beautiful, smart, incredibly playful, with natural red hair that makes her icy blue eyes look like frozen fire. She's fearless and kind, and she's loved me just as long as I've loved her.

I remember when we were twelve, how I used to sneak her into the palace when she came to visit her brother who worked in our kitchens.

"I'm going to marry you someday, Liana," I had declared with all the confidence of a young boy in love.

She had laughed, her cheeks turning as red as her hair. "You're so silly, Heart."

Heart.

She's called me that ever since we were kids, and every time she says it, my chest swells with warmth.

"Zephyrius, are you listening to me?" Mother's voice brings me back to the present.

"Sorry, what?"

"I said the ceremony starts in three hours. You need to stay put and let me finish with these robes."

Three hours! That gives me just enough time for what I need to do.

I've been planning this for months. Hidden in my drawer is a red diamond necklace, half of a heart-shaped pendant. I had it specially made by the best jeweler in the territory. The plan is for Liana to wear her half and me to wear mine during the coronation. It will create a divine connection between us, a visible symbol of our bond that everyone will see when I announce her as my Luna.

"I need to step out for a bit," I say, carefully slipping out of the ceremonial robes.

"Absolutely not! Zephyrius, you cannot leave. There's too much to prepare, and if your father finds out—"

"He won't find out mum, love you." I interrupt, grabbing my jacket. "I'll be back in an hour, I promise. There's just something I need to do."

"Zeph, please—"

But I'm already heading for the door. I can't wait another second to see her, to give her the necklace, to see her face when I tell her about my plans for tonight.

I slip out through the servants' entrance, avoiding the main hallways where Father might see me. My heart pounds with excitement as I make my way through the forest toward our secret place.

It was our cabin. Hidden deep in the woods, surrounded by natural spring water and protected by ancient oak trees. It's been our safe haven since we were children. We've spent countless hours there, playing games, sharing secrets, dreaming about our future. And just last week, it's where we made love for the first time, where the mate bond snapped into place and changed everything.

The cabin comes into view, and I can smell her scent before I even see her. Sweet jasmine and wild roses making my wolf practically purr with contentment.

"Heart!"

I turn to see Liana emerging from behind the cabin, her red hair catching the afternoon sunlight like spun copper. She's wearing a simple white dress that makes her look like an angel, and her smile is so bright it could power the entire pack territory.

I don't wait, I stride over and capture her lips in a hard, desperate kiss. She tastes like honey and sunflower, and I can't get enough.

"I missed you," I breathe against her lips when we finally break apart.

She giggles, that same sweet sound that's been driving me crazy since we were kids. "It's only been two days, you big baby. And you need to get back for your coronation!"

"I know, but the mate bond is messing with my head. I can barely think straight when I'm not touching you."

"Stop being such a baby," she teases, but her cheeks are flushed and I can smell her arousal. The bond affects her just as much as it affects me.

"I have something for you," I say, reaching into my jacket pocket.

Her eyes widen with curiosity. "Heart, you didn't need to—"

"Yes, I did." I pull out the red diamond necklace, and her breath catches. "Liana, I've been planning this for months. I want you to wear this tonight, during the coronation."

Tears spring to her eyes as she stares at the pendant. It's beautiful, a perfect half-heart carved from the rarest red diamond, set in white gold and suspended on a delicate chain.

"Oh my God, Heart. It's the most beautiful thing I've ever seen." She's crying now, happy tears streaming down her cheeks.

"Here, let me put it on you." My hands shake slightly as I fasten the chain around her neck. The red diamond nestles perfectly against her throat, like it was made for her.

"I have the other half," I tell her, showing her my matching pendant. "When we both wear them tonight, everyone will see. Everyone will know that you're my mate, my Luna."

"Luna?" she whispers, her eyes wide.

"Congratulations, baby. You're going to be the Luna of the Hornwell Pack."

She throws her arms around my neck and kisses me with such passion that I nearly lose my mind. My hands find her waist, pulling her closer, and when she moans into my mouth, I cup her breast through the thin fabric of her dress.

"Heart," she gasps, arching into my touch.

"God, I need you," I growl against her neck. "Please, Liana. Let me have you."

She shivers in my arms, and for a moment I think she's going to say yes. But then she pulls back, her cheeks flushed and her breathing ragged.

"After the coronation," she says with that shy smile that drives me wild. "I want our first time as Alpha and Luna to be special."

I groan, but I nod. She's right. Tonight will be perfect.

"I'm really thirsty," she says, touching the necklace at her throat. "Could you get me some water from the spring?"

"Of course, baby. Anything for my Luna."

The spring is just a short walk from the cabin, hidden behind a cluster of ancient oaks. I'm practically floating as I make my way there, my heart so full of joy I think it might burst. In a few hours, I'll be Alpha. Liana will be by my side as my Luna. Our future stretches out before us, bright and perfect and—

BANG!

The sound echoes through the forest like a gunshot, and I freeze. What the hell was that?

I spin around and my blood turns to ice in my veins.

The cabin is on fire.

Massive orange flames are already consuming the wooden structure, black smoke billowing into the sky.

"NO!" I scream, dropping the water and running. "LIANA!"

I don't think, I don't f*****g hesitate as I plunge straight into the burning cabin, calling her name.

"LIANA! WHERE ARE YOU?"

"LIANA!"

Strong hands grab me from behind, dragging me out of the inferno.

"No! Let me go! She's in there!" I fight against the guards, these were Father's men, I realize dimly. "My mate is inside!"

"Alpha Zephyrius, we have orders to bring you back immediately," one of them says.

"I don't care about orders! LIANA!"

But they're stronger than me in my weakened state, and they drag me away from the burning cabin. Away from her.

The ride back to the mansion passes in a blur of agony. My mate. My beautiful, perfect Liana. She was inside that cabin. She's...

No… I can't think it. I won't think it.

The moment I stumble into the mansion, Father's hand cracks across my face.

"How dare you!" he roars. "How dare you defy pack rules and sneak out during your own coronation day!"

"My mate was in that fire!" I roar back, my wolf clawing to get out. "Do you understand? Liana was—"

"I know exactly where she was," Father says, and something in his tone makes my blood run cold.

I stare at him, realization dawning like ice in my veins. "You knew…. You knew about the cabin."

His jaw ticks. "That little hideout of yours needed to be eliminated. Stop acting like a goddamn teenager! You're going to be Alpha, Zephyrius. You can't be sneaking around with some girl who—"

"Some girl?" I can barely speak through my rage. "She's my MATE!"

"She was a distraction. And now she's not."

The admission hits me like a physical blow. He did this. My own father burned down our cabin with Liana inside.

"You killed her," I whisper. "You killed my mate."

"It will be covered up," he says dismissively. "An accident… Now you need to get ready for your coronation. When it's over, you'll go back to college, finish your degree, and when you return, you'll take over the pack properly without distractions."

"You just f*****g lost a son," I tell him, my voice deadly quiet.

But he's already turned away, already moving toward the ceremonial hall.

Two hours later, I stand on the dais in front of more than three thousand pack members, accepting the Alpha crown that feels like a noose around my neck. The coronation words are meaningless sounds. The cheers of the crowd are just noise.

My hand touches the red diamond pendant hidden beneath my ceremonial robes. The other half is ash now…Just like she is, Just like my heart is.

The ceremony ends, and I'm officially Alpha Zephyrius Blackwood of the Hornwell Pack.

But before anyone can congratulate me, before Father can make his speech about legacy and duty, another explosion rocks the mansion.

This one was bigger and louder.

Father and Mother are standing near the grand staircase when the blast hits. The force of it sends them flying, sends everyone screaming and running for cover.

When the smoke clears, I see them lying in pools of blood.

"Father!" I rush to his side, my Alpha training kicking in despite everything.

His eyes are glazed with pain, but he manages to focus on me. "Son... I'm sorry," he gasps. "I'm so sorry..."