MATED TO MY FATHER’S KILLER

The drums stopped. The silence that followed felt like a blade against my throat, cold moonlight bled over the sacred circle, silvering the stone altar where I was supposed to accept Alpha Darius as my mate. Tonight was meant to end a war. Tonight was meant to bury the past. Instead, my wolf Clawed beneath my skin, restless and afraid, as if she sensed the future shattering before I even spoke my vow. Mother stood to my left, her face carved from iron. The pack warriors surrounded the circle, tense and ready, but this night was supposed to be safe We were to unite the Silver-moon and River-fang packs, seal peace, and finally stop the endless bloodshed that had begun the night my father died at the hands of the rogue king, Rayan. The Moon Priestess raised her hands. 'The Goddess witnesses this union' A scent cut through the cold air, smoke, wild earth, steel and danger. My wolf lunged inside me, a frantic, uncontrollable pull. The forest shadows shifted. A tall figure stepped into the light, black leather gleaming like a second skin. Golden eyes burned like molten fire. Rayan. The Rogue King. The monster who murdered my father. The nightmare every pup feared. Gasps ripped through the crowd. Darius stiffened beside me, a snarl on his lips. My mother’s hand went to the dagger in her belt. Rayan walked into the circle as if he owned it, each step slow and deliberate. Is this how Silver-moon celebrates a treaty? His voice carried, smooth and dangerous. By offering my mate to another? The Priestess faltered. The moon above flared white. A sudden snap cracked through my chest, a living bond twisting tight, burning hot. No… no, no. My knees trembled. The Goddess. She had marked him. Marked us. Darius grabbed my wrist. Lyra, stay behind me. But my wolf surged forward, drawn to the very man I had sworn to hate. Every breath filled with his scent until I couldn’t think, only feel. Rayan’s eyes locked on mine. Hello, little Luna, he said softly, as though we were alone. Did you really think destiny would let you belong to anyone else? I will never be yours, I hissed, though my voice shook. He stopped a breath away, the heat of him curling around me. Tell me you don’t feel this, he murmured, his lips near my ear. Lie to me, just once. The bond pulsed, savage and undeniable. My heart stuttered. My wolf whined in aching surrender. I hated him. I wanted him. I didn’t know if I wanted to kill him… or kiss him first. Before I could speak, a warrior burst from the treeline, blood streaking his face. They’ve breached the Nothern border! He shouted, in panic, cracking his voice. The rogues, they’re coming for her! Darius shoved me behind him, his eyes blazing. Mother gripped her dagger tighter. And Rayan—Rayan smiled, as though the chaos was exactly what he’d planned.