The golden Luna Doctor

Chapter 1

SEVENTEEN YEARS LATER

__________________________

-THEIA-

"You know you can't escape from me, Theia," his deep baritone voice rumbled in my ear. "I'd go to the ends of the earth to be with you. Even if I could no longer walk, I'd crawl for you."

His lips were slowly feathering over my neck, making my skin prickle. "Why?" I managed to breathe out, my pulse pounding.

I moved my head back, wishing I could see his face. But the room is dimly lit, and darkness clouds his face.

The moonlight seeping through the window cast a soft glow, illuminating his striking blue eyes.

His hand slid into my golden brown hair and a smile tugged the corner of his mouth. "Because you're my mate. It's our destiny to be together."

His thumbs strolled across my lips before he dipped his face down to kiss me. Lost in his taste, with my hands planted on his chest, I could sense the wild beat of his racing heart.

We grasped for air, pushing back, and I missed him already. "Please," I pleaded, unsure of what I was asking for.

His breath fanned on my face. "I know, an_".

BEEEP BEEEP BEEEP

I lay on my soft bed, staring at the ceiling of my room for several minutes, feeling all hot and bothered.

I can't remember when these dreams began, but over the years, they've evolved. What started as innocent scenes have gradually turned into more intense moments, always featuring the same guy. Yet, no matter how hard I try, his face remains a mystery.

Originally, these dreams only happened a few times a year. Now, on the verge of my eighteenth birthday, they occur almost every other day. I wish I could find out more about him.

"Theia! Time to wake up," my mother's voice rumbled through the door of my room.

"I'm already up!" my voice came out harsher than I intended.

"Then hurry up if you want your father to give you a ride to school. He'll leave in twenty minutes."

Groaning, I made my way to the bathroom for a quick shower. Grabbing the first hoodie I found, I tied my hair into a messy bun, ready downstairs ten minutes later. It really doesn't matter to me the way I dress for school; I'm not interested in impressing anyone. The girls just want to be my friend because I'm the alpha's daughter, and the boys want to date me for the same reason.

I'm glad I'm turning eighteen next week and leaving for college. It will be an opportunity to start fresh, away from my father's pack. Perhaps now, people will see me as my true self rather than just a symbol.

"Are you ready, honey?" My father asked as I arrived in the kitchen. "I have an important meeting in another pack and have to leave now."

Even at nearly fifty, my father is still a handsome heartthrob. His chestnut hair is streaked with white at the temples, and his warm, intense chocolate-brown eyes never fail to captivate. It's not uncommon to see women swooning as he walks by. But he pays them no mind; he only has eyes for my mother. She is the most beautiful woman in the world. After all this time, they are still pretty much in love, behaving like young sweethearts.

Which is nice, but a little awkward for me if you ask me.

"You realize that if you had already given me a car, you wouldn't need to drive me to school anymore, right?" I teased him, raising one eyebrow. In reality, I like the time we spend alone in the car. He's always so busy with the pack business that some days it is the only time we speak.

"That reminds me, something was delivered early today," he said with a teasing smile. "I'm surprised you didn't notice the large container by the back entrance gate."

"No way! My car is here already?" I squealed with excitement. My father believed that a car was too much of a responsibility for a 16-year-old. I had to wait until I turned 18 to get mine. "Did you see it? Is the jeep red?"

"Calm down, Theia. Your bouncing is giving me a headache. No, I haven't seen it yet. The dealership delivered a sealed container, and it's your birthday present, so you'll be the one to open it. But don't worry, I made sure they included everything you wanted. In just a few more days, you'll drive wherever you please." He came closer, hugging me, and kissed the top of my head. "I'd do anything for my girl."

"Pierce, we need to head out now." My uncle Hector walked into the kitchen, calling for my dad. He's my father's beta. "Hey kiddo, I brought you a blueberry muffin for later. Andrea baked a whole batch yesterday, and they are pretty great."

"Thanks, uncle. Let's go," I replied, grabbing a banana and shoving it into my backpack. I'm never hungry in the morning, but in two hours, I'll be starving.

We climbed into my dad's car, with his guards trailing us in the SUV behind. As we neared the gate, I spotted a large container. But instead of being happy, a nagging feeling washed over me—my wolf was warning me of something, but I couldn't hear. It was like trying to understand someone talking underwater.

This had happened before. Even now and then, I'm hit with a strange sensation, like a flicker of energy.

As I watched it disappear in the rearview mirror as our car pulled down the road, I came up with an idea.

"Dad, can I ask you something?" I leaned forward, my head between the two front seats where my dad and uncle were seated. "Is it alright if I go to the night-glow waterfall after training today?"

People say it's a magical place, created by the Moon Goddess herself. Maybe it will help me connect with my wolf before I reach eighteen.

"No, Theia. You know it's dangerous to go there, especially with the vampire covens lurking in the nearby caves," my father replied sharply.

"But—" I attempted to speak, but he cut me off.

"No buts. You're not going, and that's final," he said, his tone growing angrier as a muscle in his jaw twitched. He used his alpha voice on me, something he rarely did.

I leaned back in my seat, frustrated, and took a deep breath to ease the tightness in my chest.

But it lingered. The feeling stayed with me the whole day, even after I was exhausted from the intense Physical Pack training.

Later that night, I found myself restless, tossing and turning, unable to fall asleep.

Wishing for a hot chocolate, I slipped out of bed and tiptoed to the kitchen downstairs.

Peering through the kitchen window, I was met with a sight that sent chills down my spine. The container by the back gate, the one storing my car, stood eerily silent in the moonlit courtyard. But something felt off.

My breath caught in my throat as I saw the container door swing open.

Warriors were stepping out of it.