The Moon's Daughter.

MAXWELL Maxwell smiled to himself as he thought about the evening ahead. Tonight was the night he had been eagerly awaiting, the moment when Aaliyah would finally acknowledge him as her mate and be bound to the mating bond. He relished the thought of her looking at him with loving eyes, no longer holding back her true feelings. Finally, he would have her and fulfil all his desires. I overheard that she had been spreading information about the full moon to her patients. It seems she may not be aware that this is a punishable offence within our pack. However, I shall let her off with a warning on this occasion, but I must make it clear to her that this behaviour is unacceptable. With this in mind, I quickly make my way towards her clinic, realizing that I should also get myself checked for the upcoming Alpha meeting. I couldn't resist the urge to show up at Aaliyah's clinic extra early that morning. My insistent knocking finally roused her from her sleep, and she appeared before me, looking both dishevelled and alluring. Her lush, curly locks cascaded freely down her shoulders, and her choice of attire ; a silky nightgown, only accentuated her natural beauty. She was an intoxicating sight, leaving me completely captivated. I struggled to maintain my composure as I stuttered out my reason for visiting, "I-I'm here for a check-up and some wolfsbane..." My voice wavered as I remembered the rule about discussing the moon's appearance. Aaliyah, still visibly sleepy, invited me inside, her tiredness evident. As I entered and took a seat, I tried unsuccessfully to quell my mounting excitement. She quickly draped a soft cardigan around herself, covering her exposed chest, adding a more modest layer between us. The moment I stepped into the clinic, her unique scent enveloped me, a captivating fusion of white roses and a delicate touch of powder. At first, I was surprised by her decision to cover up, particularly since the cardigan shielded her from my admiring gaze. However, a small part of me found relief in this modest addition; it provided me with the opportunity to regain some control in her presence. As I lay on the patient bed for the routine checkup, Aaliyah diligently assessed my condition and declared me in excellent health. Just as I was basking in the good news, an urgent responsibility loomed over me. An important meeting with the pack elders had been scheduled, and duty called. Reluctantly, I bid farewell to Aaliyah and set off to attend the crucial gathering. AALIYAH Once Maxwell left my clinic, which also served as my home, I retreated to my small private room where my few possessions were neatly arranged. The cosy space contained a simple bed and the essentials that I owned. Despite not having a proper house, I was quite content with my surroundings. In the bathroom, I closed the tap and removed my cardigan and silk gown, leaving me bare. I set a candle by the sink and lit it with a match stick. Before fully submerging myself in the bathtub, I dipped my feet into the cold water, relishing in the soothing sensations. I carefully applied the shampoo onto my unruly curls, massaging it with determination. It's quite apparent whenever my hair gets dirty, so regular washing is a necessity. With the bathtub drained, I shut off the shower completely, ensuring that all the shampoo was rinsed out of my hair. Next, I diligently scrubbed myself clean, focusing on every inch of my body. Tonight would be significant, a rendezvous with my destined wolf. I wanted to look my best. After meticulously drying myself, I got dressed, donned a pair of undergarments, then pulled on my shorts and slipped a colossal hoodie over my torso, its size enveloping me like a comforting embrace. Just beneath the hoodie, I wore a basic shirt for additional warmth. I took my time tidying up the clinic, making sure everything was in order before stepping out into the small garden outside. I carefully selected an assortment of fresh vegetables for my meal, gathering carrots, spinach, corn, tomatoes, and a ranch dressing. In the kitchen, I meticulously prepared a delightful salad, adding scrumptious grilled fish to complete the meal. To accompany the salad, I poured myself a tall glass of refreshing lemonade. I savoured each bite of my meal, appreciating the array of flavours that danced upon my tongue. The satisfaction derived from the simple yet enjoyable dish filled me with contentment. I slowly chewed, allowing myself to fully enjoy the experience of nourishing my body with this delectable mixture of fresh vegetables and grilled fish. I searched the clinic for my beloved companion, Darcy, our friendly golden retriever. Typically, Darcy would wander off for several days, but I knew he would eventually return home. Despite being concerned about his whereabouts, I set aside my search due to the increasing number of patients seeking my healing care. As one of the pack's healers, I understood the importance of prioritizing the people's needs above all else. Although I couldn't shake off my worry for Darcy, I had no choice but to put that aside for the moment in order to attend to the patients awaiting my assistance. MAXWELL I recalled the day Aaliyah first appeared at the pack's borders without any recollection of her past or purpose. Normally, individuals who trespassed into pack land faced severe consequences, but upon discovering her identity as my mate, I informed my father, Alpha Kaden. Reluctantly, he agreed to exempt her from punishment. However, some pack members were furious and alarmed by her unconventional appearance. She stood out with captivating features: pale skin, captivating green eyes, thin lips, and unusually frosty white hair cascading down to her knees. Despite her long locks posing certain challenges, she often styled it in a loose bun. I vividly recall the moment when our Beta sustained severe injuries. None of our healers were capable of providing effective treatment, but Aaliyah stepped in and astonished us all by healing him miraculously. Impressed by her exceptional abilities, my father granted her the name Aaliyah, acknowledging her remarkable talents. Despite her inability to recall her previous identity, she was also gifted a clinic as a symbol of appreciation for her contribution to the pack. My father demonstrated compassion by welcoming Aaliyah and sparing her from the typical punishment. However, not all pack members felt similarly about his leadership. Aaliyah endured isolation, rejected and ostracized by those who stubbornly refused to embrace her. To worsen the situation, she faced the additional challenge of being incapable of mind linking with anyone, as she had no wolf to connect with. I can hardly contain my excitement as I eagerly anticipate the arrival of her wolf today. The thought of completing our mating process fills me with uncontrollable joy. My heart is pounding with anticipation, and I can't help but exclaim my excitement. With the time nearing 12 o'clock, I put on a snug shirt that perfectly showcased my muscular physique and well-developed chest. To go along with it, I donned a pair of shorts and practical flip-flops. After a final check in the mirror, I was ready to head to the designated hunting grounds. I made my way to the hunting grounds, where the entire pack had gathered. As I glanced around, my eyes locked onto Aaliyah, looking effortlessly stunning in a cropped top and shorts. I had informed everyone to wear minimal clothing, explaining that shifting would rip them to shreds, but secretly, I just wanted to see her in less clothing. Several other guys shamelessly ogled her, and my annoyance grew. I had to remind myself that it was only for today. I couldn't help but notice how captivating she looked with her hair tied up in a loose bun, highlighting her prominent collar bones. The tight crop top hugged her body perfectly, accentuating her curves and drawing attention to her heaving bosom with each breath she took. I made my way to the front, addressing the gathering crowd with confident strides. As I began my speech, the full moon shone brilliantly overhead, casting its soft glow upon us. It seemed fitting that Aaliyah had accurately predicted the moon's appearance, considering the importance of tonight's events. As the first rays of moonlight signalled the start of the new day, the sounds of wailing and distressing howls filled the air. The noise of cracking bones and agonised screams painted a horrifying picture. I looked over at aaliyah. She was alone,no wolf,no transformation.The sense of abandonment and dejection overwhelmed her as she watched the others transition into their primal forms, leaving her feeling lost and disconnected, I could tell. I couldn’t hide my disappointment as I observed Aaliyah, the Luna. How could she handle such a significant role without a wolf by her side? She turned around and locked eyes with me, her gaze filled with widening disbelief. But then, her expression twisted into one of disgust, and she stared back at me with clear disdain. It was hard to accept that the Luna would look at the Alpha of the Silver Stone pack with such disrespectful disdain. It quickly became apparent to me that Aaliyah was fully aware of our connection as mates, but instead of joy, she seemed repulsed. Frustration mounted within me as I spoke, "You don't seem happy to have discovered your mate. This is unacceptable behaviour.'' "How do you think I feel being paired with a wanna be shifter?" I retorted, my anger evident in my tone. i was taken aback by her silence and could not contain the stinging feeling building up i my chest. in the spur of the , fueled by a mixture of frustration and disappointment, I blurted out, "I reject you!" Her response caught me by surprise as she responded, "I accept your rejection." Disbelief filled my eyes, as the conventional reaction would have been for her to drop to her knees and beg. I snapped back at her, "Then you can leave the pack as well. The pack members never liked you anyway," my tone laced with irritation. The words hung in the air for a brief moment, leaving a bitter taste on my tongue. I had never felt so dejected or insignificant in my life. This unexpected move was a test, intended to push her to demonstrate her worth and resilience in our newfound connection. Without hesitation, she had chosen to accept my rejection and made the decision to leave the pack behind.