The Luna's Contract

(MARCEL) Time. Time. Time. I lived a lie that built false walls of happiness. The place called home became alien and strange. The words coming from the lips of Snow Pack Alpha Jordan Grey made me a leader. The pressure and the intimidating tone of a voice rang in my head every day that I was the Alpha of the future, the offspring, the son, the heir. It was all a lie... Eighteen years I spent in a colored bubble that collapsed when I heard my father's words. My father's burning gaze was fixed on my face, his tense jaw showing his fury. The words that left the man's parted lips will never leave my memory – “We won the war, it is your duty to rule their people, you will become their Alpha. Don't you dare disappoint me, Marcel.” Five hundred kilometers to the north, at the top of a mountain, in a huge city - I have become the darkest version of myself, the Alpha of the Silver Mountain Pack. With a strong iron fist, a cold ruthless mind, and a heart without feeling. Everyone obeyed me. Revenge and rage? These dark feelings are never silent in my mind. Sleepless nights, nightmares, the endless desire to have what was mine - the title of Alpha of the Snow Pack. There is one person I hate more than my father who ruined my future. He is the man five years younger than me, the man who kidn*pped my dream… My brother. My father put chains around my future actions, fearing revenge after betrayal. He forced me to sign a contract, thus creating a peace treaty between two neighboring werewolf communities. With ink on paper and signature, I lowered my hands. The life of my best friend was hanging by a thin thread - it was the only choice. These memories, like painful shadows from the past, keep coming back. Eight long years on the dark throne. Everything would be different if my mate was with me. A woman who would make my heart beat, now it's just an organ pumping blood through my body, not letting me give up. The only positive thing my brother managed to do was to send this letter. "Silver Mountain Pack Alpha Marcel, You are cordially invited to attend the annual White Day Banquet on the third day of October. Sincerely Alpha of Snow Pack, Conan Grey " The letter between my fingers turned into a lump that found its way through the balcony railing. This feast is the only day of the year I come home. It's a silly tradition that was charming a long time ago. All the people gather in the main building to celebrate. The only rule is that no titles or orders are valid that day. The day evokes ambivalent feelings in the chest. The promises to return to those who believe in me, made to my mother and my youngest sister, are twisted in my mind and smolders in my chest. Two women who know my true face and soul. The other members have heard only legends, gossip, and lies. In the words of my father, the title of Snow Pack Alpha is given to the younger heir. With the extinguishing of the eighteenth birthday candles, the five-year land war between the Snow Pack and the Mountain Silver Pack ended. Jordan, assuring eternal peace from the north, sent me to the mountain town, expanding the lands and guaranteeing a peaceful future for his people. Peace came all around, and he sacrificed his son to achieve it. Silent footsteps coming from the corridor, my glance over my shoulder stopped at the heavy dark door. Through the door would enter the only person worthy of trust. Silently the door opened, the owner with hair as black as pitch stepped through the threshold. A heavy aura, straight shoulders, and compressed lips appeared first in the room. Eyes as bright as the blue sky, a scar on the left eyebrow, narrow lips pressed together in one line. As my gaze locked on the man's deep eyes, reverence shone in them, then his gaze dropped to the brown tips of his shoes, avoiding eye contact. "Alpha Marcel, I apologize for the disruption." Tyler's quiet words left his lips, the tense jaw and silent stamping of his left foot showing the fear that had invaded his body. "Tyler, relax." The command left my lips, allowing him to move out of place. With a firm step, I shortened the distance that separated us. I reached out my arms and clasped my best friend in my embrace. A few hard pats on the shoulders and a smile on my face. This is a person who understands everything from half a word "Marcel… I got your call telling me to come as soon as possible. Is something wrong?" Tyler took a step back, adjusted his jacket, and looked at me. "Have you forgotten what day it is?" I raised my eyebrows, which drew a few lines on my forehead. "A day for someone to die?" Tyler laughed out loud. " Not today, Tyler. Come with me to the Snow Pack. We have some business there." I sighed, feeling anger rising in my chest. "You still believe in those fairy tales? I thought you had outgrown your childhood." Tyler smiled broadly as he made himself comfortable in one of the leather armchairs. "Yes, Tyler I still do. Otherwise, I can't explain why I haven't found my mate in seven years." The tone of my voice becoming cold and irritable. " The stories come from our ancestors about the mate connection. In their words, werewolves can only find their mate within the same pack boundaries in which they were born." Tyler wore a serious expression on his face. "Enough! Time to pack up and go. The big day is tomorrow, which is why we have to be there today." I shook my head and walked toward the office door with a firm stride. "Marcel, don't be such a bastard. You know we are both stuck in this shit." Tyler's footsteps sounded behind me. "Alpha Marcel!" A growl came from my chest, sending a shudder through my body that indicated annoyance. "Sometimes I really can’t stand you." Tyler's quiet words didn't slip past my sensitive hearing. I ignored his words. The anger in my body was betrayed by my tightened jaw. Tyler is alive only because of a treaty that restrains any military action by the Silver Mountain Pack. He is the only person who has stood by me all these years, supported me, listened to me, understood me. Nine steps down the corridor, the white door opened easily, my feet carried me across the grey carpet towards the wardrobe. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Tyler standing in the doorway, looking in the direction of the open bedroom window. "Tyler, get the car ready. Pack your things. Stop following me." I waved my hand to hurry my best friend forward. I pack the suitcase full of ordinary clothes and several suits. I move to the left, my fingers sliding down to the glass table next to the bed. In the drawer, there were two black books that I left untouched. A square white ring glinted at the bottom of the drawer, which, after a few simple movements, found its way onto a silver chain hanging at my chest. This ring is the symbol of the Snow Pack, or rather a gift from my mother. Tyler thinks it is nonsense to go to the Snow Pack every year just for the chance to meet your mate. For me, it is just a cover, the only reason is my mother and my sister. An Alpha's promise is worth as much as his name and actions. The person who carries such a title with him must behave accordingly, otherwise, he is worthless. A blaring of a car horn scattered my lost thoughts. The suitcase rolled alongside me as I hurried towards the exit. A large white marble staircase stretched down to the first floor of the mansion. There, two pairs of eyes looked at me, the next second, they were studying the white tiles beneath their feet. "Take care of the mansion while I'm gone. I insist on receiving all news by e-mail." A low, commanding tone echoed in the quiet living room. "How flattering for Alpha Marcel." The guards responded in chorus. These two people are not important on the trip, so they will maintain order here. Over the past year, these two men have shown incredible courage, loyalty, and respect for me. That is the only reason they deserve my kindness. I walked towards the entrance of the mansion, with the door opened wide, you could see a glimpse of two black panther statues that graced the entrance. A wide grey staircase led to the car park where a bright yellow Audi was already parked. Tyler was staring at me through the open window, though the sunglasses prevented me from judging, I could feel it. I put my suitcase in the trunk, sat in the passenger seat next to Tyler, hiding my tired eyes under the sunglasses that had been hanging for a while on the collar of my black sweater. The car's engine roared loudly, the wind rushing through the open window teasing my dark hair. I rested my eyes on the sun, which was slowly setting on the horizon, painting the sky in pastel colors. "Why are we traveling by car?" Tyler's question shattered the silence I was enjoying. " I spend most of my life on my four paws. Although back home I want to look a bit more like myself." I laid my head against the seat to get more comfortable. Tyler turned up the music which automatically silenced our conversation. This is how this man really knows me best. As the kilometers wound down and the sun disappeared on the horizon, night occupied the forests and meadows. The first bright stars shone in the dark sky, and the moon kept up its yellowish light and beauty. Seven years of loneliness or is it a curse? A wave of anger shook my body so hard that the skin on my arms stood on end. The wolf inside was very irritable and angry. Each year it becomes harder to tame the beast deep inside the head and body. In recent years, it has come out more often to show its strength, its ferocity, and its confusion. The longer I do not find my mate, the greater the chance of one day not regaining my human form. The day will come when all that will be left of me is a grey wolf howling in pain and agony before the yellow pours out. The only person who can calm the monster inside me, my mate. Maybe this year will be better. Maybe I will find her...