He was the feral Alpha King buried beneath the mountain. She was the cursed girl they offered to him as sacrifice to end the famine plaguing their lands.

Ruvan, the first Alpha. Imprisoned, driven to utter madness, and starved of power.

Solenne, the packless she-wolf rumored to be cursed and bring misfortune to all who cross paths with her.

With the power of cursed speech, she is able to kill and bend the world to her will with only one word. To avoid hurting others, she hasn't spoken a single syllable since she was a child. Feared and rejected by her own people, she is given to the mountain in a forbidden ritual-sacrifice... and her scent stirs the beast that slumbers beneath it.

His mate.

Ruvan will stop at nothing to claim what's his, even if that means storming the heavens and finding the cure to her curse just to hear her speak his name.

----
She saw stars behind her eyes and felt constellations carved into her skin with every lingering touch and each press of his mouth. He painted the night sky onto her body, not with a brush, but with his lips, hands, and his insatiable hunger—until her lungs were empty and her heart soared so high it must’ve kissed the moon.

“Solenne,” Ruvan murmured, voice low and reverent, like a prayer.

She shivered; the sound of her name on his lips felt like heaven.

Ruvan pressed his palm to her stomach, anchoring her as he leaned in, mouth brushing the hollow of her throat. His hand rose, slow and shaking, tracing the shape of her jaw like it was a sight made only for him. His thumb brushed the corner of her mouth and his eyes burned as he studied her.

“You feel like the stars,” he whispered, “Mesmerizing and bright... something that I want to capture and keep to myself."

And then he kissed her; it was a deep, aching vow he couldn’t speak aloud. A promise made only in breath, heat, and need.

When they parted, he gently pressed his forehead against hers. His voice dipped lower… uncertain, maybe even afraid:

“Say my name?”

--
R18, werewolves, fated love, weak to strong... I hope you enjoy my second entry for 2025 WSA. :) give it a shot~

Solenne jolted awake in the middle of the night, a thin layer of sweat coating her skin. She gasped silently, pressing a hand to her chest, as an overwhelming surge of pressure and emotion radiated through her mate bond.


Vaenya, who had been sitting dutifully by the door, rested her hand on the hilt of her weapon. She asked, "Luna? Are you alright?"


Solenne frowned, but nodded. [I'm alright, but my bond with Ruvan… it feels strange.]


She mentally reached for the tether that bound her to the Alpha, but it was pulled taut, threatening to break. There was an undeniable distance, not just physically, growing between them, like he was being dragged away against his will.


"I'm sure he'll be alright, Luna," Vaenya attempted to comfort her. "He's the strongest Alpha… in history!"


Solenne nodded weakly, then sat up in bed and moved to the edge to stand. The pads of her feet grew cold when they met the stone floor, but she ignored the sensation.


Chapter 70 - The Thread Between Them