Zyra Valdris stood tall at the center of the training grounds, chest rising and falling from the last round of combat.
The sunlight danced over her tanned, battle-scarred skin, sharpening every angle of her strong, diamond-cut face. Her short black hair was tousled from the fight, messy yet bold, and her silver eyes burned with that same cold dominance she was known for.
In a flash, she struck again….fast, brutal ,sending her Beta, Kael, crashing into the dirt.
"You're getting soft," Zyra said coolly. "Too much time fucking every hole you find."
Kael wiped blood from his mouth with a crooked grin. "And you've fucked none. Maybe that's your problem."
Zyra growled low, spun, and landed another hit. He dodged but barely, then swept at her leg. She blocked with ease.
"Damn," he muttered, panting. "Still built like a goddamn war machine."
She didn't respond. Just stared.
Kael leaned on his knee and looked up to Zyra with a cheeky smile. "Happy birthday, you are 20 today Alpha but seriously why cant you just eat a lunar cake and leave fighting , it's your day today …..sooo Ready for the Fated Moon ritual?"
"Spare me that shit, Kael," Zyra said, voice sharp. "You know I hate this mating nonsense."
"But if it means you'll finally get laid? I fully support it."
Zyra rolled her eyes. "Do you ever stop with the sex jokes?"
"It's my best material."
"Training's over," she snapped. "Go wash your mouth."
"Yes, Alpha."
He hesitated, then smirked. "By the way… Serena's waiting in your room."
Zyra's face hardened. "Why?"
Kael raised his brows. "Come on. At least fuck her before the Moon Goddess throws you to someone random tonight."
Zyra didn't answer.
Kael shrugged. "I mean, have you seen her boobs? Omegas are blessed."
Zyra shot him a glare. "It's called being a woman. Nothing 'blessed' about it. I've got them too."
Kael blinked at her, then burst into laughter. "Okay, okay—you're blessed too, Alpha. Whatever tickles your fur."
Zyra just sighed and turned away.
*********
Liora sat on the floor of her room, back pressed to the wall, her eyes wide and sleepless.
Everyone in the pack had heard by now.
Her mate… was from Lunarion.
The one pack our ancestors had sworn never to align with. The same pack that stole her mother's life fifteen years ago. She was only five, but she remembered the screams… the blood… the pain.
The Moon Goddess must've made a mistake.
And if she ignored the bond long enough, it would fade.
That's what she had to believe.
**********
(the Elder Hall)
"This is outrageous!" one of the elders shouted, slamming his staff on the stone floor.
Aldric stood silent, fury simmering beneath his calm face.
"The Moon Goddess dares to bond our Leader to a Lunarion?" another elder spat.
"She will not leave the pack," the eldest among them finally declared. "As long as they don't mark each other, the bond will wear off."
"And we will not bring shame to our ancestors," another added.
Aldric nodded in agreement, but his heart ached for his daughter.
**********
(Liora's Room)
Sera handed Liora an apple, her expression softer than usual.
"Here. It'll help you sleep. The pack doctor gave it to me."
Liora took the apple, turning it slowly in her hand. "I don't like this, Sera. I don't want anything to do with that pack."
"I know," Sera said, sitting beside her. "I understand the wound runs deep. But waiting around for the bond to fade? That won't work. Especially with True Bloods."
Liora blinked. "What do you mean?"
"I did some digging. Because apparently, I'm the only one who actually reads in this pack," Sera added with a scoff. "True Blood mate bonds… they don't wear off."
Liora's eyes widened. "But the elders said…."
"Do they read?" Sera shot back.
Silence.
"The only thing that might work is a proper rejection."
"But they're not of age yet," Liora muttered. "And how exactly do you expect me to march into Lunarion territory and ask if anyone feels itchy inside?"…..That sounds stupid."
"Shut up, you will wait," Sera said with a shrug. "Wait for them to come of age. Trust me, they'll come looking for you. Just like you did last night"
Liora sighed. "You forget I'm grounded. I can't go anywhere."
Sera smirked. "Since when has that ever stopped you? , we both know your history of disobedience "
Liora glanced up but didn't argue.
"Here's what you'll do," Sera continued. "Sneak out like you always do. Linger long enough to leave your scent. Sooner or later, they'll pick it up. And when they come? Reject them. Fast. Before they even speak. And if they really are from Lunarion… they might beat you to it."
Liora didn't respond.
"Just… get some rest," Sera added, standing. "You didn't sleep at all last night."
"Okay."
Sera left the room, shutting the door softly behind her.
Liora stood by the window, staring at the moon hanging high above the trees.
It always made her feel calm.
Safe.
But, now, all she could think of was the Moon Goddess who dared to bind her heart to an enemy.
*******
Zyra stood in the ritual circle, arms crossed, clearly bored.
Kael whistled from the sidelines. "Try not to scare the Moon Goddess with that scowl."
Her glare shut him up.
Around them, the pack watched in silence….except the Omegas. They were whispering, blushing, stealing glances at the Alpha who looked like she'd been carved by war and moonlight.
Zyra didn't care.
The moonlight hit her skin, casting shadows across her tanned, scarred body. She looked powerful. Dangerous. Desired.
She was everything an Alpha should be.
Then, her breath caught.
A strange pull. Like an invisible rope tightened in her chest.
Her heart skipped.
And without warning, her wolf surged forward.
Jet-black fur exploded across her skin, her limbs reshaped in a blur of motion. A massive wolf stood where Zyra had been seconds ago, black as night, eyes glowing silver.
She sniffed the air. Ears perked. Scanned the crowd.
No one.
No one here was hers.
The Alpha didn't wait for logic. She lunged….over the ritual stones, onto the boulder, then soared beyond the wall."
Kael's jaw dropped. "What the…Zyra!"
But the True Blood Alpha was already gone.
The mate the moon gave her… wasn't inside the pack.
She was going to find them.