Ryker's eyes snapped open, the familiar scent of his parents' murder still lingered in his mind. The moon hung low in the sky, casting an eerie glow over the pack's territory. Ryker's chest heaved as he struggled to contain the rage and grief that still simmered beneath his surface.
He rose from his throne, the cold stone beneath his bare feet a harsh reminder of his reality. Ryker's gaze fell upon the intricate carvings on the walls, depicting the history of his lineage. His parents' faces stared back at him, their smiles a bittersweet reminder of what he had lost.
The weight of his responsibilities as the alpha king bore down on him. Ryker's thoughts turned to the Luna, the human destined to be his mate. He had to find her, not just for himself, but for the future of his pack.
Ryker's eyes locked onto a small, leather-bound book on the pedestal nearby. The ancient text spoke of the Luna's markings, the signs that would lead him to his mate. With a determined glint in his eye, Ryker opened the book, his fingers tracing the symbols that would change his fate forever.
The door to his chambers slid open, and a figure entered. "Your Majesty," the pack member said, bowing low. "We've received reports of a potential lead on the Luna's whereabouts."
Ryker's grip on the armrests of his throne tightened. "Tell me."