Third Person's POV
PACK HOUSE HALL
Morning light filled the long hall of the Nightbane pack house. The building stood strong and old, its thick stone walls and dark wooden pillars carved with symbols of wolves and moons. Several pack members moved around the hall quietly, carrying baskets or speaking in low voices.
The heavy front doors slowly opened.
Celene Virel walked inside.
She moved with calm confidence, her posture straight and proud. Her long silver blonde hair flowed neatly down her back, reaching the middle of her waist. Her sharp green eyes looked around the hall carefully as if measuring everything she saw.
She wore a fitted black coat that hugged her slim figure perfectly. Under it were dark leather pants and tall black boots that reached her knees. A small silver necklace rested on her collarbone, holding a crescent moon pendant.
Inside her mind her wolf stirred.
Lilia.
So this is his territory.
Celene's lips curved slightly.
"Yes."
Her eyes moved slowly across the room.
Several wolves noticed her immediately. Some of them whispered quietly to each other. Celene was not unknown among the packs. The daughter of the Alpha of the Dark Moon Pack rarely visited other territories without reason.
Lilia spoke again.
You came to see him.
Celene crossed her arms lightly.
"Of course."
For years she believed something simple.
Kael had no mate.
She had no mate.
They had known each other since their younger years when both packs trained their future leaders together. They had fought side by side in competitions, hunted together during training seasons, and shared many victories.
To Celene it had always felt like fate slowly preparing them.
One day the Moon Goddess would connect their bond.
At least that was what she believed.
She approached a young pack member standing near the hall.
"Where is Alpha Kael?"
The wolf lowered his head respectfully.
"He left earlier for patrol."
Celene nodded slowly.
"And when will he return?"
"Soon."
Celene turned slightly toward the large windows of the hall.
Her green eyes narrowed.
"Good."
Inside her mind Lilia spoke again.
We should see him first.
Celene agreed silently.
"Yes."
But another thought appeared in her mind.
She had heard whispers already.
Something about Kael accepting a mate.
An omega.
Celene refused to believe it completely until she heard it from Kael himself.
OUTSIDE PACK HOUSE
A few minutes later Celene stepped outside the pack house.
The air was fresh and cool. Tall pine trees surrounded the territory and sunlight filtered through the branches above. The forest stretched far beyond the clearing where the pack house stood.
Footsteps came from the forest path.
Kael Nightbane walked out from the trees.
He looked tall and powerful as always. His black hair was slightly messy from the wind and his gray eyes looked sharp and alert. He wore a dark shirt with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows and black pants tucked into heavy boots.
When his eyes landed on Celene he slowed slightly.
"Celene."
His voice was calm.
Celene smiled faintly.
"Kael."
For a moment they simply looked at each other.
They had not seen each other for a long time.
Inside Kael's mind his wolf Damon stirred.
She is here again.
Kael ignored the voice.
Celene stepped closer.
"It has been a while."
Kael nodded once.
"What brings you here?"
Celene studied his face carefully before answering.
"I came to visit an old friend."
Her tone sounded light but her eyes were searching his expression.
Kael remained still.
"You usually send a message before visiting."
Celene shrugged slightly.
"I felt like surprising you."
There was a small pause.
Then Celene asked the question directly.
"I heard something interesting while I was inside."
Kael already knew what she meant.
"You have a mate now," she said.
His jaw tightened slightly.
"Yes."
Celene's smile faded a little.
"And she is an omega."
Kael did not deny it.
"Yes."
Inside Celene's mind Lilia growled softly.
An omega.
Celene stepped closer to him.
"You and I both know that makes no sense."
Kael's gray eyes became colder.
"It does not need to make sense to you."
Celene frowned slightly.
"Kael, we grew up together."
"That does not change anything."
Celene crossed her arms.
"You were supposed to choose someone strong."
Kael's voice became firmer.
"I did not choose."
Celene looked confused.
"The bond chose."
That answer clearly annoyed her.
Lilia's voice rose inside her mind.
He protects her.
Celene's pride flared quickly.
"So where is she?"
Kael's eyes hardened immediately.
"Why?"
Celene lifted her chin slightly.
"I want to see the omega who suddenly became the Luna of this pack."
Kael stepped closer.
The air around him changed instantly.
Alpha dominance filled the space between them.
His voice dropped lower.
"You will stay away from her."
Celene blinked slightly in surprise.
"Excuse me?"
"You heard me."
His gray eyes looked sharp now.
"You will not approach Ariella."
Celene felt anger rise inside her chest.
"You are protecting her?"
"Yes."
The answer came without hesitation.
Celene laughed softly but the sound held no humor.
"You're serious."
Kael did not move.
"Yes."
Inside Celene's mind Lilia growled again.
He has chosen her side.
Celene looked at Kael for several long seconds.
Then she smiled again.
But the smile looked colder now.
"Well," she said calmly.
"I suppose we will see how long that protection lasts."
Kael watched her carefully.
Because he knew one thing very well.
Celene Virel had never been someone who accepted defeat easily.