When the ancient prophecy of the blood moon is fulfilled, King Aldric Draven, the powerful Alpha of Lycans, discovers his fated mate in the most unexpected place-a village girl named Elara Grayson. Unaware of her true lineage, Elara is thrust into a world of ancient magic, political intrigue, and danger as the destined Luna, bound to unite the warring packs. But as enemies close in and dark forces rise, Elara must embrace her power and her fate, or risk the destruction of the Lycan kingdom-and the love she never expected to find.
Chapter 1 The summoning
The full moon hung low in the night sky, its silver rays casting an ethereal glow over the dense forest that surrounded the Kingdom of Arvendale. A chilling wind howled through the ancient trees, whispering tales of old magic and forgotten oaths. Deep in the heart of this enchanted land, in a place known only to a select few, a ritual was about to begin.
At the center of a hidden clearing, surrounded by towering oaks and ancient runes etched into the ground, stood a circle of wolves-massive, sleek, and powerful. These were not ordinary wolves; they were the royal guards of the Alpha King, Lycans, sworn protectors of their kind. In their midst, standing tall and proud, was King Aldric Draven, the Alpha of Alphas, ruler of all Lycans. His presence was magnetic, commanding respect with just a glance. His piercing golden eyes flickered with the fire of authority, his towering form exuding a primal power that could crush lesser beings with ease.
But tonight, there was unease in the air. Tonight was the night of the Summoning.
A prophecy, as old as the kingdom itself, foretold that when the blood moon rose, the Alpha King's fated mate, the Luna, would be revealed. She would not just be any ordinary mate-she would be the one destined to unite the warring packs, the one who could stand by the Alpha's side and bring peace to the realm. Yet, as with all ancient prophecies, there were dangers. Those who sought power, enemies within the kingdom and beyond, would stop at nothing to prevent the Luna from being claimed.
King Aldric's jaw tightened as he waited. The moon's light grew brighter, casting long shadows through the trees. He could feel the magic swirling around him, the ancient power of the Lycans that had been passed down through generations, pulsing through his veins. His pack stood still, every member attuned to the energies crackling in the air.
The Summoning stone, an ancient relic of the Lycan kind, lay in the center of the clearing, glowing faintly. According to tradition, the stone would choose the Luna by marking her with a unique symbol, only visible to the Alpha King. No one knew what the symbol would look like, but the moment Aldric saw it, he would know.
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Meanwhile, in the village of Thornewood,
A young woman named Elara Grayson sat by her window, gazing out at the full moon. She had always felt a strange connection to the moon, a pull that she couldn't quite explain. As an orphan, raised by the village healer, Elara had always known she was different. Her senses were sharper, her instincts keener. She could run faster, hear better, and her strength was unmatched by any in the village. But there was something more-something she couldn't put into words, a latent power simmering beneath the surface, waiting for the right moment to awaken.
The villagers had long whispered about her, some even fearing her. But Elara had learned to keep her head down, helping in the healer's cottage and avoiding unnecessary attention. Despite her mysterious abilities, she had no desire to be the subject of the villagers' gossip. But tonight, under the light of the full moon, something stirred within her-a restlessness she hadn't felt before.
Suddenly, a sharp pain shot through her chest, causing her to gasp. She clutched her heart, her breath ragged as the world around her began to blur. In the distance, she heard a strange hum-a low, resonating sound that seemed to call to her, pulling her from the safety of her room. Without thinking, she stood up and hurried outside, drawn by an unseen force.
The forest was darker than usual, the trees looming like silent sentinels. Elara's feet moved swiftly, almost as if they knew the way. Her heart raced as she pushed through the underbrush, her pulse in sync with the thrumming sound that grew louder with every step. The closer she got to the source, the more intense the sensation became. It was as though the very air around her was alive with energy, urging her forward.
After what felt like an eternity, she stumbled into a clearing, and her breath caught in her throat. In the center of the clearing, surrounded by a circle of wolves, was a man unlike any she had ever seen. He was tall, with broad shoulders and a commanding presence, his eyes glowing gold in the moonlight. His gaze locked onto hers, and for a moment, the world stood still.
"Who are you?" Elara whispered, her voice barely audible.
The man-King Aldric-took a step forward, his eyes never leaving hers. "You've been summoned," he said, his voice deep and authoritative. "You are the one."
Elara frowned, confusion clouding her thoughts. "The one? What are you talking about?"
Aldric's gaze softened slightly, though the intensity remained. "You are my Luna."
Elara's heart skipped a beat. The word felt foreign on her lips, yet it resonated deep within her soul. Luna. The title of the Alpha King's mate. But that couldn't be right-she was just a village girl, wasn't she? A healer's assistant with no knowledge of royal affairs or ancient prophecies. She took a step back, her mind racing.
"I think you've made a mistake," she said, shaking her head. "I'm no one special. I'm just Elara."
Aldric's expression hardened. "The Summoning stone does not make mistakes," he said, gesturing toward the glowing stone at the center of the clearing. "It has chosen you. You bear the mark of the Luna."
Elara glanced down at her arm, where a strange symbol had appeared, glowing faintly in the moonlight. Her breath hitched as the realization sank in-this was real. She wasn't imagining it. But how could this be happening? She didn't know anything about Lycans or the responsibilities that came with being the Luna.
"I don't understand," she murmured, her voice shaking.
"You don't have to," Aldric replied, his tone firm but not unkind. "All you need to know is that you are bound to me now, and to our people. The prophecy has been set in motion."
Elara looked into his eyes, her heart pounding in her chest. She could feel the weight of destiny pressing down on her, the knowledge that her life was about to change in ways she couldn't yet comprehend. But one thing was certain-there was no turning back now.
She was the Alpha King's Luna. And her journey had only just begun.