The Alpha Who Lost the Moon

a's

ve just stayed in kitchen or somew

against the rough bark of an ancient oak, trying to

in their finest clothes, laughing and tou

't optional, not even for omegas like me who have no family, no pac

and it's still threadbare compared to the silks and furs draping the bod

whispers. Slip awa

ing the ceremony would be dragged back and punished. So I stay small, stay quiet, a

sacred ground where mate bonds are revealed and accepted before witnesses. Flowers I can't name bloom in impos

his year there are so many wolves that I got pushed forward by the crowd. Now I'm trapped

is wearing?" someone behind m

as are attending to

I don't care about politics or po

rums

like thunder, deep and primal, reson

le, their faces grave and ceremonial. These are the leaders who govern our territories, who decide laws and

ke. I clasp

ward, his voice magically amp

s. Tonight, fate will speak. Tonight, destined mates will be called to o

ve their station get crushed between duty and hierarchy. I've seen it happen. The kindest outcome is being hid

d stayed hidden. Risked gett

r power radiating outward in waves that make my skin prickle. They're all beautiful

I fee

nna surges to attention, suddenly fully awake, and for the first time in my

desperately. No

s own accord, my eyes dragging across the crowd

en I s

dark hair that falls slightly into eyes the color of storm clouds. There's a hardness to his features, a cont

et across t

lace with the force o

ery nerve ending comes alive. I can feel him, his presence, his power, the steady rhythm o

mind, joyful and trium

can't be

aring as a thread of pure moonlight connecting his heart to mine. Gasps

me

bonded to

be a joke o

ossi

n as recognition flashes across his face. For one perfect, fragile mom

time in my entire worthless

Council close

hear the words, but I see the change happen in real time. The softness vanishes. Hi

from the bond's revelat

the clearing, and this time there'

forward