I Walked Away from the Alpha

Miras POV

I never thought Id find myself back inside the Nightbane Packs grand hallthe same place that once felt untouchable, almost unreal. The marble floors shone beneath my scuffed boots, reflecting chandeliers that glittered like frozen bladesbeautiful, but cold enough to cut. I had no right to be here anymore. Not after everything. But when Elder Marcelle calls, you come. Refusing her isnt an optionnot if you still have something left to lose.

I caught her scent before I heard her voicelavender, laced with authority that made my wolf instinctively retreat.

Sit, Mira, she said, her tone polite but icy. We need to talk.

I stayed standing for a second before giving in. What do you want from me? My voice came out rough from too many sleepless nights.

A faint smile touched her lipssomething almost kind, if I didnt know better. Straightforward. I like that. She motioned to the chair across her desk. The entire room screamed powerportraits of past Lunas, the Nightbane crest carved in gold, the heavy scent of wealth and history.

She pulled out a clean white envelope and slid it toward me. I didnt open it. I didnt have to.

Five hundred thousand dollars, she said smoothly. Enough for you to disappear and start over. Far away from my son.

My throat tightened. So youre paying me to walk away from Theron.

Im paying you to stop pretending you belong beside him, she corrected, her voice sharpening. Youre an omega, Mira. You came from nothing. My sonAlpha Theron Nightbanewas meant for greatness, not a life tied to some broken-down home with your deceased mother.

My chest twisted at that. I forced myself to stay calm. Love doesnt care about status.

She let out a soft laugh, bitter and sharp. Love is irrelevant when it comes to legacy. Did you really think Id let you ruin his future over feelings?

Her words dragged me back to the day I found him.

He was half-dead in the forestbleeding, barely conscious, stuck between forms. I thought he was just another rogue. I had no idea he was the future Alpha of Nightbane. My mother and I took him in, cared for him, kept him alive. He didnt remember who he wasjust broken pieces of a past filled with violence and betrayal.

For a while he was mine.

He fixed things around our home, laughed with me over burnt meals, held me close beneath the moon like I was the only thing that mattered. He didnt see me as an omega. Just Mira.

Then one day, he remembered.

The mark on his arm burned, his identity came backand the man I knew disappeared with it.

He turned distant. Colder. Like I was nothing more than a mistake. And when his family came for him, he didnt hesitate. He chose them.

And now here I wassitting across from the woman who took him awaybeing offered money to erase whatever was left.

She mustve seen something in my expression because she sighed and reached for her phone. Still resisting? she murmured. Maybe this will help.

The screen behind her lit up.

My breath caught.

Two wolves stood near a cliff, holding something between thema bronze urn.

Mom My voice barely came out.

Marcelle tilted her head slightly. You recognize it, dont you? Your mothers ashes.

My chest tightened painfully. What are you doing?

Theyre waiting for my signal, she said lightly. If I dont call within ten minutes, theyll scatter her into the ocean.

Dont! My voice broke as I stepped forward. Please dont do this. She doesnt deserve that.

Neither does my son deserve the mess youve created, she replied calmly. You filed a case against Irenehis future mate. Accusing her of murder? That ends today.

My hands curled into fists.

Irene. The woman who took everything from me.

And now even justice was being stripped away.

Withdraw the case, Marcelle continued, her voice low and steady. Leave Nightbane territory. Stay away from my son. Do that, and your mothers ashes remain untouched. Refuse

Her gaze hardened.

And you lose even that.

Tears blurred my vision. Rage burned inside me, but it didnt matter. I was still an omega. Power like hers crushed everything in its path.

Fine, I said, my voice barely a whisper. Ill drop the case. Ill leave. Just dont touch her.

A satisfied look crossed her face. She tapped her phone, and on the screen, the wolves disappearedtaking the urn with them.

I stared at the envelope. I dont want your money.

Take it anyway, she said smoothly. Consider it payment. You did, after all, keep my son alive once. This is simply your reward.

The way she said it made my stomach turnlike everything Theron and I had ever shared meant nothing.

I pushed my chair back and stood, legs unsteady but refusing to show it. Youll get what you want, I said quietly. Ill be gone tomorrow.

And this time, I wont look back. Not even for him.

Miras POV

When Theron got his memories back, I thought it was a miracle. I thought the Moon Goddess had finally returned the life he lost the night I found him dying in the forest.

I didnt know it would cost me everything.

That morning felt off. I woke up to the sound of his uneven breathing beside me, his body tense, his wolf restless under his skin. I reached for him out of habitbut he pulled away.

Mira, he said, his voice deeper, colder. I remember everything.

Relief flooded me at first. Thats good, Theron. That means

Im not Theron Wallace, he cut in, almost irritated. Im Theron Nightbane. Heir to the Nightbane Pack.

The name hit me hard. Nightbane? The one across the riverlands?

He nodded, his face unreadable. My father is Alpha Victor. My mother is Elder Marcelle. I was ambushed three years ago and before I blacked out, a woman saved me.

A woman.

Something inside me tightened, but I forced a small smile. Before I could say anything, he looked at me again.

You saved me too, he added, quieter this time. I wont forget that. But I cant stay here anymore. My pack needs me.

I swallowed. What about me?

He paused. You and your mother can come with me. Youll be safe there.

Safe.

I didnt realize then that safe didnt mean I belonged.

The Nightbane estate was overwhelmingtoo big, too polished, too powerful. Wolves walked around like royalty, servants bowed at every turn, and everywhere I went, I could feel their eyes on me.

An omega didnt belong in a place like that. And they made sure I knew it.

Shes an omega? And he brought her here?

She probably took advantage of him while he was weak.

Even her mothers just an omega

I tried to ignore it. I told myself it would passthat once they saw how Theron and I were, things would change.

But Theron was already changing.

Each day, the Alpha in him grew stronger, and the man I knew slowly disappeared.

Then Irene showed up.

The moment I saw her, I understood. She was everything I wasntelegant, confident, beautiful in a way that made you feel small just standing near her.

She ran straight into his arms the second she saw him.

You remember me, she said, holding onto him like shed never let go.

And Theron smiled. A real one. The kind he used to give me.

How could I forget? he said softly. You saved me.

Just like that, I faded into the background.

After that, everything revolved around her. His time, his attentioneverything. When she entered the room, it was like I didnt exist.

And no matter how much it hurt, I stayed quiet.

How was I supposed to compete with the person who saved his life?

Then one day, she said she wasnt feeling welland suddenly, that became my responsibility.

She risked her life for me, Theron told me, his tone leaving no room for argument. Youll take care of her personally. Shes under my protection. And now, under yours. Understood?

I lowered my head. Yes Alpha.

He even gave me a listwritten by his own hand.

No spicy food. No tea at night. Certain herbs to avoid. Keep her warm.

So I did everything he asked.

I cooked for her, cleaned for her, stayed by her side while she coughed and sighed like she was made of glass.

One afternoon, she demanded soup.

Hot, she said sharply. Not like the last one. The Alpha said I need to stay warm.

I made it myself, careful with every detail. When I brought it to her, she was lounging by the fire, wrapped in fur like she owned the place.

Your soup, I said quietly.

She glanced at it, then at me. Took you long enough.

I set the bowl down and turned to leavebut suddenly, she let out a loud gasp and knocked it over, spilling it onto herself.

Her scream followed immediately.

Alpha Theron! she cried. She burned me! Mira burned me on purpose!

My heart dropped. Thats not true! Irene, you

Before I could finish, the door slammed open.

Theron stepped in, his presence suffocating, his wolf right beneath the surface. Whats going on?

Irene pointed straight at me, tears streaming down her face. She did it. She poured it on me.

No! I shook my head, panic rising. She knocked it over herself

Enough.

His voice cracked like thunder. My wolf shrank instantly. My knees gave out beneath me.

I told you to take care of her, he said, his eyes glowing. And this is how you do it?

Theron, please, I begged. You have to believe me. I would never hurt her

I said enough. He didnt even look at me again. Guards. Take her to the north chamber. Ill deal with her tomorrow.

I felt the air leave my lungs. Alphaplease

But he had already turned his back on me.

They dragged me out, gripping my arms too tight. The north chamber was cold, damp, suffocating. The door shut behind me with a heavy click.

And then silence.

I stayed there for hours, crying until my throat burned, my wolf clawing inside me with nowhere to go.

That same night my mother died.

They said she slipped on the stairs.

No I whispered, shaking. No thats notno

I held her in my arms, her body already cold. My tears soaked into her clothes as my wolf let out a broken, hollow cry.

Something inside me shattered right then.

The girl who believed in love in him in promises that lasted forever

she died with my mother.

And from that moment on, I made a vow to the Moon Goddess.

I would never kneel to the Nightbane Pack again.

Miras POV

The day we buried my mother, even the sky seemed to mourn.

Rain poured without mercy, soaking through my thin black dress, clinging to my skin. The forest that used to echo with our laughter felt lifeless, replaced by the dull thud of shovels and distant thunder.

Her grave was simplea small patch of earth beneath the old cedar tree where she used to sit and make her remedies. I knelt there, hands shaking, as I laid her favorite wildflowers on top of the freshly turned soil. My wolf stirred quietly inside me, grieving just as deeply.

Rest now, Mama, I murmured. Ill be okay.

But I knew I was lying.

Because the man I loved more than anything didnt even show up.

Theron never came. Not the Alpha I once gave everything for. Not the man who used to promise me forever under the roof of our tiny home.

They said he was occupied. But I knew better.

He just didnt care.

When the rain eased and everyone else left, I stayed behind until dusk settled in. I didnt realize then just how much betrayal could hurtuntil later that night.

I went back to the Nightbane estate.

A part of me still hoped hed explain. That there was some reason behind everything. That maybe hed still pull me close and say he was sorry.

Our roomhis and minewas at the far end of the east wing. I walked up the stairs slowly, each step heavier than the last. His scent grew stronger the closer I gotpine and smoke.

It used to comfort me.

That night, it made my chest tighten.

The door wasnt fully closed. I pushed it open carefully, not making a sound. Moonlight spilled through the window, casting a pale glow across the room.

And then I saw them.

Theron. And Irene.

In the same bed I once slept in.

Her body moved beneath him, her soft sounds filling the space like a cruel echo of everything I had lost. His voice followedlow, intimatewords I couldnt bring myself to hear.

I couldnt move. My whole body went numb. I covered my mouth to keep from crying out. Inside me, my wolf thrashed wildly, furious, broken, begging to tear everything apart.

I turned to leave

Then Irene spoke.

Theron she breathed, her voice uneven. What if Mira finds out I was the one who

Dont, he cut in quietly. Dont say it.

But what if she learns that I that Im the reason her mother died?

Everything around me spun.

His reply came without hesitation. She wont. Ill make sure of it.

Something inside me snapped.

My legs gave out, and I had to grab the doorframe to steady myself.

Her mother died because of her.

The words kept repeating in my head, cutting deeper each time.

I bit down hard on my lip, forcing back the sob rising in my chest. Every part of me burned. I wanted to storm in, to scream, to demand answers

But I couldnt.

Because in that moment, the truth became clear.

He didnt just leave me.

He chose her.

He protected the one who took my mother from me and helped bury the truth.

The days that followed blurred together. Then came Elder Marcelles birthday banqueta cruel reminder that I was still stuck in their world.

I shouldve left after my mother died.

But I stayed.

I needed to know just how far their lies went.

The hall sparkled with gold and laughter. Wolves dressed in expensive fabrics filled the room, toasting the woman who had ruined my life. I stood among them, my plain black dress making me stand out for all the wrong reasons.

Mira! someone called, waving at me like I was staff. Be helpful and get us more wine.

I stiffened. Her smile was sweet, but her eyes werent.

And bring desserts too, another added with a smirk. Hurry up, omega.

Their laughter rang out. Heat rushed to my face, but I swallowed it down. My wolf stirred, angry, but I forced her back.

I wouldnt give them the satisfaction.

Then I saw him.

Theron stood across the room, dressed sharply, his arm wrapped around Irenes waist. She wore silver, looking like she belonged therelike she had always belonged.

Our eyes met.

Just for a second, something in his expression shifted.

But that was all.

He didnt come to me. Didnt say a word.

He looked away.

And just like that, I understood.

The man I loved was gone.

I turned toward the table, my hands steady despite the storm inside me. Every insult, every laughthey stopped hurting.

They became something else.

Fuel.

I looked up one last time, meeting his gaze across the room.

He didnt realize it yet

But the moment he let me walk away

was the moment he sealed his own ruin.

Miras POV

The week after the banquet felt like I was trapped in a storm with no way out. Every breath, every step inside the packhouse reminded me of what Id lostmy mother, my pride, and the man I once thought was my future.

But one thing remained.

I hadnt broken.

When I found the proofclear evidence that Irene was responsible for my mothers deathI thought it was finally over. I thought justice had found its way to me. That the Moon Goddess had seen everything and decided it was time for the truth to surface.

I was wrong.

I filed the case myself, hands shaking as I signed the documents. But I never expected to see him standing on the other side.

The courtroom was packed that daywolves from the pack, elders, even outsiders who came just to watch everything unfold. The air felt heavy, suffocating. I stood there, heart pounding

And then the doors opened.

Theron walked in.

Dressed in black, flawless as ever, his presence alone silenced the room. Wolves lowered their heads without thinking.

Then my chest dropped.

He didnt walk toward me.

He took his place beside Irene.

Alpha Theron Nightbane will act as counsel for Miss Irene, the judge announced.

I felt sick. Youre defending her?

He finally looked at me, but there was nothing in his eyes. Yes.

Theron, shes the reason my mother is dead

Enough. His voice cut through me like a blade, his Alpha authority pressing down hard. My wolf shrank instantly. Youve said more than enough, Mira. You think you can walk in here with fabricated proof and ruin someone? Youve crossed the line.

My hands curled into fists. Fabricated? You really believe that?

He stepped closer, his scent familiar, but no longer comforting. Youre not the same person anymore. You used to be gentle. Now all I see is resentment. Youre twisting things to justify it.

I wanted to scream at him. To remind him of everythinghis promises, the nights he swore to protect me, how he once treated my mother like family.

But none of that mattered now.

Because the man in front of me wasnt mine anymore.

To him, I was just the enemy.

The hearing dragged on, each second heavier than the last. Every piece of evidence I presented

he tore it apart.

This? he said at one point, holding up a sample. This could belong to anyone. Youre grasping at nothing.

By the time it ended, I felt hollow.

Irene clung to him, playing the victim perfectly, tears in her eyes. The crowd whispered, some even laughing under their breath as they looked at me.

I couldnt move.

As they passed by, I forced the words out.

Youll regret this Alpha.

He paused, just for a secondbut didnt turn.

No, Mira, he said flatly. You will.

That same night, the pack held its annual auctionElder Marcelles idea of charity.

The hall was full again, glittering with wealth and fake smiles. I stayed near the back, invisible, still replaying the courtroom in my head.

Then I saw it.

Lot twenty-seven, the auctioneer announced, lifting it carefully.

My breath caught.

A jade bracelet.

My mothers bracelet.

The one she never took off. The one that should have been with her ashes.

I pushed through the crowd, ignoring the stares. Where did you get that? I demanded, my voice shaking. That belongs to me. It was my mothers!

The auctioneer hesitated. Miss, please

Mira.

Therons voice cut in.

I turned. He stood near the front, Irene beside him, a glass in his hand like none of this mattered.

Tell them, I said, desperation slipping into my voice. Youve seen her wear it before. You know its hers. Please.

He barely reacted. Its just a bracelet. Dont cause a scene.

Just? My chest tightened. Its the only thing I have left of her!

But he was already looking at Irene.

I like it, she said softly, running her fingers over the jade. Its beautiful.

Theron gave a small smile. Then its yours.

He raised his hand and bid an amount no one dared challenge.

And just like thatit was gone.

Applause filled the hall. I stood there, frozen.

Irene looked at me with fake concern. I didnt realize it meant so much to you, Mira. I just thought it was pretty.

Then she slipped it onto her wrist.

A sharp crack echoed.

The bracelet split cleanly in two.

A few people laughed.

Oh I didnt mean to, she said, though there was no real regret in her voice.

She let it fall.

The pieces rolled across the marble floor, stopping right in front of me.

Theron sighed. Its fine. Its old. It was bound to break.

Something inside me twisted painfully.

I knelt down, my hands trembling as I picked up the pieces. The jade felt cold against my skin.

Inside me, my wolf whimpered softly.

Irene laughed under her breath as she turned back to him. Youll just buy me another one, right?

Of course, he said without hesitation.

Their voices faded into the background as I held the broken bracelet close to my chest.

My tears fell quietly, one by one, onto the shattered pieces.

Miras POV

Morning came, but it brought no warmth.

The sunlight filtered weakly through the blinds, barely touching me. My hands were still shakingfrom the night before, from Elder Marcelles icy gaze, her threats, and that thick envelope sitting on the table like something rotten.

That money wasnt help.

It was payment. For silence. For forgetting everything they took from memy pride, my mother everything.

I told myself that would be the last day Id ever be near the Nightbane Pack. Id show up to the yacht party, keep quiet, act like nothing was wrongand by night, Id disappear for good.

But things never go the way you plan.

When I reached the dock, the ocean stretched wide and endless, glinting under the sun. The Nightbane yacht stood tall and polished, shining like something untouchable.

Just like them.

Beautiful outside. Rotten underneath.

Mira Delaine, one of the guards said flatly. Youre cleared. Go ahead.

I gave a small nod and stepped onboard. Laughter echoed around me, glasses clinking, voices light and carefree. Expensive clothes, fake smiles.

And beneath it alllies.

The moment I walked in, I felt it. Eyes on me. Whispers trailing behind.

Thats her, right?

The omega who filed that case?

Why is she even here?

I kept walking. Id heard worse.

Then I saw him.

Theron stood near the railing, dressed in white and black, looking every bit the Alpha he was meant to be. His posture, his presenceunchanged.

But his eyes

They passed over me like I wasnt even there.

And next to him

Irene.

Golden dress, perfect smile, every inch of her screaming elegance. If you didnt know her, youd think she was flawless.

She saw me. Of course she did.

Her lips curved slightly, something sharp hidden behind it. She leaned toward Theron, whispered something, and he just nodded, distracted.

Then she made her way to me.

Well, look who decided to show up, she said sweetly. I thought youd be too embarrassed after everything that happened with my future mother-in-law.

I held her gaze. I have nothing to be ashamed of.

She let out a soft laugh. Still pretending to be strong. She leaned in closer, her perfume suffocating. Do you ever think about your mother?

My chest tightened. Dont go there.

Oh, I do, she continued lightly. I think about her a lot. Especially that night.

My pulse spiked. What do you mean?

Her eyes gleamed. The way she screamed before she fell.

My breath hitched. You

I pushed her, she said quietly, almost proudly. She was in my way. You both were. I didnt expect her to hit her head that hard but accidents happen, right?

Everything around me blurred.

You killed her, I said, my voice shaking. That wasnt an accident. You meant it.

She tilted her head. I thought you already figured that out.

My hand moved before I could think.

Smack.

The sound rang out across the deck. Her head snapped to the side, a red mark blooming on her cheek. Gasps followed.

Mira!

Theron.

His voice froze me where I stood. He strode toward us, his presence heavy, suffocating. What did you just do?

She admitted it! I shot back, my chest rising and falling fast. She killed my mother! She told me herself

Irene broke into tears and rushed into his arms. Thats not true! Shes lying! She hates me because you chose me!

He pulled her close, his glare cutting straight through me. You dare lay a hand on the woman who saved me?

Saved you? My voice cracked. Shes a killer!

Enough! His roar silenced the entire deck. Mira Delaine, ever since you came into my pack, youve brought nothing but trouble. Youve disrespected my mother, attacked Irene, and embarrassed me in front of everyone.

I saved you! I shouted, tears finally spilling over. You were dying when I found you! Everything you have nowyou have because of me!

He didnt even react.

You will apologize, he said coldly.

I shook my head. I wont.

His expression hardened. Then youll face the consequences.

A hollow laugh escaped me. For what? Hitting the woman who murdered my mother?

He turned to the others. Each of youtwo slaps. Let her learn what happens when she raises her hand against Irene.

I stared at him. You cant be serious.

Do it.

The first one stepped forward, hesitant.

Smack.

Then another.

Smack.

And another.

Each strike burned, but I didnt fall. I wouldnt give them that. My wolf raged inside me, desperate to fight backbut I held her down.

Irene watched it all, smiling faintly.

When it finally stopped, I was still standing. My face stung, my vision blurredbut I stayed upright.

Theron stepped closer. Leave. Before I make you regret ever coming here.

I met his eyes, steady despite everything. I already regret ever knowing you.

Then I turned away.

No hesitation. No looking back.

I walked off that yacht on my own, head high, even as everything inside me shattered. The sound of the waves crashing behind me felt almost like applausefor finally choosing myself.

When I reached the dock, I wiped the blood from my lip and whispered into the night, Enjoy this while you can, Irene. One day, Ill come back and youll beg for the mercy my mother never got.

That night, I packed what little I had.

The broken jade bracelet.

A few worn clothes.

And the letters Theron once wrote meback when he still remembered how to love.

I left Nightbane behind.

And this time, I didnt look back.

Therons POV

When I entered Miras room the next morning, it was empty. The faint scent of her still lingered in the air, vanilla and lavender, fading fast.

Alpha, one of the maids said softly, shes gone. Left before sunrise.

I frowned. Gone? Shell come back. Shes just throwing a tantrum again. She wont survive without me.

But when I saw the small wooden box on the bed, my heart faltered. Inside were the letters I wrote her when I still lived as a nameless wolf with no memories in the woods. Promises of forever. Words filled with love and warmth.

Beside them lay the gifts Id given her the ring, the necklace I once said matched her eyes.

She really left. For good. Suddenly, all memories came crushing down.

No I stummered. Find her, quick!

Miras POV

The planes hum was steady and low, a sound that could almost lull me to sleep if not for the ache in my chest. I leaned my head against the window, staring at the clouds, my reflection faintly visible in the glass. The farther we went, the smaller Nightbane territory became, and yet, it didnt feel like I was leaving anything behind. It felt like I was running from ashes that no longer burned.

As the plane cut through the night sky, a fragment of memory slipped into my mindone I hadnt thought about in years.

I was small, maybe eight or nine, sitting on the wooden floor while my mother combed my hair. Her hands were gentle, her humming soft. The room smelled of herbs and smoke from the old lamp that flickered beside us.

Mom, I had asked, why dont I have a father like the other pups in the village?

She went quiet for a moment, the comb pausing mid-stroke. Then she smiled faintly, though her eyes glistened. Your father was a good man, Mira. His name was Neil Delaine Moonriver. He was supposed to marry someone elsesomeone from Thorndike Pack. He was meant to be the next Alpha of Moonriver Pack.

I turned around, wide-eyed. Then why didnt he?

Because fate had other plans, she said, her voice softer now. He met me. And when he realized I was his fated mate, he didnt care about the titles or anything anymore. He left everything behind to be with me.

Did he love you?

She smiled again, tears escaping this time. More than anything. But love doesnt protect us from everything. Soon after you were born, he fell ill. No healer could explain why. He died when you were still a baby.

I remember clutching her hand tightly. Did they hate you for it?

They did, she admitted quietly. The Moonriver Pack thought I stole him. Your fathers family cut us off completely. I wanted to take you there, to at least let them know you exist, but we didnt have the means.

The comb moved slowly through my hair again. One day, she said, when youre strong enough, promise me youll find them. You deserve to know where you come from.

Her words lingered in my head like an echo as I sat there on the plane. I closed my eyes and saw her smile again. I could almost feel her fingers in my hair.

But the warmth of that memory faded quickly, replaced by something bitter.

Because she never got justice. Because the woman who murdered her, Irene, was free. Because I had been forced to walk away. And because the man who once swore to protect me, Alpha Theron, had watched in silence.

I gripped the seat tightly, trying to keep my anger under control. My throat felt tight, my pulse hard and fast. I told myself that this wasnt the end. That I would find a way to make every single one of them pay.

When the plane finally landed, the stewardess voice pulled me back to the present. I gathered my small bag and stepped out, the chill of early morning air biting against my skin. The Moonriver Pack territory was vastmountains in the distance, dense woods surrounding the airfield, and tall fences guarded by wolves in uniform.

As I walked toward the gate, two guards in human form stopped me. Both were tall, alert, their scents unmistakably Moonriver.

Name, one of them said.

Mira Delaine, I replied. Im here to see your Alpha.

The guard frowned slightly. And what business do you have with Alpha Sirius?

I hesitated for a moment, then said, Im the daughter of Neil Delaine Moonriver.

The moment the name left my lips, both guards exchanged startled looks. One of them blinked, visibly thrown off. Neil Delaine Moonriver? he repeated. Youre saying youre his daughter?

Yes, I said firmly.

They didnt question me further. Instead, they lowered their heads slightly, signaling respect, and one of them spoke quietly into his earpiece. A few minutes later, a man with salt-and-pepper hair and a Betas insignia on his jacket approached.

Im Beta Darius, he said. His tone was polite but cautious. I heard quite an interesting claim.

Its not a claim, I said. Its the truth. My father was Neil Delaine. My mothers name was Jade.

He blinked, his face shifting from disbelief to quiet realization. Jade he murmured, as if testing the name. Then his eyes widened. The omega from the borderlands. Spirits above.

He looked at me more carefully now, studying my face. You have his eyes, he finally said. Come. The Alpha needs to hear this himself.

I followed him through the main gates, past long stone pathways and tall pines. The Moonriver Pack mansion stood at the heart of it all, a grand building of white stone and silver accents, the Moonriver crest carved above the doors. It felt strange, walking into a place that, by blood, should have been mine all along.

Inside, Beta Darius led me into a wide office. Behind the desk sat a man in his twenties, his presence unmistakably dominant. His aura filled the room, cold and heavy.

Alpha Sirius, Darius said respectfully, this woman claims to be the daughter of your uncle, Neil Delaine Moonriver.

Alpha Sirius looked up from his papers, his blue-gray eyes locking on me. My fathers brother? he asked, his voice even but edged.

Yes, I said quietly. Your uncle.

He stood slowly, examining me from head to toe. His expression gave nothing away, but there was something in his gazecuriosity, perhaps, or disbelief.

I see, he finally said. Then that would make you my cousin.

I nodded once.

He leaned back slightly, arms crossing over his chest. I heard rumors my uncle left everything for a woman outside the pack. I didnt know there was a child.

There was, I said. Me.

For a moment, silence stretched between us. Then, without another word, he gestured to Darius. Find her a room. Shell stay here until I decide what to do.

His tone was distant, indifferent, but not cruel. I didnt expect warmth anyway. Not from someone raised in the family that had turned their back on my father.

The room they gave me was simple but far more luxurious than anything Id ever lived in. A proper bed, a window overlooking the forest, and shelves lined with old books. I sat on the edge of the mattress that night, staring at the Moonriver crest embroidered on the curtains.

So this was my fathers world.

I didnt sleep much.

The next morning, Beta Darius came to fetch me. The elders wish to speak with you, he said.

He led me to a meeting hall where two older wolves sat at a long table. I recognized them instantly by resemblance. Elder AlexAlpha Siriuss father, the former Alphaand beside him, his mate, Elder Eden. Both carried an air of authority that commanded silence.

Elder Alex spoke first. So, you are Jades daughter.

Yes, Elder, I said, keeping my tone respectful.

We heard your story, Elder Eden said softly. But wed like to hear it from you directly. Why have you come here now?

I drew a breath and told them everything, how my mother raised me alone, how she told me about my father, how I met Theron, how Irene murdered my mother, how I was forced to walk away with nothing but ashes and pain.

When I finished, the room fell silent. Elder Alex exhaled heavily, looking at his mate. Elder Edens expression was unreadable, but there was a flicker of sadness in her eyes.

So, Elder Alex finally said, what do you intend to do now that youre here?

I lifted my chin slightly. I want to regain the honor my mother lost. And I want revenge. I want every single one of them to pay for what they did.

Elder Alex nodded slowly. Revenge is a dangerous path, child.

Ive already lost everything, I said quietly. I have nothing left to lose.

For a moment, none of them spoke. Then Elder Eden leaned forward. How old are you, Mira?

Im twenty-four.

Her brows furrowed slightly. Elder Alex turned to her, their eyes meeting for a long, weighted moment. Something unspoken passed between them.

Then Elder Edens gaze returned to me. Didnt your parents tell you?

Miras POV

Didnt your parents tell you? Elder Edens voice carried a strange calmness, the kind that only made my heart beat faster.

I blinked at her, confused. Tell me what?

She and Elder Alex exchanged a look. Even Alpha Sirius, who had been leaning casually against the window frame, straightened at her words. The air in the room seemed to tighten.

Elder Eden folded her hands on the table. Mira, your father, Neil Delaine Moonriver, he was a good man. But he made choices that defied our packs laws. You said he died of a mysterious illness, yes?

I nodded slowly. Thats what my mother told me. He was only twenty-five.

Elder Alex sighed deeply, his tone firm but not unkind. He didnt die of illness. He died because he broke the Moonriver curse.

My brows furrowed. Curse?

Eden nodded. A curse placed on our bloodline generations ago by the witches of the Northern Coven. A witch swore vengeance and bound our family to a scroll. Since then, every firstborn of the Moonriver Alphas line must marry whomever that ancient scroll decrees. If they refuse, the curse takes their life on their twenty-fifths birthday.

I stared at them, unable to speak for a moment. Thats impossible.

Alexs eyes were grave. Weve buried too many to call it a superstition.

Eden continued, her tone quiet but steady. Your grandfathers brother died at twenty-five. So did your fathers cousin. And then, your father himself. He refused to honor the scroll and marry the heir of Thorndike Pack. Instead, he chose your mother.

The room felt smaller, as if the walls were closing in. So youre saying he died because he married my mother?

Yes, Eden said softly. He broke the pact. And the curse never forgets.

I swallowed hard. My mothers face flashed in my mind, her soft smile, her tired eyes, the way she used to hum to me at night. All this time, I thought my fathers death was a tragedy of fate, not punishment.

Elder Alexs gaze met mine. You are his only child, Mira. The curse follows blood, not distance. Which means it rests upon you now.

I froze. My breath caught in my throat. Me?

You are the daughter of Neil Delaine Moonriver, he said. And as his first and only offspring, the curse demands your obedience to the scroll.

I could hear my heartbeat in my ears. You mean if I dont marry whoever that scroll dictates, Ill die?

Eden nodded once. Yes. The moment you turn twenty-five.

That afternoon, they came for me againAlpha Sirius, Elder Alex, and Elder Eden. Their expressions were solemn, their footsteps echoing down the long corridor that led beneath the pack mansion. I followed them, unsure whether I was walking toward truth or doom.

The air grew colder as we descended. Torches flickered along the stone walls, casting long shadows. At the end of the tunnel stood a heavy steel door guarded by two sentries. Elder Alex pressed his palm to a carved emblem on the wall, and the door clicked open with a low hum.

Inside was a circular chamber illuminated by moonlight pouring from a narrow opening in the ceiling. In the center rested a stone pedestal, and on it lay a rolled parchment sealed with an old silver sigil.

This is it, Elder Eden said quietly. The ancient scroll of the Moonriver line.

I stepped closer. The air around it seemed to shimmer faintly, as if something unseen pulsed from within.

Place your hand on it, Elder Alex instructed. The scroll responds to blood. It will reveal the pack your bond is tied to.

I hesitated. And if I dont?

He met my gaze. Then you tempt the same fate your father did.

For a moment, I stood there frozen. My mothers voice echoed faintly in my head: He died of illness.

Nohe died of a curse. A curse he chose by loving her.

My hand trembled as I reached out. The parchment was warm to the touch, almost alive. The moment my skin brushed its surface, silver light burst from the sigil, swirling around the chamber. The symbols began to rearrange, glowing brighter and brighter until a single name burned in the air before me.

THORNDIKE PACK.

I took a step back, heart pounding. Thorndike, I whispered. The same pack my father was supposed to marry into.

Elder Edens eyes closed briefly, as if shed been expecting it. It seems the curse hasnt changed its mind.

Elder Alex nodded grimly. The witches bound our bloodline tightly. Since Neil Delaine defied his fate, the curse passed to you. The only way to survive beyond twenty-five is to fulfill what he did not, to marry into the Thorndike Pack.

I felt a surge of panic. But I dont even know them. I dont want to marry anyone. I just came here for justice, for my mother.

Edens expression softened. I understand, child. But vengeance is meaningless if youre dead.

Her words struck deep. I thought of my mother again, of how she lived her whole life in fear, alone, raising me with nothing but faith. If I died at twenty-five, everything shed endured, everything Id survived, would mean nothing.

I want to live, I said finally. My voice came out steady. If marrying into Thorndike Pack is what it takes, then so be it. Ill do it.

Elder Alex nodded once, solemnly. Then the curse will spare you. Youve chosen life.

Alpha Sirius, who had remained silent throughout most of it, finally spoke. Very well, he said. Ill contact the Alpha of Thorndike Pack myself. Theyll be informed of the scrolls decree.

Miras POV

I never imagined fate would move this quickly.

Alpha Sirius had barely sent a raven to the Thorndike Pack when word came that their Alpha himself had respondedswiftly, decisively, almost as if he had been waiting. I didnt know what to feel: fear, disbelief, or something colder and sharper curling in my chest.

Thorndike doesnt delay matters concerning the scroll, Alpha Sirius told me that morning, his tone as cool as ever. No pack dares to ignore it. Everyone in the capital knows the price of defiance.

The price of defiance. My fathers life was proof of that.

Two days. That was all the time I had spent in Moonriver Pack, the pack of my blood. I had arrived as a stranger, and I was leaving the same way. I packed my meager belongingsa few clothes, a photo of my mother, and the Moonriver crest Elder Eden insisted I wear on my cloak.

When Elder Eden came to see me off, she rested her frail hand over mine. Remember, child, whatever awaits you there, endure it. And live.

Her words lingered like a prayer.

Alpha Sirius stood beside the waiting car, a sleek, black limousine with tinted glass and the Moonriver crest embossed on its door. Thorndikes messengers will be expecting you before sundown, he said. They sent their own escort to ensure your arrival.

I nodded silently. We werent family in the emotional sense, just bound by blood and obligation. Still, I gave him a small bow. Thank you, Alpha Sirius. For everything.

He regarded me with an unreadable expression. Be careful, Mira. Thorndike Pack is powerful. And their Alpha He paused, as if choosing his words carefully. Their Alpha is not easily understood.

I didnt ask what he meant. I simply stepped into the car, my heart thudding with a mix of dread and determination.

The journey to Thorndike territory felt endless. Outside the window, the landscape shifted from open fields to dense forests and finally to wide, paved roads lined with towering black pines. The further we drove, the stronger the aura of dominance became. Even my wolf stirred uneasily in the back of my mind, restless but alert.

Do you feel that? she whispered.

Yes. The energy in the air was unlike anything Id sensed before. It was heavy, ancient, and undeniably powerful, like walking into the presence of royalty.

By the time the limousine crossed the high, wrought-iron gates bearing the Thorndike crest, a crescent moon entwined with silver thorns, I understood what Elder Eden meant when she said they were once the royal wolves. The guards stood in perfect formation, their uniforms pristine, their eyes sharp and disciplined. Every inch of the territory screamed wealth and authority.

The streets were lined with stone villas, fountains shaped like wolves howling toward the sky, and lanterns carved from moonstone. Even the air smelled different, cleaner, laced with faint traces of cedar and silverleaf.

I swallowed hard, clutching my bag. So this is Thorndike Pack.

When the car stopped before a grand mansion, I could only stare. The pack mansion was more of a palace, its marble walls gleaming under the sun. Wide staircases led up to massive silver doors adorned with ancient runes. Guards flanked every side, their eyes following me as the driver opened my door.

Miss Mira Delaine Moonriver, one of them announced, his voice echoing.

I stepped out, trying not to let my nerves show. Still, my palms felt cold.

A maid hurried forward, bowing slightly. Welcome, Miss Moonriver. The Alpha has been informed of your arrival. Please, follow me.

I nodded, forcing my feet to move. Each step up the marble stairs felt heavier than the last. My wolf was pacing now, her claws scraping at the edges of my mind.

Somethings wrong, she murmured. My chest feelstight.

I frowned slightly. Its probably the nerves.

But the moment I crossed the threshold of the mansion, everything changed.

The air shifted. It was faint at firsta strange pressure, like static crawling over my skin. Then came the scent. Powerful. Intoxicating. My breath hitched before I even realized I was breathing it incedarwood, smoke, and something darker that coiled through my veins like wildfire.

My heart began to pound uncontrollably. My vision blurred. My knees wobbled. I clutched the edge of a nearby pillar to steady myself as a sharp pain lanced through my temples.

Whats happening to me I gasped.

The maid turned in alarm. Miss?

I could barely hear her. My wolfs voice cut through the noise, fierce and trembling.

Mate.

The word hit me like a thunderclap.

No. That couldnt be. I wasnt supposed to

Before I could even finish the thought, a ripple of energy swept through the hall. Every head turned toward the grand staircase.

And then I saw him.

He was descending the steps with slow, deliberate strides. Tall. Broad-shouldered. Power radiated off him in waves, so strong the air seemed to bend around him. His hair was dark, his eyes an intense gray that flickered almost silver under the chandelier light. Every movement spoke of authorityeffortless, lethal, commanding.

When his gaze met mine, the world stilled.

I couldnt breathe. My wolf whimpered in recognition.

He stopped at the last step, his eyes narrowing slightly as if trying to make sense of what he was feeling. For a heartbeat, neither of us spoke. It was as if the universe itself had gone silent.

Alpha Lucas, the maid whispered, bowing her head.

The name tore through me like lightning. Alpha Lucas Thorndike. The current Alpha. The man I was bound by curse to marry.