Kael Blackthorne (Male POV)
The moon never lies.
That is what my father used to say before his throat was torn out by destiny.
I stood at the edge of the Lunar Gathering, arms crossed behind my back, my black Alpha cloak heavy on my shoulders. Hundreds of wolves filled the clearing betas, enforcers, omegas, alphas from allied packs. Their voices blended into a low hum, respectful, cautious. No one spoke too loudly around me. They never did.
Fear was cleaner than loyalty.
The moon hung full and merciless above us, silver light bleeding through the ancient trees. This night marked the beginning of a new cycle. Power would shift. Bonds would be tested. Secrets would surface.
I had ruled the Blackthorne Pack for seven years, and not once had fate dared to test me.
Until tonight.
Stand straight."
The command left my mouth without effort.
The wolves nearest to me obeyed instantly, backs stiffening, heads lowering. Even the visiting alphas adjusted their posture. Fear always moves faster than respect.
The Lunar Gathering was loud tonight. Too loud. Laughter, clinking glasses, low growls layered with false politeness. Packs pretending they weren't measuring each other. Pretending blood wasn't an option.
I hated gatherings.
"Alpha Kael."
Elder Morvak appeared at my side, leaning on his carved staff. His eyes flicked over the crowd, sharp despite his age.
"Everything ready?" he asked.
"It always is."
He studied me for a moment longer than necessary. "You seem… tense."
"I'm bored."
A lie. But he didn't push.
The moon crested higher, spilling silver light over the clearing. The instant it did, something snapped inside me.
I inhaled.
Stopped.
Inhaled again.
"No," I muttered.
Morvak frowned. "What is it?"
I didn't answer. My attention had locked onto something else something wrong.
The scent cut through the air like a blade. Not strong. Not clear. Broken. Suppressed.
But unmistakable.
Mate.
My fingers curled slowly at my sides.
"That's not possible," I said under my breath.
Morvak stiffened. "Alpha?"
I was already moving.
Wolves parted as I walked through them, conversation dying wherever I passed. I didn't look at anyone. I followed the pull, my jaw tight, my wolf restless and furious.
Then I saw her.
She stood near the edge of the clearing, half-hidden, shoulders drawn in. An omega. Of course she was. They always tried to disappear at gatherings.
She laughed nervously at something another omega said.
The sound hit me like a punch.
My steps slowed.
Her scent was clearer up close and wrong in a way that made my skin crawl. Chemicals. Suppressors. Old ones. Strong ones.
Whoever she was, someone had worked very hard to erase her.
She looked up.
Our eyes met.
She froze.
Not curiosity. Not attraction.
Fear.
Raw and immediate.
Her breath caught. I saw it. I felt it. Her wolf screamed inside her body even if she didn't know why.
She took a step back.
I stopped in front of her.
The omega beside her whispered, "Aria?"
Aria.
The name settled badly in my chest.
"Alpha," the omega said quickly, bowing. "She's with us. She doesn't
"Go," I said.
The word wasn't loud.
It didn't need to be.
They scattered instantly.
She didn't move.
Up close, she was smaller than I expected. Too thin. Too quiet. Her hands were clenched so tight her fingers trembled.
"Look at me," I said.
Her chin lifted reluctantly.
Her eyes were dark. Too dark for an omega. There was something else there, something watching me back.
"You're shaking," I observed.
"I'm fine."
She wasn't.
"You're lying."
Her throat bobbed. "Am I in trouble?"
The question shouldn't have irritated me.
It did.
"That depends," I said, stepping closer. "What's your name?"
She hesitated.
I waited.
"Aria Moonfall."
The world went silent.
Behind me, I heard Morvak inhale sharply.
I smiled slowly.
"Moonfall," I repeated. "That's a dangerous name."
"I didn't choose it."
"No," I agreed. "You didn't choose much, did you?"
She flinched.
I reached for her wrist.
She jerked back. "Don't touch me."
Interesting.
Most omegas didn't say that to alphas. Ever.
"You don't get to refuse," I said quietly.
"I do," she shot back, then froze as if she couldn't believe the words had left her mouth.
My wolf surged.
I grabbed her wrist.
She gasped.
Heat exploded up my arm violently, consuming. The bond snapped tight, sharp enough to make my vision blur for half a second.
She sagged forward.
I caught her automatically.
"Let go," she whispered, breathing unevenly. "Please."
Morvak stepped closer. "Alpha Kael
"Silence."
The elder obeyed.
Aria's skin was burning under my fingers.
"What are you taking?" I asked.
"I don't know what you mean."
"Don't insult me." I leaned closer. "Suppressors. How long?"
She didn't answer.
"How long," I repeated.
"…Since I was a child."
That did it.
A growl ripped from my chest before I could stop it. Wolves around us stiffened. Some backed away.
"Who gave them to you?"
She shook her head.
I tightened my grip slightly, not enough to hurt, just enough to remind her who stood in front of her.
She winced. "My pack. They said it was necessary."
"For what?"
"So I wouldn't cause problems."
I laughed softly.
Morvak looked uneasy. "Alpha… her scent
"Is it my concern?"
I released her wrist slowly
She staggered back, breathing hard.
"You shouldn't be here," I said.
"I didn't want to come."
"Then you're even more foolish than you look."
Her eyes flashed. "I was ordered."
Of course she was.
Morvak cleared his throat. "Alpha Kael, may I speak freely?"
"No."
He did anyway. "If she is who I think she is
"She's nothing," I said coldly.
Aria's face went pale.
Good.
Distance mattered. Emotion was a weakness.
"Guards," I said.
Two enforcers stepped forward immediately.
Aria looked between us. "What's happening?"
"You're being moved."
Her breathing quickened. "Where?"
"My quarters."
The words dropped like a blade.
The clearing erupted in whispers.
Her eyes widened. "No."
"Yes."
"I didn't do anything!"
"I know," I said. "That's the problem."
She took a step back. Then another.
"Run," I suggested calmly.
She stared at me.
"I won't chase," I added. "The pack will."
She stopped moving.
Smart girl.
Morvak leaned close. "Kael," he murmured, "you know the prophecy
I turned on him slowly.
"Say it out loud," I warned.
He didn't.
Aria looked between us, confusion and fear mixing. "What prophecy?"
I met her gaze.
"You don't want to know."
The guards closed in gently but firmly.
She looked at me one last time as they led her away. "I didn't ask for this."
"Neither did I," I replied.
When she was gone, the air felt wrong. Empty. Tense.
Morvak spoke carefully. "If she is your mate
"She is."
His grip tightened on his staff. "Then the curse
"I remember," I snapped.
Silence fell between us.
Finally, he said, "What will you do?"
I looked at the path she'd disappeared down.
My jaw clenched.
"What I've always done," I said.
"What's necessary."
Because the moon had made its choice.
And it had chosen an omega named Aria Moonfall
A woman destiny demanded I destroy.