The rhythmic sound of blows echoed in the training field, Lucas's body moved with precision and strength, each punch on the wooden trunk reflecting years of preparation as an alpha in ascension, he trained more than anyone else, demanding the most from himself, never lowering his guard, never allowing himself to fail.
But that morning, at the height of his concentration, something destabilized him.
A sweet, intense, warm as the sun, soft as petals in the wind scent, he stopped for a second, his fist suspended in the air, he inhaled again, his wolf stirred, roaring inside as if wanting to get out.
"Not now, calm down Klaus."
He pushed the thought away, pushed the scent away and needed to focus, he didn't want to be distracted even more by what that could mean, it couldn't be...
Throughout the day, he did everything to ignore it, went to the forest to run, practiced strategies with the elders, even isolated himself on the top of the hill to meditate, but the scent came back persistent as a whisper that couldn't be silenced.
When the sun set, Lucas was already restless.
The night fell with a bright silver full moon and then everything changed.
The scent became stronger, closer, more... unbearably necessary.
His wolf roared inside him, demanding that he go after it, his body acted alone, he ran through the forest as if the winds themselves guided him, each step took him closer and when he felt he was meters away, he stopped.
He hid behind tall trees, where the clearing could be partially seen.
And then he saw her.
A huge white she-wolf, as bright as the moon beside her, a mixed she-wolf emerging in her first transformation and among them, familiar faces, young betas from the middle lineage of the pack, good but common people.
And there she was, the source of that scent that drove him crazy, the white she-wolf so simple, so serene.
He knew it right away.
His mate.
His wolf moaned with desire and belonging, but Lucas clenched his fists.
"No..." he murmured to himself, angrily.
He was the next alpha, someone destined to lead, to carry the weight of the pack on his shoulders, his mate should be strong, of noble blood, an alpha female, not a she-wolf of beta lineage, no matter how beautiful she was.
And yet... there he was, hidden in the shadows, like a hungry wolf, unable to look away.
He watched as she talked to other young people, laughing, his heart squeezed not from desire, but from something greater.
Bond.
Unable to bear it any longer, he turned his back and left silently without anyone noticing his presence.
But his mind still echoed with the memory of that she-wolf, that light, that scent.
His destiny had just been revealed.
And he wasn't prepared to accept it.
Lucas ran through the forest until he couldn't take it anymore, the wind hit his face, the trees became blurs, but nothing could erase what he felt, when he finally stopped, panting on top of an isolated hill, he fell to his knees there, surrounded by the silent night, he finally faced what he was avoiding.
"You saw, Klaus..." he murmured, with his eyes closed. "You know what she is."
His wolf, normally contained, growled inside him, Klaus's presence was intense now, so alive that it almost seemed he could see him, a large lupine figure, with bright eyes and an imposing posture, walking inside his mind.
"She is ours."
Klaus's voice sounded deep, firm as the earth itself, "She is our mate, the bond is made, there is no denying it."
Lucas stood up, clenching his fists.
"She is from the beta lineage, how can you expect me to accept that? I am the next alpha! I need someone strong, someone who inspires respect by my side."
"She is strong."
Klaus growled, his eyes flaming.
"You saw her, the moonlight chose her, I felt the power in her, she will be more than you expect, more than you deserve, perhaps."
Lucas stepped away, frustrated, his steps marked the ground like those of a trapped animal, he knew the bond was real, he knew what he felt when he saw her, but he refused to accept that the moon goddess, capricious as always, would unite him to a she-wolf who did not meet his requirements.
"I can't, I don't want to, I won't!"
Klaus was silent for a moment, a heavy, sad silence.
"If you do this..." he said finally, "it will destroy us."
Lucas closed his eyes, letting the air escape slowly.
"If that's what it takes to follow my path, so be it."
He raised his face to the moon, now almost in the center of the sky, and with a firm whisper, declared:
"I, Lucas, alpha in ascension of the Golden Mist Pack, reject my mate, may the bond be broken, may the goddess take away what should never have been given."
For a moment, everything was silent.
And then, a sound tore through the night.
A howl.
Not coming from the forest, not coming from another wolf.
It was from within.
Klaus.
His howl was pure pain, a lament that echoed through Lucas's soul, like a chain splitting his spirit in two.
Lucas fell to his knees again, feeling a pain that no physical wound had ever caused, but he didn't cry, he didn't say anything else.
The decision was made.
Even if it cost his soul.
alpha Lucas 25 years old
...----------------...
Eliza walked through the clearing with a peaceful smile on her face, still getting used to the presence of Aura, her inner wolf, she felt different... stronger, more alive and there was something else, a scent.
Sweet, woody and striking.
Her heart raced without explanation.
She inhaled deeply, trying to locate the origin, the aroma filled her from within, making her body vibrate with anticipation, it was as if her soul was crying out for something or someone, Aura purred in her mind.
"You felt it, didn't you?"
"What?" Eliza whispered, confused.
"Him, our mate."
The world seemed to stop for a second.
But... who? Where?
She looked around, but the forest was silent, that scent... it was intense, familiar without ever having been felt before and yet, no new face in sight.
"Shall we go?" Caio called, putting his arm around Mary, who now also carried a new sparkle in her eyes. "Time to go home with the women of my life."
Eliza nodded, her heart still restless.
All the way, that scent accompanied her, warm, pulsating, as if someone was watching her, Aura remained silent, but attentive, as if waiting for something great to happen.
They arrived home shortly after, Mary went straight to the guest room, and Caio headed to the kitchen, while Eliza stopped near the door, still distracted by what she felt, that's when the doorbell rang.
Three dry knocks.
Her heart leaped.
"It's him."
"No... it can't be..." she murmured, with wide eyes.
Caio appeared, confused, and opened the door, his expression froze.
"Alpha Lucas?"
Eliza held her breath.
There he was, tall, imposing, with eyes as intense as fire and the arrogance of an alpha seemed to fill the air around him and yet, his gaze was... cold.
Lucas stared at Caio for only a moment, but soon his eyes fell on Eliza.
And when the two met, the world went silent.
Aura stirred, and Eliza felt the bond solidify like an invisible chain between them, her heart cried out, her body knew, that was him, her mate, her destiny.
But something in Lucas didn't move, no emotion in his eyes.
"I'll get straight to the point," he said, his voice firm, almost impersonal.
Eliza felt the ground shake beneath her feet.
Something was wrong.
Very wrong.
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