Fated for the wolf king

I shouldn't have come.

I knew it the moment his hands wrapped around my waist, pulling me in until my back was against the rough stone wall of his private chamber . The air was thick with heat, his scent-earthy, powerful, that of the Alpha-surrounding me, muddying my thoughts.

But I didn't pull away. Didn't push him away. Because this was the only place I ever felt desired.

"Tell me to stop," Thorne said, his breath hot against my ear. But he didn't loosen his hold. His fingers mapped slow, taunting circles over my hips, setting my skin on fire .

I swallowed hard , a rhythmic pounding echoing through my ears. I should have told him to stop. I should have stepped back before I got hurt again. But when he turned my chin up, his dark eyes locking with mine , my will broke.

"Don't stop," I said faintly.

He let out a deep growl, his hands grabbing my ass and his mouth claiming mine with hunger. "You don't know what you're asking for, Aria."

But I did. I knew this was dangerous. Knew that at dawn he would act like nothing happened. But at this moment , with his lips on mine I didn't care.

He kissed me then , deep and insistent, stealing my breath. His hands went lower, lifting me as I went around him. I gasped, my fingers in his hair as he pressed me more into the wall , his body against mine.

Every touch , every stroke of his lips against my skin sent shivers through me.

He kissed a trail down my neck, pausing at the place my mate mark should have been. A symbol that I was still unclaimed, unwanted. But by him. For that night at least.

His teeth played at my skin a tease of what was to come and I arch'd into him, a quiet want escaping my lips.

"You drive me insane," he said into my collarbone, his voice tight. "I should leave you be. I should-"

I silenced him, pulling his face back to mine and kissed him with all I had. Because this was all I ever would have of him. And I was too far gone to walk away now.

By the time I made it home the sky had darkened, the last of the sun's light fading behind the thick stand of trees that surrounded the Crescent Moon Pack. My heart still racing-not from the run, but from what had happened in Alpha Thorne's chamber. My skin still throbbed where his hands had been, my lips swollen from his kiss.

But that didn't matter now.

I had to get in without being noticed.

I slowed my steps, creeping towards the small rundown cabin that was home to me, my father, step mom and stepsister. It was nothing like the grand homes of the higher ranking wolves. Even omegas did better than this. But my father who used to be the proud Beta of this pack had thrown away his status after my mother died. And I... I was just the unwanted daughter he ignored.

I pushed open the wooden door gently , wincing at the creak. The house was dimly lit, with the smell of last night stew hitting me. I held my breath as I stepped in, my only thought to get to my room without being seen.

I slipped through the door way , my breath shallow as I padded toward the narrow hall which led to my room. The floor boards beneath my feet groaned softly and I froze, listening for any sign that I had been heard.

Silence.

Exhaling slowly I turned the doorknob and slipped in , my back pressing against the wood as it shut behind me. My heart was still racing, not from fear but from the after effect of Thorne's touch , the memory of his lips on my skin.

I ran my fingers to my throat where he could have marked me but didn't. Of course he didn't. He never would.

I shut my eyes out and pushed the thought away. It didn't matter. None of it did.

I stripped out of my cloak and climbed into the small, creaky bed in the corner of my room that seemed to pull at my limbs. The smell of damp wood and old linen filled my nose , a far cry from the alluring scents of the Alpha that still clung to my skin.

Tomorrow I would wake and life would go back to how it was . Thorne would go back to being distant. Nothing would change.

But for now I let go and fell into the easy embrace of sleep which was the only place I could pretend that I was someone other then the outcast daughter of a Beta .

A loud knock at my door pulled me from my slumber .

I sat up fast my heart pounding as I tried to clear the sleep from my head . The room was dark except for the faint light of the moon filtering in through the gaps in the window.

Another knock-stronger this time .

So I held back a moment before swinging my feet onto the floor, pressing them gingerly on the icy wood. With cold feet I crept to the door, gently pushing it open.

Lilian paused and stood on the other side, with her arms crossed, and nose wrinkled with the distaste of the smallest child.

"Dinner," she said shortly and pivoting away. I grumbled and rubbed my eyes before following her lethargically to the intaking place.

When I walked in Selene was sitting at the end of the long, long dining desk, absent-mindedly gutting at what appeared to be her dinner with the actions thing of one betrothed.

Next to her sat my silent father, staring at the round platter right in front of him. I moved to sit in one of the chairs that had not been taken, but Selene noisily laughed.

"Oh, no. I can't eat here if she does," She wrinkled her depraved, pert little nose, glaring at Lilian. "Mother, it is her, or me."

I stood up straight, my fists closing on themselves reflexively.

Lilian sighed slowly and boredly, looking me over with condescending sympathy.

"You heard Selene," she said in those almost calm, hate filled tones. "She's just that delicate. Why don't you go eat later, it would be much more conducive to the almost civil atmosphere."

Wildfire heated up in my chest. "Why?" I screamed at Lilian, my voice shaking.

"Why do I always have to leave? This is my home too!"

Selene gave an overblown, almost cackling laugh. "Your home!" she repeated airily.

"You're lucky we even let you eat with us at this table!" She turned her chin slightly, eyes squinted and mouth turned up in another expression that I couldn't bear. Her foot, although i couldn't see it under the table, tapped impatiently.

My face hot with anger, embarrassment, and shame, I turned to my father. He surely would say something now, wouldn't he? I looked at him pleadingly , hoping that the man whom I often congratulated myself on looking like would save me. Instead, he just kept on staring at the great before him, knuckles white around his fork.

But he said nothing.

He never did.

A lump formed in my throat , but I forced it down. I wouldn't let them see how much this hurt.

"Pathetic," Selene sneered. "No wonder Alpha Thorne hasn't marked you yet. He probably realized you're not worth it."

The words hit harder than they should have. My nails dug into my palms , and for a second, I thought I might actually lunge at her.

But I didn't.

I turned on my heel and stormed out of the house , the door slamming shut behind me .

The cold night air stung my skin, but I didn't stop. I kept walking-past the cabins , past the training grounds until the trees swallowed me whole.

The further I went, the quieter the world became.

I didn't know where I was going-I just needed to be anywhere but there.

Then it hit me.

I had gone too far.

The woods were dangerous at night and I was alone. Too alone.

But as I turned to leave, a low rumbling growl froze me in place-deep , guttural, and far too close.

The growl went right to my core. I turned towards where the sound came from, expecting a predator which at any moment would pounce, instead what I saw took my breath away.

In the thick bush lay a great black wolf, it's dark fur matted with blood, with its sides rising and falling in shallow labored breaths.

I hesitated.

Every instinct I had told me to turn and run, this was a very powerful wolf that could have me for dinner in a matter of seconds. But it was injured. And through it all, through the fear that was in my stomach , I could not leave it here to die.

Slowly and with great care , I took a step forward.

The wolf's golden eyes snapped open and locked onto mine , with an intensity that sent a chill through me. A warning.

" I won't hurt you, " I said, my voice lost in the rustle of the leaves.

The wolf's ears perked up but it didn't do anything, it was too weak to do more than just watch me with careful doubt.

I went down on my knees, moving slow and methodically. Up close I noticed the great cut along its side, blood oozing from the wound. What-or whoever had gone after it had done some serious damage.

As soon as my fingers touched its fur a strange sensation ran through me, something out of the ordinary , like a voice at the periphery of my mind. A wave of heat. A flash of recognition. It was beyond the rough texture of its coat, beyond the heat from its large body. It felt. familiar.

Carefully, I doffed my cloak and pulled a piece from the edge of it. "This is probably a bad idea," I muttered to myself but still I reached out, I pressed the cloth to the wound, to stem the flow of blood.

The wolf went stiff under my hand, a low growl running through its body, but it did not attack me.

That is what brought me peace. I had my fingers on its thick fur as I rewrapped it in a makeshift bandage.

The wolf's breath came in uneven gasps, its golden colored eyes half closed, exhaustion playing on its large frame.

I did not go for help. Instead of running back to the pack to tell them about the injured wolf in the woods, this inner voice of mine was telling me not to.

Because this wasn't just any wolf. I don't know why I felt that way , but I did. And that terrified me.

For a while I stood there, my hands resting at the wolf's side , feeling the slow regular rise and fall of its chest. My breath evened out, my heart into a pace that mirrored its own.

Then at that point I was able to let my guard down , the wolf stirred.

In a heartbeat it rose to its feet , swaying only a little but fully upright. Its eyes met with mine again intense and prodding as if to imprint my face.

Then out of no where it turned and vanished into the night.

I jumped up, my heart racing. "Wait-".

But it was already gone, leaving me alone in the woods, my worn cloaks in my hands, and a strange unrelenting sense that my life has just forever altered.

The day of the Crescent Moon Pack's Annual Mating Ritual broke with the smell of fresh pine in the air, the sound of preparation came from afar, echoing through the pack's grounds. Members of the pack were in and out, they decorated the central square with lanterns and woven garlands which gave an air of excitement.

As I lay in my small creaking bed, looking at the wood above me, all I could do was think of one thing.

Today was the day I would shift.

I had to.

I placed my hand on my chest and felt my heart's quick pace through my skin. At nineteen I had passed the age when most wolves had their first shift. If I did not shift today on the most holy night when the Moon Goddess blessed new mated pairs it would never happen. I wouldn't allow myself to believe that.

This was supposed to be the night Thorne claim me.

I shut my eyes and recalled the heat of his hands on me, the way he looked at me in the secrecy of his chambers. Thorne didn't bring up mating bonds , didn't whisper promises, but in the back of my mind I thought-no I knew-that he felt the same pull I did.

Tonight, everything would change.

Stripping off the light cover I swung my legs from the bed and to the floor, the wood cool against my bare soles. I didn't pay mind to the threadbare state of my worn out clothes as I rushed to the small mirror in the corner of my room. My long black hair fell about my face, my eyes scanning for something, anything that signaled a change that was to happen.

I was the same as ever. No wolf staring back at me. No trace of the power which I was to have.

Through the better part of the morning and early afternoon everything fell into chaos. We were all over the place trying to put final touches on things, there was this electric air of giddiness. I hardly took it in at all. With each passing hour my stomach grew tight with worry, my look fell from excited to nervous.

As the night fell over the earth I lit the ceremonial fire , its light played against the walls of my small room. I was perched on the edge of my bed, my hands in a fist , trying to calm my nerves.

Then my door went off. Sharp. Expectant.

"Aria!" Selene's voice was filled with amusement. "Are you not coming? You don't want to be late for your big day, do you?"

I gritted my teeth, ignoring the barb of her voice. She knew as much as I did that this ceremony was for proving a wolfs value and not just about finding a mate. And I had none.

Still, I didn't give her the pleasure of seeing my hesitation. I aligned my posture , put my doubts to the side, and opened the door. Selene stood there in a flowing silver dress, her golden hair falling over her shoulder, a knowing smile playing on her lips. Behind her , my stepmother Lilian adjusted the beaded necklace at her throat, not noticing me.

"You should have put on something nicer," Selene said, her gaze flickering over my simple dress. "Then again , I suppose it doesn't really matter. No one is going to be paying attention to you tonight."

I didn't let her words get to me. Instead, I turned my head up high as I headed for the ceremony grounds.

The night was cool, the full moon giving off a silver light that covered the area. At the center, a massive bonfire cackled, casting light on the gathered pack. Wolves howled, laughter and anticipation filling the air as unmated pairs looked at each other.

And then, there was him.

Thorne stood by the bonfire, his large frame silutted against the flames. He tossed me a quick look that was unreadable before looking away , making my stomach twitch.

When the ceremony began, the wolves began to shift one at a time , finding their mates under the Moon Goddess's gaze.

I stood there, my heart pounding , body on edge with anticipation. Any moment now.

Any second. But nothing happened.

No cold welcome. No wolf's embrace.

No shift.

Whispering began to spread through the crowd.

I could feel their eyes on me . Their silent judgment.

"She's not shifting."

"Still no wolf?"

"That's not normal..."

A chill ran through me.

Thorne stepped forward, taking focus away from everything else, all attention diverted to him.

This was it.

He will have to claim me.

"Alpha Thorne," Elder Rowan declared stepping beside him. "Have you chosen your mate?"

Thorne looked at me, his gaze detaining just enough for hope to take root in my chest. Then he turned to Selene. And the world shattered .

"I claim Selene as my mate," he said , his voice even and unyielding.

For a moment I forgot how to breathe .

Selene's victorious smile broke through my state of disbelieve as she approached Thorne, her hand fitting into his as if she had always belonged there.

The arena went wild, cheering, but all I could hear was my own blood rushing.

"No", I said in a low tone, shaking my head. "No."

Slowly, Thorne turned in my direction, his expression unreadable.

"You're not my mate, Aria," he said, his voice soft yet certain. "You never were."

Pain shot through me. I tried to talk, to protest, but the words caught in my throat.

"You... You said-"

"I said nothing." His eyes grew darker, more tensed. "I was never yours."

The blow of rejection got to my core, beyond what I had ever experienced. I was waiting for this night. For him. And this happened. But Thorne wasn't done.

He raised his chin, his voice clear and sharp.

"I, Alpha Thorne of the crescent moon pack, reject you Aria."

A gasp went through the audience, but all I could hear was the sound of my heart tearing apart.

The world around me went quiet. Every whisper, stare, and gasp disappeared into emptiness.

As a memory flashed before my eyes, I fell on the ground, rocking up and down as my fingers clutched the sill of his trousers, begging him and crying profusely.

"Thorne, please." I cried, badly. "You can't do this to me. My breathing turned labored , my heart shattered the moment he stood there. "You're my mate, You can't reject me."

He did not even flinch.

The man I had fantasized about, my mate, now gaze down at me with icy indifference.

"It's done, Aria." He uttered in a bone chilling tone, utterly devoid of affection. "You are no longer my mate."

A choked sob ripped through my throat while gripping his leg. "I love you," I murmured. "All my life, I've loved you. Please..."

A malicious cackle echoed.

Selene. Her unending malice advanced off her face like a painting while she slowly uncovered her wrist to him. "Look at you," she mocked ruthlessly. "If you were-if you were half as strong as me, maybe, just maybe, he wouldn't have rejected you."

"Don't speak," My blood turned into ice on the whisper I tried to utter.

These little fragments of whispers, my tribe, stirred among in the community. I released my grasp on Thorne. My hands began to shake uncontrollably because with each murmur I became more judgmental.

Selene's smile grew. "Is something the matter? Truth is painful isn't it? She took a step forward, her tone a mock of compassion. "You were never going to be Luna. You don't have a wolf. You don't fit in here. You never did.

Something inside me snapped.

My hands balled into fists, my nails into my palms.

Selene laughed. "Go on do it, weep over it." Then her eyes flared with challenge. "Or fight me."

The pack did a collective gasp.

I stiffened.

Selene smiled. "What? Did you think that was just for some also? Prove me wrong, little wolfless girl."

Rage burned through my veins.

Without thinking, I lunged.

Selene did not have a chance to react when I hit her, we both went down to the ground. She let out a shocked gasp but I didn't stop. I threw my fist out at her face.

Pain shot through my ribs as she struck first, her claws raking my side.

I cried out in pain as the world around me began to go dim. I could feel blood oozing from my wound and soak through my clothes.

The crowd was going absolutely crazy, cheers and jeers, the action was all that mattered.

Selene grinn'd like she was a feral animal. "Tsk tsk Aria. You should know better than to come after me."

She yanked my hair and pulled my head back as she lifted her claws again.

Not this time.

I turned my body to get out of her hold. I felt pain, but I pushed it to the back of my mind.

Selene lunged to get a slice in on me and I saw it at the last second, I rotated my weight and whacked my elbow down into her rib cage.

A choked gasp league her lips.

The entire pack was stunned silent.

I actually had landed a hit.

Selene's eyes went wide with disbelief , but I didn't give her the chance to recover. I moved on her, hard enough to send her sprawling onto her back. I quickly straddled her and putting my hands squarely at her throat and squeezed just enough to stop her from breathing but not enough to do her any serious damage.

"Do you surrender?" I growled out, my voice shredding.

Selene was able to throw her claws down and cut into my skin, bringing more blood forward, but she wasn't winning. I was.

I was on top of Selene for the first time in my life.

Selene looked weaker than I had ever seen her, she widened her lips and gasped for breath.

"Enough." The words were precise and cut through the chaos.

I froze.

Selene's body wanted to convulse on the ground when I released her, she stepped back into my space. Blood was running free from my injuries and I felt pain but I stood up tall.

I had won. But not for long.

Thorne stepped forward , his gaze unreadable. And then he said something that shattered me.

"You are no longer welcome here."

It felt like someone stole my breath. "What?"

Thorne was a visage of frost. "You attacked the future Luna in front of the entire pack," he said, his voice flat. "You are a rogue now. You don't belong here."

My heart stopped. No. He wouldn't-

He turned away from me. "Leave, Aria."

The pack stood like stone, his words sealing my fate. I had won the fight. But I had lost everything else.

I stood , my entire world shattering around me. My eyes glazed over with tears I refused to shed. Not here. Not in front of them.

Then more weight settled on my chest as I glanced to the crowd, looking for the one face that should have fought for me.

My father. There he was, standing like a statue at the edge of the gathering , expression frozen. I couldn't read the look on his face, but his silence was deafening, more telling than any words. He didn't move . He didn't speak.

He just stood there. A fool. And a coward . Just as foolishly silent as he had always been.

My throat constricted, a bitter taste rushed my mouth. I wanted to scream at him for not stepping forward, for not defending me , for not choosing me. But I already knew the answer. He never had. And he never would.

Next to him, Lilian clung to him with one arm, her lips curling in a smug smirk. She stood in mockery , a silent evidence that this was not a family I had ever belonged in.

I swallowed hard, turned on my heel and walked away. No one called to stop me. No one reached for me. I walked past them all , past the man who was supposed to be my father, past those who claimed to be pack. I was walking away from the life I thought I had. I kept walking, even though I had no destination.

I walked out on everything.

And no one cared.