Moonlight Serenades

The candle's dim glow flickered against the worn parchment in my trembling hands. My breath hitched as my eyes traced the inked words-each line unraveling a truth that should have never been hidden.

'The sacred bond of the Alpha and his fated mate is unbreakable, destined by the Moon Goddess herself. Once the bond is severed through unnatural means, the cost is irreversible-'

The words blurred. My vision swam.

'The rightful Luna shall be lost to fate, while another may take her place through deception and dark magic. If the Alpha fails to recognize the truth, the cost shall be his own soul.'

Me.

It has always been me.

Not her.

I gasped, clutching my chest where my heart was. Pain was all i could feel. Something killing me apart. So slowly yet painfully.

"Feeling... a little empty?" A cruel, breathy laugh echoed behind me. "You shouldn't have seen that, Astrid dear."

I couldn't move. The parchment trembled in my grip, the ink bleeding into my skin as my fingers clenched around it.

"Why did you...?" My voice cracked, barely above a whisper.

A slow, deliberate step. Then another. Until she was close enough that I could feel her presence curling around me like a serpent.

"Why?" she mused, her voice dripping with amusement. "Because he belongs to me."

A chill crawled down my spine.

"You stole-" My voice caught as she stepped even closer.

"Stole?" she echoed, feigning surprise. "No, darling. I simply corrected fate's mistake."

The candle's flame trembled violently, casting jagged shadows on the walls. The air in the room had thickened, suffocating.

And as the weight of the truth settled deep into my bones, I realized-

I had lost him before I even knew he was mine.

Then, soemthing appeared on the parchment, glowing at making itself bold, prominent.

'The bond was never hers to claim. He has always been yours to take.'

**Two months ago: Before everything came to a stop**

The moment Kaiden walked into the packhouse, I felt reality hitting too hard. Not just because he was covered in dirt and blood, or because his shirt was torn open, revealing gashes across his chest-but because he was him.

Alpha Kaiden of the Shadowcrest Pack. My childhood best friend. The man who makes me believe in love, even when I know it's not mine to have. The man who feels like home, but I'll always be just another stranger to him. The man who holds her hand the way I wish he'd hold mine.

He, can never be mine.

"Sit."

My voice came out colder than I intended.

He arched a brow but obeyed, dropping into the chair like he owned the damn thing.

"You gonna be gentle with me, doc?"

I forced an eye roll, ignoring the way the nickname made my fingers twitch.

"If you want gentle, go find someone else." I grabbed a cloth, dipping it in warm water. "You know the drill."

Kaiden smiled slowly. That stupid, lazy, heart-stopping smile. I used to sit in the corner of the class, just so I could stare at him when he wasn't looking, just to admire his beauty and wishing to be his in my entire life.

Instead, we became worlds apart.

He wasn't mine as I prayed, he was hers. Only hers.

"I do." He said.

Without another word, I reached forward and yanked his ruined shirt off.

It wasn't supposed to hurt seeing his deep bruises. Still, everything he's hurt, I always feel thr pain.

Not in a lovesick, attention deprived way. I felt it, really felt it.

He suffers, and yet, every part of me feels it, like I was never meant to exist without carrying his pain too. He bleeds, and though my skin remains untouched, I feel the loss, the emptiness, as if something inside me is spilling away too.

I pressed the cloth against his chest, cleaning the gash near his ribs. My fingers hovered close enough to feel the warmth of his skin, the slow, steady rise and fall of his breath.

"You're quiet today," he murmured.

I didn't look up. I couldn't.

"I'm focused."

"You're always focused. But you're usually bossy when you are."

My lips twitched, but my heart twisted. Because he noticed. Because he always noticed. Yet it was all meaningless.

"Has anyone ever told you how annoying you are?" I asked, voice steady.

"Only you." He grinned. "Daily."

It was so easy. Too easy. This back-and-forth, this push-and-pull. But he wasn't mine to push. And I wasn't his to pull. The realization hit me harder than it should have. Harder than it ever had before. Because there was no denying it anymore. No pretending. He belonged to someone else.

And it wasn't me.

I swallowed, forcing myself to keep going. One cut, one bruise, one more reason to let go.

"Why didn'tyou tell me that you were going on a mission today? I could've gone with you." The question slipped out before I could stop it.

Kaiden didn't answer.

I frowned, glancing up-only to find him watching me. His eyes sat lazily on mine. I froze.

"What... are you looking at?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.

His gaze roamed my face, slow and deliberate. Something heavy. Something I didn't understand. He tilted his head. Then-so casually it almost felt cruel-he said,

"You're beautiful."

I stopped breathing.

Beautiful.

The word shouldn't have meant anything. Shouldn't have unraveled something deep and aching inside me. But it did. And then-just as quickly as he'd given me that moment-he ripped it away.

"So beautiful that even paintings might weep... out of disappointment."

The sharp sting of heartbreak turned into something hot and furious. I smacked the side of his head. Hard.

"Ouch, What was that for?"

"For being an idiot." I snapped my med kit shut. "You're done."

Kaiden laughed. Laughed. Like he hadn't just shattered something inside me. Like he didn't even notice the pieces at his feet.

"C'mon, doc, don't be mad." He followed me out of the room, grinning like he hadn't just ripped me apart. "You know I love pissing you off."

I didn't answer.

Because this was my life now.

Being near him, tending to him, letting him consume me piece by piece-while he would never, ever be mine.

The night air was crisp as we walked side by side, our boots crunching against the dirt path leading away from the pack house. The scent of pine and damp earth clung to the wind, mingling with the faint metallic tang of blood still lingering from the battle.

Kaiden strolled next to me, arms crossed over his chest, the moonlight catching on his dark hair. He was quiet for once-too quiet.

I let out a breath, rolling my eyes. "Not going to make some stupid joke about how 'lucky' I am to treat your wounds?"

His lips curled at the edges, his gaze still fixed ahead. "I thought about it. But then I figured you might stab me with a scalpel next time."

I smirked. "Smart decision."

The easy silence settled again, but my heart felt too heavy. I didn't want to admit it-not even to myself-but I hated moments like this. Moments where we just existed next to each other, where I could pretend, even for a second, that nothing had changed. That he wasn't hers. That I wasn't just a childhood friend who had to watch him belong to someone else.

I swallowed the bitter thought and forced my voice to stay light. "You were reckless today, you know. If you died, I would have had to deal with an even more insufferable Alpha taking your place."

Kaiden let out a low chuckle. "Who says I'm not already insufferable?"

"Fair point." I nudged his arm with my elbow. He let me, didn't pull away.

I wanted to say something -to drag a moment just a little longer but then, it hit me. The world tilted.

A pressure like claws sinking into my skull. I gasped, stumbling back, knees hitting the dirt. The world lurched. Kaiden's voice was distant-panicked.

"Astrid?"

I clutched my head as a vision took place before ny eyes, I was somewhere else. Lying down. A soft, warm surface beneath me. Fingers brushing against my cheek. My breath hitched. I couldn't move. A figure beside me.

A man. Close.

So close.

His scent was intoxicating-warm spice and cedarwood. Familiar. His voice-deep, soft, aching.

"You feel it too, don't you?"

A shiver crawled down my spine. The bed shifted as he leaned in, his breath ghosting over my lips. I could feel his warmth, the weight of his presence pulling me in like gravity itself. My heart pounded, a dull ache in my chest.

I knew him.

I knew him.

I just... couldn't see him. His face was a too distant to recognize. Distant in a way someone was holding me back from recognizing him.

A shadow of something I should remember but didn't. His fingers slid to my jaw, tilting my chin up-

He was going to kiss me.

"Im always yours, Astrid. And you're always mine."

My breath caught. I knew this moment. I had lived this moment.

Hadn't I?

Then, the warmth vanished. The scent, the touch, the voice-gone. I gasped, yanked back into reality.

I hit the ground hard, my body trembling, chest heaving for air.

Kaiden was beside me in an instant, his grip firm on my arms, his voice sharp with concern. His face so clear, his voice so familiar.

What was that?

I pushed the unsettling vision from last week, to the back of my mind, focusing on the task at hand. As the pack's doctor, it was my duty to be there whenever someone got hurt, whether it was in a fight, a hunt, or just because they were being reckless.

I made my way to the grand hall, where the pack had gathered to arrange the celebration of the upcoming full moon. The air was filled with laughter and chatter, and the smell of roasting meat wafted through the air.

I should've felt at ease-joining in the festivities, pretending everything was fine.

But nothing was fine.

Not after the vision.

Not after feeling something so real, so impossible-something that shouldn't exist yet refused to leave my bones.

I took a slow breath, smoothing a hand down my dress-a deep midnight blue that shimmered under the glow of the torches. I was here to blend in, not stand out.

And yet, my heart was pounding. Not from excitement but from something else. Something I didn't dare name.

I pushed through the crowd, moving toward the long banquet table lined with golden goblets and plates of roasted meats, bread, and fresh fruits. A passing servant handed me a drink, and I took it, forcing a small sip of the tart wine.

Just as I turned, a body collided into mine. The impact sent me stumbling back, my breath hitching. I felt the world tilt, the weight of gravity dragging me down and just then-

Strong hands caught me, I felt a firm grip on my waist. A grip so steady and unyielding. The warmth of it sent a shiver racing up my spine. I inhaled sharply-cedarwood and smoke.

My stomach dropped. I knew that scent.

Slowly, I looked up and found his emerald eyes. They flickered down at me, unreadable, catching the moonlight in a way that made them almost glow.

I stared.

He stared back.

The air between us felt different, like something ancient and forgotten was trying to crawl back to the surface.

"You should be more careful," he murmured, voice low-too low.

I tried to breathe. Tried to move. But he didn't let go. And worse-I didn't want him to. I swallowed hard, forcing out a laugh, even as my heart clenched painfully.

"Maybe you should stop appearing out of nowhere."

His lips twitched. "Maybe you should stop falling all the time."

My cheeks burned. "I wasn't falling."

His hands on my waist tightened slightly, just for a second.

"Sure," he said smoothly, but he didn't let go.

I hated the way my pulse betrayed me, thrumming wildly under my skin. Hated the way his touch made my stomach twist, a sharp, aching thing that left me breathless.

And most of all-I hated the truth that burned behind my ribs.

That he was never mine to begin with.

I forced a step back, breaking the moment and this time he let me go-slowly.

But his eyes...

His eyes never left me.

Some members of the pack approached us, basically approached the Alpha as he averted his gaze to them.

"Good evening, Alpha Kaiden. I believe you and Luna are doing good and your little baby as well". My heart sank as I heard his light chuckle and I couldn't help but stare at his face with longing and desperation.

It was announced that the Luna was carrying the Alpha's heir.

He looked genuinely happy and it stinks. I know babies are angels and they have nothing to do with worldly affairs nor these hateful feelings our hearts develop.

But I wondered if I was losing my sanity, because now all I could do was feel disgusted at the baby and its mother.

"Of course, they both are doing good" He replied shortly and I decided to retreat from their conversation, not being able to just listen and feel lonely. But the moment the words left Virginia, Luna's attendant's mouth, I saw red.

"You're of age, Astrid. You should consider accepting an alliance mate."

My fingers tightened around my goblet.

Someone nearby hummed in agreement. "The Alpha of the Shadowfang Pack is still looking for a mate. A strong she-wolf like you would do well there-"

I slammed my drink down.

The hall went silent.

Slowly, my hands curled into fists. "I would rather rip out my own heart than let some stranger mark me."

Gasps rippled through the room. The beta from the crowd muttered something about disrespect. Someone else sneered,

"Ungrateful. She should be honored-"

"I would be honored?" My voice cut like a blade. "To be a pawn in an alliance? To be nothing more than a bargaining piece? Tell me, was that my fate from the moment I was born?"

Silence. Only then did I feel it. Kaiden's eyes on me. I turned, my heart lurching. His emarald gaze pierced through me like fire.

And I knew that look. It was not anger. Not shock. It was disappointment. It gutted me. Something inside me-something I couldn't name-snapped in half. Without thinking, I turned and stormed out of the hall.

The cool night air bit at my skin as I walked, my breath sharp and uneven.

I don't care. I don't care. I don't care.

Lies. Because I did.

Because his disappointment had cut deeper than any wound ever could.

"Astrid."

I stiffened. Of course he followed. Of course he would.

"You shouldn't have stormed out like that," he said, voice even, unreadable.

I clenched my jaw. "You shouldn't have looked at me like that."

Silence.

Then i heard a low, exhale. "Like what?"

I turned, glaring at him. "Like you were ashamed of me."

His lips parted slightly. He didn't deny it. Something twisted inside me.

"You're being reckless," he said finally.

I let out a sharp laugh. "And you're being a hypocrite."

His jaw ticked. "Astrid-"

But I didn't hear the rest. Because suddenly-my wolf lurched forward. A force so strong it nearly knocked me off my feet. My breath hitched. My entire body burned with an ache I didn't understand.

Or maybe-I did.

Kaiden took a sharp step forward. So did I. I didn't mean to. I didn't want to. But I couldn't stop.

It was like something was pulling us together. Something ancient. Something bigger than both of us. My chest tightened. His pupils were blown wide. His hands trembled at his sides-like he was fighting something.

And I realized... So was I.

His voice, when it came, was low. Rough.

"Astrid," he murmured, almost like a warning.

I swallowed. "What's happening?"

His gaze flickered. Like he wanted to say something-like he knew. But instead, his expression shuttered, and he took a step back. The pull snapped like a rubber band. I gasped softly, feeling like something had been torn away. Kaiden's face was unreadable again.

As if whatever had just happened hadn't shaken him to his core.

But I knew better.

Because I had felt it.

And so had he.

The grand hall shimmered under the glow of a thousand lanterns, their golden light reflecting off the polished marble floor. A soft melody played in the background, weaving through the hushed conversations and laughter of unmated wolves gathered for the Choosing Ball.

I took a slow breath, the weight of expectation pressing against my chest. Tonight, every eligible wolf was expected to mingle, to choose. To find their destined mate-or settle for a convenient one.

I had no intention of doing either.

My fingers tightened around the stem of my untouched glass of wine as I stood near the edge of the ballroom, watching wolves swirl across the dance floor. The women were dressed in flowing silks, the men in crisp tailored suits, each pair moving in seamless harmony. It was all so pointless.

I shouldn't even be here.

I should be tending to wounds, running through the woods, doing something useful. But no, I had to stand here, pretend, and smile while Kaiden sat at the high table, beside her.

His Luna.

Xylara leaned into him, whispering something in his ear, her hand lightly brushing his arm. He didn't flinch, didn't move away. And why would he? She was his mate. His chosen one.

My throat burned as I averted my gaze, but my wolf lurched inside me, restless. Unsettled.

"You look beautiful tonight, Astrid."

I turned sharply, my mask of indifference slipping for a fraction of a second. It was Lucien, the Alpha of the neighboring Crimson Fang Pack. He was tall, well-built, with sharp green eyes that gleamed with interest.

"I wasn't aware you noticed," I said coolly, taking a sip of my drink.

Lucien chuckled, tilting his head. "Hard not to when you're the only one here who looks like she'd rather be anywhere else."

He wasn't wrong.

Lucien stepped closer, his gaze assessing. "Confidence suits you," he mused. "You'd make a perfect Luna."

I raised a brow, swirling the wine in my glass. "For your pack?"

Lucien smirked. "For any pack." Then he leaned in, voice dropping to something softer, silkier. "Anybody who has a mate as beautiful and confident as you would be lucky."

It was a reminder. A cruel reminder. One day, I have to be mated to someone else, someone chosen for me, someone my pack approves of, someone... someone who isn't him.

Lucien must have sensed the shift because, without missing a beat, he extended a hand toward me.

"Would you dance with me, Astrid?"

I hesitated. Not because I didn't know how to refuse-because something about his voice was smooth enough to make saying no feel unnecessary. He was just trying to out me at ease. Not like he will just hold my hand and run to the mating altar and mark me there forcefully.

Slowly, my fingers lifted, reaching for his hand-

A presence. A shadow. A shift in the air so effortless yet so absolute that I felt it before I even heard him.

Kaiden.

His voice was calm. Smooth. Not even a hint of irritation. And yet...

"That won't be necessary."

I froze.

Lucien's smirk didn't falter, but there was something sharp in his eyes when he looked past me.

"I don't recall needing permission, Alpha Kaidën." Lucien said lightly.

Kaiden stepped forward, not sparing him a glance. He was looking at me. Only me.

"You don't," Kaiden agreed. "But she's not dancing with you."

Lucien's jaw ticked. "Is that so? I thought you have a Luna to take care of."

Kaiden tilted his head slightly, as if considering it. Then, with the same unreadable calm, he turned to me.

"You don't like dancing anyway."

It wasn't a question. It was a statement. And yet, I wasn't sure if it was a reminder for Lucien or for me.

My fingers twitched slightly before falling back to my side. I cleared my throat.

"He's right," I said smoothly, ignoring the strange weight in my chest. "Dancing isn't really my thing."

Lucien exhaled through his nose, then offered a tight, knowing smirk. "Another time, then."

He gave a polite nod before stepping away, but not without one last glance between us.

I could still feel Kaiden beside me. The heat of his presence. The effortless authority in the way he carried himself. The undeniable way the room shifted around him. And for some reason, something about it unsettled me.

I turned to him, lifting a brow. "That was unnecessary."

Kaiden exhaled through his nose, his lips quirking up slightly. "You looked like you needed saving."

"I can handle Lucien."

His lazy smile deepened. "I know. But I wanted to see if he'd push his luck."

I narrowed my eyes. "That sounds a lot like...like..."

I wanted to say it. Jealousy. But then u had no right to say that. Not when he had a mate, a perfect mate. His Luna.

Then what he said next made my heart stop.

"If that's what you want to believe," he murmured before turning on his heel, leaving me standing there with my pulse inexplicably unsteady.

And for a fleeting second, I wondered-was it just me? Or did something about him feel just as off-kilter as I did?

The Choosing Ball continued, laughter and music filling the air, but I couldn't focus. Something in my chest felt tight. Wrong. Unsettled. I needed air.

Stepping onto one of the balconies, I exhaled, pressing a hand against my forehead. Why did Kaiden always have to make things so damn confusing?

But then-

A sharp, stabbing pain flared at the base of my neck, burning through my skin like fire. My knees felt weak as they touched the ground.

I gasped, staggering, my vision darkening-

And suddenly- A flash. A memory that wasn't a memory.

Warm breath against my shoulder.

A hand gripping my waist, pulling me close.

Teeth grazing the sensitive skin of my neck-right over the bond mark.

A deep, possessive growl.

"Astrid, from this day forward you're mine."

A sharp bite.

The pain. The rush of something ancient, primal. My body shuddering as my wolf howled, her essence melting into his. A bond sealing. A connection locking into place.

It was real.

"And I am yours, your Alpha K-"

It was-gone.

The vision snapped away like a string cut too soon, and I stumbled forward, my knees buckling. My hands shot out to grab the balcony railing, chest heaving.

The pain in my neck wasn't there anymore.

No bite. No bond.

But I had felt it. Lived it. My heart pounded wildly as I pressed a trembling hand against my skin.

A mate mark. It was supposed to be there. But it wasn't.

My breath hitched. My knees buckled. The past clung to me like a phantom.

K...? Who was that..?

The music of the Choosing Ball crashed into me, too loud, too real. My pulse pounded in my ears, my fingers trembled. I blinked hard, forcing myself back into the present. Forcing myself to turn-

Luna Xylara.

She stood there, watching me. Waiting.

A slow, knowing smile curled on her lips, her eyes gleaming like moonlight on a predator's fangs. She tilted her head, stepping closer, her voice soft, almost soothing.

"The past doesn't matter when the future is already written, Astrid."

A chill slithered down my spine. I swallowed hard, my mouth suddenly dry, but before I could respond-

She turned, and her gaze flickered to Kaiden.