Moonlight betrayal: Fated to my enemy.

The dim glow of the office lights cast long shadows across the wooden walls, the faint scent of old books and burning wood filling the air. Alpha Liam Blackwood of the Diamond Pack sat in his chair, fingers steepled beneath his chin. His piercing blue eyes were fixed on the map of his territory, but his mind was far from battle strategies or border patrols.

His 26th birthday was only a week away. And yet, despite his strength, power, and status, something crucial was missing-his mate.

Almost every high-ranking wolf in his pack had already found theirs. His Beta, Ashton, and his Gamma, Murphy, had both bonded with their mates years ago. Even his warriors spoke of their mates with pride. But for him? The Moon Goddess remained silent.

Maybe I don't have one.

The thought came unbidden, settling like a weight in his chest. Was he destined to be alone? It was rare, but not impossible. Some wolves never found their fated mate.

A flicker of frustration burned through him. He wasn't weak. He wasn't lacking. He was an Alpha-strong, powerful, feared. And yet, the emptiness remained, gnawing at him like a wound that refused to heal.

His thoughts drifted to his father, Alpha Derek, who had been murdered ten years ago. The day Liam had been forced to step up as Alpha at just sixteen years old.

"I wish you were here, Father."

Birthdays had meant something when his father was alive-celebrations filled with laughter, honor, and unity. If he were still here, he'd be the first to tease Liam about still being mateless. But now, birthdays were just another reminder of how much had been stolen from him.

A sudden knock on the door pulled him from his thoughts.

"Come in," he called, straightening his posture.

The door swung open, and Ashton, his Beta, stepped in, his usual smirk in place. "You look like a man drowning in his own thoughts," he said. "Let me guess-mate troubles?"

Liam sighed, rubbing his temples. "I don't want to talk about it."

"Of course, you don't." Ashton chuckled, plopping down in one of the leather chairs. "Good thing I came for another reason. Your birthday party. We need to finalize the arrangements."

Liam exhaled slowly. He had almost forgotten about that.

"Tell me."

"Well," Ashton said, leaning forward, "we're expecting a huge turnout. High-rank wolves from nearby packs, plus our own pack members. It's going to be grand-food, drinks, a bonfire, and a hunt at midnight. The warriors will be stationed around the borders to ensure safety."

Liam nodded. "Fine. Just make sure security is tight. We don't want any surprises."

"Don't worry, Alpha. We've got it covered," Murphy, his Gamma, added as he entered, holding a list of guest names. "The patrol teams will be doubled, and all warriors will be on high alert."

"Good," Liam said firmly. "We can't afford any weaknesses."

Just then, Luna Jasmine, his mother, entered the room, a small, knowing smile on her lips. "You boys are always so serious," she teased, walking over to Liam.

He softened slightly. Despite everything, his mother still carried herself with grace and strength, even after losing her mate.

"You're going to be twenty-six, Liam," she reminded him, placing a hand on his shoulder. "I know you miss your father, but he would want you to enjoy this day."

Liam sighed but gave her a small nod. "I know, Mother."

She smiled and turned to Ashton and Murphy. "Make sure he enjoys his night. He deserves it."

Ashton grinned. "That's the plan, Luna."

With that, she left, and Liam exhaled deeply.

"I hope this party goes smoothly," he muttered.

"It will," Murphy reassured him. "Besides, what could go wrong?"

_____________

The Diamond Pack's territory pulsed with energy. Music, laughter, and the crackling of the giant bonfire filled the air. The scent of grilled meat and fresh pastries drifted through the crowd. Pack members danced, drank, and celebrated.

Liam stood near the Alpha's table, watching the crowd. The night was vibrant, the atmosphere alive with excitement. And yet, he couldn't shake the uneasy feeling in his gut.

"Try to look like you're having fun," Ashton teased, handing him a goblet of juice.

Liam huffed but took the drink. "I am having fun," he deadpanned.

Murphy chuckled. "Liar."

From across the party, Dustin, the son of Liam's father's Beta, lingered in the shadows. His fists clenched as he watched the Alpha celebrate.

Liam Blackwood had everything. Power. Strength. Respect. And he... he had nothing.

His fingers brushed against the small vial hidden in his pocket. Wolfsbane extract. A single dose, strong enough to weaken even the most powerful Alpha.

Dustin's breath came fast, his pulse pounding in his ears. He had waited for this moment. Planned for it.

The voices around him faded as he moved through the crowd, his movements swift but controlled. He reached the drink table, pretending to grab a fresh goblet. With a quick motion, he poured the poison into the drink Ashton had handed Liam moments ago.

It's time.

His heart pounded as he turned away, blending back into the shadows.

Liam lifted the goblet to his lips, taking a sip.

The effect was immediate.

A sharp burn seared down his throat, his chest tightening like an iron vice. His vision blurred, and the once-lively sounds of the party turned into distant echoes.

The goblet slipped from his fingers, shattering on the ground.

Ashton's eyes widened. "Liam?"

Liam staggered, gripping his chest. A sharp pain shot through his veins, his breath coming in short, labored gasps.

The crowd stilled. Whispers of alarm. Fear.

Then chaos erupted.

"Someone get the pack doctor!" Murphy shouted, pushing through the crowd.

Ashton dropped to his knees beside Liam, his face twisted in panic. "Liam! Stay with me!"

Liam's body convulsed, his breathing shallow. The poison was working fast-too fast.

From the shadows, Dustin clenched his fists. I did it.

But there was no time for triumph.

A warrior caught his movement, his sharp eyes narrowing. "Hey! What are you doing over there?"

Panic shot through Dustin's body.

I need to get out of here.

He turned and bolted into the woods.

"Stop him!" someone roared.

Several warriors shifted into their wolves, their howls piercing the night as they launched into pursuit.

Dustin ran faster, his lungs burning, branches slashing against his skin. He had one chance to escape.

Back at the party, the pack doctor had arrived, working frantically to stabilize Liam.

But his condition was worsening.

Ashton clenched his fists, his gaze flickering toward the forest. "Why would he do this?"

Murphy's expression was grim. "I don't know. But we're going to find out."

Liam lay motionless, his body trembling, his breath shallow.

Would he survive?

And why had Dustin betrayed him?

No one knew.

But one thing was certain-nothing would ever be the same again.

Lily's lungs burned as she pushed herself forward, her feet pounding against the damp earth. The early morning breeze whispered against her skin, carrying the scent of pine and wet grass. She had been running for nearly an hour, not because she enjoyed it, but because it was the only time she could escape-both physically and mentally.

But no matter how far she ran, she could never escape reality.

She was wolfless.

She was an outcast.

And in five months, she would turn eighteen-the age when wolves found their mates. The problem was, she wasn't sure she even had one.

The grand Blue Pack house came into view, standing tall and imposing in the heart of their territory. Once, it had been her home, a place filled with warmth and love when her father was still alive. Now, it belonged to Alpha Morgan-her uncle, her father's betrayer. The man who had taken everything from her family and left her with nothing but the cruel whispers of a pack that no longer saw her as one of their own.

Lily wiped the sweat from her brow and climbed the front steps, pausing just before pushing open the heavy doors. The scent of roasted meat and fresh bread drifted from the kitchen, mixing with the familiar sounds of warriors preparing for their morning patrol and omegas rushing to complete their chores. She stepped inside, blending into the background as she always did.

But before she could slip away unnoticed, a voice stopped her.

"Back so soon?"

Lily turned to see her mother, Eleanor, standing by the staircase, arms crossed with a knowing smirk. Even in a simple blue robe, her mother still carried the elegance of the Luna she had once been.

Lily rolled her eyes, though a small smile played at her lips. "If I stayed out any longer, someone might think I ran away."

Eleanor chuckled. "You'd never make it past the border."

Lily sighed, dropping onto the nearest couch. "You're probably right."

No matter how much she wanted to, she could never willingly leave her mother behind. Eleanor was the only reason she endured the torment, the only person who had stayed by her side after her father's death.

Her mother sat beside her, tilting her head. "You know, if you weren't always running alone, maybe someone would actually care if you went missing."

Lily let out a dry laugh. "Oh, you mean like the same pack members who pretend I don't exist?"

Eleanor smiled but didn't argue. "Still, things could change. You're almost eighteen, Lily. If the Moon Goddess blesses you with a mate, maybe-"

"Maybe what?" Lily cut in, her voice sharp. "Maybe I won't be a wolfless outcast anymore? Maybe people will suddenly start respecting me?"

Her mother's expression softened. "I know it's hard-"

"Hard?" Lily scoffed. "That's an understatement."

Before her mother could respond, another voice filled the room.

"Well, well, look who decided to come back."

Lily didn't need to turn to know who it was.

Lucia.

Her cousin stood near the doorway, arms crossed, lips curled in a smug smile. Her long brown hair cascaded over her shoulders in perfect waves, her eyes gleaming with the same superiority she had flaunted since they were children.

Lucia sauntered closer, her voice dripping with fake concern. "You know, Lily, you should really stop running around like that. You might actually run into something dangerous. Oh wait-" She tilted her head, mock sympathy in her gaze. "You don't even have a wolf to protect you."

She burst into laughter, the sound sharp and grating.

Lily clenched her fists, forcing herself to stay calm.

Eleanor's voice cut through the tension. "Lucia, don't you have something better to do?"

Lucia shrugged, unaffected. "Just checking in on my dear cousin." She winked before turning on her heel and strutting away, her laughter still ringing in Lily's ears.

Lily exhaled sharply. "She's insufferable."

Eleanor sighed. "She's just jealous."

Lily scoffed. "Of what? My lack of a wolf?"

"No, Lily. You know you are better than her in everything. You are more intelligent, more beautiful, and calmer. Even with those qualities alone, she will always be jealous of you," Eleanor said, squeezing Lily's hand.

Before Lily could respond, her phone rang, cutting through the heavy silence. She grabbed it quickly, glancing at the screen. Annie.

A real smile broke across her face for the first time that morning. She pressed the answer button. "Annie!"

"Finally!" Annie groaned. "Were you avoiding me or what? It's been forever since we last talked."

Lily laughed softly. "Never. I miss you."

"I miss you too! Seriously, since you're stuck in that castle with the devil himself, I was beginning to think I'd have to break in and rescue you."

Lily chuckled. "Don't remind me."

Annie gasped dramatically. "How are you still alive? Did Lucia kill you yet?"

"Almost. We even had drama just before you called."

Annie burst into laughter. "I knew it! She's been evil since we were kids."

"Tell me about it."

Annie sighed. "You could always come stay with me."

Lily's heart clenched. "You know that's not an option, Annie. Morgan would never allow it."

"Then I guess I'll just have to suffer with you when school starts in two weeks."

Lily groaned. "Really? Don't remind me."

"Oh, come on! You love school. You're the most serious student in our class, remember?"

"Not when I have to deal with Lucia every day."

Annie huffed. "She's an idiot. And you're smarter than her. That's why she hates you."

Lily rolled her eyes. "Tell that to the rest of the pack."

There was a pause before Annie spoke again, her voice bubbling with excitement. "Anyway, you'll never guess what happened."

"What?"

"Joe marked me."

Lily's breath caught in her throat. "Wait... what?"

"He's my mate, Lily. The bond-it's real. The Moon Goddess actually gave me a mate."

A mate.

Something Lily had dreamed about, but deep down, she had little hope for herself.

She swallowed the lump in her throat, forcing herself to sound happy. "I'm so happy for you, Annie."

Annie hesitated. "But?"

Lily exhaled. "What if I don't have a mate?"

Annie's voice softened. "Lily, don't think like that."

"I'm turning eighteen in five months, Annie. What if... what if I don't feel anything? What if I never find my mate?"

Silence stretched between them before Annie spoke, her voice firm. "You will, Lily. I know you will."

But as Lily stared at the towering pack house-the place that had never felt like home-she wasn't so sure.

Would she ever find her mate, or was she truly meant to be alone?

Lily sat on her bed, brushing her hair as the morning sun streamed through the window. The golden light reflected off the strands, but her thoughts were far from admiring her reflection. She felt the familiar weight settling in her chest-the kind that came before facing another school day.

Her mother, Eleanor, stood by the wardrobe, carefully selecting a dress from the neatly arranged clothes. Even in casual attire, she carried herself with grace, a reminder of the Luna she once was.

"You should eat quickly," Eleanor said over her shoulder. "It's your first day back after the seaside trip. Don't give Lucia another reason to taunt you."

Lily sighed, setting her brush down. "She doesn't need a reason."

She thought bitterly, Lucia never needs a reason to taunt me. She does it just for fun, to remind me that I don't belong.

Eleanor turned, crossing her arms. "True," she admitted with a small chuckle. "But try to ignore her."

Easier said than done.

Eleanor walked over, taking Lily's hands in hers. "You're stronger than you think, sweetheart."

Lily wanted to believe that, but being wolfless in a pack full of werewolves made her an easy target. She didn't just feel different-she was different. And in a world where strength was everything, being different made her vulnerable.

"At least you have Annie," Eleanor added, squeezing Lily's fingers.

That made Lily smile. "Yeah, I missed her."

Eleanor smirked. "And? No other reason to be excited?"

Lily frowned. "Like what?"

Her mother raised an eyebrow. "You're turning eighteen in a few months. Maybe you'll find your mate."

Lily scoffed, pulling her hands back. "Mom, I don't even have a wolf."

Eleanor sighed, but instead of pushing further, she kissed Lily's forehead. "Whatever. Now go eat your food."

Lily hesitated before standing, forcing a small smile. If only it were that simple.

The dining hall smelled of eggs and toast, but Lily barely had an appetite. The tension in the room was thick, suffocating.

Alpha Morgan sat at the head of the table, reading through a stack of documents. His presence alone drained the warmth from the room. Caleb, his son, ate quietly-always the obedient one. Lucia, on the other hand, was exactly as expected.

Lily had barely sat down when Lucia smirked. "Still wolfless, huh?"

Lily ignored her, reaching for a piece of toast. She wouldn't give Lucia the satisfaction of a reaction.

Morgan glanced up, his cold gaze locking onto her. "I expect you to behave at school, Lily."

Lily frowned, mid-bite. "Me?"

"You," Morgan said firmly, setting his papers aside. "No trouble."

It was pointless arguing. In his eyes, she was always the problem. He never saw the fault in his children-especially Lucia, who thrived on taunting her.

Lily bit back a sigh. Same routine, different days

Back in her room, her phone buzzed. A message from Annie.

Annie: I'm really disappointed in you. You went to the seaside without telling me, huh?

Lily winced, quickly typing back.

Lily: I'm sorry! I forgot to tell you. I tried to call, but the place had network issues. Forgive me, my love.

Annie: Fine. But are you ready?

Lily: Ready for what?

Annie: Really? School, dummy.

Lily groaned.

Lily: Not really. But at least I'll see you.

Annie: Duh. And guess what? We have a new history teacher.

Lily blinked at the message. A new teacher?

Lily: Huh. Whatever, but I'll miss our old teacher.

Annie: Also, school starts in two days. Have you packed your stuff?

Lily: I completely forgot...

Annie: I knew it! Start packing now. It's our final year! I'll come early so we can go together.

Lily smiled, warmth spreading through her chest. At least she had Annie.

The First Day of the New Term, Lily pulled her backpack over her shoulders, staring at her reflection in the small mirror above her dresser. Dark curls framed her delicate features, and her green eyes held a flicker of hesitation.

Her stomach twisted as she imagined what the day would bring.

A knock on the door broke her thoughts.

"Come in," she called.

Eleanor stepped inside, already dressed for the day. She studied Lily carefully before offering a soft smile. "You look lovely."

Lily gave a small nod. "Thanks, Mom."

Eleanor hesitated before reaching out, brushing a loose strand of hair from Lily's face. "You're stronger than you think."

Lily tried to believe it.

Outside, Annie stood near the pack house gates, bouncing on her toes.

"There you are, sleepyhead!" Annie teased. "I was about to drag you out myself."

Lily rolled her eyes. "You're way too excited for school."

"Of course! I get to see Joe every day."

Lily smirked. "You saw him yesterday."

Annie wiggled her eyebrows. "School romance hits differently."

Lily laughed, shaking her head. "You're ridiculous."

Annie grinned. "Admit it-you wish you had a mate too."

Lily's smile faltered. "I don't think I'll ever have one."

Annie frowned. "Don't say that. Just because you don't have a wolf doesn't mean you won't have a mate."

Lily didn't respond. She wasn't sure she believed that anymore.

As they walked, the school came into view. Her stomach twisted.

Annie noticed. "Hey," she squeezed Lily's hand. "You've got me, okay?"

Lily nodded, forcing herself forward

As soon as Lily stepped inside, the whispers began.

"She shouldn't even be here."

"A wolfless girl in a pack school? Pathetic."

She ignored them, keeping her head high.

Lucia smirked, stepping in her way. "Well, look who decided to show up-the little wolfless princess."

Lily clenched her jaw. "Move, Lucia."

Lucia laughed. "Or what? You'll cry to your mommy?"

Laughter followed.

Joe suddenly stepped between them. "Enough, Lucia."

Lucia narrowed her eyes. "Stay out of this, Joe."

"I won't," Joe replied. "Lily hasn't done anything to you."

Lucia scoffed. "She exists. That's enough."

Lily's grip tightened around her desk.

Before things could escalate, the classroom door swung open.

A deep, authoritative voice cut through the tension.

"Take your seats."

Everyone turned.

A tall man stood at the doorway, dressed in a dark button-down shirt and slacks. His presence commanded attention.

"I am Fred, your new history teacher."

His sharp gaze swept the room-then landed on Lily.

His expression changed-shock, confusion... something else.

Lily's heart pounded. She felt a strange pull, something deep inside her stirring.

Fred hesitated for a brief second before masking whatever emotion had crossed his face. But his heartbeat...

It was racing.

Lily shivered.

Something about him felt familiar.

And she had no idea why.