Moonlit Legacy: Claimed By The Alpha King

CHAPTER 1: THE GREAT BETRAYALS.

"Silence!"

The sound of the Priestess's staff echoing, amplified by magic, as it hit the ground, reverberated throughout the noisy crowd gathered in the great hall.

Fiona, the Priestess of our pack, got everyone's attention. Everyone's interest was piqued.

Raya on the other hand, had both a mixture of anxiety and eagerness.

The Festival of Spirits - an annual event that was peculiar to just the Greyhound pack, the second most powerful pack in all of the domain of the king. But this time, it doubled as the Nuptial Ceremony of Jamey, the newly appointed Alpha of the pack, and Raya.

"Worry not, child. It'll all be over soon," Ingrid, the oldest maid in Raya's father's household, said to her as she stood beside her. Raya cracked a mild smile, but her anxiety was visible.

Turning to the side, she met the haughty smirk of Victoria, her childhood nemesis. Furrowing her brow, she looked away, wondering why her Victoria had that smug look on her face.

Shrugging, she cast off the thought. Tonight was her night. Her status in the pack was about to change.

Her father and two older siblings stood some meters away from her but didn't spare her a look. She was hoping the night would be different.

Standing on the dais, the Priestess and the elders stood before the people, with the Priestess in front of them.

"Tonight, we all stand here to bear witness as the oldest and most sacred duty that has ensured the perpetuity of our kind be fulfilled, in accordance with the will of the Moon goddess," Fiona began speaking.

"Raya, daughter of Lamdan, and Alpha Jamey, of house Koll, please step forward," she instructed.

Sighing, Raya stepped forward, doing her best to suppress her happiness. Jamey walked forward, looking a bit cold. They both faced the Priestess.

"Do both of you accept each other as mates, according to the will of the Moon goddess?" Fiona asked.

The whole congregation of people got quiet at this point, such that only the flickering sound of the torches' fire was heard. In the past three centuries, no Nuptial Ceremony drew this level of curiosity from the members of the pack.

"Yes, I accept Jamey as my mate," Raya answered, smiling, and her heart filled with happiness. Fiona nodded and faced Jamey.

"Jamey?" Fiona called, checking in to see how he had delayed a bit.

"I, Jamey, of House Koll, reject you, Raya, as my mate!"

The whole congregation gasped with wide eyes when they heard that. Raya's smile began to wear off, and her heart raced as she got nervous.

Looking around, she saw the people chattering amongst themselves, laughing as they looked at her. She looked at her father, but all he did was glare at her.

"But, it is the will of the goddess," Fiona protested.

"And I dare to defy her!" Jamey's voice thundered, startling me. Scoffing, he turned to me.

"Is this who you expect me to accept as the progenitor of my bloodline, the runt of the pack?" he said, then chuckled disdainfully. He then walked to the congregation and took hold of Victoria, bringing her close to the dais where the Priestess stood.

"This is who I shall make my Luna, and the progenitor of my bloodline," he announced. The pack exploded in cheers, jubilating. It was a heartrending sight for Raya.

Jamey walked and stood before Raya, looking her dead in the eye. Tears welled up in them.

"My father would roll in his grave if I went through with this," he said unremorsefully.

Raya's weakened bones could barely hold her weight at this point. She fell to the ground sobbing, as tears ran down my cheeks. Yes, she was wolfless and couldn't fully grasp the concept of mate bonds. But her heart was shattered.

She looked at her father, but he fumed. Irked at the sight of his daughter, Raya's father made his way out of the great hall, passing through the crowd.

"Victoria. So do you accept your Alpha, Jamey, as your mate?" Fiona asked.

"With all my heart," she answered, wearing a wide grin. Fiona went ahead and offered them.

"As said before the members of the Greyhound pack, so shall it be."

With that pronouncement, Raya got up and ran out of the great hall, crying. She couldn't bear to witness what she hoped was meant to be hers given to someone else.

She ran to her mother's grave and fell in front of the headstone, crying profusely, as the moon shone brightly. She soon began hearing the pack howling and cheering. Jamey and Victoria were finally mated. The thought of it broke her heart.

"How dare you desecrate your mother's grave?!" a firm voice yelled, startling her. Looking up, she saw it was her father.

"I- I'm sorry Father. I couldn't-"

"Save your breath!" he cut her off. "You are no daughter of mine. You never were to begin with. No child of mine would have deprived me of my happiness, my mate."

Raya's father then walked away at that point, leaving her there as she cried her heart out. He had never been loved and accepted by her father after her mother died giving birth to her. She hoped becoming Jamey's mate would help her earn her father's affection for the first time.

After a while, she heard footsteps approaching her. It was Victoria, accompanied by her clique of friends.

"I thought I'd find you here," she said, smiling. Raya got up and looked at Victoria, sulking.

Victoria chuckled shaking her head. Then she slapped Raya across her face.

"You have a death wish, don't you, vermin?" Victoria asked. "Do you feel like fighting back, as you used to attempt to before? Hmm?"

Raya was more hurt internally than externally. And yes, she couldn't retaliate. Victoria was now her Luna.

"You thought Jamey would choose you? How delusional. Nobody wants you. No one wants a wolfless omega who killed her own mother," Victoria said, laughing with her friends.

Oh, that struck a nerve! Raya clenched her fists, holding back her anger.

"For desiring what was never yours, I'm going to make your life miserable. Just you wait and see," Victoria assured. Then she headed back with her friends to join the celebration.

Alone once again, Raya was finally done believing and hoping in pack loyalty, mate bonds, and family ties.

She began walking into the dark forest. She would rather take her chances out there than remain where she no longer considered her home, despite the dangers that lurked without.

CHAPTER 2: WHO IS HE?

The cover of the night, and the merriment that had caused the borders to be left unguarded was the perfect opportunity for Raya to escape. She wasn't going to live under the indefinite torment of Victoria, and an even more awful treatment from the rest of the pack.

She was terrified of walking into the unknown, especially since she barely knew the world outside her pack. She had never ventured outside Ravenhill. But bracing herself, she took that daring step.

She looked at her mother's grave as tears ran down her left cheek.

"Goodbye, mother," she bade, then she walked into the dark forest.

She went quite deep into the forest, and could no longer hear the jubilation from her pack. It was now replaced with a frightening silence, mixed with the chirping of crickets and hooting of owls.

Gulping as she walked, even the snapping of a twig under her foot scared her. It got even worse when she heard the rustling sound of grass. Turning in the direction of the sound, squinting her eyes, she saw a pair of bloodshot eyes flashing because of the moonlight.

Gripped with fear, she froze. Growling mildly, the creature emerged - It was a Silverback rogue. Goo dripped from the side of its mouth as it inched toward Raya.

More rogues emerged from the dark, their eyes glowing at her with murderous intent. She was surrounded. Taking a few steps back, she found herself leaning against a tree. Her nails clawed into the back of the tree as her heart raced.

Standing face to face with death, for a fleeting moment, she wondered if escaping was the best call. But there was nothing she could do.

In this dire moment, she wished her wolf would awaken. At least, she would have a fighting chance.

A rogue snarled and sprang at Raya. She docked and fell to the ground, but was grazed close to her left shoulder by its razor-sharp claws. She crawled backward frightfully, her eyes darting around as the other rogues prepared to attack her.

Suddenly, she saw that they all cowered, their heads bent and ears folded in, whimpering. Someone emerged from the dark.

His eyes flashed gold. His long dark hair cascaded over his shoulders, sitting on his huge body frame. He only had on a furry winter coat, but was shirtless, revealing his well-built upper body, adorned with two gold necklaces.

He walked right through the middle of the rogues as they made way for him. Raya's vision began getting hazy as she got drowsy.

'Poison. I've been poisoned by its claws,' she said to herself.

But then, she wondered who this was that terrified the rogues, even though they outnumbered him as her eyes were fixed on him.

He walked calmly toward Raya, paying the rogues no attention whatsoever. It was as though his presence caused time to slow down - His aura was on a whole other level than what she had ever seen or felt.

Squatting, he looked right into Raya's eyes. She felt a calm she had never felt in the presence of anyone, making her forget she was at the verge of death.

"You poor thing. Out here all alone," the stranger said in a soft but calming deep tone.

Slowly, Raya lost consciousness, collapsing at his feet. But one question ran through her mind.

'Who are you?'

_________________

Gasping, Raya jerked up. She looked around and saw that the rogues were all on the floor. Her heart thumped as she gasped in fear.

Then she saw the same stranger sitting by a fire. The reflection of the fire in his eyes made the perfect blend.

'So it wasn't a dream.'

"No, it wasn't a dream," the stranger replied. Raya's eyes widened in shock, looking at him.

"How- How-" she blurted, unable to make the words.

"You're surprised I read your thoughts?" he asked. She looked at him, unable to speak. The cackling sound of the burning wood was audible in the awkward silence between the two.

"What were you doing out here all by yourself, away from Ravenhill, and away from your pack? Are you not aware of the dangers that lie without, especially at night?" he further asked.

Raya found it hard to answer. She wondered how he knew what pack she was a part of. But she also wondered what pack he was from. She had never seen him before. He was dressed differently as though it was winter, but it was summer, hence the weather was hot.

He got up and began walking away from the fire. Raya sat there, wondering why he was leaving all of a sudden without saying a word. She quickly got up and followed him. She thought he'd send her away, but he didn't.

Up ahead, she saw torches lit, and there was a company of carriages. As she got closer, she saw that they were royal carriages, and flags that bore the sigil of the royal house - House Gavanar.

'What are the King's delegates doing here?' she thought. She quickly remembered that the stranger could hear her thoughts, so she quieted her thoughts.

When they got to the temporal camp, the soldiers got up and bowed to the person I followed. Furrowing her brow, she wondered what was going on.

A well-dressed man, having similar hair to the man I followed approached him and bowed. "My Lord."

'My Lord?' She was confused at this point.

"Take our guest to my tent and have her fed with the finest delicacies, and give her a change of raiment," he instructed.

"Yes, my Lord," the man bowed, but looked a bit perplexed. As he led her away, she turned and looked at the stranger, wondering who he truly was.

As she got into the tent, everything she saw spelled royalty - true royalty. There was a table that was already set like a banquet, with all varieties of delicacies.

The man returned with a servant holding a raiment. It was made of the same furry material as all the royal delegates.

"Please, enjoy what the White Wolf has so generously offered you," the man said.

"What?" Raya's eyes widened in utter shock. "Sorry, sir, but is he- Is he King Barakar, the Alpha King?"

"Who else would he be?" he replied, nonchalantly, and walked out.

Raya had her hand over her mouth.

"Oh, spirits! I am done for!"

CHAPTER 3: MINE!

King Barakar walked into his tent after a while and found Raya standing, fidgeting. She quickly fell on her knees, looking down. Squinting his eyes, he wondered what was going on.

"M- My Lord. Please forgive me for not recognizing you. I have never been outside Ravenhill, and I may not have paid proper attention to be able to recognize you. Please, spare me. Please!" she begged.

The king looked at her stoically, then he calmly walked over to the table, poured himself a glass of wine, and drank it partially. Setting the cup down, he turned and looked at Raya.

"Have a seat."

Raya wasn't sure she heard right, so she was hesitant.

But the Alpha King didn't repeat himself. So she slowly got up and sat down at the other end of the table. It was a make-shift table so they weren't far apart.

Tales she heard about the Alpha King growing up contributed immensely to her fear.

"Go on. Eat," he said. Raya gulped, afraid that he might be testing her.

"This isn't a test," he said, having read her mind again. "Why would I save you from those savages to end up hurting you?"

Well, that made sense to Raya. Thus, it calmed her tumultuous heart.

She went ahead and began eating, but was uncomfortable as the king sat, looking at her.

King Barakar soon got up and began heading out, then Raya got up quickly before he exited the tent.

"Change into the raiment you were given when you're done eating," he said and began walking out, not waiting for her response.

"Yes, my Lord," her voice trailed off as she got up and bowed. She sat back down and sighed.

"The king is much younger than I thought," she muttered. She found herself smiling, not realizing when she did, nor where the excitement stemmed from.

When she was done eating, she got up and washed her face so as to change into the raiment. As she took off her dress, she found that the injury on her arm was completely healed.

"How is it gone?" she wondered, assuming the King must have done something to heal her. She went ahead and got dressed.

The raiment was just the right size. She liked how fluffy it felt, but she couldn't deny it was heavier than the clothes she had been wearing all her life.

Leaving the tent, she saw that it was daybreak already. She saw King Barakar talking with the man who led her into the tent, and he was no longer shirtless.

She then noticed that everyone in the camp stared at her, creeping her out.

"Don't blame them. King Barakar has never shown a female such hospitality, after he lost his Luna ten years ago," someone said not too far from where she stood.

After unloading some water into a bath, he walked away as Raya looked at him.

Some soldiers began taking some horses as some of them assembled. But there was a particular horse - a white horse, which was beautifully adorned. Raya knew right away who the horse was for.

The Alpha King and the person he spoke with then walked to meet the assembled soldiers. And one of the soldiers ran and met Raya.

"His Majesty asks that you join us."

"Oh! Uh, okay," she nodded and began following the soldier.

"Pardon me for asking, but where is His Majesty going?" Raya inquired cautiously.

"To Ravenhill."

Raya froze, stunned by what she heard. All sorts of emotions began springing up in her, and her heart raced.

'Does he want to hand me back to them? I didn't escape Ravenhill to end up back there! I can't go back there.'

Her head swirled as negative thoughts invaded.

"Are you okay?" the soldier asked her, but she was beside herself.

"What's the delay?"

"I'm sorry, lord Ravna," the soldier answered the man who led Raya into the Alpha King's tent. He grabbed her by the arm and led her to the company. She knew she dared not protest against the King's demand, defying him.

She got on a horse by herself then they rode off, with three bannermen riding in front, three soldiers followed the bannermen, then the Alpha King and Ravna riding side by side, and Raya following behind them, with four other soldiers at the rear.

Raya felt uneasy as they headed back to the place she dreaded. All she could do was brace herself for whatever was to come her way.

As they got close to the city, they heard the city bell from the watchtower being struck. The soldiers had spotted the Alpha King's company approaching.

The gates swung wide open just as they arrived, and they rode in unhindered, the soldiers at the gate bowing. Everyone in the streets cleared the way and bowed their heads as they passed.

They were all stunned at the sudden appearance of the King, making them wonder what had brought him. He hardly ever left the Iron Den, his fortress.

Heading straight to the palace, they met some soldiers gathered in front of it. The elders, the Priestess, Jamey, Victoria, and the lords of Ravenhill were there as well to welcome the Alpha King.

Halting his horse, the Alpha King's white horse snorted, steadying itself. Raya got off her horse and kept her head down, avoiding eye contact.

"Your Majesty," Jamey bowed as he walked forward, as did everyone with him. "Welcome to Ravenhill."

The King nodded slightly in acknowledgment.

"Your visit took us all by surprise," Jamey chuckled nervously. "Had we known you were coming, we would have prepared you a more befitting welcome. Please, forgive us."

"I see congratulations are in order. Ravenhill now has a Luna," King Barakar said.

"Yes," Jamey replied, as Victoria stepped forward, and genuflected courteously.

"I am Victoria, your humble servant, and Luna of the Greyhound pack."

"A fine choice, young Alpha," King Barakar commended, making Jamey smile. He then got off his horse, as did Ravna.

"Your journey from Winterhill must have been strenuous. Please, let us treat you to some delicacies as you freshen up, my Lord," Jamey requested.

"Be my guest," King Barakar nodded. Then he turned to Raya.

"Follow us."

Her heart thumped at his request. The attention of the people turned to her. Victoria looked furrowing her brow as Raya walked toward the King. Recognizing her, Victoria grabbed her by the hand and pulled her back.

"You! Where do you think you're going?" she snarled.

'Crap! They've found me. It's over.'

Raya quivered, unable to control her fright.

"How dare you set foot here?" Jamey asked fuming. Lifting a hand to strike Raya, she squirmed in fear, but his hand was caught mid-air. He turned and saw that it was the Alpha King who held his hand.

"Don't you dare lay a hand on her!" he growled. Jamey looked perplexedly at the King.

"But she is nothing. She's just an unwanted omega," Jamey said.

"Not anymore," King Barakar replied. "She is mine! She is my mate!"

Everyone's eyes popped out in shock at the declaration of the Alpha King. Raya most especially.