The Alpha King's Palace

Aitana plunged into the forest, stripped off her clothes, and let her wolf free. She rarely allowed the shift — her wolf was white with purple eyes, an uncommon combination that would make her the subject of whispers and stares. But right now, she didn't care. She needed to run, to feel the wind tearing through her fur, to forget everything. She'd spent nearly her entire life in love with Damian, convinced he would be her mate. He wasn't. He had a fated mate already — beautiful, kind, impossible to resent. Aitana couldn't blame anyone. She'd built a fairy tale in her head, and that's all it ever was. A stupid fairy tale.

She reached the lagoon and stopped to drink, catching her reflection in the clear water. Her wolf's coat was rare — only her parents had ever seen her like this. They'd agreed she shouldn't shift in front of others, and since her father was the Beta, no one questioned her absence from transformation drills. She still trained, though — privately, with her father, and sometimes with her mother, who had been a formidable pack warrior before settling into domestic life.

She lay down beside the lake and let the cool breeze lull her to sleep. When she woke, dusk was settling over the forest. Being out here after dark was dangerous — Alpha Elias had forbidden it because of deserter attacks. She bolted for home, never noticing the eyes watching her from the shadows.

"*******************"

"Aitana, I was worried. It's so late—" Andrea said as her daughter slipped through the back door. Aitana said nothing, grabbing a robe from a hook and wrapping it around herself.

"Sorry. I went to clear my head in the forest and fell asleep."

"In the forest? At this hour? Were you shifted? Did anyone see you?" Andrea's voice climbed with each question. Her daughter had come home naked beneath that robe.

"Relax, Mom. Nobody saw me." Aitana managed a smile and looked her mother over — Andrea was wearing an elegant green dress.

"Go upstairs and get ready. We have a party to attend."

"I don't want to go," Aitana whispered. "Please..."

Andrea shook her head gently. "You have to, sweetheart. I know how you feel, but this is important. They're presenting the future Alpha and Luna of the pack tonight." Aitana's stomach dropped. She'd known it was coming — she just hadn't expected it so soon.

"**********************"

At the party, the pack had already embraced their future Luna. Melissa was beautiful, gracious, and genuinely warm to everyone. She received compliments from all corners and beamed at the acceptance — this pack was very different from the one she'd come from.

"Look, it's Alain and Aitana!" Melissa said excitedly, spotting the Beta's family arriving. Damian looked toward them and smiled.

Aitana was stunning. Her sky-blue dress had a sweetheart neckline with off-the-shoulder sleeves, the skirt flowing loose from the waist with a slit up her left thigh. Her wavy brown hair was half pulled back, with two long strands framing her face. Her makeup was minimal — naturally flushed cheeks, perfectly defined pink lips, small earrings, and a delicate necklace with a tiny oval stone.

"She looks beautiful," Melissa said. "And so sweet."

"Yeah," Damian murmured. "She really does." He couldn't stop looking at her.

The party carried on. Damian walked Melissa through the crowd, introducing her as the future Luna, and she was warmly received by everyone.

"Hey, I'm sorry," Sam whispered, sliding up next to Aitana. "This must be really hard."

"It's fine..." Aitana said, trying to sound indifferent, though it was impossible not to feel the sting — or the unwelcome flash of envy toward Melissa. She noticed Sam breathing strangely. "What's wrong with you?"

"It burns..." Sam whispered, fanning herself with her hands, her eyes darting around the room.

"Sam?"

"Mate," Sam breathed, her gaze locking on something ahead. Aitana followed her friend's stare, and her jaw dropped. Her brother was walking toward them with deliberate steps, his eyes shifting color.

"Mate," Alain said, stopping in front of Sam. Aitana stared in disbelief — her brother and her best friend were fated mates. Sam's cheeks flushed crimson, and Alain couldn't take his eyes off her, his irises flickering between honey and black as his wolf surged with excitement.

Aitana stepped back quietly, giving them space. She was happy for them — genuinely — even as the contrast with her own situation twisted something in her chest.

"Aitana?" someone called. Her smile faded when she saw who it was.

"Damian," she said, fighting to keep her expression steady. Just being near him hurt.

"You look incredible. Blue really is your color — it's my favorite." He grinned, and of course she knew. That's exactly why she'd chosen it.

"Thanks. You look great too." She kept her voice light. "You and Melissa make a wonderful couple."

"I know. It's hard to explain, but when you find your mate, everything revolves around her. It's beyond words. You'll understand when you find yours." He beamed, and Aitana nodded. She'd spent so many years imagining he would be her mate that the idea of finding someone else felt impossible.

"There you are!" Melissa appeared, linking her arm through Damian's. "Hi, Aitana. You look gorgeous." She pulled Aitana into a warm hug.

"You look even more beautiful," Aitana replied.

"Oh, I just saw Alain with some girl," Melissa said. "He was smiling from ear to ear — he looked so happy."

"Yeah, he found his mate. It's Sam, my best friend."

"Now you're the only one left, little one," Damian said, ruffling her hair. "I hope your mate is worthy of you."

"Of course he will be. She deserves a love like ours," Melissa said, cupping Damian's face. He looked at her with so much love and kissed her — right there, right in front of Aitana. It was a blade through her chest. She forced her gaze elsewhere and willed her tears not to fall.

Alpha Elias and Luna Dafne addressed the pack, welcoming their son Damian home along with his fated mate. They expressed pride and entrusted the pack's future to the young couple. Then Damian and Melissa stepped forward. He pulled a small black velvet box from his pocket and dropped to one knee. The crowd gasped at their future Alpha's proposal.

From the back of the crowd, Aitana could no longer hold it in. Tears streamed down her face. Alain, despite his own happiness, felt the weight of his sister's grief. He crossed the room, pulled her into his arms, and held her. Sam was there too, rubbing Aitana's back, murmuring comfort.

"**************************"

The weekend arrived. Despite her heartbreak, Aitana couldn't avoid the Alpha King's invitation. She came downstairs with a small overnight bag — they'd only be at the palace for the weekend, just a few hours' drive away.

"Can I stay home?" she asked her father.

"I'm sorry, sweetheart, but it's not safe. There have been attacks on several packs lately — they usually target Alpha and Beta families. I wouldn't be able to rest knowing you were here alone," Marcus said. He understood what his daughter was going through. He'd been against the so-called arranged engagement from the start, afraid of exactly this outcome.

"Come on, sis. Sam's coming too," Alain added, trying to cheer her up.

"Yeah, but you two have been glued together since you bonded. You're stealing my best friend," Aitana grumbled. Alain laughed and kissed her forehead.

The drive to the palace was quiet. Aitana put in her earbuds and listened to music the whole way. Sam and Alain tried to engage her, pointing out the scenery, but she wasn't in the mood.

When they arrived, the sheer size of the palace left them speechless. Towering walls, gleaming architecture — none of them had been here before, except for Alpha Elias and Beta Marcus, who attended the King's councils.

"Do you think we'll see the King?" Sam whispered.

"At the party," Aitana said flatly, stealing a glance at Damian and Melissa walking hand in hand ahead of them, radiating happiness.

"You know, maybe you'll find your mate at the ball," Sam said, trying to lift her spirits. "Imagine if he's an Alpha from another pack. Oh God, but then you'd have to leave with him..." She trailed off at Aitana's withering look — the last thing she wanted was to be separated from her family. "Come on, babe. You have to move on. You've got your whole life ahead of you."

"I know. But right now, I don't want to find my mate," Aitana whispered. She wasn't ready. Her feelings for Damian were still raw — years of love didn't just evaporate. Finding a fated mate now would mean being bound to a stranger by destiny while her heart still ached for someone else.

During the afternoon reception, the families of Alphas and Betas from across the kingdom gathered. Aitana's beauty drew attention from every direction — sons of Alphas and Betas hoped she might be their fated mate, but the bond never sparked.

"We could have some fun with her," one young man said, watching Aitana with hungry eyes.

"Are you insane? That's Beta Marcus's daughter. The Blue Moon pack is no joke — their Alpha and Beta are terrifying. Plus her brother Alain was one of the top fighters at the academy," his companion hissed, nervously eyeing where Alain stood with Sam.

"Relax. He's busy with his little she-wolf. He won't even notice his sister's gone for a bit," the redhead said.

"Don't do it, Morgan. You'll get yourself killed."

"And you will," Melissa said, materializing behind them. Her voice was ice. "Don't even think about touching her. Are we clear?"

"What, you're playing nice now, sister?" Morgan sneered.

"Listen to me, Morgan. I belong to the Blue Moon pack now, and I'm going to be their Luna. Damian cares about that girl, which means I won't let you lay a finger on her."

"Idiot. You joined a weak pack. You should've rejected that fool Damian," Morgan spat.

"Is there a problem?" Damian appeared, eyeing Morgan. He knew Melissa's relationship with her brother was toxic — they'd clashed at the academy more than once.

"No problem. Just telling my sister she can still reject you. She deserves better," Morgan said. Damian's fists clenched, itching to swing.

"Damian, don't. He's not worth it," Melissa said, taking his hand. She turned a cold stare on her brother. "You've been warned. Watch yourself — you're not in your pack anymore." She led Damian away.

"She's right, man," Morgan's friend said. "Mess up here and the King will punish you himself. Word is he's ruthless but fair — don't start trouble."

Morgan glared at him, then stalked off, his eyes still following Aitana.

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