The Prophecy and Challenge

Diva Crest, the weakest wolf in her pack, was used to being overlooked. No one expected anything from her—not strength, not leadership, and certainly not a future worth talking about.

Tonight would be no different.

The annual werewolf gathering was in full preparation, the grand hall was alive with chatter, but to Diva, it felt empty. She lingered at the edge of the crowd, her eyes sweeping over the alphas, betas, and omegas, all dining and conversing as if this event actually mattered.

"It's always the same. Never lively. Always boring," she muttered under her breath.

Still, she forced a smile and approached her pack’s section, the Silverfangs.

"Hi, everyone," she greeted, her voice bright with a forced cheerfulness.

No one responded.

A few glanced at her, unimpressed, before returning to their conversations.

She sighed. “Why do I even try?”

The atmosphere in the room suddenly shifted. A chilling stillness settled over the crowd. Murmurs died. Conversations halted.

The Soothsayer had arrived.

The ancient woman, draped in flowing robes, walked to the stage. Her presence alone is commanding attention, but it was her gaze—sharp and knowing—that sent a chill down Diva’s spine.

She was looking straight at her.

Diva's stomach twisted. “No, no, no... Why is she staring at me?”

The Soothsayer spoke, her voice ringing through the hall.

"Good evening, wonderful wolves. You are all welcome to this year’s annual gathering."

"Good evening, Ancient Soothsayer," the crowd chorused in unison.

"I will now call upon the leaders of each pack," she continued, listing them off one by one.

"Alpha Roland of the Emeraldfang. Luna Rachel of the Bronzefang. Alpha Mike of the Rubyfang. Alpha Derek of the Blackfang. And finally, Luna Diva of the Silverfang."

Diva froze. "Me ?" 

The other leaders stepped forward with confidence. She hesitated, her body refusing to move.

"Diva," the Soothsayer called again, her tone leaving no room for argument.

Shaking, she forced herself forward, standing awkwardly behind the others. She didn’t belong here. She wasn’t like them.

The Soothsayer surveyed the leaders, then nodded. "It seems one of our leaders is missing—Alpha Derek of the Blackfang."

The alphas murmured among themselves, but before Diva could feel relief, the Soothsayer’s gaze locked onto her again.

"The rest of you may return to your seats—except for Diva."

Her breath seized.

The hall, already silent, gets suffocating. The weight of hundreds of eyes pressed down on her, judging, waiting.

"Ma’am, my stomach feels upset. Can I leave?" Diva whispered, desperate to escape.

The Soothsayer stepped closer, lowering her voice so only Diva could hear.

"You know you can't fool me with your petty tricks."

Diva swallowed hard, her entire body stiffening.

Then the Soothsayer cleared her throat, addressing the crowd.

"In the presence of all gathered here, I declare that Diva Crest is the fated mate of Alpha Derek Valen, leader of the Blackfang Pack."

A heavy silence hung in the air before the room exploded.

"Boo! She doesn’t deserve him!"

"She’s too weak!"

Gasps and furious whispers spread like wildfire.

Diva felt like the floor had swallowed her.

“Alpha Derek?”

The coldest, most ruthless alpha known to the packs? The man whose mere presence sent wolves cowering?

"This can’t be," she whispered, her voice trembling.

The Soothsayer's voice cut through the noise. "Fate does not make mistakes."

"But I can’t be with someone like him!" Diva argued. "I’m not even strong enough to be his Luna!"

The Soothsayer leaned in, her voice barely above a whisper.

"You are not as weak as you think. The truth will come in time."

Diva stood frozen, her mind spinning. She couldn’t accept this. She wouldn’t accept this.

“No… I have to break this bond.”

With one final glance at the Soothsayer, she turned and ran, disappearing into the night.

Diva barely had time to process the prophecy before a knock echoed through her door.

She tensed. She already knew who it was.

Taking a deep breath, she opened the door.

Three Blackfang guards stood in front of her, their faces expressionless.

"What do you want?" she asked, crossing her arms.

"Our Alpha has ordered us to escort you to the mansion," one of them replied.

Diva scoffed. "Go back and tell him I’m not home."

The guards remain unmoving. "Alpha Derek ordered us to complete our task before returning."

"I don’t care," she snapped. "Get the hell away from my door!"

The guards exchanged glances. Then, without warning, one of them stepped forward, grabbed her, and lifted her onto his shoulder.

"What the…! Put me down!" she shrieked, pounding her fists against his back.

"We have our orders, Luna," he said, unwavering.

"Help! I’m being abducted!" she shouted, but her own pack only watched in silence.

“Cowards”, she thought bitterly.

"Fine!" she spat. "I’ll go! Just put me down."

The guard set her back on her feet, but they surrounded her, making sure she wouldn’t run.

The journey to Derek’s mansion was tense. Every step she took toward it made the mate bond pulse stronger. Her wolf stirred inside her, restless.

“No, I refuse to acknowledge this bond.”

When they arrived, Diva’s breath caught in her throat.

The Blackfang mansion was enormous and large, a fortress looming over the forest. Cold and Unwelcoming.

Inside, the grand hall was even more imposing. And waiting at the center of it, seated like a king on his throne, was Derek Valen.

Tall. Piercing gray eyes. An aura of cold power.

She clenched her fists, willing herself not to feel the mate bond pulling her toward him.

He studied her silently before finally speaking.

"You’re smaller than I expected."

Diva stiffened. Asshole.

"I don’t want this bond," she snapped.

Derek’s lips curled slightly. "Neither do I. But it exists. And until I decide what to do with you, you’ll stay here."

"Meaning?" She challenged me.

His gaze darkened. "Meaning you are mine. My property. And I will decide your fate."

Diva took a step forward, eyes blazing. "I am not your property."

He smirked. "You want to prove me wrong?"

Her heart pounded. "What are you saying?"

Derek leaned forward, his smirk turning sharp.

"I’m saying let’s make this interesting. A challenge. You win, you leave. You lose? You accept your place as my Luna."

Diva’s breath caught.

A challenge… against him?

This was a trap.

But she refused to back down.

She met his gaze head-on. "Fine. I accept."