Chapter 3 : A Forbidden Fate

The sounds of the Moonlight Festival filled the air as Ren stepped onto the festival grounds. Lanterns swayed gently in the breeze, their soft light illuminating the bustling crowd. Music played from a nearby stage, the rhythmic beat of drums blending with the hum of conversations and laughter. But none of it truly registered with him. His mind was elsewhere, caught between the responsibilities of his role as Alpha and the tension that had gripped the pack in recent weeks.

He hadn’t planned to attend the festival - his duties kept him busy enough - but something had pulled him here tonight, an instinct he couldn’t quite ignore. As he moved through the crowd, his sharp senses scanned his surroundings, ever alert for danger or disturbance. But what he found instead stopped him in his tracks.

A scent.

It was faint at first, carried on the wind, but it struck him with such force that he nearly staggered. Lavender, with a hint of something sweet and earthy, a fragrance so intoxicating that his wolf stirred immediately, growling low in his mind. Mate, the wolf whispered, the word laced with excitement and longing.

Ren’s heart raced as he followed the scent, his body moving before his mind could catch up. The smell grew stronger with each step, drawing him closer until he found himself standing just behind a woman at a food stall. She was laughing softly with her friend, her voice warm and melodic, and when she moved, the scent enveloped him fully, leaving no doubt in his mind.

She was his mate.

For a moment, all he could do was stare. Her dark hair cascaded down her back, glinting in the soft glow of the lanterns. The curve of her neck, the gentle slope of her shoulders - everything about her drew him in, igniting a pull he couldn’t resist. But then his wolf howled again, this time with an edge of confusion and frustration.

She’s human, Ren realized, his chest tightening. A human mate. It was a forbidden bond, one that could jeopardize his position as Alpha, his ability to lead the pack. His mind reeled as he struggled to reconcile the undeniable connection he felt with the harsh reality of what it meant.

There’s something else, his wolf growled, insistent. She’s not entirely human. Her wolf… it’s there, but it’s trapped. Hidden.

The revelation sent a shiver through him, a mix of hope and uncertainty. If her wolf was present, even faintly, then perhaps there was more to her than met the eye. But why was it suppressed? What had happened to her? Questions swirled in his mind, but before he could process them, a voice called out.

“Elena! Is that you?”

The woman - Elena - turned, spinning around so quickly that she collided with him. Hard.

Ren reached out instinctively, his hands gripping her arms to steady her. The moment their skin touched, a jolt shot through him, an electric spark that left him breathless. His wolf growled in approval, and his heart pounded as he looked down at her, truly seeing her face for the first time.

She was beautiful. Dark, expressive eyes framed by thick lashes, full lips parted slightly as if she were about to speak. Her cheeks flushed as she stared up at him, her own surprise mirrored in his amber gaze. For a brief moment, the rest of the world seemed to fade away, leaving only the two of them standing together under the lantern light.

Mate, his wolf whispered again, this time with absolute certainty.

“Are you alright?” Ren asked, his voice lower than he intended. He could feel her trembling slightly beneath his hands, her pulse quickening in response to their proximity. Her scent enveloped him, clouding his thoughts and making it nearly impossible to step away.

She opened her mouth, but no words came out. Her lips moved silently, her wide eyes locked on his, and Ren felt a flicker of amusement despite the storm raging inside him.

Her friend, however, was quick to step in. “She’s fine! She just… didn’t see you there,” the woman said, offering him an apologetic smile. “Right, Elena?”

Elena blinked, seeming to snap out of her daze. “Yes, I—I’m sorry,” she stammered, her voice soft and uncertain. “I wasn’t paying attention.”

Ren allowed a small smile to cross his lips, though his mind was anything but calm. “No harm done,” he replied, his tone gentle as he released her arms and stepped back. He could feel his wolf’s protest, the primal urge to stay close to her, to claim her, but he forced himself to resist.

“Enjoy the festival,” he added, his gaze lingering on her for a moment before he turned and walked away.

Each step was an effort, his wolf howling in frustration as he distanced himself from his mate. But he knew he couldn’t stay—not yet. She was human, or at least appeared to be, and that complication alone was enough to make his head spin. Still, he couldn’t bring himself to leave the festival entirely. Instead, he lingered in the shadows, his sharp senses trained on her as she resumed her conversation.

“I’m glad you came, Elena,” the man - her professor - was saying, his tone warm and familiar. “I’ve been meaning to talk to you about the next set of classes. You’re making incredible progress with your research.”

Elena smiled, her voice regaining its steadiness. “Thank you, Professor Harding. I’m really excited about the next module. There’s so much to learn about the regional folklore and how it ties to the ancient texts.”

Ren’s interest piqued at her words. Research? Folklore? The pieces clicked into place as he listened. She was an academic, someone who studied myths and history. It was no wonder she had been drawn to the Moonlight Festival - it was steeped in tradition and ancient rituals.

As the professor continued to speak, Ren’s resolve solidified. He needed to know more about her - not just because she was his mate, but because there was something unusual about her, something that his wolf recognized but couldn’t fully explain.

When the professor mentioned a lecture happening the next day, Ren made up his mind. He would find her at the university. If she had ties to ancient lore, perhaps she knew more than she realized about the secrets of their world. And even if she didn’t… he couldn’t ignore the pull he felt toward her.

With one last glance at Elena, Ren slipped into the crowd, his heart pounding and his wolf restless but satisfied. Tomorrow, he would take the first step toward understanding who she truly was and why the Moon Goddess had brought her into his life.