Chapter 1: The Cold Alpha

The air was thick with anticipation, heavy with the energy of a hundred wolves gathered in the clearing, their eyes fixed on the alpha who stood at the center.

The night was dark, save for the flickering light from the campfire that cast long shadows over the tense faces of the pack. Leora stood on the edge of the group, her heart pounding, her breath shallow in the crisp air.

She was 17 now, but soon—on her 18th birthday—the true nature of her bond to the alpha would be revealed. It was a bond she didn’t understand, a connection that terrified her in its intensity.

Kael, the pack’s alpha, was as cold as the winter winds that swept through the forest. Tall and imposing, with piercing gray eyes that seemed to look through her, he was everything Leora knew she should fear. And yet, despite her every instinct telling her to stay away, something deep inside her pulled her toward him.

The bond.

Her parents had tried to prepare her for this moment. They’d whispered to her stories of the fated mates in their pack, the wolves whose hearts beat in sync with their destined counterpart. But no one had ever warned her about the confusion that came with it—the longing, the attraction, the fear.

How could she feel this draw to someone who barely acknowledged her existence? Kael was a mystery, a leader who ruled with iron-fisted authority yet kept his emotions carefully hidden behind layers of icy indifference. He was a wolf surrounded by walls, and those walls were not meant to be breached.

Leora had spent most of her life in his shadow, watching him from afar as he led his pack with unwavering certainty. She had seen the way others looked at him—with reverence, even fear. But she had never been a part of his world. She was the powerless Luna, a mere girl in the eyes of the pack, and she had accepted that role without question.

The night was eerily quiet, save for the crackle of the campfire and the occasional rustle of leaves in the wind. The gathered wolves formed a semicircle, their attention fixed on Kael. He stood like a statue, his posture rigid, the flickering flames casting shadows across his chiseled features. His voice cut through the stillness as he addressed the pack, issuing orders in clipped, decisive tones.

Leora stayed on the fringes, her hands tucked into the pockets of her jacket, her nails biting into her palms. She couldn’t bring herself to step closer. Being near Kael made her feel as though the air had been stolen from her lungs. Her heart always betrayed her, hammering wildly whenever he was close, as if trying to bridge the invisible gap between them.

And he always noticed.

Kael’s sharp gaze flicked in her direction, as precise and cutting as a blade. Though his expression didn’t change, she felt his scrutiny like a physical weight. It was maddening—the way he could both draw her in and push her away without saying a word. Leora looked away quickly, focusing instead on the fire, but the sensation lingered. He was watching her, and the bond they shared thrummed like a living thing, pulling taut between them.

Her parents had always told her she was special, though she had never believed them. They’d spoken of her destiny as a Luna, as the one chosen to stand beside the pack’s alpha. But Leora had grown up feeling anything but extraordinary. Unlike the others, she had no wolf to shift into, no powers to boast of. She wasn’t a fighter or a strategist. She was just... Leora.

She had always watched the pack from the sidelines, a part of their world but not truly belonging. The wolves accepted her presence out of duty, not affection, their respect for her position more performative than heartfelt. They saw her as an accessory to the alpha—a Luna in name only.

Lately, however, everything had changed.

Her bond with Kael had grown impossible to ignore. It wasn’t just emotional—it was physical. When he was near, her senses sharpened, her pulse raced, and her body responded to him in ways she couldn’t control. She had tried to ignore it, to suppress the feelings that overwhelmed her, but it was futile. The bond was like a living force, weaving them together more tightly with every passing day.

“Leora.”

The sound of her name pulled her from her thoughts. She turned and found Liam approaching her, his familiar grin softening the sharpness of her anxiety.

Liam was one of the higher-ranking wolves in the pack, second only to Kael in strength and skill. Unlike the alpha, Liam was approachable and warm, his charm effortlessly putting people at ease. He had always been kind to Leora, often going out of his way to include her in pack activities.

“You’re standing out here all alone again,” he said, his tone light but teasing. “What are you thinking about this time?”

Leora gave him a small smile, her gaze darting briefly back to Kael. “Nothing important.”

“Ah, nothing important,” Liam repeated, crossing his arms.

“Is that what we’re calling Kael now?”

Her cheeks flushed crimson, and she looked away quickly.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

Liam chuckled, the sound warm and low. “Leora, you’re not as subtle as you think. Everyone can see the way you look at him. It’s not a crime, you know. He is your mate.”

The word “mate” sent a shiver down her spine. She swallowed hard, her voice barely above a whisper. “He doesn’t see me that way.”

Liam’s smile faltered, replaced by a look of quiet understanding. “Kael isn’t the easiest person to read, but don’t sell yourself short. The bond isn’t something he can ignore forever.”

Leora shook her head, her chest tightening.

“It doesn’t matter. I’m not like you or the others. I don’t have a wolf. I don’t have any power. The only reason I’m even here is because of some bond I don’t understand.”

Liam’s expression softened, and he reached out to place a reassuring hand on her shoulder.

“You’re more than the bond, Leora. You might not see it yet, but you have a strength of your own. And when the time comes, you’ll prove it—to yourself and to everyone else.”

She wanted to believe him. She really did. But doubt was a heavy weight, and it had wrapped itself around her heart for far too long.

“Leora!”

Kael’s voice cut through the night, deep and commanding. It sent a jolt of electricity through her veins, and she turned toward him instinctively. He was standing by the fire now, his piercing eyes locked onto hers.

Liam stepped back, his hand slipping from her shoulder. “Looks like the boss wants you,” he said with a smirk. “Better not keep him waiting.”

Leora hesitated, her pulse pounding in her ears. She forced herself to move, her legs heavy as she walked toward Kael. The pack’s eyes followed her, their curiosity palpable, but she focused only on him.

As she approached, Kael’s gaze didn’t waver. There was something unreadable in his expression—an intensity that made her stomach twist.

“You called?” she asked, her voice more timid than she’d intended.

Kael studied her for a moment, his silence stretching. Then he nodded toward the edge of the clearing. “Come with me.”

Her heart leapt into her throat, but she obeyed without question. He led her away from the others, his long strides forcing her to hurry to keep up. The forest swallowed them, the glow of the fire fading until they were alone under the canopy of trees.

Kael finally stopped, turning to face her. The cold mask he always wore was still in place, but there was a flicker of something else in his eyes—something softer, though no less intense.

“Are you alright?” he asked, his voice low.

Leora blinked, caught off guard. “What?”

“I said, are you alright?” His tone was firmer now, but not unkind.

“I... I’m fine,” she stammered. “Why do you ask?”

Kael’s jaw tightened, and he looked away briefly, as if searching for the right words.

“You’ve been distant lately. Distracted. I needed to make sure you weren’t struggling with... everything.”

Her breath caught. He was talking about the bond.

“I’m handling it,” she said quickly, though the quiver in her voice betrayed her.

Kael’s gaze snapped back to her, pinning her in place. “You don’t have to lie to me, Leora. I know this isn’t easy for you.”

She felt a lump rise in her throat. “What do you want me to say, Kael? That I don’t understand why this is happening? That I feel like I don’t belong here? That I—”

Her voice broke, and she looked down, tears threatening to spill.

Kael’s expression softened, and for the first time, he stepped closer, the air between them charged with unspoken emotion. “You belong, Leora. Whether you believe it or not, you do.”

His words were quiet but firm, and they carried a weight that settled over her like a blanket. She dared to meet his eyes, and what she saw there stole her breath.

The coldness was still there, but beneath it was something warmer—something real.

For a moment, neither of them spoke. The only sound was the wind rustling through the trees, carrying with it the faintest hint of hope.

And for the first time, Leora allowed herself to believe that maybe, just maybe, she wasn’t as powerless as she thought.