Someone clears his throat loudly behind me, clearly audible to everyone.Both the Alpha family on stage and the Elders look up. There is a buzz in the crowd. Many react with annoyance to the interruption, just as I have to take my vows.And then I see Alpha Rainer from Shadow Moon rise from his seat.He raises his glass to me with a sneaky curl on his mouth. And then everything starts spinning around me until I slowly lose consciousness. My mother catches me as my father runs up the stage. “This way, " I still hear Alpha Rainer shout as I completely fall into the dark hole.“Mercedes, it's time”, I hear someone calling somewhere far away.With difficulty, I try to lift my heavy eyelids. After a few attempts, I have them up but I still have to get used to the view. Then I see Alpha Rainer bending over me, his face close to mine. He holds me tight in his arms. It feels like we are sitting in a car moving at high speed.I give him a watery smile and want to return to the hiding place of
Still Mercedes' POVBlinking my eyes, I wake up in my room in Shadow Moon's packhouse.Today is my birthday. Finally!Contrary to what I planned and could have ever suspected, I am stepping into adulthood in Shadow Moon instead of my mate's pack. The past few days have been hectic. The tension between the three packs fighting for my hand was enormous, the Council of the Werewolves even had to intervene.Who would have thought that not one but the three largest werewolf packs threatened to go to war over a humble Beta daughter like me?! This is the most insane thing I've ever heard.Kenry leads a group of Midnight Moon warriors patrolling in the free zone outside the Shadow Moon territory for two days. They are ready to invade upon any mishandling of the two packs. After Zane understood that Alpha Rainer had his own agenda when he eagerly offered his help to him, he savagely declared war on him. He promised to personally behead Alpha Rainer for this betrayal and violatio
Zane's words really motivated me.After watching the video several times and having a desperate outburst, I was ready to go. I can do this, after weeks of training, I can handle every setback. When this is all over, Zane and our pack will be proud of me, the way I've gone through it all. And later, our pups will tell everyone what a terrific mother they have.I'm confident, that's what I'm radiating.“It is almost a shame to have such a beautiful dress on when, about an hour later, you will tear it up to shift,” Saphira sighs as she closes the zipper. “The dress is a few sizes big. Have you lost weight, Mercedes?” I stroke my sides and indeed notice that a few full parts on my body have now gone flat. What stress doesn't do to people! Saphira fixes my makeup again this time I prefer some light colors. And then the hilarious part of this situation dawns on me. “Do you know, Saphira, that this is my second Luna ceremony with the wrong Alphas? But I believe that three time
After the banquet that seemed endless, I decided to rest in my room.I feel exhausted both mentally and physically. Saphira has stayed with me the whole time, much to my delight. “Shall we go to my room now, Saphira? I'm fatigued. Tonight I want to be fully rested when I meet my wolf”, I indicate. Joy fills my heart when thinking that I will finally be able to communicate with my wolf.My wolf!She has made herself known several times but far in the background. I couldn't really have a conversation with her either, so I don't even know her name. But that will change after a few hours. Strangely enough, tonight is also a full moon. The Moon Goddess will therefore be present at my first shift, which is all I ever wanted. I turn to leave when I bump into Alpha Rainer's chest.“Hey, Mercedes. Have you had my flowers? I hope they got your day off to a good start," he asks hopefully. I take a step back and look up at him. Alpha Rainer is a robust guy, handsome and all, but not really my typ
I’m Rooted in my place.I can't believe what just happened. My wolf has refused to shift!Tears appear in my eyes. My father walks up to me and takes me in his arms. “What happened, Mercedes? Why didn't your wolf want to shift?" he asks concerned. I hide my face in his chest. “Era said we can't shift for the time being. There's something else going on that won't allow us to shift for a while," I cry out loud. Despair has gripped me completely now.“Dad! What will happen to me now that Era won't shift? I want to go to Zane! He is my mate, I don't want to stay here”, I sob heartbreakingly. Behind me, I hear some shifts. A tumult arises, everyone starts talking at once. The atmosphere becomes menacing.Alpha Rainer steps forward. “Mercedes, now that your wolf has not stated who your mate actually is, you will have to stay here until your first shift. That is what has been agreed. There is still no clarity in this impasse. And I maintain that you are my fated mate.” He tries to grab me by
Alpha Zane’s POV I've been waiting for this moment or eight years. Eight long years!Watching my mate grow from a baby into a beautiful woman, I had to defy other men's lustful eyes on her until two Alphas dared to make serious efforts to take her from me. All failed.They failed not just for what I invested in my mate. She did most of the work on her own.After I disappointed her at the mall, she took matters into her own hands. She worked on her personality, decided to be more independent and acquire her own identity. Thanks to the Moon Goddess! Because she saved us. With her steadfastness and confidence, Mercedes has defied all obstacles. Made it clear to all our enemies that she belonged to me, that I am her mate and no one else's. She has repeated it so many times that the Moon Goddess had no choice but to keep us together.I look at her as she leans against my chest, her head resting confidently on my shoulders. I walk with her to Shadow Moon's pack border, where my army is wai
Happily, I stare at my mate.How did this possibility not cross my mind? This must have happened that day in the cabin in the woods. When we made love there, I already had a different feeling, felt more connected to Mercedes. Before I met her, I had some flings with she-wolves outside my pack, but I've never knotted them. Mercedes is clearly my mate, determined by the Moon Goddess. She alone could get my body to react like that.I keep staring at her in love, unable to explain my behavior to her. It is impossible for me to tell her in front of everyone that in a few months, we will have not one but several pups. Several, not just one. Moon Goddess! One must be a girl who looks exactly like her mother, that is my dearest wish.I keep staring at her dreamily."MATE! Is this the first time you see me? I already know that I am breathtakingly beautiful.” I blink a few times and now see Mercedes looking me sternly in the face with her hands on her hips, bending over. I smile
When we arrive at Midnight Moon we are surprised to see the pack members waiting. A horde of wolves lets out a loud roar of joy when the car comes to a standstill.When Mercedes gets out, a loud cheer goes through the group, flowers are thrown at her. “Welcome, Luna Mercedes. Now stay forever. You can't go back, you belong to Midnight Moon now”, they scream at once. The five Elders of the pack step forward and bow their heads. They are clearly delighted to see my mate.“Luna Mercedes. The Alpha informed us you're still tired, so we're moving your ceremony to tomorrow night. We will adjust the part where you are supposed to shift. Don't worry about that," the Head of Elders declares. I look at him gratefully, this is more than I expected. Mercedes is the absolute princess of my pack and heart. “Thank you, Elder”, I hear her say softly with equal joy. “I'm looking forward to that. I officially want to be Zane's mate so that the past period doesn't repeat itself. It should be clear to ev