Chapter 1

~ Luciana's POV ~

[Three years later]

Luciana Garcia was in the middle of teaching the kindergarten class about the importance of sharing when she heard a commotion outside the room. As she turned to look, she saw a group of women approaching. They were all giggling and laughing happily, and Luciana recognized them immediately as members of the Blackmoon pack.

The Blackmoon pack held the title for the most substantial and populous werewolf pack in the country. Structured like a miniature city, it was more open to civilization than any other pack and situated closer to the big city. The pack boasted a wide array of amenities, such as schools, shops, and a medical center, and had the luxury of accessing the human city whenever necessary.

" What are they up to now" she groaned as she watched them wave excitedly at her.

Three years ago, Luciana had almost been killed by her own pack, her Alpha, her mate who had rejected her. She had been left for dead in the woods when the Alpha of the Blackmoon pack, Alpha Alister, had rescued her. He had taken her in and nursed her back to health, and since then, Luciana had become a part of their pack. She was grateful to them for saving her life and had dedicated herself to helping them in any way she could, Hence her teaching the little kids.

As the women entered the room, Luciana smiled and greeted them warmly. They surrounded her, pulling her into a group hug, all of them laughing and chatting excitedly. Luciana felt a warm sense of belonging wash over her. These women were her family now, and she loved them dearly.

After a few moments, one of the women, Anisha, stepped forward and addressed the kindergarten class. "Kids, we're here to take Miss Luciana away for a little while. Don't worry, she'll be back soon. We just need her help with something."

The children looked up at Luciana with wide eyes, Keita especially had a frown on his face, probably wondering where she was going to and she smiled reassuringly at them. "Don't worry, guys, I'll be back soon. Keep being good for your teacher, okay?" She told them as she nodded to the other teacher in the room to take over.

As Luciana was dragged away, still surrounded by the giggling women of the Blackmoon pack, she couldn't help but feel grateful for the life she had found with them. They had taken her in when she had nowhere else to go, and now, she was a valued member of their pack. She knew that no matter what happened in the future, she would always have a home with them.

" Where are you ladies taking me to now…" she grunted.

" hush… we're taking you somewhere your services are highly needed…" one of the women, Anisha, told her.

She groaned, she had a feeling that she knew where they were taking her to.

" I seriously need to be in class now, not goofing around somewhere, planning a party…" she whined.

Anisha rolled her eyes, " enough of your whining…today is the Alpha's birthday and we're throwing a surprise party for him. Plus, he's turning twenty one today…do you know what that means?!" She screeched.

Luciana had to cover her ears to avoid her eardrums from bursting. "Be quiet, Anisha. You'll scare the kids," she told her. She didn't understand why they were so insistent on involving her in the surprise party when they were perfectly capable of handling it themselves.

"I understand that it's the Alpha's birthday today, and the day he will also find his mate too but why do you need me specifically?" Luciana asked, trying to reason with the women.

"Because we need your help with the decorations and setting up the venue," Anisha replied, still excited about the party. "And besides, you're good at organizing things. We could use your expertise."

Luciana sighed. She couldn't argue with that. She did have a knack for organizing events and making things look pretty. "Fine, I'll help you with the decorations," she agreed. "But I can't stay for long. I have to attend my classes later."

The women nodded, satisfied with her answer. They left the kindergarten building and Luciana was not surprised when they dragged her into the car and drove her straight to Mama Ophelia's house which was close to the pack house.  It was a large, cozy house with a beautifully decorated garden.

So this was where they were preparing for the Alpha's birthday party, she mused.  She should have known that Ophelia was up to something, especially since she had been dropping hints about the Alpha finding his mate on his twenty-first birthday. Luciana rolled her eyes at the thought.

Ophelia greeted them with a wide smile as they approached the front porch. "I was starting to think that she ran away," Ophelia joked as they entered the house.

Luciana scoffed. "As if they would let me. They ambushed me while I was teaching. Your agents carried out a successful mission, Helia," she said, hugging Ophelia.

Ophelia, who was Beta Elijah's mother and one of the first women to welcome Luciana into the pack, had been the one to treat her when the Alpha had brought her to the pack that night, bloody and wounded. Ophelia was like a mother to everyone, and her orders were obeyed without question

" Excellent…now, let's begin!" Ophelia chirped as she clapped her hands.

Luciana joined the women in the kitchen as they prepared various dishes and drinks for the Alpha's birthday party. She marveled at the grandeur of the preparations, including the huge three-tier cake that Ophelia was decorating.

"I thought it was going to be a small party... this looks huge," she said.

Ophelia scoffed. "He's turning twenty-one and finding his mate today. It has to be special. I really can't wait for the moon goddess to seal what we all know," she said, wriggling her eyebrows.

Luciana arched a brow at her. "Seal what they all know?" She wanted Ophelia to explain what that meant, but she didn't want to be disappointed with what the woman would say.

It was not a new thing to her that she had feelings for the unmated Alpha. She had fallen for him at first sight when he saved her, and since then, she had wished for him as a mate, but she knew it was impossible.

The moon goddess would not give her a second chance at a mate, and definitely not the Alpha. He deserved someone who was good for him and the pack and would love him endlessly, not some washed-up mate who had been rejected by her mate and was also carrying an extra burden.

"Earth to Lucia!" Ophelia said, snapping her out of her thoughts. "Help me out here, will you? I need to check on what those women are doing at the back," she said, handing the bowl over to Luciana before leaving.

As Ophelia snuck out of the door to the backyard, Luciana caught her staring back at her with a suspicious look.

 Sighing, she continued decorating the cake from where Ophelia stopped. She was engrossed in decorating the cake

until she heard the doorbell. "Were they expecting anyone?" she thought, wiping her hands on her trousers as she headed to the front door.

" How can I help you?"  she asked immediately as she opened the door.

Well, the person standing there has not been who she was expecting to see. 

To her surprise, Alpha Alister stood outside, his hand raised midair to knock. He arched a brow and asked, "Luciana? What are you doing here? You should be in school now…" He took in her disheveled appearance.

Thinking of the perfect lie, she blinked and said, "Oh, I...uhm...I came to help Ophelia with something."

He nodded, preparing to enter the house. Oh no, she thought, realizing that his unexpected presence would spoil the surprise party they were planning for him. She quickly positioned herself to block his path.

"Um...Ophelia is a little busy right now. Can you come back later?" she muttered.

He gave her a stern look that made her heart race and her feet feel jittery. She was once again reminded that the man standing in front of her was the Alpha she loved.

"Alright then, let her know I came by," he said, turning to leave.

She let out a soft sigh, relieved that he was leaving. But her relief was short-lived as he turned back to face her. She could tell that he was hesitant to speak at first, but then he cleared his throat.

how you are?" he inquired.

She was taken aback by the unexpected question. How was she? Sad. In a few hours, he would be claiming his mate, another woman who wasn't her.

"I'm fine," she stammered.

He nodded and then asked, "And Keita? It's been a while since I last saw him."

She smiled, thinking of her beloved son. "He's doing well, always full of energy...always eager to see the big bad Alpha," she chuckled, using the nickname Keita had for Alpha Alister.

The Alpha let out a hearty laugh, his voice booming and stirring something within her. She longed for him to laugh and smile at her that way. 

" I miss him too" Alister whispered back to her.

Knowing that by midnight he would belong to another woman made her feel sick.

He sensed her unease and nodded before turning to leave.

"By the way, happy birthday," she told him.

He grinned widely, revealing a perfect set of teeth. "Thanks," he muttered before getting into his car.

Luciana let out a sigh and closed the front door, that went well, she mused. As she turned around, she gasped in shock at the sight of Ophelia standing there with her arms crossed.

" Please don't blame me, I didn't know it was him at the door. And he didn't see anything, I swear. Your surprise is still intact," Luciana defended herself.

Ophelia smirked and held Luciana's shoulders. "I never said anything," she mumbled.

"You know the moon goddess works in mysterious ways, right? Anything can happen tonight. Have faith, Luciana," Ophelia reassured her.

Why would Ophelia say that to her? She thought. Luciana had always suspected that Ophelia knew about her feelings for the Alpha, but she had never mentioned it before. Ophelia's words confirmed her suspicions, and she felt embarrassed. 

"Let's just get this party over with," she said to herself.