Starlight’s POV
I’d always dreamed of finding my mate. Not because I thought I deserved love, but because, for once, I wanted to feel like I belonged. That there was someone, just one person in this whole world, who would see me as more than the Moonlit Pack’s worthless runt. I should have known better. The moment I stepped into the grand hall for the Alpha’s coming-of-age ceremony, my heart clenched. A strange pull wrapped around me, tightening like an invisible chain, dragging me toward the one person I never wanted to be near. Helios. The son of the former Alpha. The strongest warrior in the pack. My tormentor. And now, my mate. I had no time to process the shock before his icy golden eyes locked onto mine. I shivered under the weight of his gaze, my breath hitching as his expression twisted into something ugly, disgust. “You?” His voice cut through the chatter in the room, laced with disbelief and simmering rage. The room fell silent. I felt every gaze turn toward me, felt the sneers and whispered insults before they even came. Helios took a step forward, towering over me. I wanted to shrink away, to disappear, but the mate bond held me captive, forcing me to stay rooted to the spot. For a second, just a fleeting second, I thought he might accept me. That fate, cruel as it was, wouldn’t make this my worst nightmare. Then he laughed. A cold, heartless sound that sent ice down my spine. “The Moon Goddess must have been drunk when she paired me with you.” He sneered, his voice through the mindlink dripping with venom. “An omega runt? Weak, useless, unworthy. You’re not even worth the effort it takes to reject you.” My breath hitched. The words stung, but I forced myself not to cry. I wouldn’t give him that satisfaction. He leaned in, his scent of burning cedarwood and steel overwhelming me. “Instead, I’ll just take another she-wolf. I’ll mark her, mate her, and let you break on your own.” His lips curled into a smirk. “That way, you’ll die quietly from the pain, and I won’t even have to lift a finger.” I gasped, my vision blurring. The bond between us trembled, screaming in protest at his words. My wolf whimpered, curling into herself, wounded beyond repair. Then to dispel the watching crowd he said out loud, "someone take this runt out of hear. She might suffocate from everyone's strong aura." The crowd burst into cruel laughter. I was nothing to them. Nothing to him. As Helios turned his back on me, walking toward a group of she-wolves already vying for his attention, something inside me shattered. Eighteen years of suffering. Eighteen years of being bullied, beaten, ridiculed. Eighteen years of Helios leading the charge in making my life a living hell. I clenched my fists, nails digging into my palms until I bled. If the Moon Goddess had made him my mate, then she had made the biggest mistake of her immortal life. Because if I had to suffer… Then so would he. I couldn't remember a time in this pack when I wasn't suffering. Maybe once, a long time ago, I was too young to understand hatred. Maybe when my mother still held me close and whispered that I was her little star, meant to shine no matter how dark the night. But that warmth was gone and all that remained was the cold, unrelenting cruelty of the Moonlit Pack. Flashback.... Eight Years Old I was running, my tiny legs ached, my lungs burned, but I knew that if I stopped, they would catch me. And they always caught me, anyway. I tripped over a tree root, landing hard on the dirt. Before I could scramble up, a hard fisted in my hair and yanked me up. "Where do you think you're going, runt?" A familiar voice sneered. Helios. The alpha's ten years old son. Even as a child, he was feared, strong, fast. He was the future alpha and he hated me more than anyone else. "Let me go, Helios!" I screamed whilst clawing at his hands. Laughter surrounded me. His friends, the future warriors of the pack, stood around us grinning. Helios shoved me down, pinning me under his weight. "You know the rules, Starlight. Omega's bow when they see their leaders and anyone stronger than them." I refused. Even back then, I still had some pride in me. So, he pressed my face into the mud. "If you won't bow, then you'll eat dirt!" I choked as soil filled my mouth, the bitter test burning my tongue. When he finally left me, I stumbled home, covered in bruises and humiliation. Yet no one helped me. No one ever did. ~~~~ Twelve Years Old I was in the kitchen scrubbing dishes and my hands were raw, my fingers were stiff from the icy water. "Faster omega!" The head cook snapped, dumping another pile of dishes into the sink. I bit my inner cheek and kept working. Complaining would earn me nothing but a brutal beating. The now fourteen years old Helios strolled in, flanked by his ever present group of followers. He leaned against the counter, watching me struggle with an amused smirk. "Still think you're too good to bow, runt?" He asked and I ignored him. Wrong move. Without warning, he grabbed the boiling pot of stew and tipped it over my hands. I screamed as an excruciating pain seared through my skin but no one moved to help me. Like always, they just laughed gleefully. "Clumsy runt." Helios sneered, shaking his head as if deeply disappointed. The scars never fully healed. ~~~~~ Sixteen Years Old My very first shift was approaching and I dared to hope. My parents were warriors who died protecting the alpha family. Maybe I wasn't weak. Maybe I wasn't useless. Maybe when I finally shifted, I would prove them wrong. But I was wrong , once again. The night I transformed for the first time, my wolf was small. Too small. An omega runt. Weak and pathetic. And Helios? He stood before the pack, laughing. "She's even more pathetic than we thought!" The other wolves howled in cruel amusement, jeering at me as I stood trembling in my new form. That was the night I realized something. It didn't matter how much I suffered. No one in this pack would ever see me as anything more than just a joke. I was nothing. And now? I was their alpha's mate. Fate is cruel but I was done being its victim!Starlight’s POVFate had played its cruelest trick on me. Helios. The boy who spent his life tormenting me. The Alpha who stood before me now, looking at me like I was dirt beneath his feet. My mate.His golden eyes burned with disgust, his voice still echoing in my mind. "You’re not even worth the effort it takes to reject you." "I’ll take another she-wolf, mark her, mate her, and let you break on your own." "That way, you’ll die quietly from the pain, and I won’t even have to lift a finger."He had spoken those words so easily, as if my suffering was nothing but an inconvenience to him. As if my existence, our mate bond, was a joke. But as I stood there, fists clenched at my sides, the past eighteen years replayed in my mind.The bruises. The jeers. The loneliness. The pain. And suddenly, something inside me shifted. I was done. Done being weak. Done being the runt. Done crying over a pack that had never once treated me as one of their own. They wanted me to die quietly? No. If I wa
Starlight's POVThe night was eerily silent, the kind of quiet that made the hairs on my arms stand on end. The Moonlit Pack’s territory was bathed in the silver glow of the full moon, and despite the cold air, the pack house buzzed with activity. Warriors patrolled the borders, omegas scurried about completing their duties, and the elite members gathered in the grand hall to celebrate Alpha Helios' rise to power.I had stayed away from the main house, as I always did. The pack had no use for an omega runt like me, especially one they openly despised. I was nothing but a shadow in their world, unseen and unwanted. That was until my mate, Alpha Helios, made it his mission to remind me of my place. "You're not even worth rejecting."His words still rang in my head like a cruel melody, one that I had grown accustomed to over the years. I clenched my fists, pushing away the ache in my chest. I refused to feel anything for a male who had made my life a waking nightmare.The scent of blood
Starlight’s POVThe battle ended as abruptly as it had begun. The moment Alpha Helios collapsed, the rogues, witches, and vampires retreated into the night like shadows dissolving into darkness. The stench of blood and burnt wood lingered in the air, a testament to the brutal attack that had left the Moonlit Pack in ruins.Despite the destruction, there were no fatalities. The warriors, though wounded, were alive. But Helios, their Alpha, my stupid mate, lay unmoving on the ground, his body trembling from the dark magic that still coiled around him.The pack scrambled to assist the injured. Warriors were supported by their comrades, omegas rushed to fetch water, and the healers worked tirelessly to stabilize the wounded. But the weight of one devastating truth hung over all of them. Their Alpha was hanging by a thread.A group of warriors lifted Helios’ limp form and carried him toward the infirmary, his father, Former Alpha Killian, leading the way. The sheer panic in his storm-gray
Helios' POVPain. It wasn’t the kind of pain I was accustomed to, the sharp bite of a blade, the dull ache of bruises, or the searing heat of claws raking through flesh. No, this pain was different. It came from within, deep and consuming, like my very existence had been shattered and forced back together in a way that didn’t quite fit. I gasped awake, my senses flaring, instinct kicking in before logic.The scent of sterile antiseptic burned my nose, but beneath it, something sweet and familiar coiled around me like an intoxicating whisper. Vanilla and moonlight. My wolf stirred instantly, and I turned my head, muscles tense, ready to attack whoever dared intrude on my space.And then I saw her. A frail body lay beside me in this oversized hospital bed, tucked beneath the same sheets I was under. Soft waves of midnight hair framed a face too pale, her chest barely rising with shallow breaths.Starlight. My heartbeat faltered. She was....why was she here? The memories crashed back al
Helios’ POVI never wanted a mate. Not like this. Not her. Yet, here I was, sitting at the edge of an oversized hospital bed, watching over the runt who had somehow bound me to her with something stronger than a mere mate bond, her blood.It had been three days since I woke up to find Starlight beside me, pale and unmoving. Three days of watching her remain locked in that damn coma, her breathing too shallow for my liking. Three days of listening to my father and Elysia command me to stay by her side.Three days of my wolf growing increasingly restless every time I thought of leaving. I hated it. I hated how trapped I felt. Hated the way my instincts screamed at me to protect her, touch her, keep her close. I equally hated how my wolf refused to let me pull away.I clenched my fists, trying to ignore the way my body gravitated toward hers. Even now, with her unconscious, she had some kind of hold over me. "You shunned her. You denied her. And now you're stuck with her." My wolf had be
Helios’ POVThe first thing I noticed when she woke up was her eyes. Not their color, not the way they fluttered open after days of stillness but the way they looked at me. They were cold, empty and indifferent. Like I was just another face in the pack. Like I was nothing.My wolf recoiled at the absence of recognition, of warmth, of any sign that she felt what I did. The raw pull of the bond had been gnawing at me since I woke up. It coiled tighter around my ribs the longer I stayed near her. But she…She acted like it didn’t even exist. "You're awake." My voice came out rough, unreadable. She blinked up at me, slow and impassive, before turning her head away, staring at the ceiling as if I wasn’t even in the room. A sharp pain twisted in my chest.The last time we were in the same room together, she had been half-dead, her blood keeping me alive while she wasted away. Now, she looked weak but intact. Yet something about her had changed. Not physically.No, physically, she was still
Helios’ POVIt started with little things. The way my hands itched when someone else reached for her. The way my wolf bristled whenever she spoke to another male, even if it was just a healer. The way my jaw clenched when she dismissed me, over and over, as if I was nothing more than background noise.She didn’t reject me outright. But she didn’t accept me either. She simply existed, untouched by the mate bond that was destroying me from the inside out. And I...I was losing my mind.The first time she flinched away from someone, I almost didn’t notice. A healer had been adjusting her pillow, hands brushing her shoulder as they shifted her into a better position. It was a simple, harmless touch. Yet her entire body went rigid and her fingers curled into the sheets.She didn’t say a word, didn’t push them away, but the tension in her muscles was unmistakable. I dismissed the healer before I even realized what I was doing. Starlight exhaled slowly when they left, as if she had been holdi
Helios' POVMy mate was killing me. Not with words. Not with anger. No. Starlight was killing me with silence. With every unreadable glance, every dismissive shrug, every moment she let me touch her yet gave me nothing in return. I had spent years ignoring her. Now, she was ignoring me. And I hated it.The most infuriating thing was the fact that I could not escape this bond. I didn’t want a mate. I certainly never wanted her. Yet here I was, trapped. Tied to her by something stronger than any mate bond. Tied to her by her blood, her sacrifice.She had saved me, and now my wolf refused to let me go. Every time I tried to leave the room, my body locked up. Every time I forced myself to walk away, my lungs ached like I was suffocating. I needed her close. Damnit! I truly needed her.And I could feel it, the bond pulling me deeper, tightening its hold. The longer I was near her, the worse it got. And the cruelest part? She felt nothing.It had been days of this. Days of me standing at h
Star’s POVI watched as the dust settled, the echoes of the challenge still hanging in the air. Hutchins, bruised and bloodied, was helped away by a few loyal pack members. His defiance had been met with force, but I couldn’t shake the feeling that this wasn’t over. Not by a long shot.Helios stood tall, his back straight and unyielding, but his eyes betrayed him. The weight of being Alpha, of leading with both strength and the uncertainty that came with it, was heavy on his shoulders. His hands clenched, then unclenched at his sides, like he was trying to rein in something. "Star," he said, his voice low, but steady, "We need to talk."I nodded and followed him to the balcony, away from prying eyes. The cool night air brushed against my skin, but it wasn’t enough to chase the heat gathering in the pit of my stomach. This wasn’t just about Hutchins. This was about everything.“I don’t und
Unknown POV A few months prior, Hutchins had been humiliated in front of the entire pack when Helios effortlessly defeated him in a challenge. It was a public spectacle, and Hutchins’s pride had taken a brutal blow. Since then, he had been hiding in the shadows, licking his wounds and plotting.But now, his behavior had changed. He was bolder, almost reckless. Why would someone who had just been crushed so easily return to challenge the Alpha again? It wasn’t just arrogance or pride. It was something deeper, something dangerous.Unbeknownst to most of the pack, Hutchins had struck a secret deal with a powerful ally, someone who had resources and influence that even Helios couldn’t easily disregard. This mysterious figure was, Ravena.Ravena had never been content to live in the shadow of others, but her deepest resentment came from her unrequited love for Killian, the former Alpha of the
Helios's POVThe room was filled with unspoken challenges as Hutchins turned and walked away, his footsteps echoing off the stone walls. The tension in the room was palpable, but I refused to let it crack me. His words that were meant to wound, only strengthened my resolve. I could feel the eyes of the pack on me, waiting, watching, assessing.But I wasn’t about to let them see weakness. Not now. Not ever. Star stood close beside me, still tense, her fingers brushing mine. I felt the connection between us, the pulse of the bond that had only grown stronger. But I could also sense her hesitation. I didn’t blame her. Hutchins had struck deep.“Are you alright?” I asked, my voice soft, though I was keenly aware of the gravity of the situation. She nodded, but her eyes betrayed a quiet storm inside her. “I’ll be fine,” she said, though the uncertainty lingered in her tone.“I won’t
Helios's POVThe day after Mordecai's challenge, the Pack house felt suffocating with unspoken tension. The servants moved quietly, their eyes darting nervously, the heavy weight of yesterday's events still hanging over us. I couldn’t escape the sensation that the pack, the very kingdom itself, was watching my every move.Star stayed close, though I could feel the walls she built around herself. Despite the bond, despite everything we had shared the night before, she remained cautious, as if she were afraid of being swept away by the current between us.She was beautiful, as always. But today, there was a sharpness to her gaze, a flicker of determination in her eyes that I hadn’t seen before.As we walked the corridors together, side by side, the tension in the air between us was palpable. She kept her distance, but I could sense the pull, the magnetic force of our bond tugging at her, at both of us.The silence was broken by the sound of footsteps approaching, heavy, purposeful. I tu
Helios’s POVI could detect the scent of deceit lingering in the air before Hutchins even spoke. My cousin stood to the side, his expression carefully neutral, but I wasn’t fooled. The moment I stepped into the gathering hall, I could feel the tension, the waiting eyes, the unspoken challenge crackling like a storm about to break. Then, my gaze landed on him. Alpha Mordecai.A towering brute of a man, all brawn and arrogance, his sharp eyes assessing me with an amused glint. He leaned back in his chair, arms draped casually over the sides, a smirk playing on his lips. The room had gone quiet. Too quiet.“You’ve grown soft, Helios,” Mordecai drawled, his voice laced with false sympathy. “Mating an Omega… what a shame.” A low growl rumbled in my chest, but I kept my posture relaxed, my expression unreadable.Mordecai chuckled. “Then again, I suppose it makes se
Star's POV I woke up to the warmth of Helios's body wrapped around mine, his gentle breaths a soothing melody in my ear. For a moment, I forgot about the world outside, about the expectations and responsibilities that weighed on me. All that mattered was the quiet, peaceful moment we shared.As I stirred, Helios's arms tightened around me, holding me close. I felt his lips brush against my shoulder, sending shivers down my spine. It was a gentle, reverent touch, one that spoke volumes about the depth of his emotions.I turned to face him, our eyes meeting in the soft morning light. For an instant, we just looked at each other, the connection between us pulsing like a living thing. Then, Helios smiled, his eyes crinkling at the corners, and my heart skipped a beat."Good morning, my love,"he whispered, his voice husky with emotion.My response caught in my th
Helios POV I was on my knees, yet, I had never felt more powerful. Not because I had submitted. No. Because she had chosen me. Because she wanted me here, wanted me suffering for her. And I would. Happily.Every fiber of my being screamed for her. The scent of her heat wrapped around me like a noose, tightening with every breath I took. My muscles ached with restraint, my body shaking with the effort to remain still. But I would not move. Not unless she allowed it.She was toying with me, her fingers running over my skin, her lips grazing my throat, her breath teasing the shell of my ear. She knew exactly what she was doing, testing my control, pushing me to the brink of madness. And I loved it.I had spent my life in command. Of my pack. Of my warriors. Of my own damn instincts. Yet here, with Star, I had no control. She had taken it, stolen it from me with nothing but her voice, her to
Star’s POVI was slipping. The walls I had built, the control I had wielded with such precision, were crumbling.It had started as a test. A way to remind Helios who held the reins. But ever since I let him mark me, the mate bond had tightened its grip, wrapping around my soul like chains I couldn’t break. Now, I wasn’t sure who was torturing whom.Helios stood before me, his chest rising and falling with slow, controlled breaths. His golden eyes burned with restraint, with hunger, with something far more dangerous. Something that made my pulse stutter and my skin prickle with anticipation.Between us, an electric energy pulsed. "You’re shaking," he murmured, his voice low, and rough. I clenched my fists. "No, I’m not." That was a lie. Helios took a single step closer, and I didn’t move away.I should have reminded him of his place, of the dynamic I had set. B
Star’s POVThere was a fire crackling softly in the hearth, but the warmth did little to thaw the tension humming between us. I sat on the edge of the bed, fingers tightening around the silken sheets, my mind waging war against my own desires.Helios stood before me, shirtless, the mark on his neck an unmistakable reminder of my claim on him. His golden eyes, molten with longing, locked onto mine, but he didn't move, didn't dare reach for me without my command. That was how well I had trained him. But tonight... tonight was different.The mate bond pulsed between us, palpable and almost suffocating. Every breath I took was filled with his scent, cedarwood and musk, laced with something darker, and wilder. The very thing I had spent so long resisting. My nails dug into my palm as my body betrayed me, heat pooling in my core.I should push him away and remind him of his place. Yet, when I