Chapter 2

There he is, seated between his parents, Alpha Pavel and Mistress Viktoriya—the one and only Beta Aleksandr. Clad in a white lapel-collared shirt beneath a lead-gray knee-length coat, paired with dark gray trousers and black Chelsea boots, he’s nothing short of perfection. Words like handsome, luscious, or seductive hardly do him justice. It’s not just his appearance; it’s his innate charisma—a confident, commanding presence that I live for.

His clean Caesar cut and smooth stubble accentuate his features. His jet-black hair sharpens the contrast of his honey-bronze skin and gullwing lips. The high-bridged Roman nose, thick brows above grayish-blue eyes—eyes that exude both serenity and intensity—complete his look. His sharp jawline, high cheekbones, and chiseled chin give him an undeniably masculine edge. Standing at approximately six feet with a well-built physique, he radiates dominance. Every detail about him is impeccable, and he’s the kind of man that others long for.

"Now," Alpha Pavel’s voice breaks through, pulling me from the trance his son had cast, "a new leader will rise."

"A leader whom all of you have trusted since he became an official pack member," Mistress Viktoriya adds with a smile, "and we deeply thank you for that."

As Beta Aleksandr stands and walks forward, Alpha Pavel takes his son’s right hand, while Mistress Viktoriya takes the left. Together, they raise his hands high and declare, "Aleksandr Pavlov, the new Alpha of the Green Peaks Pack!"

The former Alpha's tribal neck tattoo fades, transferring to the newly crowned Alpha Aleksandr. The pack hall erupts into applause and cheers.

"Long live the new Alpha!"

"Cheers to Alpha Aleksandr!"

"Congratulations to the new successor of the Vassiliev clan!"

While the pack celebrates Aleksandr’s ascension, I find myself locked in his gaze once more. His self-assured, gentle smile sends a flutter through my stomach, and every blink of his eyes leaves me frozen. His scent—a blend of joy and pride—fills me with a sense of contentment.

But then, his brows furrow, and my wolf, Tanya, begins to whimper inexplicably. I try to calm her, but she struggles against me, and my heart races as Alpha Aleksandr’s eyes remain fixed on mine, his jaw clenched, fists tight. His chest rises and falls as he breathes heavily, and I can almost feel his heart pounding. The scent of vulnerability and possessiveness fills the air. His low, restrained growl is like music to my ears, and his musky aroma is intoxicating.

When someone bumps into me, Aleksandr lets out a stifled growl. His parents glance at him, and I hear him assure them he’s fine, his voice deep and husky, sending a shiver down my spine. His gaze returns to me, but he tilts his head, disapproving of my approach. Tanya cries out in pain, and I break eye contact.

'Tanya, what's happening to me?' I ask.

'I need Viktor,' she whimpers.

'Who's Viktor?' I ask, trying to step back against her pull.

'Viktor is the new Alpha’s wolf,' she replies, stopping me in my tracks.

"Mate," I whisper, stunned by the revelation that the man I’ve admired all my life is my mate—the new Alpha of the Green Peaks Pack.

When I look up, Alpha Aleksandr is no longer focused on me. Instead, he stands beside Marinka, his girlfriend. Marinka is the darling of the pack—beautiful, bold, and a great leader. As the youngest daughter of two esteemed Gammas and the current Lead Warrior, she’s a perfect match for him. I can’t deny it—I’m envious. She’s as perfect as he is.

I suppress Tanya’s pained cries. Even though I want Aleksandr too, I know he cannot and must not be mine. I’m not good enough. As a low-ranking Psi, timid and fearful, I’d be a disgrace to him. A proud, fearless lion would never want a frightened kitten as his partner. It’s a reality I must accept, no matter how much it hurts. Marinka will be a great Mistress for the pack—an ideal match for Alpha Aleksandr. With that thought, I flee from the pack hall, away from my mate.

As the night’s festivities carry on, I remain alone, staring at my reflection in the mirror. I’ve been questioning everything since I returned home. What kind of cruel joke did the Moon Goddess play on me? Destining a perfect leader to a nobody like me feels like a twisted prank. I don’t understand why she would do this. It’s impossible, and I resent it. I refuse to be toyed with any longer.

Tears stream down my cheeks as I smash my fist into the mirror. Shards scatter, some slicing into my skin. As I sit on my bed, my wounds healing quickly, I swallow the pain—the rejections, the misfortunes of my cursed existence.

'Stop hating yourself,' Tanya whispers.

I ignore her. Right now, all I want is solitude. I need no one but myself and my unlucky fate. I bury myself under the covers, my tears dried up. I close my eyes, hoping for a long, early sleep, but Tanya growls as I sense a familiar, enticing scent growing stronger.

I sit up as a rustling sound reaches me from the rear of the second floor. Opening the window, I feel the cool breeze against my skin. The musky scent fills my senses, and Tanya urges me toward it. My body moves on its own, and as I lean out, I catch movement to the right. Fear grips me, but Alpha Aleksandr’s warm hand covers my mouth, silencing me, while his other hand grips my nape.

"Follow me," he whispers, his eyes piercing into mine. "Stay silent and out of sight, understood?"

I nod, my heart pounding as he releases me. Every fiber of my being wants to reach for him, to hold him as Tanya does, but I maintain my composure, resisting her pull.

"Let’s go," he commands, his gaze intense.

I nod again, suppressing my excitement as he takes my hand. "You're my mate," I whisper as I step over the windowsill to join him on the ledge.

"Tell me something I don't know," he replies before silently leaping to the ground.

I brace myself for the impact of the dewy ground, but Alpha Aleksandr effortlessly catches me, his arm secure around my waist. His face brushes against my neck as he inhales my scent, sending a shiver down my spine. Tanya howls within me, overwhelmed by the warmth and closeness of his touch, while I grip his muscular arm for support.

"You smell incredible," he growls, his voice low and husky, making my cheeks flush before he gently sets me down. His hand trails down my arm, stopping to intertwine his fingers with mine. "Let’s get away for a while," he murmurs, and without another word, we take off into the thick woods.

As we walk, curiosity stirs within me. "Where are we going?" I ask Alpha Aleksandr.

He doesn't look back, quickening his pace as he pulls me through the tall grasses. "Being away from you is unbearable," he murmurs, his voice low and tense. "It’s suffocating and infuriating." He gestures ahead to an old tower. "There it is."

We enter the building and hurry up the stairs until we reach the top floor. Aleksandr unlocks a door and pulls me into a dark room. When he flicks on the lights, the darkness transforms into a crimson-lit bedroom adorned with elegant bulbs. Various paintings line the walls. As I begin to examine them, I hear the door creak shut behind me.

When I turn back, I find Alpha Aleksandr unbuttoning his shirt, the veins on his muscular hands flexing as he undoes the last button. His eyes lock onto mine as he slips the shirt off, revealing his chiseled torso. His broad shoulders and chest, defined abs, powerful upper arms, and slightly hairy forearms create a striking image, with the prominent V-line catching my eye, as it always does. My throat feels dry as Alpha Aleksandr continues to undress.

I sit on the bed, momentarily lost in the unfolding situation, yet relishing every moment as I watch the Alpha unbuckle his belt, a smug expression on his face. He strides toward me, prompting me to kick off my shoes and scoot back on the bed. As my back hits the plush headboard, Alpha Aleksandr halts, his face just inches from mine, his intoxicating scent enveloping me.

"Marinka," I whisper.

"Don't worry about anything tonight," he replies, his gaze fixed on my lips as his fingers tug at the hem of my skirt, igniting a rush of warmth within me. "Let's just, you know, bond as mates."

A low growl escapes my throat, eliciting a smirk from Alpha Aleksandr as my wolf rejoices at the connection.

The Alpha then raises his upper body and kneels in front of me. He unbuttons his pants and pushes them down, along with his boxer shorts, revealing his strong, moderately hairy thighs. Although this isn't my first experience, I am taken aback when his impressive member springs free from the confines of his clothing.

"Are you sure about this?" I ask, looking up at Alpha Aleksandr. "There's no turning back when you mark me."

"Natalya, don't worry—"

"I'm not as brave as Marinka," I interject hastily, anxiety rising in my throat. "I won't be a good Luna to you or a suitable Mistress for the pack. I will never be—"

"I've already told you not to worry, Natalya. We will navigate everything when the time comes," the Alpha reassures me, undressing me with deliberate care. As he pulls down my skirt and underwear, he locks eyes with me and winks. "Do you trust me, my Luna?" he asks, his voice laced with seduction.

I nod, and he leans in, pressing his mouth against mine. I never imagined this day would come. I used to think this moment was impossible, yet here I am, being kissed by Alpha Aleksandr. It fills both me and my wolf with profound pleasure. The Alpha's touch radiates warmth throughout my body. Perhaps the Moon Goddess wasn't toying with my fate after all; maybe it is really my destiny to become the Alpha's Luna.

With swift movements, Alpha Aleksandr removes my clothes from my eager body and pushes me down onto the bed. He slips off his pants as I rest my head on the pillow, instinctively spreading my legs for him.

The Alpha smirks as he gazes down at my exposed femininity, causing my face to flush with heat. "Damn," he growls, spitting onto his hand. He places his slick palm against my womanhood and lowers himself toward me, resuming our passionate kiss, his head angling just right for our tongues to dance together perfectly.

A soft moan escapes my lips as he finally slips his fingers inside me. He thrusts them in and out rapidly, sending waves of pain and pleasure coursing through me. As I arch my back in response, he trails kisses along my skin, from below my ears to my shoulders, eventually capturing my breasts with his mouth. I whimper in pure ecstasy as he continues to work his fingers inside me.

"Goddess!" I can't contain my growl any longer as he finally enters my wetness with his throbbing member. "Ugh!" I gasp again when the tip of his length brushes against my G-spot.

He kneels, holding my legs together before placing them on his shoulder. I arch my back and grip the bedsheet as he drives into me with relentless speed.

"It kind of hurts," I admit honestly, prompting a chuckle from the Alpha.

Withdrawing briefly, he flips me over. "I see you enjoy my rough side," he whispers close to my ear. He raises my lower body, positioning me on my knees while pushing my upper body down into the bed. He thrusts his member back inside me, eliciting a whimper of pleasure.

As he quickens his pace, I feel the rush of impending orgasm wash over me, and I come around him. "Ugh," I breathe, overwhelmed by the intoxicating scent of sex that fills the room.

A few moments later, Alpha Aleksandr withdraws, releasing himself onto the bedsheets. "Fuck," he murmurs through gritted teeth, locking eyes with me. He then hurriedly stands, retrieving his clothes from the floor.

"You haven't marked me yet," I blurt out, bowing my head to conceal my embarrassment.

"I can't mark you," Alpha Aleksandr retorts, prompting me to look up at him in confusion, which soon gives way to realization.

"You used me," I say, pulling the bedsheets around my naked body. "You made me believe I would be your Luna." Tears begin to fall as my wolf snarls in pain and rage.

"I couldn’t help it." The manipulative Alpha places his hands on his hips, exuding a scent of fear and disappointment. "My wolf compelled me to bond with you. I didn’t plan to—"

"To make me your Luna, yes," I interject, my voice rising in frustration. "I should have known better."

"Get dressed and prepare to leave the pack village."

"What?!" I exclaim in disbelief.

Aleksandr closes his eyes, massaging his temples. "If you stay here, the others will realize you're my mate. You need to go. It’s for the sake of the pack’s order," he states nonchalantly. "They know Marinka is my mate, and she will soon be my Luna."

"I can’t believe I was foolish enough to trust you."

"Stop making this a bigger deal than it is, Natalya Ivanova."

"This is a significant matter to me, Aleksandr," I respond, my voice tinged with a growl. His body emits a strong scent of pain, and I press on, "because the man chosen for me by the Moon Goddess is implying that he intends to reject me."

Aleksandr falls silent, turning his back to me.

"Are you rejecting me, Alpha Aleksandr?" I ask through my sobs.

"You already know the answer to that," he replies before exiting the room.