Collared by the Ruthless Alpha

Selene’s POV

Change was coming, and I welcomed it with open arms. The crisp air of autumn in Northwest Lunareth carried the scent of pine and frost. Tomorrow, I would marry Damien, my fated mate, the love of my life, and the boy who’d grown into the man I adored.

A smile tugged at my lips as I gazed at my reflection in the polished obsidian mirror. I wore the gown meant for our bonding ceremony. Its delicate lace was dyed with moonflower sap, which was a Silverthorn custom to honor the lunar spirits. Intricate beadwork, shaped like crescent moons, shimmered in the candlelight.

My dreams were becoming reality.

Strong arms encircled me from behind, and I gasped, “Damien!”

“You look like a goddess, my moon,” he whispered in my ear, his breath warm against my skin as he met my gaze in the mirror.

“You shouldn’t be here,” I scolded, though my heart raced with joy. “It’s bad luck for the groom to see the bride before the bonding. The lunar spirits might curse us.”

He turned me gently in his arms, “I don’t believe in bad luck, Selene. I believe in us. Tomorrow, under the full moon, nothing in this world will keep us apart.”

Before I could protest, his lips brushed against mine, soft yet possessive, tasting of the wild mint that grew in our sacred groves. My wolf purred within me, recognizing her mate.

“Damien!” I gasped, pulling back slightly, my cheeks flushing. “If Father finds out, he’ll have you running laps around the Frostfang Peaks until the next moon.”

He smirked, his sharp canines glinting. “Let him. I don’t care about Silverthorn traditions. I care about you. I wanted to be the first to see you like this; before the pack, before the spirits, before the world.”

My heart pounded as his gaze roamed over me, taking in every detail of the gown. The silver streaks in my dark hair, a trait of Silverthorn wolves, caught the light, and I felt like the moon herself under his stare.

“You’re impossible,” I murmured, my voice soft with love.

“Maybe. But I’ll leave…” His voice dropped to a teasing whisper, “When I’ve had my fill of how breathtaking you look.”

The next day began like a dream, steeped in the rituals of the Silverthorn Pack. My friends surrounded me in the Alpha’s Hall, a wooden structure carved with lunar runes, its beams draped with white moonflowers for the ceremony. Their laughter mingled with the rhythmic chants of the pack’s omegas, who wove protective wards into my hair with silver thread; a tradition to bless the bride with the moon’s favor. My father’s booming laugh echoed down the hallway, mingling with the sweet notes of the bone flute my younger cousin played; a haunting melody meant to summon the spirits’ blessing.

Among the many suitors who sought my hand, Damien had always been my choice. He wasn’t just the son of my father’s Beta; he was the love of my life, the boy I’d chased through the snowy meadows as a pup, the man I’d loved since I knew what love was. Our bond had been sealed by the Blood Moon two years ago.

My father, Alpha Theron, revered leader of the Silverthorn Pack, had been cautious with my future. Suitors from packs across Lunareth, Stormhowl, Emberclaw, and even Duskfang had sought me as their prize. Their Alphas were eager for an alliance with our prosperous territory. Yet Father had refused each one. The Silverthorn Pack valued unity over politics, and our traditions placed love above power.

“You deserve a mate who sees your heart, not your title,” he’d said, his voice a low growl as he sharpened his claws by the fire. “You’re my only daughter, Selene. I’ll see you safe and loved, or I’ll die trying.”

But the hope of safety died the day Alpha Leandro arrived unannounced.

Leandro, the barbaric Alpha of the Bloodclaw Pack from the South, had demanded my hand with an arrogance that stained the air like the Obsidian Marshes he called home. His pack was a blight on Lunareth. Their traditions were steeped in blood and dominance. They marked their victories with the skulls of fallen Alphas, a grotesque ritual that mocked the moon’s sanctity. Leandro’s bitterness had seeped through every word as he stood in our hall, his golden hair stark against the pelts of conquered wolves draped over his shoulders.

“You dare refuse me?” he had growled, his blue eyes glowing with rage. “Your daughter will be mine, one way or another. The Blood Moon has shown me her fate.”

That memory surfaced now as my older brother Kaelen stepped into my room. Kaelen, with his broad shoulders and silver-streaked hair like mine, was Father’s heir, trained to lead with the same fierce love that defined our pack.

“By the Goddess, you look stunning, my sister,” Kaelen said softly. He adjusted the silver circlet on my brow, a crescent moon at its center, which was a symbol of the Alpha’s lineage. “Damien is the perfect choice for you. I know he’ll keep you happy.”

Behind him, Rowan stood, trying to stifle his smile. Rowan, my little brother, looked out of place in his formal tunic. I reached out to ruffle his shaggy, silver-streaked hair, laughing softly. “Don’t look so formal, Rowan. I’m still your big sister, you know.”

Kaelen’s gaze turned serious, glistening with unshed tears. “Stop worrying about me,” I told him, pulling him into a tight hug, “I’ll be happy. I promise.”

Before he could respond, a piercing shriek shattered the moment, echoing through the Alpha’s Hall like a blade through flesh.

Kaelen froze, “Stay here. I’ll check,” he commanded in a low growl as he shifted partially, claws extending as he left.

As time passed, unease clawed at my gut. My wolf paced within me, urging me to act. I crept toward the window, drawing the curtain aside, and my heart dropped. The sacred grove, once adorned with white and blush-pink moonflowers for the ceremony, was now drenched in crimson.

“It’s Leandro,” Kaelen barked as he burst back inside. A jagged cut marred his left eye, blood dripping onto his tunic, and his hands trembled with rage. “He’s here…for a war.”

He grabbed my face roughly, his claws grazing my skin as his gray eyes bore into mine. “Selene, change now. You’re leaving. Rowan knows the secret way out through the lunar tunnels.”

“Kaelen, no!” I cried, clutching his arm, my voice breaking. “What about you? What about Father?”

“I made a promise,” he said hoarsely, his voice cracking as he pulled me close, his forehead resting against mine in a Silverthorn gesture of farewell. “I’ll hold them off. You must survive. It’s the only way any of this means anything.”

I obeyed, tears blurring my vision as I shed the ceremonial gown and changed into plain leathers. Rowan took my hand, and we ran through the hidden lunar tunnels; narrow passages carved beneath the Alpha’s Hall, etched with runes to guide fleeing pack members to safety, a precaution from the days of ancient pack wars.

A howl split the air, freezing me in my tracks. It was Damien’s; raw, desperate, and filled with pain.

“No!” I screamed, breaking free of Rowan’s grip and running toward the sound, my wolf instincts overriding reason.

“Selene, stop!” Rowan shouted, chasing after me.

The howl led me to the sacred grove, but the sight before me wrenched the air from my lungs. The grove, a haven of moonflowers and lunar totems, was unrecognizable. Blood stained the earth, soaking the white petals crimson. Bodies of pack members, elders, omegas, and warriors lay scattered like broken offerings.

At the center of the carnage stood Leandro, his golden hair streaked with blood, his wolf form partially shifted. His Bloodclaw wolves, massive and black-furred, prowled around him.

“Enough!” Leandro’s voice thundered over the chaos, silencing even the growls of his wolves. His eyes locked onto mine, a predator sizing up his prey. “There you are, little moon princess. Do you see now? This is what happens when you scorn me.”

I couldn’t look away. My heart hammered against my ribs as he stepped closer, his obsidian dagger glinting at his side. “You thought you could humiliate me? Reject me like I was some lowly suitor? I am Alpha Leandro, and no one denies me what is mine.”

“I was never meant to be with you!” I screamed, my voice raw with grief and rage, my wolf clawing to the surface.

“Oh, but you were.” His laugh was cruel, a sharp, bitter sound that echoed through the grove like a curse. “You were meant to be mine; my queen, my prize, my mate under the Blood Moon’s decree. But instead, you chose him.” He gestured behind him, where Damien’s lifeless body lay crumpled, his silver fur stained red.

“No…” My voice faltered, and my knees buckled as my gaze landed on Damien. His head, severed and tossed like a grotesque trophy, rested in the dirt near Leandro’s feet. The bond between us was gone, leaving a void that threatened to swallow me.

Leandro sneered, his voice dripping with venom. “You think love will save you? Love is a weakness, Selene. One that cost him his life and will cost you everything.”

“You’re a monster,” I spat, my claws extending as my wolf surged, desperate to tear him apart.

“Your father thought his power could shield you, but I’ve taken it. Look around, Selene. I’ve taken everything.” He spread his arms, “What will you do now, little princess? Run? Hide? Or will you wait for me to come and claim you properly, as the Blood Moon intended?”

Tears blinded me as Rowan grabbed my hand and dragged me back toward the tunnels. “We have to go!” he hissed.

“Leandro!” I screamed, my voice came out as a raw, primal howl that echoed through the ruins of our pack. “You’ll pay for this. Do you hear me? You will pay!”

Before stumbling back toward the entrance of the lunar tunnels, we heard Caden calling out a name that broke with every syllable. “Mara! Mara, where are you?” His voice was hoarse as he turned over bodies, his hands trembling as he searched for his lover, an omega who wove moonflower crowns for the pack’s rituals.

His sandy hair was matted with blood, and his brown eyes were wild with panic as he searched. “Caden!” I called, my voice cracking as I ran to him, Rowan at my heels. I grabbed his arm, forcing him to look at me.

“Selene, Rowan,” he choked out, “They’re gone…my mother, my sister…Leandro’s wolves tore them apart. I saw it… their bodies…” His voice broke, his hands clenching into fists as the memory of his mother’s torn throat and his sister’s crumpled form flashed through his mind. “I can’t find Mara. I’ve looked everywhere…she’s not here, she’s not…”

“We can’t stay,” Rowan interrupted, “We have to go…now.”

“I can’t leave her!” Caden shouted, pulling away from me, “Mara’s out there…I have to find her!”

“Caden, listen to me,” I said, gripping his shoulders, “We’re all that’s left. If you stay, you’ll die, and Mara wouldn’t want that. You have to come with us…we’ll find her, I promise, but we have to survive first.”

Caden’s jaw clenched, and his brown eyes glistened as he looked between me and Rowen. Finally, he nodded as his shoulders slumped in defeat.

Hours later, we crossed the border into the Duskwood, the southwestern forest where the Duskfang Pack’s territory began. The ancient trees loomed over us, their gnarled branches blocking out the moonlight, which was a stark contrast to the open meadows of Silverthorn.

My legs ached, my lungs burned, but none of it compared to the hollow ache inside me; a void where Damien’s bond had been, where my pack’s howls should have echoed.

Rowan crouched in front of me, his hands gripping my shoulders, “Selene, I know it hurts, but we can’t stop. Leandro’s men will come. We can’t let them find you. We can’t let him win.”

“They all died for me,” I cried, my voice breaking as the weight of their sacrifices crashed over me. “Damien… Father… Kaelen…”

“They died protecting you,” Rowen said firmly. He knelt beside me, but his hands trembled as he spoke. “You didn’t betray them by surviving.”

I turned my gaze to Caden, who had crumpled into a pile by a giant ancient tree. His shoulders shook with silent sobs. Rowan and I exchanged glances. His gray eyes reflected the same anguish I felt. I could feel Caden’s pain as if it were my own.

The image of his mother and sister, slaughtered in the attack, their bodies broken, his mother’s throat torn out, his sister’s silver fur matted with blood, haunted him like a nightmare he couldn’t escape. Mara’s absence was a wound that wouldn’t heal. He’d failed to save them, and the guilt gnawed at him.

I swallowed my grief. I knew what I had to do. I would honor their sacrifices. And I would make Leandro pay.

Throwing my head back, I let out a howl that pierced the night; a raw, haunting melody that carried the weight of Silverthorn’s loss and the promise of vengeance.