Ruined By The Lycan King

The mirror didn’t lie. I looked like every girl’s fantasy of a bride..

I stare at my reflection and my heart thumps against my ribs like it wants to break free. Beautiful white silk clings to my body in soft, whispering folds, the gown flowing down like moonlight spilled across the floor and my fingers tremble as I trace the delicate lace along the bodice, pressing it flat against my skin as though grounding myself...

This is real! Today is real... I’m actually getting married!

A breath leaves me slowly, uneven, and my gaze lifts to meet my own eyes in the mirror... They shimmer with something too bright to be just happiness but too fragile to be anything else. Hope, maybe?... Or the kind of love that feels like stepping off a cliff and trusting the air will hold you.

Today, I am marrying Kieran Kade. My chosen Mate and the man I’d loved since I was twelve, watching him spar shirtless with my brother Maddox behind the pack gym, sweat gleaming on muscles carved by the moon itself. Kieran was golden-eyed, midnight-haired perfection.

I’d daydreamed about this day for years—his ring on my finger, his mark on my neck, our pups running through the lodge halls. His name blooms in my chest, warm and steady... My future Alpha...

Tonight, I’ll be his! The thought sends heat rushing through me and my heart stutters, caught between anticipation and something softer, something deeper... A life with him. A future where I’m not just the girl who can’t shift. Not just the Alpha’s daughter with a silent wolf. Just… his.

I press my lips together, “Get a grip, Malia,” I murmur under my breath, though the excitement curling through me refuses to settle.

A sudden soft scrape from the window breaks the quiet and I freeze. My pulse jumps and I turn slightly, my eyes flicking toward the open frame just as a shadow slips inside.

“Kieran?”

The word leaves me in a breath of disbelief and delight all at once.

He straightens from the windowsill, tall and solid and real!... a crooked grin is already tugging at his lips and his dark hair is slightly tousled from the climb and falling over his handsome face, his shirt clinges to his broad chest like it’s barely holding on. He looks absolutely gorgeous and soon he'll be Mine...

“Well,” he says, voice low and amused, “that’s not the reaction I expected.”

I laugh softly, relief and happiness bubbling in me as I rush towards him. “What are you doing here? It's bad luck! You’re not supposed to see me before the ceremony."

"That's just an old wives tale, besides I would've missed this...” His gaze drags over me slowly, deliberately, like a touch I can feel without him even lifting a hand. It lingers at my waist, my shoulders, my face. Something in his expression softens, deepens, until my breath catches. "Gods, Malia. You’re… unreal.”

“You look…” He exhales, shaking his head slightly. “Like trouble.”

I bite my lip, heat rising to my cheeks again. “That’s not very poetic for an Alpha.”

“I don’t need poetry...” He steps closer, closing the distance between us until I can feel the warmth radiating from his body. “Not when I’ve got the real thing standing right in front of me.”

My heart thunders as his hand lifts, fingers brushing lightly against my arm. Even that small touch sends a ripple through me, my skin prickles and my pulse races. “Kieran…”

“I can't wait Malia...” he admits quietly, his voice dipping into something softer, more intimate. “Tonight changes everything.”

I swallow and my gaze drops shyly before lifting back to his. “I can't wait either.”

His thumb grazes my cheek, tilting my face up slightly and the world narrows... shrinking until it’s just him and me and the space between us that feels impossibly charged.

“Do you have any idea...” he murmurs, leaning closer, “how long I’ve been waiting to call you mine?”

My breath hitches.

“I've always been yours.” I whisper.

His lips curve faintly. “Not in the ways I'd like.”

The meaning behind his words settles deep in my chest, spreading warmth that curls low in my stomach. My fingers clutch lightly at his shirt, grounding myself as the intensity of his gaze threatens to unravel me.

“Tonight,” he continues, his voice dropping further, “I’ll mark you as my mate and make it official. You'll become Luna of the Kade pack and no one will ever question where you belong again."

A shiver runs through me, not from fear but from something far more potent. Anticipation. Desire... A quiet, aching longing I’ve tried so hard to ignore.

“With you,” I say softly. “I belong with you.”

His eyes darken and something fierce flickers in their depths. “Say that again.”

I shake my head, smiling shyly, my pulse racing. “You heard me...”

“I want to hear it every day,” he says, his voice rougher now. “Every morning. Every night...”

His hand slides to my waist, pulling me closer, and suddenly there’s no space left between us. My breath tangles with his and the air feels thick and electric!

His gaze drops to my lips and everything in me stills...

This is it! My first kiss with Kieran!

My eyes flutter close as he leans in, my heart beats frantically as his breath brushes against my lips, warm and intoxicating, sending a dizzying wave through me...

Just a little closer—

“Malia! It's almost time!” I jerk back, startled, my eyes flying open as the door bursts open behind me.

Lila bursts in, her lavender bridesmaid dress swirling with a flower bouquet in hand. “Malia? We have to—oh!” She freezes, green eyes wide, then grins wickedly. “Alpha Kieran... sneaking in through the window? Very romantic. Very scandalous!”

Kieran steps back reluctantly, his jaw tightening slightly before adjusting himself with a rueful smile. "Excellent timing as always, Lila.”

“Well,” Lila says, raising a brow. “I see the groom couldn’t follow one simple rule. You know It's bad luck to see the bride before the ceremony.”

I laugh nervously, stepping away from Kieran as I smooth down my dress. “It’s not what it looks like.”

“It's exactly what it looks like.” Kieran's lips curl mischievously and Lila's eyes widen with glee. "Malia! You minx... Making moves before the wedding? Didn't think you had it in you! Finally got over your shyness I see..." Lila drowns my protests with more suggestive remarks and winks.

Kieran takes advantage of the distraction and exits through the window as quickly as he arrived with one last mischievous wink. He'll pay for that, later tonight. I'll make him pay somehow... My cheeks heat up at the thought.

Lila takes in my outfit and does a double take. “You look like a goddess... Kieran’s going to combust when he sees you walk down that aisle.”

"He's seen me already Lila..." I remind her and she groans. "Yeah right. So impatient that one... Well he's going to react anyway cause you look gorgeous."

A small group of females from the pack enter, mostly omegas and gammas fussing with makeup bags and extra pins. Selena, one of the few beta females, lingers at the back with her arms crossed and her grey eyes narrowed.

Suddenly She pushes past the others, her lips curling into a thin, mocking smile as her gaze sweeps over me. There’s something sharp in her eyes, something bitter. "Must be nice, Malia. Marrying an Alpha when you can’t even shift... Some of us actually have wolves worth claiming.”

The words hit like a slap and silence falls... heavy and suffocating.

My fingers tighten around the fabric of my dress and the room goes quiet. Heat of a different kind floods my cheeks—this one burns with shame...

I’ve never shifted. Not once. My wolf is there—I feel her, quiet and distant—but she refuses to come forward. I’ve tried everything: full moons, training. Nothing worked. The rest of the pack gossips about me in hushed whispers but Selena in particular never lets me forget.

"Do you even deserve to be his Luna? I've never heard of a Luna without a wolf. You're no different than a spineless human. You don't deserve to be ranked higher than the least omega but I guess it helps when your father's Alpha..."

Lila steps forward, “That’s enough, Selena!”

Selena snorts. “What? I’m just saying what everyone’s thinking. The whole reason this wedding is happening is because of the peace treaty between our pack and Kieran's pack. Otherwise he would be mated to someone else. Someone worthy...”

“No,” Lila snaps, her eyes blazing. “You’re saying what you wish was true. Kieran loves Malia and would've married her even without the treaty. She's his chosen mate for a reason.”

Selena’s lips press into a thin line, her gaze flicking between us before she scoffs. “An Alpha deserves a mate who can run beside him, not lag behind."

Lila spins on her. “Selena, if you came to congratulate her, do it. If you came to be a bitch, just leave.”

Selena’s smile is all teeth. “I'm just pointing out facts... Enjoy your big day, Princess.” She gives me a mocking bow and leaves.

The door slams behind her and the lingering tension slowly dissolves. I exhale with relief, my shoulders sagging slightly.

Lila turns to me immediately, her expression softening. “Ignore the bitch! She’s just bitter because no one’s ever looked at her the way Kieran looks at you.”

I manage a small smile. “That doesn’t make what she said untrue...”

Lila’s gaze sharpens. “It doesn’t matter.”

“It does,” I whisper.

Her hand finds mine, squeezing gently. “You don’t need a wolf to be worthy of him. Or this... You deserve your place in this world Malia.”

Emotion clogs my throat, but I nod, blinking tears back.

“Besides,” she adds, her tone shifting into something lighter, teasing, “after tonight, none of that will matter anyway.”

I raise a brow. “Oh?”

She grins, waggling her eyebrows. “The Marking, remember? Big scary Alpha claiming his Virgin bride? Very dramatic. Very permanent...”

Heat floods my cheeks again. “Lila…”

“What?” she laughs. “You’re telling me you haven’t thought about it?” I look away, my smile betraying me. “Maybe a little.”

“A little,” she echoes, clearly unconvinced. “Sure...”

Before I can respond, the door opens again and my breath catches. “Dad.”

My Father... Alpha Derrick Monroe of the Crescent pack, His frame fills the doorway and his presence is commanding even without effort. His gaze lands on me, and for a moment, something softer breaks through his usual stoic expression.

“You look…” He pauses, clearing his throat slightly. “Beautiful.”

Emotion swells in my chest as I step toward him. “Thank you Dad.”

He offers his arm, his voice gentler now. “it's time, are you ready?”

I hesitate for just a second before nodding, slipping my hand into the crook of his elbow.

As we walk, I lean in, pressing a soft kiss to his cheek. “Thank you for everything,” I whisper.

His hand tightens slightly over mine. “Kieran’s a good male. A strong Alpha. He’ll take care of you.” His thumb brushes away a tear I didn’t realize had fallen. “But you’ll always be my little moon first."

“Room for one more?” I barely have time to react before a hand ruffles my hair. My brother Maddox pops his head in, grinning

“Maddox!” I laugh, swatting him away. He grins, completely unrepentant. “Had to make sure you’re still my little sister under all that fancy fabric.”

“I am not little!” I protest.

“You’ll always be little to me,” he says, his tone softening just slightly. “And I’ll always have your back. No matter what.”

Something in his words settles deep in my chest, steadying me. “Thank you,” I say quietly.

“Don’t thank me yet,” he smirks. “Wait until I scare off anyone who even looks at you wrong! Look at you... All grown up and stealing my best friend.”

I laugh through tears. “I'm sure you’ll survive.” I can’t stop smiling...

Then the music begins and my heart leaps into my throat. Lila's excited screech echoes behind me.

It’s time!

The grand doors open and light spills in, bright and blinding, and beyond it—

Kieran... He stands at the end of the aisle, tall and unyielding, his gaze locking onto mine instantly. The world seems to fade around him and everything else dissolves into nothing. Until it's just him. Just us...

My pulse races as I take my first step forward. Then another. And another. Each one bringing me closer to the life I’ve dreamed of, the future I’ve craved, the love that feels like it could rewrite everything I thought I knew.

His expression softens as I approach, something warm and undeniable shining in his eyes.

My breath catches.

This is it! This is my moment. My forever! Finally...

I take one more step—

Suddenly a scream cuts through the air and everything shatters.

Chaos erupts as the sound of snarling rips through the crowd, bodies colliding and voices rising in panic.

My heart stops. “No...” The scent hits me first. Blood. And something darker...

“Eclipse Lycans!!!” someone roars.

The words slam into me just as massive shapes lunge from the shadows—Monsters twice our size with glowing red eyes and claws like obsidian. The Lycans are monsters from legends every pup knows... they slaughter male wolves, burn down packs and steal females to breed hybrid soldiers.

Chaos erupts, howls clashing with screams as the male wolves defend our pack. Dad shoves me towards the other females already heading for the bunker. “Hide! Now!”

Maddox shifts and charges into the fray with Kieran beside him, golden fur flashing—as he slams into a Lycan twice his bulk.

“Kieran!” My voice breaks as the world around me descends into madness!

And then— Lila's firm hands grip mine pulling me with her into the bunker as everything else goes to ruin...