Alpha Kael's POV 

Aria has no idea that Maria told me about the altercation with Omari. I never liked the way he treated Omegas in his pack as filth. 

I need to get his filthy claws far from my mate.

"That would be all," I say. The piercing silence is replaced with a chorus of "Yes Alpha."

"Meet me in my office after breakfast," I mindlink my Beta, Aldin.

"Yes, Alpha," He replies. His usual playful demeanour is replaced by a serious one. He knows when I mean business and is an extremely efficient Beta, though I won't tell him that to his face.

"Can I see you later, Babe," Jessica's high pitched voice fills my mind. 

"No, and if you value your position in the pack you will keep your distance."

Thankfully, I am able to enjoy the rest of my breakfast in peace.

***

A loud knock distracts me from the stack of papers I am working on, on my office table. 

"Come in." I say in response and my Beta pushes the door strolling in as if he owns the place. 

"You asked me to come, Alpha, is anything wrong?" He gives me a curious gaze.

"Yes, I'd like you to keep an eye on Omari, he seems to be bullying pack members." Aldin's eyes widen in shock, "His entire presence irks me," I finish.

"You've never been a huge fan of his since when we were kids," Aldin finally says. "He gives me the creeps, like there's something wrong about him."

"Same old friend, please do me this favour, the safety of my mate is at stake here," I say my voice laced with worry.

"Yes, Alpha," he then gives me an intense gaze, "What's your take on the Luna Trials?"

"It'll hold in a month's time, I wish there was a way around it but this is needed," I answer. 

"She has done something to you," Aldin says. "You were never like this, not even with Margaret."

To my surprise my wolf Alec, who has barely said much since Margaret's death, grunts in response. "I've never felt this sort of strong bond with our first mate," Alec states at the back of my mind, "I can even feel her emotions, though we are yet to mark her." He then goes silent.

"Is that Alec?" My Beta asks.

"Yes, it is" 

"What a pleasant surprise, anyways don't you think announcing her officially as your Luna will protect her within the pack at least."

"I thought about that but I need to place certain things in order, so that it wouldn't backfire especially now that the rogues are gaining ground in most packs." I say.

"Alright that's okay, I'll do as you've said but keep in mind that Jessica is spreading rumors that is creating a bad reputation for your mate."

"I'll do something about it, how are the preparations for tonight?" I ask with a curious gaze. 

A smile plays on his lips, "You know how our she-wolves enjoy events, so far they've been running everything smoothly."

I release a chuckle, "Well, that'll be all then."

"Have fun, princess," he teases, getting up and walking out. My eyes go back to the paperwork in front of me.

"Alpha Omari, are you here to see the Alpha?" Aldin's once teasing tone turns cold.

"Yes," Omari answers in a clipped tone.

Aldin assesses him for a while then asks though the mindlink, "Should I let him in, Alpha?"

"Yes."

"You know I'll gladly get rid of him," He says in a dark tone.

"Let him in, Aldin."

He gives him one last look before stepping aside so he can come through. Aldin then shuts the door but I can still feel his presence close, he hasn't left yet.

Omari reaches my desk, "Have a seat." He then plops on the chair in front of me.

"How may I help you, Alpha?" I ask with a stern voice.

"I didn't think you would agree to my opinion on merging the packs, you were not too keen to accept."

A scowl appears on my face, how dare he!!!

"So what's your point, Omari?" I say dropping any form of courtesy. 

"Is it because of your latest side piece, Aria?" He taunts, "I never thought you would stoop so low and sleep with a low-life......

My canines and snout protrude almost instantly and my fingers and nails elongate in seconds. My fingers wrap tightly around his throat, slamming his back against the wall repeatedly. My eyes are seeing red, no one dares to insult my mate. I have been patient enough with this low life.

"You will respect her, I never want to hear her name come out from your filthy mouth, else you'll lose your head," Alec speaks with a deep, authoritative voice. Rage pulses in my veins. 

His attempts to pull me off are futile, he is strong even for an Alpha. But, I'm a Lycan from one of the original bloodlines, he doesn't stand a chance. 

The door bursts open and I sense my Beta behind me.

"Alpha, he's not worth it," he mutters soothingly, aiming to calm me down.

I let out a grunt and apply more pressure, no one disrespects my mate.

"Please, Kael, Aria won't like to see you like this."

I freeze completely, taking back a bit of control from Alec.

"You called her here?" I ask in annoyance, still partially shifted. 

"Kael, what's wrong are you okay?" My mate's ethereal voice fills my ears. She peeps into the office.

"Get him out of my sight," I ordered. I barely paid attention to him picking up the barely conscious Omari.

My eyes meet hers, I'm so certain she'll make a run for it. She always makes me feel like I'm the best thing to look at. Even now she approaches me slowly with parted lips. I'm yet to tell if it is admiration or fear.

Her fingers graze my face, the scars I have in my human form are also visible in my Lycan form.

My wolf whines at her touch, she then lets out an adorable giggle. "You're so adorable," She finishes.

Did I hear her right? I'm pretty sure I look almost feral. My eyes turn red when I'm raging.

My lips stretch in a smile, "You're the best thing that has happened to me, mate."

"I'm sorry I lost it, he was spewing nonsense."

"It's Omari we're talking about, he spews nonsense a lot." She has a glint in her eyes. "I was more worried about you when Martha said you were in trouble."

"Someone has fallen hopelessly for me," I tease with mischief. A red hue floods her cheeks. 

"I need to go now, and get ready for tonight," She says in a bid to leave. 

Her presence has calmed me down and I've shifted back to my human form. 

I wrap my arms tightly around her waist, pulling her closer to me.

"I'd like to announce you as my Luna to the pack tonight."

Aria's POV 

"Wait, really?" My eyes widened in shock. I've always had a nagging thought in the back of my mind that he probably saw me as inadequate, maybe that was why he never showed me his pack.

Omari's rejection and humiliation cut me really deep, it seems. 

"Why are you surprised? I should have even announced it earlier but I needed to place certain things in place first." He says lovingly.

"What things?"

"Well they will have to wait, it's now or never," he replies.

I smile approvingly, "Let's do this, then."

I get lost in his blue orbs, so handsome. His scars look so appealing and attractive. I wrap my hands around his neck, going on my tip toes. 

"To hell with this," I scream in my head. I slam my mouth against his, he stills for a moment and regains himself. Pulls me lush against himself and deepens the kiss, our tongues fight for dominance. 

A loud knock makes me pull away from him abruptly, a growl reverberates in the back of his throat. He attempts to pull me towards him ignoring the person at the door, but a loud knock is heard again. 

I shake my head towards him pointing at the door. He pouts in frustration, "Let's ignore it."

"No, it might be an emergency," I insist. I push his bulky body towards the door. I know he let me do that, there's no way I would have been able to even move his finger.

With a sigh of resignation he takes some steps towards the door and pulls it open with a scowl. 

"What?" He asks, I can't see who it is but a loud friendly voice answers.

"Hey, man can I at least come in, mmmm?"

"No," my mate refutes, blocking the door with his bulky body.

"Fine, it seems you're busy," the man says with a mischievous voice. 

A lingering silence fills the room. My mate should have been nice enough to answer.

"Well we are done preparing for the initiation tonight, we'd like you to come see and approve, maybe even make suggestions."

"I'll be there," my mate answers rudely, then bangs the door. 

He stares at me almost like a predator assessing its prey, "Come, Kitten, we aren't done yet."

"I need to dress up for tonight, you know," I say, stepping backwards to put in some distance between us. I don't know what got into me earlier, but now I'm feeling all shy. I can barely look in his face.

"Now you're trying to torment me," he whines like a hurt puppy. It's so unlike his cold personality, he makes me feel so special because I get to see the best sides of him.

"Not so, promise," I answer with red cheeks, "I just need to dress up real good, you know I need to make a good first impression since you will be announcing me as your Luna." I'm being rather daring than usual.

"You got me there, though whether you're in sack bags I'd still find you extremely beautiful," he says, "But I know women and their beauty so have fun babe."

I walk briskly towards the door. "Kitten," he says, making me pause and turn toward him. 

"I had a dress delivered at your place earlier, this time there's a guard placed outside your door so it wouldn't get damaged again mmmmmm?" He gives me a faint smile and returns to his ever high stack of files. 

I am in shock for a short moment before spinning around and rushing out the door.

I put a bit of distance between myself and his office then I lean against a nearby wall, an involuntary smile pulls on my face. I've just had my first kiss, with the most handsome man ever. I can't believe it. 

I'm cut out of my day dreaming by a sharp feminine voice, "I see you've grown wings, mutt."

"Not again," Willow says with a tired yawn in my head.

I turn to the right, coming face to face with one of my worst tormentors, Alicia. Though she had never laid her hands on me, she took my mate away from me which hurt more than any physical pain.

"What do you want, Alicia?"

"Well, I'm not surprised at your guts, seeing that you're now Alpha Kael's new play thing," She says with a condescending tone. "I came to warn you to stay clear of my man."

I chuckle rather loudly, "You said it yourself, I'm now Alpha Kael's new plaything, why in the world will I want anything to do with your mate," I taunt.

I raise my hands and interrupt her to continue, "He has no title currently and has failed in his duty as an Alpha, being unable to keep his pack safe."

"How dare you?"

I giggle with glee at her expense, "Well you shouldn't have come here if you didn't want any insults thrown in your face."

"You made Alpha Kael hurt my mate, he obviously doesn't want you, so stay clear of him," She says panting hard with rage.

"Sure thing, is that all mmmmmmm?"

"Your guts is something, watch your back though," She turns to walk out on me, but I will not back down this time.

"No, you watch your back, wanna be Luna.

She stops for a few seconds, but keeps walking away.

***

"You look so beautiful, Luna," Martha says, giving me a bear hug.

We give ourselves one last look at the mirror. Our makeup and dresses are so beautiful, Martha is good at things pertaining to fashion.

My arms pull at hers, and we head out her room that now looks like a hurricane hit it. I already had my dress brought by Kael. Wait, how did he even know about someone messing up my dress.

"Martha," I mutter deep in thought.

"Yes, what's up?"

"Did you happen to tell Kael about the incident where my dress got ruined, last time?" I ask, peering at the side of her head since we are walking hand in hand.

"No, I didn't, I only informed him about the incident with Omari," she answers. "Is there a problem?"

"Not at all, Bestie," I say. "I was just surprised that he knew about it, that's all."

We arrive at the pack clearing just in time for the initiation.

My handsome mate clears his throat, and speaks into the microphone on the podium. "Today marks a beautiful day for our pack, we will be initiating new pack members from the Blood Moon pack."

"Can the new pack members stay in line and approach me one after the other in a single file for the initiation." He then picks a knife, cuts into his palm deep.

"The moon goddess bears us witness today, you become one with the Cantara Pack. I promise to protect, lead and provide for you as your Alpha." He then presses his palm so droplets of blood flow on a rock below stained with dry, old blood. 

"I vow to you, today," he says, "Come, forward."

Omari goes first, "I renounce my place as Alpha of the Blood Moon pack, and submit to the Lycan of the ancient blood lines, Alpha Kael of the Cantara Pack." Kael cuts his palm open, and he spills droplets of blood on the rock.

"I promise to be loyal and to defend the pack at all costs."

Alicia goes next and every other pack member, they had always viewed me as the least in the pack, so I came last.

Martha stands right beside me for a while until it's my turn to go up the podium. Kael gives me an alluring smile.

He then walks towards me helping me up the stage since I was on heels. I repeat the same words and actions as previous members of my pack. Kael cuts me with apprehension and a bit of worry. 

After I spill my blood on the rock, he does something that sends a spiral of shock across the pack.

He then cuts his already healed palm and grips my cut palm making our blood mix. Sparks shoot beneath my skin, a flood of voices infiltrate my mind.

"Mine," he booms in my mind.

He spins us towards the crowd steadying me. "Cantara Pack, I announce Aria as your official Luna, I have found a second chance at love and my second half."

Hoots and cheers can be heard, mixed with murmurs and looks of disdain. 

"I object," a voice screams in scorn.

Aria's POV 

I can recognize that voice anywhere. 

"I, Jessica Woods, challenge you, Luna Aria, for your position as Luna."

Gasps of surprise envelope the air. It's almost unheard of for a Luna to be challenged immediately after attaining the position. It can only mean that she is deemed as incompetent. 

"An Omega is unfit to rule the largest pack in Crescent Moon. She cannot even dream about filling the shoes that Former Luna, Margaret left." She finishes.

Loud murmurs fill the pack grounds, looks of disdain are thrown at me, in response to this revelation.

A loud snarl from my mate shakes the entire pack grounds. The whole place goes completely still. I grasp his arms tightly, the air feels suffocating, my palms grow wet with sweat.

He gently pries his arms off mine, taking powerful strides towards Jessica. Just as he gets to the farthest part of the podium, Aldin reaches out and grabs his shoulders whispering, though I could surprisingly make it out.

All this while, she stands completely still probably in order to avoid infuriating my mate more. 

"I know she deserves it but, please, it's not yet time."

My brows furrowed in confusion at this statement, what does he mean by that. 

"No one disrespects my mate, Aldin," my mate replies in utter irritation. 

"I know but if you do this, you prove that what she is saying is correct," Aldin continues, "Let Aria prove herself and gain respect, she has mine but needs the pack to look up to her."

"Fine, she better not spew any more nonsense," my mate all but growls out. He then scratches himself off Aldin and walks back to me.

"I'm sorry babe, I just couldn't stand and watch her disrespect you." 

I give him an award winning smile and mutter close to him, "You make me feel so special, I can't begin to explain how good that makes me feel."

His mouth opens to say something but a rough unladylike  voice cuts him off. 

"I, Misty Wardwick, challenge you Luna Aria to a fight for your position as Luna." A tall tan woman, with a short bob comes forward in the crowd. 

"I, Anita Miller, challenge you Luna Aria to a fight for your position as Luna."

I, Wendy Snow, challenge you Luna Aria to a fight for your position as Luna."

"What?" My mate roars at the challengers, they retreat in fear. 

"It's okay babe, I'll take care of this, okay," I say, taking a step in front of him to speak into the microphone. 

"At a point in my life, I would have succumbed to the doubts and harsh words, but now I have a loving mate and the best thing that ever happened to me, by my side." My mate's large hands wrap around my waist.

"Nothing can replace that, now I'm stronger than ever. The moon goddess knows exactly why she made us for each other and I think we're perfect for each other." I say with a loud voice giving the challengers a steely gaze.

"I accept your challenge, all of you," their eyes widened in shock. "If the moon goddess wills it I will emerge victorious, with or without a wolf." I finish cryptically. 

A pin drop can be heard in the silence. "That's the spirit, you go girl," Martha screams, pulling the crowd from their reverie. A round of applause breaks in the crowd, though I can still see some members of the pack shooting me disapproving looks.

"The Luna Trials will be held in three months," Kael says out loud. He then pulls me to his side and picks me up bridal style. With long strides, we get off the stage walking to his room.

He places me gently down, and heads towards his drawers, opening it in search of something. 

His room has a dull feel to it. Curtain drapes are plain black. The walls are painted grey, with a black duvet. He takes time in search of something then walks back to me in the dark. 

"Who is Margaret?" I ask, jealousy overtakes my senses.

He "She was my first mate, the one I mentioned in our conversation at the infirmary."

"I see," I don't know whether to give in to the jealousy that is clouding my senses. 

I take a deep breath, taking a moment to clear my head, his deep blue eyes peer at me in silence, probably gauging my actions. 

"Tell me more about her, I'd like to know why four she-wolves challenged me because she was mentioned."

He pulls on my arm and leads me towards the bed, sitting and getting comfortable. 

A heavy sigh escapes his lips, "She was my childhood friend and a sister to my Enforcer and close friend O'Brien. They were orphans from the wiped Maltis pack, the most powerful pack at the time. A lot of survivors from the pack had been appearing across pack borders. An older boy and girl were found and initiated into the pack. They grew nicely and were pretty strong, we suspected them to be of Alpha blood."

He looks at me with mild discomfort but continues, "She and I were particularly close and after the death of my father, I became an Alpha really young. When I became of age we discovered that we were mates, the whole pack was ecstatic. The attacks of the rogues had intensified by the borders, we tried having kids for awhile but it didn't work out. She was the best Luna to my pack, forming a personal bond with each and every one of them."

"I see," I mutter, feeling envious. My mate should only talk about me like this.

He chuckles at my expression, "No one can replace you my love. I'm just clarifying why the other she-wolves stepped up after what Jessica said."

"Okay, go on, I'd like to hear all of it."

"Sure, where was I again......., yes, she was ambushed and killed at the pack borders by rogues, it was a sudden and huge loss for myself and my pack."

I inhaled a sharp gasp, losing a mate was so painful that it made some wolves feral.

"I'm so sorry about that, but how did you get through it?" I asked in curiosity. 

"I almost went feral if not for the help of Aldin, O'Brien and the pack. Aldin took it upon himself to inject me with Wolf's bane in order to knock me out and stabilize me for short periods."

"Then why did you go for Jessica?" I ask, each word laced with so much venom.

"I needed an heir at the time, or else my lineage would be wiped out. The Elders of our pack chose Jessica, because she was strong and could give me "strong pups" as they claimed. There were no feelings attached to it, it was an obligation to the pack."

"Doesn't make me feel any better," I say with a pout evident on my lips. I fold my arms pushing my face to the side. I know I am being petty but I just want to be babied. I know none of these is his fault though.

A squeal escapes my lips as he pulls me to his laps then he places a necklace on my neck. Clasping it firmly, I place my fingers on the slightly weighty pendant. I lift myself off swiftly, rushing towards the mirror in his room.

My eyes widen at the intricate patterns around the pendant with a howling wolf at the middle of it.

"It's so beautiful," I utter in amazement.

"It has been in my family for over nine generations, given to Lunas at their mating ceremonies as a sign of eternal  commitment."

"Wait, so you gave it to your first mate?"

"This is about us, and no one else," he replies with a reassuring tone.

"No just answer me," I say pressing the matter.

"It never felt right to give her, I just never did," he says slowly, staring deep into my eyes.

A loud knock broke off our stare contest. My mate walks towards the door.

"I'd like you to meet someone." He mutters, twisting the  door knob and pulling it open.

"Come in, man." My mate turns towards me with a slightly shorter man towing behind him. With curly brown hair pulled up in a messy bun.

They approach me slowly, then stop right in front of me.

My mate clears his throat and says, "O'Brien meet my lovely mate, Aria. Aria, meet my Enforcer O'Brien.

"Well, hello Luna, it's an honour to finally meet you," the man says with a radiant smile on his face. 

My body goes completely still, his face looks eerily familiar. My mind spiralling, trying to remember a distant memory as I slip to the ground, my vision going completely dark.