f*******n by the Alpha

Chapter 1

CHAPTER ONE

The scent of pine and earth mingles with the tension in the air, wrapping around me like a familiar yet unwelcome cloak. My heart races, echoing the pounding rhythm of the drums that reverberate through the forest clearing. I stand among my pack, watching as Mark, our Alpha, strides confidently to the center of the gathering with a purpose that commands attention. The moonlight filters through the treetops, casting a silver glow on his black hair.

"Tonight," Mark's voice booms, "we celebrate not only the full moon but also the choosing of my bride."

Murmurs ripple through the crowd, a mix of anticipation and curiosity. My hands tremble slightly at my sides—a reaction I try to quell as I keep my gaze fixed on the man who leads us. In the hierarchy of the Pine Pack, I am but a whisper, a shadow that lingers unnoticed on the fringes. Yet, I feel the weight of every eye upon me as Mark's brown gaze finds mine, intense and unyielding.

"Isla," he calls out, and it's as if the world falls into a hushed silence.

I could swear my heart stops for a moment, my breath catching in my throat. Me? His bride? Disbelief wars with an inexplicable surge of excitement—a dangerous cocktail that leaves my head spinning.

"Step forward," he commands.

My legs move of their own accord, carrying me toward him as the space between us diminishes. I am acutely aware of the envious and shocked stares boring into me from all sides. When I stop before him, only inches separate our bodies. This proximity to the Alpha, to Mark, is unfamiliar territory, and it sends a jolt of awareness through my veins.

"Mark..." I begin, my voice barely above a whisper.

"Speak freely, Isla," he says, his tone softer now, just for me.

"Why me?" The question tumbles out, laden with all the confusion and awe that knots inside me. "I'm not... I mean, my status—"

He lifts a hand to silence me, and I immediately fall quiet, watching as he considers his words.

"Young, beautiful Isla," he begins, his eyes never leaving mine. "It is true, your status within the pack has been low, and your lineage is not that of warriors or elders. But none of that matters to me." His thumb grazes my cheek, leaving a trail of fire in its wake. "You have been chosen for your age, ripe for the bond we will share, and for the beauty that captivates more than just the eye. It speaks of a spirit that I seek in my Luna—the strength within, waiting to be awakened."

His words wash over me, heavy with implications I can't fully grasp in this moment. Chosen for my age and beauty, not for power or influence. What does it mean for me, for us, for the pack?

"Does that satisfy your curiosity?" he asks, his tone teasing but with an undercurrent of something else—something that suggests this is more than mere duty.

"Partially," I admit, because despite the honor, doubts cloud my mind. The idea of being selected, not for what I have accomplished, but for attributes I had no control over, leaves me feeling vulnerable. But there's no room for such thoughts now, not under the watchful eyes of the pack and the piercing gaze of the Alpha—of Mark.

"Good." A smile touches the corners of his lips, a rare sight that feels like a secret shared between us. "The rest will come with time."

Time—a luxury and a curse in the life of a werewolf, where bonds are eternal and destinies written in the stars. As the drums resume their rhythmic beat and the pack begins to howl in celebration, I realize that my life has just taken a turn down a path both thrilling and uncertain. And at the end of that path stands Mark, the Pine Pack Alpha, my future husband.

As the moon climbs higher in the night sky, casting a silver glow over the clearing, I stand beside Mark, feeling the weight of countless stares upon us. His hand rests lightly on my lower back—a silent assertion of possession that sends a shiver down my spine. It's a subtle reminder that I am now the chosen one, the future Luna of the Pine Pack.

"Smile, Isla," he murmurs, his voice barely audible above the hum of excited chatter around us. "Tonight is your night."

I curve my lips upwards, though the smile doesn't quite reach my eyes. The pack members' gazes are tinged with envy and curiosity, their whispers a low buzz in my ears. They speak of my sudden ascent to a position they've all coveted, but none express genuine joy for me. I can almost feel the isolation wrapping around me like a cold mist, despite being surrounded by the warmth of the pack.

"Are you alright?" Mark nudges gently. There's concern etched in the lines of his brow, a surprising softness in the eyes of the formidable Alpha.

"Overwhelmed," I admit, my voice a mere whisper. The truth is, I'm drowning in a sea of expectations and unspoken rules, thrust upon a pedestal I never sought.

"Understandable." He nods, and his grip tightens reassuringly, but it lacks the warmth of true companionship. "It'll pass. You'll see."

His assurance feels hollow, and loneliness creeps into my heart. The reality of my new life settles heavily upon my shoulders. I am to be Luna, a role that demands strength and confidence, yet here I am, brimming with doubts and fears.

"Everyone expects so much," I confide, turning to face him, seeking solace in those piercing eyes. "And they don't even know me."

"They will," he states firmly. "With time, you will win them over. You have the grace and spirit of a true Luna."

His words should bolster my spirits, but instead, they reinforce my solitude. I'm not just Isla anymore; I'm an emblem, a symbol of something greater than myself. A figurehead to be admired from afar, not a person to be loved for who I am.

"Let's take a walk," I suggest suddenly, desperate for space, for air that isn't thick with expectation.

"Of course," he agrees, and we slip away from the crowd, leaving behind the noise and the watchful eyes.

We move through the darkness, the sounds of the gathering fading behind us. The forest embraces us, its shadows offering a semblance of privacy, and for a moment, I can breathe.

"Mark," I start, hesitating as I search for the right words. "I want to be more than just a pretty face for the pack. I want to be your partner, not just a trophy Luna."

He stops, turning to face me, the moonlight playing across his features. "You are my partner, Isla. And you'll never be just anything. We'll rule together, side by side."

"Will we?" My question hangs between us, laden with uncertainty.

"Absolutely." His conviction rings strong, but the gulf of our strained relationship remains, the depth of our bond still untested.

"Then teach me," I implore. "Help me understand what it means to be Luna, beyond the ceremonies and traditions."

"Every step of the way," he vows, and in that promise, I find a glimmer of hope.

We continue walking, lost in our own thoughts, the silence between us filled with the potential of what could be—a partnership forged from necessity, but with room to grow into something real, something powerful. But first, we must bridge the distance, cross the chasm of loneliness that shadows my coveted title, and build a connection worthy of the Luna and her Alpha.