The Unexpected Wolf
The grand hall sparkled with candlelight reflecting off crystal glasses and silver platters. Laughter and conversation flowed like the expensive wine being poured. Everyone was dressed in their finest–silks, velvets, and jewels on display like peacock feathers.
Everyone except me.
I wore the only decent dress I owned–a simple navy blue that had once fit perfectly but now hung slightly loose on my frame. I’d lost weight since the miscarriage. Since the
rejection.
I sat rigidly at Dorian’s table, directly across from him and Selene. The perfect vantage point for their show of affection. Every touch, every whispered word between them was meant for my eyes and ears.
Dorian stroked Selene’s hand, his eyes fixed on me. “Isn’t she beautiful, Elowen? The way
a true Luna should look.”
I forced my lips into the semblance of a smile. “Very beautiful, Alpha.”
“Did you know that Selene comes from pure bloodlines?” His voice carried to nearby tables. “Unlike some… diluted stock in our pack.”
Selene giggled, leaning into him. “Dorian, darling, you’ll make me blush.”
I remained silent, my knuckles white as I gripped the edge of my chair. I watched my mother weaving between tables with a pitcher of water, her eyes downcast, her movements efficient and practiced. Years of servitude had taught her how to be invisible.
Until Dorian decided to make her visible.
“You! Old woman!” he barked suddenly. “This glass has been empty for thirty seconds. Are your legs failing you as well as your eyes?”
My mother hurried over, head bowed. “No, Alpha. Forgive me, Alpha.”
Selene watched my face as she spoke. “Dorian tells me you once thought you’d be Luna. Isn’t that adorable? As if someone of your… station… could ever lead a pack.”
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As my mother bent to pmur. Selene shifted suddenly. The glass tilted, red wine casca down my mother’s worm uniform.
“Oh! Look what you made me do with your clumsiness!” Selene exclaimer.cysglitte with malice.
She placed a hand over her mouth in fake innocence. “Ooops! Your shabbyddress istu Though how comitiamyone tell the difference?”
Something snapped inside me. I rose from my chair, fists clenched att myssides. You that on pupuse yousspiteful witch.”
Selene gaspilfiteatrically, hand flying to her chest. “Did you hear what stie called me Dorian? Your little pet has quite the mouth on her.”
Dorian’sswoicedropped to a deadly quiet tone. “Elowen. Remember your place. This is Luna, amuleton’t you ever speak to her that way again if you value your mother’s posit On hurling
Hisseves borelliinto mine, the threat unmistakable. “Sit. Dowm. Now.”
Mwinunther’s eyes filled with terror. “Please, Elowen. Pleaseesiit.”
Ilsankback into my chair, watching as my mother droppetcolher hands and knees to clean the spill.
Dorian turned to the surrounding tables, spreading hissamswide. Isn’t this wonderfu Hiveryone enjoying themselves? My perfect Luna biyymyssible, the pack thriving under n leadership.”
Selene leaned toward me, voice low enough thattanityllccould hear. He screams my na when we’re alone. Did he ever scream yours??”
‘The first strains of music began to play..
Dorian stood and held out his hand to Selene.“Would you honor me with this dance, goddess, my true mate, my everything??”
ilrecognized the words–the exact same warrishticonce whispered to me under the st the night of our mating.
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Selene shot me a triumphant smile. “Yes, my Alpha.”
As they walked toward the dance floor, Dorian looked back over his shoulder. “You cou mingle now, Elowen, but let’s be honest–who would want Alpha Dorian’s used goods?
I watched them glide across the floor, her in his arms, his lips at her ear whispering things meant to make her laugh. The same dance steps, the same smiles, the same intimate gestures he had once shared with me.
I stood abruptly. I couldn’t bear another minute of this spectacle. I slipped between tables, heading for the nearest exit, blinking back tears I refused to shed.
I’d nearly reached the doors when they suddenly burst open. The music stopped. Conversation died.
A collective gasp rippled through the hall as two men stepped into the room.
“Alpha Kaius…” someone whispered fearfully. “The Ravenhollow Alpha…”
An elder wolf grabbed a younger pack member’s arm. “Don’t look directly at him. His pa conquered three territories last winter alone.”
I froze, unable to move as I recognized the imposing figures.
Alpha Kaius Valerian of the Ravenhollow territory stood like a dark sentinel, his imposin frame filling the doorway.
Standing well over six feet tall, his broad shoulders were accentuated by the tailored blac suit. His angular features set in an expression of detached superiority. Long black hair fel past his shoulders, partially tied back to reveal a strong jaw and the hint of a scar that ra from temple to cheek. Beside him, equally formidable, stood his Beta, Frost.
Dorian rushed forward, his voice too loud, betraying his nervousness. “Welcome, Alpha Kaius! What an unexpected honor! You didn’t inform us that you would be gracing our humble celebration with your presence. We would have prepared a proper welcome for
Kaius cut him off with silence, not even glancing his way.
Frost’s cold smirk was barely perceptible. “The Alpha doesn’t require your permission to enter any territory, pup.”
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“Of course, of course! Dorian attempted to save face. “Please, we have rosewellsseatin for distinguished guests-
I tried to maltemwelfinvisible, pressing back against the wall. Butttcomylitorror, Kaiu ignored Diazompletely and began walking directly toward me. Thecrowd parted
before him like water.
My heart punteti against my ribs. “Why me? There must be some mistake…
Kaius stopil before me, his amber eye locked on mine. When he spoke, his voice was thumion, siitending the entire room.
White
The word hung in the air between us. I shook my head in dishdieet.
“No…that’s impossible. I’ve already been-“.
Hiromacross the room, Selene’s shrill voice cut through thiessilence. Dorian! What is Happening? Do something!”
Dorian stepped forward, attempting to reassert hissauthority. Alpha Kaius, there’s som confusion. This girl is nobody, just a low–ranking:
Kaius finally acknowledged Dorian with a look of surth contempt that Dorian physicall recoiled.
“You’ve touched what’s mine.” Each word wassandaally promise.
Frost’s hand moved to the weapon at his side. “Acoffense punishable by death in our territory.”
Panic bubbled up inside me as Kaius approactivellatloser. Please, I don’t understand wh happening-”
“She’s nothing!” Dorian’s voice oracked witthdiesperation. Take her if you want her! Sh was just a temporary-”
“Dorian!” Selene hissed. “You canttjjust-
But Kaius ignored them all, his footsscntirely on me. I’ve searched for you. Across
The Unexpected Wolf
territories. Through seasons.”
I stared up at him, bewildered. “But you don’t even know me.”
He reached for my face with surprising gentleness. “I know your soul, little wolf.”
The collective gasp of the pack echoed through the hall as he pulled me close. My mother watched from the corner, hands over her mouth in shock or prayer.
His lips met mine in a kiss that sent an electric current racing through my body.
“Kiss me back, Elowen,” he whispered against my lips, too low for others to hear. “If you wish to leave this place, kiss me back. Trust the bond you feel forming. I am not like him. I protect what’s mine.”
Something stirred inside me–a warmth where there had been only cold, a lightness where there had been only heaviness. I didn’t understand what was happening, but in that moment, with Dorian’s cruelty still fresh and this stranger offering escape, I made my
choice.
I kissed him back.
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