Chapter 18


    Alpha Zenith


    I’m going to tell you a story, Astrid. And you’re going to listen to every word, he says. I re at him but


    give him my full attention because I know he can make me listen if he has to, and I’ve been through


    enough.


    ‘Twenty-two years ago, Moonstone Crest was the strongest pack around. They hosted an annual


    mating ceremony, where packs would be invited from all around the world to potentially find their


    mates.’


    ‘Unexpectedly, my pack, Shady Crest, had been invited. Unfortunately, my father was the Alpha and


    did not get along with the Alpha of Moonstone Crest. My father was willing to put his hatred for Alpha


    Bane aside, though, as he hoped I’d find my mate there. I could finally take over as Alpha if I did.


    ‘We attended the mating ceremony, and it was a spectacr event. However, not long after arriving, I


    smelled the most alluring scent I had ever smelled before – vani and honey. I followed the scent to


    no avail. I didn’t understand why my mate’s scent kept disappearing. Surely, she could smell my


    scent too, which would make her follow me.’


    ‘Confused, I told my father I could smell my mate but couldn’t find her. We spent most of the night


    searching for her. The scent finally led me to the front of the Moonstone Crest


    packhouse. I looked up to see the most beautiful girl I have ever seen looking out the window. She is


    N?velDrama.Org holds this content.


    frightened when she sees me. ‘Please! Wait!’ I yell as she backs away from the window. She slowly re-


    approaches the windowsill, and we stare into each other’s eyes.


    The world vanishes. It’s as though only she and I exist. Nothing else matters. ‘Mate’, we both say. Our


    eyes turn ck, then silver for a moment, and go back to our standard colours. ‘Pleasee down, so


    we can meet properly,’ I say, smiling. She shakes her head no. ‘I’m sorry, I can’t, she says in her sweet


    voice. I give her a confused look. ‘But we’re mates! Surely you cane down so we can talk? And


    maybe have a dance?’


    ‘Her beautiful green eyes were like emeralds and her long brown hair blows in the wind. ‘You don’t


    understand. Mate bond or not, my father would never let me be with the future Alpha of Shady Crest.’


    She cries.


    ‘Confused with her words, I ask her, what’s wrong with being the future Luna of Shady Crest? She tells


    me: ‘your father has tarnished the pack’s name with his wicked ways and his treatment of his pack. He


    kidnaps and hunts humans for sport, she says.’


    ‘Why should my father’s ways affect us?’ I ask, bing angry. ‘My father will make me reject you


    regardless of how good or bad your heart is. I’m sorry, she exins, tearfully.’


    ‘We can figure this out, my love! But, please, juste down. I will speak to your father and tell him


    and show him I will treat you like a Queen, I beg her. She continues to wipe tears from her face and


    shake her head.


    ‘If you won’te down here, I wille up there!’ I tell her, breaking the front door down. I run


    upstairs and push her bedroom door open. I march over to her, but she has so much sadness in her


    eyes.


    ‘Leaning over her, I hold her chin in my hand. The chemistry between us is magical. I lean my head


    down to brush my lips against hers. I cup her face in my hands, and she ces her hands on my


    chest.’


    ‘Our lips meld together with intense passion. It feels so right and so good. Our lips finally part, and she


    bursts into tears. ‘My sweet love, who is your father?’ | ask. She looks away. ‘Alpha Bane of Moonstone


    Crest, she whispers.


    ‘In shock, I take a step back. ‘You’re Alyssa, the daughter of Alpha Bane?’ I say. She looks up into my


    eyes and nods. I pull her into my chest, letting her cry. I stroke her hair tofort


    her.


    ‘Our fathers are the greatest of enemies. There has to be a way for us to be together, I say. ‘Come,


    Alyssa, take my hand. Let us go to the dance. If everyone sees us happy together, maybe our fathers


    will approve of us. We need to try at least, my love, I say


    Alyssa nods. We smile at each other and walk hand in hand to the dance. All eyes are on us, in shock,


    as we walk in. Everyone stares, not expecting us to be matched by the Moon Goddess. We dance


    among the others as sparks fly between us. Alyssa’s smile brightens the room. We stare lovingly into


    each other’s eyes.


    ‘What is the meaning of this? Get away from my daughter now!’ Alpha Bane yells across the room.


    Everyone gasps and stands aside to let Alpha Bane through. Alyssa clings to my coat and looks up at


    me. Her beautiful green eyes well with tears.


    ‘Alpha Bane, it’s a pleasure to meet you, I say, most respectfully, bowing my head. ‘Alyssa,e here


    now! He snaps. ‘Dad, it’s okay. Zenith is my mate,’ she says with a nervous smile for her dad!


    ‘Alpha Bane’s face pales instantly. ‘No. The Moon Goddess would not be so cruel to mate my precious


    daughter with the lowest pack. You’re the most hated pack in the world,’ he yells.’


    I stiffen at his words. Alpha Bane, please. I can assure you Alyssa is my mate, and I’m so honoured to


    ept her as my mate. I know you and my father don’t see eye to eye, but-‘I’m


    interrupted


    “See eye to eye? Your father murders humans for fun! The man beats his pack members. He is the


    only Alpha known to keep


    pack members as ves. He is sick and twisted, Alpha Bane


    yells.’


    ‘Enough!’ My Dad yells and steps forward, out of the crowd. He looks at Alyssa, clinging to me with


    tears in her eyes, with my arm around her waist, sping her tight. My Dad chuckles at the situation.’


    ‘Who would have thought? My son, blessed with your daughter,’ he chuckles. ‘The Moon Goddess


    must surely hate you, Alpha Bane, to make you share grand-pups with me!’ Dad chuckles.


    ‘Dad. This mateship is a blessing for Alyssa and me. You need to keep your taunts to yourself!’ I yell at


    him. My Dad growls at me for disrespecting him in front of all the packs.’


    ‘Alyssa! You are to reject Zenith right now!’ Alpha Bane orders. Alyssa and I both flinch at his demand.


    We stare into each other’s eyes. I shake my head no. I plead with Alyssa not to do


    ‘She doesn’t want to reject me. She wants to ept me. ‘Now! Alpha Bane yells, making her jump.


    ‘You wouldn’t dare make her reject my son!’ My father yells at Alpha Bane, Alpha Bane grabs Alyssa by


    the wrist and pulls her to him, ‘Alyssa, you listen to me now. You deserve better. You deserve to be with


    the best Alpha out there! Do you think you will have a happy life in that packhouse?’ He yells:


    ‘He forcefully turns Alyssa around by her arms. ‘Do it now, or everyone will know you as a traitor to this


    family. Do you want your mother living with that reputation?’ Alyssa is crying. She shakes her head no.’


    ‘Forgive me, Zenith. Please forgive me. I, Alyssa Moonstone, reject you, future Alpha Zenith of Shady


    Crest as my mate.’ I’m crippled with severe pain in my chest. It feels like she has ripped my heart out. I


    see Alyssa in the same pain, gripping her chest. Everyone gasps and watches on in horror. Rejecting


    mates is extremely rare. Most would never witness a rejection in their lifetime.’


    ‘The mating ceremony is over! Everyone, go home!’ Alpha Bane yells. He still has his hands around


    Alyssa. He is pulling her away toward the packhouse. I want to run to her, but my father grabs me and


    holds me back.’


    ‘You will pay for this, Alpha Bane! I swear to the Moon Goddess, you will pay!’ I yell.


    ‘Four months pass. My father and I organise our warriors to wipe out the Moonstone pack so I can free


    Alyssa and bring her home with me where she belongs. We have it all nned out. We would trespass


    onto Moonstone Crest the night of Alpha Bane’s birthday celebrations, discreetly killing guards and


    warriors one by one. The celebrations would be in the great hall where the mating ceremony was held.


    Once I found Alyssa, I would lure her away from the hall. My warriors would close all the doors to the


    hall, barricading them in. The


    warriors would pour fuel outside the hall, block the doors, and then ignite a fire.