THE HEIR'S MATE

CHAPTER THREE

Luna's frustration crackled in the air, palpable in the furrow of her brows and the heavy sigh that escaped her lips. Isolde's incredulity mirrored her own as they stood in the heart of the forest, surrounded by a sanctuary of moss-covered ground and whispering leaves.

"You found your mate? Really?" Isolde's voice carried a note of disbelief, her gaze fixed on Luna's troubled expression.

Luna, sitting cross-legged, responded with a weary nod, her fingers absently tracing patterns in the dirt beneath her. Clad in her customary training attire of snug black pants and a sleeveless top, she exuded an air of readiness and resilience. "Yes, Isy, I found him. Or rather, I felt him. It all happened so fast."

Isolde's curiosity burned bright despite Luna's evident frustration. "Are you sure he was a beta?" she prodded gently, struggling to reconcile Luna's alpha prowess with the idea of a beta mate.

Luna let out a frustrated groan, her temples receiving the brunt of her agitation. "Do you think my wolf instinct is broken or something? Me? A Hawthorne?" Her voice dropped to a whisper, heavy with the weight of her realization. "I want to say 'your next pack leader,' but I realize how foolish that sounds after admitting my mate is a beta. It's a mere beta. I don't have any chance to be this pack leader. I'll fail, Isy."

Isolde frowned, unable to find any words of consolation. She had never been good at that. And, truth be told, she knew her best friend was right. An ordinary beta can't stand a chance to fight Rafe, let alone to become Luna's partner in the Ascension Rite.

Luna stood up abruptly, shaking off the melancholy that threatened to engulf her. There was nothing that could relieve her stress like a good fight. Isolde knew exactly what Luna meant when she pointed to her double-bladed glaives, her blessed weapon. Every alpha who passed the Alpha Trials was given their blessed weapon. Luna's glaives were a reflection of her—elegant yet deadly, perfectly balanced for her combat style.

The two stood in a secluded forest, not far from the grand castle where Luna resided. The forest was a place they often came to for solace and privacy. Tall, ancient trees surrounded them, their leaves whispering secrets as a gentle breeze blew through. The ground was carpeted with moss and fallen leaves, creating a soft, muted backdrop for their conversation.

Isolde's curiosity got the better of her, finding Luna's situation both intriguing and perplexing. "Describe him to me. I want to know what kind of man he is."

Luna hesitated before describing her 'newfound' mate, her words tinged with uncertainty and embarrassment. "He's around six feet tall, with a lean and athletic build. His light brown hair is short. His eyes... they're dark brown... and gentle, like warm, sweet hot chocolate. His face is perfect and well-placed, I guess? With lips that... soft and, well, look inviting." Luna cringed at her own words, feeling a flush rise to her cheeks.

Isolde couldn't help but laugh at Luna's predicament. "You've got it bad, Luna. That was a weird yet perfect description of someone I've ever heard. Is this because of the mate-thing talking? But it sounds like he's quite the catch."

Luna's resolve wavered at the thought of that man being her destiny. "It doesn't matter. He's a beta. Rafe will kill him in a second."

"I'll stick to my plan. We must find my partner quickly. Heck, I even can consider an omega. At least an omega can strengthen their alpha power, right?" Luna sought her best friend's approval, her voice tinged with uncertainty.

Isolde's smile turned wry. "You know that an omega can only strengthen their alpha if they were mates, right?"

Luna's expression darkened as she heard something she already knew but didn't want to accept.