The Alpha's Luna, A Destiny Divided

Chapter 1

Luna's POV
The forest was silent, save for the crunch of leaves beneath my feet and the occasional rustle of wildlife in the underbrush. Moonlight filtered through the canopy, casting eerie shadows across the forest floor. My ears twitched, alert for any sign of pursuit. I'd been running for days, my legs aching and my stomach empty, but I couldn't afford to stop. Not when danger could be lurking behind any tree.

A twig snapped nearby, and I froze, my body tensing as I prepared to shift. My wolf itched beneath my skin, eager to take over, to run, to fight. But I held back, straining my heightened senses. The forest fell silent once more, and after a long moment, I allowed myself to relax slightly.

As I resumed my trek, exhaustion threatened to overwhelm me. My foot caught on an exposed root, and I stumbled, falling hard against the rough forest floor. A sharp pain shot through my leg as it scraped against a jagged rock. Warm blood trickled down my calf, but I gritted my teeth and pushed myself up. I couldn't stop now.

The first hints of dawn lightened the sky as I limped into a small clearing. My vision swam, and I leaned heavily against an ancient oak, trying to catch my breath. Where could I go? The thought of throwing myself on the mercy of strangers made my skin crawl, but the alternative – surviving alone in the wilderness – seemed equally daunting.

A rustling in the bushes ahead snapped me to attention. This was no small animal; the sound was too deliberate, too large. My heart raced as I caught a scent on the breeze – wolf, but not one I recognized. I was in another pack's territory.
Taking a deep breath, I straightened up, ignoring the pain in my leg. "I know you're there," I called out, my voice hoarse from disuse. "I'm just passing through. I mean no harm."

For a long moment, nothing happened. Then, with a grace that belied his size, a massive black wolf emerged from the underbrush. His coat gleamed in the early morning light, and his eyes – a startling shade of amber – fixed on me with an intensity that made my breath catch.
As I watched, the wolf's form shimmered and changed. In its place stood a man, tall and powerfully built, with the same piercing amber eyes. He radiated an aura of authority that left no doubt in my mind: this was an Alpha.
"Passing through?" the man's deep voice carried a note of skepticism. "You're a long way from anywhere, little wolf. And you look like you've seen better days."
I bristled at the condescension in his tone, my own wolf rising to the challenge despite my exhaustion. "I can handle myself," I snapped, then immediately regretted my sharp tongue. Antagonizing an Alpha in his own territory was a fool's move.

To my surprise, the man's lips quirked in what might have been amusement. "I don't doubt it," he said, taking a step closer. "But even the strongest wolf needs a pack. You're alone. Why?"
The question hung in the air between us, heavy with implication. I hesitated, memories threatening to overwhelm me. "That's none of your business," I growled, taking a step back.
His eyes narrowed, scanning me from head to toe. "You're hurt," he stated, his gaze lingering on my injured leg.
"It's nothing," I lied, fighting the urge to favor my uninjured leg. "I'll be on my way."
"To where?" he challenged, moving closer. "The nearest pack is miles from here, and you're in no condition to make that journey."

I opened my mouth to argue, but a wave of dizziness washed over me. My knees buckled, and I stumbled forward. Strong arms caught me before I hit the ground, and I found myself pressed against a broad chest. The Alpha's scent enveloped me – pine, earth, and something uniquely him – and for a moment, I felt safe.
Then reality crashed back in, and I pushed against him, trying to break free. "Let go of me," I snarled, but my struggles were weak, and he held firm.
"Easy," he murmured, his voice softer now. "You're safe here. Let me help you."
I wanted to refuse, to run, to maintain the walls I'd built around myself. But as I looked up into those amber eyes, something shifted. A jolt of awareness shot through my body like lightning, and I saw the same shock mirrored in his gaze. It was impossible, unthinkable, yet undeniable.
The mate bond snapped into place between us, a connection as ancient as it was unexpected. In that moment, I knew my life would never be the same.

And I hated every second of it.

Alpha's POV
The scent hit me first – fear, exhaustion, and blood, undercut by something uniquely feminine and wolf. It drew me like a moth to flame, pulling me from my early morning patrol. As I approached the clearing, I saw her – a lone she-wolf, battered and wary, yet still standing tall.
My wolf stirred, intrigued and protective. Who was she? Where had she come from? And why did she look like she'd been running for days?

As I shifted and approached her, I couldn't help but admire her spirit. Even exhausted and injured, she met my gaze with defiance. "I can handle myself," she snapped, and I had to fight back a smile. She was a fighter, this one.
But as our conversation progressed, I saw the cracks in her armor. The way she swayed on her feet, the pain she tried to hide, the haunted look in her eyes when I asked why she was alone. Every instinct I had screamed at me to protect her, to care for her, to unravel the mystery she presented.
When she collapsed against me, it felt right, like she belonged in my arms. Her scent surrounded me – wildflowers and rain and home – and I knew I couldn't let her go.

Then she looked up at me, and the world shifted on its axis. The mate bond flared to life, unexpected and overwhelming. Joy and disbelief warred within me, along with a possessiveness I'd never felt before. She was mine.
But as I watched emotions flicker across her face – shock, confusion, and then a deep, visceral denial – I realized this wasn't going to be the joyous union I'd always imagined finding my mate would be.
Who was this woman? What had happened to make her run? And how could I convince her to stay when everything in her screamed to run?
One thing was certain – I wasn't letting her go without a fight.