Bound by Fate: The Alpha's Luna

Chapter 6: The Runaway Luna

The day of the Luna Ceremony had finally arrived. Isabella stood in front of the mirror, taking in her reflection. The gown she wore was exquisite, a flowing masterpiece of white silk that hugged her curvy figure perfectly. The fabric draped over her ample curves, accentuating her full breasts and cinching at her waist before cascading down to the floor. The delicate lace detailing along the bodice and sleeves added a touch of elegance, while the subtle shimmer of the gown caught the light with every movement.

Her long, dark hair was pinned up in soft curls, with a few loose strands framing her face. The overall effect was breathtaking, but as Isabella looked at herself in the mirror, she couldn't help but laugh softly. "What am I doing?" she thought, the absurdity of the situation hitting her all at once. This was crazy. She was about to go through with a ceremony that would bind her to a man she barely knew, in a world that still felt foreign to her.

As she was lost in her thoughts, there was a knock on the door. "Come in," Isabella said, her voice steady despite the turmoil inside her.

The door opened, and there stood the Alpha—Alaric. He was dressed in a perfectly tailored suit, the deep charcoal fabric accentuating his broad shoulders and powerful frame. The crisp white shirt beneath highlighted his strong jawline, and the dark tie he wore was knotted impeccably at his throat. His silver hair was neatly combed back, and his piercing blue eyes, which usually held an air of command, softened slightly as they met Isabella's.

They had never spoken a single word to each other, and now they just stood there, staring at one another. The silence between them was thick, charged with unspoken emotions and the weight of what was about to happen.

"I have a gift for you," Alaric said, breaking the silence as he took a step closer to her.

Isabella's breath caught in her throat as he approached. He held out a small box and opened it to reveal a stunning diamond pendant. The jewel sparkled with an ethereal brilliance, the facets catching the light in a mesmerizing dance. Alaric reached out and gently placed the pendant around her neck, his fingers brushing against her skin as he fastened the clasp.

"It's beautiful," Isabella murmured, her fingers touching the pendant lightly. "Thank you."

Alaric nodded, his expression unreadable as he took a step back. Then, without another word, he turned and left the room, leaving Isabella alone once more.

As soon as the door closed behind him, Isabella turned back to the mirror, her heart pounding in her chest. She stared at her reflection, at the woman dressed in white, adorned with diamonds, and felt a deep, unsettling dissonance within her. This wasn't her. This wasn't the life she wanted. The cold, distant man who had just given her this beautiful pendant wasn't someone she could see herself with. She had love waiting for her at home—her husband, her life, everything she had left behind.

The thought of Alaric touching her, claiming her as his Luna, made her stomach churn. She couldn't do this. She wouldn't do this.

"Nope, nope, nope," Isabella whispered to herself, shaking her head as she stepped away from the mirror. She had made up her mind. There was no way she was going through with this ceremony.

Without another thought, Isabella rushed to the window. The cool evening air hit her face as she threw it open. She looked down—it was a two-story drop, but that didn't deter her. With a determination born from desperation, she climbed out the window, gripping the ledge tightly before letting herself drop down to the ground.

She landed with a soft thud, the impact jarring but manageable. Without hesitating, she picked herself up and started running, the long skirts of her gown trailing behind her as she sprinted away from the pack house. Her heart raced as she fled, her breath coming in quick, sharp gasps, but she didn't stop. She couldn't stop.

Isabella ran until she reached the pond—a beautiful, serene spot she had often visited to find peace amidst the chaos of her new life. The water was still, reflecting the moonlight like a mirror, and the gentle rustling of the leaves in the trees was the only sound that broke the silence.

She collapsed onto the grass beside the pond, her gown pooling around her as she caught her breath. This was her happy place, the one spot where she could feel like herself, where she could escape from the pressures and expectations that had been thrust upon her.

Isabella looked out over the water, her mind racing with thoughts of her husband, her old life, and the impossible situation she had found herself in. She couldn't go back—not to the pack house, not to the life of a Luna she never wanted.

Here, by the pond, she made a decision. She would stay hidden, away from the Alpha, away from the tribe. She would find a way to survive on her own, far from the expectations that had been forced upon her.

Determined never to go back, Isabella settled by the pond, finding solace in the tranquility of the night and the knowledge that, for now, she was free.