Alpha's search for his Luna

Chapter : Vows of Protection

Packhouse: Next night after Priyal's Recognises her Mate bond.

Tanishq quietly opened the door to their room—their room, he reminded himself with a smile. It still felt surreal, having Priyal here with him, his mate, his Luna. His heart warmed at the thought.

As he stepped in, he noticed Priyal lying on the bed, phone in hand, her voice soft as she chatted with someone. She hadn’t yet noticed his presence.

“Yes, Anika, I know I missed the last one,” Priyal was saying with a small laugh. “But I really can’t promise I’ll make it this time either. I’ve got... well, a lot going on.”

Tanishq could tell she was trying to sound casual, but there was a weight to her words. He slowly moved closer, and Priyal, sensing his presence, turned her head. Their eyes met, and she gave him a soft smile before saying, “I’ve got to go now. We’ll catch up soon. Good night, Anika.”

She ended the call and set her phone on the bedside table. As Tanishq came closer, he slid onto the bed beside her, his movement slow and deliberate, making sure not to disturb the fragile moment between them. He leaned in and kissed her gently on the cheek. It was a simple, affectionate gesture, but it sent warmth through both of them.

There were no laws forbidding mates from being intimate before the official mating ceremony, but Tanishq had made a decision early on—he wanted to wait. Not because he didn’t desire her, but because he wanted to know her, truly know her, before they became one in every sense.

They lay there in silence for a moment before Tanishq spoke softly. “Tell me more about you. What do you like, Priyal?”

She turned her head toward him, her expression thoughtful. “My favorite color is royal blue,” she said, her voice light, though there was a subtle layer of emotion beneath it.

Tanishq smiled. “Royal blue? That suits you. It’s elegant, powerful.” He paused, considering. “Mine is dark green. Something about it just feels... grounded.”

Priyal nodded, her lips curling into a small smile. “I can see that. Dark green feels like stability, like the earth.”

The conversation flowed easily, moving from favorite colors to childhood memories. Priyal’s eyes lit up as she spoke of the good times with her cousins, Daksh and Vyom. She told Tanishq about the pranks they used to play, the laughter that filled their home, and the moments when everything seemed perfect.

But then, her tone shifted as she began to recount her training at the Rinnay pack. “Uncle Tarun, the Rinnay Alpha, he... he was strict. He pushed us hard, especially me.” Her voice trembled slightly. “I was forced to fight wolves older and stronger than me. It was brutal, but he did it because we had to stay sharp. We were always under threat. We were always hiding.”

Tanishq listened intently, his heart aching for her. He could see the weight of those memories in her eyes, the burden she still carried.

“We were introduced as members of a Nepali pack. That’s how we hid our true identity,” she continued. “I learned Nepali so I could fit in. I even have fond memories from that time. We celebrated Buddhist festivals at the monastery... it was peaceful there.” She smiled faintly, her voice growing quieter. “But it was also where we hid when the Xians attacked.”

Tears welled up in her eyes, and Tanishq could feel the pain radiating from her as she relived the memories. She took a deep breath, her voice barely above a whisper now. “My parents... they died protecting me. I was the reason.”

Tanishq’s heart clenched as he watched her struggle with the guilt. Without a word, he pulled her into his arms, wrapping her in a tight embrace. He felt her body relax slightly against him, her breathing shaky.

“They attacked my Aunt Tara too,” Priyal whispered against his chest. “Tao... the Xian Alpha. He was the one who led the attack.”

Tanishq froze at the name. Tao. He had heard whispers of the Xian Alpha, but hearing the name from Priyal’s lips made the danger feel even more real. Yet, he didn’t press her for details. This wasn’t the time. He just wanted to comfort her, to offer her a sense of peace.

“I’m so sorry, Priyal,” he murmured into her hair, tightening his hold on her. “But I promise, you’ll never have to face that again. I will protect you.”

He kissed the top of her head, holding her close as she wept quietly in his arms. He could feel the deep sorrow, the guilt she had carried for so long. It pained him to see her like this, to realize that behind the fierce warrior she appeared to be, there was still a scared, broken girl who had endured more than anyone should.

He vowed silently to himself, as he held her, that he would never let her feel this way again. She was his, and from this day forward, her safety, her happiness, and her peace would be his top priority.

Tanishq stared at her, marveling at the strength she had displayed her whole life. But now, he saw the vulnerable side of her, the part of her that had been forced to grow up too fast, too harshly. His fierce, independent she-wolf, who could take down rogues with ease, was also the same girl who needed comfort and safety.

“I’ll marry you soon,” he whispered, a determination settling deep within him. He wanted her to be his in every way. Officially, publicly. He wanted the world to know she was his Luna. Dun was a large pack, larger than Hemis, and he knew that part of why the Moon Goddess had chosen him as her mate was because his pack could protect her in ways no one else could.

“I won’t ever make you feel scared, Priyal,” he promised, his voice steady. “I will give you everything you deserve. Every happiness.”

Her tears eventually stopped, and exhaustion took over as she fell asleep in his arms, her face nestled against his chest. Tanishq lay there, staring down at her, feeling the weight of his responsibility but also the depth of his love for her.

He would protect her. Always.