Unmated and Unloved

What Now?

Why did your alpha attack you?

Dalia's entire body froze upon hearing his question. Slowly, she turned around to face him, her fur bristling, and her teeth bared as she locked eyes with him. That is none of your concern! she snapped, her voice laced with a growl.

Xavier met her fierce gaze and rose to his feet, a low, rumbling growl escaping his throat. I do believe I have a right to know, he countered, his own frustration evident. You will be my pack's new Alpha Female, and you are also my mate.

Dalia's growl grew deeper as she replied, We aren't considered mates until we have both bonded with each other, and just because I'm your mate and future 'Luna' does not mean you have the right to know everything!

She turned to leave, intent on returning to the cave, but before she could take more than a few steps, Xavier was in front of her, blocking her path, his snarl echoing in the air.

Never turn your back on me! he warned, his voice low and commanding.

Dalia glared at him, her hackles still raised. That was your wolves' doing. You're an alpha; you should be able to control your wolf! She circled around him, her growl underscoring her frustration. All she wanted right now was to find shelter and rest.

Xavier watched her as she circled him once more, growling softly. He lowered his head and observed as she disappeared into the cave. A deep breath escaped him, and he hadn't realized he'd been holding it. He wasn't accustomed to being challenged or spoken to like that. Most wolves would have submitted and retreated, but Dalia was different.

Dalia had alpha blood in her veins. Was that why fate had paired them? Why wouldn't she back down? Xavier pondered this as he stared at the cave entrance for a moment before turning away. He headed back to the edge of the cliffside and lay down, his ears pinned against his head in frustration.

Why did this mating bond have to happen now of all times? He'd been focusing on leading and protecting his pack. Xavier suddenly erupted into a loud growl, snapping his jaws at nothing but air. His lips curled above his teeth as he snarled, pacing back and forth. It seemed as though he and his wolf were locked in a fierce internal struggle, and to an outside observer, it might have appeared as if an old dog had gone mad.

As Dalia retreated into the cave, she couldn't shake off the unease that now clung to her. Her heart raced with a mixture of emotions, and she wondered whether this sudden bond was a blessing or a curse. She had been cast out of her former pack, her own alpha attacking her, and now she was thrust into a connection with a new pack's alpha and her supposed mate.

Deep down, she couldn't deny that Xavier's presence was beginning to awaken feelings she hadn't expected. But she was wary, cautious, and still reeling from the scars of her past. Her only solace for now was the shelter of the cave, where she hoped to find some respite and time to think about the complex future that awaited her.

Meanwhile, Xavier grappled with his own inner turmoil. His wolf's instincts and desires clashed with the responsibilities of being an alpha, threatening to unhinge his carefully maintained composure. He couldn't understand why fate had chosen this moment to bring his mate into his life, especially when his pack was facing growing tensions with rivaling groups in the region.

The moon rose higher in the night sky, casting a silvery glow over the landscape, as both Dalia and Xavier wrestled with their inner demons. Little did they know that their destinies were irrevocably intertwined, and the challenges they faced together were just beginning.