BloodMoon: Captivated by the Forbidden Lycan Alpha

I got home, showered, and dressed quickly before heading to the Bay offices to keep busy. The last two days had seen the Bay Pack documents pile up like an unwanted mountain. I needed for fucks sake; I needed the distraction. Settling behind the massive mahogany desk, I dove into the papers, letting the monotonous work take my mind off Gale's incessant growling in the back of my head with irritation.

An hour later, the door swung open, and Spark walked in with his usual swagger, accompanied by three familiar faces. Enforcer Wave Gale, the ever-stoic enforcer of the Bay Shifter Pack, General Cobble Steel, whose heavy footsteps could be felt before they were heard, and Tiger Astor, the sharp-eyed Deputy General, followed behind him. They all stopped at the edge of the desk, bowing in unison. Their formal greetings echoed in the room. I didn't bother with pleasantries as my eyes narrowed on Spark, pointing at him sharply. "You want to tell me why you didn't inform me about this pack dinner?"

Spark smirked, a cocky, smug expression that set my teeth on edge and shrugged like it was no big deal. "Well, Alpha," he said, drawing out the words, "It seems that someone beat us to it as the Generals are here to inform you about the dinner."

Before I could respond to him, Wave cleared his throat. "Elder Mercury Gale, General Crystal Astor, and Thorn Cobalt arranged for this dinner," he began, his voice professional and calm.

"Ah, of course they did," I muttered, already sensing where this was going.

Wave hesitated, exchanging glances with Cobble and Tiger, as if silently electing who would deliver the punchline. Tiger, the most diplomatic of the three, stepped forward. "The purpose of this dinner, Alpha… is to help you choose the next Luna of the pack."

My hands stilled over the document in front of me. "Is that so?"

Cobble cleared his throat, his booming voice filling the room. "They seem to be leaning toward Aqua Cobalt, Thorn's daughter."

The words struck a nerve. Gale, my Lycan beast, exploded with a growl so loud, it rumbled from my chest like thunder. The sound rolled through the room, vibrating the walls and shaking the floor. Wave, Tiger, and Cobble staggered back a step, shock flashing in their eyes as they instinctively braced themselves. Even Spark lost his smug grin, eyes flicking to me warily.

I raised my hands in mock surrender, though my voice carried an edge of finality. "And there's your answer, gentlemen. Gale doesn't seem too thrilled with the idea of anyone choosing a Luna for us."

Silence followed, save for the lingering growl reverberating in my chest and I pushed back from the desk, my chair scraping the floor as I stood to tower over them. "If the council wants me at that dinner, I'll be there but make no mistake. I'm not a prize to be auctioned off, and Gale sure as hell isn't about to be tamed by their games."

They all nodded, albeit stiffly. Spark, ever the daredevil, muttered, "Can't wait to see their faces when you decline their offer".

I shot him a glare, though the corner of my lips twitched in amusement. "Out. All of you, I have work to do"

"Yes, Alpha" They all responded in unison, turned on their heels, filing out of the office, but I caught Spark's smirk as he closed the door behind him. I dropped back into my chair with a heavy sigh. Gale huffed in the back of my mind, still seething. 

"Fucking madness" Gale growled.

"I know, Gale," I murmured aloud, staring at the papers I could no longer focus on. "They'll learn soon enough. No one chooses for us."

I procrastinated for an hour, trying to summon the patience for what lay ahead. Finally, with a heavy sigh, I dragged myself home for a change of clothes, choosing something simple yet sharp enough to match my rank, black slacks and a crisp white shirt that clung to my frame. Gale growled in annoyance as I buttoned up, his restlessness mirrored in how my hands fumbled over the last cuff.

"This is a waste of time," he muttered in my mind.

"Tell me about it," I replied aloud, yanking on my jacket and heading out.

The drive to the Bay Pack dinner felt shorter than I would've liked. When I arrived, everything was perfectly set—too perfect. Fairy lights hung in the large dining hall, casting a warm, false glow over the long tables draped in white. Pack council members stood to greet me the moment I entered, their faces painted with forced smiles and hopeful anticipation.

I raised a hand sharply, cutting through their rehearsed formalities. "Sit."

They obeyed immediately, sinking back into their chairs as I strode forward, my steps heavy with irritation. Spark and Wave flanked me on either side, silent but watchful. I dropped onto the central chair at the head of the room, leaning back with all the deliberate insolence I could muster.

My gaze swept over the room, and then I saw them. Thorn Cobalt sat proudly with Aqua beside him—his precious daughter and the council's clear pawn in this charade. Aqua's eyes were glued to me like a moth to a flame, her expression all sweetness and hunger rolled into one. I cringed inwardly, Gale letting out a low, annoyed rumble. "Desperate. Irritating."

Thorn chose that moment to rise, his movements slow and exaggerated, as if this was a coronation rather than a dinner. The room quieted instantly as all eyes turned toward him. "Welcome, everyone," he began, his voice booming and full of self-importance. "Tonight is not just a celebration but a pivotal moment for our pack. The council has organized this evening with one purpose in mind: to honor our Alpha, Tor, and allow him the opportunity to—" He paused for effect, eyes gleaming. "-choose his Luna."

The words hung in the air like a death sentence. My jaw tightened as the entire room turned to me. Slowly, I tilted my head, feeling the anger creep up from the pit of my stomach. My eyes locked onto Thorn, blazing with barely restrained fury.

The calm in my voice was deliberate, sharp as a blade as I asked, "What made the Bay Shifter Pack council think my Lycan wolf would accept being chosen for a Luna?"

My tone was cold, icy enough to freeze the blood in the veins of anyone listening. The collective gasps and shocked murmurs rippled across the room like a wave. Thorn's self-assured smile faltered, and Aqua's wide eyes blinked as if she couldn't believe what she'd just heard.

"Alpha—" Thorn began, but I cut him off with a look, my lips curling in the faintest mockery of a smile.

"Did you think Gale would bow to your plans?" I added, my voice low yet carrying across the hall. "That I would be some puppet in this matchmaking charade? I doubt the council wants him to lose his temper or go on a rampage. I can assure you all, you are not ready to see his wrath."

The murmurs intensified; the tension thick enough to choke. Gale pushed forward from within me, his presence brushing the surface. I could feel his amusement mixed with raw disdain. He wanted to make a spectacle, to remind everyone exactly who and what, we were. Thorn sat down slowly, his composure cracking under the weight of my gaze. The council members shifted uncomfortably, and even Spark, seated at my side, suppressed a smirk.

The silence that followed was perfect. It was mine.

"I will take that as a no. Let's eat, I am starving" I said finally, leaning back as if nothing had happened, I listened as Gale yawn of boredom rose and he went back to sleep.