MARKED BY ALPHA

Alana's POV

The sun hadn't even graced the sky with its first golden rays when I slipped out of bed. The castle was still cloaked in silence, save for the distant sounds of the night patrol changing shifts. Normally, I wouldn't be caught dead waking up this early, but today was different.

Today, I had a mission.

My mother was an early riser, but even she wouldn't expect me to beat the sunrise. Which was exactly why I needed to get to her first. If I played my cards right, I could convince her to keep my little secret.

Or bribe her. Whichever worked first.

I crept through the halls, the stone floors cool against my bare feet. The castle was very silent though it was still very early in the morning, so that's why, but I ignored the shiver down my spine as I reached my parents' private chambers.

Taking a deep breath, I knocked lightly before slipping inside.

My mother sat in front of her mirror, brushing her long silver hair. She froze mid-stroke, eyes locking onto me in the mirror with the kind of sharpness only a Luna possessed.

"Alana," she said slowly, setting her brush down. "Am I dreaming, or did my daughter wake up before the wolves howled?"

I grinned sheepishly. "Surprise."

She turned to face me fully, her eyes narrowing in suspicion. "What do you want?"

I gasped dramatically. "Why do you assume I want something?"

"Because the last time you woke up this early, you wanted me to convince your father to let you keep that injured rabbit."

I hesitated. "Okay, fine. That was a long time ago."

She arched a brow. "It was last year."

Damn. She remembered that?

I cleared my throat and stepped closer, clasping my hands together. "Okay, Mother, hear me out."

She sighed. "This should be good."

I sat on the edge of her bed, giving her my best innocent expression. "You love me, right?"

She gave me a deadpan stare. "What did you do?"

"Nothing! Nothing at all. I'm just… testing the strength of our bond."

She scoffed. "Alana."

I sighed dramatically. "Fine, you got me. I may need you to, um… keep a tiny little secret."

Her eyes twinkled with amusement, but her voice was firm. "If it involves that boy, you know I can't…"

I immediately launched into action, throwing myself at her and grabbing her hands. "Mother, please!"

She tried to pull away, but I clung to her like a desperate child.

"This is very unbecoming of a princess," she mused, trying not to laugh.

"This is life or death!" I wailed.

She rolled her eyes. "You're being dramatic."

"No, you don't understand!" I gave her my best puppy eyes. "If Father finds out, he'll.. he'll skin me alive!"

She smirked. "That's a bit extreme. He'll just ground you."

"Exactly! And I don't want to be grounded for eternity!"

She chuckled, but then her face turned serious. "Alana, this is dangerous. You know how your father feels about rogues."

I bit my lip. "He's not a rogue. He's just… lost."

Her expression softened, but she sighed. "Even if I wanted to keep this secret, it's only a matter of time before someone finds out."

I shook my head. "Not if we're careful. We found a way to hide him."

She tilted her head. "Oh?"

"Eva," I said triumphantly. "She can enchant a cottage so no one will even see it."

She leaned back, considering. "A concealed space…"

I saw my opportunity and pounced. "Yes! And if you let me do this, I'll, um.." I thought quickly. "I'll wake up early for a whole month! I'll train properly! I'll…"

She smirked. "You'll find a suitor?"

I paused. Crap.

"That's… please Mother, let's not get crazy now."

She sighed, standing up. "Alana, I should tell your father."

I gasped in betrayal. "Mother, no!"

She strode toward the door.

"Wait, wait, wait…" I ran in front of her, arms outstretched like a human barricade. "You don't have to tell him. You can just pretend this conversation never happened."

She reached for the door handle.

"Mother, please!"

She tapped her chin. "I don't know, should I call him?"

I gasped dramatically. "You wouldn't dare."

She smirked. "Alpha!" she called.

I tackled her. "NOOOO!"

She cackled, my own mother cackled at my suffering. "I'm kidding," she said between laughs. "But the look on your face was priceless."

I slumped against her, groaning. "You are evil."

She patted my head. "I am the Luna."

I looked up at her hopefully. "So… you won't tell?"

She sighed. "I shouldn't, but…" She shook her head, smiling softly. "I trust you, Alana. Just be careful."

I threw my arms around her. "Thank you, thank you, thank you!"

She chuckled. "Now go find that abandoned cottage before I change my mind."

I grinned, bolting for the door.

Now, all I had to do was find the perfect place for Adrian to hide. No pressure.

Easy pissy. Yesssss