The morning air carried an unusual tension that made Luna's wolf stir restlessly beneath her skin. She had arrived at the medical facility early, hoping to lose herself in work and forget the strange dreams that had plagued her sleep. Dreams of golden eyes and a voice that called to her soul.
"Luna, you need to see this," Dr. Harrison burst into her office, his usually calm demeanor replaced by barely contained excitement. "The Alpha King is coming. Today."
Luna's coffee cup slipped from her numb fingers, shattering against the floor. The dark liquid spread across the white tiles like spilled ink, mirroring the chaos suddenly unleashing in her chest.
"What?" she whispered, though her enhanced hearing had caught every word perfectly.
"Alpha King Damien Blackthorne himself. There's going to be a treaty meeting with our pack and three others. The biggest political gathering in decades." Harrison's eyes gleamed with the prospect of treating such distinguished guests. "This could establish our medical facility as the premier treatment center for all the northern territories."
Luna forced herself to appear calm, though her wolf was practically clawing at her ribcage. "When?"
"His convoy should arrive within the hour. Alpha Rodriguez wants all senior medical staff present for the welcome ceremony." Harrison paused, studying Luna's pale face. "Are you alright? You look like you've seen a ghost."
More like I'm about to meet my destiny, Luna thought, but she managed a weak smile. "Just surprised, that's all. I should prepare the medical bay in case anyone needs treatment."
As Harrison left, Luna sank into her chair, pressing her palms against her racing heart. The dreams made sense now. Her wolf had been sensing his approach, calling to its mate across the distance. But why now, after all this time? And why did the thought of seeing him again fill her with equal parts longing and terror?
The sound of howls echoing across the territory announced the Alpha King's arrival. Luna watched from her office window as a procession of black SUVs rolled through the pack lands, their windows tinted dark as midnight. Her hands trembled as she smoothed down her white coat and checked her appearance in the small mirror she kept in her desk drawer.
The woman staring back at her looked professional, composed. Only she could see the storm brewing in her own eyes.
The welcome ceremony took place in the pack's great hall, a massive stone building that could accommodate hundreds of wolves. Luna positioned herself at the back with the other medical staff, hoping to remain unnoticed. But when the great doors opened and Alpha King Damien Blackthorne stepped inside, her hope crumbled.
He was exactly as she remembered, yet somehow more. Taller, broader, radiating an authority that made every wolf in the room submit without conscious thought. His dark hair was shorter now, styled with military precision, and his face had gained new lines that spoke of heavy responsibilities and difficult decisions. But those eyes—those golden eyes that had haunted her dreams—swept the room with the same intensity she remembered.
And then they found her.
The world stopped. Luna felt the exact moment their gazes locked, felt the mate bond that had been dormant for five years suddenly roar to life with devastating force. Her wolf whimpered and pressed forward, desperate to run to him, to claim what had always been theirs.
Damien's nostrils flared as her scent reached him across the crowded room. Even at a distance, Luna could see his pupils dilate, could practically feel the way his wolf recognized her. His hands clenched into fists at his sides, and for a moment, she thought he might abandon all protocol and stride across the room to her.
But he was a king now, bound by duty and watched by dozens of pairs of eyes. Instead, he inclined his head in the slightest of nods—a gesture so subtle that only she would notice. A promise that said later.
The rest of the ceremony passed in a blur. Luna heard Alpha Rodriguez's welcoming speech, listened to the formal introductions of the visiting Alphas, but her attention remained fixed on Damien. Every time he spoke, his deep voice sent shivers down her spine. Every gesture, every movement, reminded her wolf of what they had lost.
When the formal proceedings ended and the crowd began to disperse, Luna tried to slip away unnoticed. She almost made it to the door when a familiar voice stopped her cold.
"Dr. Nightwood."
She turned slowly, her heart hammering against her ribs. Damien stood just a few feet away, having somehow crossed the room without her noticing. Up close, she could see the faint scars on his hands, evidence of battles fought and won. Could smell the intoxicating blend of cedar and storm that was uniquely him.
"Your Majesty," she managed, inclining her head in a respectful bow that hid the turmoil in her eyes.
"I understand you're the head of the medical facility here." His voice was carefully neutral, but she caught the slight roughness that betrayed his own struggle for control.
"Yes, Your Majesty. If you or any of your people require medical attention during your stay, we're fully equipped to handle any situation."
A muscle ticked in his jaw. "Perhaps you could show me your facilities. For security purposes, of course. I need to ensure my people will be properly cared for."
It was a flimsy excuse, and they both knew it. But Luna nodded, not trusting her voice.
"Of course. If you'll follow me."
The walk to the medical facility felt like the longest journey of Luna's life. They maintained a careful distance, but she could feel the heat radiating from his body, could hear the controlled rhythm of his breathing. Neither spoke until they reached her office, where she closed the door and finally allowed herself to look at him directly.
"Luna." Her name fell from his lips like a prayer, rough with five years of longing.
"You're a king now," she said, wrapping her arms around herself like armor. "Congratulations."
He stepped closer, and she caught her breath. "You know that's not what I want to talk about."
"Then what?" The words came out sharper than intended. "It's been five years, Damien. Five years without a word. And now you show up here, and I'm supposed to what? Fall into your arms like nothing happened?"
His eyes flashed with pain. "You think I had a choice? You think I didn't want to come for you?"
"I think you made your choice when you left." Luna turned away, staring out the window at the pack lands she'd made her home. "I built a life here. A good life. I'm not the same broken Omega you met five years ago."
"I can see that." His voice was soft now, filled with something that might have been pride. "You're stronger. More beautiful. More yourself than ever."
The compliment hit her like a physical blow, undermining the walls she'd so carefully constructed. "Don't."
"Don't what? Don't tell you the truth? Don't acknowledge what we both feel?" He was behind her now, close enough that she could feel his breath on her neck. "My wolf has been going insane since the moment I caught your scent. He's been waiting five years for this moment."
Luna closed her eyes, fighting the urge to lean back into his warmth. "Your wolf isn't in charge. You are. You were then, and you are now."
"You're right." His admission surprised her. "I am in charge. And I'm choosing to be here, choosing to fight for what should have been ours all along."
She turned to face him, searching his golden eyes for any sign of deception. "What are you saying?"
"I'm saying that five years ago, I was a coward. I let duty and politics and fear keep me from claiming my mate. But I'm not that man anymore." He reached up to cup her face, his thumb tracing the line of her cheekbone. "I'm saying that if you'll have me, I want to try again. I want to do this right."
Luna's breath caught in her throat. For a moment, she allowed herself to imagine it—what it would be like to accept him, to let herself love and be loved without reservation. But reality crashed back like a cold wave.
"It's not that simple, Damien. You're a king. I'm an Omega pack doctor. The politics alone—"
"Fuck politics." The crude word sounded strange coming from his refined lips. "I've spent five years putting duty before happiness, and where has it gotten me? Alone, miserable, ruling a kingdom but unable to enjoy any of it because half my soul was missing."
His words cracked something inside her chest, but Luna forced herself to remain strong. "And what about your people? Your kingdom? Are you willing to risk all of that for—"
"For my mate? For the woman the Moon Goddess herself chose for me?" He stepped closer, his scent wrapping around her like a drug. "In a heartbeat."
The intensity in his eyes took her breath away. This wasn't the uncertain young Alpha who had left her five years ago. This was a man who knew exactly what he wanted and was prepared to fight for it.
But Luna had learned hard lessons about hope and disappointment. "I need time," she whispered. "This is... it's too much, too fast."
Damien nodded, though she could see the struggle it cost him to step back. "I understand. But Luna?" He paused at the door, his golden eyes burning with promise. "I'm not leaving this time. Not without you."
As the door closed behind him, Luna sank into her chair, her legs suddenly unable to support her weight. Her careful, controlled world was crumbling around her, and she wasn't sure if she should fight to hold it together or let it fall.
Outside her window, she could see Damien rejoining his entourage, his kingly mask sliding back into place. But she had seen behind it now, seen the man who claimed he would risk everything for her.
The question was: was she brave enough to let him try?