~ Selene ~
The biting north wind howled as it swept across the mountaintops, blanketing my domain in a layer of glistening frost. I stood on the highest balcony of the palace, gazing down at the silent, slumbering valley and the endless stretch of forests below. All of it was my dominion. I am Selene Wolfgang, the Alpha Queen of the Silver Moon Pack, and the indisputable ruler of this land.
My fingers subconsciously traced the cold stone railing of the balcony as my gaze traveled
past the dense black pine forests to the distant, snow-covered borders. Time had flown by; five
full years had passed since I took the Alpha's scepter from my father. The naïve nineteen-year-old girl from then had grown into a queen whom all surrounding tribes had to acknowledge. My
authority wasn't derived from inherited bloodlines but carved into every acre of expanded
territory, every signed pact, and every defeated enemy.
Behind this authority, however, was always a steady and reliable figure.
"The northern winds seem colder than ever this year," a warm voice called from behind me. A heavy white wolf pelt cape was gently draped over my shoulders, shielding me from the biting
chill. I didn't need to turn around to know who it was. In this palace, only Elaric could approach
me so naturally while I was deep in thought.
"Cold keeps the mind sharp," I said, pulling the cloak closer as I turned to meet his gentle
gray eyes. "Elder Augustus was at it again in the council today, raging about the budget for the
five-year celebration. He seems to think I plan to wrap every tree in the forest in gold."
Elaric chuckled softly, effortlessly dispelling the frustration that often came with governance. "I've already spoken to the elder. I merely showed him the half-year revenue from the eastern
trade route you opened last year. It alone could fund three such celebrations. He's now busy
composing praise poems to extol your foresight and wisdom. He won't trouble you further."
I couldn't help but laugh as well. This was my Elaric, my prince consort. He wasn't a destined Alpha, lacking the bloodline resonance that tied souls together. Yet, against all doubts, I personally chose him as my most perfect partner. He was the culmination of my careful deliberation, the
one person I trusted entirely in the cold, ruthless world of power. Our bond was far sturdier than any nebulous prophecy or oracle.
"You always know how to handle those stubborn elders," I said, tiptoeing to press a soft kiss on his lips, feeling their warmth. "The matters of the celebration, I'll leave entirely in your hands."
"As you wish, my queen." He gave a slight bow, a playful yet tender glint in his eyes.
However, the serene moment didn't last long. Chief Advisor Barnaby hurried onto the
balcony, his expression grave.
"Your Majesty, Your Highness," he greeted with a bow. "We've received an urgent report
from the border outpost. An unidentified but immensely powerful Rogue Alpha is heading alone
toward the capital. According to descriptions, his speed is extraordinary, and his path is direct, as if he has a specific destination in mind."
I frowned slightly. Rogue Alphas weren't uncommon, but the mention of immense power
was enough to raise any ruler's guard.
"What are his movements? Has he shown hostility?" Elaric immediately slipped into his
strategist role, his voice steady and calm.
"No hostility yet," Barnaby replied. "He carries no weapons and hasn't approached any
villages—he's following the most direct route."
"An Alpha traveling alone during the celebration would draw attention. The timing is too
coincidental," Elaric said, his brow furrowing deeper. "Selene, I suggest we raise the border's
defense level to its highest and send a team of elite scouts to 'welcome' him and find out his
intentions."
I looked at his tense expression, understanding his concern. He always prioritized my safety. But as a queen, I had to display the appropriate poise and confidence.
"No need, Elaric," I said, shaking my head calmly. "The Silver Moon Pack is not a fragile
tribe that bares its fangs at lost travelers. Let the outposts continue to monitor. As long as he
doesn't enter restricted zones, let him be. If he's truly here for the celebration, we should
demonstrate the hospitality and confidence of a host."
This was a subtle difference between us. His love made him cautious, while my confidence made me composed. I saw the brief flicker of disagreement in his eyes but, in the end, he chose
to comply. "As you wish."
The night of the celebration, the palace was ablaze with lights. Elaric and I sat side by side on the throne, watching the joyous crowd below and the envoys from various tribes who'd come to extend their congratulations. To the sound of melodious music, Elaric took my hand and led me
to the center of the dance floor.
We were natural partners, just as we were natural rulers together. His every lead, I
instinctively followed; my every turn, he seamlessly supported. In the dance, we were the sole
focus, the perfect blend of power and love. As I leaned into his arms, feeling his steady heartbeat, my heart was filled with solid and warm happiness. I thought this moment would last forever.
But fate always inserts a discordant note into the most perfect melody.
A sudden and formidable wave of power, unfamiliar and overwhelming, tore through the
hall like a thunderclap out of nowhere.
The music abruptly ceased.
The lively crowd fell silent instantly, everyone pausing to search for the source of the power. It was raw, untamed, suffocating. It felt like a primordial beast had awakened in the heart of the
palace. Instinctively, I gripped Elaric's hand tighter, and he immediately stepped in front of me,
his face draining of color.
The crowd parted like the tide. From the shadows of the banquet hall's entrance, a figure
emerged slowly. It was the Rogue Alpha mentioned in the report.
He wore a simple black animal-hide cloak, his face weathered by the elements. His wild
black hair fell loosely over his shoulders, making him look less like a guest and more like a weary
yet dangerous conqueror who'd just crossed the wilderness.
Yet, his amber eyes burned like twin flames. They pierced through the crowd, disregarding
the frightened or curious faces, locking unerringly onto one person seated at the throne—me.
In that instant, the calm and composure I prided myself on shattered under an
overwhelming force from the depths of my soul. My Alpha blood surged wildly and
uncontrollably. An unprecedented, intense resonance erupted from my bloodline, responding to
the man's aura. It was a thrilling clash of equals, a rapturous reunion of long-separated kin. My
wolf, Kyra, growled in my mind, torn between confusion and exhilaration. It craved that power,
like parched earth craves rain.
Was this a Fated Bond?
No, impossible! I had already chosen my mate! The Moon Goddess wouldn't play such a
cruel and absurd joke on me after five years, would she?
I could feel Elaric's body tense in front of me. He had sensed it too—that force that excluded him entirely, a resonance belonging solely to me and the stranger. His hand gripped the hilt of his sword tightly, his knuckles white.
The man ignored Elaric's hostile glare and the drawn swords of the surrounding guards. In
his world, it seemed there was only me. He walked toward the throne with steady, deliberate
steps, as if each one pounded in time with my heartbeat.
Finally, he stopped ten paces away. His burning eyes held a complex mix of emotions—
exhaustion from a long journey, relief at completing a mission, shock, elation, and a fierce
determination, like someone who had found a lost, unique treasure.
He knelt slowly and solemnly on one knee, lowering his proud head. In a hoarse yet reverent voice, he proclaimed to the hall:
"Finally, I've found you, my queen."
The entire world fell silent around me. I stood at the throne, one hand tightly gripped by a
stunned Elaric, his palm cold and clammy. But something deeper within me—my very soul—was captivated, unable to move, tethered by the stranger kneeling before me.
For the first time within my dominion, there was something I could not control. Something
fatal.