The morning sun filters through the grand windows of Kieran's mansion, casting long, golden rays across the polished floors.
The air is thick with tension as Kieran steps out of his study, his boots echoing ominously down the hallway.
His mind is a chaotic mess after a restless night battling his wolf's incessant need to claim his mate.
Before he can take another step, an omega servant rushes toward him, her movements hurried and her face pale with unease.
She bows her head quickly, her voice trembling as she speaks.
"Alpha Kieran, the elders are here to see you. They're waiting in the council room."
Kieran's silver eyes narrow, irritation flashing in their depths. The elders rarely summon themselves without notice.
Whatever this is, it reeks of trouble.
Straightening his broad shoulders, Kieran strides toward the council room, his aura crackling with dominance.
As he enters, the elders—five wizened wolves with a mix of graying fur and shrewd eyes—rise from their seats in unison, bowing respectfully.
"Alpha," Elder Lorian begins, his voice measured but firm, "we have come to discuss a matter of great importance."
Kieran gestures for them to sit, though his patience is already wearing thin. "Speak."
Lorian hesitates, exchanging glances with the others before continuing. "The mating season begins tomorrow, and… you have yet to find your mate."
The room falls into a heavy silence, the words lingering like a blade poised to strike. Kieran's jaw tightens, but he doesn't interrupt.
"We cannot ignore this any longer," Lorian presses. "The pack thrives under your leadership, but an alpha without a mate weakens our standing and invites doubts. The whispers are growing, Alpha. If you cannot secure your mate soon, we believe it is time to consider new leadership."
Kieran's anger surges, a low growl escaping his throat. New leadership? The audacity. "You've been holding secret meetings about my position?" he bites out, his voice low and dangerous.
"We mean no disrespect," Elder Marla interjects, her tone placating. "You are an exceptional alpha, Kieran. Your strength, strategy, and dedication have made this pack the strongest in the region. But tradition demands—"
"Tradition demands nothing!" Kieran snaps, his voice thunderous. "I've led this pack through wars and famine. And now you question me because of a mate?"
The elders flinch under his wrath, but Lorian steels himself. "It is not just about tradition. We've already seen what happens when one has no mate, how comes Moon goddess mate everyone except a certain wolf. A mate is one thing that ensure us of moon goddess's blessings. As you said yesterday Alpha, mates are sacred. Even the two males who claimed to be mated by the Moon Goddess… they went away, Alpha. Sent away to protect the pack from disgrace. You understand why we cannot afford such uncertainty and lacking of a mate."
The words strike Kieran harder than they should. His wolf stirs uneasily, a deep, guttural snarl rumbling within him. He is no better than those two wolves now.
He cursed them yesterday, but he didn't know he is on the same line.
Now he thinks__ It has never happened like that in the history , so why suddenly is the goddess mating them like that, and why is he among those who she is mating like that__?!
Lorian's voice softens. "We are not questioning your worth, Alpha Kieran. We love you as our alpha. Despite your harshness, you've always been just. We want you to remain in power, but you must find your mate and announce them to the pack."
The room feels suffocating, the weight of their expectations bearing down on him.
For a moment, Kieran doesn't know what to say. His mind races. If they knew… if they even suspected that his mate was a... a man…
Then, as if on instinct, he speaks. "I have found my mate."
The elders' collective gasp fills the room. Relief washes over their faces, and Marla clutches her chest. "Truly, Alpha? This is wonderful news! Why have you not announced it?"
"I planned to do so soon," Kieran lies smoothly, though his wolf growls in protest. "I wanted to ensure the bond was strong before making it public."
The elders exchange glances, their relief palpable. "Then we are glad to have been mistaken," Lorian says, bowing his head. "We apologize for doubting you, Alpha. It was not our intention to undermine your authority."
Kieran nods curtly, dismissing them with a flick of his hand. As they leave, he exhales sharply, his chest heaving. The lies are piling up, and he's running out of time.
○
Later That Night
The moon hangs high, its silver light casting eerie shadows across the forest as Kieran stands at the border of his territory.
Opposite him is Lira, a striking woman from a neighboring pack, known for her beauty and her desperation.
Her emerald eyes are sharp, but there's a flicker of vulnerability in them. She's been without a mate for years, her pride and position within her pack slowly eroding.
"You're certain about this?" she asks, her voice low and skeptical.
Within those few hours Kieran had already found her.
Kieran's expression is unreadable, his silver eyes fixed on her. "You need a mate, and I need a façade. It's mutually beneficial."
Lira smirks bitterly. "A fake bond won't fool the Moon Goddess, you know."
"I never said I want to fool her."
She tilts her head, studying him. "What's your angle, Kieran? You're not the type to settle for less than perfection. Everyone sings and dreams about Lunar Crest pack and it's alpha. Why this now?"
He doesn't answer immediately. Instead, he looks up at the moon, his jaw clenched. "Let's just say… there are things the pack isn't ready to accept and even if they did , I'm not ready myself to accept."
Her laugh is sharp, almost bitter. "You're hiding something big, aren't you?"
"Do we have a deal or not?" Kieran growls, his patience fraying.
Lira hesitates for only a moment before nodding. "Fine. I'll play your mate. But remember, this goes both ways. If you screw me over, I'll make sure your pack knows the truth. Now everyone is going to respect me, the one they cursed and thought of as a budden in the pack_ is the Lunar Crest pack. The famous , respected Alpha Kieran is my mate...!" she says smiling broadly.
Anyone could see how she is dreaming of the great future already,
Her life just took a turn that she never thought of in her entire life.
"Why does it seem like you are forgetting that it is just an act, and I don't want you to put your nose in my pack's business in any way , unless I ask you to. Don't be friendly with anyone, what you have to do is just be there. And when I say the deal is over , then that's it. It ends without drama. If you think this is hard for you then you have a chance to turn this down now."
"It's perfectly fine , my alpha."
As they shake hands, Kieran feels a hollow ache in his chest. This is a betrayal of the pack and the moon goddess, he knows that it's a betrayal of the bond between him and Ace too but he doesn't want to think about that.
His wolf howls in anguish, but Kieran silences it, his resolve hardening.