A Luna For The Ghost Alpha

Lynn's POV

Someone was at my doorstep. I sensed the scent was familiar, so I hurried to the door and opened it. 

“Astrid?”

She pulled me into a warm hug before entering my room. 

She was as enthusiastic as I was. The mating ceremony was today, and every wolf would gather at the Temple Hall to perform the rituals for finding their mate. 

I am Lynn Heather Copeland. My parents were Alpha and Luna, so I lived with the pack. 

“Astrid, you almost made a huge mistake.” I wondered and narrowed my eyes while knitting my brow at her expression. 

“What mistake? Releasing my scent so you could identify me? Did you recognize me?”

“The rule is what it is. We are both eighteen years old. We're ready to get mated to our mates. Our scent can only be released into the atmosphere when we are inside the Temple Hall. The bond between you will be broken if your mate finds you before the rituals are performed.” I recalled to her. 

She let out a sigh and asked, "Have you heard from Ethan?" 

She was about to ruin my mood yet again. She reminded me of the Alpha of Blue Ridge Pack, which was affiliated with college, who had been making advances towards me. 

The pack rules mandated that we stay away from any male wolf, whether in or out of the pack, until the mating ritual was finished. My parents wanted to exclude me from this rule because I was the daughter of the pack. 

“We are on a break. Dad has requested a three-day leave from college for us through written correspondence. Today marks the third day and we will return to school tomorrow. Maybe we will meet at some point.” I answered her. 

As she was about to stand up, a sudden knock came on the door. 

“Come in—”

I was greeted by a guard with a fierce brow who walked in and turned towards me, and said:  “Lynn, you are required in Alpha's chamber.”

“What made him call her? It's only morning.” Astrid fired back.

“It's important to respect yourself to avoid punishment or disqualification. Lynn, please join me now.” The guard echoed. 

Astrid and I exchanged looks before I got up and followed him behind. She proceeded to follow me and stopped at the doorway as I entered the Alpha's Chamber. 

“Father, I'm wondering why you called me so early in the morning.” I had a concern etched on my face as I questioned. 

“I never called for you,” he said, “that should be your mother. I think she wants to talk to you.” 

“You don't have to leave. She's here, too,” he said, and then mother came out from hiding behind the curtains. 

As she welcomed me into her arms, I chuckled lightly as I said, “You'll never stop being creepy.”

“I do not want you to follow the same process as everyone else. We received a proposal from Blue Ridge Pack. It arrived last night. We didn't bother to disturb you because you were already asleep.”

I inquired about her proposal with the knowledge that Ethan was the leader of that pack. 

“Alpha Ethan is interested in marrying you. He has made a promise to us that a lot of goodies will be delivered after the final process is finished. You've always talked to me about the type of guy you're interested in, and he is one of them. Or….” She lowered her voice to a whisper and asked, “Do you not have any idea who I'm referring to?”

“I am not interested in him.” I responded sharply. 

“Lynn, it's not about the person you like. Our only daughter, you are a strong and intelligent girl. It's hard for me to watch you choose a lowlife as a mate.”

“No one is a lowlife, mother. We are all werewolves. I always told you about how Ethan harasses me when I refuse to give him a hug, but you never listened.”

“Ethan?”

“I didn't mention his name then.”

Without any more words, I walked out of the chamber. They both called me back, but I scurried my feet towards my room. They've ruined my mood for today. 

Evening came in a flash and I could hear joyful screams from different wolves. My door flung open as Astrid, dressed anciently, marched into my room, panting heavily. 

“The list is being compiled, so come and register your name.” She said, and sighed from time to time. 

“Lynn Heather Copeland.” I replied to her, covering my body with bed sheets.

I could hear a gradual drop in her voice. She had a feeling that something was not right. She leaned closer and gently touched me.

“We need to be happy, baby girl. It's been a long wait,” she said. 

“I know. But, Ethan is being imposed upon me.”I quickly revealed the truth. 

Since we met in college when she defended me from a vampire bully, we have become best friends, particularly because we share the trait of being strong wolves. 

“I had been having suspicions about that as well. Get dressed and let's go to Temple Hall to find our mates.”

“My parents will—” 

“Dress up and let's go!” She ordered with a serious tone. She was unaware of the repercussions of disobeying the Alpha. Well, we've always got each other's backs. 

I retrieved some old clothes from my wardrobe, which were identical to hers, as we strolled into the bustling crowd. We would not be easily detected since we had walked into the many wolves running up and down, celebrating those who are now qualified.

At last, we reached the front of the Temple Hall. The entryway featured a sign that was both simple and clear, with a fiery image standing at its edges. 

“For those who seek their mate, enter with caution.” It read. 

We took a deep breath as we entered the suitably sized hall. From the adjacent door, I observed some muscular, slender men entering this hall. 

A hearth pot containing burning fire was located at the rear end of the hall, and several flammable woods were adjacent to it. As I shook my head and took note of all of these, I sighed.

Soon after, everyone converged. There were fifty people. There are a total of twenty-five male wolves and twenty-five female wolves. 

The priest entered with an aura of authority. He directed his gaze at me, and Astrid threatened him with her gaze as well. She was an extrovert. She always had her own ways with people. 

“If anyone violates a rule, they will either be disqualified or banished from the pack, based on the severity of the violation.” The priest spoke, positioned in the middle of all of us. 

Before commencing the ritual, he counted us once more. 

“It is expected that Alpha and Luna would be here, but they have an important meeting to attend. Soon, James and John, our respected Beta, will be joining us in their place.” He said again.

Even if James and John come here, I will still be able to find my mate. I have always been treated well by them. 

“Female wolves are to pick up wood and place it on the fire. After the fire starts, release your scent and the smoke will trace your scent to your mate here. If he is absent, you will be sent out. Does anyone not understand what I just said?” His voice rang out through the hall. 

It was my first time staying close to a hearth pot; it caught my attention and I almost drifted off. 

“Lynn?” Astrid called.

I felt anxious as I sighed. 

“Have you lost your mind? The mating ritual is now underway. It's important to remain focused. The last time we did this, several wolves died. They were burned by the fire.” She cautioned. 

“Go ahead and search for your mate.” I responded to her. 

A sudden flurry of happy screams was heard from one of the girls as she jumped up to hug one of the hot guys in the pack. They kissed themselves and left the hall, while the priest stared at them in disgust. 

We have reached seven now. The priest instructed me to come next. 

“Astrid, go ahead.” I rather said. 

I placed my kiss on her forehead because I could feel the tension on her hands. 

She picked up wood and burned it in the fire, attempting to stay calm. She exhaled with all of us watching. The smoke moved in the direction of a different male wolf. Caspian. Wow. 

With happiness, she let go of the wood and ran towards Caspian. I felt happy for her as well, and I was eagerly anticipating my turn. 

There were those who found their partner and left here with happiness. I was the last one in line. Now it was up to me. 

I grabbed some wood and placed it on the edge of the fire. Before I could exhale to release my scent, it fell to ash, startling me. 

I stepped back and turned to look at the priest.

“Pick another wood.” He instructed. 

I looked around but couldn't find Astrid. She must be content with the person she's seen. 

The second attempt resulted in the same outcome. I made a third attempt, but the outcome was the same. 

The priest drew me toward him and warned me, “If you try it again, the fire will burn you to ashes. Lynn Heather? You are unattached to a mate. That's the implication.”

“I don't have a mate? But I have a wolf.” My heart shivered with fear as I asked, “how is that possible?”

I had imagined this and feared it would occur. 

“It doesn't matter. You can discuss this issue with the Alpha. There's no doubt that he'll come up with a solution.”

“He's only interested in connecting me with Ethan. The guy doesn't appeal to me. I want to find my mate. I'm going to pick another piece of wood!” I yelled painfully, but he stopped me and his eyes glowed. 

“If you violate the rules, I will harm you. Can you please take your leave?”

“Please allow me to…”

“Get out of here, mateless fool!”

Lynn's POV

It was clear that dad had returned to the pack again since I could hear him raising his voice. Heart overflowing with tears, I groaned nervously as I left the Temple Hall. Tears blurred my vision, making my journey back to my room a little unclear.

At that point, I caught sight of him – the same guard who had arrived the previous day to let me know that the Alpha was summoning me. That I chose to participate in the Mating Ritual must have really enraged Dad.

Trying to locate Astrid, I rolled my eyes impatiently, but I was unable to even catch a whiff of her scent. She had to be having intense sex right now, since she was too desperate to find her mate.

"Come with me," the guard abruptly appeared in front of me and said, making my pulse skip a beat. To avoid running into him, I initially wanted to walk in an alternative direction.

Without waiting, he took hold of me and led me to the Alpha's quarters. Som