Fate: the Lycan Queen's Heart

Lexi

The last year had been long but needed. I could feel the growth of my wisdom since Lily first awakened in my mind. I was essentially a baby, even though I was eighteen. I grew up knowing that the Mood Goddess had blessed me as the future Lycan Queen, but there was no amount of studying and preparing that could get me ready for everything that came with that title. When I received the email from the Alpha King, suggesting I take time to visit other packs before joining him, I didn’t think twice. Seeing how other packs run was a nice change. I even proved my worth with some minor issues that just needed a fresh set of eyes. Now, a year later, I was on my way to my new home. 

The sun was beginning to dip behind the Carolina pines when our convoy turned off the highway, the gravel drive crunching beneath the tires. Ahead, Blue Moon’s pack house rose from the trees like something out of a dream – white siding glowing in the late night, black shutters crisp against the walls, and flower beds spilling color even this late in the fall.

Jess leaned forward in the passenger seat, so far that she could almost press her face against the windshield. “Okay, I know the Alpha King lives here, but Lex, this place is insane.”

I smiled faintly. “I heard Marc likes order. Guess the Alpha King practices what he preaches.”

“Order?” she teased. “That screams royalty.”

My white Lexus GX rolled to a stop in the circular drive. As the engine quieted, the double front doors opened. Marc, Daniel and Jared stood waiting on the porch – three shadows framed by the fading gold sun, strength and confidence in every line of them.

Marc was unmistakable – tall, broad-shouldered, his very stance radiating command. Daniel leaned casually against the railing, hands in his pockets and a grin tugging at his mouth. Jared stood solid and still beside him, amber eyes sharp in the dying light.

The second we stepped out, Marc’s composure softened. “Welcome to Blue Moon,” he said, deep voice carrying easily. “You must be our Lycan Queen.”

I nodded once. “Yes, I’m Lexi.”

His gaze lingered for just a beat too long before turning to Jess. “And you are?”

“Jess,” she said brightly, confidence sparking in her tone. “Beta’s daughter. And Lexi’s moral support for all things politics.”

Daniel snorted. “Then you’re already braver than most.”

Jess grinned. “Oh, I know. We have also been best friends since birth.”

Marc’s mouth twitched – half amusement, half restraint. “Welcome, both of you. I trust the drive was smooth?”

“Long,” Jess said, stretching. “But worth it. This place is ridiculous in the best way.”

Before anyone could respond, Jared’s head turned slightly, eyes catching on Jess’s. The air changed instantly – charged, magnetic. Jess’s smile faltered for half a heartbeat as recognition hit. Then, with a pulse that rippled through the front yard, the bond snapped into place. Jared stepped forward, his hand reaching for hers, and Jess met him halfway – eyes gleaming.

“Well,” she said, voice bright, “that explains Jules being restless the last twenty minutes of our drive.”

Daniel let out a low whistle. “Guess we’re skipping introductions.”

Jess flashed a grin. “Who needs them?”

Jared’s hand stayed locked with hers, quiet strength grounding her spark. “Seems we were overdue.”

Marc’s tone stayed even, but there was humor beneath it. “That makes one alliance easier.”

I couldn’t help my laugh. “I guess we should have made Blue Moon our first stop instead of the last.”

Jess tilted her head toward Jared, clearly unbothered. “Timing’s perfect, if you ask me.”

Marc exhaled, faint amusement in his voice. “Dinner will be ready soon. You can settle in first.”

Inside, the packhouse smelled of cedar and polished wood – rich, warm, alive. It wasn’t the cold grandeur I’d expected. The foyer opened into a wide space with a sweeping staircase and sunlight spilling through tall windows. Jess disappeared down a hall with Jared, her giggles filling the space. Daniel had disappeared out the back and Marc led me down a separate hall.

“You’ll be staying in my suite,” he explained as we stopped in front of a set of double doors. “Optics and proximity – you know how it goes.”

I smirked. “Can’t have the Alpha King and Lycan Queen too far apart.”

He huffed out a laugh. “Something like that. This is it.”

The suite took my breath away – navy linens covered a massive bed, a small sitting around placed in front of a stone fireplace on the opposite side of the room, bookshelves flanking said fireplace and French doors opening to a balcony overlooking the forest. 

I turned and noticed Marc leaning against the doorframe, already watching me. He nodded a little, urging me to fully step inside. It was spacious without being overbearing. It smelled of cedar and smoke, a scent that could only belong to the man who lived in this room. It was cozy and instantly put me at ease. 

“If there is anything you think you need that isn’t already here, just let me know. We can find it somewhere or just order it. This is now your space as much as it is mine.”

“It’s perfect,” I said honestly. 

His expression softened. “I’m glad you think so. The next few days will be kept simple. Since it's the weekend, there is no pack business that needs to be handled. Tomorrow we will visit Riverbend so you can meet the shopkeepers. Sunday, you will have a quick formal tour of the pack lands. Since it’s already later in the evening, we will just be having pizza for dinner. Feel free to roam for the next hour or so.”

“I’ll see you at dinner then.”

Marc gave a small smirk as I walked out of the room. He closed the door and followed behind me. Instead of going down the stairs with me, he went the other way, no doubt to his office. Guess the Alpha King doesn’t take breaks.

I found Daniel again a few minutes later on the veranda, sleeves rolled up as he leaned over a table beside two warriors. The sunlight caught his dark hair, glinting off the faint scar near his jaw. I stood still, watching the way the warriors absorbed every word Daniel said to them. 

“You’re quick,” he said when he noticed me. “Most guests take an hour to unpack.”

“Who says I unpacked?” I challenged, as a smirk ghosted my lips. “It’s hard to sit still. This place hums.”

He leaned back against the railing. “It does. Blue Moon gets under your skin fast. The first week, you feel wired. Then you realize you never want to leave.”

I arched a brow. “Is that a warning or a sales pitch?”

“Depends on who’s listening.”

I smiled. “You’re good at that.”

“At what?”

“Making strangers feel like they’ve already been here.”

He studied me, amusement softening his features. “Maybe it just fits.”

The air between us shifted – light at first, then charged. Conversation came easily. We talked about training fields, pack traditions, the scent of the pines in late summer. His humor was dry, his attention unhurried. When I laughed, his eyes warmed in a way that made something low in my chest stir.

“I can’t believe you’ve never been here before,” he said eventually.

I shrugged. “I know. But I’ve heard my parents talk about it for years.” 

“Then they left out the best parts.”

“Oh?”

“The people.”

I gave him a look, trying not to smile. “Smooth, Beta.”

He grinned. “It’s part of the job.”

A voice called from the yard, breaking the quiet between us. Daniel sighed. “Duty calls.”

“Guess I’ll see you at dinner,” I said.

“Count on it.”

Halfway down the steps, he turned back, grin crooked. “Don’t sit too far from me, Queen. The food tastes better from my side of the table.”

I laughed softly, shaking my head as he disappeared around the corner – but the warmth he left behind lingered long after. By the time dinner rolled around, the house glowed with golden light and the scent of roasted chicken and herbs. The long table was elegant but lived-in, the air filled with the sound of easy laughter. 

Marc sat at the head, Daniel and Jared flanking him. I took the seat opposite of Daniel while Jess was already settled proudly at Jared’s side as though she’d always been there. Daniel poured wine with exaggerated care. “You’re setting the tone for every guest who follows you,” he said to Jess.

“Good,” Jess replied, flashing a grin. “They’ll know how it’s done.”

Marc’s mouth twitched. “I hope the walls survive you.”

“Oh, they will,” she said sweetly. “You might not.”

Laughter rippled around the table. Even Marc cracked the faintest smile. Conversation drifted easily – stories of pack festivals, training mishaps, and Marc’s dry observations about how no one could out-drink his Beta.

“Tell me, Lexi,” Daniel said, tipping his glass towards me, “is it true that Dark River’s Alpha makes everyone spar at sunrise?”

“Not everyone,” I said, smirking. “Just the ones who think they can take me.”

Daniel grinned. “I’ll keep that in mind before I visit. 

“Or stretch first,” Jess added. “Lex is faster than she looks.”

Marc’s brow lifted faintly. “I’d like to see that for myself.

“You’ll get your chance,” I said evenly. “I don’t usually hold back.”

Daniel’s eyes gleamed with amusement. “Careful, Marc. She sounds confident.”

“I appreciate confidence,” Marc replied, his voice calm but edged with something else – interest. 

The table fell quiet for just a moment before Jess broke it with a grin. “Please, this whole table runs on ego. Don’t pretend you’re all not enjoying this.”

More laughter followed, easy and genuine. By dessert, the tone softened into comfort. Jess leaned into Jared’s side, smug and radiant. Marc glanced between them, amusement flickering in his eyes. “Seems our packs are merging faster than expected.”

“Guess the Moon Goddess has a deadline,” Jess said, grinning.

The sound of laughter filled the hall, warm and familiar. For the first time since we’d arrived, I felt something close to peace – like Blue Moon was already weaving itself around us. 

Later, when the house fell quiet, I changed into soft shorts and a tank, then padded barefoot into the sitting area. The fire crackled low, casting light across the room. Marc sat on the couch, tablet forgotten on his lap, green eyes reflecting the flames.

“Couldn’t sleep?” I asked.

“I rarely do. Things are always buzzing through my mind.”

I sat across from him. “Do you ever get used to it – everyone depending on you?”

He gave a quiet laugh. “No. You just learn to carry it without anyone seeing the strain.”

“It sounds heavy.”

“It is,” he admitted. “But it’s what I was born for.”

“And when it gets too heavy?”

He looked at me, thoughtful. “Then I keep moving. Focus. Control. That’s how I keep it from swallowing me.”

Something in his honesty softened the air. “If it ever gets to be too much – for either of us – we could help each other. We carry the same kind of weight.”

His gaze held mine – steady. “A mutual understanding.”

“Exactly.” 

He smiled faintly. “And if fate doesn’t intervene?”

“If fate doesn’t intervene within a year, then we choose each other,” I said quietly. “For the packs. For what we represent.”

“Chosen mates,” he murmured. The words lingered in the firelight – quiet and certain. I reached out, pressing my palm to his chest. His heartbeat thudded steady beneath my hand. The air hummed softly, balanced and sure.

“Feels like peace,” I whispered.

He nodded. “Exactly.”

The silence that followed wasn’t empty, it was comfortable. “You don’t have to sleep on the couch,” I said finally. “It’s a king bed. Plenty of room.”

He huffed a quiet laugh. “You’re sure?”

“Positive.”

When the lights dimmed, the fire was the only glow left. The sheets were cool, the air faintly scented with him. We each took a side, facing opposite directions at first. But when our shoulders brushed, neither of us moved away.

Marc exhaled slowly. “This feels right.”

“It does,” I whispered.

The fire crackled softly, wrapping the room in warmth. And for this night – with the world waiting just beyond the walls, and the bond humming quietly beneath my skin – peace was enough.

Lexi

When I woke, warmth pressed close. Sometime during the night, we’d drifted toward each other. His arm lay heavy across my waist, my head tucked beneath his chin. It was a quiet, magnetic pull between us. That power bond that hummed low even in sleep, tying two halves of leadership together. 

For a long moment, I didn’t move. His heartbeat was slow and steady beneath my ear, grounding in a way that felt too natural, too easy. The fire had burned to embers, the soft glow painting the room in warm shades of amber and gold. This was a feeling that I could get used to. 

His voice rumbled low against my hair. “You awake, Little Wolf?”

“Barely.” My voice came out rough, still thick with sleep.

He loosened his arm, but didn’t move away. “Good. It’s just past seven.” 

I cracked an eye open. “When were you wanting to head to Riverbend?”

“Around nine. Most of the shops don’t open until eight or so. I don’t want to bo