The Luna’s human mate

I walked into the massive mansion, the heart of my clan, where the strongest werewolves of the century gathered. In my grasp was the thick, matted fur of Alpha Raid a symbol of my victory. Whenever one clan conquered another, the victorious Alpha took a piece of the defeated leader’s fur as a warning and declaration of dominance.

The hall erupted into deafening cheers, the sound of victory songs echoing off the high ceilings. Wolves pounded their fists against their chests, howling in triumph. This was my seventh battle won since the Moon Goddess chose me to lead my clan seven years ago, and each victory only solidified my place among them.

I moved through the crowd, warriors slapping my shoulder with pride, elders bowing their heads in respect, and younger wolves gazing at me with admiration.

I reached my throne and sat, clearing my throat. Instantly, the room fell silent.

"Brave wolves!" I called.

"Our Luna!" they roared in unison.

I let a small smile tug at my lips. "You fought well today. So well that I am certain the Moon Goddess is laughing with joy."

"She sure is!" a familiar voice called from the corner.

Jade. My best friend. My sister in every way but blood.

I nodded toward her, amusement flickering in my eyes before I continued. "Eat, drink, and make love to your mates tonight. You deserve it. Thank you for standing with me yet again—I cherish each and every one of you. And now, with no further ado... let the celebration begin!"

A roar of approval filled the room as wolves dove back into their revelry.

Years ago, our clan had been mocked. A twenty-year-old girl as Alpha? It was unheard of, a joke among neighboring clans. The whispers had been ruthless—She’ll crumble. She’s too young. The Moon Goddess made a mistake.

Even I had doubted myself. Why had the Moon Goddess chosen me instead of one of the strong men in our clan? How was I supposed to lead hundreds of wolves for the rest of my life?

But self-pity had no place in war. I trained, fought, bled, and led. Until I was no longer questioned. Until my name was spoken not with doubt, but with fear and respect.

Now, no one mocked the Luna of the Silverfang Pack.

"Hey, Mama! Why are you sitting here alone? You just won a battle—you should be celebrating!"

Jade’s voice pulled me from my thoughts. I turned to see her grinning, her golden curls bouncing as she plopped onto the armrest of my throne.

I sighed. "You know I’m not the partying type, Jade."

"Sure, sure, I know. But Anna, look at them. Look at what you’ve accomplished! Take this moment for yourself. You deserve it."

I opened my mouth to tell her to f*ck off, but before I could, a pair of strong arms wrapped around her from behind.

"Hey, why’d you leave me?" Wade’s deep voice murmured into her ear, pressing kisses against her neck.

Jade barely suppressed a blush. "I was gone for less than two minutes, Wade. You’ll survive."

"Are you sure? Because I can feel a heart attack coming, babe." He clutched his chest dramatically, staggering backward as if he were about to collapse.

I rolled my eyes, laughing as Jade swatted at him.

Wade wasn’t the strongest warrior in the pack, but he was steady and loyal. When they found their scents on each other five years ago, their bond had been instant. Jade had teased him mercilessly, but she was just as obsessed with him as he was with her. The Moon Goddess never made mistakes in matchmaking.

"Luna," Wade grinned, "can I take my sweet baby back to my room?"

I smirked. "Please do. She’s a pain in my *ss."

Jade flipped me off as Wade effortlessly lifted her into his arms and carried her away. Their laughter trailed behind them.

The music slowed, a melody meant for mates to dance to. I stood, gripping a bottle of beer from an ice cooler as I watched the scene unfold.

Everywhere I looked, mates clung to each other—whispering, laughing, touching. Even the youngest female in the pack, only nineteen, swayed in her mate’s arms, her eyes full of love.

I turned my gaze to Carlos and Pierre.

Three years ago, the entire clan had been stunned when Carlos found his scent on Pierre. Carlos, who had spent his whole life imagining a soft, sweet female as his mate, had been furious. He cursed the Moon Goddess, disappeared for a week, and fought the bond with every ounce of strength he had.

But a mate cannot live without the other.

When he returned, he and Pierre decided to start as friends. Slowly, over time, I watched them fall deeply, madly, obsessively in love. Now, where one went, the other followed.

Everyone had a mate.

Except me.

I climbed the stairs, desperate to escape the overwhelming intimacy surrounding me. Slamming my bedroom door shut, I exhaled heavily.

In two months, I would turn twenty-seven.

There were rumors. That if you didn’t find your mate by thirty, you never would. That the bond would never come. That you would die alone.

I peeled off my battle-stained clothes and stepped into the shower. The hot water rushed over my skin, washing away blood, sweat, and exhaustion.

And then—

It hit me.

A scent.

Rich. Intoxicating. Impossible to ignore.

My breath caught in my throat. My wolf stirred, claws scraping at my insides.

But in the next second—it was gone.

I blinked, heart hammering, inhaling sharply. Nothing. Just alcohol and the distant scent of s*x drifting through the walls.

I shook my head. It was nothing. It had to be nothing.

Slipping into my red satin nightgown, I threw open my bedroom window and gazed out at the forest. The full moon bathed the trees in silver light. I took a slow sip of my beer, eyes narrowing.

"Goddess, when?" I murmured. "I’m tired of waiting."

Silence.

I huffed, shaking my head at my own foolishness. What was I expecting? A sign from the heavens?

I turned away—

And then—

The scent was back.

This time, it didn’t vanish. It curled around me, sinking into my very being, flooding my lungs, igniting something primal inside me.

My wolf snapped to attention. My hands trembled. My heart slammed against my ribs.

"Mate."

The word came out in a whisper, but it roared inside my soul.

Every instinct screamed at me to run. To find him. Now.

My mate was here.

And I would find him.

I looked at the time—6:30 AM. I couldn’t sleep, not with one word ringing in my head: "Mate."

He was out there somewhere. He was mine and mine alone.

I stared at the ceiling, wondering what he looked like. Maybe a broad man with tattoos and a beard, or perhaps a dark-skinned warrior with brown eyes and dreadlocks. Was he the Alpha of his pack? A strong warrior? Or maybe he was the one with the brains—the strategist who created traps and forged silver bullets.

I couldn’t wait. I could not.

It wasn’t unusual for a pack member to find their mate outside the clan. Plenty of warriors had found their fated ones—even among enemies. The Moon Goddess matched far and wide.

I imagined introducing him to my pack as my one and only Alpha. I pictured us fighting side by side, destroying everything and anything in our way.

I inhaled deeply. His scent still lingered, faint but present. The moment I closed my eyes,