LOGINHUNTER POV
Meeting her is damn! She's too cute and fvcking beautiful. Wait! I shouldn't be distracted by her beauty. True to the rumors, she is fvcking close to a goddess beauty, though I haven't really met the goddess yet, but her beauty is like one. She has this strong aura that wraps around her, making her stand out from the crowd. Her aura is almost comparable to an alpha's, but she is still a woman. A weakling, who will submit and depend on me. Not to brag, but all the she-wolves I have met are the needier ones for them to follow all their mates' commands. I don't actually know how to greet her. How to meet her sparkling round eyes that captivated my heart in an instant. I can't focus my mind on the ongoing matter because of her sweet angelic voice. Damn those rosy cheek and cherry lips! Is this the effect of the mate bond? Meeting your mate will instantly spark up the bond. You can feel a surging feeling around your body, electrifying your whole being. The goddess is really creative and genius! It is a way on how we all know that someone is ours. Wait! No! This is not happening. I will not immediately give in to this bond. I have my standards and expectations to uphold, remember! "Hmpf!" my annoyed wolf responded to my thoughts. I ignored him and composed myself. Inhale...exhale...good. I mind-linked the alpha that we need to talk about privately. He obliged with my request, as curiosity is shown on his forehead. He then led me to his office and left my mate standing with a confused look on her face. I sat in one of his office chairs, biting my lower lip as I tried to think out how to present my case to him. He had a confused expression on his face, and I needed to tell him immediately in a way that he wouldn't cut off my head. "I-Uh... your daughter," I stammered a little before straightening up, "Is my mate." I coughed after delivering the final words. I waited a few seconds to hear and watch his reactions, but he appeared more confused than usual. He could be wondering why I'm not glued to her immediately because, in most cases, when mates meet, they are glued to each other instantly. I tightened up a little as I heard my wolf roar at me, inviting me downstairs to kiss and claim our mate. I'll admit that she's lovely and attractive. Her aroma was delectable and enticing. She seemed strong and had the potential to be my luna. For that, I needed to test her first before making my commitment to her and giving her that position. "I-Uh. I can't accept her...yet,"I said slowly, firmly, and a little nervously. "Why is that?" he frowned. "I don't want to have any regrets in the future. My pack come first, and I want to offer them my best luna; I want to know whether she's competent of fulfilling her role." "Crest was raised to be an alpha. If anything, she is more than suited to becoming your luna," He said, giving me a murderous gaze. "Did you raise her to be an Alpha?" "For the sake of the pack's emergency and future, if anything happens to me, I cannot yet hand my son the title because of his age; Crest is more mature than he is, not just in age but also in decision-making." "Isn't that unfair to her? Teach her all she needs to know about being an alpha, but don't give her the title yet?" I scowled. "Don't tell me how to raise my children, Alpha Hunter. There are many things you don't know yet. I'll tell you soon, but I think it's preferable if she's the one who tells you her story, since my daughter is worth more than just being an Alpha or a Luna." I groaned and shook my head; I knew being an Alpha's daughter makes you born powerful, but that wasn't enough for me; I needed to test her and see whether she was suitable to be my luna. "Whether of Alpha blood or not, this doesn't affect my opinion, Alpha Silver. I hope you understand. I'll explain everything to her, and I'll stay for a month or two to get to know her better and evaluate her potential. After a month, I'll tell you and her whether I should accept her." As I saw his knuckles turn white while forming a fist, he appeared to be restraining his wrath. But he's not the only one. My wolf also roared at me. "Alpha Hunter, you have to understand that you are soulmate's first being born to both alpha blood. This isn't fair to my daughter. You have so much to ask of her while she hasn't asked of you. All her life, aside from being strong and training herself to be a kind and good alpha female to this pack, she just wants her mate." Alpha Silver clearly does not grasp my logic. "Yes, that is correct, but this is who I am; please realize that I am not rejecting your daughter; I simply want time to see whether she is ready, fit or not." 'Fit or not?' My wolf frowned,"Are you mad, pup? The Goddess mated you to her for a reason, to be fit with us!' My wolf emphasized as he tried to growl at me again. I just ignored him. "Fine," he snorted, and I could see smoke escaping from his ears. "However, if this 'test and observation' you're talking about is going to harm her sensibilities, then you should consider our alliances revoked." Before returning to the door, I nodded. "How about the heat?" He said, causing me to freeze at the doorway. "You know she'll be in heat in two days now that she had found you." Crap. I pricked the bridge of my nose. Heat is a nuissance. Whoever thought of this heat concept, well, curse it! Wolves are horny enough on their own! 'Oh, so you're just going to let me chase other horny wolves in this pack?' My wolf grunted, stating sarcastically. I mentally rolled my eyes at him. "I'll figure a way." I muttered before exiting his office.CREST POV My uncle’s sharp eyes stayed locked on my face for what felt like an eternity. I kept my chin up, forcing my expression to remain as blank and cold as stone. I could not let him see the absolute terror shaking my insides. Just as I opened my mouth to invent a lie, the head councilman stepped up to the wooden platform and banged a heavy brass gong. The loud sound echoed across the entire courtyard, saving me from my uncle's interrogation. My uncle frowned, giving me one last warning look before turning around. He marched back to his high seat on the platform, his heavy black cloak billowing behind him. I let out a long, shaky breath that I didn't realize I was holding. Beside me, Estella finally stopped shaking. "Welcome, aspirants!" the head councilman shouted, his voice booming over the silent crowd. "Today is the final day of the Lily River Camp trials. Before we send you into the dangerous woods for the Great Challenge, we will introduce each contestant to the pack l
CREST POV The wooden door of my cabin felt cold against my palm. I pressed my back against the wall, holding my breath as a patrol of camp guards marched past the window. Their heavy boots crunched loudly on the gravel path outside. My heart was pounding so hard against my ribs that I was sure they would hear it. I waited in the shadows, my muscles tense, until the sound of their footsteps faded into the distance. Once the coast was clear, I turned the handle slowly, slipped inside, and shut the door behind me with a soft click. "Oh my Goddess, Crest! You're finally here!" A frantic voice whispered from the dark corners of the room. It was Estella. She rushed toward me, her eyes wide with terror and her face pale. She was pacing back and forth so much that her hair was completely messy. She grabbed my shoulders, her hands shaking violently. "I was so scared, Crest!" Estella whispered loudly, checking me from head to toe. "I stayed up all night waiting for you. The morning bell i
HUNTER POV The morning sun was rising over the mountains. The light was bright and warm, but a strange, sweet smell still hung in the air. It was a very thick scent, like flowers mixed with magic. I walked fast through the trees, keeping my steps quiet. Right next to me was a woman. I knew her name was Crest, but my mind felt heavy, like it was full of thick gray clouds. We were standing right at the edge of the Lily River Camp perimeter. This was the boundary line. Inside the line were the camp barracks, the training grounds, and the guards. "Keep low," I whispered to her. I pointed toward a pair of guards walking near the main concrete fence. They held long spears and wore thick armor. They were looking around the woods for any late aspirants. If they caught us out here after dawn, we would both be in big trouble. Crest did not answer me. She just stood there, staring at the camp. Her eyes looked blank, like she was asleep with her eyes wide open. "Crest?" I whispered
CREST POV "Thank Goddess I trusted you," I breathed, the adrenaline still pulsing hot through my veins. I moved up slowly from the edge, and he did the same, matching my pace without pulling his hand away from mine. His grip was warm. Sending electrifying sensation through my body. He grinned, taking a slow, deliberate step toward the very edge of the cliff to cast a glance into the abyss below. Following his lead, I forced my feet forward, swallowing the sharp knot of nerves tightening in my throat. I risked a look down. The sheer, dizzying height immediately sent cold shivers racing down my spine. I gasped, letting out a heavy, trembling exhale as I stepped back. "Glad we're okay now," I said, my voice finally steadying. He turned, scanning the dark perimeter of the treeline before responding. "You have a strong heart back there." "Thanks," I let out a breathless, nervous laugh. "I was having second thoughts, honestly, but there were no other choices." "Back to business, any
HUNTER POV The blue fire didn't just burn; it hissed like a nest of disturbed vipers, consuming the oxygen in the clearing at a terrifying speed. The smoke was thick and suffocating, stinging my eyes and scraping against the back of my throat. My wolf was pacing frantically within my mind, his usual arrogance entirely replaced by survival instinct. "The path back to the camp is completely cut off," he warned, his voice echoing sharply over the roaring flames. "If we stay here, the smoke will drop us before the fire even touches our skin." "We can't go back!" I shouted over the din of the crackling, magical blaze, my grip still tight around the her wrist. "The fire has entirely sealed the eastern ridge!" She didn't panic, which surprised me. Despite her trembling frame and the absence of any dominant aura, her gaze remained sharp and calculating. She scanned the wall of encroaching blue flames, her eyes locking onto the only break in the perimeter—a steep, ascending rocky slope th
HUNTER POVThe ethereal glow of the light grew blindingly bright, casting long, distorted shadows through the skeletal branches of the pines. The girl stopped at the edge of a small, hidden clearing, her silhouette framed by the strange radiance.My wolf shifted uneasily in the back of my mind."Hunter, this is wrong. The scent of it, is too strong. That isn't a natural fire.""I know," I thought back, my muscles tight, ready to spring. "But she’s getting too close to it."She reached a trembling hand out toward the pulsing light, completely mesmerized. I couldn't risk her triggering a trap—or worse, vanishing into whatever magic the council had hidden out here. Breaking my stealth, I stepped out from the thick brush, the leaves crunching loudly beneath to finally announce my presence."I wouldn't touch that if I were you," I said, my voice deep and commanding, carr
CARTER POV Eve was still trembling and sobbing, and part of me was telling me that this was my fault. That I let her all alone. That I shouldn't have let her be a tracker and experience hardships without anyone by her side. That I should have made her stay here by my side and help each other in
CARTER POV The day is as beautiful as the sun rises to its peak, but my heart is beating so fast because of nervousness. I really hope I could talk to her normally, and work things out. Luna Crest even packs a jar of cookies with a cute little card attached to a ribbon. It says,'You are love,'
CREST POV I ignored the rest of her statements as I studied her body. I knew she was anxious about something as her fingers trembled and fidgeting over the hem of her jacket. She can't look me in my eyes directly, and her lips pursed here and then.
HUNTER POV "Aaron! Dude, you're finally here!" Our heads snapped at Carter who was approaching us, speed-walking the trail towards us with a wide grin printed on his face. I am in awe and in shock when I see that he's wea







