The Alpha Arrives

Darius Blake did not sleep.

He stood before the floor-to-ceiling windows of his private office, staring into the darkness while the rest of Black Moon territory slept beneath a moonless sky.

Or tried to.

His wolf certainly wasn't interested in sleeping.

Go.

Darius ignored him.

Now.

"We leave in three hours."

A snarl rolled through his mind.

Darius's jaw tightened.

His wolf had been insufferable since the moment that strange connection had struck them.

Mate.

One word.

One fucking word, and twenty-seven years of absolute control had nearly shattered.

Darius had spent his entire adult life hearing the same questions.

Haven't you found her?

Perhaps the Goddess hasn't chosen one for you.

An Alpha of your bloodline needs an heir.

The last usually came from members of his council who valued their continued existence enough to say it from the opposite end of a table.

Darius had stopped caring years ago.

If his mate existed, he would find her.

If she didn't—

He would rule alone.

He would never choose a substitute merely to satisfy tradition.

But tonight...

Darius placed one hand against the cold glass.

There.

The sensation was faint now.

Almost nonexistent.

But he could still feel something pulling at him.

East.

Towards Silver Creek.

Towards her.

His wolf pushed forward.

Darius's eyes flashed.

"Enough."

Mate.

"I know."

Alone.

Darius frowned.

That was new.

"What?"

His wolf paced inside him, agitated.

Mate alone.

A strange pressure tightened around Darius's chest.

He didn't understand it.

The mate bond shouldn't be this clear before meeting.

They hadn't scented one another.

Hadn't touched.

Hadn't even seen each other.

And yet his wolf was acting as though someone had torn their mate from his arms.

Darius reached for the connection again.

Nothing.

Then—

Fear.

It brushed against him so lightly he almost missed it.

Darius went still.

It wasn't his.

His wolf erupted.

GO.

A growl left Darius's throat.

The office door opened.

"Darius?"

His Beta stopped immediately.

Elias Kane had known him for more than twenty years. He was one of perhaps three people alive who could walk into Darius's office without knocking and remain breathing afterwards.

Even he hesitated now.

"What's wrong?"

Darius turned.

"We're leaving."

Elias glanced at his watch.

"It's three in the morning."

"I'm aware."

"We're expected at seven."

"We're leaving now."

Elias studied him.

Then his eyebrows rose.

"Is this about whatever happened earlier?"

Darius walked towards his desk and picked up his keys.

"Wake the others."

"Darius."

He stopped.

Elias crossed his arms.

"You nearly shifted in the middle of a council meeting."

"I did not."

"Your claws went through a three-inch oak table."

Darius looked at the destroyed corner of his desk.

"Poor craftsmanship."

Elias stared at him.

Darius stared back.

Finally, Elias sighed.

"I'll wake the others."

He reached the door.

"Ten minutes."

Elias looked over his shoulder.

"You realise Silver Creek is four hours away?"

"Drive faster."

A grin threatened Elias's mouth.

Darius narrowed his eyes.

"Say it."

"Oh, absolutely not."

"Good."

"Although—"

"Elias."

"I'm going."

The door closed.

Darius looked towards the window again.

His wolf paced.

Mate.

This time Darius didn't tell him to be quiet.

"Yes."

His hand curled into a fist.

"We're coming."

Luna woke to someone pounding on her bedroom door.

"Get up!"

Her eyes flew open.

For several seconds she didn't know where she was.

Then pain returned.

Her back.

Her shoulder.

Her cheek.

Home.

Luna pushed herself upright.

Grey morning light seeped through the tiny window.

She had returned from the Alpha's house sometime after midnight, eaten the bowl of stew Mara had saved for her, and walked home through the rain.

She couldn't have slept more than three hours.

The door flew open.

Her mother stood there.

"Why aren't you dressed?"

Luna blinked.

"What time is it?"

Elena's expression sharpened.

Luna scrambled out of bed.

"I'm sorry."

"Alpha Conrad sent for every available Omega. The guests arrived early."

Luna's sleepiness disappeared.

The guests.

Darius Blake.

She remembered the warriors whispering.

And she remembered—

Heat.

That strange pain in her chest.

Luna rubbed the spot unconsciously.

"Stop standing there!"

"Yes, Mother."

Elena looked her over.

Her mouth tightened.

"Your face."

Luna touched yesterday's bruise.

"It's still visible?"

"Of course it's visible."

"I'm sorry."

"For Goddess's sake, Luna."

Elena walked to the dresser, grabbed the small container of powder sitting there and thrust it into Luna's hands.

"Cover it."

Luna stared at the container.

It belonged to her mother.

Elena never allowed Luna to touch her things.

"Mother—"

"Do you want the entire pack knowing your father has to discipline you?"

Luna's fingers tightened around it.

Discipline.

That was what they called it.

"I'll cover it."

"Good."

Elena turned away.

"Your father is already at the pack house. Don't make him regret allowing you to work today."

Allowing.

Luna lowered her eyes.

"No, Mother."

The door slammed.

Luna stood alone.

For a moment she didn't move.

Then she looked at herself in the mirror.

The bruise was ugly.

Purple beneath her left cheekbone.

She dipped her fingers into the powder.

One layer.

Then another.

It didn't disappear completely.

But perhaps nobody would notice.

Nobody ever looked at Luna closely enough to notice anything anyway.

Darius knew something was wrong the moment his vehicle crossed into Silver Creek territory.

Not with the territory.

With him.

His wolf had gone completely silent.

That was worse than the pacing.

Darius sat in the back of the black SUV, one arm resting against the door, his gaze fixed on the forest rushing past the window.

Elias sat opposite him.

Two additional vehicles followed behind them carrying Black Moon warriors.

Silver Creek's border patrol had nearly shit themselves when they realised who had arrived four hours ahead of schedule.

Darius hadn't cared.

The pull was stronger now.

Warmth crawled beneath his skin.

His senses sharpened.

And there was a scent.

Faint.

So faint he wasn't certain it was real.

Vanilla.

Rain.

Something sweet he couldn't identify.

His wolf lifted his head.

Her.

Darius inhaled slowly.

The scent disappeared.

His fingers curled.

Elias watched him.

"You've been doing that for twenty minutes."

"Doing what?"

"Looking like you're deciding whether to murder the forest."

Darius didn't answer.

"Want to tell me what's happening?"

"No."

"Excellent conversation."

Darius's phone vibrated.

He glanced down.

Alpha Conrad Mercer.

Darius rejected the call.

Elias laughed.

"He's probably panicking."

"He should have been prepared."

"For seven."

"Plans change."

"Apparently."

The trees opened.

Silver Creek's main settlement appeared ahead.

Darius felt it instantly.

His entire body locked.

His wolf slammed forward.

HERE.

Darius's eyes turned black.

The driver glanced into the rear-view mirror and immediately looked away.

"Alpha?"

"Keep driving."

His voice came out rougher than intended.

Closer.

She was close.

Very fucking close.

The SUV stopped before the Alpha residence.

Conrad Mercer was waiting on the steps with his Beta, several senior warriors and half the pack council.

Darius stepped out.

Conversation died.

Alpha power rolled naturally from him.

He didn't need to force it.

Never had.

Wolves lowered their heads.

Some exposed their necks.

Conrad approached.

"Alpha Blake."

"Darius."

They clasped forearms.

Conrad smiled, though Darius could smell his nervousness.

"We weren't expecting you until later."

"I noticed."

"We would have prepared a proper reception."

"Unnecessary."

Darius barely heard himself.

That scent.

Again.

Vanilla.

Rain.

And something warm.

Something that made every instinct inside him sharpen.

His wolf growled.

Mate.

Darius looked towards the house.

"Is something wrong?" Conrad asked.

Darius didn't answer.

A young woman walked through the entrance carrying a tray.

Blonde.

Not her.

Another crossed behind her.

Red hair.

Not her.

His wolf became increasingly restless.

Find.

Darius's jaw flexed.

Conrad gestured towards the entrance.

"Perhaps we should continue inside."

Darius followed.

The moment he crossed the threshold—

His heart slammed against his ribs.

Fuck.

The scent was everywhere.

Not strong.

But recent.

She had been here.

Darius stopped.

Elias nearly walked into him.

"Darius?"

He ignored him.

His eyes swept across the enormous entrance hall.

Servants.

Warriors.

Pack members.

No one.

Where was she?

His wolf clawed at him.

Find her.

Darius had never experienced anything like it.

He could command armies without raising his voice.

He had faced rogue attacks, challenges, assassination attempts.

None of it had shaken his control.

But an unknown woman somewhere inside this house had his wolf ready to tear through walls.

"Alpha Blake?"

Darius looked at Conrad.

"Your people."

Conrad frowned.

"My people?"

"How many live in the main settlement?"

"Approximately eight hundred."

Darius's patience thinned.

"How many are in this house?"

Conrad glanced around.

"Perhaps forty at present. Why?"

Before Darius could answer—

A crash sounded from somewhere behind them.

A woman's gasp followed.

Then a man's angry voice.

"For fuck's sake, Luna!"

Darius stopped breathing.

His wolf went insane.

MATE.

The tray slipped because Luna's fingers were wet.

That was all.

One stupid mistake.

Three glasses shattered across the kitchen floor.

Luna stared at them in horror.

"I'm sorry."

A kitchen worker named Darren glared at her.

"Do you ever do anything right?"

"I'll clean it."

"You'd better."

Luna crouched quickly.

Her hands shook as she gathered the broken pieces.

"Move."

She shuffled aside.

Darren grabbed a broom.

"I said move, Luna."

"I'm trying."

He kicked one of the larger pieces away.

It struck the wall.

Luna flinched.

Darren noticed.

His lip curled.

"What's wrong? Think I'm going to hit you?"

Luna said nothing.

"Would probably knock some sense into you."

A few people laughed.

Luna concentrated on the glass.

Don't react.

Don't speak.

Finish.

Leave.

One shard sliced across her palm.

She gasped.

Blood welled instantly.

"Luna!"

Mara rushed towards her.

"I'm fine."

"You're bleeding."

"It's only—"

The kitchen door slammed open.

Everyone froze.

Luna looked up.

Alpha Conrad stood in the doorway.

But he wasn't the reason the entire kitchen had gone silent.

The man standing behind him was.

Luna forgot how to breathe.

He was enormous.

Not simply tall.

Powerful.

Broad shoulders filled the doorway, wrapped in a perfectly fitted black shirt and dark coat. Black hair was pushed back from a hard, striking face shadowed by short stubble.

But his eyes—

Luna couldn't look away from his eyes.

Blue-grey.

Cold.

Predatory.

And fixed directly on her.

Something slammed into Luna's chest.

Her lips parted.

The room disappeared.

The voices disappeared.

Everything disappeared except him.

Her heartbeat became impossibly loud.

Thump.

Thump.

Thump.

The stranger took one step forward.

Luna moved backwards.

His expression changed.

Something dangerous flashed across his face.

Not anger at her.

Something else.

Then Luna smelled him.

Cedar.

Night air.

Rain over stone.

And something darker that made warmth rush through her entire body.

Her knees weakened.

No.

What was happening?

The man inhaled.

His eyes turned almost completely black.

A growl vibrated through the kitchen.

Several wolves immediately lowered their heads.

Luna couldn't move.

Something shifted inside her.

Deep.

So deep she had spent nineteen years believing there was nothing there.

Then—

Mate.

Luna's eyes widened.

No.

She looked around.

Nobody had spoken.

Mate.

Her hand flew to her chest.

The voice was female.

Soft.

Weak.

But unmistakable.

Inside her.

Luna stopped breathing.

You're...

Her thoughts broke apart.

You're my wolf?

Silence.

Luna's eyes filled with tears.

Nineteen years.

Nineteen years of waiting.

Nineteen years of being told there was nothing inside her.

Please.

Nothing.

Please come back.

The stranger moved closer.

Her wolf stirred again.

This time the voice carried desperate warmth.

Ours.

Luna stared at him.

No.

Impossible.

Her gaze darted towards Alpha Conrad.

Then back to the stranger.

Everyone knew who their visitors were.

Everyone except Luna had apparently seen their photographs.

Her stomach dropped.

Alpha Darius Blake.

He was Darius Blake.

And her wolf had just called him—

Mate.

Luna stumbled backwards.

"No."

Darius stopped.

The single whispered word hit him harder than any physical blow ever had.

His mate was staring at him like he was something to fear.

And now that he was close enough, Darius could see everything.

Too thin.

Exhausted.

Dark shadows beneath beautiful grey eyes.

A faded bruise imperfectly concealed beneath powder.

And blood dripping from her palm.

His vision turned red.

Who hurt her?

His wolf's voice was no longer a voice.

It was a promise of violence.

Darius looked at her hand.

"You're bleeding."

Luna immediately hid it behind her back.

That movement told him more than words could have.

Darius's wolf snarled.

He forced himself to remain still.

Every instinct demanded he cross the distance.

Touch her.

Scent her properly.

Pull her against him.

Find whoever had put that bruise on her face and remove their head.

But Luna was shaking.

Because of him.

That mattered more.

Darius deliberately relaxed his hands.

"What's your name?"

She stared at him.

Her lips moved.

Nothing came out.

Mara touched Luna's shoulder.

Luna flinched so violently that Darius nearly lost control.

"Easy," Mara whispered. "Just tell him your name."

"L-Luna."

Darius's entire body reacted to the sound.

Luna.

His mate was named Luna.

His wolf rumbled with satisfaction.

Darius kept his voice gentle.

"Luna what?"

"Vale."

Luna Vale.

He would never forget it.

"Darius Blake."

A confused little line appeared between her eyebrows.

"I know."

Something almost resembling amusement touched him.

Of course she knew.

Everyone knew.

But he wanted her to hear it from him.

His gaze returned to her bleeding hand.

"May I see?"

Luna looked down.

Then at him.

"You want to see my hand?"

"Yes."

"Why?"

The question was so sincere that something cold settled in Darius's stomach.

Because you're hurt.

Because you're my mate.

Because the sight of your blood is making my wolf consider slaughtering everyone in this room.

He said none of those things.

"Because it needs treating."

Luna looked bewildered.

"It's only a cut."

Darius took another slow step.

She didn't retreat this time.

Better.

"Still needs treating."

Darren scoffed quietly.

"It's nothing, Alpha. She's always causing—"

Darius turned his head.

The kitchen temperature seemed to drop.

"What did you say?"

Darren went pale.

"I—"

Darius's Alpha aura exploded.

Every wolf in the room dropped.

Some fell to their knees.

Luna gasped.

Darius looked at the man who had spoken.

"Finish that sentence."

Darren's face drained of colour.

"Alpha, I meant no disrespect."

"To me?"

Darius's voice was terrifyingly quiet.

"No."

His gaze sharpened.

"Then perhaps you should consider whom you did disrespect."

Darren looked towards Luna.

Confusion spread across his face.

So did Conrad's.

Darius saw the exact second Alpha Conrad understood.

His eyes widened.

"Moon Goddess..."

Elias, standing near the doorway, looked from Darius to Luna.

Then he smiled slowly.

"Oh, shit."

Darius ignored him.

Conrad stared at Luna.

"Luna Vale?"

Luna looked as though she wanted the floor to swallow her.

Darius hated it.

He hated the way she folded into herself when people looked at her.

He hated that she kept her injured hand hidden.

He especially hated the bruise.

But there would be time for answers.

First—

Her.

Darius turned back to Luna.

She was staring at him with enormous grey eyes.

"Why is everyone looking at me?"

The question was barely audible.

Darius's chest tightened.

He could announce it.

Tradition practically demanded it.

An Alpha finding his fated mate was significant.

An Alpha of Darius's standing finding his mate could alter alliances across entire territories.

But something told him that announcing anything in front of forty strangers would terrify her.

So he lowered his voice.

"Can you smell me, Luna?"

Her cheeks turned pink.

Darius noticed.

So did his wolf.

Pretty.

Not helpful.

Luna nodded.

"What do I smell like?"

Her blush deepened.

"I don't know."

Darius waited.

She looked down.

"Cedar."

His wolf practically purred.

"And?"

"Rain."

Darius took another step.

Only a few feet separated them now.

"And?"

Luna swallowed.

"Something else."

"What?"

Her eyes slowly lifted to his.

"Mine."

Silence.

Absolute silence.

Luna's face changed as she realised what she'd said.

"I—I didn't mean—"

Darius's control nearly snapped.

His wolf roared.

OURS.

Darius closed his eyes for one second.

One.

That was all he allowed himself.

When he opened them again, Luna was watching him.

Afraid.

Confused.

And beneath all of it—

Drawn to him.

Just as he was drawn to her.

Darius spoke softly.

"You did."

Luna shook her head.

"I can't."

"You can."

"No." Her voice cracked. "You don't understand."

"Then explain it to me."

"I'm an Omega."

Darius waited.

Luna looked confused by his lack of reaction.

"A wolfless Omega."

Something inside him went very still.

Behind him, someone muttered something.

Darius didn't hear it.

"Your wolf spoke to you."

Luna's head snapped up.

"How did you—"

"I felt her."

Luna stared at him.

Tears gathered in her eyes.

"She only said two words."

Darius's expression softened.

"What words?"

Luna looked around the room.

Too many people.

Too many eyes.

Darius understood.

"Everyone out."

Conrad blinked.

"Darius—"

"Now."

Nobody argued.

Within seconds the kitchen emptied.

Elias was last.

He paused beside Darius.

"You good?"

Darius gave him a look.

Elias grinned.

"Right. Stupid question."

The door closed.

Only Darius and Luna remained.

Luna suddenly looked even more nervous.

Darius kept his distance.

"What did she say?"

Luna's fingers twisted together.

"First..."

She hesitated.

"She said mate."

Darius's wolf surged with triumph.

"And the second?"

Luna's cheeks became crimson.

Darius waited.

She whispered it.

"Ours."