The Luna’s Fate

Lily woke with a start, her body tense even before her mind had fully caught up. The events of the previous night lingered in her thoughts like a heavy fog, making it hard to breathe. She pushed herself up on the bed, her hands gripping the soft sheets as she tried to shake off the unease curling in her stomach. The dim light filtering through the heavy curtains told her it was morning, though the heavy silence of the pack house made it feel much earlier.

A tray of food had been left on the small table near the window—eggs, toast, and fruit, along with a steaming cup of tea. Her stomach clenched in protest at the mere thought of eating, but she knew she had to keep her strength up. Who knew what the day would bring?

As she forced herself to eat a few bites, a soft knock came at the door, followed by the sound of it creaking open. A young woman she didn’t recognize stepped inside, her expression neutral, almost hesitant.

“Alpha Sebastian has requested your presence in his office.”

Lily’s heart stuttered. Of course, he had. He had to know what she had heard last night. And yet, despite the shame and fury that burned within her, she had no choice but to comply. She squared her shoulders, inhaling deeply, before pushing her chair back and standing.

The girl led her down the hall, past the towering wooden doors, through corridors lined with old portraits and dark wood panels. Each step closer to Sebastian’s office made her feel like she was walking into a trap, but she kept her head high. She would not show weakness. Not to him.

The doors to his office were already open when they arrived. Sebastian stood by the large desk, his posture relaxed, as if he had all the time in the world. His golden eyes gleamed when he saw her, but there was something dangerous lurking beneath his composed expression.

“Sit,” he said simply, gesturing to the chair across from him.

Lily didn’t move at first. Her feet felt like they were rooted to the floor. When he raised an expectant brow, she forced herself to step forward and take the seat he offered.

“You look well-rested,” he remarked, leaning back in his chair.

She didn’t dignify that with a response. Instead, she met his gaze with steady defiance.

He smirked. “I assume you know why you’re here.”

Lily’s fingers dug into the fabric of her dress. “I heard what happened last night.”

Sebastian tilted his head, feigning curiosity. “Did you? And?”

Her lips pressed into a thin line. He knew exactly what she had heard, yet he wanted her to say it. To admit she had eavesdropped. She refused to play his game.

Sebastian’s smirk faded, replaced by something far more serious. “Lily, let’s not waste time. I have brought you here because it is time you understand your place.”

She stiffened. “My place?”

“Yes,” he said smoothly. “You are my mate. That is not something that can be changed. It is not something you can run from. You were chosen to be the Luna of this pack, and as such, you will be presented to my people in a few days.”

Her stomach twisted violently. “Presented?”

He nodded. “There will be a ceremony. You will stand beside me, and when the time is right, I will mark you. You will bear my mark and, in time, my children.”

The words sent a violent shudder through her body. Her hands clenched into fists in her lap, her nails digging into her skin so hard she feared they would draw blood.

“You think you can just force me into this?” she spat. “That I will just accept this?”

Sebastian let out a low chuckle, shaking his head. “Lily, you still don’t understand. This is not about choice. It is about what has already been decided by fate.”

She shot up from her seat, her pulse roaring in her ears. “I will never let you mark me.”

He rose too, his movements slow, deliberate. “And yet, you will.”

Her breath caught as he moved around the desk, closing the distance between them in a matter of seconds. He didn’t touch her, but his presence alone was suffocating.

“You belong here,” he murmured. “You belong to me.”

She shook her head, stepping back until her spine met the cold wood of the door. “I will never be yours.”

Sebastian sighed as if disappointed, though amusement danced in his eyes. “We’ll see about that.”

Lily’s entire body was trembling as she pushed past him and bolted out of the room. The moment the door slammed shut behind her, she gasped for breath, pressing a shaking hand to her chest.

She had to get out of here.

She had to find a way to escape before it was too late.