Mated To The Wrong Alpha Prince

"Young Alpha, please stop running around!"

The summer heat pressed down heavily, making the air thick and stifling. Raina had just stepped out from behind a cluster of rocks, lifting the hem of her dress to avoid tripping, when a wave of breeze hit her.

A golden blur flashed past her eyes and disappeared into a thicket of wildflowers, shaking the petals and leaves until some fell to the ground.

Something about today felt strange. Normally, these flowers should have wilted by now, but they remained in full bloom, untouched by the heat.

She had overheard the elder omegas in the pack whispering about signs like this unnatural changes in nature often meant something big was coming.

But what kind of change?

The Alpha had been sick ever since Luna passed away years ago, but lately, he had begun to recover. Just last week, he had even walked through the pack's garden with the help of his guards. Those who attended to him had received gifts. Even Raina, the young Alpha's nanny, had been rewarded with a pouch of silver coins.

Whether this was a good or bad omen, it did not concern her. What mattered right now was that the young Alpha-in-training was angry with her.

Standing at the edge of the flowers, she called out, "Come on, young Alpha, stop hiding! It's too hot to be running around like this. You'll make yourself sick."

For a moment, there was silence. Then, a head popped up from between the flowers.

His face was strikingly beautiful-smooth and pale, almost glowing in the sunlight, as if he had never spent a day in the harsh elements. His dark brows were strong and well-shaped, framing a pair of intelligent, slightly upturned eyes. A straight nose and firmly pressed lips completed his handsome face. Though still seventeen, it was clear he would grow into a formidable Alpha one day.

Raina had been by his side for years, yet every time she looked at him, she couldn't help but admire how blessed he was by the Moon Goddess.

This was Kai Thorn, the Alpha's only son.

His expression was stormy as he crossed his arms. "Come on RiRi, tell me the truth, are you really planning to leave the pack without saying goodbyes?"

Being caught off guard by the question, Raina opened her month but she quickly shut them back.

she forced herself to remain calm. "When did I ever say that?"

"I heard the others talking! They said you were getting ready to go!"

He must have overheard her conversation with Mira and the Alpha. She was the only one aware of her leaving.

Mira was her niece but she had been in the packhouse longer than Raina, serving in the Alpha's household since she was a pup. When Raina arrived three years ago, she had been assigned to serve the Luna instead.

She still remembered the day everything changed.

The Alpha and his son had been training, and the young heir had been losing.

His frustration had been obvious, his pride on the verge of breaking. Raina had not been able to stop herself. "Use your left side! Fake an opening and strike!"

Because of her words, he had turned the battle around.

She had feared punishment, but the next day, the Alpha had summoned her. Instead of scolding her, he had made her Kai's tutor and nanny.

It was the Luna who had recommended her. She had been a gentle and graceful woman, the kind of beauty that made the world seem softer just by being in it. She and the Alpha had truly loved each other, and her passing had left a wound that time could not heal.

Before her death, the Luna had called Raina to her bedside. "Raina, my son is stubborn and lonely. He trusts no one but you. Stay by his side. Protect him when he needs it, even if it means sacrificing yourself. This is the only favor I will ever ask of you. Will you do it?"

Raina had nodded without hesitation.

She had been in the pack so long that she barely remembered her own family.

Kai was like a brother, someone she had cared for and guided. But now, after three years, he was nearly of age. And finally, the Alpha had allowed her to leave after his eighteen birthday.

She had not expected Kai to find out. And she had not expected him to be so upset.

Raina had no choice but to soften her voice, trying to calm him down. "Kai, don't make this difficult. Even if I do leave, it's only natural. The Alpha himself"

Kai suddenly tensed, his golden eyes burning with frustration. "So you really wanted to leave without saying goodbyes, huh?"