The Alpha's Claim: From Island Dreams to Moonlit Bonds

re through the allied packs-and beyond. Rumors churned through mountain corridors and whispering forest

g bread; young warriors recounted every movement of the duel in exaggerated detail. Elders sat in sun-warmed corn

e with curiosity, others with wariness, but all filled with a new awareness. She wasn't j

all ce

before a gathering of her own. Wolves from fragmented territories, bi

said, circling slowly. "But she is his weakness.

ost. "We do not need to strike now. Let them bask in their illusion of unity. But soon, when the bond b

rated with q

ed of war ha

e moonlight had faded into early dawn, but the warmth of Kai's kiss still lingered on her lips. Bel

t feel like she

wasn't

tea. "The court accepted your choice last night. But the council wil

e asked, her voice b

use it against Kai. A

heat grounding her. "Th

et for a moment. Finally, he spoke again, softer th

him, surprised

just in power, but in restraint. The kind of Alpha wh

w lifted sli

e doesn't say much, but he watches you when he thinks no one's l

went to dinner with that diplomat three nights ago. Didn't speak a word during th

t was work. We barel

. And for a man who's mastered every ki

her to laugh or cry.

. And your kids? I've never seen him look at anyone the way he looked at Ta

lump in her throat. The weight of everything hit her ag

ting like the queen they're so afr

ding once. "Tha

training-unaware the future Luna was

ports from Jihae's scouts. He stood flanked by Jun

ived long enough to confirm Eastern fringe affiliation,"

eat wasn't the end. It was the begi

ard. "Then we ne

or a summit. All packs, all territories. If this bond is go

a crumbling temple deep in the forest, the sh

, a pair of eye

weapon ha

room doors, and a guard stepped in, b

harpened. "W

ard. She requested to

brow. "She's no

"Told you. She's acting

, and the soft kind of awe he never let an

sa stood in training gear-borrowed, slightly too loose, but still commanding. She was observing a spar betwe

u coming down here to gawk, or are you going t

smi

n, and still-she wo

he said, already d

trength, and the scent of storm, the future

would watc

be right the

es. She soaked up every word, determined to master what she could. The trainer, a wiry wolf named Ryun, offered

grounds, watching in quiet interest. Murmurs rippled through the crowd as Marisa e

t from the human,"

danced this rhythm b

rms crossed but relaxed, a f

ek of laught

ng as they ran straight toward their mother. Janessa, winded,

to catch them both, her gri

-an honest,

Mommy be a warrior

aised a brow. "And w

said, stepping forward. "

t his chest. "I

a second. But Kai noticed. Jun noticed. Even J

se see that?"

i murmured. "F

"Let's test something. Tamir, ho

softly, Tamir moved with uncanny precision, parry

apped. "

steady. "There's something old in them. Dor

ed. "What do

an human," Kai said. "And

already spread. The Lun

izing a fated bond. It was about protecting the fut

outside the war room, h

Call the moon-seers. And double the guards. We

loaks and kissed their cheeks, her voice steady

come, she

was

d Marisa, Tamir, and Tatum through a path lit only by moonstones and fireflie

going?" Mari

spirit may enter," Kai said. "A place t

rs circled a stone basin filled with silver wat

said. "Not for power. Not for sho

his hand. "Y

er been m

r with a moonstone hilt. Carefully, he pricked his th

wer, "to protect, love, and honor you three-not as A

he added her blood. Tamir and Tatum followed, fearless, their small

gold, then blue, then si

and between the pillars, a family w

for

o one

stled between them, exhausted but glowing from the enchantment of the ritual. Fire

s side, yawning. "Do we h

boy's hair. "You've always had

at the base of the dagger. "Does t

ughter's cheek. "Maybe. But i

htening with something he hadn't let h

Marisa asked, her v

en the summit comes, the world will see w

like they weighed nothing. Marisa followed, the moo

as they came-togethe

he magic of the Moon watched

and the estate quieted under a blanket of stars, Kai and Mari

, and Marisa noticed t

ng you," she said ge

pering with the night wind. He turned to face her, jaw tens

tone, straightening sl

saw you the moment you stepped off the plane. You were flustered, juggling

yes w

for me. But then I saw you with your children, heard you laugh, watched the way you held space

th Jin Su. I could smell him on you. I felt his attention on you

w. "Jealousy doesn'

nother man-not even your mate-got to make you laugh. That he could've reached across that tab

ly. "So what you're saying is, the though

cause someone else got to hold you when you cried, feel your body

nd on his chest. "You're not wrong. Someone did hold me. Someone did

gaze s

would be enough. But love without loyalty is empty. He left us. Not physicall

rkened, rage

hurt

ow how to stop. But then Tamir saw him yelling

or her hand,

ked back," she finished. "I built our life from s

't erase what happened to you. But I will give you a new hist

"Well, you've got the worship part down.

s throat, kissing her

he stars glittere

m would

ight wa

n't let

de the sanctuary of their joined bodies no longer existed. When he finally pulled back, hi

kids?" she asked suddenly. H

rrowed. "What

h them... but I came to Korea

I've been watching over you

widened

in pain, Marisa. And your children... their light was flickering. I knew the Moo

nned. "You brought th

e told you sooner, but... I didn't want

enched, full

eaven and ea

themselves if it meant y

etween them, ch

ered, "Take me

eath c

he estate to his private chamber-an expansive space wrapp

hipped her with reverence and

as no p

p

w

y t

to

to h

ged deeper tha

e quickening beat of her pulse. His eyes searched hers-seeking not just permission, but conne

ing the shape of her soul. Marisa responded in kind, wrapping her arms ar

ry doubt and every wall that had kept them apart. His touch was warm, reverent, and when he la

scars and stories she didn't have to explain. And when she whispered his name, bre

n but deeply known. Her fingers dug into his back as waves of pleasure rolled

ath the moonlit canopy of his bed, he cradled her close-his thumb

could never compa

-asleep. "Good. Because

bond glowing bright within them, they

eth