THE ALPHA'S HIDDEN LUNA

came far

s. She tried to convince herself it was all a nightmare, that she'd wake up and the bond would still be there

nd was

ace, a new fa

rrying baskets of flowers, white silk, and golden ribbons. The air buzzed with tension, not joy. The weddin

white gown. It wasn't the dress she'd dreamed of wearing. It was too

er whispered, her voice breaking. "We

ly. "You know he won't. No

"He's not a kind man, Ariana. He's lost

" Ariana lied softly. "

bling. "You're stronger than you think

, stood at the threshold, his face grim. "Th

t of lavender and rain filled her lungs - the last famil

tself. Torches burned blue fire along the stone pillars, casting strange shadows on the fl

intimidating. His dark hair brushed the collar of his black coat, and his si

l silent as

ook echoed. Ever

oks ter

n't yo

. poor thing wo

t when her gaze finally met Damon's, her breath caught. His expr

he said, his voice

rward, her pul

nt Luna Binding Rite. "By the will of the Moon Goddess, the Al

was Damon's gaze burning into her. When Marcus h

of blood from each - to bind

single drop of crimson falling into the silver b

lade was colder than she expected. She pressed it l

ward the moonlit skylight

ht filled the hall. T

Luna of the B

e pack bowed their heads, but she co

na," Damon s

him. "You didn't

idn't change. "N

he balcony outside her new chambers, her gown heavy with the scent o

door opened. S

tion," she said softly. "M

eplacements," Damon r

t's what I am to you. A repl

. "You wanted to

ickering behind her calm. "You coul

he Moon chose you. And because your father owes me his loya

is abou

about c

n ever could. She took a step back, but he

id softly, almost kindly. "I don't want

efusing to look away.

e, then something darker. "Careful, Luna. The

er chest, but she didn't flinch.

m. Then, unexpectedly, Damon smiled

finally. "Perhaps you're not as w

urned. "Don't s

s head sligh

to

lost you-" Damon's voice dropped to a growl, "-but becaus

a's wolf stirred deep inside he

n?" she asked, h

"You'll understand soon enough. The Moon doesn't

Something in his tone made her heart

door closing behind him, she sank int

scent of rain again - and something

dge of the courtyard, under the silver light, two wolves were locked in co

The golden wolf - s

ha

e blac

mo

fhan

d a Luna caught in between -