Alexander’s POV
The morning sun filtered through the tall windows of my chambers as I adjusted the cuffs of my formal attire. Today wasn’t just any day–it was the day Summer would officially be my Luna, my eternal mate before all packs of North America.
My wolf paced restlessly inside me, eager toplete the bond that had begun forming between us from the moment I first scented her.
I caught my reflection in the mirror–ck tuxedo perfectly tailored to my frame, silver cufflinks bearing the ckwood Pack emblem, and my eyes… even I could <i>see </i>the barely contained excitement in them.
After decades of leadership, warfare, and politics, I’d found the one woman who made me feelplete. My mate. My Luna.
“You’re practically radiating impatience,” Ethan remarked with amusement as he entered the room.
My Beta had been by my side through countless battles and negotiations, but I’d never seen him smile quite so genuinely as he had since Summer entered our lives.
“Can you me me?” I replied, rolling my shoulders to release some tension. “After everything we’ve been through to get here…”
Ethan nodded, understanding the weight behind my words.
The journey to this day had been marked with blood, tears, and unimaginable sacrifice. Summer’s escape from Foster, the loss of her son Felix, the constant threats against our pack–yet through it all, her strength had only grown.
“I’m going <i>to </i>see her,” I decided suddenly, already moving toward the door.
Ethan stepped directly into my path. “You know that’s against tradition, Alpha. Bad luck to see your bride before the ceremony.‘
I scoffed. “Since when do you care about superstitions?”
“I don’t,” he admitted with a shrug, “but your sister might actually kill me if I let you break protocol. Lyra’s been nning this mating ceremony for months.”
As if summoned by her name, my sister burst through the door, looking stunning in her formal blue gown but wearing an expression that promised violence.
“Alexander ckwood, don’t you dare!” Lyra warned, pointing a finger at me. “Summer deserves a perfect ceremony, and if you think your impatient wolf is going to ruin it by breaking the oldest tradition in werewolf culture-”
“I just want <b>to </b>check on her,” I argued, though I couldn’t help smiling <b>at </b>my sister’s protective stance. Since Summer had helped save her during the pregnancyplications, Lyra had be fiercely <b>loyal </b>
<b>to </b>my mate.
“She’s fine,” Lyra insisted. <b>“</b>Nervous, excited, beautiful beyond words. Now get <b>your </b>Alpha ass to the ceremony hall before I have to embarrass you in front of your Beta.”
I could feel Summer through our developing bond–a mixture of emotions flowing between us. Anticipation, joy, and something else I couldn’t quite identify<b>… </b>a flutter of anxiety perhaps?
It was natural, I supposed. This day would cement her position as Luna of the most powerful pack in North America, a role that carried tremendous responsibility.
I sent waves of reassurance through our connection, letting my love and pride flow freely toward her.
“Fine,” I conceded, straightening my jacket. “But if the ceremony doesn’t start precisely on time-<b>” </b>
“It will,” Lyra promised, her expression softening. “Alexander, I know what this means to <b>you </b>both. Everything is perfect, I swear.”
The walk to the great ceremonial hall felt longer than usual, my wolf growing more restless with each step that didn’t lead directly to Summer.
The hall had been transformed–white flowers and greenery from our territory adorned every surface, candles flickered in antique silver holders, and the scent of pine and wildflowers filled the air.
Hundreds of guests were already seated–Alphas and their Lunas from allied packs across the continent, Council members, business associates, and of course, every member of the ckwood Pack.
Their eyes followed me as I took my position at the altar<b>, </b>some with respect, others with curiosity about the woman who had captured me.
Ten minutes passed. Then fifteen.
I frowned, checking the time. Summer should have arrived by now. Through our bond, I sensed… nothing. A sudden emptiness that made my wolf snarl in rm.
“Something’s wrong,” I muttered to Ethan, who stood at my side.
Before he could respond, a sharp pulse echoed in my mind–Derek, my Gamma captain, was mindlinking me, his voice urgent and clipped.
*Alpha, we’ve got a situation. Foster’s pack has been spotted at our eastern border. They’ve breached <b>the </b><b>security </b>perimeter despite the Council’s restraining orders.*
I stiffened, my jaw tightening as fury surged through me. Alpha Foster. The bastard who had <b>tormented </b>Summer for years, who bore responsibility for her son’s death, who still lurked in the shadows of her
nightmares.