Chapter 1
Arthur's POV
The air buzzed with pride and power. Crystal chandeliers glittered above the heads of some of the strongest alphas in the region, their laughter and conversations echoing through the grand hall like thunder. Toasts were raised, names were praised, and everywhere Arthur looked, eyes turned to him and his twin, Jayden.
Tonight was supposed to be about unity and celebration. The annual Alpha Gathering brought together every dominant leader of the packs, and this year, Arthur and Jayden were at the center of it all. Honored, praised, called the strongest twin alphas of this generation.
Still, Arthur couldn't fully relax.
He stood beside Jayden near the head of the long table, his posture steady, calm, unbothered by the attention. Jayden, on the other hand, was practically glowing with pride. His younger-by-minutes twin was loud, bold, and had a temper that even their father used to say could burn a forest down. Arthur was the opposite—measured, composed, always watching before acting.
A few moments later, the elders raised their cups. "To Arthur and Jayden—may they lead with strength and wisdom!"
The room echoed with applause.
Jayden leaned toward him, his voice just loud enough to cut through the celebration. "I swear, we're unstoppable. Look at them—they either respect us or fear us."
Arthur smiled faintly. "Or both."
Jayden chuckled. "As they should. We're not just strong—we're smart, trained. No one's messing with us."
Arthur turned to look at him. "Only because Father raised us right. You yourself know that."
Jayden shrugged, brushing a hand through his dark curls. "Yeah, well, credit to our strong old man, I guess. But…" His eyes roamed across the hall, scanning faces. "If this is an alpha party, you'd think there'd be some mates here, right? I'm starting to think the Moon Goddess forgot about us."
Arthur shook his head. "Patience, Jay. She never forgets. When the time is right, she'll lead us to our mates."
Jayden groaned. "Easy for you to say. You're always patient."
Arthur gave him a half-smile, then shifted. "Speaking of patience, I've been holding in a piss for the last hour."
Jayden laughed. "Go before you explode."
Arthur waved him off and slipped away from the noise. The corridor outside was dimly lit, lined with stone and echoing silence. A welcome break from the weight of eyes and expectations.
He turned a corner toward the restrooms when he heard it—a soft struggle. Scuffling footsteps. A low voice. A whimper.
His senses sharpened immediately. His wolf stirred.
Rounding another corner, Arthur spotted them.
A man, taller and broader than most, had a girl backed against the wall. His grip was firm around her wrist, his face close to hers. Her body trembled, and even from a distance, Arthur could smell it.
Fear. Omega.
Arthur's chest tightened.
"No, please," the girl said, voice barely audible.
Arthur stepped closer, his presence slicing through the air like a blade
The man didn't notice him at first. But the girl did.
She broke free suddenly, darting away from her aggressor, her eyes locking with Arthur's. Without hesitation, she ran toward him and stopped just short of his chest, breathing hard.
"Please…" she whispered, her eyes wide with panic. "Please, don't let him hurt me."
And just like that, Arthur couldn't move.
A pulse went through his chest like a drumbeat. Something deep, ancient, and undeniable stirred inside him.
Her.
His wolf pressed forward, growling with need. With instinct. With purpose.
He didn't even need confirmation. He knew.
She was his mate.
The man behind her stepped forward, sneering. "She's mine. Step aside, Alpha."
Arthur's voice came out cold. "She said no."
The man scoffed. "She's just an omega. Doesn't get to say no."
Rage surged like fire through Arthur's blood.
"She has every right to say no," he growled. "Now back off."
The man's eyes narrowed, but he hesitated. Arthur wasn't just any alpha—his scent, his aura, his dominance spoke for itself.
With a final snarl, the man spat on the floor and backed away. "She isn't worth the trouble anyway."
Arthur didn't move until the man was gone.
Then he turned to the girl, who had crumpled slightly against the wall, trying to steady her breathing. She looked young, barely an adult, with tangled hair, torn sleeves, and eyes that had seen too much.
He knelt down, softening his voice. "You're safe now. What happened?"
She swallowed. "I… I didn't mean to come here. My brother… he's an alpha. I just to check out the town square. I got curious about alphas party and wandered a little too far. Then suddenly,t hat man found me. He started talking to me and then grabbed me and tried to…"
Arthur's jaw clenched. "Molest you?"
She nodded, shame clouding her expression. "I didn't do anything wrong. I swear."
Arthur exhaled slowly. "You didn't. And you don't have to explain yourself to anyone."
She blinked up at him. "Why did you help me?"
He hesitated, then met her eyes. "Because no man has the right to touch a woman against her will. And…" He swallowed. "Because I think the Moon Goddess brought you to me for a reason."
She stared at him in stunned silence.
Arthur offered his hand. "I'm Arthur."
Her fingers trembled as she placed them in his. "Meya."
Meya. The name struck something deep in his bones.
"I don't know what are going through," he said softly, "but you're not alone anymore. I feel.we are connected and there's something about you, Meya. I am glad I came and saved you."
Meya laughed a little, her yes still filled with fear.
"Thanks for saving me. I promise to repay you someday."
"Repay me?You don't nee to repay me. I did what every sensible person would have done. I couldn't just stand and watch you being molested against your will."
And in that moment, with a terrified omega clinging to his hand, and the scent of fate hanging verybthick in the air, Arthur realized one thing
His life had just changed.
Forever.