His Chosen Luna

Ayla's POV.

It is customary for women in the entire pack to become ready at the age of eighteen in an effort to impress the strongest werewolf in the pack and ultimately become his Luna.

Even Selena, who they expect to be his destined partner, has been spotted by Alpha Liam's sight.

She's the lady with the snow-white skin and the deep-sea blue eyes who can captivate anyone with a single glance. And at the same time, she's the woman I admire for being so kind to everyone.

"My Luna..."

However, when I heard those words coming from the Alpha, I was astounded.

I turned back at him and literally, my heart stopped for a second.

"Did I hear that right?"

Stars exploded in my vision, but I decided to ignore my thoughts.

"Did you call me your Luna?"

My whole body shivered as I asked that question to confirm his words.

He must be mistaken, I was just about to step out of the party to get some fresh air and stop my wolf from growing frantic inside my head. She was restless since this morning and wouldn’t let me know the reason why.

Then all of a sudden, a man donning a nice pair of leather shoes stopped in front of me and called me his Luna.

"Would you like me to say it again?" he asked with eyes pinned on mine.

I almost lost my composure because of what he did.

"Alpha..." my voice became unstable from the fear of dealing with the strongest werewolf in the pack. "Are you really talking to me?"

He nodded without a hint of hesitation.

"Yes, My Luna. You are the one that I am speaking with right now."

I know it was disrespectful, but I unbelievably stared at him.

"Do you need anything from me?"

He keeps on calling me 'My Luna.' Is that how this Alpha plays tricks on his mate pick ceremony to stop the she-wolves from fantasizing about him?

"Yes…" he said with a sincere smile. "I need you."

I just shook my head, even my legs took a few steps backward in disbelief.

"You've got to be kidding me."

I know something's not right.

Why would he, the most powerful wolf in our kin call me his Luna? Is this a sort of scheme to get rid of me instead of the she-wolves?

He answered with a convincing tone. "I’m dead serious. I need you to be a part of my life and from this day onwards, I want you to be my Luna."

I felt the hall grow silent as my whole body stiffened. Everyone in the pack had their eyes focused on us too.

I looked up at the man in front of me and boy, he was certainly a man of a woman’s dream.

"Tell me your name," he said in a deep baritone voice.

I made an effort to keep my eyes away from his, but he grasped my chin and dragged me closer to him as if the “simple” outfit I was wearing didn't concern him at all.

"My name is Ayla Smith, Alpha Liam."

My eyes saw how his perfectly formed lips turned into a jaw-dropping smile.

"You have a beautiful name," he said sweetly. "And so, you are."

"Thank you?" I answered him in an asking manner.

Honestly? I don't know how to react when people say good things about me. I'm not fond of getting praise, only insults and judgment.

"Should you also give me a compliment?"

A lump suddenly formed in my throat, still I forcefully swallowed it down because I knew I was obliged to answer the Alpha whether his making fun of me or not.

"Do you want me to describe how handsome you are?"

Here comes his smile again.

"I guess so?" he said playfully.

"You are astounding."

"Really?" he asked with amusement in his eyes.

"So stunning that I find it hard to breathe."

I immediately looked away, but he managed to hold my gaze again.

"You mean, I am breathtaking?"

"Yes, Alpha. And I think I don't have the right to stand in front of you right now."

That's true, and I just couldn't believe that I was talking with the real Alpha Liam. Minutes have passed but it's still taking me a moment to believe that he's much too talkative and wicked, opposite to what I've heard about him.

"Why do you say so?"

"Because you are the Alpha and I am just…me."

His eyes fell on me, and his smile gave me chills as if my body was telling me that this man wouldn't bring anything good to me.

"Your scent says it all, my Luna."

There was something in his eyes that had drawn me into him and I almost fell to my knees.

Without this firm hold, I could have fallen to the ground because I was unable to control the trembling of my hands and knees.

He led me to the center stage, my mind was still in a trance.

"Did you feel it?"

I looked at him with full innocence, as if I was a child asking his older brother out of nowhere. "Feel what?"

"The mate pull."

"I’m not sure…" I drew a deep breath as I said those words to him.

Honestly, I felt something unusual from his presence but it was too hard for me to tell if it was the the so-called "mate pull." Maybe because I've already experienced too much pain and agony more than any other sweet and gentle feelings that existed in this world.

Seconds passed between us before he spoke again. "Next time, Ayla, I need a more specific response."

"Y-Yes, Alpha Liam…" I swallowed down the bile rising in my throat.

He leaned into me like he was going to use the closeness to take my breath away.

"Your hands are shaking as you speak. Are you afraid of me?"

He tried to reach for my arm but I instantly took a step backward.

"No, I’m not, Alpha," I answered while trying to hide my uneasiness by holding my wrist.

"Good!"

I was about to fake a smile at him but he suddenly, grabbed me by the arm and pulled me close to him.

"Did you wish for this fateful encounter to happen?"

I simply shook my head. "I prayed to the Moon Goddess to guide my path tonight but I didn't ask her about this."

"You mean the mate’s pick?"

"Yes..." I answered him with a gloomy expression.

As an Alpha, he should have considered his pack's initial reaction when he first took a step near me. Or maybe, he's just acting clueless for a reason.

"I don’t deserve to have a mate," I said with a blank expression, hoping he could feel the weight of my words and my desire for him to stop this act. "I'm just a nobody."

Instead of giving me a discouraged look, he just gave me a quick sneeze while shaking his head. "That’s awful."

Still, I tried to convince the hell out of him. "I’m telling you the truth, Alpha."

How I prayed to the Moon Goddess to lead me and keep me away from the Alpha as soon as I arrived at this event, wishing that she would help me get closer to the man I really admire.

Beta Damian has a mate, but I can't help but fantasize that he would adore me, cherish me, and protect me—not only as a family member, but as his lover.

Ever since I was found by Beta Damian, I was warmly welcomed into his family and made to feel very much at home. They protected me from abuse, provided food for me to eat, and treated me like a typical wolf from the pack.

But, it must be true that everything has to end, that includes my dreams and fantasies, I supposed.

"You are the daughter of the rogue, who’s currently serving the Beta. Am I right?"

I secretly smiled at his question. I knew it, he did know everything about the woman he tried to approach.

I believed he knew that even though my parents were formerly thought of as rogues, I am an Alpha by blood just like him.

"How did you know?"

"Secret?" He smiled as he spoke, enjoying our conversation like we were not doing it in front of his pack.

I amusedly asked him. "Can you read people's minds?"

The Alpha shook his head and stared at me intently. "The voices behind us are loud and cruel. I can hear everything, including their insults and judgments."

I smiled. "It's just a part of my life, Alpha, to be looked down upon and mocked. Only Beta Damian gave me a chance to live. They provided me with a safe haven, food, and protection."

Alpha Liam crossed his arms. "But because you are my chosen one, your life will eventually change."

"I am contented with the life I've got, Alpha. I just want to live a happy and peaceful life." I sighed, wishing he was able to catch up with what I meant.

I thought he was going to be amused but I suddenly felt irritation with his gaze.

"To reject it means losing your will to live, my dear Luna."

I tried to smile, but it was bitter. "You mean death?"

"Yes, it is."

I know he's waiting for my reaction.

Will he be pleased to see fear or will he be discouraged if I show a little bit of excitement?

"Are you planning to kill me?"

Sorry, Alpha Liam. I had no room for your games in my life. From what happened to my family, I could only choose between a decent death or survival.

"I'm giving you the sweetest option to avoid that, my Luna."

His voice awoke me from an unattainable dream to a whisper that fate was telling me to start playing as his marionette.

I made an effort to calm myself down as soon as I heard his words. "You are my Luna, my chosen one, Ayla," he repeated in a rich voice that rang in my ears again and again.

"Y-You know I’m not worthy of this selection, Alpha…" I gasped.

"Do you doubt my judgment?"

I immediately shook my head and gave him a better answer. "No, it's not like that. I just want you to select your fated mate."

"Whether it's fated or not, I've decided to choose you out of everyone else."

Ayla's POV.

"Tell me why you're holding back," Alpha Liam said in a monotonous voice. I heard the implication in his words, but refused to acknowledge it. "Are you still worried about the Betas?"

Gazing upon his expression, I know I have no right to remain silent. All I have to do is to be truthful with my words.

"Yes, Alpha."

With a deep sigh, he leaned forward and stared at me intently. He gave me a convincing look like he would really insist to everyone that we both felt a certain type of attraction a while ago.

"I am the Alpha of this pack, so if you want, I could give him a new servant."

Seriously? He was willing to hire a new helper for the Beta?

"You are so kind, Alpha..." I guess giving him another compliment wasn't so hard at all. "So nice that it seems too good to be true."

An unfamiliar expression softened his chiseled jaw as his shiny black hair flopped enticingly over his forehead.

"I think that's something I got from my mother."

I smiled at him. "She might be the greatest she-wolf in her prime, Alpha. But I haven’t heard anything about your mother since the Beta took me in."

I secretly draw a deep breath while staring at Alpha Liam. I found the topic interesting but I knew going any further would only attract the elder's attention, and that's what I need to avoid at this moment.

"She’s with the Moon Goddess."

A pint of sadness was painted on his face, which explains the soft expression I got from him a while ago.

"I’m so sorry to hear that, Alpha..." I told him, trying to sound as empathetic as possible.

I was about to ask him another question, but he gave me a deep, intense look that made me avert my face.

I inhaled deeply and tried to get a brief sight of the Betas, but they were all warily staring at me while smiling pleasantly in our direction.

I looked down upon feeling everyone's eyes on us and started thinking if there was something I could do to escape from the man standing in front of me.

There, I noticed that the pack's elders were glaring at me and acting startled by the Alpha's unusual actions.

It's their job to stop him from doing things that wouldn't benefit the pack, right? That also includes stopping him from talking and getting close to the rogue's daughter.

"Do you want me to stop them from staring at you?"

I snorted out a laugh and immediately shook my head. "There's no need to do that, Alpha. Perhaps they believed I had cast some kind of magic spell for you to choose me."

His brows furrowed. "A spell?" he asked with a grim expression painted on his face. "All of them knew that spells won't work on me."

For the nth time, I wasn't able to stop my amusement. "Do you really possess that much power?"

"Yes…" he answered proudly. "More than you could imagine, my Luna."

Alpha Liam stared at me in the eyes but I just gave him an apologetic look.

How can I convince his greatness that I am not worthy of accepting lovely fair treatment from a man like him?

"You should choose a woman who is capable of wielding that power, Alpha."

He shouldn't have accepted my presence in the first place and should have chosen to bury my existence in the farthest corner of his mind.

"I'm done searching..."

His expression turned brighter and clear as the sunlight. I bit my lips but he smiled at me and gave me another look.

"I am in front of that woman right now."

And just like that, the night passed by quickly with the thought of Alpha Liam claiming the wrong she-wolf as his Luna.

I couldn’t remember how I got home as I woke up the next day with a slight headache. It was already late and I immediately got up to prepare myself for this day’s duties.

However, before I could even step into the kitchen, Beta Damian immediately stopped me in my tracks.

“I bet you had a good night’s sleep...OUR LUNA,” he greeted me with a gentle expression on his face.

My mind took a moment to catch up with his statement. “Luna?” I asked with confusion painted all over my face.

I looked at him, looking for answers while trying to remember what happened last night.

Finally, it dawned on me.

"Don't you remember? Liam Grayson, the Alpha of the Azteca Creed Pack, has just revealed to everyone that you are his Luna."

I returned his smile with a deep sigh. "Yes, I do remember now."

"Does this cause for a celebration?" he asked with eyes full of excitement.

I wasn't able to hide my true emotions in front of the Beta. Yes, it would be nice to celebrate having a fated mate, but not like this.

"There’s no need to celebrate, Beta."

"Why? You just found your fated mate, Ayla. And he’s the Alpha!"

I bit my lower lip. "I’m still confused, Beta. His offer seems too good to be true."

I'm not sure why I'm still thinking this way. I know it may sound terrible, but I couldn't stop myself from questioning Alpha Liam's choice.

"Why did you say so? Alpha Liam is a great man, Ayla. Even the Goddess knew you deserved a better life with him."

I wasn't able to stop myself from protesting. "No! You are my family and serving you is my life, Beta."

I was on the verge of telling the Beta about my true feelings for him, but eventually I was stunned by his warm smile.

"Believe me, Ayla, your journey has a long way to go. I admire your dedication to this family, but you must embrace your sweet destiny."

Here comes his way of reassuring people through his gentleness.

"But everyone in this pack hates me. They consider me as a curse in their lives, especially to the victims and bereaved families of the Creeze Bloody War."

"You didn't kill anyone." Beta Damian responds promptly and places a hand on my shoulder.

I shook my head in dismay.

"M-My family did. They killed thousands of people, including innocent wolves...and children."

"It's not your fault."

I answered him with a heavy heart. "I am still accountable because they are my parents."

Beta Damian leans forward, shaking his head. "No! Always remember that you have a good heart. The past doesn’t define you."

I paused for a second to ponder.

I knew how he wanted me to see things positively. He wished for me to accept someone who could give me the ideal life that I deserved. But how?

“I gotta go, Beta. Please allow me to leave the mansion for an hour."

His right brow quivered as he looked down at me. "Where are you going?"

I closed my mouth, pressing my lips together while trying to assess the situation. Is there any other choice? I think, there's none.

"I need to talk to Alpha Liam right now."

I rushed out of the mansion upon getting his consent and ran towards the Alpha's main office.

Do I have the right to question Alpha Liam about his choice? If so, will he have the option to choose another woman?

I arrived at the main office and was stunned for a moment when I felt all eyes on me. As I passed by them, everyone’s faces were exhibiting different emotions brought on by last night’s event.

I became somewhat uncomfortable. I quickly walked to the front desk and asked the receptionist what floor was Alpha Liam’s office. I tried my best to convince her even though I knew that she would strictly ask me for an appointment.

I knew he was a busy man, but do I have another choice? This matter needs to be rectified as soon as possible!

The receptionist stared at me with a hint of jealousy and that made me shiver for a bit.

Oh boy! I think she's upset with me because I snagged an alpha last night.

Later on, she called Alpha Liam’s office and informed him of my arrival.

“Yes, Alpha. Understood. Thank you.” I heard the receptionist.

She then told me the room to Alpha Liam’s office. And the closer I get to him; the more I’m starting to feel restless once again.

'You can do this, Ayla!' I tried to hide the fear and cheer myself up.

As I stepped out of the elevator of the penthouse suite, I felt my hands shaking and my knees becoming weaker. I knocked at his door and was immediately welcomed by his secretary.

“The Alpha is waiting for you. Please come inside,” she told me.

I walked in and she left right away, closing the doors behind her.

“Good morning, Alpha Liam." I tried to greet him with a respectful tone.

“Hi, Ayla. What brings you here? I assume it’s because of the party last night, right?” he replied, casually.

“Yes, Alpha. If I may, I’d like to talk to you about it.”

Alpha Liam paused at his writing and I slowly sat down on the couch.

“Go ahead, then. I don’t have much time,” he said flatly.

Wasting his time wasn't part of my plan, so I immediately pleaded in a low voice, "Please spare my life, Alpha Liam."

I had no way of questioning his choice; all I could do was beg for him to let me live in freedom as the rouge's daughter.

But instead of letting me go, he stood up, grabbed my arm and jerked me towards him before I could even take a single step away from where I stand.

"Alpha," my voice trembled. “Please let me go. There are other women far more deserving to be your Luna. I… I am just a nobody. I could leave the pack if it’s necessary.”