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ONE

DRAKEN

M oonlight filtered through the dense canopy and cast silver patterns across Draken’s gray fur as he bounded through the familiar terrain of his territory. The summer night buzzed with energy, crickets providing nature’s symphony while fireflies danced between the trees. His powerful muscles flexed with each leap, and he relished the freedom that came with running in his wolf form.

Race you to Miller’s Creek! Chuck’s voice echoed through their pack link, followed by the mental laughter of the other pack members.

Draken’s wolf huffed in amusement. You’re on.

The pack surged forward, weaving between ancient oaks and leaping over fallen logs. The full moon pulled at their wild nature and made their blood surge with primal joy. Pine needles and soft earth cushioned their paws as they raced through the darkness. Their enhanced vision turned the shadowy forest into a playground.

Slowing down in your old age, Alpha? one of the younger wolves teased as he tried to edge past.

Draken responded by putting on an extra burst of speed, easily outpacing the challenger. You were saying?

The cool night air carried the scent of blooming honeysuckle and fresh water from the nearby creek. Draken’s heart pounded with exhilaration, his wolf reveling in this simple pleasure of running with his pack.

Suddenly, the ground beneath their paws trembled. Draken skidded to a halt, his claws digging into the earth as the forest floor shuddered. The vibration traveled up through his legs and set his fur on end.

What the hell? Chuck’s surprised voice echoed in their minds.

The rest of the pack clustered around their alpha, their playful mood shifting to alert watchfulness. The tremor lasted only seconds, but it left an unsettling feeling in its wake.

Everyone okay? Draken’s mental voice carried his authority, automatically checking on his pack’s well-being.

A chorus of affirmative responses came back through the pack link. The woods had gone eerily quiet. The wildlife was equally startled by the unexpected movement.

Since when do we get earthquakes here? one of the pack members asked.

We don’t, Draken replied, his hackles rising as he scanned the darkened forest.

The energy signature suddenly hit Draken like a physical blow, resonating deep in his bones. His wolf’s connection to the earth picked up something far more significant than a simple geological event. This signature... it sang to him, called to the very essence of his being.

His mate. After centuries of waiting, she’d finally awakened.

Draken’s gray fur bristled as the foreign, yet familiar energy coursed through the ground beneath his paws. Each pulse matched his heartbeat, creating a symphony that only he could fully appreciate. His wolf wanted to throw back his head and howl with joy, but the alpha in him maintained control.

That’s weird, Chuck’s mental voice broke through Draken’s thoughts. Never felt the earth respond like that before.

Draken remained silent as he processed this unexpected development. He’d given up hope of finding his Luna a while ago, focusing instead on leading his pack and managing their sovereign territory. Now? The thought of sharing his carefully ordered life with another made his wolf pace restlessly.

Should we investigate? another pack member asked through their link.

The energy signature pulsed again, weaker this time but unmistakable. Draken’s muscles tensed as he fought the urge to chase it down, to track the source of that compelling power. Not yet. He needed time to think and to plan.

Alpha? Chuck’s concerned voice cut through his internal struggle. You’re being awfully quiet about this.

Draken shook out his fur, buying time before responding. Just analyzing the situation.

Right. Analyzing. Chuck’s mental tone carried a hint of amusement.

The pack soon fell silent, though Draken could sense their curiosity through their mental connection. A dark brown wolf emerged from the shadows, his movements deliberate and graceful. Scorpio’s presence commanded attention even in wolf form. As Draken’s advisor approached, the other wolves instinctively stepped back, creating space for the two dominant wolves.

I know you felt it. Scorpio’s mental voice carried centuries of wisdom. The earth responded to her awakening.

Draken’s muscles twitched under his gray fur. The whole pack felt it, even those not here?

Every last one of us . Scorpio sat on his haunches with his amber eyes fixed on Draken. Our connection to the earth made it impossible to miss. She’s powerful, whoever she is .

The younger wolves shuffled their paws in the soft earth, their excitement crackling through the pack link like static electricity. Draken could sense their eagerness to discuss what this meant, but he needed a moment to process it himself.

A Luna , Chuck whispered through their link, awe coloring his mental voice, after all this time .

Scorpio’s tail swished against the forest floor. The earth hasn’t resonated like this since your father found his mate, Alpha .

Draken paced a tight circle, his claws leaving deep impressions in the earth. The energy signature still thrummed through the ground, weaker but persistent like a distant heartbeat calling to his own. His carefully maintained control wavered as his wolf strained toward that pull.

Well? Scorpio prompted, a hint of curiosity in his mental tone. Any thoughts you’d care to share with your advisor?

You mean besides wondering how this will complicate everything? Draken shot back.

Heaven forbid something disrupts your perfectly scheduled life, Scorpio chuckled through their link. Though I suspect she already has .

The truth in those words made Draken’s fur bristle. He’d spent decades building the Moonshadow pack into a powerful, respected force. Their territory was prosperous and their pack bonds were strong. Change wasn’t something he welcomed easily, especially not one this significant.

The Goddess doesn’t make mistakes , Scorpio reminded him gently. If she’s chosen now to reveal your mate, there’s a reason .

Draken drew himself up to his full height, his massive gray form towering over the younger wolves. The pack’s excited energy buzzed through their mental link like lightning in a bottle. He needed to get this under control before speculation ran wild.

Listen up , he projected through the pack link, his alpha authority threading through the command. The mental chatter ceased instantly. Tomorrow at dawn, I’ll track down the source of this energy signature. Scorpio and Chuck will accompany me .

Just the three of us? Chuck’s mental voice held a note of disappointment. The whole pack could help cover more ground .

Draken’s tail lashed against the forest floor. No. Small group means stealth .

He’s right, Scorpio added, his amber eyes glinting in the moonlight. Besides, our alpha’s internal compass will lead us straight to her. No need for a search party .

The younger wolves shifted their weight restlessly, their disappointment leaking through. One of them, a copper-colored female named Maya, ventured forward.

But, Alpha, what if-

The decision is made . Draken cut her off, though he softened his mental tone. The rest of you will maintain our regular patrol schedule. Business as usual.

Business as usual? Chuck snorted through their link. Right. Because finding your mate after centuries of waiting is totally routine .

Draken turned his head to fix his beta with a stern look, but Chuck just wagged his tail, unrepentantly. The other wolves tried to suppress their amusement, failing miserably as their mental chuckles rippled through the link.

Dawn , Draken repeated, ignoring the pack’s barely contained excitement. And not a word of this to anyone outside this circle right now. Clear?

A chorus of Yes, Alpha echoed through their minds, though he could still sense their bubbling anticipation. His own wolf paced restlessly, eager to follow that compelling pull toward his mate. But first, he needed a plan. Strategy before action - it was how he’d always operated.

Now , he projected, let’s finish this run. I believe someone was about to lose spectacularly to their alpha at Miller’s Creek.

The pack’s collective howl pierced the night sky, a harmonious sound that made Draken’s chest swell with pride. His own deep howl joined theirs, carrying both joy and authority across their territory. The sound echoed through the trees, sending small creatures scurrying for cover.

Last one there buys drinks at Pack Night! Chuck’s mental voice rang out as he darted past, kicking up dirt in his wake.

Draken launched himself forward, his powerful muscles propelling him through the forest. The familiar path to Miller’s Creek stretched before him, but his mind kept drifting to tomorrow’s search. What if his mate didn’t understand their ways? What if she couldn’t handle the responsibilities that came with being Luna of the Moonshadow pack?

The younger wolves whooped and cheered through their mental connection as they wove between the trees, their excitement infectious. But even as Draken led the pack through the moonlit forest, part of him remained distracted by that persistent energy signature thrumming through the earth.

Getting tired there, Alpha? one of the young wolves called out as they pulled ahead.

Draken’s competitive nature kicked in. He surged forward, his gray form becoming a blur as he overtook the pack members one by one. The wind rushed through his fur, carrying the scent of victory – and something else. That new energy signature pulsed again, stronger this time, making his stride falter for just a moment.

Chuck darted past, his mental voice teasing through their link. Getting slow for real this time, boss ?

The challenge snapped Draken into action. The creek’s rushing water grew louder as they approached. Draken pushed himself harder, his wolf reveling in the physical challenge even as his mind churned with tomorrow’s implications. The pack’s joy flowed through their bond, a current of excitement and celebration that helped steady his own unsettled thoughts.

Miller’s Creek soon appeared ahead, its water gleaming silver in the moonlight. With a final burst of speed, Draken cleared the distance, landing gracefully on the creek’s bank several lengths ahead of the others.

“Show-off,” Chuck panted as he arrived second, followed closely by Scorpio.

The rest of the wolves tumbled in behind them, their mental voices filled with good-natured complaints and congratulations. Draken stood tall, his fur ruffled by the night breeze, trying to project confidence even as uncertainty gnawed at his gut. What if his mate wasn’t what he expected?