Maeve's POV
I ducked behind a tree as soldiers rushed past me toward the forest edge. My heart pounded so hard I was sure everyone could hear it. The dance with Alpha Raiden felt like a dream now as chaos exploded around us.
"Northern pack intruders!" someone yelled again.
I should have gone home. I should have hidden somewhere safe. That's what omegas were supposed to do during trouble. But something pulled me toward the noise instead.
I crept along the edge of the clearing, staying in the darkness. People were too busy with the situation to notice one small omega sneaking around.
That's when I saw him. Alpha Raiden stood tall, his strong body tense as he faced three strangers. Even from a distance, I could tell they were wolves from another pack. Their smells were different, wilder somehow.
"You dare enter our territory on a full moon?" Raiden's words boomed across the clearing. "Explain yourselves before I tear you apart."
The biggest stranger stepped forward. "We come with a message, Alpha. Our pack seeks a partnership."
"You chose a strange way to ask for friendship," Raiden growled.
I leaned closer to hear better, but my foot caught on a root. I fell forward with a yelp, landing in plain sight of everyone.
All heads turned toward me. Raiden's silver eyes opened in surprise, then narrowed dangerously.
"What are you doing here, little omega?" he asked, his voice deadly quiet.
My face burned with embarrassment. "I-I'm sorry, Alpha. I was just—"
"Take her to my quarters," Raiden told one of his guards. "I'll deal with her after I finish here."
The guard grabbed my arm and pulled me away. I looked back at Raiden, who had already turned his attention back to the strangers. His face was hard as stone.
I was in so much trouble.
The guard led me through the bush to the pack house, a huge building where the Alpha and other important wolves lived. He took me up a staircase and down a long hallway, then stopped at a big wooden door.
"Wait in there," he said gruffly. "Alpha's orders."
He pushed me inside and closed the door. I heard a key turn in the lock.
I was alone in Alpha Raiden's private rooms.
The room was huge, with dark furniture and a giant bed against one wall. Everything smelled like him—pine trees and mountain air, mixed with something wild and strong.
I paced uncomfortably, wondering what would happen to me. Omegas weren't meant to spy on Alpha business. Would he punish me? Would I be kicked out of the pack?
An hour passed before I heard the key in the lock again. I jumped to my feet as the door swung open.
Alpha Raiden stepped inside, his eyes finding me instantly. He closed the door behind him.
"Do you make a habit of spying, little omega?" he asked.
"No, Alpha! I wasn't watching. I was just... curious," I said, my voice shaking.
He walked toward me slowly, like a predator watching prey. I backed up until my legs hit the edge of his bed.
"Curious?" He raised an eyebrow. "Curiosity can be dangerous."
"I'm sorry," I whispered. "It won't happen again."
"No, it won't." He stopped right in front of me, so close I had to tilt my head back to look at his face. "Because next time, you'll be by my side."
I blinked in confusion. "What?"
"I want you to join my inner circle, Maeve."
My mouth fell open. Omegas were never part of an Alpha's inner group. That was for high-ranking betas and warriors.
"But I'm just an omega," I said.
"You're not 'just' anything." Raiden's silver eyes seemed to glow in the dim light. "I told you before. You're special."
"I don't understand." My heart was racing again, but for a different reason now.
Raiden moved to pour himself a drink from a bottle on a nearby table. "Do you know what they call me in other packs?" he asked without looking at me.
"The Silver Wolf?" I guessed. That's what our pack called him, because of his odd eye color.
"The Heartbreaker." He turned back to me with a wry smile. "They say I never spend more than one night with the same woman. One dance, one night, then nothing."
I'd heard the tales. Everyone knew Alpha Raiden had never taken a Luna, never settled down with one woman. He was the most desirable bachelor in all the packs, but no one had ever won his heart.
"Is it true?" I asked, then immediately regretted my boldness.
Instead of getting angry, he laughed. "Until now."
My breath caught in my throat. "What do you mean?"
"I danced with you tonight," he said, setting down his glass and walking toward me again. "And now I want more than just one dance."
My wolf stirred inside me, excited and afraid at the same time. This couldn't be happening. Alphas didn't choose omegas. Especially not this Alpha, who could have any woman he wanted.
"Why me?" I asked, the same question I'd asked when we danced.
"Your gift," he said, reaching out to touch my face. "Your healing ability. It's rare, Maeve. Special. Like you."
I tried to ignore the warm feeling that spread through me at his touch. "There are other healers in the pack."
"None like you." His voice dropped lower. "None who can take away pain with just a touch."
I frowned. There was something in his voice, something beyond respect. Almost like... desperation?
"Alpha, are you hurt?" I asked suddenly.
A shadow crossed his face. "Not in the way you think."
Before I could ask what he meant, there was a loud knock at the door.
"Enter," Raiden called, stepping away from me.
A tall, powerful man walked in. He stopped short when he saw me.
"Marcus," Raiden greeted him. "What news?"
Marcus glanced at me with narrowed eyes before answering. "The Northern wolves have left our area. But they say they'll be back in three days for your answer about the partnership."
"Good," Raiden said. "That gives us time to prepare."
Marcus's eyes flicked to me again. "Should I wait outside while you... finish here?"
The way he said it made me feel dirty, like I was just another of Raiden's victims.
"Watch your tongue," Raiden growled, startling both of us. "Maeve is not what you think."
Marcus bowed his head. "My apologies, Alpha."
"Leave us," Raiden ordered.
When we were alone again, I found my courage. "Everyone will think exactly what he thought," I said quietly. "That I'm just another woman in your bed."
"Let them think what they want," Raiden answered. "What matters is what's true."
"And what is true?" I asked.
He moved closer again, his silver eyes fierce. "The truth is, I need you, Maeve."
"Need me? For what?"
"Your gift." He took my hand in his. "I need your healing touch."
"But you're not injured," I said, confused.
"Not all wounds are visible," he whispered.
Before I could ask what he meant, he leaned down and pressed his lips to mine. The kiss was soft at first, then hungry, desperate. My whole body felt like it was on fire. I'd never been kissed before, never felt anything like this.
When he pulled away, I was panting, my head spinning.
"Stay with me tonight," he said, his voice husky.
Warning bells rang in my mind. One night, then nothing. Wasn't that his reputation?
"I can't," I said, stepping back. "I won't be another conquest, Alpha."
Instead of getting angry, he looked sad. "I understand. But please, call me Raiden when we're alone."
I nodded, still feeling the ghost of his kiss on my lips.
"Will you at least consider my offer?" he asked. "To join my inner circle?"
"I'll think about it," I promised.
He smiled, a real smile that made my heart skip a beat. "That's all I ask. For now."
He walked me to the door, but before he opened it, he leaned down to whisper in my ear.
"One more thing, little omega. Whatever you do, don't trust Ariana."
"Who's Ariana?" I asked, confused.
His face darkened. "My future Luna."
My heart dropped like a stone.
"But you just said—" I began.
"Some choices aren't ours to make," he cut me off, his voice suddenly cold. "Remember what I said. Don't trust her. And watch your back."
He opened the door, and I stepped out into the hallway, my mind spinning.
The Alpha had kissed me, asked me to join his inner group, warned me about his future Luna—a woman I'd never even heard of before tonight.
As I walked away
, I heard him call after me.
"Sweet dreams, little omega. While you still can have them."