Twisted Mate

What happens when life denies you what you desire—or the partner you long for? Do you fight destiny, or accept what fate has given you?

If Alpha Eric had accepted the mate the moon goddess chose for him, he might have had the life he desired. Instead, his arrogance kept him from opening his heart to true love.

ERIC.

Eric was the only son and heir of Alpha Mauricio and Luna Lila. They adored him and had spoiled him since infancy, never imagining he would one day become their downfall.

As Eric turned older and gained his wolf, power and greed consumed him. With his new companion beside him, he began to see himself as stronger and untouchable compared to every other wolf.

When Eric turned eighteen, he realized he no longer needed his parents and believed he could rule the pack without them. Determined to take control, he devised a plan to dispose of them without anyone discovering the truth.

Eric spent a year carefully crafting a plan to eliminate his parents. He chose his nineteenth birthday—the day they were meant to introduce him as the new alpha. His story would be that his father had changed his mind, demanded the alpha title back, and challenged him to a fight to the death. In the struggle, the former alpha would tragically die, and his mother would be killed as an unintended casualty.

Just as Eric had planned, his parents died on his nineteenth birthday, and the entire pack believed his story. With no one left to control him, he could finally rule without interference. Still, something was missing—something both he and the pack needed: a luna.

Luckily for Eric, he already had the perfect choice in mind: Courtney, his longtime girlfriend and the daughter of Alpha Ulises, his father’s business partner and neighboring pack leader. What more could he want? As far as Eric was concerned, everything was under control.

What Eric failed to realize was that Courtney had other plans. When he asked her to become his luna, she ended their relationship, having already found her true mate.

Two years had passed since Courtney broke Eric’s heart, but his obsession with her had not faded. Every month, he sent a spy to her pack grounds to watch her and report back on her life.

Eric’s twenty-first birthday had arrived, and his wolf constantly nagged him to find his true mate. But Eric couldn’t imagine any woman taking Courtney’s place; he was still too obsessed with her.

Two years without Courtney had only deepened the ache in Eric’s cold heart. He knew he needed to move on, but without someone as perfect as her, he didn’t know how. Unable to endure his dark thoughts any longer, he let his wolf out for a run through the woods.

As Eric ran through the woods in wolf form, he caught a sweet scent of blueberries and raspberries—his favorite fruits. The aroma made his wolf hunger for more, and he followed it to a small cottage at the edge of his pack’s territory.

At the edge of his territory, Eric found a young girl who looked about fifteen—far too young for him. She sat outside the small cottage, gazing up at the stars. Then he realized the irresistible scent was coming from her. Frowning, he recognized her from school; she had started high school the previous year. Why hadn’t he noticed her scent back then? Had his obsession with Courtney blinded him—or was there another reason he sensed it only now?

Eric snarled at the thought of being mated to her. She couldn’t be his mate—she was an omega from a poor family, not an alpha’s daughter like Courtney. His high-ranking pack members would look down on her; in his eyes, she was not fit to be luna.

Eric hissed and cursed his luck. What was he supposed to do with an omega mate—especially one who was underage? If he chose to claim her, he would have to wait five years, since omegas could not scent their mates until they turned twenty. That meant he would be twenty-six before he could have a luna, and he wasn’t sure she was worth waiting for.

Annoyed, Eric growled and walked away. What was he supposed to do now? The moon goddess had to be playing a cruel trick on him. Surely his mate was meant to be a wealthy she-wolf, not this mongrel. Yet the scent was unmistakable—she was his mate. He huffed in frustration, a million thoughts racing through his mind. What was he going to do with her?

Three months had passed since Eric discovered his mate, and not seeing her left him restless. Simon, his wolf, only made things worse by begging him every day to find her, which angered Eric enough to shut him out.

As Eric argued with Simon in his mind, one of the spies watching Courtney entered his office with news he would never forget. Rogues had attacked the neighboring pack, killing many members—including Courtney’s mate, the pack beta. At the mention of the beta’s death, Eric’s interest sharpened. Now, he believed he had a second chance with his former lover.

Simon angrily protested Eric’s thoughts, reminding him that his true mate was still out there waiting for them. Eric gritted his teeth, furious. He had to get rid of the omega once and for all. He refused to lose his second chance with Courtney, his dream mate. Expelling Aly from the pack was no longer enough—she had to disappear from this world entirely.

Alondra.

Alondra was late for her first class again. Her small house sat far from the school grounds, making tardiness a daily struggle. Like the other omegas, she had been forced by the alpha to live on the outskirts of the pack lands.

When Alondra finally reached the school gate, Alpha Eric stepped in front of her, blocking the entrance.

She stared at the new alpha in confusion, wondering why he was standing in her way. Before she could ask, Eric spoke.

“Hello, Alondra. If you’re available, I’d like to speak with you today.”

Alondra stared at her alpha, unsure why he wanted to talk to her.

Alondra’s brows drew together as she considered her alpha’s words. What could Alpha Eric want from her? Had she done something wrong? She always tried to stay out of trouble, already dealing with enough bullying from the other she-wolves for being a low-class omega.

Noticing her unease, Eric tried to sound more approachable. “There’s nothing for you to worry about, Alondra. I only want to ask you a few questions about the omegas who live near you.”

Alondra didn’t understand why her alpha had suddenly taken an interest in her or the other omegas. Still, curiosity pushed her to learn his true intentions, so she agreed to speak with him.

“Alright, Alpha. Where would you like to speak—here, or somewhere else?”

Eric gave her a false smile, thinking she was too naïve to trust him. Still, her innocence could work in his favor.

“I was thinking we could meet later. I have errands to handle right now. How about midnight near the twisted tree? You know where that is, don’t you?” Eric asked.

Alondra nodded, and Eric grinned.

“Then I’ll meet you there at midnight. Don’t be late.”

With that, Eric walked away, leaving Alondra standing there and wondering whether she had made the right choice.

Some people are born with cold, dark hearts and will not stop until they have consumed the light in others.