- NEAH - The Destined Luna

POV: Neah

Jane pushed me forward.!

“Come on, girl. Don’t be such a party pooper. You promised!”

The glint in her eyes sent a ripple of unease through my stomach.

Why had I ever agreed to this?

“Oh, for fuck’s sake!” she screamed over the music, dragging me toward her group of friends clustered around the bar.

The Bitch Squad.

That’s what I called them in my head.

They were dressed to impress—too tight, too short, too deliberate.

Overly flirtatious. Pretending to be tipsy.

I knew they weren’t. Werewolves didn’t get drunk that easily. But apparently, acting drunk drew more male attention, so they swayed and giggled like it was a form of art.

I rolled my eyes.

Alice—the bitchiest of the Bitch Squad, self-appointed leader—turned toward me with a fake smile stretched too wide.

“Aaah, Neah! You made it! We were wondering if you’d show up...”

Her gaze dragged over me, slow and calculating.

“Isn’t a matchmaking party a little low for an Alpha daughter?” she added sweetly. Then she leaned in, air-kissing both my cheeks.

“I thought you were waiting for your moon-sent Alpha,” she smirked.

I ground my teeth. I knew this was a bad idea.

But Jane was my roommate, and until I figured out what I was doing with my life, I needed to keep the peace.

With graduation just a week away, everything felt like it was closing in too fast. I had to decide what I wanted to do in life and whether I was going back to my pack.

After my mother’s passing, the thought of returning home unmated made my chest ache. My father was already heartbroken from losing his mate.

I hated disappointing him...

He just wanted to see his daughter safe and happy before he followed his mate to the hereafter.

My heart twisted painfully.

Maybe I should travel between packs, meet unmated Alphas. Maybe I could even choose a mate...

All I knew was that time was running out. I needed to present my father with certainty—with the right future—so he could finally rest easy.

That was why I had let Jane drag me to this secret matchmaking party hidden inside a club in the heart of L.A.

Matchmaking parties were gaining popularity. Austin—the brilliant mind behind these underground werewolf events—was getting rich off them, inviting unmated wolves to his bars and letting the mate bond do the rest.

I liked Austin.

He was a friend.

I still hated the parties.

They were nothing like the dignified mating balls that were organized in my brother Jayden's time. These parties didn’t stay innocent for long. With all the testosterone thick in the air, they devolved fast—into plain orgies.

I sighed, averting my gaze from the half-naked men dancing on the dance floor.

Why did they need to be shirtless?

“Come onnnnn.” Alice pressed a glass into my hand. “Drink something.”

I eyed the glass suspiciously. Spiking drinks with wolfsbane had become a trend lately, and the Bitch Squad was barely trustworthy on a good day.

I faked a sip, letting the rim touch my lips before turning back toward the dance floor, pretending to be distracted by the men.

“Cute show up,” I murmured.

Alice let out a hard laugh, nudging Macy—another Beta’s daughter and her obedient sidekick—with her elbow.

“Can you believe it?! The ice queen is finally thinking about giving up her V-card.”

The group burst into laughter.

Heat flooded my cheeks and I was already calculating my exit. Apparently, five minutes with my own kind was more than enough for one night.

Jane pushed me forward again. “Come on, Neah. It’s just a joke.”

I rolled my eyes.

They were so fake.

“Oh, don’t be like that,” Macy grinned. “There are a lot of cute guys here tonight. Maybe you should give them a chance.”

She tilted her head, mock-thoughtful.

“Your dad’s getting old, Neah. He’s not going to care if you mate down a few ranks—you should start considering a chosen mate since your dream Alpha isn’t showing up.”

She laughed.

“Maybe he already took a chosen mate,” Alice chimed in.

I ground my teeth.

As if they weren’t unmated themselves!

And I knew for a fact that they were secretly hoping to be mated to an Alpha too. The only difference was that I had been honest about it... and I didn’t fuck around.

Suddenly, a hand settled at my lower back.

Austin leaned in and pressed a quick kiss to my cheek. “Hey, babe. I didn’t know you were coming out tonight.”

I turned halfway toward him, smiling despite myself. Austin was a good friend. Not your typical Alpha—he was business-driven, money-focused, more underground clubs than packhouse obligations.

But he was still unmistakably Alpha.

Tall.

Broad.

Effortlessly attractive.

“Hi, Austin,” I smirked, genuinely relieved to talk to a normal person at last.

Alice’s gaze snapped to Austin.

“Hi, Austinnn... Looking good tonight.”

Her eyes raked over him slowly.

Austin flashed her an easy grin. “Hey, girls. Having fun?” he shouted over the music.

I knew he hated the Bitch Squad as much as I did, but with the party business booming, he was always the perfect host. And I knew he slept around with girls like them.

They were easy, and well... temptation is temptation.

I couldn’t hate him for it.

I on the other hand had never been attracted to Austin like that. Or rather—I had never allowed myself to be attracted to anyone like that.

I just wanted to find my mate and step into my happily ever after as Luna.

“I heard the heir of the Mountain Rock Pack is here,” Jane yelled over the music, leaning into Austin, her hand sliding over his chest.

Austin grinned. “Yep. If the rumor’s true, he is. But he’s super private. Nobody knows who he is.”

Alice let out an exaggerated sigh. “Oooh, I hope I meet him!”

She twirled a strand of hair around her finger.

“Maybe were mated... If not, I’m sure I can make him consider me.”

She winked.

I rolled my eyes.

Alpha Brandon was practically royalty. His pack—the Mountain Rock Pack in rural Canada—sat just outside the Northern Kingdom, yet held enormous influence. As King Adrian’s brother, its Alpha led one of the most powerful packs in existence. Same bloodline. Same legacy.

Out of everyone in the club, his heir was the least likely to be impressed by desperation wrapped in glitter.

“I’m sure you can,” Austin murmured.

I barely repressed a laugh.

His hand squeezed mine, suppressing a smirk of his own.

“One dance, babe?” he asked.

I smiled up at him.

Macy giggled loudly. “Why don’t you two just mate already?” she yelled. “You’re perfect for each other.”

She nudged me playfully. “He may not be your typical Alpha, but he holds the title, doesn’t he? I’m sure your father would be pleased.”

My face fell.

I regretted the day I had ever told Jane about Layla's vision. I had been emotional after my mother’s passing, sharing memories about her. I had never imagined that one innocent remark—that I would only marry an Alpha—would turn into a joke everyone on campus knew.

I heard Austin’s chest rumble with irritation, but he reined it in quickly. Without a word, he turned and pulled me onto the dance floor.

Then he pulled me into his arms, warm and steady. I let my head rest onto his chest, my fingers brushing his muscles.

He lowered his chin to the top of my head. “Don’t let them get to you,” he murmured into my hair. “They’re just jealous bitches.”

I looked up at him, grateful, my eyes shimmering with unshed tears. He brushed my cheek gently.

“I would do it, you know,” he said quietly. His gaze drifted to my lips. “My father would be over the moon if I showed up at our pack with you as my Luna…”

I gave him a small, sad smile.

“I know, Austin. You’re a good friend...” I looked away. “But you know, I’m waiting for my mate.”

Austin tilted my chin up, his fingers warm against my skin, his eyes searching mine.

“We could pretend,” he said softly. “Give your father the peace of mind he needs…”

My heart hammered against my chest. For a brief second, the idea tempted me.

Then I shook my head.

“You know I can’t,” I whispered.

Disappointment flickered across his face before he masked it with an easy grin. “Okay. Well, you know where to find me if you change your mind.”

He leaned in and kissed my cheek before walking away, already slipping into conversation with other guests. He looked unfazed—but I knew that ease was practiced.

I didn’t let myself linger on it.

I couldn’t risk our friendship.

Besides—what happened when his fated mate showed up? Or mine?

That was the real problem with these parties. Werewolves rushing to find a match, desperate to force something permanent, pretending fate wouldn’t interfere.

I had seen what happened when it did—hearts broken, promises shattered, messy endings when the mate bond finally claimed its due.

I sighed and made my way toward the balcony.

I needed some fresh air.