Ryder's Special Bonus Perspective:

It had been three days since my birthday and realising who my mate was. However, she had yet to come to terms with it. I can feel her hesitation from miles away.

I didn't expect or ask this to happen.

But I am still grateful.

My mate was clever and utterly gorgeous. She had held her own in a fight against me since day one and that was impressive. Not many wolves could say their strengths on the battle fields outweighed mine.

It made perfect sense why the Moon Goddess chose Alisa, the once nomad, to be my mate.

The way she complimented me in ways I lacked, I never noticed until now. I always felt okay on my own, knowing I would be whole the moment I set eyes on my fate.

Yet here she was all along, training right under my nose.

I had another thing to thank her for as well.

My wolf hadn't spoken to me in six years, and yet he made his presence known once more just for her.

I had a great feeling about this.

I just had to wrap her head around it.

I could train her to be the best Luna there ever was - I knew she was capable of it because the Moon Goddess thought so too.

'Get mate. I miss mate.'

¥¥

Ryder found his mate in the library of all places the moment she was released from the hospital. He wasn't surprised in the slightest. Her Luna qualities already blooming in front of him.

Alisa had various texts open on the table in front of her. She was currently standing at a board, writing down little notes of clues she believed she had found.

In her right hand sat a small notebook, with more secretive scribbles on it.

All relating to the prophecy copy she'd made on the left page of the book.

She was becoming more terrified of the Herytics the more she read up on them and the more she couldn't find another mention of what happened after they arrive.

The thought of only death crossed her mind but she squished it.

It would only make her lose focus on the bigger picture.

"Hey, what are you up to? Shouldn't you be resting?" Ryder's voice thankfully lulled her out of her worrying thoughts.

Any distraction would do, but her supposed mate was a whole other anxiety pit for her.

There was no way she could ever be partnered with a wolf, let alone the prince himself.

It all seemed too fabricated for her and a little nauseating. She didn't have time for love right now, there was a war looming just beyond the shadows.

"Just researching," she murmured, never looking up from her notes.

"Do you really think that now is the time for that?" Ryder wondered, becoming a little worried about his mate.

Alisa's nerves radiated off of her, despite her hoping she had mastered concealing her true feelings to others. Sometimes it works but it hardly ever did on Ryder.

Perhaps that was the cruel joke of why he was her supposed destiny.

Silence filled the answer as Alisa never deemed his question with a response.

As time ticked on and she stood staring at the board. She knew now was a good as any time to ask him the questions lingering in her heart.

There were so many and it was difficult to choose but finally she settled on one word alone.

Alisa turned back around to face Ryder, but never letting her eyes meet his.

"Why?"

"Why what, mate?"

"Don't call me that," Alisa said firmly with passion as she shook her head.

Her eyebrows furrowed and her top lip sunk into the bottom one out of nerves. If she felt she didn't belong before, then being the Luna wasn't going to be the answer to her lifelong prayers.

A hope to find a place where she was understood and wholly welcomed - a hybrid as Luna would only complicate matters beyond hope for Ryder's pack and herself.

A target could be placed upon their backs and she feared if they ever started running, they would never stop.

Ryder seemed like the type to follow his mate across the world if ever deemed necessary. She didn't want that life for him.

But it was almost too late.

Alisa could not accept Ryder and his love, for he didn't know what he was really asking for. He thought his mate was going to be some powerful wolf to lead his pack alongside him.

Not a freak show.

"That's who you are and that's what I'll call you," he replied defiantly as a lopsided smile began growing across his face.

"There's been a mistake, surely," she replied, with another shake of her head.

The Moon Goddess couldn't have believed they were the right fit.

For Alisa could never truly belong anywhere, despite how much she had grown to love the wolf world.

"I never asked for this, and neither did you."

Her words sliced through his vulnerable heart like a double-edged blade.

Ryder's eyebrows furrowed and the smile slipped away. His eyes bore into hers, the uncertainty plastered clear as day.

"You just don't understand our ways and it seems confusing now but don't you see that this is a good sign? You were afraid the Moon Goddess wouldn't grant you a mate and yet here I am."

He thought his words could give her some kind of solace in the fact their Goddess believed she too was worthy of true love and with the next Alpha in line of all the male wolves.

Alisa had to be special and he could feel it.

"And what better match than the son of the man who spared you? It was fate, Ali."

The use of a nickname tickled her senses but she chose to ignore it.

"However, I was led to believe you were destined for Dahlia. I've been here for a few years now and that is the mantra going around," she quietly responded.

"Those were only expectations thrown on the both of us since the dawn of time - it is not the Moon Goddess' path for you and I, much less Dahlia. Her true love awaits yet."

Ryder was always quick to retort something back whenever Alisa questioned something. It was as of he had all the answers and he was willing to share them all with her.

All in due time.

"But how could I ever compare to a Beta's daughter? You're being ridiculous. I am merely a warrior, nothing more. I didn't ask for this," Alisa continued, shaking her head in disbelief.

After being casted out as a nomad at fifteen, this place was the only thing that had ever come close to home again.

It was simple but she liked it better this way.

Here she could blend in and just be a wolf, but apparently fate decided blending in was no longer possible for her.

"Hey," he started slowly but softly, "Look at me."

Alisa rolled her eyes slightly, not out of disrespect but more out of uncomfortableness. Begrudgingly she looked up and let their eyes finally meet.

Sparks erupted once more in front of their eyelids but Alisa shook them away as fast as they came.

This was definitely not the distraction she needed.

Looking away once more, she mumbled out, "Maybe you should just go. I've got more work to do and I don't really want to talk about this anymore."

Ryder sighed, he wasn't sure what to do it seemed. He stepped forward, reaching for her. Almost desperate to feel his mate's touch but she stepped back hastily.

"We have to talk about this, mate. You can't avoid it forever."

"I told you to stop calling me that. What if someone hears you?" She hissed in a panic, afraid of anyone finding out that she could be their next Luna.

Alisa was vastly unprepared.

Ryder frowned, "I have kept it a secret so you can ease into it not avoid it all together," his reply came back soft and a little dejected.

"We will deal with it after we deal with the Herytics - they should be our first priority."

©©©

Hey guys!

I would like to offer a massive apology for being away for such an extensive amount of time.

I have been quite busy, especially with the publishing of my first book. Things have been hectic lately but I do hope I can start updating my stories again slowly.

Thank you all for being patient with me.

It means the world!

I thought as an apology, I added a little bonus Ryder perspective for you all.

Let me know what you guys think in the comments below!

I live for feedback :)

I'd like to also express my gratitude for 1K! This is incredible and I am so blown away. This story is like my little baby and I am happy to know others are enjoying the story!

So let's celebrate hitting 1K woohoo ! 🎉

© Elishia C. Xalfa 🪶