Fated To The Dream Alpha

The same dream again.

I watched his broad shoulders move through the forest, each step filled with power and purpose. His dark hair caught the moonlight as he walked ahead of me. Always ahead of me and always just out of reach.

"Wait," I called out in the dream, just like I had every night for a year now. "Please, just turn around."

But he never did. He never looked back. Ever.

I woke with a gasp, my heart racing. Sunlight streamed through my window, chasing away the forest shadows. My hand moved to my chest, trying to calm the wild beating there.

One year. One years since my accident, and this man still visited my dreams. I didn't know his face, but I knew in my bones he was meant for me. He had to be my destined mate. It was the only thing that made sense anymore.

It was also the only comfort I had left.

A soft knock interrupted my thoughts. "Miss Chloe?" Roslyn's gentle voice came through the door. "Your sister wants to show you her ceremony dress."

I sat up slowly, pushing the dream away. "Coming, Roslyn."

The mirror caught my reflection as I stood. I barely recognized the girl staring back at me. Thin cheeks, hollow eyes, fiery red hair that had lost its shine. I used to stand tall, shoulders back, ready to take on the world. Now I hunched forward, always looking down.

I used to be the future Alpha of Night Pack. Now I was nothing.

My fingers touched the small scar on my temple. The only mark left from that terrible night when everything changed. When I lost my wolf forever.

"Miss Chloe?" Roslyn called again.

"I'm coming." I smoothed my plain brown dress and opened the door.

Roslyn smiled at me, but worry flickered in her eyes. She'd been my maid since we were children, and she knew me too well. "Fiona is very excited to show you the dress. It's beautiful."

We walked through the stone corridors of Moonstone Castle. Pack members nodded politely as we passed, but I caught their whispers when they thought I couldn't hear.

"Poor girl..."

"Such a shame..."

"Can't believe she couldn't shift..."

The words used to make me cry for hours. Now they just made me tired. At least my parents still loved me. At least Fiona didn't join in the cruel jokes some others made.

We reached Fiona's room, she was talking animatedly to a guard, he was telling her something about guests visiting, but Chloe couldn't really tell what they were saying. When the guard mentioned the names of the guests. Something along the line of shadow… but I couldn't tell from the distance. Fiona's face went instantly pale. When she saw me approaching, she rushed out of her room, practically slamming the door behind her.

"Chloe!" Her voice was too bright and a tad bit too cheerful. "You shouldn't be here right now."

I frowned. "But you wanted to show me your dress?"

"Later, yes, later." She grabbed my arm, trying to turn me around. "There are... um... strangers coming to the castle. I don't want them to see you..." She paused, biting her lip. "Because you're weak now."

The words stung, but I knew she didn't mean to be cruel. Fiona was just worried about me. She always worried about me despite being the younger one.

"Alright," I said quietly and tiredly. "I'll just go back to my room, I was tired anyway."

Relief flooded her face. "Good. Stay there until I come get you, okay? I love you Chloe."

I nodded and started walking away. But as I turned the corner, I heard the guard speak again, his voice carrying down the hall.

"The Alpha of Shadow Pack has arrived with his men."

Shadow Pack.

My heart started racing for no reason I could understand. The name sent electricity through my veins. I pressed my hand against the stone wall, trying to steady myself.

Why did that name affect me so much?

Without thinking, I turned toward the main hall instead of my room. My feet moved on their own, drawn by something I couldn't explain. The closer I got to the banquet hall, the faster my heart beat.

I reached the entrance and stopped.

There, standing with his back to me, was the man from my dreams.

Every detail was exactly the same. The broad shoulders, the confident way he held himself, the dark hair that seemed to absorb light. Even the way he stood, like he owned the world around him.

My breath caught in my throat. It was impossible, but there he was.

My dream man was real.

I took a step forward without meaning to. Then another. My heart hammered so hard I was sure everyone could hear it.

This was him. This was my mate. After one year of wondering, of hoping, of dreaming and here he was.

As if he sensed me watching, he began to turn around.

I held my breath, finally about to see the face that had been hidden from me for so long. Finally about to meet the man the Moon Goddess had chosen for me.

He turned completely, and our eyes met.

Sharp grey eyes. Beautiful, cold grey eyes in a face that was even more handsome than I'd imagined. Strong jaw, sharp cheekbones, lips that curved into a smile.

My heart soared. He was perfect. He was mine.

But then he spoke, and his words shattered everything.

"Well, well," he said, his voice smooth and mocking. "Looks like I found my mate early."

Hope bloomed in my chest like a flower in spring.

Then he continued, and that flower died.

"Oh wait, I forgot." His smile turned cruel. "Your wolf can't tell who her partner is, can she? Otherwise, how could she be so fucking cruel?"

The words hit me like a physical blow. Around us, people started to take notice of us making my cheeks burn with shame.

This beautiful, powerful man, my destined mate, was rejecting me before we'd even been properly introduced.

And everyone was watching