POV: Asher Thorne
His jaw was tight the whole way out of the school.
Not because someone disrespected him—but because they had hurt her.
Aira Moonstone.
Just a name. Just a shadow of a girl the pack liked to forget.
But the image was burned into his mind:Her falling.The laughter.The coffee.
And the way she didn't cry. Didn't scream. She just took it.
"Let me out," his wolf snarled. "Let me protect her."
"No," Asher hissed back in his mind. "She's not our mate. She's… weak."
A strong Alpha needed an equal. A powerful Luna. Not an omega girl who had to be saved from bullies.
Still…
His wolf's growl didn't quiet.
Jack caught up with him in the parking lot, tossing his gym bag in the back of the jeep.
"You good?" Jack asked.
"Yeah. Just tired."
Before Jack could reply, Asher's phone rang.
The ID read: Alpha Elijha — his father.
"Asher," came the firm voice. "Meeting. Packhouse. Now."
"On my way."
Jack raised an eyebrow, already sensing the change in tone.No more school. No more casual.This was Alpha business now.
Back at the Silverstone Packhouse, the tension was thick. The air in the Alpha wing always felt colder when something was wrong.
Inside the office, Alpha Elijha sat behind his desk, flanked by Beta Kael Moonstone, Gamma Cedric Ashwood, and Teta Marcus Wood—all veterans of the wars that built the kingdom.
Asher and Jack stepped in, followed by Alex Ashwood and Maicha Wood—the future Gamma and Teta heirs.
The room went silent as Elijha looked up.
"Sit."
They obeyed without a word.
"There's been a rogue attack. Northern border. Blood trail, torn patrol uniforms, and two of our men missing."
The silence deepened.
"You are the future of Silverstone," Elijha continued, voice like iron. "If we fall, you'll be expected to rebuild. But I won't let that happen. You will be trained, hardened, and prepared—because war is no longer a question. It's a matter of time."
"Starting tomorrow, Gamma Cedric will lead your combat conditioning. No excuses. No delays. No complaints."
The young wolves exchanged tense glances.
Asher felt the weight settle on his shoulders. Leadership. Duty. Legacy.
He nodded, reluctantly but firmly.
"Understood, Alpha."
An hour later, the air had cleared but their minds hadn't. The boys decided to cool off at the local café—Moonbean Café, a popular stop for the younger pack members.
Asher stepped through the door, the bell above jingling softly.
The scent of coffee. Rain. Earth.
And then—her.
Behind the register, wearing a faded apron, hair tied back and still damp from the earlier downpour… stood Aira.
Smiling.
It wasn't a forced smile. It wasn't a bitter smile.
It was... warm.
Real.
Even after everything.
Thump.
His heart stuttered in his chest.
Her silver eyes flicked up and met his. For a second—just a breath—time froze.
His wolf surged.
"Mine."
"No," Asher snapped inside his head, stepping back emotionally. "She's not our mate. She can't be. She's an omega. A burden."
But the wolf wasn't listening anymore.Because she was smiling at the next customer, as if no one had poured boiling coffee on her just hours ago. As if she hadn't been humiliated.
Strong. Quiet. Brave.
Not weak.
Not at all.
"Why does she feel like gravity?" Asher thought.
He didn't have an answer.
But his feet had frozen.
And his heartbeat... hadn't slowed since she looked up.