Her eyes were closed to the rough wind whipping around her, wiping the tears from her cheeks. Stood at the cliff’s edge, on the highest point of the island, Maddie was home. Those rocks were as familiar to her as her childhood bedroom and, if she wanted to, she could walk the edge blindfolded without a single stumble. Many times, those cliffs had wiped away her tears and that day was no different. Below her, she could hear the swells and breaks of the sea against the rocks, churning up white foam that skittered across the surface before the next wave lapped again.
The sea was relatively calm, its movement a gentle shimmer in her ears. The salty air was bitter on her lips, and she inhaled it like a life force. Too long she had been away from its comfort. Too long she had been on the mainland and away from home.
The sharp drop, a mere step before her, was one of the many reasons for Silver Moon’s long lasting strength. It was a thirty metre climb for whoever dared to approach from the sea, creating an impenetrable fortress at the pack's back. That left most of the pack’s resources to protect the beaches and docks in the East. However, whichever direction an enemy could attack from, they’d be spotted by the warriors on watch and the island’s defences would be ready by the time they made it to shore. Once, in Silver Moon’s history, a rival pack attempted to destroy them with a siege, but the island is self-sufficient and could sustain its 1500 inhabitants. Only luxuries came from the mainland and, during wartime, the wolves were happy to go without for the sake of the pack.
Maddie turned, her heels biting the edge of the rocks. She looked out over her pack. She loved her home, she always had done. Even before her training to become the next Silver Moon Luna, a deep loyalty to her wolves had taken root within her. It had been hard being away, but knowing she would be coming back at twenty-five to take over its leadership gave her comfort whenever she was homesick. She sighed, feeling her chest tighten. Though the Luna role, she had worked her whole life towards, was still hers, the choice of who would support her and be at her side for the remainder of her life had been stripped away.
She loved her pack, but how much pain could she bear if the wrong Alpha was at her side?
The order was a heavy weight on her shoulders which she let take her. With her arms spread wide, she tipped backwards, her stomach weightless as she went beyond her centre of gravity. At the last moment, she launched her body away from the rock, giving her enough clearance from the cliff side as she plummeted down. When she was little, she had barely been brave enough to jump from the eastern edges of the island, but once she had tasted the rush of the thirty metre drop, she could never resist feeling it again.
Air raced past her body as she flew towards the sea below. A smile spread her tear-stained cheeks wide as she took in every bubble of foam beneath her. Maddie sucked in a lungful of air and snapped into position at the last moment before the water broke her fall, catching her joy and cradling her in its comfort. Growing up on the Silver Moon island, made the sea her home as much as the land, and she let it wash away the sorrows to come. Its blue depths were vast and dangerous, but otherworldly in its calm.
Maddie stayed in its belly until her lungs burned, forcing her to re-surface. She gasped greedily at the air, a laugh on her lips. She closed her eyes to soak in the moment of every delectable drop of freedom that lapped against her skin. The sadness within her had quelled to a dull ache, replaced by the fire of life in her veins.
There was nothing she could do to prevent the Alpha Games from happening; once her father had made a decision, there would be no persuading him to change. However, that didn’t take away her own mind and actions. Maddie didn’t know how yet, but she wouldn’t accept her choice being stolen like that. Whether she rigged the contests or delayed them until she found a compatible mate, she would fight fang and claw to have the Alpha that Silver Moon deserved. The Alpha that she deserved.
With determination flooding into her, the future Luna swam the edge of the island to a climbable section of cliff. She dragged herself out of the water, weighed down by her sodden clothes. Her muscles burned with the effort as she hauled herself up the rocks, their sharp edges biting into her palms, but finally she reached the top.
With a grunt, she pulled herself onto stable ground and rolled to her back, heavy pants heaving at her chest. It was only after three lungfuls of air did she notice someone else sitting nearby. She tilted her head to face them and scowled.
“Did my father send you?”
Lewis was splayed out on the grass, only a couple of metres from where she had surfaced, a towel in hand. “No, but he debriefed us on next week and I knew where you’d be.”
Her stomach twisted at the sympathy in his voice. She didn’t want his pity and lurched to her feet. “Yeah, well, I thought cooling off would be better than getting myself exiled for attacking the Alpha.”
Both of them knew it was bullshit. She would never dare to lay a hand on her father. Not only did she respect him, but he wouldn’t give her any special treatment if she stood against him like that.
Lewis approached her cautiously, like she’d dive back into the comfort of the sea if he wasn’t careful. When she was in reach, he held her arms, keeping her on solid ground.
“Maddie, I’m so sorry.”
There was an ache in his voice that echoed the pain in her chest and she sagged into him, letting her friend wrap her in an embrace she didn't realise she needed.
Maddie didn’t know how long he let her borrow his strength, all the while pretending his t-shirt was getting wet from the sea water, but when he drew back, her eyes were red and swollen.
Suddenly, Lewis dropped the towel over her head, and ruffled it with a chuckle. “Come on. I know what will take your mind off things.”
“Come on, Mads.” Lewis chuckled, his breath even. “Did you completely stop training at Red Dawn?” “For your. Information. I worked out. Every. Day.” She panted, keeled over with her hands planted on her knees. “It’s not. My fault. That you warriors. Are freakishly. Fit.” Maddie tried to growl her frustrations, but her lungs wheezed instead. They had only been sparring for thirty minutes and she was already buggered. Every muscle ached like she had been running for hours, and everywhere he had landed a hit already hurt and she knew she’d be covered in bruises. Despite her best efforts, she could see that he was barely trying. Not only was he fit enough to run circles around her, but he was taking it easy on her; slowing down his movements and reducing the force behind his hits. It's no wonder he had struggled when he first joined the warriors. Back then he was the same level she was, but there was a vast change in him now. The difference was staggering and made her reluctant to cont
The weight of the finery she had been dressed in, before being thrust into a room off the grand hall, held Maddie in place. It made her shoulders ache to wear so much jewellery and she struggled to keep the distaste of it off her heavily painted face. It had taken a group of three women all morning to make sure that she looked like the perfect Luna. However, Maddie couldn’t help but wonder how any of the game entrants were supposed to know what she truly looked like beneath it all. It would be a shame for the winner to change his mind once he saw the real her. With her corset too tight, her heels too high, her hair too straight and every blemish on her face covered, she’d barely recognise herself either. It was all a part of the games though and she had been thoroughly prepared for it by her father. Maddie was to attend each event, dressed in the same finery and be on her best behaviour. Outside of each trial, she was to stay in the packhouse or with a guard. That empty room was the c
A trail of wolves came and went. Some she was definitely compatible with, giving her a modicum of relief against the dread Daniel’s presence had planted in her stomach, and some she definitely wasn’t. There were more entrants than Maddie expected, but she did her duty each time; acting exactly as she was required, befitting her future role and her father’s expectations. The only times she had broken her steadfast composure was when Lewis and Jess came into the room. Lewis was first, early on in the process. Immediately, she recognised his scent and gave him a smile, or at least she tried to aim it in his general direction. Knowing her friend was with her gave Maddie a rare moment to relax as she released her pheromones. Growing up together it was inevitable that they had smelled each other's over the years. Before wolves matured, pheromone release was difficult, leading to more than a few embarrassing stories for both of them. Once a wolf turned eighteen, everything became easier. Unl
Maddie jumped. She tumbled forward to get away from the sudden voice behind her. Adrenaline spiked in her veins, but her body wasn't used to wearing heels when trying to escape a threat and she felt herself tipping. Before she could fall, a hand wrapped around her arm, keeping her steady until she found her balance again. It’s palm was warm, and she noticed its rough callouses against her skin, though his hold was gentle. “You’re jumpy.” Amusement rolled around the word, bringing Maddie back from her shock. She snatched her arm from his grip and glared, her fingers twitching to remove her blindfold. “Of course I’m jumpy, you just scared the crap out of me.” She hissed. “What the hell is wrong with you? Why didn’t you answer me?” There was no reply for a few seconds and her eyes narrowed further at the presence before her. “Did you just fucking shrug? I can’t see dip shit.” “Sorry.” He rumbled, but she could hear the smile in his voice. “For which part?” She growled through gritted
All Maddie wanted to do was retire for the day. Her soft bed was calling to her, promising to make the stress of the day melt away as she sunk into a restful sleep. It was so tempting to simply slip away from the grand hall and the mass of wolves who had come to celebrate the start of the Alpha Games. However, her disappearance would be quickly noticed, and she’d be dragged back to face a sea of disappointed faces. It was better to face the crowd now that they were smiling at her. Not that it mattered. She couldn’t leave until she followed through with her plan. Only her and Jess knew what was to happen, and despite knowing it would work, her stomach rolled with waves that would rival the sea at their borders. The room was full of the higher up wolves of Silver Moon with a few guests spread among them. Maddie chose to focus on the strangers, trying to guess where they were from. There were only a few she recognised from the days her and her father would visit their allies, but others
Jess was at the front of the line. She had likely shouldered past the larger contestants to be first, and crossed the hall quickly to stand before the head table. Maddie had to bite her lip to stop a smile from breaking free as her friend dipped into a low, gracious bow before her. To anyone else it was deeply respectful, but to her it was making a mockery of the performance they were putting on. By the way her father stiffened beside her, she wondered if he realised the same. “Jessica Thompson, daughter of the Silver Moon Beta.” She introduced herself like a stranger but threw Maddie a wink as she straightened. It was hidden with her back to the audience, who were dissecting every interaction and flicker on her expression. Maddie dipped her head, hiding her own smile, before she straightened to welcome the next contestant. Nineteen wolves, and one among them would be her mate. Each of them gave their name and link to their strong family, but most had the build to justify their posi
The uproar from the crowd was to be expected. Silver Moon wolves and guest alike called out against her announcement after a single moment of hesitation. Many rose to their feet, some shouting their concern, some disregarding her words like that of a naïve pup, and others pleading with the Alpha to tame her tongue. Maddie bared it all, her jaw set in a stubborn line as she faced them with her head raised high. Her lack of a reaction dismissed those calling her immature and her composure unnerved those who thought she could be tamed. 'Got the reaction you wanted?' Jess giggled through a mindlink. Maddie threw her a discrete wink. When the very wolves who called her naïve couldn’t control themselves, their outbursts were void. When enough wolves had quietened down to hear the one voice in the room who mattered, she turned to her father with the same anticipation of his response hovering over her chest. Maddie waited for him to challenge her words, a hundred rehearsed responses at the
As per the traditions of the Alpha Games, each participant was to stay in the packhouse, even those who were from the pack hosting the games. It was to show respect and hospitality to each wolf, but Maddie also thought it was a good way to keep an eye on the foreign wolves on the territory. Her suspicion was confirmed by the guards placed on the stairs. The Silver Moon packhouse was four floors. The grand hall was on ground floor and the upper most floor was the Alpha and his family’s personal quarters. Her father’s office and her bedroom were on that level. The remaining two floors held a variety of spaces including a myriad of guest rooms. There were so many wolves who had made it through the compatibility test that every available room was needed. It didn’t matter where each wolf was placed but Maddie was strategic as she organised them. She relished the grimace on Daniel’s face when she directed him to the smallest guest room they had. It was by no means a bad room, but he had sta