chapter five

Rafe's POV 

The morning air was crisp, the sky a perfect shade of gray, just the way I liked it. I stretched, rolling my shoulders as I stepped out of bed. Today was the day.

The day I became Alpha.

A knock sounded at my door, and before I could answer, Dante barged in.

"Happy birthday, Alpha," he said with a smirk.

I scoffed. "Not Alpha yet."

"You will be soon," he replied, leaning against the doorframe. "Enjoy the last few hours of freedom."

I rolled my eyes, but he wasn't wrong. Today wasn't about fun or childish celebrations. This was a formal event Alphas from surrounding packs had come to witness my crowning. There would be no reckless partying, no foolish games. This was business.

The day passed with endless handshakes, speeches, and discussions. The visiting Alphas spoke in deep, authoritative tones, their respect evident, but it was all so… calculated.

I kept my expression impassive, my posture strong. I had been preparing for this moment my entire life.

Then, as the moon rose, the ceremony began.

I stood at the center of the pack grounds, surrounded by my warriors, my people, my future.

And when the title was officially passed down to me when my pack roared in celebration, calling my name I felt it.

Power. Responsibility. Destiny.

I was Alpha now.

Later, as the cheers settled and the night deepened, I turned to head inside.

"Going up to sleep so soon?" Ana asked, raising a brow.

I nodded. "Yeah."

She smirked. "Big day tomorrow?"

I sighed. "Something like that."

The Next Day 

The halls were noisy, filled with the usual chaos of students catching up after the weekend. I walked in with Dante and Ana at my sides, scanning the crowd as I always did.

Dante leaned in. "I heard that our other rival pack crowned their Beta yesterday."

I frowned. "Who?"

Dante smirked. "Stormcrest.

Ana chuckled. "Liam Carter. He had his birthday the same day as you. That's awkward."

I scoffed. "Doesn't matter."

Then, I glanced around the hallway, my mood souring slightly.

"They're not here," I muttered.

"Thank God," Ana said. "We don't need them spoiling our day anyway."

I smirked. For once, I agreed.

The rest of the day passed without any more incidents, but the tension still sat heavy in my chest. I hated seeing Axel's smug face, hated how his pack acted like they owned everything.

By the time the final bell rang, I was more than ready to leave.

Dante and I walked toward the pack's parking lot, where a few of our warriors were waiting. The ride home was silent, except for the occasional conversation about border security and upcoming troubles .

We got home,and I went to my office where Dante gave me details on important matters 

A knock at the door interrupted my thoughts.

Ana stepped in, arms folded, a teasing grin on her face. "Serious Alpha business already?"

Dante chuckled. "Always."

Ana walked in further, her smirk growing. "So, Rafe… any mate yet?"

Dante let out a laugh, while I glared.

"Don't start," I muttered.

Ana held up her hands in mock innocence. "Just asking. It's about time, isn't it?"

I rolled my eyes. "If the Moon Goddess has someone for me, they'll show up. I'm not concerned."

Ana hummed. "Maybe she's closer than you think."

I shot her a warning look, and she laughed, backing toward the door. "Relax, Alpha. Just messing with you."

Dante smirked. "One day, it'll happen, and we'll remind you of this moment."

I scoffed, shaking my head. Not likely.

For now, I had more important things to worry about.

Like winning this war.

The night was quiet, but my mind wasn't.

Lying in bed, staring at the ceiling, I thought about 

The endless tension with Axel's pack, the constant battles it never ended.

I stripped off my shirt, muscles aching from training and frustration. The only thing that mattered was winning this war and keeping my pack strong.

Mates? I didn't have time to care.

With that final thought, I let exhaustion take over and fell into a dreamless sleep.

I woke up early, heading straight for the training grounds before school. Fighting cleared my mind.

Dante joined me, throwing punches at a sparring dummy. "Another attack last night," he said casually.

I wiped sweat off my forehead. "How many this time?"

"Just a few rogues. They were testing our borders again."

I growled lowly. "They're getting bolder."

Dante nodded. "They know we're focused on Axel's pack. Makes us look vulnerable."

Not for long.

By the time school rolled around, I was still thinking about it. We needed to tighten our defenses before rogues became a real problem.

But the moment I walked into the building, something felt.off.

I didn't know what, not yet.

I had no patience for people today. So, when I spotted Liam Carter in the library alone my irritation flared.

He hadn't noticed me yet, standing near one of the bookshelves, flipping through a book. Of course he reads.

The sight of him the way he always carried himself like he had all

I just needed a damn break.

After dealing with rogue reports and endless pack responsibilities, I went to the library for some quiet. That was the plan, at least.

I scoffed. Must be nice.

Then, as if he sensed my gaze, Liam looked up. His expression shifted into irritation the moment he saw me.

"Tch. Great," he muttered, snapping the book shut. "What do you want?"

I smirked. "You're acting like I came here for you."

Liam rolled his eyes and turned to leave, but I stepped in his path.

"Move, Blackwood," he warned.

I tilted my head, amused. "Or what?"

He didn't hesitate he shoved me.

That was all it took.

I grabbed him by the collar, slamming him against the nearest shelf. "You really think you can take me on, Carter?"

Liam didn't back down.

He shoved me off and swung. I dodged, barely. Then I threw a punch of my own. Liam wasn't fast enough this time. It connected, and he staggered back.

His eyes burned with fury. He lunged, and we crashed into the shelves, knocking books to the floor.

Then it happened.

As I moved to throw another punch, my hand grazed his skin.

A shockwave tore through me.

My wolf roared.

Mate.

My body locked up. Liam's breath hitched. I knew he felt it too.

For a second, neither of us moved. The air around us thickened.

Then my wolf took over.

Before I could stop myself, I grabbed him and kissed him.

Liam froze.

For half a second, he didn't resist. He even leaned in.

Then he shoved me away so hard I almost stumbled.

His breathing was ragged, his eyes wide with pure horror.

"No," he whispered.

Then he turned and ran.

I just stood there, fists clenched, chest heaving.

This wasn't happening. This couldn't be happening.

But it was.

I stood there, breathing hard, my heart hammering in my chest.

No. No. No.

This couldn't be happening.

Liam Carter. Liam Carter.

My enemy. My rival. The Beta of the pack I despised more than anything.

My mate.

My wolf was going insane.

"Go after him!" he howled in my head. "Claim him! He's ours!"

I ran a hand through my hair, pacing furiously between the library shelves. This wasn't possible. This had to be some sick joke from the Moon Goddess.

The taste of Liam still lingered on my lips. My wolf was thriving in it, relishing the contact, demanding more.

I growled, gripping the nearest shelf so hard my knuckles turned white.

Liam ran. He was scared.

And I—I wanted to go after him.

But I couldn't. Not now.

I was the Alpha of Bloodmoon. He was the Beta of Stormcrest. There was too much history between us. Too much hatred.

Too much to lose.

I forced myself to take a deep breath. Get it together, Rafe.

Liam Carter was my mate.

Now what the hell was I supposed to do?

I gritted my teeth, forcing my breath to steady. I needed to think.

But my wolf was relentless.

"Go. Find him. He belongs to us!"

"Shut up," I snapped back.

I closed my eyes, gripping the edge of a bookshelf. The kiss. The way Liam had responded, just for a second, before pushing me away. The raw shock in his eyes before he bolted.

He felt it too.

That should have satisfied me. But it didn't.

I wanted more.

I slammed my fist against the shelf, making the books tremble.

I was Rafe Blackwood. Alpha of the Bloodmoon Pack. Born to lead. Trained to conquer. Not to submit to fate.

And yet, here I was.

Trapped in a war I never saw coming.

I inhaled sharply, my jaw clenching. Liam Carter was my mate.

But there was one thing I knew for certain.

He wouldn't accept me.

And the worst part?

I wasn't sure I wanted him to.