Read with BonusRead with Bonus

A human mate

Talon

"Ouch. Ouch." Cassie's soft moans filled the room, her nails digging into my skin like her life depended on me. The sound of her voice resonated in my head, and I quickly pulled out, my release spilling onto the bedsheets and dripping between her legs.

"You will be the death of me, Cassie," I muttered, giving her ass a soft slap before retreating into the ensuite bathroom.

When I returned, she was still sprawled across the bed, her eyes piercing into mine. She wanted more; I could see it in the way her gaze lingered, but I wasn't going to give in. There were more pressing matters that demanded my attention.

"Why'd you cum outside?" She asked, standing slowly and walking towards me, her breasts bouncing with every step. "It's only fun when you finish inside me."

"I figured it's your time of the month," I said, buttoning my shirt. "Wouldn't want you to get pregnant."

Cassie smirked, her fingers brushing over the fabric of my shirt as she helped with the last button. "Maybe it's time we get married," she purred.

I scoffed. "Since when did you care about marriage?" I knew her game. We weren’t in love; she wanted the title, the status—she wanted to be Luna of the pack.

"I’ve told you before," I said, my tone cold. "Marriage, mates, kids—they’re not for me. They only make one vulnerable and stupid. I’m never going down that path."

Her face twisted in frustration, but I'm unfazed. "The pack needs a Luna," she insisted.

"No, they don't," I shot back. "You should get married, find your mate, or someone you actually love. Don't wait for me."

"Alpha. The helicopter's ready to take you to London," Evans, my beta, announced from the doorway.

I glanced at him, nodding in acknowledgement. Evans was one of the few I relied on—strong, loyal, and reliable. Though I still trusted no one fully. But he was competent and hard-working, and I needed him.

"I'll call you when I'm back." I said to Cassie, dismissing her as I left the pack mansion and climbed into my ride.

As the helicopter sped towards the airfield, I leaned back, exhausted. My eyes closed, hoping to get a few hours of sleep. But sleep never came easily. I'm insomniac. Anytime I shut my eyes, it seems darkness enveloped the world, dragging me into the nightmares I couldn't escape. Visions of my past clawed at me—haunting, dreadful nightmares that never let me rest.

I jolted awake, the helicopter blades whirred overhead, Evans glancing over with concern. "Alpha, you alright?"

"Fine," I grunted, though that was far from the truth.

I had been accustomed to loneliness. To darkness. To insecurities. My mind raced with thoughts, drifting back to what I had become.

Who would have thought that I'd survive? I'd rise to stardom? Who would have believed my near-death experience? Who would have known that I would eventually reclaim the throne and become the Alpha of the lunar strike pack?

I did survive, but the scars run deep. I did reach the top, but the hollow victory left me numb. I did face death; that has shaped me into an entirely different person. Different from whom I aspired to be. I reclaimed the throne, yes, but the betrayal still stings. It has hardened me, turned me ruthless. I trust no one. Love no one. Everyone is a suspect, and when you're no longer important to them, they discard you. Everything I do for the lunar strike pack comes not from love but from responsibility—nothing more.

The sound of the helicopter engines droned on, pulling me back to that day... the day everything changed.

I was a final-year student at Silverwood University in California, majoring in Media and Theatre Arts. The university was known for its arts programs, and I had dreams of becoming an actor. To make ends meet, I worked part-time at a nearby café. Between paying for tuition and housing, life was far from easy. But thanks to my werewolf strength, I managed both well enough.

As a werewolf, I was able to live among the humans, strictly living under the radar and keeping my identity hidden. I hated humans—weak and oblivious to the world around them—but I tolerated them. The humans pretended to coexist with us, playing their part as if we were equals. But beneath their smiles and false courtesy, they envied us. They craved what we had—our strength, our abilities, our power. They wanted to be like us, yet they feared us all the same.

That day, as I walked swiftly in the direction of the café to resume my shift, an eerie feeling settled over me. I glanced around my surroundings, trying to shake off the ominous feeling that ensnared me. Then I caught the scent. Werewolf. Thick in the air. Too close for comfort. I hated being reminded of who I was and where I came from. My true origin.

"Talon Rashford!" The voice was gruff, echoing through the air like a challenge. I spun around, my brows furrowing in surprise. A man stood there, older, his dark eyes sharp and menacing. They bore into me, like he was trying to pierce into my soul.

"Yes. Who are you?" I demanded, my voice cold and confident. I was determined to return trouble for trouble and aura for aura. Something about him felt familiar, but I didn’t care.

The silence was almost deafening, thick with unspoken words. His icy, deep blue eyes never wavered, and I stared right back. I have faced all the harshness and viciousness of life that it has shaped us—me and my wolf to become vicious, never yielding to any threat.

"I'm Alpha Bloodstone. Your father's friend." His words hit like a punch, the familiarity snapping into place. I'd seen him before, visiting my father. His eyes are still lingering on me, assessing me.

He convinced me to reclaim the title that had been stolen from me. To avenge my parent's death.

For four gruelling months, I trained with his soldiers. Although I'd always be a fighter, Alpha Bloodstone taught me to be a warrior. He taught me strategy. How to be calculative of the enemy moves. He showed me how to win.

When the opportunity came knocking, we attacked Beta Sam and the Lunarstrike pack. It wasn't easy, but it was worth it. I reclaimed back the throne. I became Alpha. I was their Messiah, the one who delivered them from Beta Sam's ruthless grip. His reign of terror had torn the pack apart, leaving them broken and oppressed.

I had never wanted the role. I wasn't ready for it, but then I adjusted quickly and soon discovered that I was damn good at the overwhelming role. I strengthened the security squad, took over my papa's businesses—his fashion and cosmetics companies—and even started my own, branching into entertainment and modelling.

I oversee the whole thing, juggling between the weight of an alpha and a businessman. I expanded my horizons and connections amongst other packs. I became ruthless. Unyielding. The rumours about me spread like wildfire, giving me the title "BASTARD ALPHA" because I was nothing like my papa, but I embraced it.

It was fitting.

My true identity.

My shield.

The pilot’s voice crackled over the intercom, announcing our arrival in London. I shook off the memories, focusing on the task at hand.

I was here to take over an entertainment company I’d just acquired—The Stars.

In the office, I scrowled at the paperwork in front of me. Mismanagement. Laziness. I'd have to overhaul the entire staff.

Then I smelt it. A scent, sweet and rich, like peach blossoms. It was everything good. My wolf howled inside me, excited, restless.

"Mate. Mate," it howled again, the word echoing in my mind.

I dropped the documents, my body moving on instinct. The scent grew stronger as I approached the bathroom door. I pushed it open.

And there she was.

Her skin tone was flawless and luminous, and carried a warm, golden undertone. High cheekbones framed her delicate, heart-shaped face, and her full lips—naturally the shade of a soft rose—held a hint of mystery. Her shape, Curvy—a killer shape. Her beauty was not just in her features but in the aura she exuded. She was beautiful, beyond words.

My eyes are boring into hers. She also glanced back at me. It seems as though her eyes were calling for me.

My wolf surged forward, desperate, and before I knew it, I was across the room. I pinned her against the wall, hands on either side of her head, caging her in. Her eyes. Fuck! Her eyes held the most power—twin pools of deep, rich amber that seemed to flicker with hidden fire.

I shut my eyes closed, trying to suppress my overwhelmed emotions. "Let go of me, you pervert." She kicked me—hard. Right in the groin.

Pain shot through me, and I staggered back, releasing her as I doubled over, groaning. She didn't waste a second, bolting for the door.

She hurriedly opened the door and raced outside.

I crumpled to the floor, gasping for breath. Who was she? Where had she come from? And how could a human woman be my mate?

Previous Chapter
Next Chapter