The Alpha's Contract Luna (Alexia)

King Balthasar -

FLASHBACK

"Is this the last of the relief goods?" Balthasar asked his aide, Ford.

"Yes, Prince Bathasar," Ford replied. "We can now rest easy."

Taplean had been hit by a storm. Everyone was affected, every region and every pack. However, those far from the capital had no access to relief, food, or water. Thus, Balthasar's father ordered him to distribute relief instead.

He had been traveling for days with his loyal guards and aides. Upon arriving at the Rock Mountain Pack, Prince Balthasar was utterly exhausted.

Balthasar went to his accommodation, but sleep did not come. The hotel they were staying at did not have electricity due to the storm. Thus, instead of resting, he took a run in his wolf form.

He ran through the forest, certainly going outside the borders of the Rock Mountain Pack. He dashed deeper into the woods until he found an area with unscathed green grass. Boulders of rocks, deeply rooted to the ground, shielded it from the storm, and he figured it was how the place remained peaceful looking. Only fallen leaves from the trees had drifted into the same spot.

In that same area, the wind was cool, and the perfect place to rest. He shifted into his human body and thought about the near future while looking at the skies. In a month, he would be crowned as the king. His father wanted to rest - to travel around the world with his mother after ruling Taplean for over fifty years.

His eyes landed on the moon, thinking about his arranged marriage. It was common for royalty to have an arranged marriage. His father never got to choose, which would forever be true for royalties like him. However, his father and mother were happy. That was why they decided to travel worldwide, for they wanted to experience being more of a couple. Being the leaders of Taplean prevented them from enjoying their marriage.

Soon, he felt his eyes becoming heavy, and he dozed off, lying completely naked against the grass.

Two hours into his sleep, Balthasar sniffed on something sweet - so inviting. The smell was so stirring that his eyes partly opened. He then heard heavy steps against the ground, and when he snapped toward the sound, he saw something sparkling in silvery white. He flinched and rubbed his eyes but saw a woman's figure next.

Balthasar stood up abruptly. His eyes met a pair of honey-colored orbs staring right back at him. He stilled, watching the future unfold in the woman's eyes, and that sweet scent of nature, mixed with the smell of snow, entered his nostrils. He was immediately in a daze, then the word simply came out of his mouth, "Mate."

"Mate," he heard the beautiful woman say the same.

Warmth spread through Balthasar's chest, and he beamed. Those honey-colored eyes held him captive, and his mouth remained open for almost a minute.

"What - what is your name, beautiful mate?" Balthasar asked.

He could tell the woman was also taken aback. Then, when he asked for her name, he saw how her cheeks turned a shade darker. He was pleased with how he affected her.

"My name?" She asked, as if reluctant to share her identity.

"I'm your mate, the Moon Goddess' chosen for you," Balthasar reminded. "You can trust me."

Soon, he saw the woman smile. She replied, "Avery. My name is Avery Lane. What about you? What is your name?"

'She doesn't know me?' It puzzled Balthasar how the woman did not know him, but perhaps, due to the territory she lived in, she had no news about the royal family of Taplean. "Balthasar," he replied. "Balthasar Squire."

Then, he realized that she was naked, like him. He was so fixed on her gorgeous face that he cared not for anything else. "You were out on a run?"

Avery nodded, saying, "I guess you were too."

"Yes, I was. It was so hot in the Rock Mountain Pack since there was no electricity, so I came out here to look for a cool place to rest," Balthasar explained.

It dawned on Balthasar that he had not seen Avery in the Rock Mountain Pack's territory, but then again, he had not met the entire pack. Still, he asked, "Do you belong to the Rock Mountain Pack?"

"Um. No. I was simply going around - I have no pack here in Taplean. I jump around from one pack to another whenever I feel like it," Avery shrugged and replied, "As a visitor."

Balthasar frowned. He asked, "I see. You don't have parents?"

He saw Avery hesitate. She looked back and then messaged her forehead before finally saying, "I - I have a mother, but she is no one to be concerned about. What about you? Where is your family? Which pack do you belong to?"

Balthasar suddenly had an awakening. For a moment, he forgot how he was royalty. 'Fuck, what am I going to do? Avery said, she had no pack. My father will never accept her as my queen?'

He needed time to think things through and plan how to make it work. Thus, he lied and said, "I am visiting a friend at the Rock Mountain Pack, but I belong to a pack in the east, The Blue Moon Pack."

Balthasar combed his fingers through his hair and added, "Listen, I don't know if it's a good idea to bring you to my pack now. I think I should tell my family first -"

"I agree," Avery replied, cutting off Balthasar's words. "I am unsure if I want to settle down in one place, anyway. I like the idea of traveling."

Her answer surprised Balthasar. It was as if Avery was hiding something too, or maybe it was just him making assumptions because he was the one who was keeping things from her.

"So, let's just get to know each other for now," Balthasar suggested, and Avery approved.

On that night, Balthasar and Avery talked about their personal interests. They shared the same passion for knowledge; they both wanted to read and discover the world.

Avery shared how she journeyed to other countries, meeting other species and other werewolves. She loved the experience that she wanted to keep traveling.

Balthasar was also the same. Because he was trained by his father to handle peace and trade negotiations, he also visited other nearby countries.

"So you've been to Paradon?" Avery asked.

"Goddess! I love their entertainment district!" Balthasar claimed.

"Me too! There are many things to do in Paradon. With a mix of cultures, there is so much to learn there!" Avery expounded.

They both covered their favorite dishes, to what they do during their free time. They simply enjoyed their time together that no sleep happened that night. It was already dawn when Balthasar realized that his aide, Ford, would come looking for him soon. Turning to Avery, he said, "My friends will look for me. I should head back. Can we meet here again tonight?"

"Sure, that would be a great idea," Avery answered.

Their eyes met, and the urge to kiss became overpowering that Balthasar gave in. He moved closer and sealed her lips with a kiss.

Sparks flew the moment their lips

touched. There was this electrifying sensation running through

Balthasar's body that he could not grasp. He was confident it was the same for Avery since she shivered under his touch. They did not make love, but they explored their bodies with their hands.

Sadly, their brief happiness ended since Balthasar had to take his

ים.

leave, and Avery was the same. However, in the days that followed Balthasar and Avery met at the same place in the forest. Even after moving to another pack andoffering refief goods, Balthasar returned to that spot every night. He met with Avery to talk, kiss, or simply cuddle and sleep in the grass. Content from NôvelDr(a)ma.Org.

When it was time for Balthasar to return to the palace, he met with Avery again, telling her he was going to the Blue Moon Pack. He meant to use this time to convince his parents to take Avery as his mate, his Luna, instead of Helen. Since it was Balthasar's last day in the region, they spent an intimate night, making love under the stars. It was pure bliss for Balthasar, but while he was happy at that moment, he feared for the day he would tell his father about Avery. Balthasar arrived at the palace after two days. The first thing he did was tell his father about his fated mate.

His father, King Malik, growled, "Do you expect me to introduce a future queen from an unknown family? What will become of Taplean? The other nations will look down on us! Don't tell Helen about this, or you will break her heart!"

"You need to form a strong alliance,

and Helen is from one of the biggest

packs in our country. We not only need their pack's support, but you also need an heir from a strong bloodline. A nobody cannot become a queen!" King Malik, closed. "Don't

just think about yourself, Balthasar. Think about our people,

your

responsibility to Taplean.

Sometimes, being a king means

sacrificing your own happiness."

Balthasar returned to the same place in the forest after more than a week. On that same day and time, he and Avery agreed to meet again.

He had a heavy heart as he saw Avery running toward him. She was smiling as she jumped into his arms. She announced, "I've decided to stay with you."

Avery had that glow on her face, and Balthasar knew she was excited to reunite with him again. However, he had to give her the bad news. He was the future king of Taplean, and he could never be with a commoner. He smiled, but it quickly faded as he held her hand. Soon, he said, "Avery, I'm sorry, but I can't take you."

"What?" Avery asked.

"There are things that I cannot tell you, but know in my heart I wish for you to find happiness, even without me," Balthasar added.

"What are you saying? Balthasar!" Avery yelled. Tears rolled down her face as she demanded answers. "Why are you doing this to me? I am your mate

"I, Balthasar Squire, reject you, Avery Lane, as my mate! May the Moon Goddess bless you with another man to love and one that will love you back!" Balthasar cried as he left Avery howling in the forest. Balthasar shifted into his wolf so he could leave faster, but even at a safe distance, he heard Avery call to the skies. "Moon Goddess! Free me of this pain! I implore you! Give me a second chance, mate!" END OF FLASHBACK