Amity Lucid's POV
Amity Lucid's POV
The corridors of the Blue Angels Pack House hummed with power. The faint glow of enchanted lights reflected off the walls, casting an ethereal glow that seemed to pulse with the life force of the entire pack. Every step I took reverberated in the air, reminding me of my presence and of the strength and authority I carried. I was Alpha of the Blue Angels, the most powerful pack in the world. And yet, today… today, everything felt different.
I ran my fingers through my hair, which was shifting hues from deep purple to midnight blue, reflecting my inner turbulence. My crimson eyes narrowed as I approached the Grand Council Room. Leila walked beside me, her long white hair flowing behind her like a ribbon of moonlight. She was my Beta, my adopted daughter, the one person who knew me better than anyone else. Her presence beside me grounded me, as it always did. She glanced up at me, sensing the unusual quietness that had fallen over me.
"You're unusually quiet today," she remarked, her voice light with amusement.
I chuckled softly, but there was no humor in it. "Just mentally preparing for the council meeting. You know how these things go."
Leila raised an eyebrow. "Full of pomp and posturing, I know."
"Exactly."
We both stopped in front of the massive oak doors leading to the council room. But then, something changed. The scent hit me. It was faint at first, almost unnoticeable, but it lingered in the air like an intoxicating perfume—wildflowers, pine, and something deeper, something I couldn't quite place.
Mate.
The word reverberated in my mind like a drumbeat. I froze, my breath catching in my throat. I had always known the bond would come, but I had never expected it to hit me like this—so suddenly, so strongly. The scent grew stronger, pulling me toward it. A new presence. One that would change everything.
I turned to Leila, my mind racing. "Did you… did you feel that?"
Leila tilted her head, clearly puzzled. "Feel what?"
The hairs on the back of my neck stood up. The bond was real. But it wasn't just the presence of my mate that had me on edge. No, something else was at play here. I could feel it. A force drawing me in, tugging at my very being.
"Never mind," I said quickly, shaking my head to clear the fog that had settled over me. "Let's go."
The guards at the entrance stood at attention as we approached, their eyes lowering in respect. They knew better than to speak without permission.
"Alpha Lucid, Beta Lucid," one of them said, bowing slightly. "The council awaits."
I nodded, not trusting my voice at that moment, and stepped through the doors. The moment I entered the room, the air seemed to change. The power within these walls was palpable, thick with magic and history. The ceiling was a shimmering dome of enchanted crystal, reflecting the stars above, while the walls seemed alive, their intricate carvings and designs humming with energy.
But it wasn't the room that caught my attention.
It was him.
Beryl White.
He was standing near the center of the room, his broad shoulders squared with a regal posture that spoke of his future as the Alpha of the White Moon Pack. His eyes locked onto mine the moment I entered, and I felt a jolt of recognition deep within my chest. His hair was short and brown, and his eyes were the color of rich, dark chocolate—like deep forests at dusk. There was something about him, something that tugged at me, something that felt… destined.
And then, the scent hit me again. Stronger this time. More undeniable.
Mate.
I held his gaze, my heart racing for reasons I couldn't explain. There was a part of me that wanted to run, wanted to flee from the intensity of the bond, but another part of me—no, the stronger part—pulled me toward him. I took a slow breath, trying to regain my composure, but his presence was overwhelming.
Leila squeezed my hand, pulling me out of the trance I had slipped into. "Are you alright?" she whispered, concern in her voice.
"Yeah," I muttered, my voice barely a whisper. "I think so."
We walked toward the table with the rest of the pack, but my focus never wavered from Beryl. I could feel the weight of his gaze on me, even as I took my seat. It was like everything in the room had quieted, and all that mattered was him and the pull between us. It was undeniable. It was powerful.
And it was terrifying.
For years, I had been the alpha, the one in control of everything. I had ruled over the strongest pack in the world, wielding my power like a weapon. But now? Now, it felt as though something was slipping through my fingers. Something I had never expected to experience.
The council meeting began, but my mind was elsewhere. Beryl sat across the room, his attention divided between me and the others. He didn't speak much, which was unusual for an alpha-to-be, but then again, his silence was commanding in its own way. I could feel the weight of his presence, the strength he was holding back. I couldn't help but wonder what kind of man he was, what kind of alpha he would become.
The air seemed to thrum with magic as discussions of alliances, territories, and neutral zones continued. But each word that passed through my ears felt distant, as though I was underwater. Every time Beryl's gaze met mine, my heart skipped a beat. I tried to remain composed, to hold the fort that I had built for myself, but inside, I was crumbling.
Leila nudged me lightly, sensing my distraction. "Are you really going to do this?" she whispered.
"What do you mean?" I replied, keeping my voice steady.
"The whole 'pretend like you're not completely falling apart' thing."
I shot her a glance, but she was already grinning. She knew me too well.
"I'm fine," I said, though the words tasted hollow.
"Uh-huh," she murmured, not believing me for a second.
I turned back to the meeting, but my mind was already far ahead, swirling with thoughts of what Beryl meant. Why did I feel this connection so strongly? It was as though our very souls had been tethered before we even knew it. And it was terrifying.
Later, when the formal portion of the meeting ended and everyone began breaking off into private conversations, I stood and made my way toward Leila. But before I could say anything, my attention snapped back to Beryl. He was standing, moving through the room with purpose, his every step drawing me in. My breath hitched in my throat. It wasn't just the bond pulling me toward him. It was something else—a magnetism, a force beyond our control.
Leila squeezed my hand. "You're going to talk to him, aren't you?"
I didn't even have to answer. My legs moved on their own, carrying me toward him.
Beryl turned as I approached, and for a moment, the world seemed to shift again. His gaze locked onto mine, and I saw the same recognition in his eyes—the same intensity that had been growing between us. I felt it, and I could see that he felt it too.
He bowed slightly, his voice low but steady. "Alpha Lucid."
I nodded, my voice steady despite the storm inside me. "Beryl White. Alpha-to-be of the White Moon Pack."
He smiled nervously, his eyes flicking down to the floor before he regained his composure. "I, uh… I just wanted to introduce myself formally. And maybe apologize for… existing so loudly earlier."
I raised an eyebrow, a smile tugging at my lips. "Existing loudly, huh?"
"Well, you know," he stumbled over his words. "Not existing, like in general. I love existing. But I might've been a little awkward. Or loud. Or awkwardly loud. Anyway."
I laughed, the sound rich and unbidden. It was soft, like a breath of air after a storm. "You're not what I expected."
"Honestly?" He smiled nervously. "Neither are you."
We both paused, locked in a gaze that spoke of things we hadn't yet said. But I could feel it—the bond between us shifting again. It was growing stronger. I could feel his soul calling to mine, and mine answering.
"So," he said after a long pause. "This is it, huh?"
"This is it," I replied softly, stepping closer.
Beryl's eyes widened slightly as the bond deepened, and for a moment, I saw something in his eyes—hope, fear, wonder. It was all there. And I could feel it too.
"I never thought I'd get a mate," I whispered, my voice barely audible.
"Me neither," he replied, his voice raw.
I smiled, that familiar fire in my chest flaring. "I guess we both have a lot to learn."
"I'm a fast learner," he said with quiet confidence.
"We'll see," I replied, my voice soft but steady as I turned away. Leila followed without a word, but I could feel Beryl's presence lingering in the air, like a song that I couldn't forget.
I glanced back one last time. His eyes were still on me, watching, waiting, understanding.
And for the first time in years, I didn't feel alone.
Leila approached slowly as I walked away. "So?"
"He didn't die," I said, my smile a little too soft.
"High bar," she replied.
I chuckled, my heart still pounding in my chest. "I'm not sure what's next."
"Whatever it is," Leila said, "you're in trouble."
"I think I always have been," I said with a sigh. "But for once, I'm not scared of it."