The Alpha's Claim: From Island Dreams to Moonlit Bonds

e rhythmic hum of the engines did little to settle her unease. She adjusted the seatbelt across her lap and glanced down at the small, worn photograph resting in her hands-h

f them, the weight of motherhood

ight. Her sister, Janessa, had offered to watch the kids during their visit to Seoul. Marisa had hesitated at first-what mother wouldn't? But something in her ha

emory. Her fingers tightened around the photograph. "This is for the

ed to see more of the world, to wander unfamiliar streets, eat strange food, feel lost in a place where no one knew her name. For o

her. The other passengers stirred, reaching for overhead bags, adjusting jackets, chatting in several different languages. Marisa remained

g, foreign signage, and intercom announcements in Korean and English. She followed the signs to customs, mentally running through the details of her itiner

. She caught sight of her reflection in the glass divider and studied herself with fresh eyes. Her dark tan skin glowed softly under the lights. Her long pixie cut, freshened

the line moved forward, and the moment passed. She didn't see the way he turned to watch her walk away, his gaze narrowing in recognition. Kai Seungwoo Lee stood motionless, his senses on fire. He had flown in from a remote northern province to finalize diplomatic matters with the Council, and yet, fate had just tossed a complication into his carefully ordered world. The moment the woman passed him, hi

ed to himself in Kore

d, chosen by lineage, not by the unruly will of the Moon Goddess.

y one truth-mate. But Kai had spent his life mastering control, reigning over the chaos that ruled others of his kind. He would not b

was showing. The pull to follow her was almost unbearable. He didn't want a mate. Not now. Not when his rule was still being questioned by old-world alphas who thought tradition mattered more than truth. A mate would m

ned the crowd. A sea of people stood behind metal barricades, holding signs in Korean and English. Her name wasn't among the

ion setting in. The air outside was crisp, a stark contrast to the sticky

d. He had no intention of approaching her. Not yet. But something in him wouldn't let her leave his sight. He watched her get into the taxi, noting the licens

And maybe-just maybe-a kind of healing. Her taxi arrived, a sleek black sedan that glided to a halt at the curb. The driv

ssed by in a blur of neon signs, endless skyscrapers, and unfamiliar stree

he saw a group of elderly women laughing together beneath paper lanterns, sipping from tiny porcelain cups. The sight m

The ride had been peaceful, the city lights flashing by in a blur as her thoughts remained on autopilot. The moment she arrived, she checked in

shake. It was just so unfamiliar to be away from them, to not have the weight of responsibility pressing down on her every

modernity of the building felt like a different world compared to the familiar warmth of her Bahamian home. The air was

r shoes, and collapsed onto the bed with a groan. The soft white linens, the large windows that offered

he whispered.

she felt the weight of solitude. It wasn't unpleasant. It was... unfamili

't felt in years. Somewhere out there, her sister was tucking her children into bed. Somewh

far. Nor that she had stirred something ancient an

outside her window was watchin

its threads. And nothin

l fatigue. As she let the steam envelop her, her mind wandered again, but this time, to thoughts of the city. She'd been g

sn't here to hide or stay in her

edly as she considered her next steps. Should she grab dinner? Or was it too late f

r a moment, the silence in the room almost oppressive. She shook her he

world, his realm. The views here were unmatched, the sprawling city below almost alive with ene

ment, but the intensity of the pull between them-he felt it deep in his bones. A feeling that was far too familiar, and yet, entirel

on business, to meet with key allies and iron out some details about his pack's expansion. But in truth, t

etic pull the moment she stepped off the pl

ated

r? His eyes narrowed as he thought of the implications. He didn't want a mate. He had no time for this. The pack, his responsibilities, his ti

nce more. The streets below were busy, but he was already thinking ahead. This

al advisors in a few hours, but for now, there was a matter of fate to consider. He could

ies. As she walked into the vibrant streets of Seoul, she was surrounded by neon signs, the sounds of chatter, and the soft hum of life that pul

red her in. After ordering, she took a seat by the window, watching the city's life pass by. She felt like a stranger here, yet som

er. He stood in the shadows, the night air thick with tension. He knew i