The Alpha Never Stopped Trying To Claim Me Chapter 05

The Alpha Never Stopped Trying To Claim Me Chapter 05

Seth stepped forward, naturally taking the crumpled moon bloom I’d been squeezing tight out of my hand. His other hand rested gently on my waist, his voice low and steady. “Don’t be scared. I’m here.”

The warmth from his palm seeped through the thin wedding dress, hot enough to make my nose burn.

I looked up at him, my eyes red and puffy. “Seth, do I look terrible?”

He brushed my tears away with the pad of his thumb, his movement impossibly gentle, but his tone completely serious. “You don’t look terrible. You’re brave enough to walk away from an Alpha who doesn’t deserve you. That’s the most beautiful an Omega can ever be.”

The doors of the Longhouse swung all the way open—there was no noisy jeering, no half-hearted routine inside. Only soft hymns to the Moon Goddess, the entire space filled with my favorite white Moon Lilies, and every table held the starlight stone lamps I’d loved since I was a kid. Every detail was perfect down to the smallest thing.

This wasn’t a last-minute patched-together venue—it was a Mating Ceremony he’d quietly prepared for years, just for me.

I stopped mid-step. “You… you’ve been ready this whole time?”

Seth held my hand and walked me inside step by step, moving slow enough to give me all the security I needed.

“From the day you told me you’d agreed to be Lucian’s Luna,” his voice was soft, but every word hit hard right in my chest, “I got everything ready. I was scared you’d get hurt, scared he wouldn’t know how to treasure you, scared you’d end up crying at the ceremony. I wanted you to know—no matter what happens, I’ve always been right here with you.”

I completely broke down, tears pouring down my face.

I noticed the scar on his left ear.

It was an old wound, running from the middle of his earlobe all the way down to the tip, like it had been torn open by some sharp claw. The scar had already turned pale, blending in with his black hair—you’d barely notice it if you didn’t look close.

But I knew exactly how that scar got there.

Seventeen years ago, a rogue wolf attacked the border of our territory. I froze up, too scared to run. Seth threw himself in front of me, and the rogue’s claw ripped open his left ear.

Blood covered half his face, but he never made a sound. He just turned back to look at me and said, “It’s over now. You’re safe.”

He was only eleven back then, hadn’t even awakened his wolf yet.

Now he was twenty-six, the True Alpha ruling seven northern territories.

And he still said the same thing to me. “I’ve always been right here with you.”

Right as I stepped into the Longhouse with Seth, I heard hurried footsteps and panicked shouts from behind me.

“Serena! Stop right there!”

Lucian’s voice was thick with furious rage.

I didn’t slow down. I didn’t even turn around.

Seth pulled me behind him to shield me, turned around, and stared coldly at the rushing Lucian. He slowly released his Alpha Aura—the natural suppression a high-rank Alpha exerted over a lower-rank one.

Maya was right beside Lucian, still clinging to his arm, a smug, challenging smile on her face. When she saw Seth, her smile froze a little.

Everyone in the territory knew Seth was the only Alpha in this region granted the title of “True Alpha” by the Moon Goddess. His status was far above Lucian’s, and he was famously protective of the people he cared about.

Lucian was too blinded by rage to notice Seth’s dominance. All he saw was me, in my wedding dress, walking toward another Alpha. He lunged forward to grab my wrist. “Serena! Have you lost your mind! Come back with me right now! The elders and our families are all here, do you want both our packs to be the laughingstock of the entire territory?”

Before his hand could even touch me, Seth swatted it away hard.

Seth’s strength wasn’t overwhelming, but it carried unshakable authority. Lucian actually stumbled back a step—that was the instinctive trembling of a lower-rank Alpha facing a higher-rank one.

“Lucian, watch your position.” Seth’s voice was ice-cold, completely devoid of warmth. “Serena does not wish to be your Luna. You have no right to force her.”

Lucian froze for a second, then realized who he was talking to. His face paled a few shades, but he still forced himself to stand his ground. “Alpha Seth, this is a matter between me and my future Luna. Please do not interfere. Today is our Mating Ceremony, she’s just upset right now, I can talk her down.”

“Upset?” I finally turned around, looked at Lucian, my gaze so calm it held no emotion at all, “Lucian, I’m not upset. I’m just not marrying you.”

The words hit like a thunderclap.

All the groomsmen, bridesmaids, and family members who’d followed us froze in place.