Her Alpha Mates

The ancient stone steps creaked under Tiana's boots as she made her way into the Temple of the Moon. Her short black hair caught the silver moonlight streaming through the crumbling ceiling, casting dancing shadows on the weathered walls. The temple stood as a testament to centuries past – its marble columns wrapped in luminescent vines that seemed to pulse with their own ethereal light.

Tiana's footsteps echoed through the vast chamber as she walked slowly around its perimeter. Her fingers traced the intricate carvings on the walls – ancient wolves running beneath crescent moons, battles fought under starlit skies, and sacred ceremonies of mating bonds. Each step revealed new wonders: crystal formations that caught and scattered moonlight like prisms, delicate silver chimes that sang with the gentlest breeze, and pools of clear water that seemed to glow from within.

"This is incredible," she whispered, her voice filled with awe. In the center of the temple, a circular pool reflected the full moon above, its surface perfectly still. Scattered around it, fragments of moonstone glittered like fallen stars.

I closed my eyes and took several more breaths to calm my body down and focus on my surroundings until I felt myself becoming one with the woods. I felt everything at that moment- the turn of the breeze, the rustle of the leaves, the gentle way they landed on the forest floor, and how the small animals moved around.

I stood there until I felt like an extension of the woods. It all felt so right in the moment . This was it. I started chanting the spells gently, lifting my hands and feeling the breeze playing with my hair. I couldn't help but smile at that. It felt so good. I was starting to love it all too much until the breeze stopped flowing abruptly.

Suddenly, the temperature dropped. The woods around me fell silent, or everything froze- I couldn't decide. Everything had been put on pause, and the reason for that was an all-powerful presence that I felt behind me. My muscles tensed, but fear kept me rooted to the spot. I didn't dare turn around, even as a soft silver light illuminated the walls before me.

"Is that you, Luna?" I whispered, on the verge of shaking.

"Child of the moon," a melodic voice spoke from behind her, "why do you tremble?

"I... I've come seeking guidance," Tiana managed to say, her usual confidence wavering.

"Speak your heart, little wolf."

"Luna..." I licked my lips, feeling anxious all of a sudden . I should've thought about this more but fuck it. I was here and the goddess was waiting for me. I didn't feel like wasting her time. I needed to be upfront with her about what I wanted. Otherwise, I was never going to get it.

After all ,I knew well from childhood that closed mouths never got fed.

"I'm looking for a mate," I told her upfront and received a gentle, amused laugh from her.

"I could guess," I heard the smile in her voice.

I'm done dating and waiting for my mate to come around. I'm just tired of waiting. It's hard, especially when I see everyone around me paired up, "I whispered, blinking tears stinging my eyes. "Two years ago, I thought I'd found my mate – another wolf named Marcus. We were together for months, until..." she swallowed hard, "until he met his true mate at a pack gathering. He tried to let me down gently, but nothing hurts quite like watching someone you love find their actual destiny."

She paced near the pool, her combat boots scuffing against the ancient stone. "Then last year, there was James. He was different – strong, kind, understood my need for independence. For six months, I thought maybe the fates had finally gotten it right." Tiana's laugh was bitter. "Until his mate walked into the coffee shop where we were having breakfast. I had to sit there and watch as their eyes met and their worlds changed. He didn't even need to explain – I already knew."

If I get dumped the third time, then I'll lose it. So I ended up paying a witch heavily for a spell to summon the moon goddess, and now here I was- asking her for a mate.

The Moon Goddess listened with infinite patience, her expression compassionate. The mist swirled around them both, creating a private cocoon of silver light.

"Dear one," the goddess spoke softly, "the path to true love is rarely straight or simple. Your heart has been tested, yes, but each disappointment has shaped you, prepared you. Your time will come, Tiana Torricelli. And when it does, you will understand why all other paths were closed to you."

"Have you found anyone for me me yet?"

"Is there anything particular you're looking for ?" She asked me after a pause. I tilted my head to the side, thinking.

"Actually, yes," I breathed, feeling excited.

"Tell me, child – what do you seek in a mate? What qualities would fill the emptiness in your heart?" I have made you wait long. I owe this to you, she urged, something dark in her voice. I licked my lips excitedly, ready with a long list. But I wish I had given it some more thought.

There's a reason why they say to be careful what you wish for .