The Alpha God's Luna

Freyja was the most respected deity after Odin, so when she spoke, no one dared to say a word, giving her their full attention.

"I have prepared something for you, sweet child." She beamed at Astraea, eliciting a nervous smile from her.

"I have to apologise," the Starry Goddess blushed slightly, "my present for you is not yet finished-"

"Nonsense, my dear!" Freyja smiled at her. "I visited your garden this morning, and it is lovely. My dragonflies only want to live there now. Speaking of which "

The goddess lifted her hand, and her fingers emanated a golden glow which slowly materialised into a beautiful golden dragonfly. The delicate creature shimmered with ethereal radiance as it fluttered its wings.

Freyja pivoted to face Astraea, and the magical insect flew off her fingers, gliding elegantly through the air. As if drawn by an unseen connection, it lingered in the air next to the Goddess of Stars as if waiting for something.

Fenrir stiffened, watching Astraea offer the magical creature her palm, the dragonfly landing gracefully at once. The colour of its glow changed almost instantly to a silvery one, and the wolf's breathing hitched, recognising Astraea's star magic. "I didn't have to think too long for my gift to you, child," Freyja's face radiated joy. "My dragonflies chose you themselves, because you are so similar. They belong to two worlds, and so will you, child, starting today." Astraea looked at him, aching sorrow reflecting in her eyes as Freyja continued her speech. They never spoke of why she was in Asgard. This was the one and only topic off-limits when they were together.

"They are born in water but live in air. Their souls are with me in Asgard while their lives are in the human realm. They are hunters and symbols of power in their delicate bodies. Just like you, Astraea." A kind smile graced Freyja's lips. "And just like you, they can fly against any storm. The dragonfly I gave you today will be your protection and strength for as long as your soul exists. It's my pledge to you and a symbol of a new beginning as I am sharing my magic with you. Here in Asgard, you will be loved and accepted by all. May my gift always accompany you in your new life."

"Thank you," Astraea's eyes filled with tears as she bowed her head in a grateful gesture, not adding anything to it. The new kind of magic was surging through her, but Fenrir wondered if it would be of any use to her, considering that her future power was predicted to be greater than Freyja's.

The Asgardians erupted in jubilant cheers, and he hoped it would be the end of this, but when the Moon Goddess rose from her seat, slowly walking to the centre of the hall, an unsettling sensation crept up his spine.

"Sharing magic is very generous," Selene smiled at Freyja, who was now taking her seat. "I have a gift too. Although I am no Goddess of Love, I know a thing or two about it." Approving murmurs echoed through the room.

"You already know what I have been busy with lately." She smiled, her voice carrying a celestial melody to it. "My fallen brothers and sisters of Olympus, as well as my loyal subjects, have received a new life in the human realm. This is something I am offering to the Asgardian deities. But there is more."

No one dared to speak or make any noise, and Fenrir realised how important this was to everyone present today.

Gods were dying. Asgardian gods were prophesied to be wiped out at the end of days, and a hint of desperation lingered in the air for as long as he he had lived here. They would do anything to get a second chance.

"My werewolves have proven to be of pure hearts, and I found the best reward possible for their loyalty," Selene went on. "An ultimate gift of a mate bond." She accentuated the words.

A wave of gasps erupted, and Fenrir's heart started racing like crazy. A sense of foreboding washed over him, his instincts suddenly on high alert.

"I have to say," Freyja interjected, "at first, I was reluctant about this. After all, love is love. You either feel it, or you don't. You cannot fake it. But when Selene showed it to me - Even I had to admit it was perfect."

"The mate bond is given to two souls perfect for each other, two souls that can work as one. When they find each other in what you call Midgard, they will recognise each other at once," Selene explained. "No mistakes will be made; they will know they belong together because they will experience a pull like no other. When mates find each other, they still have a choice, though. If they choose to embrace the bond and mark each other, it will become more than just a physical attraction. Together they will grow stronger, the emotional connection and understanding between true mates will transcend time and space. They will feel each other's pain and joy, understand each other's feelings and emotions. They will be able to trust unconditionally, knowing the other person will always be on their side. When nourished, the mate bond strengthens them, making them and their heirs more powerful."

"I don't know about the rest of you, but I am sold!" Someone joked in the crowd, and approving chuckles rippled through the room.

"Two mates can always rely on one another." Selene raised her hand, and moonglow appeared on her palm. "Together, they can achieve anything. This is why I think there is no better gift to my daughter, who is to be wed here in Asgard, than this sacred connection."

For a second, Fenrir hoped that the Moon Goddess would give the mate bond she talked about to them, but when his eyes locked with Astraea's, he saw the colour drain from her face as panic surged through her.

"Vidar and Astraea, accept my gift to you," Selene said, and Fenrir felt a thousand blades piercing his heart. He wanted to scream, but no sound came out.

Before he could do anything, the moon magic coalesced and flew to the woman he desperately loved - and to her betrothed.

The glow reached the couple, enveloping them in its warm embrace of celestial energy, making Astraea's lips part from the shocking realisation that she was now bound to another. She cast an accusatory glare at her mother, but at the same time, two strong arms possessively wrapped around her shoulders.

Vidar seemed pleased with the situation, and Fenrir had never seen him like this before. The way he looked at her, the way he touched her. The wolf in him couldn't stand that silent prick.

"We thank you for such a generous gift," he spoke for the two of them, and Astraea visibly shuddered as his thumb drew circles on her bare flesh.

"This requires more mead," Odin let out a laugh, which everyone gladly supported.

A loud growl escaped Fenrir, immediately drawing everyone's attention. Tyr appeared by his side at once, shoving a goblet into his hand with a nervous false smile playing on his lips. "Skol!" The God of War shouted as loud as he could, and others joined him, roaring in a cheer that muffled another growl from Fenrir. Asgardians did not spare any more attention on him. Music filled the air with enchanting melodies, and the truce celebration began, with dozens of deities surrounding Astraea and Vidar to congratulate them.

He couldn't even see her, his whole body shaking with anger.

"Don't look in her direction," Selene told him as she passed him, heading for the exit. For some reason, the woman that had just crushed his heart and laid ruin to his life didn't want to stay and celebrate her success. "She knows her role; she will play it well. It's done. Whatever you had, that is over now."

"You just made her the unhappiest woman in all the realms," Fenrir gritted his teeth, clenching his fists so hard that his knuckles turned white. "And she will never forgive you for that."

"What would you know?" the Moon Goddess sighed heavily and turned away. "You are just a couple of hundred years old. That is nothing compared to the millennia I have existed. Time cures any pain. One day, Astraea will forget you and forgive me. One day, all this will just be stardust scattered under her feet. Unimportant and forgotten."

The words stung him, but he wouldn't show it.

"Go, Fenrir," Tyr squeezed his shoulder painfully, trying to bring him back to reality. "Don't create trouble for anyone. It will not end well."

Their eyes met, and Fenrir wondered how many Asgardians knew about all this because Tyr seemed informed enough. And so did Freyja. They were the main players, and he couldn't help but wonder if everyone knew but him. After he left the hall, he walked for a long time until he found himself right next to what in his mind was their place now, an agonising tightness gripping his chest.

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He couldn't enter the Star Garden anymore. That magical place made him believe in fairy tales, and now he was back to his harsh reality.

He would never have someone like her.

He had to leave.

"Fenrir!” His breath caught in his throat as he heard the familiar timbre of his beloved's voice, unexpected but so desperately longed for. He turned to look at her on his shaky legs, just the sight of her instantly bringing his strength back. "Astraea," he muttered, lost for words. What could they tell each other now?

She was so beautiful today in her intricate shimmering gown. So mesmerising that it was almost painful to look at her.

The dream that could have been...

"I begged her to stop this," she said after the silence between them went on too long, tears streaming down her divine face. "I-I can't do this! Not with him, not with anyone but you!"

"What about the mate bond?" he asked, hating how weak he sounded.

"It's just some tingles from a man I do not know and do not wish to know!" She let out a desperate sob, and more tears, glistening like stars in the sky, rolled down her cheeks and fell to the ground, giving the grass under her feet a slight glow. "Fenrir- My heart is already taken by another!"

She looked at him with pain and guilt in her eyes, and he couldn't take it anymore. If she still wanted him, he wouldn't be saying no to that. He would fight for her over and over, as many battles as it took. Anything for them to be together. "Don't cry." He stepped forward and pulled her against his chest, gently wiping her cheeks with his fingers. "You will not cry because of this. No one makes this choice for us! I choose you! I love you! And no one in any of the realms can tell me that I don't have a right to feel that! You are the only one who can reject me "

His voice broke. It was the first time he couldn't control his emotions like that.

"I will never reject you!" She shook her head, her fingers digging into his tunic. "I love you too."

He could hear her heart pounding in her chest as relief washed over him. This wasn't one-sided; he hadn't imagined everything in his head.

Their emotions intertwined and mirrored in each other's gazes, the air between them crackling with tension. Fenrir laced his hand into her luminescent hair, bringing her closer and covering her lips with his. Gentle at first, it grew into a whirlwind of passion in seconds. The need to possess her, to hide her from everyone else, was so immense that he couldn't fight it anymore.

He broke the kiss, looking around and searching for where to take her. They needed privacy which was so hard to obtain.

"There is a temple nearby," he told her hoarsely. "We can speak there"

He shifted into a wolf, making himself as small as possible so that she could climb on his back. She did so without him urging her, as if she could read his mind. He raced to the hill where an abandoned temple of Frigg stood. Years ago, Odin built her a new one close to the palace, so Fenrir knew this one would be empty.

Astraea had to grasp his fur to stay atop of him, but it felt amazing for both of them. By the time they got there, it had started raining, and when he shifted back, catching her in his strong arms, Astraea was trembling from the cold.

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"I'll get you warm, and we will talk," he promised as they entered the building. He carefully placed the woman on her feet and clicked his fingers to make every candle and fire pit burn to illuminate and heat the room. Fire was his second nature.

He wanted to search for something dry for her to wear when she grasped his wrist, stopping him from walking away and making him look at her with surprise.

"I only need you to get warm," she said, her eyes searching for his approval. "And I don't want us to talk. I want you, Fenrir."

"Your wish is my command." He lowered his head and kissed her again.

***

Fenrir was lying on the altar after they made love for hours, caressing her soft, warm body on top of his and still not believing how happy he was.

She was his. She had chosen him and belonged to him now.

"I love you," he repeated their new favourite phrase again and kissed the top of her head, watching how her lips curled happily in response and listening to her fluttering heart.

Astraea lifted her head to meet his gaze and was about to say something when the doors to the shrine burst open...

***

PRESENT

Astrea watched the three women cautiously. The anticipation and excitement they tried to suppress was building on their faces. It was undeniable, and something was fundamentally wrong with that. Mostly because now they looked as if they were happy to see her, and that couldn't be further from the truth.

"We need to form the Dragonfly circle now because danger lurks everywhere here," Lenora insisted as they took their usual positions.

"It's been a while," Adisa stretched her neck and offered Astrea her hand, already holding Dominica's. "Don't look at me like that. Out of all of us, you probably need it the most, A."

The corners of Dominica's lips tilted upwards, and a sense of unease welled up within Astrea, causing a knot to form in her chest. Something was off.

"I heard Fenrir telling his witch Salome that they could sense magic used here in Solace," she lied through her teeth, making it sound like she didn't care much. "I think it's best if we do nothing and just discuss the job we have." "Nonsense!" Lenora growled, baring her teeth slightly. Almost a threat...

"Ladies, let's just do it and be done with it," Adisa purred, her eyes shifting to its cat-like vertical pupils.

"Fine," Astrea shrugged, pretending to give up. "Let's do it since you all need it so much."