Cross-Time Meeting with the Regretful Alpha

In the thirty-fifth year of Belvaria, Marcus Harrington rose as Alpha, naming Celeste Carrington, the Beta Pack's noble daughter, as his Luna.

And me? Julia Reynolds, the she-wolf who crossed time itself, stood by his side for a decade, and helped him claim that title? I was publicly bound to an omega named Percy Winslow.

"Julia, I had my wolves ordered. Percy won't tough a slice of your hair,"

Marcus said, lounging in the Goldenspire Palace like he was chatting about the weather.

"Julia, I can't bear to see Luna Celeste heartbroken. Binding you to Percy is the best way to keep the peace."

His words sliced through me.

He spoke so casually, so focused on her feelings, like I was just a pawn in his grand pack strategy.

Still, I forced a smile.

"Alpha Marcus! You, now the mightiest Alpha, personally forging this bond. But tell me, what grand dowry will you bestow upon me??"

A flicker of mockery passed through his eyes.

"You've shared my bed for a decade and birthed two pups. I won't be stingy," he said, his tone almost magnanimous. "You'll get a hundred chests of our pack's most precious heirlooms as your dowry, all hand - selected by me.

He stepped close, his palm cupping my jaw, his tone a tender murmur. "Julia, that day you showed up, claiming you were here for my happiness? I've never forgotten."

"I vow, you won't be tied to Percy long. As soon as Luna Celeste is convinced, I'll reclaim you."

He leaned in, his gaze locked onto mine, that ruggedly handsome face I'd adored for years making my heart race. Memories of the past decade flooded my mind.

The first time we'd met, I'd sauntered up to him in the moonlit clearing, our pack's territory bathed in silver light. "Marcus," I'd purred, my voice carrying the confidence of a she - wolf smitten. "I'm Julia. Came from afar, drawn by the call of our kind... and by you."

When we first fell for each other, I dragged him to the ancient moon - stone circle in the heart of our pack's domain.

Under the full moon's glow, I howled to the night, "Marcus, my heart, my strength, my very being-yours, now and always."

At our binding ceremony, the wnine of centuries - old traditions couldn't hold me back. I leaped into his arms, my laughter echoing through the gathered pack. "Marcus, can you believe we're finally bound?"

Those memories struck like a pack of wild wolves, tearing at my insides. I clenched my fists, nails digging into my palms, and dropped my head, willing the burning tears in my eyes to stay put.

"Thank you, Alpha Marcus, for granting me this bond," I said, my voice steady despite the ache.

He left, satisfied, and I sat on the cold stone floor, staring at the doorway. Growing up, I had no parents, just my Mom. She loved me fiercely but had one hard rule: never go into the attic in our old house. Even on her deathbed, she gripped my hand, pleading, "Julia, promise me, don't go in there."

But curiosity's a wild beast. A year after she passed, I pushed open that attic door. Inside, there was a trunk overflowing with old scrolls and yellowed parchments. Among them were ancient texts about a pack called Belvaria - a place that didn't exist in any history I knew.

And the biggest secret? A strange, ornate mirror. Staring into it one day, I saw not my own reflection, but a different world entirely.

I stepped through and met Marcus.

Fell for him. Loved him.

I thought we'd be forever, bound for life. Turns out, forever lasted ten years.

I clutched my chest, feeling like a blade was lodged there-stabbing deeper if I pushed, tearing me apart if I pulled it out.

""Watch your step, you clumsy oaf!" a voice snapped, yanking me from my thoughts. My nine-year-old pup, Theo Harrington, stormed in glaring at me like I was dirt.

"Celeste says you threw away a perfectly good Alpha mate to shack up with an omega. That's disgusting!" he spat.

I looked at him, calm as I could manage.

"Theo, I thought you were smarter than to swallow rumors whole."."

His face turned red, practically shaking with anger. "Luna Celeste is kind and noble-she'd never lie! You're the one I can't trust, some outsider who slithered into our pack!"

I froze, my eyes widening as I pointed to myself. "An outsider? Me?"

"You've got no pack, no lineage, no kin in the whole damn world! What are you if not an outsider?" he shouted.

A bitter smile crept onto my face. No pack, no kin.

After Mom died, all I ever wanted was someone to choose me, to love me. I crossed time itself, left behind my world's comforts, dove headfirst into this brutal game of pack power, all for love.

And what did I get?

My mate, ready to bind me to another wolf to spare his precious Luna's feelings.

My own pup, calling me an outsider.

I tilted my head back, staring at the towering ceiling, hiding the tears pooling in my eyes. "Theo, soon enough, you won't have a outsider for a mom."

He scoffed, turning away. "Quit playing the victim!"

His footsteps faded, and I lowered my gaze to the darkening Silkshade Palace. No one knew about the door hidden there, the one that could take me back home. Not even Marcus.

I remembered when he first learned I was from the future. He'd looked at me, half-scared, half-awestruck, and asked, "Julia, what if I open my eyes tomorrow and you've vanished, like you were never really here? Swear you'll stay forever."

Back then, I thought I'd found the love I'd been chasing my whole life. I told him, "Why would I go? You're here, Theo's here, Anastasia's here. This is my home."

I'd planned to stay, to build a life with him in this strange world.

But love? For me, it's always been a pipe dream.

I dragged myself off the floor, my hands and feet ice-cold, numb. Leaning against the doorway, I stared toward Silkshade Palace, lost in thought-until a sharp female voice snapped me back to reality.