“You want me to kiss another Alpha in front of you?” I whispered, willing myself to remain calm. I even crossed my arms.

“He’s my bestfriend, Kiera,” Axel said. “I grew up with him, even treating him like a brother.”

“And yet—”

“It’s just a kiss!” He chuckled, running a hand through his hair. “For Moon Goddess’ sake, don’t take it personally.”

Of course, I shouldn’t. This mere Wolf Moon Festival is not really the reason my Alpha Axel is here. He’s just here for his friends...and other ‘friends’.

“It’s just a bet,” someone purred behind me. I came eye to eye with the Alpha I must kiss.

“Of course, Alpha Archer,” I murmured sarcastically. Archer’s Betas released an “ooohh” as I strutted towards him.

I looked back one more time, to Alpha Axel, my boyfriend of five years. He didn’t blink an eye in my direction.

'Fine,' I said to myself.

It was done in a minute: I reached him in no time, sat on his lap, and gently lowered my head into Alpha Archer’s.

But the kiss was just the start.

As soon as I checked my phone after that ‘wonderful’ incident—as soon as I removed myself from his presence and my boyfriend, Alpha Axel, I received a message from Alpha Archer of the Bloodmoon Pack: “That was my first kiss, Kiera Moonbeam. I look forward to the many kisses to come.”

***

Earlier...

No matter how many times I told Alpha Axel that I didn’t want to come to this pack's party, he still insisted.

Now, he’s in knee-deep shit that he lost in a game.

“Alpha Archer gets to kiss my Kiera!” he declared earlier, his voice definitely overcome by his drunkenness. He even burped, earning a good amount of laughter from the crowd, “Oh wait, I think it’s more fun to see my Kiera kiss the Alpha of the Bloodmoon Pack, eh?”

I rolled my eyes and crossed my arms. We already finished our own celebration of the Wolf Moon Festival in the Bluemoon Pack but he still insists on ‘quickly’ joining the festivities of Alpha Archer’s Pack.

We’ve been here for two hours. And it’s just Axel drinking with his friends while I was devoured by the shadows sitting in the corner, eating grilled meat while being paired with ladies’ drinks.

Even when I gave Axel a look that completely said no, he still pushed me to fulfill the bet.

“Go, sweetheart. I’ll just be right here,” and then he burped again, only to pick up another full glass of beer. This time, he fully turned away from me, facing his friends and chatting with them.

“Come on,” Alpha Archer suddenly purred behind me. The golden of his eyes was like a twin of gilded suns.

“Kiera! Kiera! Kiera!” Alpha Archer’s Betas’ cheered. Axel still whirled his ass during his drinking sessions even when he obviously knows his girlfriend is sweating profusely for kissing another male Alpha on the spot.

He didn't even ask if I was okay with it. He even told me I’ll put Alpha Archer on a tough seat if I refused.

So he cares more about him and his friends rather than me?

I shot my boyfriend’s back a cold glare that could freeze an entire river.

Alpha Axel has been cold towards me for these past months anyway. Kissing Alpha Archer doesn’t harm my lips or result in me being banished, no, but...

I slowly walked towards him, each step somewhat doubtful and hesitant. But Alpha Archer pinned his gaze on me like I was some sort of reward he’d finally taste.

I stopped before Archer, my eyes still lowered. I refused to meet his gaze.

Earlier, as soon as we entered the venue, Alpha Archer’s gaze was instantly fixed on me. As if he’d been waiting for me. As if his eyes are only meant to be fixed on me for the entire night.

He’d been staring at me for the entire two hours. Even when he’s speaking with his Betas and packmembers, he made sure I’ll be in his line of sight directly.

And that stare, that gaze, is so strange to be just friendly.

There’s something in it. I knew it. I can feel it.

“Go on.” Even his tone rattles my bones.

I look up, still refusing to meet his amber eyes.

But I accidentally looked straight into his eyes, and there was hunger beneath them. An indescribable desire oozing from it.

And it made the hair on my arms rose.

“Kiera,” his voice softened. His tone quickly shifted similar to that of a lover’s whisper. “It’s okay.”

Inhaling a deep breath, I immediately found myself sitting on Archer’s lap.

Archer’s Betas suddenly uttered an “ooohh” as I did.

And without further blink of my eyes, I lowered my head to Alpha Archer—and softly kissed him.

I pursed my lips as soon as I pulled away. Yes, I think this is a lesson enough to teach Axel.

The surrounding cheers erupted, everything around me joyous and amused. I remained on Archer’s lap and stared into the brightness of his eyes.

And I felt him undressing me even in that simple gaze. I can feel him touching me even with a stare like this.

I cleared my throat and closed my eyes as I stood, turning away from him.

I felt him smirk—grin—behind me as I approached my boyfriend of five years.

We were in the seat I’ve plopped my body down since we arrived, telling him what I think of Alpha Archer.

He just dismissed me.

“You’re just imagining things, Kiera. Alpha Archer is a well-respected Alpha. He won’t be interested in someone like you.”

Axel pulled a cigarette, the movement so graceful and masculine. Well, he’s an Alpha, of course.

I looked around. Even when the cheers quieted, everyone was still staring at me in shock—as if me, an Alpha and Omega’s daughter, would really pull it off. Alpha Axel stood and headed towards another round of chat with his friends.

I huffed out a cold laugh as I stood to leave this place. I know somewhere, Alpha Archer is monitoring me with my every move with his amber gaze.

But my footsteps halted when I heard someone teased Axel behind. They didn’t notice me as the darkness of the bar half-drenched my figure. “Alpha Axel, aren't you mad that your girlfriend kissed another Alpha?"

“Yeah,” another one chimed in. “If that was my girlfriend, I’ll rush to Alpha Archer to kiss him myself!”

All of Axel’s friends on the table burst into laughter.

“There’s nothing to be angry about. Alpha Archer is like a brother. Besides, Kiera would never have feelings for another Alpha other than me.” My boyfriend’s reply echoed finality.

My heart screamed in unabashed fury. So that’s how he sees me, then.

I quickened my pace to escape that toxic place that they called is the entertainment capital of the Bloodmoon Pack.

Fuck them.

Bidding me to kiss an Alpha? Yeah, that’s one of the more reasons to stop loving an Alpha like Axel.

I’m no pawn in any game.

***

The house’s door slammed behind me, and thank the Moon Goddess I can finally breathe in the air of solitude.

I locked myself in my other room. I dozed into sleep and woke up to Alpha Axel’s persistent knocking on the front door. I ignored him and his knocking.

But the only thing that pulled me from sleep is the ringing of my phone—from an unknown number.

Shivers slithered down my spine as soon as I read it: “That was my first kiss, Kiera Moonbeam. I look forward to the many kisses to come.”

My throat bobbed at the...the seduction. Even when I’m alone in my room, I can feel Archer’s presence. I even read the message in his voice.

I cursed softly and ignored Archer. But as soon as I escaped from one Alpha, I got cornered by another Alpha.

Axel barged into my room, keys jingling in his hand. “Kiera...why didn’t you open the door even when you’re awake already?”

“I literally just got up,” I lied.

Axel didn’t buy it. “I know you’ve been awake for sometime now.” He sighed, eyes darting between me and my phone. “Is it because of what happened tonight?”

“If you knew, then why didn’t you take action?”

“For the Moon Goddess’ sake, Kiera, it’s just a kiss!”

I hissed. “But deep down, you knew it wasn’t!” I stood and pointed a finger to him. “Do you even know that Archer is into me? Do you even care about me at all, huh, Axel?”

“Lower your voice,” he warned. “I am still your Alpha.”

I bared my teeth at him, my feet ready to sprint away from his presence. “And I am still your girlfriend. But you just allowed me to step into the King of the Wolves’ trap like I’m some mere offering.”

There was a long stretch of silence, as if Axel is debating within himself. Suddenly, “It’s just a game, Kiera. Don’t think highly of yourself. Alpha Archer has high regard when it comes to his taste in women. I’ve known him for decades and trust me, you didn’t even get past half of his expectations.”

I snorted, ignoring the muted roaring of my head. “Says you, the boyfriend who’s busy gossiping with his ‘boyfriends’.”

He blinked, the first sign of his surprise. “Are we really arguing about this?”

“And why shouldn’t we?” I jerked my chin at him, the ever-bold daughter of an Alpha and an Omega.

And from that, our argument escalated into something more unpleasant.

He defended himself all the way while I pointed out every mistake all the way as well.

And just as he stormed away in the middle of our fighting, exiting the house through the back door, I turned around to meet someone knocking on the front door—

Only to stumble upon Alpha Archer’s golden eyes and his predatory smile.

I stood there, transfixed. Alone.

That’s what Axel always does—always running away when he knows he can’t win from me. He can’t accept that I’m pointing out that he’s been cold and uncaring towards me for the past months. That his mistakes have piled up gradually and is now past his glorious height.

It’s already morning, though I think four is too early to be worrying about Alpha Axel’s departure and Alpha Archer’s arrival.

But I still worried nonetheless.

I massaged my forehead before I lifted my gaze to the latter. “What are you doing here?”

The bastard only grinned. “Have you received my message?”

I let out a soft hum and nodded.

“Good girl,” he whispered—almost like a lover’s praise.

I let my disappointment and anger shine in my face.

Archer’s expression instantly shifted from amused to worried. “May I come in?”

I took a deep breath, inhaling and exhaling. Right, I’ve got no choice but to go along where fate takes me.

“Sure.” And when I slightly calmed, I opened the door wide.

“I was passing by in your house when Axel messaged me. He asked me to take you instead on the breakfast date he reserved for the both of you.” He paused for a bit, waiting for me to say something. When I didn’t, he continued, “You know, some after-festival date.”

“Let me guess,” I tilted my head, “It was a last minute request?”

“It was a last minute request,” he repeated.

I bit my lip in annoyance, a tide of bitterness rising in my throat. Axel can’t even bother to tell me himself prior to our argument.

‘So that means he really asked Archer even before he came home and argued with me?’ I mused. ‘Axel is really something else!’

In the midst of disappointment, I can’t help my rising feelings to be chased away by Archer’s bright smile, the white of his teeth lighting the room even with all the curtains shut.

“When did he message you?”

“Two hours ago.”

“Just before he arrived,” I mumbled. I relaxed my shoulders. “Where are we going then?”

He smiled. I think the sweetest one he yielded since yesterday. “Grab your coat. We’re going to climb a mountain.”

***

The Bluemoon Pack indeed boasts an array of beautiful mountains. I think we have the most mountains in our packlands.

But this one...I’ve never been here. There’s a mountaintop restaurant here, yes. But this place is mostly for tourist attractions during winter.

You can only see the green of the mountain shine here once in a blue moon.

But today...

Amidst with the pain in my chest at how Axel treated me last night, how Axel stormed in the middle of our fight an hour earlier, it was all blown away into the back of my mind—as if the mere passing of the mountain’s cool breeze did the trick.

I felt a sense of joy I haven’t felt in years, especially when I get to see the sun climb in the sky. The break of dawn, the start of a brand new day.

“It’s beautiful, isn’t it?” He whispered, his words casual and gentle. Before I could drag my gaze back to the breathtaking scenery before us, Archer handed me a warm cup of latte. The aroma sweetness filled my nose instantly.

“Are you...you and Axel okay?”

I gave him an amused laugh. “Do we look like we’re okay?”

The Alpha of the Bloodmoon Pack gasped, his face lighting up with something like relief or joy.

“He’s always been like that,” he said a few minutes later. “When he’s starting to focus his attention on somebody else, he slowly forgets his current somebody gradually. You know, like a warm coffee in winter, leaving it on the table to get cold.”

I laughed at the analogy, ‘cause I really felt like it. Like that warm coffee.

“Maybe, but...” I distinctly pause, giving Archer a time to ponder my reply. I didn’t talk any further and just closed my lips on the cup of coffee, sipping it.

Archer is definitely richer and more handsome than Axel. In fact, he’s more well-respected. Even my own father respects him and looks up to him.

“Alpha Archer is too far for you to reach, Kiera,” my father, Alpha William, once told me. “Axel is a much wiser choice.”

Well, father, I now beg to disagree.

Our eyes locked as I tried to turn around, my back facing the view and my arms braced on the cliff’s barricade. Alpha Archer mirrored my movement and closed the distance between us.

Something in our gaze sparked. And that spark unravelled to the memory last night: our shared breath, our lips meeting, our intense gazes.

My heart started to pound like crazy. The Alpha smelled it on me and his lips split into a victorious smile.

We spent the day on the mountaintop, him acting like some substitute date of mine.

“Here we are.” Like an actual date, Alpha Archer of the Bloodmoon Pack walked me to my house’s door that evening after spending our lovely day with each other.

Before I could protest, he lowered his mouth in my cheeks and placed a gentle kiss.

I blushed.