The Name I Should Have Called Chapter 01
In our pack, there is an ancient tradition. If a she-wolf wishes to seal a mate bond, she must climb the highest ridge on the night of the winter full moon and call her chosen one’s name into the wind.
If the valley echoes in return, the Moon Goddess will bless the bond.
And her mate must climb the mountain immediately to bring her down.
If he doesn’t come, she will be forever cursed to never bond with another.
Kieran and I had made a pact. On my twenty-third birthday, we would stand together on that ridge.
I waited until my lips turned blue, my limbs numb with cold, and the falling snow slowly buried me.
But he never came.
Behind me, a she-wolf from the city pack mimicked my call. Laughing, she cried out Kieran’s name.
He appeared instantly and pulled her into his arms.
“Why didn’t you come out just now?” Sloan asked, giggling.
Because of the heavy snow, Kieran had no idea I was still there.
“You’re leaving the day after tomorrow,” he said to Sloan. “Of course I had to be with you tonight.”
“Elena called my name in the moonlight. No other Alpha will ever dare mess with her now. Next year, when she calls again, I’ll bond with her.”
My fingers trembled. A sharp, piercing pain tore through my wolf. I couldn’t wait any longer. Then, softly, I whispered another name.
The valley fell silent before a low, deep echo answered. Moments later, the rhythmic clop of hooves broke the quiet.
A handsome man rode up on horseback and reined in sharply before me.
“Elena,” he said, his eyes blue. “I’m here to be your mate, if you’ll have me.”
—
The wind lashed my face like claws, but the hollow ache in my chest was far worse.
Darian took me down the mountain to the bonfire. Then he left to settle the horses.
Kieran was already there.
He was straightening Sloan’s scarf, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear.
She snuggled against him, letting out a soft laugh as he held her hand and refused to let go.
His friends cheered. “You two are a perfect match!”
“Don’t leave again, Sloan! Kieran literally raced down the mountain just to bring you hot soup!”
As I walked over, the laughter stopped, replaced by hushed whispers.
I bit down hard on my lower lip to stop it from trembling.
No. I would never let them feast on my pain.
Sloan stepped forward and took both my hands. “Elena, I’m sorry. I just heard how important this was to you.”
Her eyes glistened with fake tears. “If you want to yell at me, go ahead. I deserve it. Just don’t let me ruin what you two have. I’ll be leaving soon.”
“You said that last month,” I said coldly. “And yet, here you still are.”
“Elena!” Kieran instantly pulled her behind him. “Are you really going to humiliate her in front of everyone? She’s leaving soon. Can’t you be reasonable for once?”
“I’ll come get you next year. You don’t have to put on this kind of show just to guilt me.” He sighed. “Look at you right now. God, you look like a lunatic.”
“No, don’t fight over me. I should go. I should have gone long ago.” Sloan began to sob softly.
“Don’t think like that.” Kieran pulled her into his arms, his voice turning gentle. “Ignore her. This isn’t your fault.”
I watched their backs, my heart turning to ice.
My mother once told me she prayed to the Moon Goddess to protect me. Three months later, she and my father died in a landslide during a border patrol.
Kieran knelt at their grave and swore he would protect me, that he would never let harm come to me.
He broke that promise.
The snow kept falling. I sat alone as they laughed and talked. I don’t know how long passed before Kieran came over and handed me a cup of hot apple cider.
“Enough. Drink this. Double honey, just how you like it.”
“I don’t want your leftovers.” I knocked the cup out of his hand.
“Oh, Elena.” Sloan walked over, tears shimmering. “If you won’t forgive me, I’ll do whatever it takes to make it right. Don’t be mad at Kieran.”
She started to sink to her knees as if begging. Kieran pulled her up at once and roared at me. “Are you insane? We don’t owe you anything!”
Footsteps sounded in the distance. Darian was back.
I held out my hand, and he took it without hesitation.
I looked back at Kieran, my voice calm and steady. “There won’t be another calling ceremony next year. My mate is Darian.”
