She's Under My Protection Now. The Cursed Alpha Said.

The morning air was cool as I hurried through the pack house, balancing a tray of breakfast plates. The faint smell of caramel and freshly brewed coffee wafted through the halls, but it did little to soothe the anxiety brewing in my chest. Today was my birthday—my eighteenth—the day I would smell my mate who would take me away from this cursed life. Life as an orphan omega in our pack was riddled with hardships and misery.

"Do you plan on making me wait all morning, Auren?" Maris's sharp voice cut through my thoughts like a whip as I entered the dining room.

Maris was Alpha Bram's betrothed. He was thirty-three years old and still unmated. Maris was twenty-seven and daughter of the Alpha of Iron Pine pack. They had met each other in the annual mating ball about a year ago.

"I'm sorry," I mumbled, bowing my head. Her dark, carefully fashioned curls shimmered in the sunlight filtering through the wide windows of the dining hall, and her perfectly manicured nails tapped against the table impatiently. Everyone knew Maris would be the Luna soon. She carried herself like it, with a sharp tongue and a sharper glare.

She narrowed her eyes at the tray in my hands. "Where's my almond latte? I specifically asked for it."

"It's coming, Maris—" I stopped myself, flinching. "I'll get it right away."

Her lips curved into a cruel sneer. "See that you do. I'd hate to have to speak to Bram about your incompetence." I didn't know why was it that she hated me so much. It was like she was always finding an excuse to punish me.

The other maids, already standing around the table, exchanged knowing looks. One of them, a tall brunette named Reya, a sycophant, shot me a glare. "Honestly, Auren, you should be more careful. Lady Maris has enough to deal with without you messing up her morning."

"Right," chimed in another maid, Hyra, her voice dripping with false sweetness. "She's practically running this pack already. You should be grateful she even lets you serve her."

I nodded, clutching the tray tighter to keep my hands from trembling. "Yes, of course."

As I turned to leave, Maris's voice stopped me in my tracks. "And don't call me Maris like we're equals. It's Luna Maris to you." Her words were laced with venom, and the maids chuckled. My cheeks burned, but I didn't argue. She wasn't a Luna, but she liked others to call her Luna.

In the kitchen, I prepared the latte with trembling hands, still feeling hurt about how they all loved to humiliate me for no reason. And no one remembered my birthday. Usually everyone got a note from the Alpha wishing them Happy Birthday, but not me.

My reflection in the polished metal of the coffee pot caught my eye. A slim girl with wide, gray eyes stared back at me, her blonde hair pulled into a loose braid. My face looked paler than usual and my expression was weary. It was a known fact that we got our wolves at sixteen and smelled our mates as soon as we turned eighteen, but why didn't I smell mine?

"It's just another day," I whispered to myself. "Keep your head down, and it'll be fine."

But it didn't feel like just another day. The air felt charged. I allowed that little hope to bubble inside my chest.

After delivering the latte and enduring another round of scornful looks and remarks, I retreated to the laundry room to catch my breath. That's when it hit me—a scent unlike anything I'd ever smelled before. Warm and earthy, like pine trees after a rainstorm, with a hint of musk. My pulse quickened. My heart thundered.

'Mate.'

The words of my wolf, Siena, echoed in my mind, both thrilling and terrifying. The mouthwatering scent tugged at me, pulling me out of the laundry room and down the hall. My feet moved on their own, guided by an invisible thread. The scent made my chest tighten, pulling me as if it had wrapped around me. Down the quiet hallway, the smell grew stronger, drowning out everything else around me. It was so strong and intoxicating that I couldn't think of anything else. All my wolf wanted was to coat herself in it, roll in it.

'That's our mate!' Siena said enthusiastically. 'Go fast. I want my mate.'

The scent grew stronger as I stepped outside onto the training grounds. Warriors trained in the morning light. My eyes scanned the crowd, searching for the source. And then I saw him.

Alpha Bram Thorne.

I couldn't believe that the moon goddess had made Alpha Bram my mate. Shock mingled with awe. The world around me faded as irresistible desire rippled through me. A deep sense of completion overcame me, as if I've found a missing part of my soul.

He stood at the center of the field, towering over the others with graceful confidence. His dark hair was slightly tousled, and his sharp features were set in a look of concentration as he demonstrated a fighting move. The sunlight caught the sweat on his brow, making him seem almost otherworldly.

My breath hitched as our eyes met. Hope swelled in my chest when I saw recognition in his eyes. This was it. My mate. My Alpha. He was going to pull me out of my wretched life. Before I could stop myself, my feet carried me towards him.

I stared at him like he was my God. He was so beautiful and strong that every girl in the Crimson Howl pack had a crush on him. All I wanted was to reach him and fall into his arms as he wrapped them around me. 'Mate,' I whispered, my cheeks flushing.

But, why was he behaving so coldly? Didn't he recognize me?

When I was only a few feet away, his expression shifted. His body stiffened, and his warm, amber eyes turned cold. The flicker of recognition in his gaze was quickly replaced by a harsh disappointment and anger. It cut deep and so I hesitated.

'No, go to him!' Siena urged. When I took a few more steps toward him, Maris came into my peripheral vision, heading straight to Alpha Bram.

"Alpha Bram!" she chirped excitedly, elbowing me roughly, nudging past me, making me stumble to the side.

He looked at her and beamed as if I wasn't even there. He opened his arms for Maris who rushed to him and hugged him tightly. She tipped her head up and he pressed a kiss to her lips.

My heart sank. I stood frozen, unable to move. The warmth I'd felt moments ago evaporated, leaving an intense ache in its place. The weight of his horrible rejection settled over me. His betrayal felt like a knife was plunged in my chest and then twisted.

Siena howled inside me out of rage and jealousy. 'No, he is our mate.' She wanted to come out and tear Maris away from him, but I knew that she was a weak wolf. If she surfaced, Alpha Bram would kill her instantly.

For years, I'd dreamed of this moment—the day I'd find my mate, the one person destined to see me for who I truly was, who would love me, cherish me. But now, that dream lay shattered at my feet. Tears sprang in my eyes.

Alpha Bram glared at me, daring to come close. Maris also turned to look at me with narrowed eyes. Dread plummeted in my stomach. I was afraid that if I went nearer and declare that I was his mate, they would throw me in the dungeons. So I turned and walked away, my shoulders slumping with miserable rejection I hadn't even heard spoken aloud. The scent of him lingered, bittersweet and unbearable. By the time I reached the pack house, tears blurred my vision.

I thought today might be different, that I could finally have someone to share it with. Instead, I was left with a heart full of despair. Weren't mates supposed to look after each other?

I hid inside the laundry room and started crying. Was there a way to get out of this pack? The idea of rejection was so painful. How would I serve him now?

I curled up on the cold floor, my arms wrapped around my knees as tears streamed down my face. The ache in my chest felt unbearable. It was like a deep, raw wound that wouldn't stop bleeding. I didn't know what to do or who to go to for comfort.

Alpha Bram's cold, distant stare replayed in my mind over and over. My mate. He didn't even want to acknowledge me.

Suddenly, the door opened.

---

## Chapter 2

*Auren POV

Being an orphan had always been hard for me. According to our previous Alpha, who was Alpha Bram's father, my parents died in a pack war. He was kind enough to give me shelter in his packhouse and even allowed education in a school for omegas. However, a few years later when he died and Bram became the Alpha, he pulled me out of the school, made me pack's servant and gave me lowly jobs, clearing stating that if I had to stay in the pack, I had to earn my living. His lusty gaze would often linger on me, and I would shy away, afraid of his intentions. But then he would snap his gaze away from me as if he saw vermin.

I was born with a tattoo the size of a squash ball on my back. A golden moon shackled by dark thorn vines curving around it. The Shaman had kindly warned me that it was a mark of a curse and so I had to keep it hidden at all times, afraid that if anyone saw it, they would kill me.

Suddenly, the door opened, snapping me from my thoughts. I hurriedly wiped my tears, but it was too late. Maris stood in the doorway, her arms crossed and a smug smile playing on her lips and her face donned with a wicked expression.

"Well, well," she said, stepping closer. "If it isn't our little orphan, sniveling like a child."

I didn't respond, keeping my head down. My whole body trembled in fear even though Siena wanted to come out and attack Maris.

"I know what happened," she said, her voice dripping with venom. "You think you're special because Bram is your mate? Let me tell you something, Auren." She crouched down, her face close to mine. "We knew it long back. But you're nothing. You'll always be nothing. Bram doesn't want you. He'll reject you soon enough, and when he does, you'll wish you'd never set foot in this pack."

I swallowed hard, trying to fight back the fresh wave of tears.

"If you tell anyone—anyone—about this," she continued, her voice low and dangerous, "I'll make sure you regret it. Do you understand?"

I nodded weakly, too scared to speak. Maris straightened, brushing invisible dust off her skirt.

"Good. Now clean yourself up. You're pathetic. I don't want anyone to see you crying because if they do, they will ask you the reason. I swear you'll regret it if they come to know the reason." Saying that, she turned sharply, flicking her hair and marched out.

The weight of her words crushed me further. I brought my knees against my chest and hugged them tightly. Mates were supposed to take care of each other. His betrayal was worse than all my years of enduring servitude. And they knew that I was his mate? The revelation shocked me.

When I finally stepped out of the laundry room, the humiliation didn't end. Reya was waiting for me in the kitchen. "You are reassigned to work in the toilets!" she barked at me. "Stay there until you get a new duty. Don't you come out of that place!"

I gaped at her with horror. Alpha Lucien was coming so fast?

The dress loosely hung over my shoulders. From the smell of it, I knew it was Maris's old one.

Reya's face lit up with a shrewd grin. "Congratulations, Auren. You are getting married to the most unwanted Alpha in the north. Consider yourself lucky that you will live another year while serving as his breeder."

Chills ran down my body at the way she said it to me, and my knees felt wobbly. I walked shakily behind her until I reached the main hall.

The place was buzzing with activity. All the omegas were preparing for Alpha Lucien's arrival. Maris was giving orders to them and as soon as she saw me, she sniggered. She jerked her chin to Reya who nodded and took me to a corner of the room. My eyes went to Alpha Bram who was talking to some people. Why was it that the rejection affected me and not him? Did his wolf not feel the pain? Tears came into my eyes again, but this time I refused to let them out because I didn't want to give them the satisfaction of seeing me broken and shattered.

A few minutes later, he went out and when he returned, he was with Alpha Lucien. The most terrifyingly beautiful wolf I'd ever seen.

Towering at over six feet, his broad shoulders and chiseled physique radiated raw power. Midnight-black hair framed a cold, sharp, angular face, with dark eyes that seemed to pierce your soul. There were tattoos of vines and thorns on his muscular arms. His presence was magnetic yet menacing, like that of a silent, dangerous predator cloaked in charm.

When our gazes locked, I gasped and my cheeks heated.

---

## Chapter 4

*Lucien POV

The council chamber of the Shadowfang Pack was stifling, filled with the heavy presence of my pack's Elders. They had serious expression, their faces weathered with age and experience and their eyes carrying the weight of centuries of tradition. I stood before them, my arms crossed, my jaw tight as they droned on about duty and heirs.

"You cannot keep delaying this, Lucien," Elder Orlan said in a sharp voice. "The pack needs an heir. Without one, we risk losing everything we've built."

I clenched my fists, the sharp points of my claws pressing into my palms. "And what happens to the woman you force me to marry?" My voice was cold, laced with a simmering anger I couldn't contain. "She will die, just like the others who died marrying my ancestors." I really wanted to put an end to this.

Elder Ryna, the oldest among them, leaned forward, her pale gray eyes penetrating. "We know the cost of the curse. But the survival of the Shadowfang pack must come first. Your power keeps us strong, but strength alone will not secure our future."

Their words were like iron chains around me, dragging me back to the nightmare I lived every day. The curse—a cruel legacy of my bloodline—had claimed every bride my forefathers had taken. On the night of the full moon after our bond was sealed, death would come for them, slowly, silent and final. Within a year they all died. How many women will die just to carry my bloodline?

It was said that centuries ago, the moon goddess cursed our Alpha bloodline for betraying love or breaking a sacred bond. Rejections happened all the time, but I don't know why did the goddess curse my forefather? What was special about that mate bond?

I turned away, pacing to the window. The moon hung low in the sky, veiled by storm clouds. "You think an heir will fix this?" I said bitterly. "The curse will take them too. It doesn't just stop with my bride."

Orlan sighed heavily. "We don't know that. There is a chance..."

"There is no chance!" I snapped, spinning to face them. "This curse is absolute. It doesn't matter how strong I am or how much the Alphas of the North grovel for my alliance. They want my strength, not my curse."

Ryna's gaze didn't waver. "Strength is what keeps us alive, Lucien. That's why they seek you, despite the curse. It's why we must ensure your bloodline continues. Without you, the North falls."

Their words were upsetting, not because I disagreed, but because I knew they were right. The Shadowfang pack thrived because of me—because of the power I wielded. Alphas from all corners sought my favor. Their alliances were a testament to my strength. Yet beneath it all, I was hollow, bound by a curse that tainted everything it touched.

Elder Orlan said, "There is an offer from Alpha Bram. An alliance in exchange for one of his omegas as your bride. She's expendable to him, but this alliance will secure his loyalty. It is a solution that benefits us all. He has been seeking your alliance from a long time."

An omega. My stomach churned at the thought. I had no use for alliances built on the backs of weak and innocent. As such I disliked Bram. He was a slimy bastard.

I closed my eyes, the weight of their stares pressing on me. "If I agree, this alliance must serve the pack above all else."

"Of course," Ryna said, leaning back in her chair with satisfaction.

The decision settled like a stone in my chest. I would take another bride, knowing her fate, because I had no other choice. I was twenty-seven already and hadn't found my mate. And I knew that I couldn't love my forced bride. Ever.

---

The journey to Crimson Howl was uneventful, but my thoughts roiled with every mile. When we arrived, I noticed the pack house was bustling. Bram greeted me with a wide smile. "It's a pleasure to have you here, Alpha Lucien." I grunted in response.

He guided me to the main hall of his packhouse. "The omega I promised," he said, gesturing toward the far corner. "Auren."

My gaze followed his hand, landing on her. My breath hitched. Auren had golden hair that caught the light. She was small, barely reaching my shoulder, and she was trembling like a deer in headlight. Her face was soft like that of an elf, her presence fragile. She looked pale and thin as if she hadn't had food for days. Her head was slightly bowed, but not out of submission—it felt like she was trying to disappear.

As she stepped forward, her scent hit me—a sweet, warm fragrance of apples that stirred my wolf. For a moment, she lifted her eyes to mine. They were gray, like that of a pale moon veiled in mist.

"Alpha Lucien," Alpha Bram said, snapping me out of my thoughts. "I hope she will serve the purpose," he added like she was a commodity. He stood beside me exuding false camaraderie. His grin was tight and it wasn't difficult to see through him. This was not a gesture of goodwill—it was a business transaction, plain and simple. I didn't like the way his gaze lingered on her.

As for Auren, I didn't care for her fragility or her fear. What roiled my insides was the blatant manipulation behind this so-called alliance. I had no intention of entertaining this charade. Yet I had no choice.

"Prepare the treaty," I said flatly, not sparing her another glance.

Bram's face flickered with excitement. "Of course, Alpha Lucien. I'll have it drawn up immediately."

I turned to leave, but a commotion stopped me in my tracks.

"Worthless girl!" Maris's voice rang out, dripping with venom. I knew who Maris was. Bram's future Luna. A gold digger. Her father had approached me to marry her, but I had refused not because I had come to know of her plans of divorcing me and taking away half my money in less than a month, but because she was a repulsive creature. And now she found Bram. They fitted well.

I pivoted, my sharp gaze locking onto the scene. Auren was being yanked by her arm by Maris's rough grip. The poor girl winced, her free hand attempting to shield herself.

Maris's lips twisted into a sneer. "You should be grateful for this opportunity. You don't deserve to breathe the same air as us, let alone be offered as a bride to Alpha Lucien. And now you're making us look bad?"

"That's enough." My voice cut through the air like a blade.

Maris froze, her grip slackening on Auren's arm. She turned to face me, her expression quickly shifting to one of false innocence. "Alpha Lucien, I was just—"

"I don't care for your justifications," I said coldly. "Behave yourself."

Maris's face reddened, but she protested, "She's just an omega. She should know her place that she is nothing but a breeder."

I took a step forward, my presence towering over hers. "Her place is no concern of yours. Do not test me."

Surprised, Maris swallowed hard as she left her. "I—I'm sorry," she muttered.

I shifted my attention back to Bram. "Ensure your pack members know how to act in front of me," I said, my tone laced with a warning.

Bram clenched his teeth, glaring at Maris. "Yes, I'm sorry Alpha Lucien." His gaze landed on Auren again, and this time I could see the lust.

Not liking it one bit, I gestured to Tarian, my beta. "Handle her," I said curtly, referring to Auren. "Get her packed and ready. We leave in two hours."

Tarian nodded with a neutral expression, approaching her.

As I turned to leave, I felt the faintest pull of something—a whisper in the back of my mind urging me to look back. I ignored it. This was not my choice, and I would not let sentiment cloud my judgment.

---

## Chapter 5

*Auren POV

The SUV rumbled over the gravel road as we started towards the Shadowfang Pack. No one came to see me off from my pack. I was good riddance for them. As the car sped out of my pack, I looked out one last time, a knot twisting in my gut. Would I ever come back? I highly doubted that because I wouldn't be welcomed by anyone. I felt like crying but I blinked my tears away and turned my head to look outside the window. I had cried enough for those who didn't want me.

After a few hours, I saw the territory of the Shadowfang Pack and noticed that its lands stretched endlessly in every direction.

My heart fluttered as the imposing compound came into view—massive buildings made of dark stone, surrounded by tall fences. The entire place screamed power, control and wealth. The pack was so much bigger than the Crimson Howl pack judging on the fact that our car was running for the past hour, and we still hadn't reached Alpha's house.

Alpha Lucien sat beside me. His eyes were fixed out the window, his jaw set in a hard line. He hadn't said a word since we left Crimson Howl, and his silence was deafening. As for me, I huddled up in a corner, scared to even breathe in presence of the strongest Alpha in the north. I wrapped my arms around a small bag that contained all my belongings.

When we arrived, Lucien got out first, his movements sharp in anger. I hesitated, but his Beta, Tarian, opened the door for me and gestured for me to follow.

"This way," Tarian said, in a curt tone, assessing me.

The main building was as intimidating as the Alpha himself—high ceilings, white marble stone floors, and an air that felt like it could crush you if you lingered too long. Lucien walked ahead, his long strides carrying him into a room that had sleek furniture and a massive fireplace.

He stopped near the mantle. "I want you to leave," he said to Tarian. "I have to speak with her alone."

Tarian bowed and left, leaving me alone with Alpha Lucien. A wave of dread washed over me.

"Sit," he ordered, not even looking at me.

I perched on the edge of a leather chair, my hands fidgeting in my lap. The silence stretched until Alpha Lucien finally turned to me with a thunderous expression.

"I didn't ask for this," he began, his voice a low growl. "I don't know what kind of game Alpha Bram is playing, but understand this—I don't want a Luna, and I definitely don't want you."

I flinched at his words but stayed quiet.

He leaned against the mantle, arms crossed. "My pack Elders want an heir. That's the only reason I agreed to this. So here's how it's going to work: we'll marry for the sake of appearances and I'll mark you. In public, we'll act like a proper Alpha and Luna. But outside of that, you'll stay out of my way."

I nodded, and in a shaky voice said, "Okay."

Lucien's eyes narrowed. "Okay? That's it?"

I tilted my head slightly. "Yes," I replied meekly. What else did he want me to say?

His frustration deepened, but he continued. "And here are the rules: You'll have no say in pack matters. You'll live in the west wing, far from my quarters. You won't sit with me. You won't eat with me. And more importantly, you won't demand anything from me. Do you understand?"

I swallowed hard but nodded again. "I understand."

His brow furrowed, as if he hadn't expected me to agree so easily. "And you're…fine with this?"

I blinked up at him, genuinely confused. He brought me here for that purpose. "Yes, I'm fine," I replied. At least here, no one will throw me in a dungeon for burning a toast or forgetting to fluff a pillow just right.

"Do you even understand the weight of this situation?" he asked.

My brows drew together. "Yes. You said we're getting married tomorrow, and I'll stay out of your way unless you need… an heir." My cheeks flushed at the last part, and I quickly dropped my gaze.

Lucien exhaled sharply, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Great. Fine," he muttered. "We leave it at that. Tarian will show you to your room. The wedding will happen tomorrow. Someone will be there to prepare you for it."

I stood hesitantly, unsure if I should thank him or just leave. "Alpha Lucien?"

"Thank you," I said softly anyway.

His brows furrowed. "What?" he asked, unable to believe that I was thanking him for my situation.

I hesitated. Then I asked a genuine question. "I have a question. What if I get hungry? Am I allowed in the kitchen, or should I wait for someone to bring me food? I'd hate to upset you by sneaking into the pantry." Moreover, since in my pack, I was hardly given meals twice a day, I wondered if he would give me good meals since I was nothing but a breeder.

Alpha Lucien's eyes widened. "You're worried about food right now?"

"Well, yes," I said, my cheeks warming under his intense gaze.

Lucien stared at me, his expression a mix of disbelief and exasperation. "No. No sneaking. Eat whenever you want. Just stay out of my way."

"Oh, that's easy," I said. "You're not hard to miss," I blurted without thinking.

His eyes flashed with irritation. "What do you mean?"

I bit my lip, realizing too late for what I had done. So in order to mitigate the situation, I added, "You're like a… thundercloud?"

Alpha Lucien narrowed his eyes. "A thundercloud?"

I flushed again, wringing my hands. "It's a compliment. Thunderclouds are powerful and… dramatic." Goddess, someone stop my verbal diarrhea.

He clenched his jaw so tightly that I wondered if he cracked his molars. "You're unbelievable." His hands clenched into fists at his side. "It doesn't matter. Just remember what I said. Don't expect anything more than what I've offered."

I nodded, my wide eyes sincere. "Understood."

"Good," he said and marched out.

I watched him leaving, my heart thudding a little faster despite his anger. He might be scary and stern, but he hadn't thrown me into a dungeon. That was already better than what I was used to.

As the door closed behind him, I slumped back into my seat, my cheeks burning. Somehow, I'd survived that conversation, but I had a feeling life here was going to be anything but easy.

Suddenly, my stomach growled loudly.

---

## Chapter 6

*Auren POV

Tarian reappeared and led me out, with a kind but cautious expression. "Don't take it personally," he said quietly as we walked down the long hallway. Was he listening to us? But with sharp hearing senses, what else could I expect from the Beta of the most powerful Alpha?

"I didn't," I lied. Even though Lucien was cold, distant, and angry, I felt safer here than I ever had back at Crimson Howl.

Tarian led me through the grand halls of the pack house, his boots echoing against the polished floors. I followed close behind, keeping my gaze low to avoid staring at the beautiful but intimidating surroundings. Everything about this place felt unwelcoming, much like its Alpha. The sadness of Alpha Bram's rejection came back, and I took a deep breath in to stop myself from crying.

He had smartly not only rejected me, an omega, as his mate, but he had ensured that I would die in a year. At the same time, because of me, he formed an alliance with Alpha Lucien.

When I was just leaving the pack, Bram had come to my room. He stood too close to me and traced my jawline with his fingers. I wanted to lean into him, but I stopped after what he did to me. "You better serve your purpose nicely, Auren. If I come to know that you've escaped, I'll personally hunt you and kill you." And then he leaned down and kissed my brushed my cheeks with his lips. I felt sick, so I pushed him away, but he chuckled and sauntered away.

"This will be your room," Tarian said, snapping me from my memories. We had reached a door at the far end of a hallway. He stopped and turned to me, opening the door.

I peeked inside, half-expecting something dreary, but it was surprisingly clean, comfortable and better than anything I had ever lived in. The room had a bed with a plush blanket, a simple wooden table by the window, and a wardrobe. Sunlight poured through the window, making the space seem warmer than I'd imagined.

"You can explore the pack house if you want," Tarian continued in a steady but kind voice. "But stay away from the north wing. That's Alpha Lucien's quarters, and he doesn't want to be disturbed. Understood?"

I nodded quickly, not wanting to make a bad impression. "Yes, I understand. Thank you."

Tarian studied me for a moment, as if trying to figure out why I was being so agreeable. Without another word, he turned and left, the door clicking shut behind him.

I stood in the middle of the room, letting out a small sigh of relief. This room felt like a safe haven. It was beautiful, but it was mine, even if only for now.

The thought of being left alone made me smile a little. I didn't have to see Alpha Lucien or deal with his anger. I didn't have to endure Reya's sharp words or Maris's cruel smirks or Alpha Bram's rejection. Here, I could just be quiet and unnoticed.

After placing my small bag in the wardrobe, I spotted a door on the side of the room. Curious, I opened it and found a bathroom. The bathtub looked clean and inviting, the shiny faucet glinting in the light.

The idea of a warm bath was too tempting to resist. I filled the tub and stepped in, the heat instantly easing the tension in my sore muscles. I had never felt this kind of comfort. I closed my eyes for a moment, letting the water wash away not just the dirt, but the weight of the past few days.

When I finally got out and wrapped myself in a soft towel, I felt lighter, like I'd shed a layer of my worries. I dried off quickly and came into my room.

That's when I noticed it—the smell of food.

On the small table by the window, there was a tray piled high with bread, steaming soup, fresh fruit, and even a small plate of a chocolate dessert. My stomach growled loudly, reminding me I hadn't eaten properly ever since I was thrown in the dungeons.

I walked over, hesitant at first. Carefully, I picked up a piece of bread, wondering if I was dreaming, and took a bite. It was soft and warm, the kind of food I hadn't ever had. It was a luxury for me, and certainly not a dream.

Before I knew it, I was eating everything, savoring each bite like it was a feast. The bean soup was rich and creamy. The fruits juicy and sweet. By the time I got to the dessert, my cheeks were puffed like a squirrel's.

But I didn't care. I was hungry, and this food felt so good.

However, as I reached for the last piece of bread, my stomach revolted, and before I knew, I was retching. I ran to the bathroom and puked it all out. Bewildered, I sat on the floor of the bathroom, heaving. I guess, my stomach couldn't handle eating so much after a long time. I took a deep breath and rinsed my mouth.

Suddenly, a faint sound caught my attention. A creak outside my door.

I froze. Slowly, I went out to see.

My door was slightly open, the crack wide enough for a shadow to flicker across the floor. My heart skipped a beat. Who was there? I opened it wide enough to peep out and heard retreating heavy footsteps. Out of fear, I closed the door quickly and locked it from inside.

Feeling mentally and physically exhausted, I dragged myself to the bed and plopped on it. I sprawled on it and closed my eyes, drifting into a deep sleep almost immediately. My dreams were filled with that of a wolf with silky black fur and golden eyes, who was taller than me, walking beside me, purring. And surprisingly, I felt so warm and comforted in his presence. He sat down beside me and I curled into his thick furry coat like a ball.

I don't know for how long I slept, but knocking on my door jerked me awake. I jumped out of the bed and dashed to the door to open it. To my utter surprise I saw Alpha Lucien.

His gaze dropped to the towel that was wrapped around me loosely. My head snapped down to my chest and I flushed till my chest, seeing how the upper swells of my breasts were protruding out. Quickly, I covered myself, tightly wrapping the towel around me.

"Alpha Lucien," I rasped, meeting his eyes, feeling mortified.

I was really surprised that he came to see me when he was the one who asked me to stay away from him. "H—how can I help you?"

Through his clenched teeth, he said, "Our marriage is deferred by a week."

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The SUV rumbles over gravel, carrying me away from the only home that ever hated me. I don’t look back. Not even when the gates of Crimson Howl vanish behind us. Alpha Lucien sits beside me, silent and seething, his jaw clenched like he’s biting back rage. I shrink into the corner, clutching my threadbare bag like it holds treasure. It doesn’t. It holds everything I own.

When we arrive, the Shadowfang compound looms—dark stone, high walls, wolves patrolling like ghosts. He doesn’t speak. Doesn’t glance at me. Just strides ahead, a storm wrapped in leather and muscle.

Inside, he orders everyone out. Alone with me, he turns, eyes blazing. 'I didn’t ask for this. You’re here for one reason: an heir. We marry tomorrow. You stay in the west wing. You don’t speak unless spoken to. Do you understand?'

I nod. Meek. Obedient. The role I’ve played my whole life.

He frowns. 'That’s it? No tears? No demands?'

'I’m fine,' I say softly. At least here, I won’t be beaten for breathing too loud.

He stares like I’m a puzzle he can’t solve. Then, abruptly, he asks, 'What if you get hungry?'

I blink. 'Am I allowed in the kitchen? Or should I wait for food?'

He looks stunned. 'You’re worried about food right now?'

'Yes,' I admit. 'In my pack, I ate twice a day—if I was lucky.'

His expression cracks. Just slightly. 'Eat whenever you want. Just… stay out of my way.'

'Oh, that’s easy,' I blurt. 'You’re not hard to miss.'

His eyes flash. 'What did you say?'

I flush. 'You’re like a… thundercloud?'

'A thundercloud?'

'Powerful. Dramatic. Hard to ignore.'

He clenches his fists, muttering, 'You’re unbelievable.' Then he storms out—leaving me alone, heart pounding, stomach growling… and strangely, not afraid.

But as the door closes, I hear footsteps outside. Heavy. Pausing at my door. Then retreating.

Someone was listening.

And I know one thing for certain—this house keeps secrets. And now, so do I.