CHAPTER 5

I slowly opened my eyes, trying to prevent the light from blurring my eyesight. I looked around. This place wasn't the forest, nor was it the infirmary of my old pack. The walls were a gentle beige, and the room had a scent of cleaning supplies mixed with pine. Where am I?

Before I could figure out my location, someone hurried over to me. My vision was still a bit unclear, but I could make out wide shoulders and eyes full of concern. As my sight cleared, I saw the face of the most attractive man I had ever laid eyes on. He had a firm jawline, tight with worry, and his dark green eyes looked at me with seriousness.

“You're awake,” he said, sounding both relieved and anxious.

I wanted to speak, but my throat felt very dry. The man – Alpha, my wolf whispered – reached out to touch my arm.

I instinctively moved back, which caused a sharp pain in my body, and I couldn't help but let out a small sound of pain. But what really made me step back was the memory of Asher rejecting me. The unhappy expression in his eyes and the mean words he spoke to me – I remembered it all, which made me feel ashamed and scared.

“It's okay,” he said gently. “You're safe here.” My name is Xander, and I'm the leader of the Blackstone Pack. He paused, looking at me intently as he added, “And I'm your mate.”

My mind reeled at his words. Mate? But how? Asher had said… No, I couldn't think about that now. Hope and fear warred within me as I processed Xander's declaration.

I felt mixed emotions and wanted to sit up to put some distance between us. But when I tried to move, a sudden, intense pain shot through my ribs, causing me to cry out in pain.

“Easy there,” Xander said, his hands hovering near me, ready to help but not touching. “You're still healing. Let me help you lie back down.”

Reluctantly, I allowed him to ease me back onto the pillows. As his hands gently supported me, I felt a jolt of electricity where our skin met. The mate bond, I realized with a mixture of awe and trepidation. It was real.

Once I was settled, I took a shaky breath and met Xander's eyes. “What… What happened to me?” I asked quietly, “How did I end up here?”

Xander brought a chair near the bed and sat, looking relaxed and not scary. “We discovered you in the woods at the border of our land,” he said gently, in a calm tone. You were unconscious and badly injured. I brought you back here to our pack's infirmary. “What is your name”, he asked.

As he spoke, all the memories came back, reminding me of what I went through.

“I…” I started, then faltered. How could I explain? The shame burned in my chest, threatening to choke me. But Xander waited patiently, his presence oddly comforting despite my fear.

I took a deep breath and managed to say, “My name is Aurora Nightshade.” My… my previous Alpha. Asher. He… I swallowed hard. “He rejected me. Said I wasn't fit to be his Luna. That I was worthless.”

The words lingered in the space between us, and I prepared for Xander's response. Would he agree? Realize that Asher was right and that I wasn't worthy of being anyone's mate, let alone an Alpha's?

Instead, Xander's eyes flashed with anger so intense it made me shrink back against the pillows. A low growl rumbled in his chest, and for a moment, I saw the fierce Alpha wolf beneath the gentle exterior.

Seeing my reaction, Xander immediately softened his expression. “I apologize,” he stated, his tone once more tranquil and comforting. “I'm not upset with you, Aurora.” I'm furious at Asher for treating you that way. No wolf, especially not a true mate, should ever be treated like that.

His words were kind, but doubt still gnawed at me. I'd been rejected once; who was to say it wouldn't happen again? But… but what about your pack? I asked hesitantly. “Won't they be upset that their Alpha's mate is… is someone like me?”

Xander leaned forward, his gaze intense. “Aurora, listen to me. You are my mate, chosen by the Moon Goddess herself. You are strong, brave, and worthy. You'll be my Luna, and the pack will love and respect you just like that. I promise no one will ever hurt you or make you feel unimportant again.”

His strong belief really affected me. A part of me really wanted to trust him, to just lean on him and let him keep me safe from everything. But the pain Asher caused was still very new, and the fear was still strong.

Before I could say anything, the door to the infirmary opened. Two men entered, both tall and muscular, though neither quite matched Xander's imposing presence. I tensed immediately, my eyes darting between them and Xander, searching for any sign of threat.

Xander stood, placing himself slightly in front of me in a protective stance that didn't go unnoticed. “Aurora,” he said, his voice gentle but firm, “I'd like you to meet Beta Jaxon and Gamma Marcus. They're my most trusted pack members.”

The two men politely nodded and moved a bit away, realizing I was feeling uneasy.

“It's a pleasure to meet you, Luna,” the taller one, whom I guessed was Jaxon, said with a slight bow.

Luna. The title hit me like a physical blow. This was real. I found myself in a new pack with a new mate, anticipated to take on the role of their Luna. A wave of unease washed over me, causing my chest to tighten and making each breath a struggle.

Xander must have noticed because he quickly glanced at them. “Thank you for coming. We'll continue this later. Please inform the pack that Aurora is awake but needs rest.”

As soon as they left, Xander was by my side again. “Aurora, breathe with me,” he instructed calmly. “In through your nose, out through your mouth. That's it, nice and slow.”

I concentrated on the sound of his voice and the gentle rhythm of his breathing, attempting to sync my breaths with his. Slowly the fear faded away, leaving me drained and shaking.

“Am sorry” I murmured, feeling embarrassed. “I'm not sure why I reacted like that.”

Xander shook his head, showing he understood No need to apologize. You've been through a lot. Now you find yourself in a situation. It's normal to feel overwhelmed.

His kindness nearly brought me to tears. Given all that I've experienced, being shown care and respect felt almost overwhelming. Tears welled up in my eyes. This time I didn't hold them back…

Xander moved carefully, showing his intentions. When I stayed put, he gently brushed the tears off my cheek. It's okay to let it out, he whispered. “You're safe here, Aurora. I promise.”

As my tears stopped, I looked up at Xander. He had a genuine expression, on his face, of the usual signs of disapproval or disdain that I often observed in Asher's eyes. It was the moment since I awoke that a glimmer of optimism flickered within me.

“Thank you” I whispered, my gratitude shining through my words.

Xander smiled warmly, his expression of a sunbeam piercing through the sky. No need for thanks, Aurora. We're in this together. I'll always be here for you, no matter what happens.

I nodded, not entirely convinced of the promise yet not rejecting it outright either. It was a gesture. One that carried significance. As I rested against the pillows, a sense of weariness washing over me, I considered the possibility that perhaps, perhaps, I had discovered a place where I could truly belong.