Chapter 5.

Astrid's POV.

“No one dares lay a finger on my mate! Let her go now!!” a deep voice suddenly growled from behind, making me jolt for a split second.

The moment I turned around, I saw that it was Alpha Dane, who walked swiftly to where I was standing with Camilla still holding my hand tightly without letting go.

As he got closer, he grabbed my hand and pulled it out of Camilla's grip.

“Mind what you do to her from now on!” Alpha Dane warned as he rolled his eyes. I stared at him without looking away, not expecting him to act this way if he saw me in danger.

He helped me, which was both stunning and confusing. I was still caught up, wondering why he had helped me when Camilla's voice broke through my thoughts.

“She caused everything that's happening to her!”

“I don't care what she did, Camilla... just stay away from her!” he commanded as he turned on his heels.

He was going to yank me out of sight, but Camilla wouldn’t take a chill pill. She wanted to see me suffer.

“I know you are with him just to get fame and revenge on Alpha Halfdan and me, Astrid, but trust me, that’s the lamest plan!” She chortled, and from the way Alpha Dane’s grip tightened on my hand, I could tell he was furious at what she had said.

“You know what’s the lamest thing to do, Camilla?” He halted and turned to look at her. Camilla looked stunned.

I bet she must have wanted Alpha Dane to get furious and hate me even more, but his actions kept shocking her.

“Cheating with your cousin’s lover just to mock her! You’re worse than the devil himself, Camilla,” he asserted, and without a second glance at her, he scoffed and turned around.

He pulled me out of her sight, and we headed for his car.

“But the party is…” I started to say, but he cut me off.

“I’m sick of it; it disgusts me!” he snapped, his voice suddenly softening toward me. He had been acting like a boss to me until tonight, and I wasn’t sure why.

His attitude kept giving me signs that I couldn’t quite place. It was difficult to tell what Alpha Dane was thinking.

We reached the car, and he opened the back door for me to climb in. I did and watched him climb into the car through the other door.

“Let’s go, Beta Ivar!” he commanded with a deep voice, and immediately, his Beta nodded before starting the engine.

We zoomed out of the pack and headed for the Redmoon Pack. I stole glances at him every chance I got but made sure not to be caught.

After what felt like an eternity, we arrived home. I hoped to act like nothing had happened, but out of the blue, Alpha Dane grabbed my hand and pulled me into the mansion.

As soon as we got to his room, he pushed me inside and shut the door, facing me fully.

“I warned you, didn’t I?” he snarled as he began to walk closer to me. I tried my best to stay away from him, but it was difficult.

“I... I didn’t mean to, Alpha Dane!” I tried to explain, but it was hard. I was still trying to stay away from him when my back collided with the wall behind me, trapping me.

My heart raced as I watched him get closer. He leaned in, and I could feel his warm breath graze my skin.

“I warned you never to leave my sight throughout the night, didn’t I?” he uttered as he placed his hand beside my ear.

“I tried to…” I began to say when suddenly, he rushed my lips and began to kiss me, making me cringe instantly.

He continued kissing me, but then he stopped, and I noticed his gaze shift to the window behind me.

“No! Not today!” he whispered, and as I looked into his eyes, I saw fear and regret. It was a new look I didn’t expect from him. Without hesitation, I turned around and realized it was the full moon. I wondered why it scared him so much when he was the Alpha of the pack.

He began to withdraw his presence from me, which made me extremely curious.

“Alpha Dane, what is wrong?” I took a step toward him, wanting to understand why he was so scared, but he immediately stopped me.

“Don’t come out no matter what!!” he commanded with a deep and furious voice.

He turned on his heels and exited the room, leaving me alone, wondering if he was actually okay to be with me.

At some point, I thought he was scared of me being pregnant, but then a sudden disturbing sound caught my attention.

I couldn’t hold back the worry that filled my soul. I wanted to know what was happening. For a moment, I thought he had gotten himself hurt.

“I can’t just stay back!” I panicked as I rushed out of his room, defying his orders for the second time in a single day.

“Alpha Dane, are you…” I started to question, but I halted abruptly at the sight of Alpha Dane struggling before me.

He was obviously struggling with his transformation due to the full moon, which wasn’t normal for an Alpha unless he was cursed.

“Alpha Dane is cursed!” I gasped and quickly placed my hand over my mouth to avoid making a sound, but it was too late.

He turned toward me, and just then, a terrifying monster emerged from him.

“I warned you, didn’t I?” he snarled as he charged toward me. I was going to run away but stumbled and fell on my butt.

Before I could regain my stance, filled with fear, Alpha Dane pounced on me, halting my movement.

“MATE!!” he growled as he lifted his hand into the air, his shiny claws sending a shocking and terrifying reaction down my veins.

“ALPHA DANE, NO!!!!” I screamed at the top of my lungs, but it was too late as he instantly swung his hand to rip off my throat…