Chapter 3

When I opened my eyes, the first thing I noticed was the softness beneath me. The mattress cradled my aching body, and for a moment, I thought I was still dreaming. Then the memories of last night came crashing back… being cast out, stumbling through the woods, the bar, the drunken men... and the wolf. 

I shot upright in bed, my heart pounding in my chest. I wasn’t in the woods, and I certainly wasn’t in that grimy bar. Instead, I found myself in a large, luxurious room. The walls were painted a soothing cream color and adorned with elegant paintings and expensive-looking decorations. A plush, velvet armchair sat near the window, and the scent of freshly cooked food wafted from a table in the center of the room.

I looked down at myself and realized my tattered dress was gone. In its place was a soft, silken robe that draped over my body. Someone had changed me while I was unconscious. I started to panic.

Where am I? Who brought me here?

I pushed the thick blankets aside and slipped out of the bed, my legs unsteady beneath me. The cool floor sent a shiver through me as I approached the table where a meal was laid out. There was fresh bread, slices of cheese, and a bowl of steaming soup. My stomach growled, reminding me that I hadn’t eaten in what felt like days, so I took a piece of bread.

But I couldn’t focus on the food. I needed answers.

Just as I reached the door, my hand hovering over the polished brass handle, a wave of exhaustion hit me. My body was weak from everything it had endured, but I couldn’t stay in this room any longer. I needed to find out where I was and who had brought me here.

I stepped outside and found myself in a long hallway. The walls were lined with portraits of men and women in regal clothing, and it felt like their eyes were watching me as I walked past. The mansion was far grander than anything I had ever seen before. Even the home Nathan and I had shared as Luna and Alpha of the Moonbeam Pack couldn’t compare to this. 

A tight knot twisted in my stomach at the thought of Nathan. I pushed the memory of him aside, forcing myself to focus on the present.

I followed the sound of voices down the hall and approached a large, open room; the heat of a conversation caught my attention.

   “You need to stop running from this, Favian!” An older man’s voice said, firm and impatient. “You are the Alpha of the Furbloom Pack. It’s time for you to take a mate.”

I stopped in my tracks, my breath catching in my throat. The Furbloom Pack? 

   “And I’ve told you, mother,” A younger man’s voice replied, irritation clear in his tone. “I’ll find a mate when I’m ready, not because of some ultimatum.”

   “You don’t have time to wait.” The older woman argued. “The pack needs stability. You can’t keep putting this off.”

I leaned in closer, trying to hear more, but in my clumsiness, I knocked into a side table. A vase wobbled and fell to the floor with a loud crash, shattering into pieces. 

The conversation stopped. My heart raced as I held my breath, frozen in place. Heavy footsteps approached, and before I could react, the door swung open. Standing in the doorway was a man unlike any I had ever seen before.

Tall and imposing, he had sharp, chiseled features and dark, piercing eyes that seemed to see right through me. His raven black hair was tousled, and in spite of the obvious tension in his jaw, there was an air of calm authority about him. My pulse quickened, not from fear, but from something else entirely.

He crossed his arms, raising an eyebrow as he studied me. 

   “You’re awake.”

I swallowed hard, my mouth suddenly dry. “I... I didn’t mean to overhear.”

His eyes softened slightly, and he sighed. “Don’t worry about it.”

The older woman appeared behind him, her silver hair a stark contrast to her stern expression. She glanced between the two of us before narrowing her eyes.

   “This is the woman you brought back last night?”

Favian nodded, his eyes never leaving mine. “She was in trouble. I couldn’t leave her there.”

The older woman’s frown deepened, but she didn’t argue. Instead, she turned and walked away, muttering something under her breath about stubbornness and responsibility.

Favian stepped closer to me, his presence commanding yet strangely comforting. 

   “Are you feeling all right?”

I nodded, though the truth was I felt anything but all right. My body still ached from exhaustion, and my mind was racing with questions.

   “Thank you for saving me. Where am I?”

   “You’re safe.” He replied simply. “This is my home, the Furbloom Pack’s territory.”

I blinked, trying to process the information. The Furbloom Pack? I had heard of them, of course. They were known for their wealth and power, but I had never imagined I’d end up here, in the Alpha’s mansion. 

   “Why did you help me?” I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.

He hesitated for a moment before answering.

    “I saw what those men were about to do. I couldn’t just stand by and watch.” His jaw tightened, and his eyes darkened. “Besides, you were in no condition to defend yourself.”

Shame washed over me at his words. He was right. I had been weak, helpless. My throat tightened as the memories of Nathan’s rejection flooded back. I had once been Luna, and that alone had given me respect and honor. Now, I was nothing more than a broken, discarded woman.

Favian must have seen the pain in my expression because his tone softened.

   “What happened to you?”

I hesitated, unsure if I should share my story with a stranger. But something about him made me feel like I could trust him. So I told him. I told him about Nathan, about the accusations, the rejection, and how I had been exiled from the Moonbeam Pack with nothing.

When I finished, Favian was silent for a long moment, his expression unreadable. Then, to my surprise, he spoke.

   “You’re not the first to be betrayed by someone you trusted.” He said quietly. “But that doesn’t mean you have to stay broken.”

I frowned, unsure of what he meant.

He turned to face me fully, his eyes locking onto mine with a fierce intensity. 

   “I can help you. I can give you the strength you need to survive in this world, to rise above those who tried to destroy you.”

My heart raced at his words. “Why would you do that?”

   “Because I know what it’s like to be in your position.” He said, his voice low. “And because I need something from you in return.”

I blinked, caught off guard. “What do you mean?”

Favian took a step closer, his eyes never leaving mine. 

   “I’ll help you get revenge. I’ll help you become strong, powerful, and untouchable. But in return, you will act as my mate for three years.”

I stared at him, stunned. His mate? I had just been rejected by my true mate, and now this mysterious, powerful Alpha was offering me a deal that could change everything.

   “I don’t understand,” I said, my voice trembling.

   “You don’t have to decide right now.” He replied, his eyes softening. “But think about it. Without protection, without power, you won’t survive out there. You’re too vulnerable.”

His words cut deep, but I knew he was right. I had nothing, no pack, no home, no allies. But agreeing to his proposal meant risking everything. Could I really trust him?

My mind raced with questions, but before I could respond, he turned and walked toward the door.