CHAPTER 1

Burning Inside

"Run, Ashley! Keep running!" My mother's voice pierced through the chaos as flames devoured the pack, once my sanctuary. It was my negligence that led to this devastation—I ignored my father's warnings.

I should have resigned myself to fate, accepted the role of the monster's prey, rather than witnessing my pack reduced to cinders.

But my feet remained rooted to the scorched earth, paralyzed by fear. I couldn't move, not when my mother fell, pierced by ten bullets from that malevolent man.

“Mum,” I whispered, witnessing her collapse. Tears streamed down her face, yet even in her final moments, she urged, “Run… run.”

As she crumpled to the ground, the heartless figure emerged—a towering presence with a formidable build and eyes as dark as midnight. None other than Alpha Klaus, sovereign of the West Moon Pack.

“Hello, my dear bride!” His smirk revealed a cruel anticipation, arms outstretched as if awaiting an embrace.

“Stay away from me, you monster!” My scream echoed, as I tumbled backward, eyes fixed on his scowl, his demeanor returning to frigid indifference.

"Monster? Isn't that rather abusive? After all, I'm your husband," he taunted, tugging at my leg until I stumbled into his grasp.

As his grip tightened around my neck, my eyes widened in horror. Never had I imagined a slap could inflict such searing pain. Blood filled my mouth, a tooth clattering to the ground.

“You should be grateful I spared your life; you're nothing but filth,” he spat, his face mere inches from mine. His breath, hot and acrid, pricked my skin.

“Just end it already! I'd sooner die than be married to someone like you!” I spat back, only to be met with a resounding slap that reverberated in my ears.

He hurled me to the ground and turned to his guards, issuing orders for my capture. Watching from afar, I witnessed the destruction of my pack, each home consumed by flames.

Just hours earlier, my mother had been bustling about, preparing for my 18th birthday celebration, adorning me in my favorite gown. I lounged on my bed, indulging in cakes and chocolates.

“Sweetheart,” my father called, prompting me to sit up.

“Dad? What's wrong with your face?” I inquired as he settled beside me.

“Remember what I've told you; you're betrothed to Alpha Klaus. You shouldn't be seen with other male wolves,” he sighed, and I groaned.

“I refuse to be bound to that cursed Alpha. Haven't you heard the stories? He's murdered his mates and even his own son, all because a shaman prophesied that his child would overthrow him! I won't allow that cursed Alpha to claim me!”

“Ashley! Please, understand; this is for the greater good,” my father implored, clasping my hands.

“The greater good? Father, are you serious? If you truly cared for my well-being, you'd call off this wedding. I will never consent to be with that wretched Alpha!”

“You needn't pressure her, dear. Let her be; she's only just turned eighteen today. Isn't marriage too premature?” My mother interjected, her brows furrowed.

“Exactly, Mom. I don't know why Dad is so insistent,” I sighed, rising to my feet.

“You're leaving today,” he declared, prompting my mother to sit up, glaring at him.

"What? Are you selling our daughter off? To that monster? Have you lost your mind?" she retorted.

"If it brings stability and peace, then I see no issue," he replied, to which I scoffed incredulously.

"I can't believe this. You're willing to hand your own daughter over as a slave or a sacrifice to that heartless creature? Is this how little you care for me? Why?" My protest was met with silence, replaced only by the stinging impact of another slap.

"I despise you!" With those words, I stormed out, propelled by anger and frustration.

Shifting into my wolf form, I sprinted through the forest without a backward glance. Despite the guards' pursuit, I knew they could never catch up, not even for a moment.

I continued running until I reached the depths of the forest, halting at the sight of a nearby lake. Opting to take a moment to calm myself, I reverted to my human form and waded into the cold, refreshing water.

"I admire your tattoo," a voice interrupted my solitude, causing me to startle and turn.

"And your manners," I retorted, instinctively covering myself as I faced the shameless male wolf in the lake—his youthful features, pointed nose, and flowing hair.

"What brings you here?" I inquired, trying to maintain my composure.

"Swimming. And you?" he replied casually.

"The same. I fled from home; my father intends to marry me off to a heartless monster," I confessed, surprisingly unguarded in the presence of a stranger.

"A heartless monster, you say…"

"Alpha Klaus. Surely you've heard of him," I said with a faint smile, to which he nodded.

"Yes, the formidable Alpha without a mate; they say he's cursed," he remarked, prompting a chuckle from me.

"Naturally. Why else would such a figure remain mateless?" I watched as he swam closer, his deep blue eyes piercing mine, stirring emotions I hadn't expected.

"You're exquisite," he murmured, causing me to bite my lip in response.

"Thank you." As his hand gently tilted my chin, drawing me closer, he kissed me.

"I'm not sure…" I began to protest, but he silenced me with a finger to my lips, his gaze unwavering.

"Don't fret," he whispered, his touch sending shivers down my spine. "It's just a moment, isn't it?" His hands roamed, and I gasped as he squeezed my backside, his touch electrifying.

"What if we're seen?" I murmured, disbelief mingling with desire as I found myself succumbing to his allure.

Lifting me slightly, he entered me, and I gasped, feeling overwhelmed by sensation.

"I'll be quick," he promised, his movements swift and sure. My body responded eagerly, betraying my initial reservations as pleasure flooded my senses.

"Ah…yes!" I moaned, surprised by the newfound confidence in my voice.

Tracing patterns across my skin, he leaned in to capture my lips, his touch igniting a fire within me. I moaned unabashedly, lost in the ecstasy of the moment.

"You're stunning," he whispered, his lips trailing from my thigh back to mine, each touch sending waves of pleasure coursing through me.

As he carried me from the lake, our embrace deepening with each passing moment, I surrendered to the intoxicating sensation of his touch.

But as he abruptly withdrew, a disquieting expression clouded his features.

"Is something amiss?" I inquired, watching as he hastily dressed.

"It's nearly dusk; I must return to my pack," he explained, planting a kiss on my forehead. "Will you meet me here tomorrow, at this exact time? I'll speak to my father about us, so we can be together."

"Really?" Relief flooded me at the prospect of a future with him.

"Indeed. Until then," he winked before darting off.

Exhaling deeply, I dressed and made my way back to my pack. Perhaps if I informed my father of another suitor's interest, he might reconsider his decision to wed me to Alpha Klaus.

As I hummed along the path, a scent of burning reached me from afar. Home!

Rushing forward, my heart sank at the sight of my pack house in flames, screams echoing through the air. Yet what chilled me even more was the sight of the guards, seemingly indifferent to the chaos unfolding around them.