I don’t want you seducing around!

EMMA

"You're not to speak to any male wolves here, and I don’t want you involved with anyone. No relationships or flings around here," he said, his voice tinged with anger as he questioned my character.

"Tell me one reason why I should obey you," I replied, standing my ground. "I'm the one who needs to break the curse on your family, not the other way around."

"I don't need to give you any reasons," he retorted. "I'm the alpha, and everything that happens in this pack house is according to my will," he added, taking a threatening step toward me. Once again, he trapped me between him and the wall. He raised my chin and stared into my eyes. "Don't you want your sister to have a child of her own? Will you leave her in her time of need?" His words were meant to get under my skin. He knew I would do anything for my family, and he was using that against me.

"Fine. I'll follow your rules, but keep your distance from me," I said, my voice steady despite the storm of emotions inside me. He smirked in response.

"Are you afraid you won’t be able to resist me?" he teased, his fingers brushing my skin. I turned my head to avoid his touch. He took a step back, a satisfied glint in his eyes.

"Your clothes will be here soon. And Violet shouldn’t know why you're staying here," he continued. "I'll come up with an excuse, and you will agree with it. Is that clear?" he said, arching an eyebrow before leaving my room.

Once the door closed behind him, I let out a breath I didn’t realize I was holding. This man made me feel things I didn’t understand. My rational mind told me to stay away from him, but I was stuck here for a year. I needed to make the best of it.

Just then, a girl named Lily—short, sweet, and innocent—entered the room with a long, flowing maxi dress.

"Hello, ma'am. Alpha sent me to give you these," she said, handing me the dress. Was Elijah out of his mind? I lived in the city and had a modern sense of style. A dress like this was the last thing I would wear. It felt like he was trying to make me into a nun.

"Thank you, Lily," I said, and she bowed before me.

"You don’t have to do that," I added quickly. "I’m not the Luna, just her sister."

"Yes, ma’am. But it's Alpha's order. You’re special to him, and I’m your personal maid. Whatever you need, just call my name," she said, leaving me confused. Special to him? Since when?

"Good night, Lily," I said as she left. I changed into the maxi dress and lay on the bed, the weight of everything on my mind. Why did my mother curse this pack? I had a year to figure it out.

---

THE NEXT MORNING

I woke up to the sound of birds chirping and quickly realized that my life had completely changed. I wasn’t in my own house anymore. I was here, in the pack house, trying to break a curse for a man who seemed... off.

Just as my feet hit the floor, there was a knock on the door. It was Lily again, holding a long pink dress.

"What’s going on with Elijah?" I asked, frustrated. "Why is he sending me all these long dresses? Does every woman here wear this?"

"No, ma’am," Lily replied, her voice apologetic. "Every woman is allowed to wear whatever she wants. But it's Alpha’s special instruction for you to wear only fully covered dresses."

"And why is that?" I asked, growing more irritated by the second.

"We can’t question Alpha," she said, her face full of sympathy.

I put my hand on my head. "Can’t you give me something else? I feel like a beggar in these clothes."

"No, ma’am. Alpha's order," she said, and I sighed.

"Okay, where's the Luna’s room?" I asked, desperate to change the subject.

Lily led me out of the room and down the hall to Violet's. As we approached, I could feel my frustration building. How dare Elijah think he could control my life?

"This is the Alpha’s room," Lily said, excusing herself. I didn’t bother knocking. I was too angry.

I stormed into the room, only to find Violet in a short black dress. Why is she wearing a short dress? Here I was, dressed in a long, modest gown, and she was in a mini dress. What is going on with Elijah?

"What are you doing here?" Violet asked, her eyes wide in surprise. "Shouldn’t you be at home?"

"Oh, I’m staying here to learn about the whole wolf thing. I’m so excited to shift into my wolf form, just like you," I replied sarcastically.

Violet smiled warmly. "You’ll love it here, Emma. I promise. It’ll be fun if we’re in the same house."

I sighed, trying to let the moment pass. "By the way, could I borrow some of your clothes?" I asked, eyeing her wardrobe.

She opened the closet, revealing a luxurious collection. I was amazed at the size of her wardrobe. It was far bigger than mine, and she had the most fashionable clothes—everything was so sleek and modern. I picked an olive dress, which had a low neckline, and I was sure it would fall just above my thighs. I’d look great in it.

As I turned to leave, I noticed the crumpled bedsheets. Violet had clearly enjoyed her night, and I couldn’t help but tease her.

"Looks like someone had a wild night," I said, and for the first time, Violet blushed.

“You really love him, don’t you?” I asked, and she smiled.

“Elijah is my whole world. I love him to the moon and back. I would destroy the entire world if anything ever happened to him,” she said, and I was taken aback by her devotion. “You won’t understand the depth of my love now, but you will when you meet your own mate. I hope that happens for you soon,” she added.

“Thank you so much. I’m looking forward to meeting my mate so I can truly understand this bond,” I replied, before heading to my room.

I took a shower, and found all my essentials, including lingerie, laid out for me. It felt luxurious to bathe in such an exquisite bathroom. Afterward, I slipped into the olive dress I had been given, which fit me perfectly. I combed my hair and tied it up in a high ponytail. This pack house is incredible—so large, I wondered how many wolves lived here.

I entered a grand hall where Violet, Elijah, Carlos, and two other men were seated. They all turned to look at me. Elijah’s expression was unreadable, though there was a frown on his face. One of the men, a very handsome stranger, was staring at me.

“Welcome, Emma. It’s good to see you,” Carlos said, offering me a smile that felt insincere. I could tell he didn’t like me, probably because of my mother.

“Thank you, Carlos,” I said, sitting next to Violet. Elijah, who was sitting across from me, still looked angry.

“Emma, this is Mason, the pack’s Beta, and James, the Gamma,” Violet introduced them. The terms were unfamiliar to me.

“They’re second and third in command after Alpha,” she clarified.

“Nice to meet both of you,” I said politely, though Mason winked at me, which I found a little odd.

“I’m leaving today, but I’ll be back soon,” Carlos announced, standing up. He shot me another glance before walking out.

“Mason, James, I need you to check the dungeon area. There was some commotion there earlier this morning,” Elijah ordered. The two men nodded and left.

I glanced at Mason again, feeling a little intrigued. He seemed cute, and I wondered if I could be friends with him.

“And Violet, sweetheart,” Elijah said, his gaze softening for a moment, “I love you, but I don’t like seeing your clothes on other women.” His expression hardened again as he looked at me, and I felt my stomach twist.

“But Elijah, she’s my sister, and she doesn’t have anything to wear,” Violet defended me.

“I sent her clothes, and yet you disregard me. You’ve lost respect for your mate by allowing this,” he snapped at Violet, his voice harsh. My heart sank, and I felt a lump form in my throat.

“You’re the Luna of this pack. Your clothes are as precious as you, so don’t make this mistake again,” Elijah continued. His words stung like daggers, and I couldn’t hold back the tears that filled my eyes.

"Is this how you humiliate me?" His words were so cutting, and I had never been spoken to like that before.