MEIRA POV

I sat quietly on the bed, after the omega left and let me organize my things into the closet. Now, all I could think about was my next life, after living in this pack. And perhaps, I will not have enough opportunities to be able to leave and detach myself from this pack. And again, I don't have enough strength to be able to do all those things on my own. Moreover, I was quite self-conscious, that I wasn't a good enough werewolf to put up a fight. Especially against an Alpha tyrant like that man, Zade Emerson.

Almost everyone knew who Zade Emerson was, but it was rare for them to meet the Alpha tyrant in person. I, myself, met him for the first time. And, I'm really sorry for that. Because that first meeting ended up in this Moon Gold Pack of his right now. Can I turn back the time? So that neither I nor that man could ever meet like now. I guess, that will never be possible.

Right now, I was in the room that Zade had prepared for me. I don't know what is the basis of my being in his pack right now. And I myself, also don't know what Zade is planning to do to me now. Then my existence in this pack, for what? I couldn't even stop to think about the same thing, for quite a long time. I sighed slowly, and began to cast my gaze in all directions in this room right now.

There wasn't much to see. There was only a bed, complete with pillow, bolster, and blanket, then the other thing was a sizable wardrobe, a small table beside the bed, complete with a small sleeping lamp. A pretty comfortable room actually. I could even say that the room Zade gave me was much more comfortable, and also much better, compared to the room I had before in my own pack. Thinking back to what happened in my pack before, I still really felt hurt by what my father had said to me. I shouldn't have to ask why you hated me, because deep down inside, I knew that the things you would say would only hurt my feelings more. And it did.

I raised my right hand and gently rubbed my forehead as I sighed. It was exhausting to feel and think about right now. "Do you like the room?" That voice instantly made me tiptoe off the bed, and look right at the open door of the room there. It revealed the arrival of Zade who was standing quietly, with his palms stuffed into his pants pockets. He looked at me flatly. I could barely read his expression.

"You're here? Since when?" I muttered. Because I didn't even realize when Zade came into this room before. And for some reason, I was standing very nervously right now. Supposedly, I should dare to look at him again.

"Hmm..." For a moment, he chuckled faintly, with the corners of his lips raised there. Until, Zade started to walk further into this room, and made me even more nervous, so I immediately tried to take my eyes off him now. So that I don't have to look at Zade.

"Looks like I was right. That you really like this room." He muttered once again.

Zade stopped walking and stood right in front of me. Only one step away. I still averted my eyes, and unconsciously clenched my palms together, to try to reduce the nervousness I could still feel.

"Don't mince words with me." I started to work up the courage to say something, even if it was mumbled.

"Why? What if I want to have a quick chat with you?"

Hearing the casual answer given by Zade, really made me feel out of my mind. How could he be that casual? I raised my head, and started looking at Zade who no longer raised the corners of his lips like before. He just looked at me with his curious eyes. And I felt a little annoyed.

"Why? Are you still asking me why?" I really couldn't figure it out. And Zade responded to my words with his head nodding slowly.

"In any case, you shouldn't be making small talk with me. You're an Alpha of a very powerful pack. And I'm just a girl, a daughter of a weak pack." I unconsciously pointed at myself in front of him.

"You asked me from my father before, didn't you? That I'm just a guarantee of cooperation that you and my father have, right? So, you should treat me like a collateral for the cooperation you have."

"Treat you as my collateral?"

Why does he keep asking? I nodded my head quickly. "Yes! Isn't that what you want? I'm here, as a guarantee. So treat me as whatever you want."

Unexpectedly, Zade's movement towards me became much faster. Zade moved closer to me, then grabbed my waist very tightly with his left hand, and threw my body onto the bed. The same thing happened with him on top of me. My breathing was very labored now. I didn't expect Zade to move suddenly like that. Both my hands held his chest, so that he wouldn't get too close to me now.

"Is this what you mean by treating you as my guarantee?"

Both my eyes were moving very restlessly. This feels quite scary. Or I should say, very scary actually. I've never been this close to any man. Not even once. And Zade, he was even still asking after throwing my body abruptly onto the mattress, and was in a very uncomfortable and unsafe position for myself right now.

"No... I didn't..." Gosh, why can't I speak properly.

Zade was still looking at me with a very cold gaze. It was as if that cold, flat look that he was currently giving me, penetrated into my body. And made my whole body feel tingly right now. I froze, and tried to gather courage. But Zade's next action towards me really instantly made my heart beat faster now. Zade's left hand that was still tightly wrapped around my waist, but his right hand started to move closer to my neck, then rubbed it, and stayed in that position.

Zade's face was getting closer, with the rush of his breathing that I could even begin to feel clearly. My breathing felt very labored, and I struggled to breathe easily. I could feel my face starting to turn pale now.

"Please... just, let me go." I had no other choice, but to lower my ego and frustration.

"But you asked for this, didn't you?" Zade muttered again. I thought, he must be challenging the ego that I had shown to him earlier.

I shook my head slowly. "No... please, let me go."

I mumbled again, and hoped that Zade would really let go of me and walk away. But Zade just fell silent, and looked straight at me. I was in alert mode. I wondered what he would do to me later, if I let my guard down. I didn't. I wasn't going to let him do anything to me.

"Are you scared?" He suddenly asked. And I could feel that his face was getting closer to mine now.

"I... I-I..." I stuttered again, and couldn't speak clearly once more.

Zade brought his face even closer to mine. "Are you scared of me?"

"Yeah... y-yes... I... I'm scared... you're a bit creepy up close." I mumbled in the end, and closed my eyelids very tightly now. I really hoped that the tightness I was feeling now would stop. But, in the next second, I began to feel that Zade was slowly removing his hands from my body. Then Zade slowly moved away from my body now. I paused for a moment, and took a deep breath.

I opened my eyelids in a hasty motion, and immediately turned my head and looked at Zade who was sitting on this bed, with his back to me. Quickly, I sat down on the bed, but stayed behind him.

"I think I need to set something straight with you." Zade muttered and started to reverse his sitting position, so that we were facing each other.

"You, are not a guarantee of cooperation between my pack, and your father's pack."

"What do you mean?" I furrowed my forehead quite deeply.

"Didn't you say it yourself earlier, that... you asked for me as collateral for the cooperation that your pack and my father's pack have. That's why you brought me to your pack. Because... I was collateral. Then why did you say I wasn't collateral?"

"That's something I need to explain to you, Meira." Zade started looking at me with a serious look now.

"What? You're making me unable to understand anything." I muttered.

"I didn't mean to make you collateral for the cooperation I have. It's just that, it was the only way I could think of in the short time before. If not, then you will never be able to escape your father."

"But what do all the things I experienced inside my pack, together with my father, and my step sister, have to do with you?" I shook my head slowly. Still not fully understanding Zade's intentions and direction.

"What do I have to do with your interests? And why me?"

"There is." Zade deepened his gaze on me. And I could see the seriousness in his eyes right there.

"And even so, you yourself might not easily believe let alone understand the things I tell you. But yes, you are very important to me, Meira."

"Then, if I ask, will you be willing to give me the answer?" I challenged him. I thought, I really need that answer now.

"That depends." Zade softened his gaze, and began to lift the corners of his lips there slightly. "It depends on what you want to ask me."

I paused for a moment and swallowed my saliva slowly. It felt very strange to be face-to-face with the Alpha tyrant who was always told to be the most dangerous figure, for lower-level packs, like my pack. Especially with the position where I was in his pack now. Things that absolutely cannot be considered favorable at all. But, at the very least, I should try, and make a little effort to find out what he really wants from me now.

"If, I'm not the guarantee of cooperation that you and my father have... then why should I be in your pack? And what do you really want from me?"

"You. I want you." Zade's answer I never expected at all. What did he mean by that now? That sentence could have a different meaning.

"Tell me clearly. Make me understand this situation. Don't confuse me. Please." I looked at Zade pleadingly.

"You are my cure, Meira Hill. You are the cure for this pack."

Wait. Is that possible? The meaning of Zade's words could only mean one thing.

"Cure? Do you think I am your mate, Zade Emerson?"

"Yes. You are my mate, Meira Hill. Don't you feel the same way I do?"

ZADE POV

I paused and observed Meira's facial expression in front of me now. Meira was silent with an expression on her face that held back her laughter. What was so funny about what I had just said to her? I was getting more and more clueless, when Meira started to chuckle there. The frown on my forehead deepened, and unconsciously, I looked at Meira curiously. Why was she laughing at my words earlier?

"Why are you laughing, Meira? What's so funny about what I said?"

"No-no... hahah... I mean... hmm.." Meira seemed to be having trouble holding back her laughter.

I knew that I was probably already mesmerized by her. Although I myself also find it quite difficult to admit that. Meira began to cover her mouth with the palm of her right hand, and breathed out slowly. I continued to observe her.

"I just can't believe what you just said." Meira averted her eyes, and looked at me with her face flushed there. "That I am your mate, your cure... I can't believe it at all."

"But why? Why can't you believe what I'm saying, that you are my mate, Meira? Is it so hard to believe that?"

Meira nodded her head quickly. "Very. Very difficult." Meira shifted her sitting position, until we were much closer than before. "I can't believe that I'm the mate of an Alpha tyrant like you."

"Alpha tyrant?" My face twisted.

Was it possible that Meira couldn't believe that we were mates, because she knew about the atrocities I had committed while leading this pack? Did she also know that I had always been able to win battles in ways that were too cruel to imagine?

"Yes. You are the Alpha tyrant, and everyone knows how great and cruel you are. But that's not the main reason I don't trust you."

"Then what? Tell me." I felt uneasy instantly. It felt very claustrophobic.

"I can't feel if you're my mate, Zade Emerson."

"What?" How could that be possible? How could Meira not feel what I felt, the first time the two of us met before?

Meira nodded with her lips thinning. She looked nervous, and it was obvious for me to see now. "I never shifted with my wolf soul. I bet you know about it though. With what my father has said before. That I am a different werewolf, and I can never shift."

"But, that doesn't seem possible, Meira." I couldn't believe it. "I thought that what your father said was just a hoax."

"I know, but it's not just any old b*llsh*t, Zade. At the beginning, everyone, including myself also thought about the same thing. That all werewolves must be able to shift with their wolf souls. But not me."

Meira sighed, and I could see how difficult it was for her to explain that back to me now. "I'm completely different. I can't do shifts with my wolf soul. I can't smell the scent of someone who is my mate."

I was silent with bitterness that felt very much on my own tongue now. It was very difficult to hear Meira's explanation. "And if, what you said before is true. Then I'll say it even more clearly, Zade. I cannot smell the scent of your body, as my mate. I cannot do that."

"So, that is the reason why you laughed, after hearing what I said earlier?" And Meira nodded her head slowly.

"That's right. Because it was so hard to believe. That I met my mate, in this condition." Meira lowered her head slightly. Her face looked flushed. She was either embarrassed or holding back tears.

"Is that the main reason for the behavior of your father, your stepsister, and everyone else in your pack?" I rubbed my face roughly. Feeling a little frustrated with the fact that I had just heard that detail now.

"Yes. They started treating me differently, after finding out that I was nothing more than a weak werewolf. That's why, father treated me differently from Samara. He was ashamed of having such a weak, useless daughter. I was supposed to be his first daughter, and would be the heir to the pack one day."

Meira was silent for a moment, and let out her breath slowly for the umpteenth time. "But in the end, father decided that Samara should be the pack heir, and I should live as an omega, in my own pack." Meira gave a small chuckle.

She was trying to hide the sadness and pain she was feeling right now. And my heart broke seeing that. I unconsciously clenched my palms together tightly. It felt very difficult. I knew that I shouldn't touch Meira. And I knew that I couldn't do that. Not now.

"That's why, I can't believe a word you say, Zade." Meira raised her head and looked at me with tears in her eyes. She tried very hard to keep the tears from falling from her eyes.

"And again, you are much more deserving of a mate who is equal to you. You deserve someone who is far more worthy of being with you. And it's not me, Zade. Not me."

"Don't say that."

Please, Meira. Don't. Don't say something that could make me not hold back. You don't know who I am yet. And I don't want you to be scared or even hate me. I wouldn't be able to handle that.

"I just want you to know that, Zade. For the rest, I'll accept whatever decision you give me. I won't resist. I will obey. Until the day you decide on an answer, just tell me. But let me, give my devotion to you and this pack."

"You're not going anywhere."

D*mn it. I couldn't hold myself back anymore. I immediately got up from the bed, and turned my body around, turning my back to Meira there. I couldn't. I couldn't hold back my emotional turmoil anymore right now.

"I have decided that you will never leave this pack. I will never allow you to leave this pack. You belong to me, Meira. You belong here."

After saying that, I walked away from Meira's room. Even though Meira had called my name several times, I still ignored her. I couldn't. I didn't want her to know who I really was. I might never be able to bear it if one day, my mate looked at me with fear, and maybe even hatred. I don't want that. No, I don't.

***

MEIRA POV

After Zade's departure from this room, I felt a little empty. Because Zade left in an angry state. I thought that Zade was holding back his anger over all the things I had said to him. I didn't even realize that the way I conveyed and also told all those things, could provoke his anger. I should have kept in mind that Zade was the Alpha tyrant. He could get angry and behave cruelly at any time. And Zade was trying to hold himself back from me.

Besides, Zade had already given me his decision. That he would never let me leave this pack. And automatically, that also meant that I could never go and leave him. As his mate. But somehow I managed to survive in this pack afterward. There are many people in this pack, and besides that, this pack also has relationships and good relations with various other packs.

How would they all react if they knew that I was Zade's mate? How will they react when they find out that Zade's mate is a weak werewolf, or even the weakest among the many werewolves? What about Zade's reputation that might be ruined by me being around him? And what will I do if I have to get insults and condescending looks once again from others?

I've lived with the disdain of my own family for years. Then how could I stand to be much stronger, if other people I didn't know would look at me the same way? I'll never have that much strength to keep going. I won't be able to. All those thoughts were crowded inside my mind right now. Especially with Zade's traits. I didn't even know what traits he had, other than being an Alpha tyrant. And what would I do next in this pack?

"Miss?"

The call instantly made me turn my head toward the open door of the room. The Omega who had previously helped me carry my suitcase and bag was standing at the door now. Hastily, I got up from the bed, and displayed a small smile.

"Yes?"

The Omega walked over, and I just realized that he was carrying a tray of food and drinks. "Alpha asked me to deliver the food and drinks to you. I apologize for only being able to deliver them to you now." She said as she placed the tray on the table beside the bed.

"Um... no. No problem. Besides, I feel like I'm inconveniencing you and your other friends. Thank you very much, for delivering the food for me."

"You're welcome Miss." The Omega smiled and nodded his head slowly.

"By the way Miss, Alpha said that you can rest now. Also, if you need anything, you can call me directly. Then I will definitely help you later."

I nodded my head slowly. "Sure. Um, let me introduce my name is Meira. Meira Hill." I extended my right hand, and she hesitantly took my hand.

"My name is Vita, Miss." Our handshakes stopped immediately after that.

"All right, Miss. I have to go back to continue my work. If you need anything, you can come to the kitchen, and find me there. I will be ready to do whatever you tell me to do."

"Sure, I'll do it then. Thank you."

After that, Vita left the room and did not forget to close the door again. I paused for a moment, and started looking at the meal that looked like it was still warm there. Ordering someone to tell me what I want? That's not even something I've ever done before. And I myself am also completely unaccustomed to all those things. Being served so well, and also getting respect from others. I slowly sat down on the bed, and began to enjoy the food that Vita had prepared with relish.

I thought, I just need to wait for what Zade will say next. I felt very sure that Zade must still have many things he wanted to say to me after this. Besides, if Zade really wants me to stay here, then at least, I should be able to learn to blend in a bit with everyone in this pack. At least, make a friend or two. So that I wouldn't be too lonely.

Thinking about it again, there seemed to be something quite strange about Zade's reaction. He seemed to be keeping something secret. Is it possible that Zade has a big secret and is afraid of me finding out?

THIRD POV

Zade had just finished exercising in the backyard of his pack. With sweat pouring down all over his body, Zade walked over to the small bench in the yard, picked up the towel he had brought before exercising there, and wiped his sweaty body with the towel in his hand. Zade looked around the backyard, and found Logan walking towards the backyard of the pack now.

"Alpha, today, you have a meeting scheduled with Alpha Liam at noon. He said he wants to discuss the cooperation contract agreement that your pack has." Logan said when he was right in front of Zade now.

Zade nodded his head slowly, then wrapped the towel in his hand around his neck. "Alright. I'll get ready then. You can prepare all the necessary things. Papers and all."

"Sure Alpha." After that, Logan immediately went to prepare everything.

As for Zade, he walked slowly into the pack, heading for the kitchen. Zade found the food and drinks already prepared and set on the dining table. But Zade decided to get some cold water from the refrigerator, to quench the thirst he was feeling right now. After getting a bottle of cold water, Zade drank it immediately, while walking closer to the dining table.

"Good morning."

"Uhuk-uhuk..." Zade coughed in surprise at the 'good morning' greeting given by Meira who was suddenly there near the dining table.

Meira approached, and patted Zade a few times on the back, when he did not immediately stop coughing now. "Are you okay?"

Zade dodged Meira's pats quickly. "I'm fine." He answered briefly. Although a few times, he still coughed a little, but he tried to hide it. Zade looked at Meira curiously. "What are you doing here?"

"Me? I was making you breakfast. I saw you exercising earlier, so I thought I could make you breakfast. The omegas told me what kind of food you like." Meira looked at the plates on the dining table filled with Zade's favorite foods.

"Why are you doing all this alone? And where are all the omegas on specialized duty in the kitchen?" Zade looked around him, where there was hardly a single omega.

Meira smiled slightly, looking a little nervous. "Because, I'm used to cooking by myself, so I asked them to do other work. Some of them are cleaning your room, as well as mine. And others, doing other things."

Hearing that, Zade immediately looked at Meira who was watching him. Zade was silent for a long time, eventually nodding his head slowly. "Alright then. Um... can we eat together now?"

"Sure, if that's what you want." Meira smiled.

Although she herself knew that her heart could never lie at all. She kept feeling worried. Several times, she could not sleep well last night. Ever since the conversation they had.

Zade sat on one of the chairs there, and Meira immediately prepared the food she had cooked into Zade's plate, as well as hers. After that, Meira sat on the chair right next to Zade there, and the two of them started eating together. They were both silent, and focused on the food they were eating right now. Zade glanced at Meira a few times, and became even more silent with anxiety inside him. Zade tried hard not to show it to Meira, or even anyone in his pack.

"What do you think of the food I cooked?" Meira suddenly asked. Actually, she couldn't bear not to ask Zade that herself.

"It's delicious." Zade replied briefly.

Meira just nodded her head vaguely, then went back to eating her food. Even so, in his heart, Zade really wanted to praise the dishes made by Meira, it's just that, he was never good at praising things. Or even praising other people. Zade could almost never do that. Instead, he always got compliments from others during his life.

When they both finished breakfast, Meira quickly cleaned up all the dirty plates and glasses. Meira brought the dirty plates and glasses to the sink in the kitchen and started washing them. Zade followed Meira from behind, and kept watching her. Meira frowned, confused by what Zade was doing right now.

"What's wrong?" Meira turned around.

"I..." Zade seemed hesitant to say anything to Meira.

"Yes?" And Meira waited.

"Can you just call me by name after this?" Zade swallowed his saliva slowly. He looked agitated. It was almost obvious from his eyes there. "No Alpha frills. Can you just call me Zade?"

Meira was silent looking at Zade who looked nervous in front of her now. She felt anxious. A second later, Meira nodded her head with a smile. "Of course, Zade..." Zade refrained from smiling at once.

"Ehem. Well... I should get ready and go. I have a meeting this afternoon with your father." Zade muttered and immediately turned around to leave.

"You're meeting with my father this afternoon?" Meira's question instantly made Zade stop his steps. He turned around and looked at Meira who looked shocked and curious at once. Meira walked closer to where Zade was.

"What are you and my father going to do in that meeting? Are you going to discuss something about me together with my father?" She instantly felt anxious.

"That's for sure, Meira." Zade nodded his head with quick movements. He looked very serious now. "What's more, you already exist and live in my pack now, Meira. And that cooperation agreement is also something I must keep. I have never once broken any agreement with any pack."

"B-but..." Meira's eyelids blinked rapidly. "B-but that means, the cooperation agreement will still be written, if I am the guarantee. Do you still consider me as the guarantee of the cooperation?" Meira asked. A little panicked now.

Zade shook his head. "No, Meira. I've never considered you as collateral for any partnership. I've told you, that you are my mate, Meira. Mine."

"I know, Zade. I know about that." Meira swallowed her saliva with difficulty. Nervousness, as well as fear instantly filled her entire body now.

"But what my father knows is that I am here, in your pack, as a guarantee of cooperation between your packs. What if my father finds out later that I am your mate? And what would you write in the agreement? My father would go crazy."

Zade clenched his palms tightly together. "I've already thought about that, Meira. You shouldn't worry about anything. Get some rest. And let those omegas do their work." After saying that, Zade walked away and left Meira speechless. Meira bit her lower lip, getting more and more agitated.

Meira sighed, and hurried to finish the waiting work. Once done, she walked straight to her room and cleaned herself up. She tried to get rid of all the anxiety she was feeling right now. Moreover, with what plans Zade had about the cooperation agreement that she and her father had. Meira certainly felt anxious, as well as scared. She was very familiar with her father's attitude towards all things related to him.

"Oh my, I can't help but be curious. Zade must not have left by now. But how can I ask about the cooperation agreement? Moreover, with Zade still seemingly holding back his words, and also his attitude towards me. He was still distant, and so was I. If father finds out that I'm Zade's mate, then I'll definitely be finished by his hand."

Meira stood with a restlessness that she could not control. She felt very claustrophobic. She walked back and forth in the room several times, trying to keep her ragged breathing in check.

"But if I stay in this room, then I won't know what I can get. While Zade goes to meet with father. Can I look for something that would explain why Zade is so stiff with me? But who can I ask about that here?"

Meira walked slowly over to the open window of the room, and looked down. Where Zade and Logan were walking towards the car. Zade opened the car door and got into the car, as did Logan. After that, they drove away from the pack. Meira let out her breath slowly, as she shifted her gaze, and looked around the room now.

"That's right. There will be nothing I can gain if I just stay silent in this room. Although, I can't feel a mate connection to Zade, I should at least try my best to make him happy. Or at least, just by doing some things, it can help me calm my worried mind."

Meira walked out of the room, and decided to meet Vita, the omega who had helped her yesterday. She found Vita in the kitchen washing the meat. "Vita?" Meira walked over.

Vita turned around, and wiped her hands with the apron she was wearing. "Yes, Miss? Is there anything I can help you with?"

"Actually, I was wondering." Meira paused her words. Vita nodded and waited for Meira to continue. "Can I go into Zade's room?"

"Of course you may, Miss. You have the privilege to do so." Vita walked over to Meira with a smile on her face. "Alpha Zade told us that you can do whatever you want."

"I see... Actually, I was just curious, and wanted to get to know Zade better. I thought I could look through the photos or other things about Zade in his room."

"Of course, Miss. You can do that. Do you need me to accompany you?"

Meira gave a small shake of her head. "No, I don't. There is no need. I just want to confirm if I can go into Zade's room. That's all." Vita nodded in understanding.

After that, Meira went straight to Zade's room. She slowly opened the door to Zade's room, walked inside, and closed the door again. Meira looked around the room. Her gaze fell on the closed windows and curtains. She walked quickly and opened the curtains and windows, letting in fresh air. Meira's gaze shifted to a tall glass cabinet, which contained picture frames, and also album books inside. Meira opened the cabinet, picked up a photo album and opened it. A photo showed a man and woman holding a baby between them.

"This must be Zade. He looks so cute." Meira turned to another photo.

A photo featuring only a man and a woman, Zade's parents, on the bottom of which was written, 'in loving memory of Alpha and Luna'.

"They must be Zade's parents. And his mother looks so beautiful... but, she doesn't look like an ordinary werewolf. His mom looks a lot different. She looks mesmerising. So much beauty.