LEAH

It isn't long before all the dignitaries are summoned to the great dining hall. The Lycan Alpha clearly has no tolerance for delay. The other maids and I rush in and out of the hall, placing dishes, and ensuring the drinks are perfectly arranged. Even though the Lycan Alpha said he wanted no festivities, it'd be suicidal for our pack not to prepare a feast.

Compared to the Bloodmoon Pack, our Blueridge Pack is nothing. Rumor has it their wolves are the strongest in all the lands, and to make it all worse, their Alpha isn't just a wolf. He's a Lycan.

By the time the table is fully set, Alpha Terran, Beta Jarek, and the other high-ranking members of our pack are already seated. The guests from the Bloodmoon pack sit across from them, their storm-grey eyes making them impossible to miss.

Everyone is present except for the supposed bride and groom, Layla, and the Lycan Alpha. From where I stand, I can see the anxiety written all over Alpha Terran’s face, his fingers drumming impatiently on the large table. I’ve seen him angry, resentful, even cruel. But fear? That’s new. This Lycan Alpha must be exactly who they say he is to have them all so shaken.

Across the table, the Lycan Alpha’s Beta, Theron, leans forward, his expression cold.

“Alpha Terran,” his deep voice cuts through the tense atmosphere. “Where is the bride? My Alpha will not step foot in this hall until she is present.”

Panic flashes in Alpha Terran’s eyes. He leans towards Beta Jarek who is sitting beside him and whispers something to his ears. Beta Jarek’s face hardens immediately. He pushes back his chair with a loud scrape, and walks towards me.

“Oh no!” I whisper. I know what is coming before he even opens his mouth. My stomach twists in disgust.

“Find the Alpha’s daughter and bring her here

Now!” He orders. “Tell her it’s time. Her groom is waiting.”

I bow silently and leave the hall. Every curse I could think of flares through my mind as I walked towards Layla’s room. All my life, I have done everything for her. And now, even after she has taken my own mate, I still have to be the one to fetch her for her new mate. Stupid, spoiled brat.

I pause outside her door, forcing my fingers to stop trembling as I raise them to knock.

“Layla!” I call.

No answer

“Lay…”

The door flies open violently, slamming into my face before I could call her the second time.

“Shut the fuck up! I'm going already!” Laula snaps, storming past me with Aiden trailing behind her like the spineless fool he is.

Yuck, he disgusts me.

His eyes dodge mine like a shadow as he follows her blindly. I trail behind them, quietly anticipating the drama about to unfold. Relief washes over Alpha Terran the moment Layla steps into the hall. Aiden of course silently disappears among the guards. Coward.

“Beta Theron”, Alpha Terran calls out. “Now that my daughter is here, I request that you summon your Alpha.”

Beta Theron gives a curt nod and stands to leave, but before he takes a step, Layla suddenly stands up, tapping a fork against the rim of her wine glass, the eerie clink ringing through the hall.

“Hey everyone,” she says with a false cheer. “I have an announcement.”

The room goes quiet as everyone turns to her, questions etched on their faces. Even Beta Theron freezes mid-step, anticipation rising in the air. Then, with a smirk on her face, she drops the bombshell.

“I’m pregnant.”

The room explodes. Gasps and murmurs spread across the hall like a wildfire. The Bloodmoon guests exchange glances, their expressions unreadable. Beta Theron’s jaw clenches, his face contorts in pure rage.

Alpha Terran shoots up from his seat. “What?!” He roars, “what nonsense are you spewing, Layla?”

“Oh yes father,” she replies with a mischievous smile. “I’m two weeks pregnant. Which means, I won’t be marrying that old, ugly-looking fucker you’re trying to sell me off to.”

“What insolence!” Beta Theron yells as he slams his fists on the table, his eyes blazing with fury.

“Alpha Terran! Obviously you haven't raised your daughter well enough! This is not just an insult to my Alpha, it is an insult to the Bloodmoon Pack!” You should cover your face in shame and seek for my Alpha’s mercy.” His voice drops into something colder. “Or you wish to see your entire pack wiped out?”

“Easy, Theron.” A new, deep voice comes in from behind me.

A man steps forward, massive and cloaked like the others from Bloodmoon. He walks past me, his hood low and voice calm.

“No need for threats?” he says as he strides closer to Alpha Terran. “Talk is the wind. We are the storm that follows.”

As if it's rehearsed, Beta Theron and the rest of the Bloodmoon entourage bow immediately. My breath catches. I can’t see his face yet his back is to me. But his aura… it’s strange. It's like a mix of cold and warm at the same time.

From where I am, I see the people at the table shaking with fear. Then it clicks, alarm bells ringing viciously in my head.

Oh shit! The Scarred Alpha.

A shiver runs down my spine as realization dawns on me.

“Did you just say… pregnant?” His voice vibrates as he speaks.

Layla stiffens. She exhales sharply, suddenly unable to speak.

“Answer him!” Beta Theron roars at her.

“Y-yes…” she stammers..

The room falls so silent one would hear a pin drop loud and clear.

“Alpha,” he turns to Alpha Terran. “I agreed to a peace treaty after you trespassed into my territory on the condition that your daughter would be my mate. And this… this is what you bring to me?” He roars, his voice cold as ice. The power in his voice coils around the room like smoke, choking everyone. Alpha Terran's voice sticks to his throat as he stares blankly at the lycan Alpha.

“And you”, he turns back to Layla, her eyes blinking rapidly. “You called me an old, ugly fucker,” he chuckles. “Tell me…,” he slowly raises his hands and takes off his hood. “...how about now?”

A loud gasp echoes through the hall. Some people cover their faces, while others keep their heads bowed in fear.

I hurry to the other side of the hall to get a glimpse of him. And dear Goddess…

He is beautiful.

LEAH

I have never seen a man so handsome. His face looks like they were perfectly carved by hundreds of sculptors. His nose is unbelievably straight. His lips are so well defined, they look both calm and sinful at the same time. His hair is raven black, and his skin is the smoothest I've ever seen.

The entire hall remains frozen in silence, everyone staring in awe at the piece of perfection standing before them. Layla’s mouth hangs open. She had expected an ugly monster, well… we all did. But instead, we get the shocker of our lives.

“Alpha Lucian,” Alpha Terran finally speaks, his voice a little louder than a whisper.

So that's his name, I mutter. Lucian.

“I'm terribly sorry.” Alpha Terran continues. “I didn't know anything about this. It's an…”

“Save it.” Alpha Lucian cuts him off sharply as he walks to the seat prepared for him at the edge of the dining table. “I don't like being made a fool of Alpha Terran,” he says, his voice calm. “If I’d known you were this useless, I would have never agreed to this deal. I should kill you for wasting my time.”

Without sparing Alpha Tarren a glance, he reaches for a goblet of wine on the table, his fingers lazily swirling the liquid inside. Then, with a flick of his wrist, he tosses the wine onto the floor, the red liquid splattering like spilled blood.

Alpha Terran’s hand curls into a fist at the insult but he does nothing. Alpha Lucian looks a lot younger than Alpha Terran. He's probably in his late thirties at most, and Alpha Terran was well over sixty. But Alpha Terran’s head remained bowed, it's the Scarred Alpha speaking, age means nothing. Countering him would be suicidal.

“But no need to worry,” Alpha Lucian continues, a mischievous smile curving his lips. “I won't kill you, your pack will still be of good use to me.”

He picks up an apple and stands, strolling like the hall is his yard.

“I came for a mate,” he says, taking a bite, “and I'm definitely not leaving without one.”

Layla’s face turns ghostly pale. “I’m sorry Alpha, I was just joking”, she cries, her voice shaking.

“Keep quiet!” Alpha Lucian roars. I swallow hard, my fingers failing to stay still.

“This whole shitshow happened because I let you choose for me,” he says, his eyes scanning the hall. “Now, I'll choose my mate myself.”

He strolls around, pausing to take a glance at every young woman seated or standing in the hall. Then all of a sudden, he stops in front of me.

“Raise your head,” he says calmly.

And I do, slowly.

When I look into his eyes again, my stomach flips. The rest of the world blurrec as I stare at him in silence.

“What's your name?”

“Leah,” I say softly, my voice shaky.

“Relax Leah. I'm not going to hurt you.” He holds my hand and steps forward. “I have made my choice. Leah will be my mate.”

Alpha Terran’s eyes go up in flames, “What? No you can't! She's just a maid. I'll find you a replacement..”

A low growl escapes Lucian’s chest as Alpha Terran tries to grab my hand.

“I don't think you understand”, he answers him menacingly. “It's either I take her, or there will be war. Do you hear me?”

“Yes,” Alpha Terran replies, his bravado calming.

Alpha Lucian turns back to me, staring deep into my eyes. “Or do you not want me?”

I stare blankly at him, not knowing what to say. Although I'd give anything to watch Alpha Terran getting insulted over and over again, I can't help but feel like I'm just a pawn in Alpha Lucian’s game. He didn’t get the mate he came for, so now he’s settling for me. A rebound.

“You don't want her, trust me”. Layla’s voice rings out before I can talk. “She’s too weak for you. Take me..”

“Say one more word about my mate and I'll rip your lungs out,” Alpha Lucian threatens, cutting her off as he holds my hand, and shoving me behind him. She drops to her knees immediately, begging to be forgiven.

My stomach flips as I hear him call me his mate. I don't know if I should be happy that I get to leave this life of torment or I should be sad that I'm going to be mated to a tyrant for the rest of my life.

“Now apologize” he growls at Layla.

“I'm… I'm sorry” she stammers, unable to look me in the eye.

“Good.” He retorts, a devilish smile on his lips as if all of this was a joke to him. He faces the crowd and holds my hand up.

“I, Alpha Lucian of the Bloodmoon pack, choose Leah as my mate, and that is final. You may return to your dinner now. My mate and I have a lot to know about each other”.

He turns to me again, his voice low and smooth. “Let’s go.”

“She's right”, I blurt, resisting his pull. “I'm too weak for you. I don't have a wolf, so I can't be your Luna. I…”

He leans close to me, cutting me off and whispering in my ears, sending a storm of butterflies through my stomach.

“Oh you must be mistaken. I didn't choose you for beauty or your body. I know you're weak and powerless. But I'm the Lycan Alpha. Whatever I say is mine… is mine.”

He leans back and looks into my eyes. “So whether you like it or not, you're mine now, little flower. Mine!”

He pulls me after him as he pushes the heavy doors open. My heart aches, my mind racing like lightning. I take another look at him again as he pulls me with him, his beautiful black hair cascading down his shoulder as he walks. I still can't wrap my finger around it, one thing keeps ringing in my mind.

I just got mated to the Scarred Alpha!

LEAH

Alpha Lucian’s words echo in my head as I quietly follow him down the hallway.

“You're mine now little flower, mine!”

Me, mated to the scarred Alpha?

It all feels like a fever dream, one I might wake up from any second. His chambers are on the east wing of the pack house, an area reserved only for august visitors like the lycan Alpha. And here I am being led there by the lycan Alpha himself.

His scent hits me like a wall as he pushes the door open. It clings to my skin, seeping into my lungs until it’s all I can taste. I feel it wrap around my body like invisible chains, dragging my heartbeat into a faster and harder rhythm.

The room itself is a fortress of luxury, clearly designed by Alpha Terran to impress his guests. Dark wood panels polished to a glossy sheen line the walls. Heavy velvet curtains pool against the black marble floor, and a huge fireplace blazes along the wall.

My stomach drops as he releases my hand, the warmth of his that touch fading. He struts to the bed, sitting in it like it’d been his all his life. He reaches up and shrugs off his jacket, tossing it aside with a thud. Then his fingers move to the buttons of his shirt, slowly, like he knows I’m watching. Like he knows I can’t not watch.

I swallow hard, my mouth feeling dry. My mind races to find something, anything to focus on, but there’s nothing here but him and his beautiful presence. A wild flutter stirs in my stomach as my eyes trace the lean lines of his torso as the shirt falls open, revealing golden skin stretched over a ton of muscle. He peels the shirt off with a casual flick of his wrist and drops it, giving me a perfect view of his bare chest.

The butterflies in my stomach riot again, flapping harder and faster, as he looks up at me, heat creeping up my neck.

“Close the door,” he says, his voice low and commanding.

My fingers tremble as I slowly reach for the door and close it. My cheeks burn with embarrassment as I think of what's next. Even though I was literally forced into this mating, I can't deny the pull I feel towards him.

My cheeks burn with embarrassment as I turn back to him and his eyes are trained on me like they're quietly scanning me. I clear my throat awkwardly, waiting for something I know is definitely coming, the consummation.

“Come over here,” he says softly, his voice calm but firm as he pats the bed beside him. I move slowly, keeping a careful distance between us as I sit. His lips twitch, then curl into a faint smile, my anxiety seeming to amuse him as he notices my trembling fingers.

“I… I've never done this before”, I blurt out, staring keenly at the polished floors as I try to avoid his gaze. He says nothing, he just stares quietly, observing me. My lips betray me again as I continue to ramble.

“You're probably expecting... this,” I wave a hand vaguely between us, flustered. “But I’m a virgin,” I add quickly, the words rushing out. “And you… I mean, you’re probably really huge and…” I slap my hand over my mouth, mortified at my sudden brazenness.

His eyebrows shoot up as he bursts out laughing. It’s the first real reaction I’ve gotten from him, and it sends a fresh wave of heat rushing to my face.

Then he moves,

Closer.

His muscles shift with every step, his naked arms bulging. I feel his warmth before he even touches me, his breath brushing softly against the side of my neck. My stomach flips violently as the butterflies inside me riot once again. I swallow hard, shutting my eyes as my lips tremble in anticipation.

Then his fingers graze my mouth, just barely, the soft warmth of his touch sending a spark through me. I keep my eyes closed, holding my breath, expecting him to kiss me.

But he doesn’t.

He suddenly pulls away, and the warmth of his body goes with him, leaving my skin cold.

“Relax,” he says coldly, already walking to the edge of the bed like nothing just happened. Like he didn't just turn my whole world upside down with a single touch.

“We’re not having sex tonight.”

My head jerks up. “We’re not?” I ask, my voice small and my cheeks burning with embarrassment. I fiddle awkwardly with the hem of my dress, unsure if I’m relieved or... disappointed.

“We’re not,” he repeats flatly as he unbuttons his trousers and slips them off. Then he heads toward the bathroom, his tone casual. “I’m going to take a quick shower. Also, you might want to change out of that”, he points at my dress, his eyes scanning me rudely. “You should find something that fits in there,” he gestures to a large mahogany wardrobe tucked against the wall.

And just like that, he disappears into the bathroom, leaving me sitting there flustered and completely riled up for absolutely nothing. My skin tingles from where he touched me, my heartbeat thudding in my ears like it hasn’t quite caught up with the rest of me.

I walk slowly to the massive wardrobe, the doors creaking open to reveal rows of neatly arranged crisp shirts and pants. I pull out one of the shirts, black, obviously oversized. The shirt smells faintly of him, like a mix of pine, leather, and cedar.

Without overthinking, I change out of my dress, folding it neatly and setting it aside. The shirt slips over my body easily, brushing my mid-thigh, the sleeves swallowing my arms.

I catch a glimpse of myself in the mirror nearby and pause, stepping closer. The shirt clings slightly to the curve of my waist, loose everywhere else. My bare legs peek out from beneath the hem, and for a second, I barely recognize the girl staring back at me. She looks... different.

“You look good in my clothes,” I freeze as I hear his voice.

I glance toward the hallway, and there he is, leaning against the doorframe with nothing but a towel around his waist. His dark hair is damp, his skin still glistening from the shower, and his stormy eyes dragging over me in slow motion.

My cheeks blaze. I immediately drop my gaze and shift awkwardly, my arms tugging at the oversized sleeves like I can hide inside them.

When I finally look back, he’s smirking. That same devilish curl of his lips like he finds my shyness amusing. Without another word, he pulls on a pair of black drawstring pants and a sleeveless shirt that clings to his muscles. Then, he tosses back the covers and settles into the massive bed.

“Don’t just stand there. The bed’s big enough for both of us,” he says casually, adjusting the pillow behind his head. “And don't worry, I'm a man of my word. I'm not going to touch you.”

Swallowing hard, I slowly walk over and slip under the covers, on the far edge, as far from him as possible. He chuckles softly.

Settling into the bed, I whisper, “Alpha Lucian?”

“Yes,” he groans, his voice rough with sleep.

“If I may ask... why me?”

He says nothing at first, and I almost regret asking. But something inside me stirs and the words spill out before I can stop them. “I mean... I’m a nobody. And you’re the Lycan Alpha. So… why me?”

There’s a brief pause, then his voice comes, low. “You’re not a nobody. Not anymore.” He shifts slightly, his back still to me. “You’re my mate now, little flower. Mine.”

My heart thuds a little harder, and I pull the covers up to my chin as warmth creeps into my cheeks, his last word echoing in my head, “mine”.

My fingers curl softly against the sheets, and for the first time since this whirlwind began, a strange sense of belonging touches me.

“And Leah..” he calls out, his voice low.

“Yes”

“You can call me Lucian.”

I smile quietly into the dark, the corners of my lips lifting without permission. .

“Goodnight, Lucian,” I whisper.

“Goodnight, my little flower.”

And for the first time in days, I let my eyes fall shut with a calm I hadn’t known I was searching for.