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.

LEAH

Hefty, uneven breaths echoing through the early morning silence stir me from sleep. It takes me a moment to realize they're not mine. They're his. The sound draws me in, urging me to turn over, and when I do, the sight that greets me steals whatever remnants of sleep I have left.

He lies beside me, bare-chested and beautiful in the kind of way that makes my breath hitch. The duvet has slipped down below his waist, revealing the sculpted lines of his abdomen, the dips and ridges of muscle carved like art into bronze. His arms are folded loosely beneath his head, biceps taut even in rest, veins visible beneath the skin.

The moonlight filtering through the curtains casts a soft glow across his skin, making him look almost unreal. His face is softer now in sleep. The sharp edge to his jaw is relaxed, and his black hair is a tousled mess of silky strands falling across his forehead.

A lump forms in my throat as my gaze drops to his lips. My lips part slightly, as last night’s moments replay in my head. The warmth of his touch, and even the way he looked at me settled in my belly like honey, sweet and slow.

I stretch my hand, reaching out to brush a few messy strands of hair from his face. But I freeze midway, my fingers trembling.

Dark scars run from the base of his neck and disappear beneath the duvet trailing down the expanse of his back.

"Damn, now I know how he got his name, the Scarred Alpha" I thought.

Goosebumps rise along my arms, as I stare at the scars, a sharp sting coiling in my chest.

“Are you scared?” His voice cuts through my thoughts, raspy from sleep.

I jerk my hand back and clear my throat awkwardly as his cold, grey eyes meet mine. I drop my gaze, the sudden heat on my cheeks burning hot with embarrassment. Damn he's sexy, even when he looks sleepy.

“I... no...I'm...” I fumble, throat tightening as I clear it quickly, trying to recover.

He doesn’t wait for my excuse. He sits up in one swift movement, almost making me squeal in shock. His biceps seem to flex themselves as they bulge more, making my heart beat faster than usual.

He presses a hand to his temple, and closes his eyes. He's mindlinking someone, I figured. I've seen some of the warrior wolves do it in the pack, even Layla, as spoiled as she is. Mindlinking is a gift all werewolves should have naturally, but with my wolf almost non-existent, I don't have it.

He looks back to me, his jaw getting tense.

“I've asked Theron to bring you a dress, we're leaving now.”

I blink. "Leaving?"

He nods once, already moving to the closet to pull on a shirt. "Now."

My heart stutters.

His pack, I'm going to his pack as his mate.

A panic forms in my chest as I try imagining what life in the Blueridge pack would be like, my thoughts begin spiraling. What if they hate me? What if I’m nothing but a girl without a wolf to them just like I am here. What if they never accept me?

I feel a warm touch lift my chin up and I look up to meet Lucian's eyes.

"What are you thinking about, my little flower?" He asks softly. "Is it about my pack?”

I nod blankly, wondering how he knows exactly what I was thinking about.

"Don't worry", he smiles. "You’re not going to relive what you had here. You're mine now, and..."

I swallow hard as I stare directly into his eyes, they are softer and soothing now.

“...my people will accept you. And I’ll make sure you’re safe, and loved.” His thumb grazes my cheekbone. “You’re not going to live in fear anymore, my flower. Not with me.”

My breath catches.

Loved?

His words melt something deep in me. I feel my thoughts slowing down just long enough to imagine what life could be like, being his Luna, waking up beside him every day, being accepted. Being his.

My pulse quickens as he leans slightly closer. His scent surrounds me, warm and intoxicating, and my head tilts without permission, ready to meet whatever comes next.

For a second, I let myself want it. All of it.

But just as quickly as my heart starts to bloom, it shatters. He steps away abruptly, running a hand through his hair. "Get ready," he says over his shoulder, all business again.

His warmth recedes as he stands and my skin suddenly grows cold. I blink, trying to act unaffected, but the heat of humiliation crawls all over me. Of course, it's him, the cold, scarred Alpha. I must be delusional to think that he actually meant what he said.

A loud knock on the door snatches me back to reality. Lucian answers, and it's Beta Theron, carrying a box. The two exchange a few quiet words I can’t catch, and then Lucian turns back to me.

"It’s time."

Beta Theron hands the box to Lucian, and gives me a subtle nod,

as he quietly leaves.

Lucian turns to me and hands me the box. “Wear this”

I take it with unsure hands, and carefully place it on the bed. I open it to see a dress so beautiful

It's deep emerald green, so rich it almost looks black in certain light. It flows like water between my hands, elegant but strong, with silver embroidery along the bodice in the shape of delicate vines. There’s even a faint shimmer to it. Not too revealing, but not overly modest either.

I rise slowly, gathering my thoughts along with the sheet still clutched around me. "Aren’t we... going to inform Alpha Terran?"

His mouth curls, almost into a smirk. “I’m the Lycan Alpha,” he says smoothly. “I don’t need his permission. I go wherever I want, whenever I want. Your Alpha won't dare protest.”

I stare at him, unsure whether I’m shocked... or impressed.

Maybe both.

LEAH

The air outside bites softly against my skin as I step out.

I hesitate for a moment at the door, curling my fingers around the hem of the dress Lucian gave me. The dress makes me feel different. It fits like it was made just for me, hugging my body in the right places.

Lucian stands by the car, tall and imposing in a black shirt rolled at the sleeves and matching pants. His hair is still rough from sleep, and his eyes are piercing.

His gaze lifts the moment he sees me, his eyes scanning me throughly.

"You look... perfect," he says, voice smooth, low, and dangerously soft "Emerald suits you."

Heat rushes to my cheeks. I murmur a quiet, "Thank you," as I glance down, fidgeting with the edge of my sleeve.

To my surprise, he steps forward and opens the car door, holding it like some regal gentleman.

"After you," he says.

I slip into the sleek black vehicle, the scent of leather and his cologne instantly enveloping me. It’s rich and warm, like pine, and cedar. Goosebumps erupt on my arms as Lucian settles in beside me and closes the door.

“Let's go Kylo”, he calmly commanded.

“Yes Alpha”, the driver replied without looking back. The engine hums to life, and we pull away from the pack house.

I press my hands together, knuckles going white, as the thudding of my heart refuses to calm. Everything still feels like a fever dream. Hours ago, I was a rejected mate with no future. Now I’m beside the infamous Lycan Alpha, going to his pack, as his mate.

The space suddenly feels too tight. I feel his thighs press into mine closely. Dear Goddess, he's large. My eyes flick to him briefly. His arm is resting lazily on the console. He's not looking at me, but I can still feel his warmth radiate all over me, making my heart keep skipping in ways that feel dangerous. How is he this beautiful?

"You're quiet," he says after a moment, glancing at me. "What's wrong?"

I shake my head too quickly. "Nothing… just overwhelmed, that's all."

I force a smile as he looks back at me, his eyes seeming to never leave.

"I understand," he says simply. "But I don't think you'll miss your pack that much. Besides, my pack is your pack now.”

I chuckle nervously. "You make it sound so dramatic."

"Isn't it?" he says, lips twitching into something close to a smile. I risk a look at him, his gaze stays on mine like it's on pause, making me look away first.

The awkward air hangs between us like a thick curtain.

He clears his throat, tapping his fingers lightly on the console. "So, Leah... tell me something about you. Anything.”

I let out a short breath, surprised by the question.

"Um... I read a lot," I say slowly. "Mostly fantasy. Stories about places I’ll probably never go”

He hums. "You’ll travel now. I’ll make sure of it.”

I peek at him. “Even fairytale places?”

His lips curve faintly. “Yes… even those.”

A soft laugh escapes my throat before I can stop it, surprising both of us.

“See?” he says, looking pleased. “That wasn’t so hard.”

"What about you?" I ask before I can stop myself. "Do Lycans... read?"

That earns me a proper smirk. “The wise ones do.”

I smile before I realize I’m doing it.

Just as the warmth in the car begins to grow, something violent rips through the air. My body jerks forward before the seat belt catches me. My breath punches out of my lungs as the car spins, glass shattering, and tires screeching.

Lucian’s arm flies out instinctively, pinning me back against the seat just as the vehicle slams into something hard and jerks to a stop.

"Stay down," he growls, his voice primal.

My heart pounds in my chest like it’s trying to escape. Smoke curls in from the engine. My fingers tremble as I reach up to touch the side of my head, as blood spills from it. I blink slowly, forcing my eyes open, as I see Lucian’s body move like a shadow.

His pupils begin to glow, and his irises burn molten gold. His chest rises and falls with powerful intensity. Almost immediately, his fingernails sharpen into claws. His jaw tenses, veins bulging, and for the first time, I witness what it means to be a Lycan.

He kicks the crushed door open like it’s made of paper. Wind howls in as I see some strange looking wolves, circling the wreck, snarling and growling.

“What the…” I muttered. Their eyes of the wolves are pitch black and they look soulless. I try to move but my legs feel numb. Suddenly, one of the wolves lunges at me, slamming me into the side of the car and yanking me out.

The cold air bites my skin, pain exploding in my ribs. As the wolf sways me. I try to fight back but he's just too strong. My lungs burn as I try to scream, but the pressure around my chest crushes me.

“Lucian...”

The name barely escapes my lips before everything goes dark around the edges. The world fades. My limbs go numb. But just before consciousness slips from me, I see Lucian, rising from beneath two wolves who had pinned him. He shifts in one fluid, terrifying motion. His bones crack, stretching into his Lycan form.

He rips the wolves apart, their blood splattering across the grass before he turns to me, shifting back.

“Are you okay?”