The silk sheets felt cold against my bare skin as I stirred awake, my body aching from last night's rough handling. Dawn hadn't broken yet, but I could feel Maxwell's presence beside me, his warmth radiating reluctantly through the space between us. I kept my breathing steady, hoping he'd think I was still asleep. If I could just slip away before he fully woke...

"Hannah." His voice cut through the darkness, low and commanding. "You're awake."

I opened my eyes to find him sitting up, his broad shoulders silhouetted against the dim light filtering through the curtains. Even in the darkness, I could see the cold indifference in his steel-gray eyes.

"Yes, Alpha," I whispered, immediately sliding to the edge of the bed. My muscles protested as I moved, reminding me of how he'd pinned me down last night, how his hands had left bruises on my wrists.

"You need to leave before the sun rises." Maxwell's tone was clipped, businesslike. "No one can see you coming from my quarters."

"Of course," I murmured, reaching for my crumpled dress on the floor. It was the same one I'd worn yesterday—plain, serviceable, nothing like the fine clothes he kept in his closet.

"That won't do." Maxwell tossed something at me. A pale blue dress landed in my lap, silky and expensive. "Wear this today."

I stared at the fabric, confusion mingling with the familiar ache in my chest. "But... this isn't mine."

"It is now." He stood, towering over me as he pulled on his own clothes. "Zendaya mentioned she likes this style. I want you to wear it."

My fingers trembled slightly as I traced the delicate stitching. Of course. Another reminder of who he really wanted. Who he would always want.

"You didn't wear the perfume I bought you last night," he said suddenly, his nostrils flaring as he scented the air. "Why not?"

"I... I forgot," I lied, knowing full well he could smell the deception on me.

His hand shot out, gripping my chin painfully. "Don't lie to me, Hannah. You know better than that."

"I'm sorry, Alpha," I whispered, tears threatening to spill. "I'll wear it today."

He released me with a dismissive gesture. "See that you do. And be gone in ten minutes."

* * *

The floor was cold beneath my knees as I scrubbed at a stubborn stain in the corridor outside Maxwell's office. The pack house was quiet at this hour, most wolves still sleeping after the previous night's hunt. But I knew Maxwell and Marcus would be meeting soon—they always did after a full moon.

I heard voices approaching and quickly dipped my rag into the soapy water, pretending to be focused on my task as they rounded the corner.

"The Wheeler delegation arrives tomorrow," Marcus was saying, his deep voice carrying in the empty hallway. "Zendaya's people are already setting up her quarters."

"Good," Maxwell replied. "Everything must be perfect for her arrival."

I kept my head down, hoping they wouldn't notice me, but my heightened hearing picked up every word as they paused nearby.

"And what about the pet Omega?" Marcus asked, his voice dropping lower. "Zendaya can't know about her."

A cold laugh escaped Maxwell's lips. "She won't. Hannah's been useful, but she's nothing compared to what I'll have once I mark Zendaya."

My heart stuttered painfully in my chest. Four years. Four years I'd been his secret, his shame.

"She's been loyal to you," Marcus observed cautiously.

"Loyal?" Maxwell scoffed. "She's been convenient. Do you know why I kept her?"

I froze, my breath catching in my throat.

"Her scent," Maxwell continued, his voice casual, as if discussing the weather. "There's a floral note in it—identical to Zendaya's. It was... practice."

"Practice?" Marcus sounded confused.

"A placeholder," Maxwell clarified with a cruel chuckle. "I needed somewhere to... practice my knots until the real Luna arrived."

Something inside me shattered. My wolf—dormant for so long I'd almost forgotten her existence—whimpered in agony. All those nights, all those promises he'd whispered in the darkness... lies. Every touch, every moment we'd shared had been nothing but preparation for another woman.

I pressed my hand against my mouth to stifle the sob threatening to escape. The rag slipped from my fingers, landing with a soft splash in the water.

"Someone's there," Marcus growled.

I scrambled to my feet, clutching the bucket of dirty water like a shield. "I'm sorry, Alpha," I stammered, backing away. "I didn't mean to—"

But Maxwell's eyes were cold, calculating. He'd known I was there all along. He'd wanted me to hear.

And as I fled down the corridor, my wolf howling in anguish inside me, I realized the truth: I was nothing but a shadow of the woman he truly desired.

I couldn't hide in the kitchen forever. The warm steam from the pots provided temporary comfort, but I knew he would find me eventually. My hands trembled as I wiped them on the rough apron tied around my waist, the scent of onions burning my eyes—or maybe that was just the tears I refused to shed.

"There you are." Maxwell's voice sliced through the clattering pans and bustling cooks. "I've been looking for you."

I turned slowly, keeping my eyes downcast as he approached. The kitchen staff immediately scattered, leaving us alone in the corner. My swollen eyes must have been obvious, but I hoped he wouldn't notice—or care.

"Your eyes are red," he observed coldly, stepping closer. "Have you been crying?"

"No, Alpha," I lied, my voice barely above a whisper. "Just the onions."

He reached out, gripping my chin between his fingers, forcing me to look up. "Don't lie to me. I can smell the salt on your skin."

I remained silent, knowing anything I said would only make things worse.

"The Wheeler delegation arrives at sundown," he continued, releasing me with a dismissive flick of his wrist. "You will serve wine at the ceremony tonight."

My heart stuttered painfully. "Alpha, I—"

"You will watch carefully," he interrupted, his voice taking on a sadistic edge. "Pay attention to how Zendaya carries herself. Learn what a real Luna looks like."

Each word was a dagger twisting deeper into my chest. "I don't think I can—"

"You can and you will," he snapped. His eyes flashed amber as he unleashed his Alpha tone. "You will serve at the ceremony, or I will cast you out as a Rogue by dawn."

The command settled over me like a physical weight, making my knees buckle. "Yes, Alpha," I whispered, hating how my voice trembled.

He leaned closer, his breath hot against my ear. "Remember your place, Hannah. You are nothing but a convenient body to warm my bed until my true Luna arrives."

* * *

The grand hall glittered with silver and blue decorations, candles casting a warm glow over the gathered pack members. I moved silently through the crowd, balancing a tray of crystal wine glasses, the servant's uniform Maxwell had chosen for me scratching uncomfortably against my skin.

My eyes darted nervously toward the entrance, where a commotion had broken out. The Wheeler Pack delegation had arrived.

"Make way for the Wheeler Alpha and his daughter!" someone called out.

I froze as Zendaya entered, her presence commanding immediate attention. She was stunning—tall and regal with glossy black hair cascading down her back in perfect waves. Her silver gown shimmered with each step, and her chin tilted upward in practiced arrogance.

Behind her walked several high-ranking wolves, their auras pulsing with power. I recognized Adam's father immediately, though I'd never seen him in person before. The resemblance to Adam was striking—the same strong jaw and piercing eyes, though older and harder.

I kept my head down, focusing on not spilling the wine as I moved through the crowd. But as I approached the front of the hall, Zendaya suddenly stiffened, her nostrils flaring.

"Wait," she commanded, her voice carrying across the room. "What is that scent?"

All eyes turned to me as I froze in place, the tray trembling in my hands.

Zendaya's gaze locked onto mine, recognition dawning in her eyes. "So you're the little pet I've heard whispers about," she said, her lips curling into a cruel smile. "Maxwell's secret bedwarmer."

My cheeks burned with humiliation as the room fell silent. I tried to step back, but Zendaya moved with surprising speed, blocking my path.

"Let me see you up close," she purred, circling me like a predator. "Yes, I can see why he kept you. There's something... familiar about your scent."

I took a deep breath, trying to steady my nerves. "Excuse me, miss. I need to serve the guests."

"Oh, I'm not finished with you yet," Zendaya said, her eyes glinting with malice.

As I tried to move past her, she deliberately extended her foot, catching my ankle. I stumbled forward, the tray tipping. Wine splashed across the marble floor and onto Zendaya's silver shoes.

"Look what you've done!" she shrieked, though her expression showed more satisfaction than anger. "You clumsy, worthless Omega!"

She inhaled deeply, then released her scent markers—heavy, cloying, and suffocating. The sweet floral notes pressed against my lungs, making it difficult to breathe.

"Kneel," she commanded. "Apologize for your disrespect."

I struggled to stay upright as her scent overwhelmed me, my vision blurring at the edges.

"What is going on here?" Maxwell's voice cut through the chaos.

For one desperate moment, I thought he might defend me. Instead, he strode forward and placed himself between Zendaya and me.

"I apologize for this disruption," he said smoothly, bowing slightly to her. "The help is clearly inadequate."

Then he turned to me, his eyes cold and unforgiving. With a swift movement, he kicked my legs out from under me, forcing me to my knees.

"Get this filth out of here," he snarled at the guards who had materialized beside us. "She is nothing to me."

As they dragged me away, I caught one last glimpse of Zendaya's triumphant smile and Maxwell's indifferent eyes. In that moment, something inside me hardened—a tiny spark where my wolf had once whimpered in pain.

The guards' hands dug into my arms as they dragged me toward the exit, their grip bruising against my skin. I kept my eyes fixed on the floor, unable to bear the pitying glances from the pack members. The humiliation burned hotter than any physical pain could.

"Move faster," one of the guards growled, yanking me forward.

I stumbled, nearly falling to my knees again. This time, no one would be there to catch me.

Suddenly, a blast of wind tore through the hall, so powerful it knocked several wolves off their feet. The double doors at the entrance—massive oak reinforced with silver—splintered off their hinges with a deafening crack.

"WHAT IS THE MEANING OF THIS?" Maxwell roared, his Alpha tone vibrating through the room.

But his command fell flat as a figure stepped into the doorway, backlit by moonlight that seemed to crown him in silver.

My breath caught in my throat.

Adam Wheeler stood there, taller and more imposing than I remembered. His broad shoulders filled the doorframe, and his eyes—those piercing blue eyes I'd dreamed about for years—surveyed the room with cold fury.

But it was the aura radiating from him that made everyone freeze.

Golden light pulsed around him in waves, pressing down on the room with crushing intensity. It wasn't just Alpha power—it was something far more ancient and powerful. Lycan.

Every wolf in the room instinctively lowered their heads, necks bared in submission. Even Maxwell took an involuntary step back, his eyes widening in shock.

"Alpha Hudson," Adam's voice cut through the silence, deeper and more commanding than I remembered. "Care to explain why my mate is being treated like garbage on your territory?"

His mate? The words echoed in my head, impossible to process.

Adam's gaze found mine across the room, and something electric passed between us. Then he moved, each step deliberate and predatory as he walked through the crowd.

The pack parted before him like water, wolves scrambling to get out of his path. No one dared speak. No one dared breathe.

He stopped before me, kneeling down to my level. The guards holding me trembled visibly, but Adam ignored them completely.

"Hannah," he whispered, his voice softening for just me.

A low, possessive growl rumbled from his chest as he reached out, brushing a strand of hair from my face. His touch was gentle, reverent—nothing like Maxwell's harsh handling.

"Get your hands off her!" Maxwell finally found his voice, though it shook slightly. "She belongs to this pack!"

Adam's head snapped up, eyes flashing with lethal intent. The temperature in the room seemed to drop ten degrees.

"Belongs?" Adam's voice was deadly quiet. "She is not property to be owned."

He stood slowly, towering over Maxwell. "She is my mate."

The word reverberated through the hall like thunder.

"That's impossible," Zendaya hissed, stepping forward. "She's just a wolfless Omega!"

Adam didn't even look at her. His focus remained entirely on me as he shrugged off his coat—a beautiful leather jacket that probably cost more than I earned in a year—and wrapped it gently around my shoulders.

"Come," he said simply, offering me his hand.

I placed my fingers in his palm, trembling. The moment our skin touched, sparks danced between us—literal static electricity that made me gasp.

Adam's eyes darkened with hunger as he pulled me against him, one arm securing me at his side. "We're leaving now."

"No one leaves my territory without permission," Maxwell snarled, but his voice lacked conviction.

Adam's response was to unleash another wave of crushing aura that sent Maxwell staggering backward.

"I am not asking permission," Adam said coldly. "I am invoking the ancient right of sanctuary for my mate."

---

The night air was crisp against my face as Adam carried me out of Hudson territory. I didn't fight him—I couldn't. My body felt weightless in his arms, and for the first time in years, I felt... safe.

He placed me gently in the passenger seat of a sleek black SUV I'd never seen before, buckling the seatbelt with careful attention.

"Where are we going?" I asked, my voice barely audible.

"My estate," he replied, starting the engine. "It's just outside pack borders."

As we drove through the moonlit forest, Adam's hand found mine across the console. Every time our skin touched, those strange sparks appeared again.

"What are those?" I whispered, watching blue-white light dance between our fingers.

Adam's eyes met mine briefly before returning to the road. "The mate bond," he said softly. "It's been there since we were children, Hannah. I never forgot you."

He pulled into a long driveway lined with ancient oaks, leading to a stunning modern mansion that gleamed silver in the moonlight.

"I felt your distress miles away," he continued as he parked. "The bond pulled me here just in time."

As he helped me from the car, his fingers brushed my cheek where a bruise was forming. The tenderness in his touch made my heart ache.

"Why would a Lycan Prince want someone like me?" I asked, unable to believe this was real.

Adam's eyes flashed with something dangerous. "Because you're mine," he growled. "And I'm going to show you exactly what that means."