Alyssa

One week later

"Congratulations on your finally discharge. Are you going to attend your sister's mating ceremony?" The attending assistant asked me.

I swallowed the lump that formed in my throat at her question.

I was a loner with no family, no pack now because my family threw me out!

And my so-called sister tried to kill me and even took my mate just like she stole my place in my family. She took everything from me.

My mate has also betrayede me.

They all just forgot about me and moved on with their life. They never really wanted me to be a part of them and they found the perfect opportunity to throw me away.

"I don't have a sister."

I told her and picked up my backpack heading out of the hospital.

I still don't know who saved me and paid for my treatment. The healing center is the biggest and most expensive in the whole country. Only elites. I will forever be thankful to whoever it was and I hope someday they will show themselves.

I lifted my head to the sky when the sun hit me. I felt empty but the sun felt good on my skin. I don't know what awaits me but I hope I can get back on my feet soon.

"Alyssa! Over here!"

I looked around at the sound of my name. I saw a car and some woman was waving at me from it. Even though I had no idea who it was, I still ran to the car. She called my name so she knows me.

"Get in!"

She let out when I got near the car but I didn't do as she told me.

"My name is Vera and I am Jace Carter's secretary and he asked me to come get you!"

My eyes widened at the name she mentioned.

Jace Carte? As in the Jace of Carter Group? The heir of the empire of the richest family in the country? The alpha of the biggest pack in the country? What would he want from me?

Or maybe it's another Jace Carter because Jace Carter won't even want to associate with me because six months ago, one of my older brothers hurt his sister badly so the old feud between our packs started again.

Oh wait, I am not part of that pack anymore. Still, it couldn't be that Jace, right?

"Who the fuck is Jace?"

I asked her and at first, she looked shocked that I didn't know. It's not that I don't know Jace Carter, it's that I wasn't sure it was the one I know.

"The Jace Carter of the Carter Group. Alpha of the Wildheart pack."

Wow, it's really him. Now it's my turn to be shocked. I just couldn't believe he would ask to see me.

"Get in and I will explain to you!"

She called out again and without thinking twice, I got into the car with her.

"My boss was the one who saved you from the fire and I was ordered to bring you to the Wildheart pack once you get discharged."

My jaw dropped at her words. Was it really Jace who saved me? It was hard to believe that a man like that would save me. Why? And an even more pressing question is why does he want me to go to his pack? We were nothing to each other and after the way he ignored me the one time we interacted and talked to my former sister instead and after what happened to his sister, I couldn't trust him.

"But he saved us."

My wolf whispered and she was right. He did save us so the least I could do is go and see him and at least thank him. I don't know what he wants from me now but I do know that I owe him a thank you and that's the only reason I agreed to go see him.

My eyes widened when the big gate opened and Vera drove into the Wildheart pack. From the entrance, you could tell that this is the most elite pack in the whole country.

It was greatly different from the pack I was banished from. The Dark Blood pack was nothing compared to Wildheart. Yet I wished so much to be welcomed in that pack that I gave them my all only for them to toss me away like trash.

"We have arrived."

We stopped in front of a door and she tapped it twice before pushing the door open.

"Sir, she is here."

She announced and just like that, my heart started beating in a not very normal way. I didn't think before but now that I am here, I realized that I wasn't ready to face Jace.

Did I forget to mention that the man is very intimidating? He has an aura that leaves everyone in the room grasping at straws.

"You have done well Vera, you can go home, I will take it from here."

His voice. Did I mention that he had the deepest, crispest voice ever? Yes, he has so many good traits and that is why he is the most wanted man in the country. I watched Vera walk away and had to hold back the urge to run after her and be gone from his sight.

"Take a seat."

My heart skipped a beat, my wolf blushed within me and my face turned every other shade except my natural skin tone. I swallowed and took a seat even though all I wanted to do was run away.

"I am glad to see that you are okay now. I wasn't very hopeful when I got you to the healing center. You are a fighter and very lucky."

I didn't know what I expected from him but this certainly wasn't it. Why is he being so soft-spoken towards me? It doesn't fit the daredevil, no-nonsense, vile person that I hear about from people who closely interact with him.

I forced a smile.

"Thank you for saving me. It's all thanks to you that I am here today."

I meant it because the man really saved my life. If not, I would have burnt to death and my body would have probably been left to rot in that warehouse because my supposed family doesn't give a fuck.

"You don't need to thank me."

He said and paused which left us in an awkward silence. My eyes wandered everywhere in the big office space as I tried to distract myself from the man in the room with me.

"You must be wondering why I wanted to see you?"

My heart skipped a beat when I realized he got up from his seat and was now seated not very far from me which wasn't good for my already abnormal nerves.

"Y-yes"

I stammered.

"I am not one to beat about the bush so I am going to tell you why you are here but before that, did Vera tell you that you will be living here?"

I nodded.

"She mentioned it but I am not sure why you would want me to live with you. I am not a member of your family nor am I a member of your pack."

I already owe him my life, I don't want to owe more when I am sure I can't pay back.

"Because, I want you to be my Luna."

Alyssa

My jaw dropped in shock at his words. I blinked in confusion, wondering why he would want that. I am not even his mate and definitely not Luna material.

"Why would you want me to be your Luna? I am not even a member of this pack, and I am not your mate."

I pointed out.

"Who said that you can't become a member of this pack? As far as I know, you don't have a pack right now."

He knew? How would he know that?

"I can't be your Luna. I don't know what gave you the impression, but I can't be Luna, and I don't want to be a member of your pack."

I told him and stood up. I honestly have had enough of people pretending to like me, then tossing me aside when they are done with me. I want a different life now, and I am not going to be in any packs.

I don't need a pack to have a life. I don't even care if I become an outcast and a rogue. I have been a rogue before, and honestly, life was better then.

"Don't leave, Alyssa. I am offering you something that you shouldn't turn down if you want to ever be able to get back at those who wronged you."

I stopped and turned to him.

"How do you know that I have been wronged?"

It was a stupid question to ask him, seeing as he saved me from a fire that didn't start as an accident.

"Do I really need to answer that?"

He asked, and I shook my head. Even though I wanted to leave, I stopped myself.

"Are you trying to use me to get back at my brother for what he did to your sister?"

I asked him, and he looked appalled as if I had insulted him with my words.

"Why would you say something like that? That didn't even cross my mind."

Somehow, I knew he was lying. I don't know how I knew, but I could tell by just looking at him that he was not telling me the truth.

"Liar!"

I fired at him. I suddenly felt so angry. I can't believe he saved me just to use me to get his revenge on my family.

"I am not going to be your Luna, and I won't let you use me!"

I added. This time, I marched out of his office.

"Alyssa, wait!"

I heard him yell after me just as I got to the door, but I didn't stop. I kept walking.

"You can't leave! I need you here for the prophecy to be fulfilled."

I stopped at his words and turned back to him in confusion. What prophecy?

"What prophecy are you talking about?"

He sighed deeply and pointed in the direction of his office, and I wordlessly followed him back. I took a seat because I suddenly felt tired, and he looked at me with concern.

"Are you okay? If not, I can call one of the healers from the center."

I brushed off his suggestion by waving him off.

"That's fine. Just tell me."

I urged him.

"I can't directly explain it to you because even I don't know the full details, but all I know is that you are destined for greatness and the prophecy said I need to help you be great."

I glared at him. Once again, I felt angry. I can't believe I followed him back into his office for this. I stood up in anger.

"Don't try to leave again, Alyssa! You have nothing to lose if you listen to me! I am offering you a home and a position that most women will die to have."

Yes, he was right, but what he doesn't know is that I am not most women and I don't even want to be in a position of power.

Destined for greatness? What a load of bullshit! All my life, I have been unfortunate. There hasn't been anything great about my life for me to believe his lies.

"I don't want it."

"Alyssa."

The way he called my name sent a shiver down my body, and I slowly lifted my eyes to meet his. I held his gaze even though I wanted to look away.

"I will take care of you. I will give you everything you want. I need you here with me. Ask me anything."

I swallowed.

"I want my freedom."

My voice sounded hoarse and out of breath. It's his fault, and he knew it because his lips curved in a satisfied smirk.

"I can give you that. Alyssa. Imagine how much respect you will command as Luna of the biggest pack in the country."

I thought of it. The Wildheart pack is a huge deal. If I become Luna, then I will automatically have a lot of influence that would make everyone respect me. I thought about how it would be the perfect way to show myself to the Dark Blood pack. They were beneath the Wildheart pack in everything.

If they find out that I became Luna of a bigger pack, they will lose their mind. Especially Sasha. That bastard who rejected me, too.

My wolf pleaded with me. Even if I wanted to say no, I just couldn't for her sake. She has been through a lot with me. We deserve some good in our lives.

I looked at Jace again, my mind made up.

"I will do it. I will become your Luna. I told him and hoped with all my heart that I wouldn't regret it.

Alyssa

I didn't expect Jace to walk towards me, and I certainly didn't expect him to pull me into a hug. I froze when he wrapped his arms around me.

"Good choice."

He let out in excitement as he hugged me tighter, but I couldn't even move or say anything because my nostril was suddenly filled with the scent of him.

It would have been normal if I could smell other shifters, but Jace is the first wolf I have smelled his scent in a long time.

Something happened when I was younger, while I was still with the rogues who kidnapped me. They didn't want me to be able to smell my pack members and find my way home, so they did something to me that removed my ability to smell other shifters.

The only reason I was able to reunite with my family was because of the amulet that my grandmother had given to me as soon as I was born.

"Why can I suddenly smell?"

I whispered to myself. It was as if his hug broke a spell that I had been trying to break for years.

He let me go after a while and smiled at me. I didn't know what else to do as my mind was wandering everywhere, trying to make sense of what just happened, so I just forced a smile in return because I didn't want to be rude.

"I promise you that you won't regret it! I will help you become the most powerful Luna ever."

I nodded without a word because I was still dazed by both the hug and the fact that I could now smell.

"Say something!"

He let out when he realized that I wasn't speaking.

"You have a nice manly smell."

I blurted out the first words that came to my mouth without thinking and regretted it as soon as the words were out. Jace smirked in satisfaction.

"I didn't mea---"

He placed a finger over my mouth to cut me off.

"Don't deny it. We need some chemistry between us if you are going to pretend to be my mate."

I blinked in confusion.

"I have to be your mate?"

Talking with his hand over my lips made my tongue touch the finger he held over my lips.

"Yes. Not real, though. I don't need a real mate."

My eyes narrowed on him when he said that.

"Will I be a fake Luna?"

Since the mating wasn't real, then maybe the Luna thing won't be real.

"No! That's real. The only reason I said we won't be real mates is because we won't be doing stuff that real mates do."

"Making love?"

I asked because that was the only thing that came to mind.

"Yes, that. Unless you want us to---"

"No, I don't want that!"

I let out, and my face became red with embarrassment.

"No need to be so hostile. No pressure. You will be the real Luna, and it won't be temporary either."

I liked the part where he said it wasn't temporary.

"We will live together for one month after which I will introduce you to the pack as Luna."

One whole month with him?

"Just the two of us?"

I asked him and he laughed.

"Yes, why? Are you scared that I might jump you? Don't be scared! I am a gentleman and consent matters to me."

Our eyes met, and my heart skipped a beat. I blinked and looked down. My eyes caught something that made me gasp.

"My amulet!"

I let out when I realized something was wrong with it. It looked different. It looked fake.

"What happened?"

I looked at Jace and pulled off the amulet that my father had given back to me at the healing center.

"It's fake! This isn't it! He switched it and gave me a fake."

I let out and fought back angry tears. I didn't want to cry in front of him.

"Who switched it?"

It took a moment to answer his question because I had to calm myself down.

"The man who is supposed to be my father."

I explained to him about the amulet and its importance to me.

"Don't look so down. We will get it back."

He assured me.

"No, I will go get it. I don't want to drag you into it."

I told him. They told me to never return to that pack, but I won't listen. If they want me to leave for good, then they have to give me back what's mine.

"As your alpha and your mate, it's my duty to take care of you."

My heart skipped a beat when he mentioned the mate thing, but I had to remind myself that it's all fake. He isn't really my mate. He doesn't want a real mate.

"I get what you are trying to say, but leave this to me. I have to do this myself."

I told him. He looked like he was going to argue, but decided against it.

"Okay, I will let you do what you want, but if you need my help. Let me know. Anyway, you should rest. If you need food, just use the intercom and someone will serve you."

Jace explained.

"Okay, thank you."

I said and was about to leave when he spoke again.

"You will have to take some lessons from my mother. She retired as Luna once my father stopped being alpha, and I took over. She knows everything you need to know to be the heart of our pack, and she will teach you."

Even though I didn't like the idea of meeting his mom or his family because I am scared that they might not like me and tell their son to send me away, I pushed the fear aside.

The first trait of a Luna should be fearlessness.

"As long as I don't get treated terribly, I am willing to learn."

I told him.

"My mom is kind. The pack members are nice too. You will be welcomed."

He assured me as he followed me out of his office and pointed in the direction that I was supposed to go. As I walked to the room, even though I didn't look back, I could feel his eyes on me, and it made me self-conscious. Once I entered the room, I closed the door behind me and rested my back against it.

I dragged my finger through my hair as I tried to make sense of the last hour. I went from not having a place to go except the orphanage to having a big room to myself.

"I have a mate. I am going to be Luna."

The mate part was a sham, but the Luna part felt fake even though it was real. I couldn't imagine myself as Luna.

"You have to accept it! You already said yes! You can't take it back."

I told myself as I went to lay on the bed. I closed my eyes, but opened them again when I saw fire.

I haven't been able to sleep without medications since I woke up from a coma. I reached into my bag and pulled out the medicine that I was given, which helps me sleep. It was bitter, but I drank the dose.

I felt hungry, but I didn't want to call for food, so I just lay still in the big bed and plotted how I would get my real amulet back.

"I will go there tomorrow and I won't leave until I get my real amulet back."

I promised myself. I already know it won't be easy, but I will do everything to get it back. That's the only thing I have of my grandmother.

And the only thing that can lead me to my missing brother.