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.

Alyssa

"Are you sure that you don't want me to come with you?"

Jace has asked me the same question over and over again and my answer hasn't changed. I don't want him there for many reasons and he can't make me change my mind.

"I believe I have already answered that question before and my answer isn't going to change."

I told him and walked past him. Last night, I barely slept. I stayed awake having second thoughts of whether I should go to the Dark Moon pack or just let the amulet go but then I realized that I was once again trying to cd the bigger person.

I already told myself that I won't be the bigger person anymore.

I refuse to let them take what's mine so that's why I am going there.

"Okay, but please call me if anything goes wrong."

I waved the new phone he got me at him and bowed politely because I didn't want to appear rude and unappreciative of the things he has done for me.

He got me a new car, gave me a big room in his house, and gave me the Luna position.

I still have to take Luna lessons but I am sure I will ace it. Not to brag but I am good at studying.

The drive to the Dark Moon pack took about an hour and when I arrived at the entrance, I came down from the car.

Surprisingly, none of the deltas at the entrance stopped me.

I thought they wouldn't let me in but like they always do, they just ignored me.

The walk to my family's house within the pack took an extra five minutes but I didn't mind.

When I got to the entrance, I heard voices and laughter.

I swallowed the lump that formed in my throat when I heard the laughter.

They were laughing as if nothing had happened after all they did to me. They really don't care about me. I shook off the sadness and pushed the front door open without knocking.

"What the fuck are you doing here?"

I ignored the words of my second-oldest brother. He is the one who hates me the most. He blames me for everything and I used to pray and wish that he would care for me but not anymore.

"I am here to see father!"

I declared after looking around and seeing no sign of the man who stole from me.

All four older brothers were in the living room with Ryan who was supposed to be my mate. Ryan didn't even acknowledge me. It hurt but I brushed the pain off.

They were drinking as if they had something to celebrate.

"Father already told you that you are not welcome here! Who let you in here?"

The youngest of my brothers let out. Usually, I would be polite and even bow my head when they speak but not anymore, I stood my ground and met their eyes.

"I don't want to be here either! I am here because your father stole from me and I want what he took from me back!"

I declared. I felt satisfied by how bold and confident my voice sounded.

"You can't meet him because you are not welcome here! Leave now."

I ignored the words of my oldest brother. Wait, why am I even still calling them my brothers when they are nothing but strangers to me now?

I walked past them and expected them to drag me back or something but they didn't.

"Get back here!"

The oldest one called out again but I didn't listen. I rounded the corner that leads to the secondary living room where I know the head of the house always sits and there he was.

He must have heard the commotion but he pretended not to hear.

"Give me back my amulet!"

I let out as soon as I got to him. I didn't see the point in being polite with him. He shamelessly stole from me.

If I didn't hate him before, I definitely hate him now.

"Where are your manners? You can't greet me?"

He roared in anger. Before, that would have scared me but not anymore! I don't fear him anymore!

"Manners you say? I think you are the one without manners! You shamelessly stole from me! Give me my amulet, Mr., and I will be out of your face for good!"

I know I am being rude but who cares? If I don't act like this? They will just push me around.

"I thought you came because you have finally come to your senses and you are finally ready to apologize to my princess."

I resisted the urge to roll my eyes when he called Sasha his princess. If only he were aware of just how terrible Sasha really is.

But Sasha is good at playing victim and acting like a good girl in front of them while being the vilest person I have ever met.

"I am not here to apologize to your princess! I am here to take back what's mine! Give me back what you took from me!"

I fired at him.

"How could you be so cruel to me? Don't you feel the least bit of guilt for what you did? I am your biological daughter yet you left me to die and when I didn't die, you disowned me! You favor your adopted daughter over me who is your flesh and blood!"

The words just poured out of my mouth. I had no control because I felt so wronged by him.

"You are not my daughter! You stopped being my daughter the day you got kidnapped! You are a rogue who I should never have let into the Dark Moon pack! It wasn't for my mother, you would never have been allowed in."

I wasn't even surprised to find out that my grandmother is the reason I was even allowed to be part of the Dark Moon pack.

Once she passed away, they turned on me. I opened my mouth to rebuke my father again but before I could speak, someone else walked into the living room.

"Alyssa! You are back."

Sasha cried out as she ran to me and pulled me into a hug like we were old-time friends.