~ Doris ~

The car ride felt like it lasted forever. I sat in the back seat, staring out the window as trees and houses blurred by. 

Ryder drove quietly, his hands tight on the wheel. He didn't say much, just a few words like "We'll be there soon" or "Are you okay?" I nodded each time, but inside, my heart was pounding like a drum. Why did he pick me? It didn't make sense.

When we finally pulled up to his house, it was like stepping into a dream or maybe a fairy tale from one of those old books Henry used to read to me. 

The building was huge, like a castle made of stone and wood, with big windows that sparkled in the evening sun. 

There were flowers everywhere in the garden, red and yellow ones that smelled sweet. Tall trees surrounded it, making it feel safe and hidden. 

Back at my old home, our house was small and dark, with creaky floors and walls that always needed fixing. This place was so fancy, I felt like I didn't belong. My clothes looked even worse here.

Ryder parked the car and turned to me. His eyes were kind, but his face stayed serious, like he was holding something back.

"This is your new home, Doris," he said softly. "Come on, I'll show you around." 

He got out and opened my door, like a gentleman in a story. I stepped out slowly, my bare feet touching the smooth gravel path. It didn't hurt like the rough ground at the ceremony.

He clenched his jaw when he saw my bare feet.

For a second, he stepped a little closer to me. His hand even lifted slightly, like he wanted to pick me up.

But then he stopped.

His hand dropped back to his side, and he cleared his throat.

"We'll get you shoes tomorrow," he said quietly.

We walked up the wide steps to the front door. It was made of thick wood with carvings of wolves running under the moon. 

Ryder pushed it open, and inside, wow, it was even more amazing. 

The hallway had shiny floors that looked like they were made of marble, and a big staircase curved up to the second floor. 

Lights hung from the ceiling like stars, and there were soft rugs that felt fluffy under my toes. I could smell fresh bread baking somewhere, and hear soft voices from other rooms, people lived here I guessed. But it was so quiet and clean, not like my old house where my stepmom always yelled and the twins left messes everywhere.

Ryder led me through the hall. "The kitchen is that way," he pointed. "You can eat whenever you want. No one will stop you." 

His voice was gentle, but he didn't smile much. He seemed distant, like he was being careful not to get too close. 

Was he regretting choosing me already? 

My stomach twisted at the thought. "And over here is the living room. We have meetings sometimes, but you don't have to join if you don't want to." 

The living room had big couches and a fireplace taller than me. Bookshelves lined the walls, full of books I'd never seen before. I wanted to touch them, but I kept my hands by my sides.

We went up the stairs. "Your room is right here," Ryder said, opening a door at the end of the hall. 

I stepped inside and I gasped silently. The room was bigger than my whole old bedroom and the twins' combined.

 A huge bed with fluffy pillows and a soft blanket in light purple, my favorite color. 

How did he know? 

There was a desk with paper and pens, and a window looking out at the forest. 

A closet stood open but empty. It even had its own bathroom with a tub that looked like it could fit two people.

"This is yours," Ryder said, standing in the doorway. 

He didn't come in all the way, like he was giving me space. 

"If you need anything, just write it down or something. I'll assign someone to help you tomorrow." 

His eyes met mine for a second, and I saw something warm there, but then he looked away. 

"Get some rest. It's been a long day." He nodded and closed the door softly behind him.

I stood there alone, the room spinning a little. I sank onto the bed, the mattress so soft it hugged me. 

Candy stirred in my mind. "This is our new home. It's nice, right? But I couldn't relax, doubts flooded in like rain. 

What if Ryder only picked me out of pity? 

Everyone at the ceremony laughed when Julius rejected me. They called me worthless. And now, the Alpha chose me? It felt like a joke, a cruel one that would end with me back in my old life, scrubbing floors.

My breathing got faster. I clutched the blanket, trying to calm down but memories crashed over me like waves. 

I was five again, up on that high building with Veronica and Vanessa. They were laughing, saying it was a game. "Jump, dumb Doris!" But they pushed me. The fall... the wind rushing past, the ground coming up too fast. 

Pain exploded everywhere when I hit. My body hurt, but my heart hurt more. After that, words wouldn't come out. I tried, but my throat closed up. 

Doctors said it was in my head, from being so scared. Anna, my stepmom told everyone I was born that way, but it was a lie. 

They made me this way.

Tears stung my eyes. I curled up on the bed, shaking. My chest felt tight, like I couldn't breathe. 

Why did they do that to me? 

The panic grew, making my hands tremble. I rocked back and forth, trying to push the thoughts away. 

Minutes felt like hours. Finally, the shaking slowed, I wiped my face, feeling empty. 

This room was pretty, but it didn't fix the hurt inside.

There were voices drifting up from the garden below.

I slowly moved toward the window and peeked through the curtain.

It was few of the maids from the house.

They stood near the flower beds, pretending to adjust the plants, but their heads were close together. Whispering.

"Can you believe it?" one of them muttered, her voice low but sharp. "The Alpha picked that mute reject?"

The other maid scoffed. "I heard she was rejected twice. Twice! And now she's Luna?"

They both laughed quietly.

"She's not worthy," the first one continued. "She doesn't even speak, how is she supposed to stand beside the Alpha? She'll embarrass him."

"I give it a month," the second maid said. "He'll realize he made a mistake."

Their words felt like stones thrown at my chest.

I stepped back from the window slowly, my vision blurring with tears.

Even here.

They still saw me the same way.

I hadn't even done anything yet.

Why did everyone hate me so easily?

My fingers tightened around the curtain.

Was this what being Luna would be like?

Smiles to my face but whispers behind my back.

Candy's voice was quiet but firm inside my mind.

"Let them talk. One day, they will bow.

But right now, all I felt was small.

I climbed back into bed, pulling the covers over my head. 

This new life was scary. The house was beautiful, and I had a mate now but the pain inside me was still there.

Would I ever truly feel safe?

Candy's voice was soft in my mind. "Give it time, we're stronger than they know.

I closed my eyes and held onto her words.

I hoped she was right.

*****

I woke up suddenly not because of any sound, but because of that heavy feeling you get when someone is watching you. 

My heart was already pounding before I even opened my eyes. I lay still, trying to convince myself it was just a bad dream until I heard it... a very soft scrape, like metal brushing against the window frame.

I forced myself to turn my head slowly toward the window. 

Through the thin gap between the curtain and the glass, I saw him.

A tall figure dressed in completely black hoodie pulled up, black trousers, black gloves. He was standing maybe one meter from the window, perfectly still. 

Moonlight caught the side of his body, and that's when I saw it clearly...the knife in his right hand. He was holding it low, pointing down, like he was ready to use it any second.

Because the window glass had that one-way tint from outside, he probably couldn't see in clearly. But from inside, with the room dark and the moonlight outside, I could see every detail of him like he was standing under a spotlight. 

My whole body went cold, I couldn't breathe properly. I just stared, frozen, praying he hadn't noticed my eyes open.

He tilted his head slightly, like he was listening or deciding something. 

Then he raised the knife a little, tested the window frame with the tip, very gently. The soft tink sound made my stomach drop.

I wanted to scream, but nothing would come out. I just kept staring at that knife, at his black.

And then... he just stopped, he lowered the knife, turned around slowly, and walked away like he had changed his mind or heard something. 

Someone had come for me. In my new home and on my first night as a Luna.

He knew exactly which room was mine.

~ Doris ~

A sharp knock on the door jolted me awake.

My eyes flew open. For a second, everything felt fuzzy-the soft purple blanket tangled around my legs, then last night crashed back into me like cold water. 

My heart started racing all over again, I sat up fast, pulling the covers to my chin, staring at the window. 

The curtains were still half closed. No one was there now but the fear sat heavy in my chest, like a stone I couldn't swallow.

Another knock, softer this time.

I swallowed hard and slipped out of bed. My bare feet touched the fluffy rug. I padded to the door, heart thumping, and cracked it open just a little.

Three maids stood in the hallway, smiling politely. Each one held several big shopping bags, shiny ones with ribbons and logos I didn't recognize. 

Behind them were more bags stacked on the floor, and two more maids carrying even larger ones.

"Good morning, Luna," the first maid said brightly. She had kind eyes and brown hair tied back neatly. 

"Alpha Ryder sent these for you. He said you should have everything you need."

Luna. The word still felt strange, like it belonged to someone else.

I stepped back and opened the door wider. 

They filed in quietly, setting bags on the bed and floor. One maid opened the closet doors and started hanging dresses in soft colors, jeans that looked brand new, sweaters, jackets, even pretty nightgowns. 

Another arranged shoes on the bottom shelf: sneakers, flats, sandals, boots, heels I'd never worn in my life. 

Jewelry boxes came next. Necklaces with tiny sparkling stones, bracelets, earrings that caught the light. 

There were bags too, small purses, bigger shoulder bags, even a backpack with little wolf charms on the zipper. 

Makeup, hair brushes, lotions that smelled like flowers and vanilla, everything anyone could ever want.

I stood there, arms wrapped around myself, watching them work. My old clothes from yesterday looked like rags next to all this.

When they finished, the first maid turned to me with a warm smile.

"Alpha wants you to feel comfortable here, Luna. If anything doesn't fit or you need something else, just press that bell," she said, pointing toward it. "We'll bring whatever you need."

They started to leave. My hand shot out before I could think, I grabbed my notebook from the desk, scribbled fast, and held it up to the kind-eyed maid.

Where is the Alpha?

She read it and smiled again. "He's downstairs in the living room, Luna."

They bowed their heads a little and left, closing the door softly behind them.

I stood in the middle of the room, surrounded by all the new things. It should have felt nice. Exciting, maybe. But the knot in my stomach wouldn't go away. 

All these beautiful clothes and jewelry made it feel like I was someone important.

I changed quickly into a simple blue dress from one of the bags. It fit perfectly, soft against my skin. 

I slipped on matching flats real shoes for the first time in forever. They didn't pinch or rub, I looked in the mirror, I looked... different and beautiful but my eyes still looked scared.

I took a deep breath and headed downstairs.

The staircase felt endless, my hand slid along the smooth railing. 

Voices drifted up from the living room low at first, then clearer. I slowed my steps near the bottom, suddenly nervous.

I was about to turn the corner when I heard Julius's voice-sharp, loud, like he didn't care who heard.

"Why her, Ryder? Why Doris? The mute girl? What is so special about her?"

I froze. My feet stopped moving, I pressed myself against the wall, heart hammering so loud I was sure they'd hear it.

Julius kept going. "She doesn't even look like she should be Luna. She looks like... like some piece of trash someone dragged in from the street. Everyone's talking about it. The maids, the guards, half the pack. You could have had anyone. Clara, for example. She's strong, beautiful, respected. Why choose the reject who can't even speak?"

There was a pause, I peeked around the corner just enough to see.

Ryder stood near the fireplace, arms crossed, face hard. Blade was beside him, looking uncomfortable. A few servants stood quietly in the corners, heads down, pretending not to listen. Julius paced in front of Ryder, gesturing wildly.

Ryder's jaw tightened. For a second he looked really angry. But then his face smoothed out, like he put on a mask. 

When he finally spoke, his voice was loud, cold, clear enough for every servant in the room to hear and clear enough for me.

"Who told you I chose her because I want her?" Ryder said. "Remember what happened two years ago? My supposed Luna-my first assigned mate was hung at the gates, her body just... dangling there for everyone to see. Do you think I forgot that? Do you think I don't know what I'm doing?"

He stepped closer to Julius. His voice got louder, almost a shout.

"I don't give a d*mn about what happens to a mute girl. That's exactly why I chose her, If someone comes for her, if they try to hurt her, I won't lose sleep over it. I can't let a real, complete human die again not like last time. But a mute reject? If she dies, the pack moves on and I move on. That's the point."

The words hit me like a slap.Then another.

I felt my knees shake, my chest hurt so bad I couldn't breathe right.

He didn't care.

He really didn't care.

All the clothes, the room, he did it because I was disposable. Because if the killer came back, Ryder wouldn't even blink.

Now I understood. I wasn't chosen, I was insurance.

I wanted to tell him about the intruder, but the words died in my throat. There was no point now. No point in anything.

Tears burned my eyes, I turned to run.

My elbow caught the tall flower vase on the side table. It wobbled, then crashed to the marble floor. Shards scattered everywhere. 

Flowers spilled across the marble.

Everyone turned.

I didn't wait, I ran.

Up the stairs, legs pumping, tears blurring everything. I didn't go to my room because I couldn't face that big bed and all those new clothes that suddenly felt like a lie.

I kept running down the hallway, past doors, until I turned a corner and pushed into a small empty room at the end. 

I slammed the door behind me and slid down against it, hugging my knees.

Footsteps echoed in the hall, fast, heavy.

Someone was coming after me.

I pressed my hand over my mouth so I wouldn't make a sound. 

My heart pounded so hard I thought it would break.

The footsteps stopped right outside the door.

A hand touched the knob.

It turned slowly.

Please don't let it be him, I begged inside my head. Please don't let it be Ryder.

The door creaked open an inch.

~ Doris ~

 The door creaked open another inch.

 Then another.

 I squeezed my eyes shut so tight that little stars burst behind my eyelids. My whole body felt like it had turned to stone. 

 Please don't be him. Please don't be him. The words looped in my head like a song I couldn't stop humming. 

 My arms hugged my knees harder, and my fingers digging into my skin, I waited for Ryder's deep voice, cold one to cut through the quiet.

 But the footsteps were soft and careful.

 I cracked one eye open.

 It wasn't Ryder.

 Blade stood in the doorway. His dark hair looked messier than usual, like he'd run his hands through it a hundred times. In his hand he held my pen, the blue one I always carried in my pocket. He looked down at me where I sat curled against the door, knees up to my chin.

 "You dropped this downstairs," he said quietly. His voice wasn't loud or bossy. It was gentle, like he was talking to a scared bird. "Figured you might want it back."

 I stared at the pen, my fingers were still shaking when I reached out. I took it and clutched it against my chest like it could protect me.

 Blade didn't move closer right away, he just looked around the small empty room, then he lowered himself to the floor a few feet away from me. 

 He sat with his back against the opposite wall, legs stretched out, hands resting loose on his knees. He didn't try to crowd me. He just sat there.

 I shifted sideways a little, pressing my shoulder harder against the door. I needed more space.

 He noticed.

 But he didn't say anything about it.

 After a long quiet moment-long enough that I could hear my own heartbeat, slowing he spoke again.

 "You don't always have to believe what the Alpha says when other people are listening."

 My head snapped up. My eyes locked on his face.

 He wasn't looking at me, he was staring at a tiny crack in the floorboards, like it held all the answers. His voice stayed soft.

 "Sometimes words are said for ears that aren't yours. To keep certain people from guessing the real truth. To keep someone safe."

 My fingers squeezed the pen until the plastic made a tiny creaking sound.

 Blade finally glanced at me, his eyes were steady. Not angry. Not pitying. Just honest.

 "I'm not saying he's perfect but I know him, and I know he doesn't throw away the people he actually cares about."

 The words felt warm for a second like a tiny candle in the dark, but then Ryder's voice crashed back into my head, loud and cold from downstairs:

 "I don't give a d*mn about what happens to a mute girl... If she dies, the pack moves on. I move on."

 I shook my head once.

 Blade didn't argue, he just nodded, like he understood everything I couldn't say. Then he went quiet again. 

 We sat there for what felt like forever, the only sounds were my breathing, still too fast and the faint tick of a clock somewhere far away in the house.

 After a while, Blade pushed himself up slowly. He held out his hand not grabbing, just open, palm facing up.

 "Come on," he said gently. "You can't stay in here all day. Let's get you back to your room."

 I stared at his hand. 

 I didn't take it.

 But after a few more heartbeats, I used the door to push myself up. My legs felt wobbly, like they belonged to someone else. 

 Blade didn't rush me, he waited until I was standing straight, then stepped back to give me room.

 We walked out together. The hallway felt too bright after the dim little room. My new blue flats made soft tapping sounds on the floor. 

 Blade walked beside me not too close, not too far either. Like he knew exactly how much space I needed to feel safe.

 We turned the corner.

 And there he was.

 Ryder stood at the far end of the hallway, arms crossed over his chest. His face was blank hard to read. His eyes flicked from me to Blade, then back to me. Something quick flashed in them sharp, like a spark then disappeared.

 He stepped forward.

 "You start school tomorrow," he said. His voice was flat. Calm. Like he was reading from a piece of paper. "Go back to your room. The maids will bring your food. They'll bring everything you need for school. Prepare tonight, you start tomorrow."

 He didn't ask how I was.

 He didn't look at the dried tear tracks on my cheeks.

 He didn't mention the broken vase downstairs or why I'd run.

 He just turned and walked away. His boots echoed down the hall until the sound swallowed him up.

 I stood there, staring at the empty spot where he'd been.

 Blade touched my elbow just a light brush of fingers. "Come on," he said softly. "Let's get you to your room."

 I let him guide me. My legs moved, but I didn't really feel them. Everything felt far away, like I was watching myself from somewhere high up.

 We reached my door, Blade opened it for me. The room looked exactly the same, purple blanket folded neatly on the bed, closet full of new clothes, desk with my notebooks. But it didn't feel like mine anymore. It felt like a pretty cage.

 He paused in the doorway. "If you need anything just write it down and give it to a maid. Or find me. Okay?"

 I nodded once.

 He gave me a small sad smile, then closed the door quietly behind him.

 I stood in the middle of the room for a long time, then I walked to the bed and sank down on the edge.

 My eyes drifted to the window.

 The curtains were still half-closed.

 I remembered the man from last night.

 Ryder's words kept replaying in my head.

 "If she dies, the pack moves on. I move on."

 I pulled my knees up and wrapped my arms around them.

 And then I saw it.

 On my pillow.

 A single piece of white paper.

 It hadn't been there before.

 My heart gave a hard thud.

 I stared at it.

 Slowly, I reached out and picked it up.

 Big red letters were scrawled across it...messy, angry, like someone had pressed the marker so hard it almost tore the paper.

 "Hey new Luna

 welcome to hell and get ready to die like the previous Luna."

 My fingers went cold.

 I couldn't scream.

 Instead, I rushed to the bell at the corner of the room and pressed it repeatedly, my fingers trembling against the cold metal.

 Within minutes, a few maids hurried in, their footsteps echoing against the floor. Their eyes immediately fell on the letter clutched tightly in my shaking hands.

 One of the maids gasped softly before rushing out obviously to call Ryder.

 I remained seated, frozen in place, my body still trembling as the words on the paper blurred before my eyes.