~ Ryder's POV ~

 My wolf was raging inside me, claws scratching at the surface, ready to tear something apart. I slammed the door of my private room shut so hard the walls shook, the only people left inside were Julius, Blade, and me. No one else needed to hear this.

 I turned on Julius, my eyes blazing with Alpha authority.

 "You will never speak about my Luna that way again," I said, my voice low but deadly calm. "Disrespect her in front of me and anyone one more time, and you will face consequences you won't recover from. She is my Luna. That is not up for discussion."

 Julius frowned, crossing his arms like he couldn't believe what he was hearing. 

 "Alpha, what do you even mean? I was only looking out for you and for the pack! We can't have a mute Luna. How do you expect the Crescent Brotherhood to look at us now? Among the five packs in the alliance, you're the only one who didn't have a Luna for so long. And now you choose a mute girl? They'll mock us. The rival packs already sniffing around for our weakness and I'm sure they'll use this to tear us down."

 His words stung like a bee. The Crescent Brotherhood was a group of powerful wolf packs that worked together for protection. We had meetings, shared secrets, and fought enemies side by side for centuries. But I didn't care about their opinions. Doris was mine, chosen by me or whatever magic made mates real.

 I stepped closer, my voice dropping to a dangerous growl. "No. You do not raise your voice at my Luna. You do not challenge or insult her in front of the whole pack." 

 "And I don't care what the Crescent Brotherhood thinks. I don't care what any other pack whispers behind our backs. Doris is mine. End of story."

 Julius clenched his jaw tight, veins popping in his neck. "Alpha, I-"

 "I don't care what you meant," I snapped, cutting him off. ""You will respect her. In public. In private. Everywhere or you and I are going to have a much bigger problem than pack politics."

 Blade shifted his weight, clearing his throat. "Alpha, you both should please calm down, I don't have any problem with our new Luna and-"

 A sharp knock cut him off.

 I didn't take my eyes off Julius. "Come in."

 The door opened. One of the younger maids Lila stood there, face pale, hands twisting together.

 "Alpha," she said in a rush, "there was a threat message left for the Luna. She's upstairs... she's shaking."

 The room went still.

 My blood turned cold, then fire.

 I didn't think. I moved quickly.

 I shoved past Lila, boots pounding the hallway. Blade was right behind me-Julius too, though I barely registered him. My heart slammed against my ribs with every step. 

 The stairs blurred. Voices from downstairs faded into nothing.

 I reached her door and shoved it open.

 Doris sat on the edge of the bed, knees pulled tight to her chest, arms wrapped around herself like she was trying to disappear. Her face was pale, eyes wide and glassy. 

 She was shaking small, uncontrollable tremors that made her shoulders jerk.

 On the purple blanket beside her lay a single sheet of paper.

 I crossed the room in three strides and snatched it up.

 Big, angry red letters stared back at me.

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

 My stomach dropped.

 I knew that handwriting.

 The same jagged strokes.

 The same red ink.

 It was identical to the note they'd left pinned to my first mate's body two years ago, the one I'd found hanging from the pack gates like a broken doll.

 My hand tightened around the paper until it crumpled.

 I looked around the room wildly, the window was closed, curtains still. The door had been locked when the maid came in. No broken glass or forced entry.

 How?

 How did they get in?

 My gaze snapped back to Doris. She was staring at the floor, tears sliding silently down her cheeks. Her fingers gripped the edge of the blanket so hard her knuckles were white.

 I dropped to one knee in front of her, careful not to touch her yet. My voice came out rough, quieter than I meant.

 "Doris are you okay?"

 She didn't look up right away. Then slowly, she nodded just once, small and shaky.

 I swallowed hard. "Did you see who left this?"

 Another tiny shake of her head.

 I reached out slowly, hesitated, then gently took her trembling hand in mine. Her skin was cold.

 I helped her stand. She let me, but her legs wobbled like they might give out. I kept my arm around her shoulders loose, not tight, giving her room to pull away if she wanted. She didn't.

 "Come with me," I said softly. "You're not staying in here for now."

 I led her out. Blade and Julius were in the hallway, faces grim. Blade's eyes went straight to the crumpled paper in my fist. Julius looked pale.

 "Maids," I barked over my shoulder. "Move everything from this room to my room. Now. Everything. She's staying with me until I figure this out."

 One of the maids nodded quickly and hurried off.

 I guided Doris down the hall toward my suite. She walked beside me, silent, still shaking. Every few steps her shoulder brushed mine, and I felt her flinch just a little like she wasn't sure if touching was allowed.

 My room was at the end of the corridor. Bigger than hers though. Darker wood, heavier curtains, a wide bed with dark blue sheets. A fireplace sat cold in the corner. My scent was everywhere. Hers was faint and sweet like strawberries and something soft I couldn't name.

 I opened the door and stepped aside so she could go in first.

 She hesitated on the threshold, eyes flicking over the space. The bed looked huge. Too big for one person but small for two people who barely knew each other.

 I couldn't risk making her any more uncomfortable.

 I cleared my throat. "You take the bed. I'll sleep on the couch by the window or on the floor. Whatever makes you feel safe... I won't come in until nightfall, so make yourself comfortable."

 She didn't move.

 I rubbed the back of my neck, awkwardness crawling up my spine. "I know this is strange. We're not yet close and we haven't even really talked much. But after what happened" I lifted the crumpled note. "I can't let you stay alone. Not until I know how they got in and who they are."

 She looked at me. Her eyes were red-rimmed, still wet. Slowly, she reached into her pocket and pulled out her notebook. 

 Her fingers shook as she opened it, flipped to a blank page, and wrote.

 She held it out to me.

 I read the words.

 "I saw a man in black last night outside my window. He had a knife."

 My blood went cold all over again.

 I stared at the page, then at her. "Last night?"

 She nodded.

 "Why didn't you tell me?"

 She bit her lip, looked down, then wrote again.

 I wanted to tell you when I woke up but after what you said downstairs I thought you wouldn't care.

 The words hit harder than any punch.

 I closed my eyes for a second, breathing through my nose. When I opened them, I kept my voice low. Steady.

 "I said those things to protect you. To make the wrong people think you don't matter to me, so they wouldn't target you." I swallowed. "But I was wrong. They're coming for you anyway."

 She stared at me, searching my face like she was trying to decide if she could believe me.

 I took one careful step closer. "I'm sorry you heard that. I'm sorry you thought it was true. But you are not disposable, Doris. Not to me."

 Her eyes filled again. She looked away, hugging the notebook to her chest.

 I glanced back at the door. Maids were already carrying her things in.

 I turned back to her. "Stay here tonight. I'll sleep on the couch. We'll figure this out. Together."

 She gave the tiniest nod.

 I exhaled, tension leaking out of my shoulders for the first time today.

 But then I saw it.

 On the hand of one of the maids, I saw red stains...

 Was she the insider?

 My heart slammed. Without thinking, I lunged toward her.

I didn't think twice, my body moved on instinct, fueled by that raw, boiling rage bubbling up from deep inside. 

The red stains on the maid's hand screamed betrayal, like a flashing sign pointing straight to the enemy who'd slipped that death threat into Doris's room. 

I lunged forward, grabbing her wrist in a grip that was probably too tight, but right then, I didn't care. My wolf snarled in my head, claws itching to come out.

"What the hell is this?" I growled, my voice low and dangerous, holding her hand up so the red smears caught the light. If this was ink from that d*mn note, heads were going to roll.

The maids froze in the doorway, arms full of Doris's clothes and stuff, their eyes wide like deer caught in headlights. 

Julius and Blade were right behind me, tense and ready for whatever came next. Doris stood a few steps away, still hugging that notebook to her chest, her face pale as she watched.

The maid gasped, her free hand flying to her mouth. "Alpha! It's... it's not what you think!" She stammered, her voice shaking. "It's just lipstick. Red lipstick. Ms. Dorathy the head maid told me to wipe it off. Said it's only for off days. I... I rubbed it with my hand 'cause I didn't have a tissue."

Lipstick? My thoughts spun for a second. It didn't add up until she quickly reached into her apron and pulled out a small red tube. She opened it to show me the bright color inside.

I sniffed the air and yeah, it smelled waxy, like makeup, not ink. No metallic tang of blood or whatever that psycho used on the note. Just d*mn lipstick.

I let go of her wrist and stepped back, the rush of adrenaline slowly fading.

My heart was still pounding like a drum in my chest. "Get out," I muttered, waving her off. She nodded fast, tears in her eyes, and scurried away with the others. 

False alarm. But it still left a bitter taste in my mouth. Suspicion was eating me alive. After that note that looked exactly like the one from two years ago, I couldn't afford to relax. Whoever was behind this was clever, slipping in without leaving a trace.

I turned back to Doris. She was watching me, her eyes big and uncertain, like she wasn't sure if I was the hero or the monster in this mess. 

The maids were finishing up, piling her things into my room, our room now, I guess. 

The room felt bigger with her in it. My bed dominated the space, the dark blue sheets rumpled from last night. Hers scent mixed with mine now, that sweet strawberry thing that made my wolf perk up every time. 

I rubbed the back of my neck, trying to shake off the tension, then I pointed to the bathroom door. "Go ahead and freshen up. Take a shower if you want. There's towels, soap...whatever you need." 

She nodded, her cheeks a little pink. I spotted a small bell on the nightstand, the kind we used for pack house calls. "If you need anything, ring this. Someone will come. I won't bother you till nightfall, okay? You can relax here.You need space, I get it."

She nodded slowly, her fingers twisting the edge of her notebook. I hesitated, then asked, "Do you have a phone? In case... you know, emergencies."

She shook her head, no words needed. Of course she didn't. Why would she? Her old life probably didn't come with luxuries like that.

"Alright. I'll handle it." I gave her a small nod and backed out, closing the door softly behind me. Julius and Blade were waiting downstairs, looking at me like they expected an explosion. 

"What?" I snapped.

Julius crossed his arms. "Alpha, that note... it's the same as before. You think it's them? The one who took out your first mate?"

My jaw tightened. "Yeah. Or someone copying them to mess with my head. Either way, we're locking this place down. Double patrols, no one in or out without my say-so. And Julius watch your mouth around her from now on and I f*ck*ng meant what I said."

He grumbled but nodded. Blade clapped my shoulder. "We'll handle the pack, you focus on her."

I headed downstairs, my mind spinning. The pack house was buzzing with whispers...news of the threat had spread like wildfire. 

I called a quick meeting with my top councils, barking orders to tighten security. Check every window, every door. Interrogate anyone acting shady. But deep down, I knew it wasn't enough. That note wasn't just a warning, it was a promise. 

The words burned in my brain, dragging up memories I'd buried deep, I couldn't let that happen to Doris. 

Alpha, I heard what happened," Lucious said.

Lucious is Blade's father. He used to be my father's Beta before my dad died.

Technically, he was supposed to become Alpha after my father passed. I wasn't even eighteen yet. But the Crescent Brotherhood decided to give me a chance to prove I could rule.

And here I am now as Alpha of moon pack.

Lucious could have fought that decision. He could have taken the title for himself.

But he didn't.

Even after my parents died, he stayed. Guided me. Protected me. Treated me like I was his own son.

"I've handled it," I said evenly. "Security's doubled. Patrols are tighter. No one gets near her without my approval."

I met his eyes. "Whoever did this thinks we're weak. They're wrong."

He sighed softly. "You're doing fine, son. Better than you think."

His hand squeezed my shoulder. "But don't carry this alone. You have a pack and you have me."

Then he left, his footsteps fading down the hallway.

Hours ticked by, I buried myself in work, checking borders on the map, talking to scouts but my thoughts kept drifting back to her, alone up there. Shaking from the fear. She was mine to protect, even if she didn't fully get that yet. 

Around mid-afternoon, I headed to my office, grabbing a spare phone from the drawer, one of those basic ones we kept for pack emergencies. It was charged, simple to use.

Figured she'd need something to communicate if things went south. Loaded it with my number, and the pack's emergency line.

The house smelled like dinner cooking. My stomach growled, but food could wait. I climbed the stairs, phone in hand, rehearsing what to say. "Hey, got this for you. Easy to use. I'll show you." Keep it casual, don't scare her more, I said to myself.

I knocked lightly on the door. No answer. She was mute, idiot, what did I expect? I turned the knob slowly, pushing it open. 

"Doris? It's me. I got the-"

The words died in my throat.

She was standing there, right in the middle of the room, fresh out of the bathroom. Naked. Completely, utterly naked. 

Water droplets clung to her skin, glistening under the soft lamp light like tiny diamonds, her hair was wet, hanging in dark waves over her shoulders, framing her face. 

But my eyes...d*mn them, dropped lower before I could stop. 

Her breasts were full and soft, n*ppl*s hardened from the cool air, rising and falling with her quick breaths. 

My gaze slid down her smooth stomach, to the curve of her hips, and then... f*ck. 

Her p*ssy, bare and inviting, a soft patch of curls that made my mouth go dry. 

Heat rushed through me like a wildfire, straight to my groin.

My wolf howled inside, pacing, clawing, demanding I claim her right there. Mark her and make her mine in every way.

She gasped-a tiny, silent sound and scrambled for the towel on the bed, wrapping it around herself fast. But it was too late. 

The image stuck in my mind, stirring a deep and wild feeling I hadn't felt in years.

My pants felt tight, my heart slamming against my ribs. I slapped a hand over my eyes, turning half away. 

"Sh*t! I'm sorry. I didn't know... I thought you were done. I just... here." I fumbled blindly, dropping the phone on the bed. It bounced once, screen lighting up.

Her face was flushed red, eyes wide with shock and something else...embarrassment? But there was a spark there, too, like she felt the pull just as strong. The mate bond hummed between us, electric and undeniable. 

My wolf growled low, urging me to step closer, to touch her skin, feel her warmth. Taste her. 

God, I wanted to drop the towel, pin her to the bed, explore every inch with my hands, my mouth. Hear her moan, even if it was just in breaths. But I couldn't. Not like this. Not when she was already scared.

"I'll... I'll come back later. Teach you how to use it. Or text me if you need help." My voice came out rough, strained. 

I backed toward the door, peeking through my fingers just enough to not trip, but as I turned, our eyes locked for a split second. Hers were dark, pupils blown wide. Was that desire? Or just surprise? My control was slipping, I could feel my eyes starting to glow, the shift threatening.

I bolted out, slamming the door behind me. Leaned against the wall in the corridor, breathing hard, willing my body to calm down. My d*ck throbbed, aching for release. For her. 

F*ck, what was I thinking? She wasn't ready. We barely knew me. But the bond... it didn't care about timing. It wanted now.

Downstairs, I paced the living room, ignoring the curious looks from the pack. 

Dinner was served, but I couldn't eat. Every time I closed my eyes, I saw her curves, skin, that vulnerable look turning into something hotter. 

My wolf whined, pushing me to go back up. Claim your mate, but I fought it, grabbing a beer from the fridge instead, chugging it cold.

Night fell slow, the moon peeking through the clouds like it was mocking me. I checked the patrols, everything quiet.That note still nagged at me. Who got in? How? I needed answers, but right now, my head was a mess. 

Finally, around midnight, I couldn't stall anymore. She was in my bed, her scent mixing with mine. I had to go up, sleep on the couch like I promised. Keep her safe.

I climbed the stairs, heart racing again. Knocked softly. "Doris? It's me. Coming in."

I pushed the door open. The room was dim, just the bedside lamp on. She was under the covers, in a simple nightgown the maids must've brought. 

Her eyes met mine, soft and questioning. The phone sat on the nightstand, untouched. I swallowed hard, stepping inside. 

"You okay?"

She nodded, but bit her lip, a habit that drove me crazy. 

I moved to the couch, grabbing a blanket from the closet. "I'll be right here. Nothing's getting past me."

But as I settled in, she shifted, the sheets rustling. I glanced over. She was watching me, her hand reaching for the notebook. Wrote something quick, held it up.

"Can you stay closer? I'm scared."

My breath caught. Closer? The wolf roared in approval. I stood, hesitating. "You sure?"

She nodded again, scooting over a bit. I sat on the edge of the bed, the mattress dipping under my weight. 

Her scent wrapped around me...strawberries, warmth, and now something musky, aroused. 

Was she feeling it too? My hand brushed hers by accident, sparks shooting up my arm. She didn't pull away. Instead, her fingers lingered, tracing my palm lightly.

F*ck. The tension crackled like lightning. 

I leaned in, just a little, my face inches from hers. 

Her breath hitched, eyes fluttering shut. One kiss. Just one. But as my lips hovered over hers, a distant howl echoed outside...a patrol signal. Trouble? Or nothing?

Then her hand brushed against mine, guiding me closer. "Doris" I whispered, feeling my control slip. But before anything could happen, the door rattled with a sharp knock.

"Alpha! Intruders at the border!"

I froze, torn between the heat building between us and the danger outside. Her eyes widened in fear, but her grip tightened. What now?