The vehicle jolted along the uneven road, the engine's vibration running through the floor beneath me. No one had bothered to see me off. No farewell, no acknowledgment. They placed me in the car without hesitation, like something they were eager to discard.

I glanced back through the rear window, and a tight feeling settled in my chest as it sank in that I wouldn't be coming back. Even if I did, there wouldn't be anyone waiting for me. Tears threatened to fall, but I forced them away. I had already given enough of them to people who never cared.

Hours passed before the surroundings began to shift. The territory of the Shadowfang pack stretched out ahead, wide and seemingly endless.

When their grounds finally appeared, my heartbeat picked up. Dark stone buildings stood tall, surrounded by strong fences that marked their domain. Everything about the place spoke of control and power. It felt nothing like where I came from.

The scale here was overwhelming, the structure rigid. The car kept moving for what felt like forever, yet we still hadn't reached the Alpha's residence.

Beside me, Davis remained silent. His attention stayed fixed outside, his expression unreadable. He hadn't spoken since we left Crimson Howl. The quiet around him pressed down on me, making it hard to breathe. I pulled myself closer to the side, careful not to make a sound. The small bag in my hands held everything I owned, and I clung to it as if it could keep me steady.

The car finally stopped. Davis stepped out first, his movement sudden enough to make me flinch. I stayed where I was until Brandon, his Beta, opened the door and gave a brief nod.

"Move," he instructed, his eyes lingering on me as if weighing something.

I stepped inside the main building, and the atmosphere hit me immediately. The ceilings rose high above, the floors gleamed, and the air felt cold in a way that settled deep. Davis walked ahead without slowing, leading me into a large room centered around a grand fireplace.

He came to a stop near it and spoke without looking back. "Leave us, Brandon. I need to talk to her."

Without saying anything, the Beta gave a small bow and stepped out, leaving me alone with him. A chill ran through me.

"Sit," Davis said, his voice flat as his eyes finally settled on me.

I moved toward a leather chair and lowered myself onto the edge, my fingers tightening together in my lap. The quiet dragged on, pressing down until he turned fully in my direction, his face giving nothing away.

"I never wanted this," he said, his tone rough and steady. "Whatever Caleb is planning, I don't care. Just understand this. I have no intention of having a Luna. And I don't want you."

The words struck hard, but I stayed silent.

He folded his arms and went on. "The Elders want an heir. That's the only reason this is happening. Here's how it works. We'll marry for show, and I'll place my mark on you. To everyone else, we'll act like an Alpha and his Luna. But when it's just us, you keep your distance."

A quiet response left me. "I understand."

His gaze sharpened. "That's all you have to say?"

I gave a slight nod. "Yes." There was nothing else to add.

Something in my answer seemed to irritate him, but he continued anyway.

"You won't be involved in anything related to the pack. You'll stay in the west wing, away from my quarters. You won't sit with me or share my table. And most importantly, you won't expect anything from me. Do you get it?"

My throat felt tight, but I gave a small nod. "I understand."

His eyes stayed on me, a hint of surprise showing. "You're fine with all of that?"

I lifted my head, confused by the question. "Yes... isn't that what you want?" I replied quietly. At least here, I wouldn't be punished over something small like ruining breakfast.

His brow lifted slightly. "Ruining breakfast?"

Warmth crept up my face. I hadn't meant to say that aloud. "Yes," I admitted, lowering my gaze. "Or... for something like not fixing a pillow the right way."

His jaw tightened, and for a brief second, something unreadable crossed his eyes before it disappeared.

"This isn't something to take lightly," he said, his tone firm.

"I know," I answered right away. "I mean it. Your conditions are acceptable. Following rules is simpler than dealing with people."

He studied me closely, his expression hard to read. "Do you even realize what this arrangement means?"

I sat up a little straighter. "Yes. You said the ceremony is tomorrow. I'll stay out of your way unless... unless you need an heir." My face heated again, and I looked down as soon as the words left me.

A frustrated breath left him as he pressed his fingers against his brow. "Fine. We'll leave it at that. Brandon will take you to your room. Tomorrow, someone will get you ready."

I paused before speaking again, my voice soft. "Alpha Davis... thank you."

His body tensed, surprise showing. "Thank you?"

I gave a small nod. "Yes... but I need to ask something. If I feel hungry, can I go to the kitchen myself, or do I wait for someone to bring food?"

His eyes widened slightly. "That's what's on your mind right now?"

Embarrassment crept in, and I looked down. "You didn't say anything about food. I don't want to break a rule without knowing." Back in my old pack, meals weren't guaranteed. Sometimes I only got two in a day. Maybe things were different here.

He stared at me as if he couldn't believe it. "You're actually serious?"

"Yes," I said, meeting his gaze briefly. "You're strict about rules, so I thought it was better to ask."

For a moment, he looked caught between reacting harshly or letting it go. In the end, he spoke. "No, you don't have to wait. Eat whenever you want. Just don't get in my way."

Relief settled in me. "That makes things easier. It's not like I could miss you anyway," I said, a faint smile forming.

He went still. "What does that mean?"

I pressed my lips together, realizing I had gone too far. "You're like... something you can't ignore. Strong. Intense."

His eyes narrowed slightly. "Is that supposed to be praise?"

Heat rushed to my face. "Yes. It is. It means you stand out." I wished I could take it back.

He let out a short breath, irritation clear. "You're impossible," he said, his hands tightening before he let them fall. "Forget it. Just remember what I told you. Don't expect anything beyond that."

I nodded right away. "I won't."

Without another word, he turned and walked out.

I stayed where I was, watching the door after he left, my heart still racing. He was harsh, and being near him felt overwhelming, but he hadn't treated me the way I was used to. That alone set this place apart.

When the door shut, I finally let out a breath I didn't realize I was holding. My face still felt warm. I had gotten through this first meeting, but it was clear things wouldn't be simple here.

Right on cue, my stomach made a low sound.

Elena's POV:

Later that day, Brandon returned and motioned for me to follow him outside. The moment we entered the hallway, he slowed down and spoke carefully, like he was weighing his words first. "This situation wasn't caused by you," he said while leading me through the deserted hallway.

His voice stayed calm, but I couldn't stop myself from wondering if he'd sensed the thoughts running through my head. Someone like Brandon probably could. As the Beta who stood beside the strongest Alpha in the region, his instincts were far sharper than ordinary wolves.

"Maybe that's how you see it," I answered softly. The lie tasted bitter in my mouth.

No matter how distant Davis acted toward me, this place still felt safer than Crimson Howl ever did. Back there, I had spent years surviving cruelty disguised as pack hierarchy. Compared to that nightmare, even Davis' cold silence felt merciful.

The corridor stretched endlessly before us while Brandon's footsteps rang against the polished floor. I stayed a few steps behind him and kept my gaze lowered, forcing myself not to stare out the towering windows surrounding us. Beyond the glass stood lands so beautiful they barely seemed real.

Yet beneath that beauty lingered something sharp and unwelcoming, much like the Alpha who ruled over it.

The thought of Caleb surfaced again without warning. Pain twisted through my chest so suddenly that I had to steady my breathing before the tears could rise.

Rejecting me hadn't been enough for him. Caleb discarded me like I meant nothing, fully aware that an omega without her mate bond rarely survived long afterward. He knew exactly what kind of fate waited for me, and he still chose to walk away without hesitation. Then he made things worse by handing me over like an object in a negotiation, using my existence to secure ties with Alpha Davis and his pack.

The morning I was sent away, Caleb came to see me one last time.

Before I could pull away, Caleb stepped closer until almost no space remained between us. His fingers lifted my chin with a touch soft enough to unsettle me, though the cruelty beneath it still crawled under my skin.

Part of me still wanted to melt into his touch, but the memories tied to him stopped me cold. Everything Caleb had done came crashing back at once, leaving fear wrapped tightly around my body.

"Remember why you're being sent there, Elena. Your only responsibility is to obey him and stay useful. If you try to run away, I'll handle you myself," he said quietly. His voice turned colder near the end.

Then he smiled. Before I could move away, his lips brushed against my cheek in a false show of affection that made my skin crawl.

Disgust rose inside me immediately, and I shoved him back without hesitation. Caleb only chuckled softly at my reaction before walking out of the room like none of it mattered.

"This will be your room," Brandon said, pulling me out of the memory.

We had already reached the end of the hallway. After stopping in front of a closed door, he pushed it open and motioned for me to step inside.

Carefully, I looked around the room.

I expected another miserable space meant for someone unwanted, but the sight before me caught me off guard. Everything looked neat and surprisingly comfortable.

A bed covered with soft blankets sat near the center, while a wooden table rested beside the window. Near the wall stood a small wardrobe. Warm sunlight spilled across the room and made the entire place feel peaceful.

"You may walk around the territory if you want," Brandon explained calmly. "Just stay away from the north wing. That's Alpha Davis' private area, and he doesn't tolerate interruptions. Understood?"

Not wanting to seem disrespectful, I nodded right away. "Yes. I understand. Thank you."

For a brief moment, Brandon kept his eyes on me like he couldn't quite figure me out. In the end, he simply walked away without saying anything else. A quiet click followed after the door shut behind him.

The second I was alone, a relieved breath escaped my lungs.

This room didn't feel threatening.

For once, I had somewhere quiet to stay, even if it wasn't permanent.

I welcomed the silence immediately. Davis wasn't here with his cold stares. Hannah wasn't around to throw cutting remarks at me. Natalie couldn't sneer at me from across the room, and Caleb wasn't here to remind me how easily he discarded me.

No one could reach me here.

After placing my small bag inside the wardrobe, another door caught my attention nearby. Curiosity pushed me toward it, and when I stepped inside, I realized it was a bathroom.

Light reflected against the smooth bathtub while the silver faucet gleamed brightly beneath it. Not a single thing looked dirty or neglected.

The sight alone made me want to cry.

Without wasting another second, I filled the tub with warm water and slowly slipped inside. The heat wrapped around my body instantly, easing the soreness buried deep in my muscles.

I couldn't remember the last time I felt this comfortable.

Closing my eyes, I let myself sink deeper into the warmth while the exhaustion from the past few days slowly melted away.

By the time I stepped out with a towel wrapped around me, some of the heaviness inside my chest felt easier to carry.

The moment I stepped back into the bedroom, a rich scent drifted

through the air and stopped me in place—Food.

A tray sat neatly on the table nearby, filled with warm bread, steaming soup, fresh fruit, and chocolate dessert. My stomach growled painfully at the sight, reminding me how long it had been since I last ate properly.

Slowly, I moved closer. Part of me still couldn't believe any of it was meant for me. Carefully, I picked up a piece of bread and took a small bite.

The softness nearly broke me. Warmth melted across my tongue, and for a second, my legs almost gave out beneath me.

This wasn't another cruel trick.

Someone had actually prepared a real meal for me.

Before I even realized it, I had finished everything on the tray. The soup tasted thick and comforting, far richer than anything I remembered eating before. Every piece of fruit carried a sweetness that lingered on my tongue, and the chocolate dessert felt so indulgent that it almost embarrassed me to enjoy it so much.

But the moment I reached for the last piece of bread, my stomach twisted violently. Nausea hit me without warning.

I barely made it to the bathroom before everything came back up.

Breathing hard, I stayed on the cold tiled floor afterward, too weak to stand right away. Shame settled heavily inside me while I realized my body simply wasn't used to eating that much after being deprived for so long.

After rinsing my mouth, I remained there quietly for another moment.

Then I heard something.

A faint creak drifted from the bedroom door.

My chest tightened immediately.

Carefully, I stepped closer and noticed the door hadn't fully closed. Through the narrow opening, I caught sight of a shadow disappearing down the hallway. Heavy footsteps echoed in the distance before fading away completely.

Fear wrapped around me at once.

Without hesitation, I shut the door firmly and locked it. My hands trembled against the latch even after it clicked into place.

By the time I returned to the bed, exhaustion had completely taken over.

The mattress welcomed me the second I collapsed onto it, and sleep dragged me under almost instantly.

Somewhere within that darkness, a massive black wolf appeared beside me.

Its fur looked dark as midnight, while golden eyes watched me quietly. The steady sound of its breathing filled me with an unexpected sense of safety.

As I rested against its thick coat, warmth slowly wrapped around my body like protection.

I had no idea how long I slept before a sudden knock dragged me out of the dream.

Startled, I shot upright and rushed toward the door without thinking. The moment I pulled it open, my entire body stiffened.

Alpha Davis stood outside.

His gaze immediately fell to the towel wrapped around me, and heat rushed straight into my face. Realizing how little the fabric actually concealed, I clutched it tighter against my chest and lowered my eyes in embarrassment.

"Alpha Davis..." I called out awkwardly, struggling to steady my voice. After everything he told me earlier, he was the last person I expected to see standing outside my room. "Did... did you need something from me?"

For a brief second, his expression hardened. Then he finally spoke. "The ceremony has been delayed for another week."