ALLISON

"Thank you for saving me." I said to Lazar as he walked into the ward. In his hands was a wrapped box. And at once glance, I knew what it was.

Fruits. How thoughtful of him.

"You are welcome, Allison." He flashed a warm smile at me. "How are you feeling today?"

"I'm... I'm better." I replied truthfully. Honestly, I have no idea what the doctor had done to me, or what drugs he had given me, but one thing I couldn't deny was that it was effective. I felt better than I've ever felt in a long while. The discomfort and pain I felt in between my legs were gone. The injuries on my body were healing fast too.

"That's good to know, Allison." He took his glasses off and placed them on the table beside him. "I'm glad you're okay. You'll have to remain here until you recover fully."

I was relieved to know that. I haven't figured out what to do with my life as soon as I'm discharged. I have nowhere to go, except my father's house. And with the ugly memories the house holds for me, it's the last place I want to stay.

Since I'll stay here until I recover fully, I might as well think about what to do.

"Lest I forget, your father and grandmother are currently in jail now. I had them jailed for what they did to you. They'll have to face the law."

My brows furrowed slightly into confusion. "You had them imprisoned?"

"Yes, Allison. Both of them. I just couldn't help it. First they mistreated you. And as a result of their actions, you lost your baby."

I knew that I lost my baby and I've tried so hard not to cry about it. When he broke the news to me a few days ago, I cried myself to sleep.

But deep down I was happy that I lost it. At least my child wouldn't suffer in this cruel world. She wouldn't have a father who's a monster, a father who didn't want her. Plus I wasn't financially stable enough to look after myself, not to talk of a newborn. I can't bring him or her into this world to suffer.

"And Elliot?" I inquired hesitantly. "Was he jailed too?"

"Yes. All of them. Maximus's auction house was destroyed too. That's what they all get for mistreating my mate." He said in a tone of finality.

I've almost forgotten that he claimed I was his mate. Even though I was human, I knew about werewolves and their world. It wasn't a strange road for me, because I've been reading about werewolves for as long as I can remember.

I knew about their leader who is called an Alpha, his second in command, his Beta. And of course the Alpha's mate, Luna or the Queen of the Pack. I know how Luna must be a strong and capable werewolf else she wouldn't be accepted by the Pack.

And now, he claims that I am his mate which I feel is not gonna be possible. I was human. And he, a werewolf. There's no way in hell that I'll be accepted in the Pack. As the Alpha of the Pack, he should know this.

I took a deep breath to clear my head. "We both know that I won't be accepted in your Pack, sir." I said in the calmest voice that I could muster. "I am an ordinary human. I'm not strong like your people. I can't fight. I can't protect the Pack. I can't shift. I won't be accepted. I think we should both go our separate ways."

He leaned closer, took my hands in his and gave it a gentle squeeze. "Are you thinking of rejecting me?"

As much as it pains me, I can't bear it. He is the first person who has ever stood up for me. In fact, he's the only one who has protected me and also punished the people who hurt me. But at the same time, I can't accept him. There is no way that I'll be accepted there. Who knows what fate awaits me in the Pack?

"Im only stating facts, sir...."

"Lazar." He cut me off. "Address me as Lazar. I am your mate, your future husband. You're not my subject, but my Luna."

I felt my cheeks heat up, especially as he said he was my future husband. "Okay."

"Now, I need you to understand one thing, Allison. I am the Alpha. And as the Alpha, whatever I say stands. My Pack cannot tell me what to do or who to take as my mate. Anyone who questions my decision or the moon goddess decrees will have to be punished by me. Or worse, sent out of the Pack."

"Will you turn your back on your Pack for me, a total stranger? Will you go against the people that have been with you through thick and thin, all for a complete stranger?"

The corners of his lips rose in a smile. "That stranger is my mate. And besides, I am not turning my back on them, baby. I am only making a point. Once I've done this, no one will have any rights to send you away or ask me to send you out of the Pack."

"Are you sure about this?" I exhaled sharply. "I don't want to be the reason why everyone hates and turns their back on you, Lazar. I won't be able to live with it."

"Trust me, Allison. I have everything under control. You just sit back and recover fully."

"Yes, I will."

♤♤♤

"I just spoke with the doctor now. He says you can be discharged." Lazar announced as he walked into the room. It's been three weeks since I was brought to this hospital. And I must say this is the first time I've had real peace without anyone yelling at me or making me feel like I'm a burden.

And Alpha Lazar, for the past three weeks, he keeps coming back to the Pack, to check on me, even though he has his Pack to run and look after.

"Yeah. He told me earlier." I answered. And he nodded.

With his hands behind his back, he walked towards the window. I kept praying within me that he wouldn't remind me about what we discussed some days ago. But as if he heard my thoughts, he spoke up.

"Tell me, Allison." He started. "Have you thought about it already?"

"Of course yes, Alpha." I nodded like he could see me. "I've thought about it. And I don't think I can do it. I can't come to the Pack with you."

He finally turned to face me. "And why is that?"

"I am human. There is no place for me in your Pack. I won't be welcomed there. I can't..."

"You'll be welcomed. And trust me, I'll make sure no one hurts you or causes you any problem. That's a promise I intend to keep. Forever."

I needed no soothsayer to tell me that he meant those words. But in this life, I've learnt never to trust anyone. Especially after what Elliot did. He was the one man I trusted with everything in me. I trusted that he'll save me, take me away from my parents forever. But he did the exact opposite.

He betrayed me by selling me at the auction, the one place I hated most, without a second thought.

"You can't force everyone to love and accept me, Lazar. Can you please just let me go? I promise you I'll be fine outside the Pack. You can come see me whenever you want. It'll be better that day."

"I'm sorry, I can't do that, Allison. You're my mate. And staying at the Pack is safer for you. How will I protect you if you're far away from me?" He asked as he began to walk closer. "Look, Allison, I have enemies. Lots of them. What do you think would happen if they get to know that I've found my mate?"

"They'll want to hurt me." I stated the obvious.

"You're right. They'll hurt you. They'll do anything to get to me. So please, come with me to the Pack, so I can protect you. And treat you better. If your greatest concern is not being accepted by the Pack, then I'll arrange for you to stay away from the Pack House. How about that?"

"No. I'll stay in the Pack House." I blurted out before I could stop myself. Nevertheless, I didn't want to trouble him.

"Good." He winked at me. "The car is ready. We should leave already."

"Uhm.... What about my father?" I whispered as he helped me get up from the bed. "My grandmother, Elliot."

"They'll remain in jail until whenever I change my mind. So you don't have to worry about them hurting you again."

ALLISON

"This is your new home now." Alpha Lazar said to me as soon as the car came to a stop. I stared out of the window to see a house that dwarfed everything I've ever seen. It was just huge.

Not just tall, but endlessly wide, built from pale stone that looked expensive and impossibly clean. It felt less like a home and more like an entire government building. Enormous and cold. Everything about it whispered, "Wealth and prosperity" if that makes any sense.

The grounds were too perfect.

We drove past giant patches of lawn where huge, dark stone statues stood scattered around, like silent, carved bodyguards. I couldn't tell if they were people or animals, but they were definitely watching.

"My home?"

"Yes, Allie. Welcome to the Pack House. You'll be living here from now on." He answered.

"Wow!" The words left my lips before I could stop them. "This is beautiful." I've always imagined what it'll feel like to live in a new house, so long as it wasn't the dark room that I've been made to stay in all my life. But I never imagined staying in a house like this one.

"Do you like it?"

I stared at him like he had suddenly grown two heads. "Like? Come on, Lazar, I love it." I giggled as I continued to stare at the compound. I've come across big houses in town, but I've never seen anyone as enormous as this. Even the government house didn't stand a chance in any way.

The car stopped near the front door, right by a fountain. It was built from layers of polished rock and the water just poured over the edges, dark and glassy. I was thinking the water would stop there, but it didn't.

Now, instead of going into a drain, it ran off the fountain's base and turned into a small stream that cut across the grass. With my eyes, I followed that stream with my eyes until it got wider and wider, right up until it became a massive swimming pool at the edge of the property.

The pool was so long it felt endless. The whole thing....the fountain, the stream, the pool....was all connected, making the entire compound feel like one carefully designed machine.

This was a place where things were handled.

As the car came to a stop, I tried to get down from it, but Alpha Lazar held my hands. "Hold on." He got down from the car and came to my side to open the door for me.

A faint blush crept its way to my cheeks. I've never had anyone treat me this way. "Thank you." I muttered my thanks as I placed my hands in his. He led me towards the door. The men standing beside the door bowed as soon as they saw Alpha Lazar. They were burly, about six feet tall with a lean build. They were dressed in impeccable black suits and leather shoes, identical to the one the driver wore.

"Welcome back to the Pack, Alpha." They greeted him in unison. And Lazar nodded in acknowledgement. I tried not to stare at the men, but it was impossible. They were literally staring at me, as if they could read me like a book.

"Say hello to your future Luna." Lazar said to them, as he raised our conjoined hands up for them to see. At that moment, I wanted the ground to open up and swallow me. Boy, I wasn't expecting him to introduce me. At least not now.

"Luna?" One of the guards spoke up. "But isn't she human?" he added. "How can a human be our Luna? They're weak and ...."

Before he could finish his words, Marcus stepped forward. He kicked the man at the back of his legs causing him to fall down on his knees with a loud groan. When he cocked his gun and pointed it at the man's head, I held my breath because I thought he was going to pull the trigger.

"Say one more word about your Luna again and I'll make sure you never see the next day." He growled angrily. "Now apologize to your Luna."

The guard's eyes landed on me. "I'm.....I'm sorry, Luna." He muttered under his breath, but I heard him clearly. He did apologize, but not without glaring at me.

"Do you have anything else to say too?" Marcus gestured to the other guard, but he shook his head almost immediately. He got on his knees.

"Welcome to the Pack, Luna. We promise to serve and protect you all the rest of our lives. Our loyalty lies with you." He let out.

I didn't know what to say to that. Therefore I just tugged on Lazar's hands. As if sensing that I have something to say, he leaned closer. "Please tell him to get off the floor. I'm just an ordinary human."

"Rise." Lazar commanded and immediately, the two guards rose up from the ground. He turned his attention to the first guard. "As punishment for speaking ill of my mate, Elias, you'll be made to work the mines for three weeks." He ordered before leading me into the house.

"Working the mines for three weeks. Don't you think that's a little bit harsh?"

A small laughter escaped his lips. "Harsh?"

I nodded slowly. "Yeah. It's harsh."

"You are my mate and the Queen of this Pack, Allie. Whoever speaks ill of you or questions your place in this Pack will have to be punished. No disrespect whatsoever will be tolerated from anyone, no matter who they are."

"Im just worried, Lazar." He led me towards the couch in the sitting room and made me sit on it. My eyes darted around the interior decoration of the house. Just like I've guessed, everything screamed wealth. The chandelier, the intricate pattern of the Arabian rug, everything was beautiful. It screamed wealth.

"Worried about what?"

I exhaled sharply. I really hope he'll see things from my own perspective. On my first day in the Pack, I already made an enemy. I wasn't a fool. I didn't need anyone to tell me that that guard, Elias, would despise me for as long as I stayed in this Pack. I was the reason why he'll work in the mines for three weeks. He'll never forgive me for it.

And I don't know how many more enemies I'll make in the long run.

"Your Pack members. We both know that just like Elias, a lot of people would oppose my presence here...."

"And they'll be punished for it. Case closed."

"Come on, Lazar, will you keep punishing everyone for my sake?"

"If I have to, yes" His response was sharp, leaving no room for argument and I could only sigh in resignation. He wasn't making this easy for me at all. And believe me when I say it's frustrating as hell. Maybe I shouldn't have agreed to come here with him.

I should have just remained in the states. From what I've gathered, an Alpha needs his Pack to remain stable and powerful. During wars, everyone in the Pack will have to come together and fight with their Alpha, for the peace and security of the Pack. What would happen if he continues punishing them for my sake, if he continues pushing them away?

Surely it won't look good at all.

"I need you to do one thing for me, Allie." His voice dragged me back to reality. "I need you to live. Don't be worried about the Pack members. I am the Alpha and I have everything under control, okay?"

"Maybe I'll always remain indoors. How about that?"

He chuckled. "Staying indoors is not a good idea, but if that's what you want, I'll gladly accept it. What are your hobbies? Maybe it'll help make your stay here enjoyable."

My eyes teared up as I heard his question. I never thought that a day would come when someone would ask what my hobbies are. Eliot and I have been together for two years, but never did he ask me what my hobbies were. In fact, he doesn't know what I love doing.

"Are you fine?" I felt Lazar's hands on my cheeks and I sighed.

"Yeah, yeah. I'm fine." I answered. "I love reading novels. I love drawing. I love writing too. In fact, I love doing a lot of things."

His lips rose up in a smile. "I love doing a lot of things too. And just like you, I love reading. Whenever I'm not handling important matters at the Pack House, I spend my time reading books too. It's good to know that we're on the same page."

I was about to say something, but just then Marcus walked into the sitting room. "Elias has been transferred to the mines now, your Majesty."

I wanted to beg on his behalf again, but knowing that Lazar wouldn't listen, I decided against it.

"Helen?" Lazar called and almost immediately, a young lady stepped forward. She was dressed in a simply dark uniform with a crisp white apron over it.

She was truly beautiful....the kind of beauty that made you look twice. But her eyes weren't soft; they held a hard, stern gaze, like she was always sizing you up.

When she looked at Alpha Lazar, her face changed completely. A slow smile spread across her lips. She leaned in a little, just enough to be noticed, and stared right into his eyes.

At that moment, I knew what she was doing. She was absolutely flirting with him.

When he finally turned to me and introduced us, "Baby, this is Helen, she'll show you to your room," her smile was gone.

She looked right through me, like I was nothing, a piece of trash she had to deal with. "Who is this human, Alpha?" She inquired as she sized me up. "I don't think I've seen her before. Is she a new maid?"

My face burned with embarrassment as I heard her words and I wanted nothing but to hide from her. Do I look like a maid in any way? I had to refrain from staring at my clothes.

"Show some respect, Helen. She's your Luna." Marcus warned

Her brows furrowed into confusion, but she didn't say anything. She just flashed me a smile that didn't quite reach her eyes.

"I'll come to you later, baby. I have some work to do, okay?" Lazar pulled me into his arms and hugged me. By the time he pulled away, I noticed the harsh glare on Helen's face.

I didn't say a word to him. I just stayed quiet. He told her to take me to the room, and I let her lead the way.

Together, we walked towards the stairs.

"Do you know that Lazar has a fiance?"