Karen POV

"I came to save you," she whispered, rushing toward the chains. Her voice was sharp, cutting me off before I could speak again.

Her face was pale in the dim torchlight, but her eyes burned with determination. "I know you're not guilty, my lady. I couldn't stand by and watch them kill you. I'm sorry I didn't come sooner... I was waiting for the right moment, when the guards wouldn't suspect a thing."

My throat tightened.

"Th-thank you," I croaked, voice breaking.

The cuffs bit deeper into my wrists, but the ache in my chest was worse. She was risking her life for me.

The metallic click of the lock echoed like thunder, and the chains slid free.

"Hurry," she urged, pressing a cloak into my hands. "Before it's too late."

We slipped into the narrow escape tunnel, breath ragged, footsteps too loud in the silence. Yvonne glanced at me quickly.

"Luna, please stay safe."

I grabbed her wrist. "Aren't you coming with me? They'll suspect you. I can't let you stay behind."

She shook her head sharply. "No, Luna. If I vanish, they'll know. I'll buy you time." She pulled me into a quick, desperate hug. "Go. Now!"

I forced my legs to move, ignoring the pain lancing through my body. The trees blurred around me, branches clawing at my skin, but I didn't stop. I had nothing left in that pack anymore.

The border was close. I knew every inch of this land it was a map burned into my mind. It was easy to avoid patrols, but the border was another story. My heart seized when I saw four massive wolves stationed ahead.

Panic surged. I swerved sharply, nearly colliding with a tree in my frenzy to stay hidden. A chilling howl tore through the night, signaling my presence. My heart hammered. I might outrun these ones, but Xavier or his Beta? No chance.

I risked a glance behind me four wolves were already chasing. My eyes locked on the line of charred bushes marking the border. Almost there.

Just as my foot crossed the threshold, searing pain exploded in my leg. Jaws clamped around me, dragging me back. I screamed, collapsing to my knees, fingers clawing at the dirt. I kicked and fought, but the bite sank deeper.

Snarls surrounded me. One wolf pinned me with its gaze while the others bared their teeth. My heart stuttered in terror.

And then

"Alpha," they chorused, bowing their heads.

I forced my eyes up. His presence hit me like a storm raw power, commanding and suffocating. My heart fluttered wildly, my vision swimming. Darkness swallowed me before I could even glimpse his face.

***********

My eyes snapped open, and I gasped. Pain tore through my skull, forcing me to collapse back into something soft.

I touched my temples, breathing through the ache, and slowly looked around. A massive bedroom. A soft bed beneath me. Comfort I hadn't felt in... I couldn't even remember. The peace of it broke me, and tears slipped down my cheeks.

"You're awake."

The deep voice made my stomach flutter. I sat up sharply, heart pounding, and saw him broad-shouldered, hands in his pockets, staring out the window.

"Where am I?" I whispered.

He turned slowly, and my breath caught at the sight of his sculpted chest and strong arms. His eyes were sharp, unreadable.

"I should be asking what you were doing in my territory," he said, his tone smooth but laced with authority.

"Mate," Sally, my wolf, whispered.

"What?" I hissed back at her. "Sally, not now. We're in danger."

"Oh, come on. Just admit it he's hot. Imagine running your hands down that chest. What do you think his abs look like?"

I groaned. "I've had enough of you, you horny wolf." I blocked her voice with effort.

He was still watching me, waiting. "Young lady, I asked you a question."

"I... I'm sorry," I stammered. "I didn't mean harm. I was just... passing by."

His eyes narrowed. "You're a Luna, aren't you?"

The word stung. My chest tightened, but I nodded. "Yes. Ex-Luna."

"Your scent gave you away," he said with a smirk. Then he turned for the door. "Rest. You'll undergo initiation soon. You'll need to prove yourself to stay in

this pack."

"Thank you," I whispered. He left without a glance back.

Karen POV

My head throbbed as the knock came at the door.

"Come in," I muttered.

The maid entered with a bow. "The Alpha requests your presence in the hall." She flicked her fingers, and other maids swept in with perfumes, silks, and jewels.

Before I could protest, they were on me, scrubbing, combing, dressing me like I was something precious instead of a runaway. Their hands worked fast, but my thoughts raced faster. I wondered if they'll even accept me as part of them

Minutes later, I stepped out. My legs trembled, but the corridor was mercifully short. The hall loomed ahead, filled with pack members watching me with sharp eyes.

Then I saw Zaiden.

Broad shoulders, calm authority. His eyes found mine across the room and refused to let go. My breath hitched; I forced myself to look away, but his presence pressed against me like heat.

"The priestess will arrive soon," he said, suddenly close. Too close.

I swallowed. "Okay." My voice cracked.

"Relax," he murmured, brushing his fingers against the back of my hand. "I don't bite."

My heart stuttered. Xavier never made me feel like this never. I hated it, I hated that my body betrayed me so easily.

The ceremony began. Rules, vows, rituals all a blur. My hands shook as the priestess bound mine with Zaiden's, slicing our palms so our blood mixed. A strange warmth rushed through me. For the first time in weeks, I didn't feel like an outcast. I felt... tethered. Like I belonged.

"You may step down," the priestess said.

I stumbled back to my seat, trying to steady my breathing. The voices, the whispers in my head from the bond it was overwhelming.

The hall erupted into chatter, but I slipped away. My room felt like safety, Or so I thought.

One of the border guards stood outside, the same man who'd nearly dragged me down before. His eyes were cold, unreadable. I forced a smile, waving lightly. He didn't return it. I sighed and shut the door. "Duh. He didn't have to be so mean."

I changed quickly, letting the hot bath wash away the weight of the ceremony. My body still ached, but for a moment, the warmth was almost comforting. By the time I sank into bed, exhaustion was pulling at me until the door opened.

It was Zaiden.

He filled the doorway, face unreadable, eyes sharp. My heart lurched.

"You might want to tell me," he said flatly, stepping in, "why you ran from your pack."

I froze.

"I don't harbor traitors," he continued. "I won't risk my people's lives."

"I..." My voice broke. "I can't. Not now. Please just give me time."

He tilted his head, lips curving in something that wasn't quite a smile. "Maybe you'll want to talk when I tell the Alpha of Blue Moon Pack that his missing Luna is under my roof."

My blood ran cold. "You wouldn't."

"Watch me." He slipped a phone from his pocket, thumb hovering over the screen.

"No!" My voice cracked, panic flooding me. "I'll.."

He paused. "Go on."

"I'll tell you," I whispered, my fists clenching in the sheets. My chest heaved as the memories threatened to break me all over again.

He smirked, sliding the phone back into his pocket. "Good. I'm all ears."

Karen's POV

Flashbacks

The courtyard burned with torches, shadows flickering over accusing faces. My chest heaved as I stumbled into the chaos only to see her.

The previous Luna. Lifeless. Blood staining her pale dress.

"No..." My whisper barely left my lips before a shrill voice cut through the crowd.

"There! She did it!"

I spun. Nelissa my chambermaid, the one who had sworn loyalty to me was pointing at me, tears streaking her face. "I saw her slipping a vial into Luna Rose's cup! She said the old Luna stood in her way!"

Gasps erupted. Wolves snarled. My knees nearly gave out.

"That's a lie!" My voice cracked as I tried to move forward. "I would never...."

Another shout came from the Elder. His hand shot up, silencing the crowd. "Enough. You think we accuse you blindly?" His eyes gleamed with cold judgment.

He raised a crystal device, its surface shimmering to life. A projection flickered in the night air. My heart slammed against my ribs as the image came into focus me, cloaked, standing in the forest... speaking to rogues.

The crowd roared. Wolves bared their teeth.

"That's not me!" I screamed, shaking my head violently. "It's been altered someone set me up!"

"Lies," the Elder spat. "The proof is here. You conspired against your pack. This is treason!"

The guards seized me before I could breathe. Iron cut into my wrists, dragging me to the ground. The crowd howled, spitting curses, their faces twisted with rage.

"Luna Karen of Blue Moon," the Elder's voice thundered, "you are guilty of the death of the previous Luna and treason against your pack."

"No!" I screamed, but the sound vanished under their roars.

I searched the Alpha's face Xavier's face but found only coldness. Betrayal.

That was the night everything ended. The night my own people chained me, branding me a traitor and a murderer in one breath.

********

When I finished telling him, I tried to read Zaiden's expression. Was he going to think I did it too? He was my only savior now I had nowhere else to go.

"I wasn't expecting you to believe me," I whispered, wiping my eyes as I stood. "I'll leave right away. I don't want to cause trouble. I never intended to."

"Don't you dare walk away from me."

He yanked me back, hard enough that I stumbled into his chest. My gasp caught in my throat as his arms locked around me like steel bars. His body radiated heat, his scent wrapping around me, thick and intoxicating.

"Look at me," he ordered.

I tried to resist, but his fingers slid under my chin, tilting it up until my gaze collided with his. His eyes were molten fire fierce, merciless pinning me in place.

"You think you can just run? After walking into my life like this?" His voice dropped, deep and commanding. "No, Karen." His lips brushed mine as he growled, "You belong to me now. You are mine."

My heart skipped at his claim. His words sank into me like claws, sending a shiver down my spine. I opened my mouth to deny it, but no words came only a shaky breath.

Then his mouth crashed against mine. It wasn't gentle. It was a storm fierce and demanding. His lips moved with punishing force, his teeth grazing my lower lip until a whimper slipped out. The sound only made him tighten his hold, pulling me flush against his chest.

My hands trembled as I clutched his shirt, torn between shoving him away and dragging him closer. My body betrayed me, melting into him even as my mind screamed no.

The kiss deepened, his tongue claiming mine, relentless, leaving no space for doubt. Heat flared between us, raw and consuming.

When he finally tore his mouth from mine, he didn't move far. His lips hovered against mine, his breath hot and ragged.

"You're not leaving," he whispered darkly, his hand sliding possessively to the small of my back, pressing me closer. "Not tonight. Not ever."

His lips claimed mine again, raw and unyielding. For a heartbeat, I melted my wolf whining with joy, clawing to submit. Heat rushed through me, every nerve on fire.

He's ours, Sally whispered, desperate. Don't fight it. Don't you feel it?

But that's when it happened. The burn in my chest twisted into something darker. The phantom sting of silver chains seared my wrists. Xavier's cruel laugh echoed in my ears. My lungs locked up, panic ripping through me.

"No..." I gasped, wrenching against Zaiden's grip. My body trembled not from desire this time, but from fear.

He leaned in closer, pinning me with his heat, his scent, his power. Too much.

My wolf howled in protest as I shoved hard against his chest, breaking the kiss. My voice cracked. "I can't don't touch me!"

I spun toward the door, desperate to escape the pull he had on me but Zaiden was faster. His hand clamped around my wrist, yanking me back until my spine hit the cold wall. My breath caught, my chest heaving against his.

"Let me go," I snapped, though my voice betrayed me, trembling.

His eyes darkened, wolf burning through them. "No." His tone was a low growl, vibrating through my bones. "You can fight me, deny me, curse me... but it doesn't change a damn thing."

"W-what thing?" I stammered, though I already knew.

He leaned closer, his lips brushing my ear, his scent drowning me. "That you're mine."

My heart stuttered. My knees weakened. His hand slid up, pinning mine above my head, while the other cupped my jaw, tilting my face to his. My pulse thundered when his mouth hovered over mine so close I could taste the heat of him.

"You belong to me now, little Luna," he murmured, voice rough, claiming. "And nothing not your past, not your lies, not even your fear will change that."

Before I could breathe a protest, his lips crushed against mine. Fierce. Possessive. A kiss that felt like a brand. My wolf whimpered in surrender, while my human side screamed at me to resist. But moon goddess help me... I couldn't.