Maliyla's POV

'Holy shit,' I thought, repeating his words in my head. Of all the packs I could have landed in, I landed in the pack with the Alpha, that nobody knew anything about. As I stared at him, I wondered what he was thinking, yet I couldn't help but admire his devilishly handsome looks. I found something intriguing about him, from the scars on his arms to his blue eyes. His expression was unreadable, but something about him pulled me in, and I couldn't look away. I felt my heart racing and my palms sweating as he stared back at me.

A smirk spread across his face as he approached the bed. He sat on the bed just inches from me when Jeanie, the housemaid I'd seen earlier, appeared. I watched as Jeanie handed Hector a tray, and he asked, "Are you hungry?"

Nodding in response, Hector placed the tray between us and lifted the silver top to reveal a selection of exotic fruits, cheeses, eggs, bacon, and a steaming cup of coffee.

"Eat," Hector muttered, offering me some fruit.

With a smile, I graciously accepted, and we both enjoyed a moment of awkward yet peaceful tranquility.

As I ate, Hector sat sipping his coffee; our awkward silence was finally broken when he spoke, "Tell me, Maliyla, what exactly were you doing out in the woods alone?" he asked with curiosity in his eyes.

I shifted uncomfortably in my seat, unsure how to answer. Since I wasn't ready to confess, all I could do was shrug and reply, "Exploring."

Laughing, Hector cocked his brow at me. "Exploring? At night? I find your lie rather interesting," he told me.

"You don't believe me?" I asked, my voice faltering slightly as I braced myself for his answer.

Taking a moment to study me, he replied, "No, I don't believe you. You're running away from something, and I'd like to know what it is."

It took me aback, and I didn't know what to say. I could feel my heart racing as I tried to come up with a response. Finally, I mumbled, "I'm not running away from anything."

"No? Then why carry a backpack filled with books and a duffle bag with a few clothing changes?" Hector challenged.

I gasped in surprise at his words. "You looked through my stuff?" I exclaimed, my voice shaking.

A flush of anger began to spread across my face when Hector nodded. "You can't just go around looking through people's belongings without permission," I yelled, "Have you ever heard of privacy invasions?"

As Hector rose from his bed, he laughed. I crossed my arms as I watched him gather the breakfast tray and place it on the dresser.

He stared at me for a moment before he spoke, "Invasion of privacy is something you do to help someone. As for your case, since you had been unconscious for two days, I had to find out whom to call to come get you." I watched Hector go to the closet and grab the bag I knew was mine. "However, nothing here tells me anything other than that you have a very odd choice in reading material," he concluded as he placed my backpack in front of me.

As Hector met my gaze, I could feel the tension in the air.

"So, are you going to explain to me why you were out there?" He asked, emphasizing the last word.

Unable to explain myself, I looked away. There was no excuse that he would understand, and lying seemed better than telling the truth. All I could do was shrug and mutter an apology, but everything in me said he deserved better than that.

Walking toward the door, he responded, "Very well; until I know who you really are, or until you tell me the truth, I am holding you captive. Consider the Crystal Blood Pack your new home," Hector advised as he left the room, leaving me in shock with my mouth open.

I could feel my heart racing as I tried to process what had happened. My eyes were wide in disbelief, unable to move or speak. As a result, I was still trying to figure out what to do. If I told Hector the truth, he could throw me out, and I was in no shape to fend for myself.

Thinking about it, I was in a new pack; I could turn it into a new home, like he said. However, the last thing I wanted was to be held captive by an Alpha who clearly had no respect for others' privacy.

As a result of my wounds, I was unable to go anywhere, so I read instead, trying to keep my mind off the conversation Hector and I had.

I was grateful for the fact that none of my books were damaged, as they were my only escape from reality. Many times in a book, I found I fantasized about the ruthless Lycan King I had fallen in love with. A smirk spread across my face as I closed my eyes and thought about him, "Alec."

He never failed to bring a smile to my face, and I wondered if I would find someone like him someday. Compared to my beloved book husband, Erick was nothing. A wave of sadness and anger washed over me when I thought of Erick. Even today, I still wonder why he rejected me and why my parents blamed me for everything.

Even after being kicked out of the pack and renouncing it, it felt like my world was crumbling around me, and I was powerless to stop it. I had to learn to regain control of my life and find the strength to move forward, but I had to get out of my current situation. Laying back in bed, I grabbed another book and began reading until I felt my eyes heavy; closing my eyes for a moment, I drifted off into a deep sleep.

Suddenly, I awoke to the feeling of someone watching me. Looking around the dark room, I saw a pair of blue eyes. The light brightened around him; he was as handsome as ever; everything in me wanted him. With a smirk, he came closer to me. He gently caressed my face as his fingers wrapped around my throat, and I gasped as he pushed me against the wall.

"You feel so fucken good, kitten," he said. My eyes flew open as I heard my wolf howl in pain. Tears fell from my eyes as I dropped to my feet and screamed out in agony.

I felt someone shake me and say my name: "Maliyla, wake up!" "Shhh... it's OK," Hector cooed as he knelt beside me, his hands on both sides of my face.

As he held my face, I felt a tingling sensation run through me. The only thing running through my mind as I stared into his eyes was, could it be what I believed it to be, or was this also a dream?

Maliyla's POV

The tingles his touch sent through my body awakened every fiber within me. The touch of his hand was gentle, and the tone of his voice was soothing. Immediately, I felt myself melting into him. Feeling his warmth and protection made me want to stay in his embrace forever. The feeling of homeliness was overwhelming to me. Leaving was no longer an option. Opening my eyes, I realized those weren't my thoughts, and my mind was suddenly a blur. After pulling away from Hector's embrace, I scooted to the edge of the bed and winced as the pain from the rogue attack struck me. Hector ran over to assist me, and I winced again.

"What are you doing?" Hector whispered.

I shook my head and mumbled, "I can't stay here. I need to leave."

As I stood up, he grabbed my arm and asked, "Please, just tell me what's wrong."

Looking into his eyes, I answered, "I'm sorry, I can't." A part of me wanted to get away from him, but his hold on me was intense.

While holding my arm, Hector asked, "Where will you go?"

With tears streaming down my cheeks, I yelled at him, "I don't have anywhere to go. The Alpha who rejected me for my best friend kicked me out of our pack!" Hector stared at me with an unreadable expression on his face. I took a breath and continued, "Two nights ago, I was asked to leave. That's why I was out in the forest. I was trying to get some sleep for the night, and in the morning, I was going to try to find a new pack, but then I was attacked, and you reused me, and I ended up here." I cried as I dropped to my knees and let the tears fall.

These tears had been in my heart for six months but had not been released. Clutching my hand to my heart and taking a few deep breaths, I said, "I apologize for any trouble I have caused you, and I will repay you for the medical treatments as well." I sobbed.

After wiping my face, I noticed Hector's expression had changed to anger, and I braced myself for whatever would come next when he asked.

"You said the Alpha of your pack rejected you six months ago? During the Wolf's Moon?" his voice was low and menacing.

"Yes," I responded, my voice barely above a whisper. I felt my heart pounding as I waited for Hector's response. A nervous rush coursed through my body as I realized what my answer meant.

Rather than responding, Hector just nodded and kneeled next to me. "Come," Hector cooed as he gently lifted my hand, helped me to my feet, and slowly encircled me in his arms. "Let's get you a warm bath; I'll have Jeanie assist you."

I felt tingles shoot through my body as his hands touched me. Instinctively, I wrapped my arm around his neck and whispered, "Thank you," as I looked up at him.

After guiding me to the restroom, he gently placed me on the vanity seat. Seeing his eyes glaze over, I knew he was mind-linking someone. When his eyes cleared, Hector asked, "Is there anything you need that you weren't able to pack?"

There were several things I hadn't brought, and it wasn't like I could have packed everything. I had only packed three changes of clothes and my essential items. In response, I shook my head and whispered, "No."

Hector smiled reassuringly. "Don't worry, everything will be fine. I'll ensure you have everything you need," he told me.

My eyes lowered to the ground, unsure of what to say, when a knock on the bathroom door was heard, and Jeanie stepped in. "You asked for my help, Alpha?" she asked.

Hector nodded in acknowledgment, "Yes, please take care of Maliyla; ensure she has whatever she requires. I want her to be comfortable."

Jeanie nodded as she walked to the bathtub, ran the water, and grabbed towels. Sitting on the vanity seat, my mind was blank when suddenly I felt Hector's hand on my shoulder, and he called my name, "Maliyla."

Raising my eyes to meet his, I responded, "Hmm."

"What is the name of the pack you were kicked out of?" Hector growled.

"Blood Rose Pack," I muttered.

He nodded, reached out, and touched my arm. "You don't have to be afraid anymore. You're safe here." Hector assured, pausing before adding, "You're safe with me."

As I stared at him, my eyes filled with tears. It had been a long time since I felt safe or loved. After I nodded, Hector smiled, gently squeezing my arm and stepping away to give me privacy. After he left, Jeanie helped me into the bathtub. There was a look of curiosity in her eyes as she stared at me.

"What is it?" I asked. Jeanie shook her head, but I knew there was something she wanted to ask.

"It's okay. You can ask me anything, and it will stay between us," I reassured.

Jeanie hesitantly asked, "Are you really from the Blood Rose Pack?"

"That's right," I said firmly, "I'm from the Blood Rose Pack, or I should say I was."

Jeanie's eyes widened in shock, but she quickly composed herself. "It must have been difficult to leave," she whispered.

I nodded in response; Jeanie and I remained silent while I bathed before she aided me out of the tub and into a bathrobe. Jeanie helped me walk back to the bedroom, where I found a pair of black sweats and a white T-shirt laid out on the bed. While Jeanie helped me with the bandages, I asked about Hector, "Jeanie, are the rumors about Alpha Hector true?"

Jeanie stared at me confused. "What rumors?" she asked.

Shrugging my shoulders, I replied, "Several people believe he murdered his mate long ago; others believe the goddess is punishing him; some even think he is gay."

As Jeanie laughed, she asked, "Really? Why do they say such things?"

"As far as I know, Crystal Blood attends no ceremonies, including the Wolf's Moon Gala." Jeanie stared at me momentarily, almost contemplating what she would say. The response she gave was different from what I expected.

"If the rumors about Alpha Hector are true, then they must be true about what they say about the Blood Rose Pack, right?" she winked.

With a puzzled look on my face, I asked her, "What rumors?"

Jeanie smiled at me as she headed out of the bedroom, leaving me to wonder what the rumors about my former pack were.

Maliyla's POV

As the day went on, it passed slowly. The only visitors I had were Doctor Neal, who came to check my vitals and change the bandages, and Jeanie, who brought me lunch. Dr. Neal informed me that the wounds should be fully healed in two days. Meanwhile, I was advised to take it easy and relax. The only comfort I saw in that was that I could stay here longer and develop a game plan for my next move. Although in the back of my mind, I honestly didn't want to leave. Something about this place just felt right, and of course, Hector was easy on the eyes.

Upon returning to the bedroom from the restroom, I heard voices.

A man I didn't know asked, "What will you do?"

"She can stay here for now. I'll figure out how to tell her eventually. The rejection hurt her wolf, but she will return with time." Hector replied.

"What about the Blood Rose Pack?" the other voice asked.

"It won't be easy, but I will devise a plan. I refuse to let her suffer longer than she has," Hector growled.

"I understand and don't worry, I will do whatever it takes to help," the other voice said.

A short silence followed before the sound of a door opening and closing caught my attention. I was just about to step out from behind the door when it suddenly slammed right into me, making me fall back on the floor. I yelled out in pain and rubbed my forehead; I looked up only to see it was none other than Hector, who stood in the doorway grinning.

"Did you know that eavesdropping on other people's conversations is an invasion of privacy?" he asked, crossing his arms. As I stood, I glared at him.

"Did you know? A door hitting someone intentionally is assault," I replied. Hector gasped as if I had just said something outrageous; a loud laugh erupted as he exclaimed, "Well, I never!"

A sigh of relief escaped my lips as I gave him the finger and walked away, knowing I had made my point. As I headed toward the bed, I noticed a tray.

"I had Jeanie bring dinner to the room for us," Hector smiled as he walked past me. The grin on his face suggested he already knew what I would reply.

My brows furrowed at his choice of words, "US?" I repeated.

"Yes, I thought you'd prefer company rather than eating alone. If not, I can leave, and you can dine by yourself if you wish." Hector teased, knowing I had already been in this room for two days.

As he removed the cover from the tray, I limped back to my bed and sat down in deafening silence. I watched as he pulled a chair closer to the bed and sat down, his gaze never leaving my face. The warmth in his eyes softened my heart, and my anger melted away. I lowered my gaze and mumbled a quiet, "Thank you."

"You're welcome," Hector murmured, a tender smile playing at the corners of his lips as he handed me a plate of food.

There was nothing not to like about the food. It was a perfect meal with sirloin steak and steamed vegetables. Hector's face was filled with contentment as he watched me eat.

A sly smile spread across his face as he asked, "Tell me about the books you read?"

As soon as my books were mentioned, I felt my face flush. What could I say about the books? Even my parents didn't understand my fascination with them. I smiled shyly,

"Um, what would you like to know about them?" I asked.

"Well, tell me what they are about?" Hector replied as he stood up and grabbed one of the books off the nightstand. "What about this one?" he asked, holding up Alec, the Lycan King, who was my ultimate love.

I took a breath as my face flushed before I began explaining the book as quickly as possible.

"Umm, it's basically 50 Shades of Gray meets Twilight," I sighed as I shrugged my shoulders.

Hector looked at me perplexed; it was obvious that he was not understanding what I was saying.

I smiled and said, "It's a romantic fantasy novel full of drama, sex, and suspense."

"So porn basically, and about werewolves interesting," Hector chuckled as he placed the book down.

"Whatever," I replied, rolling my eyes as I took a bite of my steak. Then I tilted my head to the side and decided to ask him a personal question as well. "Is it true?" I asked.

Hector's brows furrowed. "Can you be vaguer?" he replied.

I chuckled at his reply, "Are the rumors about you true?" I responded.

His eyes narrowed as he frowned. "It depends on the rumor. Tell me, and I'll let you know if it is true," he answered.

"Well, I've heard you killed your mate. Some say you're being punished for past sins, and some believe you're gay." I feigned a couch at the end.

Hector stared at me for a few moments before he laughed. "The rumors are false," he said. "I'm not being punished, and I'm definitely not gay."

In response, I asked, "Well, if you're not being punished, why don't you let your pack attend any of the other packs' ceremonies?"

"Who said we didn't attend?" Hector challenged.

"Well, I've never seen you at any events before, so I assumed everyone wasn't allowed," I muttered.

In response, Hector smiled and said, "Well, they are free to attend, but I choose not to."

"What about your mate?" I mumbled.

As he looked at me, he asked, "What about her?"

"Do you not have one?" I asked.

A smirk spread across his face. He responded, "Who said I didn't have a mate?"

Having no idea what to say, I remained silent. As Hector stepped closer to me, he smiled.

"I have a mate. The only problem is, I'm not sure if she knows we are mates," he said as he leaned closer to me, just inches from my face.

I stared into his eyes, feeling a connection I could not explain.

He gently brushed a strand of hair from my face and whispered, "Maybe she'll find out soon." He stepped back, and I blushed, realizing what he had just insinuated.