I am so screwed, I am so screwed, I am so screwed…
It was like a chorus line repeating in my mind as Simon practically dragged me up to the packhouse. For the last 24 hours, I’d focused on survival. Now, in this vast space, I started to think about the future. If Cirian found me, it’d likely mean death. Perhaps if I survived this inadvertent ruse, I could use the position to prevent Cirian from ever being a threat to anyone again.
My thoughts were interrupted by the sound of my stomach.
“Perhaps a detour to the kitchen,” Simon volunteered, quickly becoming my knight in shining armor.
“Mmmm, yes, please. I’m not sure I could wait until lunch,” I teased, grateful for the comfort his presence provided.
We walked in silence, Simon leading me through the corridors of the packhouse. Despite the warmth of the space, I couldn’t shake the feeling that someone was watching me. It prickled at the back of my neck, unsettling and hard to ignore. My instincts told me to keep moving, but curiosity made me glance over my shoulder.
My heart nearly stopped before going into overdrive. Draven stood several paces behind us, his expression unreadable, but the intensity of his stare made it clear—he was angry. No, furious. His gaze was like daggers, sharp and cold, aimed at the point where I’d taken Simon’s arm.
Sensing the shift, Simon quickly released my arm, stepping aside. The air between them felt thick, charged with unspoken tension.
“Alpha,” Simon murmured respectfully, bowing his head as Draven approached. Without acknowledging his Beta, Draven’s eyes stayed on me, sharp and unrelenting.
“I’ll take over from here,” Draven said, his tone leaving no room for argument. “Lunch will be served in your room shortly, as I mentioned.”
I nodded, unsure of what to say. The weight of his presence was palpable. Did he see through my deception, or was he asserting dominance?
We resumed walking, this time with Draven leading the way. I reached out to take his arm, but he made no move to accommodate my gesture. Instead, he walked beside me, his posture stiff and controlled.
We moved through the halls, passing windows that offered breathtaking forest views. As we passed a set of glass doors, something caught my eye.
“Wow.” I couldn’t contain my awe, pushing open the doors and stepping outside.
“I’ve never seen a garden like this before,” I marveled. But calling it a garden didn’t do it justice. The winding walkways and sprawling greenery stretched down the hillside, disappearing into the woods.
Our gardens back home had been fashioned solely around medicinal plants. While our herb collection was impressive by most pack standards, the Alpha’s garden married both form and function.
The centerpiece was a large water installation, a fountain surrounded by nodding, bell-shaped flowers in brilliant shades of yellow, orange, and red. I stepped closer, unable to resist the pull of their vibrant beauty.
“Lilium canadense,” I murmured. “Canada lily.”
I picked a sprig of the blooms, holding them in my hand. Feeling a surge of confidence, I turned back to Draven.
“These are symbols of strength, commitment, and new beginnings,” I said, carefully tucking the stem inside Draven’s vest pocket.
Draven allowed it, though his body remained tense. His glare softened, replaced by something else. For a fleeting second, I thought I’d softened his exterior.
“It’s just a flower,” he said, stepping back.
“Oh.” I withdrew my hand quickly, turning to face the garden, hiding my hurt. Apparently, I was the only one lost in the moment.
The vast expanse of the garden stretched before me, but I felt small. Small and alone, even in the presence of so much beauty.
We stood in silence for a moment before Draven spoke again, his tone shifting. “Kronos is curious about you.”
I blinked back a tear I dind't realize had creeped up on my and turned to face Draven, surprised by the sudden change in topic, “Kronos?”
“My wolf,” Draven clarified.
I raised an eyebrow, intrigued. “Curious about what?”
“About your wolf…”
There was a weight in the words, a question he wanted to ask. Before he could continue, we were interrupted by the arrival of two older men. Elders, judging by their dress and how they carried themselves with quiet authority. Draven seemed almost relieved as they approached, his posture relaxing slightly.
“Alpha,” one of the elders greeted, “we’ve come to be introduced to the future Luna.”
Draven turned to me, his expression still guarded. The two elders awaited my response, and I felt the weight of their gaze. Remembering an old tradition my mother had taught me, I took a step forward and bowed low, with my hands cupped in front of me, an offering of service. It was a gesture of deep respect, one reserved for the highest-ranking members of a pack.
The elders exchanged a glance, clearly surprised and pleased. One smiled warmly, inclining his head. “It’s been many years since anyone has offered such a greeting. You honor us, Lady Miria.”
Relief washed over me as I straightened. Draven’s eyes flickered with something like approval, though it was gone as quickly as it appeared.
Draven picked up the conversation, his tone measured. “The fealty ceremony is tomorrow. It’s a little different here than in most packs.”
“Oh?” I asked, my anxiety rising a bit.
“We have two blood oaths,” he explained. “One, you’ll swear to me, and one, Beta Simon will swear to you.”
I nodded, trying to keep my breathing steady.
“After that, you’ll shift, as is customary, to establish your Luna command over the pack.”
My blood ran cold. A shift. I couldn’t shift. I had no wolf. Panic surged through me, but I forced myself to stay calm, searching for a way out.
“I… I can’t,” I stammered, my voice faltering.
Draven turned toward me, his eyes narrowing slightly. “Can’t?”
I swallowed hard, my mouth suddenly dry. “I’m… I’m wolfless.”
The two elders stiffened slightly, their pleasant faces turning sour at the confession. For a moment, Draven said nothing, his face expressionless as he processed the information.
After what felt like an eternity, Beta Simon appeared in the doorway.
“Take Lady Miria to her quarters,” Draven said, his voice steady but distant. “Everyone will dine in their rooms tonight as well. The journey has been long, and everyone should take some extra rest.”
Simon nodded and gently guided me back inside.
As we moved down the hall, I dared to glance back at Draven as bits of his conversation with the elders followed us down the hall.
“There’ll be no wedding,” my heart sank.
