CHAPTER 4 - THE ALPHA'S OBSESSION

"Everyone out. Now."

Zack's Alpha command rippled through the training grounds, leaving no room for argument. Warriors scattered immediately, including Selene, who shot me a confused look before hurrying away. Within seconds, I stood alone with the most dangerous predator in the territory.

And he was staring at me like I was prey he intended to devour.

"Alpha, I can explain—" I started, but he was already moving.

In three strides, Zack closed the distance between us, his hand shooting out to grip my chin and force my face up toward his. His touch burned like fire, and I hated how my weak body trembled under his dominance.

"Explain what? That you have been hiding Luna bloodline markers?" His golden eyes searched mine intensely. "That violet flash was not my imagination. I saw it. Selene saw it. What are you, Aria Moonstone?"

"I am nobody," I whispered, which was not entirely a lie. In this timeline, I was still just a weak orphan. Whatever power I had gained from rebirth was clearly unstable, flickering in and out without my control.

"Liar." His grip tightened, not painfully but possessively. "Your scent changed when your eyes flashed. For a moment, you smelled like moonlight and magic. Like a Luna."

My heart raced. This was not supposed to happen. In my first life, I had not shown any Luna traits until after we discovered the mate bond. The rebirth had changed something fundamental, and I had no idea how to handle it.

"My grandmother was Iris Moonstone," I admitted carefully. "She was from the ancient Luna bloodline. But I am just—"

"Just what? Weak?" Zack's laugh was dark and mocking. "You have been playing a role, haven't you? Hiding what you really are."

"I am not hiding anything!" The protest came out too defensive, too strong for someone who was supposed to be intimidated by him.

His eyes flashed with something between suspicion and fascination. "There. That tone. That fire. Where is the submissive little orphan who could barely meet my eyes ten minutes ago?"

I bit my tongue hard, forcing myself back into the role I needed to play. "I apologize, Alpha. I spoke out of turn."

"No." Zack released my chin only to grip my arm instead, his touch scorching through the thin fabric of my training shirt. "I want the truth. All of it. What are you hiding?"

"Nothing," I lied, dropping my gaze. "I am just confused. I do not understand what happened with my eyes."

"Then we will figure it out together." The possessive edge in his voice sent warning bells through my mind. "From now on, you will report to my office every evening after training. I will personally oversee your development."

"That is not necessary—"

"I was not asking." His Alpha aura pressed down on me, forcing my wolf into instant submission. "You are a mystery, Aria Moonstone, and I do not tolerate mysteries in my territory. Either you cooperate, or I will assume you are a threat and treat you accordingly."

The threat was clear. I could either submit to his scrutiny or face imprisonment—or worse. Neither option was acceptable, but I had to buy time to figure out how to control these unpredictable powers.

"I will cooperate, Alpha," I said quietly, hating how easily he trapped me.

"Good." His thumb brushed across my arm in what should have been a comforting gesture but felt like a brand of ownership. "And Aria? If I discover you have been lying to me about anything important, there will be consequences. I protect what is mine, but I destroy those who deceive me."

Before I could respond, Marcus appeared at the edge of the training grounds, his expression carefully neutral. "Alpha, the Council is waiting for you."

Zack's jaw tightened with frustration. "Tell them I will be there shortly."

"They are quite insistent," Marcus pressed, his hazel eyes flickering to me briefly. "Something about the rogue attacks on the northern border."

I stiffened. The rogue attacks. I had forgotten about those in the chaos of everything else. In my first life, those attacks had been what pulled Zack away from the pack frequently, leaving me vulnerable to Marcus and Selene's manipulation.

But now I knew the truth—Marcus had been orchestrating those attacks all along, using them to destabilize Zack's authority and create opportunities for his schemes.

"Fine." Zack released me abruptly, and I stumbled slightly from the sudden loss of his support. "But this conversation is not over, Aria. My office. Tonight. After dinner."

"Yes, Alpha," I murmured.

He strode away with Marcus, and I watched them go with my mind racing. I had to be more careful. The rebirth powers were unpredictable, and drawing Zack's attention this early was dangerous. In my first life, we had not discovered the mate bond for another three weeks. Now he was already obsessed with uncovering my secrets.

"That was intense."

I jumped as Jennifer appeared beside me, her eyes wide with curiosity. "What did Alpha Zack want with you?"

"Nothing important," I lied, my voice shaking. "Just questioning me about the eye thing."

"Girl, the entire pack is going to be talking about this." Jennifer linked her arm through mine, guiding me back toward the orphan quarters. "Violet eyes are the mark of ancient Luna bloodline. If you really have that power—"

"I do not," I cut her off firmly. "It was probably just a trick of the light."

But we both knew that was not true.

Back in my small room, I collapsed onto the bed, my body trembling with exhaustion and fear. The rebirth had given me knowledge, but it had also made me unstable. Powers flickering in and out, drawing attention I could not afford.

And now Zack Silvermoon had decided I was his personal project.

I pressed my hands to my face, fighting back tears. In my first life, falling for Zack had destroyed me. I could not let that happen again. But how could I protect myself when I was still this weak, still trapped in a body that could barely defend itself?

*You must grow stronger,* that ancient voice whispered in my mind. *The powers are there, child. You must learn to control them.*

"How?" I whispered desperately into the empty room.

A knock on my door made me freeze. "Aria? It is Selene. Can I come in?"

Every instinct screamed danger. This was the woman who would eventually poison me. But refusing her would seem suspicious, and I needed to understand her motivations if I hoped to change my fate.

"Come in," I called, forcing my voice steady.

Selene entered with a concerned smile, holding a small vial. "I brought you some energy tonic. Training seemed to drain you more than usual today."

I stared at the vial, memories of poison burning through my veins making my stomach churn.

"Thank you," I said carefully, accepting it but not drinking. "That is kind of you."

"We orphans have to stick together, right?" Selene sat on the edge of my bed, her expression friendly. "So, violet eyes. That is quite the revelation. Do you think Alpha Zack will—"

A sudden wave of power surged through me, and I gasped as my vision shifted. For one horrifying moment, I saw Selene as she truly was—shadows writhing around her, dark magic staining her aura, and in her pocket, a small pouch that reeked of wolfsbane.

She was already preparing to poison me.

Six years early.