3.

NALANI

I sat still, trying hard not to fall off the beast as it bounded through the moonlit forest to the Blackthorne pack. I had not expected Samael to ride with me. Maybe he thought I would escape.

He had not said a word since we left, but his presence was suffocating. My skin prickled with every touch as his hands controlled the reins from behind me. I wanted to be anywhere but in front of him.

I had tried avoiding touching him, but it was impossible. Every jerk of the rein pulled me against him, and the constant growl told me he wasn’t happy with it as well.

I forced my mind to go back home so I didn’t have to bother with thinking about his skin on mine.

I couldn’t say a proper goodbye because Samael was in a hurry to get back. My mother kept pleading that I forgive her, while Father just said I would be fine. Esme had hugged me so tightly until a glare from one Bloodthorn warrior had her stepping back.

I remember how I had squeaked like a little child when Samael suddenly picked me up and dumped me on the beast. The warriors with him had laughed at me while I flushed in embarrassment, but there was nowhere to hide.

When we reached the Bloodthorn borders, I was stunned to see the pack members lining the road.

Their eyes were filled with judgement as Samael rode through the silent street all the way to his pack house.

The packhouse was massive. Bigger than anything I had ever seen. I had noticed how different everything was from back home. The houses were bigger, the roads better and even the pack members were dressed better.

The direwolf came to a stop in front of the pack house. Samael jumped down from the beast and marched up the stairs, leaving me alone.

My face flushed, and I looked around, silently pleading for someone to help me. The beast was almost twice my size. There was no one I would come down on my own without making a fool of myself.

“Your hand” The man who Samael had a silent conversation with walked up to me. “My name is Adler. I’m the Beta. I won’t let you fall.” He explained as though he could read the million and one doubts in my mind as I eyed his outstretched hand.

Embarrassed that I had been caught, I took the hand. He gripped my hand tightly as I swung my leg across the beast before he lifted me and placed me on the floor.

I felt chills as the pack members had gathered at the front, and they continued to stare at me with heated expressions. They must hate me because they think I want to replace their Luna.

They didn’t have to worry. I also didn’t want to be here.

I tore my gaze from the crowd to the house before me. Sure, it was huge, but there was no warmth in it. My eyes found the small crowd at the top of the stairs, watching.

“Come on,” Adler spoke softly before climbing the stairs, and I followed.

An older man who stood at the middle had a big grin on his face. The only warm welcome I had received since I laid eyes on the Bloodthorn wolves.

“You must be Nalani.” The man greeted. “Your father was right. You are such a unique beauty.”

I smiled awkwardly. I didn’t know how else to reply. Beautiful wasn’t something I had ever used to describe myself. Who would lock a beautiful woman up?

“My name is Amil Calgrave. Samael’s father. This is his sister, Mabel.” He gestured to the young woman by his side, who gave me a cautious smile. She seemed to be the same age as me.

“Nalani” I whispered, then flushed when he laughed.

“There is no need to be afraid, child. No one would hurt you here. I promised your father that, and I am a man of my word,” he said, glancing towards Samael, who had been quiet the whole time.

I didn’t say anything because I didn’t want to trust his word. Even if he was his father, Samael was Alpha now. He would do what he wanted, whether his father approved it or not.

“Adler, show her to her room so she can rest,” Amil ordered. “Rest, child. Travelling with Vharos is not an easy feat. I’m surprised you agreed.”

“Vharos?” I murmured, my brows drawn together.

Amil looked behind him, and my gaze followed his until they landed on the beast. His golden eyes were on me, and even in the daytime, he looked like something carved from night.

How had Samael managed to tame something so deadly? The thought of the kind of man Samael was to be able to tame such a beast sent a shiver down my spine.

“Samael named him Vharos. “It means ‘Devourer’ in the old tongue,” Samael explained, and a chill settled down my spine. “He answers to no one but Samael. No other person rides him as well. If you did, it means he accepts you as Samael’s mate.”

The air turned suffocating, and instinctively I turned to Samael, who had his eyes on Vharos, eyes drawn and jaw tight.

Something was bothering him, and I didn’t even know what it was. And I couldn’t ask as well.

The beast growled, and Samael’s face hardened.

“Do what you wish.” He growled under his breath, sending one final look towards the beast before he turned and disappeared into the house.

Vharos’’s eyes shifted to me. Amber eyes unblinking as it assessed me. For that short minute, I couldn’t breathe as I waited.

What if he decided I wasn’t worth Samael and ripped me apart in front of these people? It wasn’t like anyone could save me from him.

Just when I thought I was about to pass out, Vharos growled lowly and then walked away, the other direwolves following behind without protest.

Just like Samael was the leader of the pack, Vharos commanded his. That much was obvious in the way the beasts followed him.

“You do not need to fear Vharos,” Amil said softly as I struggled to breathe. “He only goes after anyone who intends to hurt Samael or the pack members. You are family now. He will protect you,” Amil tried to assure me, but I couldn’t believe him.

I wasn’t part of them. Samael didn’t want me. The pack didn’t. And I didn’t want to be here.

I nodded regardless, the knot in my stomach tightening as the lump in my throat refused to give way.

“Come on,” Adler said, and I followed him inside the house, not meeting the gaze of anyone else.

I followed him through the large hallway, my eyes taking everything in. The packhouse swallowed me whole. I could see myself getting lost in here. The ceilings were so high, and the floors shone in a way I had never seen before. They were indeed different from us.

“Your room is located in the east wing. Samael is on the west.” Adler explained, and my nerves eased. I didn’t think I could handle sharing a room with him just yet.

Halfway up the grand stairs, my feet froze. At the centre of the main hall, mounted above the fireplace, was a portrait.

A woman stood beside Samael.

She was breathtaking. Her dark hair cascaded over her shoulders, her eyes soft but showing power. She practically glowed.

Amara Calgrave.

I didn’t need anyone to tell me that. She looked like a queen, someone born to rule, and Samael… he looked different. Almost human.

His hand was around her waist, as he stared at her with so much devotion that my chest tightened.

Adler noticed I stopped, and his eyes followed my gaze. He sighed, a sad look settling on his face. “That was Amara, our luna.” He explained, and even he couldn’t stop the adoration from creeping into his voice.

I swallowed.

This was the woman I was meant to replace.

'Replace' was a strong word considering that, except for Amil, no one wanted me to do that.

“So, this is the little bride?” A sharp voice, almost as smooth as silk, interrupted. Adler tensed as I turned to see a woman at the bottom of the stairs with bright crimson hair and her lips curved in a vicious smile.