Chapter five: Mia

Mia’s POV

The pain that tore through me when I hit the ground was worse than anything I’d ever felt. My bones didn’t just break—they shattered. My bones didn’t just break—they shattered. The crack echoed in my ears long after the fall. My spine felt like it had been crushed from the inside out. It was a stupid mistake to think the fall would kill me.

Wolves don’t die that easily.

But as my eyes fluttered open, I was taken aback by the sight before me. Two large white wolves were staring at me from the edge of the clearing, and beyond them, the others were already tearing through my things like it was theirs to destroy.

How dare they?! Rage filled me. I don’t know how I got up, or why I thought I stood a chance, but I lunged forward, snarling. It was stupid and laughable even, because I barely made it two steps before they pinned me to the ground.

I was handed my ass without ceremony. Then one of them shifted. He transformed with a fluid motion I once found graceful… because all I noticed now was that he didn’t even bother to cover himself.

"Who are you?" He snarled.

I quickly averted my gaze from his dangling jewels, and focused on the other wolf now stepping forward—the second white one. He changed fluidly, and suddenly, I felt worse. He was terrifyingly handsome with those strong jaws, smooth skin, and piercing eyes that made me feel like he could see everything I was trying to hide. His presence made the others fall back slightly without being told.

That was how I knew he was an Alpha. He said nothing at first, just watching me like I was a threat. To my shock, his face widened into a ridiculous grin that stretched from ear to ear.

“Frank, get some clothes on. With your dick dangling like that, you’re traumatizing her,” he muttered casually, but I sensed the edge underneath.

Frank only scoffed, muttering something under his breath while rummaging for clothes. My eyes stayed on the Alpha—the first white one whose wolf hadn’t stopped watching me like I was some infected creature. He stepped closer, eyes narrowing as he sniffed near my leg. His lip curled.

I wanted the ground to swallow me whole.

And then… he shifted. The big white wolf was gone, replaced by a man I recognized instantly. I didn’t need to be told who he was. He was THE Alpha. The one other wolves warned you about. The one with a reputation that made even seasoned rogues disappear without a trace. And the worst part? He looked so much like the one who just asked Frank to cover himself up.

"You’re on my territory,” he said slowly. “Hunting my game. Give me one reason why I shouldn’t finish what you started.”

“Please finish me off,” I whispered, closing my eyes. If he was going to kill me, then let him do it properly. Better him than torture or the empty loneliness that waited for me every night.

I waited…

And waited, but nothing came. When I opened my eyes again, I found them all staring at me, especially him. I frowned. Though his face looked like stone, something doubtful swirled behind it.

“You won’t get death quickly,” he simply said. "From your expression, you've heard of me, haven’t you? If I were being merciful, I’d end it now. But I’m not. You are a rogue.”

I dropped my gaze to the ground, not noticing when he leaned in close to my right ear. It happened so fast, I couldn’t track his movement, until I heard him whisper the creepiest thing I’d ever heard.

“So pick one: pretend to be our mate… or die slowly.”

My eyes widened. What kind of choice was that? If I didn't give in, how long would they torture me? One month? Two? Six years?

This was the most ruthless Alpha in the world, and I had no one. But I knew how to fake things. I’d faked strength, safety, peace… I could fake this too. At least until I found another chance to leave this world for good.

“I’ll pretend to be your mate,” I muttered, looking away.

The Alpha stretched out his hand with a small smile on his face. But instead of reassuring me, it only terrified me. My hands trembled as I placed them in his, and he lifted me up effortlessly.

I couldn’t ignore the sudden jolt of electricity that shot through me at his touch. He pulled away almost immediately and bent down, shifting into his wolf form right before my eyes. I blinked, stunned by what he was silently asking of me.

He knew I couldn’t walk properly in my condition. He was offering me a ride on his back.

A piggyback.

“Get on,” he growled.

I hesitated, stunned that I could understand his growl. But his wolf waited, and I didn’t have the strength to argue. I crawled on, clutching his fur. It was softer than I expected. I felt the Alpha adjust himself slightly so I wouldn’t fall. Then he took off immediately, and I found myself leaning into him without realizing it. I rested my cheek on his back, holding on tightly, unsure of what the hell I had gotten myself into.

Whatever came next… I wasn’t ready for it.

________________________

I didn’t have time to recover before a huge book was dropped in front of me.

“I'm Alpha—”

“Axel and Alex Desori.” The words slipped from my mouth before I could stop them. My wide eyes flicked from one to the other, now that I wasn’t running for my life.

Of course. That’s where I’d seen them.

The Royal Wolf Convergence.

It was an extravagant gathering of the most powerful Alpha bloodlines held once every three years, across the continent. A week-long event filled with parades, hunting challenges, battles of strength, and mating bids. Every wolf pack from near and far sent their finest to attend. To be present there was an honor.

I hadn’t been invited, obviously. I had only seen the procession from afar, watching from the cliffs beyond the field, hidden like the rogue I was. But I remembered them.

Alpha Axelair Desori of the Desori Blood Pack—the largest military-run pack in the eastern regions, and his brother, Alpha Alexander Desori of the Desori Claw Pack—smaller but just as feared, and known for its brutal intelligence division.

Together, they held the highest accumulation of wolves and power.

The one who offered me his hand today, Axelair, had won the hunting game that year. He took down a three-horned mountain beast with nothing but his claws. As for the other one… Alexander… I didn’t know much. Only that he was just as beautiful, if not more. His face was so angelic it almost didn’t seem real. He had soft curls, long lashes, and a smile that could sway.

But something about him was unreadable. Like he chose which version of himself you saw. I swallowed thickly and averted my gaze, feeling heat creep up my neck.

I didn't know why I was blushing. Maybe it was the way he was looking at me now as though none of this was surprising.

Axel, on the other hand… was impossible to ignore. Now that I was closer, I saw the scar running along the side of his face. It was faint but long, trailing just beneath his cheekbone. It made him look rugged in a handsome way.

I licked my lower lips.

“You’ve chosen to be our mate,” Alex said lightly, dragging my attention back, “but you’ll need to sign this.”

My eyes widened. “What… is all this?”

Alex leaned forward, still smiling. “Security. Proof that you’re not a threat.”

“You have to be kidding,” I muttered, staring at the thick file.

“I’m not,” Axel cut in dryly. That same tone I was already starting to hate. “You were found on our land. You’re lucky you’re still breathing.”

I flinched, then reached for the pen.

While I signed, I could hear them whispering nearby. I didn’t want to know what they were saying. It was already humiliating enough.

Axel snapped his fingers.

A girl walked in quietly. “Mary,” she introduced herself with a stiff bow.

“Show her to my room,” Axel said flatly.

I turned. “Your room? Why—?”

Alex answered first. “Seeing is believing, darling. People need to think it’s real.” His smile had dropped by then, gaze flicking between Axel and Mary.

“Welcome to your new home, mate,” Axel added coldly. The word “mate” sounded like a joke forced between his teeth.

I hesitated. But when I finally moved to follow Mary, I misjudged the space and hit my knee on the table’s edge. Pain jolted up my leg, and before I could fall, strong hands caught me around the waist.

I froze.

Warm breath fanned my cheek.

“You should watch where you’re going,” Axel murmured, voice husky and amused. He enjoyed my pain.

I shoved his hands away gently and stepped back. His touch still burned against my skin.

I already didn’t like him.

Mary helped me up the stairs and through their massive home… long hallways with windows so tall they stretched toward the trees outside. The whole place smelled like earth, and wood. It wasn’t overly decorative, but it was a fortress disguised as a home.

It was powerful enough to me. We stopped at a large wooden door.

“Alpha’s quarters,” Mary said, her voice softer now. “One last thing, don’t provoke him. He doesn’t do second warnings.”

“Which of them?” I asked, but she was already walking away.

I stepped inside. The room was large, high-ceilinged, warm but not cozy. It had grey curtains decorated in rich green tones. Every piece of furniture looked handmade. The bed was enormous—twice the size of a normal one, and covered in deep white and black furs. And the scent… goddess, it was all him.

My stomach twisted.

The thought of sleeping in that bed—beside him—made my throat tighten. He wasn’t ugly, but with that personality? I’d rather go back to my moss floor in the woods. Still… he’d caught me. Not just today. He’d saved me.

From myself. I sat on the edge of the bed, fingers brushing the sheets. He didn’t know a thing about me.

I am Mia Ansel. Daughter of the traitor, Declan, and Mona Ansel of the Desori Blood and Claw Pack itself.

And if Axel and Alex find out… they’ll kill me without thinking twice.