Chapter 4

Ava's POV 

“Let her go,” he repeated, his voice commanding, and impossible to ignore..

I froze.

Carla's grip on my hair loosened immediately and I tumbled back onto the floor with a gasp. I lifted my head slowly, already knowing who I’d see.

Kane.

He stood tall at the entrance of the hallway, dressed in all black, his dark eyes burning with rage. His hands were clenched at his sides and his jaw ticked as his eyes narrowed on Carla.

“What the hell do you think you’re doing?” he growled, his voice sharp as blades.

“Alpha Kane, I…she…this girl—” Carla stuttered, her voice trembling for the first time in years.

“She’s my mate,” Kane said. Each word was like thunder crashing down.

My heart skipped.

Carla went pale. “W-what?”

“You heard me. And if you touch her again, Luna or not, I won’t hesitate to break that fragile little arm of yours.”

I couldn’t breathe. No one had ever defended me like that.

Carla backed away from me, speechless, eyes wide with disbelief.

“Get out,” Kane snapped. “Before I make you.”

She looked between the two of us, her lips twitching in fury, but she knew better than to challenge him. Not here, not when he looked one second away from shifting into his wolf.

With one last glare at me, she turned and stormed off down the hall.

I was still sitting on the cold floor when Kane walked toward me.

He knelt in front of me gently. “Are you okay?”

“I… I think so,” I whispered, stunned.

He reached out and touched my cheek, the place where Carla had slapped me. His fingers were soft, gentle, brushing away a tear I hadn’t realized had escaped.

“No one touches what’s mine,” he murmured.

I shivered.

“I didn’t mean to cause trouble,” I said, my voice shaking. “I didn’t even know what happened yesterday. First Zack… then you…”

He cupped my face in both hands, forcing me to look at him.

“I don’t care about Zack. I don’t care about anyone but you, Ava. Do you hear me?”

I nodded slowly, caught in his gaze.

“You’re not going to live like this anymore. Not under someone else’s rule. You’re coming with me.”

My eyes widened. “What?”

“You’re mine,” he said firmly. “You belong with me, not in this pack where they treat you like a punching bag.”

“But Carla…she won’t let me go.”

He smirked coldly. “She can try to stop me but I’d love to see her try.”

I didn’t know what to say.

My whole life, I had been ordered around, treated like I was worthless. And now… here was Kane. A powerful Alpha, calling me his.

It felt like a dream.

He stood up and held his hand out. “Come with me.”

I hesitated, just a second. Then I took his hand.

He pulled me up gently and wrapped an arm around my waist as we walked through the hallway. Every wolf we passed stared, their jaws slack, eyes wide.

I could almost hear their thoughts.

Ava? The wolf less girl? The servant? She’s the Alpha’s mate?

Orion and Tracy stood just a few feet away, their expressions twisted in shock. Their eyes darted between me and him… Kane.

For the first time, they were speechless.

Orion took a hesitant step forward. “A-Alpha Kane, w-what’s going on? Why are you with—”

But Kane didn’t even look at him.

He brushed past Orion like he was nothing more than air.

Like he didn’t exist.

And for the first time in a long time... I held my head a little higher.

Once we got outside, Kane led me to a black SUV parked near the woods. He opened the door and helped me in, then got into the driver’s seat and sped off down the road.

“Where are we going?” I asked after a few minutes.

“To my pack,” he said. “You’ll be safe there and no one will ever hurt you again.”

“But… why me?” I asked, staring out the window.

He reached over and took my hand.

“You’re mine,” he said simply. “I don’t care where you came from. I don’t care who ignored you or hurt you, you're strong. You survived everything they threw at you. That makes you more than enough.”

His words made my chest ache. I blinked back tears.

We drove for about an hour before pulling into a grand estate surrounded by trees and stone walls. It was beautiful, it felt calm and safe.

“This is your home now,” Kane said as he parked.

I stepped out, still dazed.

Inside, the pack house was elegant but not cold. There were warriors in training, omegas walking the halls, and a few people bowing their heads when Kane passed.

He ignored them.

All his attention was on me.

He led me to a guest room, spacious and warm, with a soft bed and clean clothes laid out for me.

“I’ll give you some time to rest,” he said, brushing his fingers along my arm. “But tonight, I want you with me.”

My cheeks heated instantly.

His gaze darkened. “Don’t be afraid of what you feel. The bond pulls us together for a reason.”

I bit my lip.

“Okay,” I whispered.

Kane leaned in, his lips brushing my ear. “Tonight,” he repeated, his voice husky.

Then he left, closing the door gently behind him.

I stood there in silence, my heart pounding.

What was happening to me?

Why did his touch make me ache in places I never thought possible?

Why did his scent calm my wolf and ignite something deep inside me at the same time?

I took a quick shower, changed into the clothes he left me with, they were soft sweatpants and a tank top, then I curled up on the bed.

I didn’t sleep.

Not with Kane’s voice still in my head.

And when night came, I knew I wouldn’t be able to resist seeing him again.

I waited and waited.

But he didn't come.

Restless and unable to sleep, I slipped out of the room. The hallway stretched long and quiet, I didn’t know where to find him. I didn’t even know where to start looking.

So I walked.

Aimlessly

Then I heard a piano playing.

Soft notes floating through the air like a whisper in the dark.

Drawn to the sound, I followed it until I reached a slightly open door. The music was clearer now, wrapping around me like a spell.

I peeked inside.

There, bathed in moonlight, sat a man at the piano. His fingers danced across the keys with elegance, every note laced with emotion. Even from behind, I could tell he was attractive, with broad shoulders, dark tousled hair, an aura of mystery that tugged at something deep inside me.

But it wasn’t Kane.

It wasn’t Zack either.

Then, without warning, he stopped playing.

His back straightened.

And slowly… he turned.

Our eyes met.

And I froze.