Chapter 2

GWEN

The black SUV rumbled down the road. I sat down in the back seat, my bruised hands resting on my laps wrapped in bandages.

No one spoke.

The driver, a silent Omega, hadn't said a word since leaving the border. I didn't mind. The silence gave me room to think.

The mystic pack. Remote. Strict. Cold, and ruled by Alpha Conan. I'd never seen him, but stories travelled fast.

He'd lost his mate four years. Some said he’d gone half feral.

Now I was being sent to him. Not as a maid, but as a guest.

A surrogate.

I thought about my family. I lost my mom during an attack on the pack by rouges. My dad died not long after, he was unable to bear the thought of his mate not being with me. That's how sacred the mate bond is.

Just before sunset, we arrived at the Mystic Pack. Waiting outside was a tall male with black hair streaked with Grey. He had a military posture.

The door opened and I stepped out.

“Gwendolyn, I presume?” He asked, offering a hand 

“Gwen actually.” I replied quietly.

“I'm Beta Lucas” he said, giving me a nod of approval “Welcome to the Mystic Pack.”

“You will be housed in the eastern wing. I have assigned one of our Omegas to help you settle

 You will have time to rest and prepare. Alpha Conan expects to meet you at dinner.”

I nodded.

Beta Lucas offered a smile “if you follow the rules here, you'll survive.”

The eastern wing was quiet. The halls echoing under the soft light. My suite was simple but comfortable.

“Lady Gwen” the pretty Omega called out to me “ I have drawn a bath for you. Fresh clothes are on the bed. Please let me know if you need anything.”

“Thank you” I replied gently. I wish I could ask for her name. 

“Is he…. Cruel?” I ask suddenly

“No. Not cruel. Just…. Distant. Precise. He doesn't waste time on words. But he is fair.”

I didn't respond afterwards. My mind began racing again.

I was meeting him at dinner. I wasn't ready.

I entered the dining Hall by 6:00pm sharp. Only two places were lit. One at the head of the table, and one beside it. 

He was already there.

Alpha Conan.

He rose when I entered. Towering, his eyes pale steel Blue met mine with an unreadable intensity.

“Gwen” he said, his voice deep, quiet and steady.

“Good evening Alpha” I answered bowing my head. 

He gestures for me to sit.

We ate in silence. The food was delicious, but I barely tasted any of it. I was very nervous. His scent was very overpowering. Forcing my Wolf into submission.

He didn't speak will the meal was cleared.

“There are rules” he said simply. “Im sure your Alpha has discussed the contract with you.”

“Um– Yes Alpha” I replied 

“Good. So you are aware of the conditions in the contract, is that correct?” 

“Yes Alpha Conan”

“Let's go over them then.”

“The first thing I would like, Gwen…,” he says as he stands up from his chair “is for you to look at me when I'm talking to you.”

I stiffened, taking a sharp breath before lifting my eyes to look up at him. The moment my eyes met his, My wolf stirred alittle, like she could feel his presence.

It was the first time I was getting a good look at his face, and although I did not know what to expect, he definitely exceeded my expectations.

I could feel my cheeks turning red from my blushing. I quickly lower my eyes.

“Forgive me, Alpha”

“You will have one day to get settled into the pack, You will have your own room in the clinic where you will be monitored around the clock by our medical staff. It has its own bathroom and shower. Agreed?

“Yes Alpha” I nodded, playing with my dress.

“After tomorrow–” he cleared his throat, “ We will start trying to conceive. We will have sex once in the morning if I so wish and once in the evening. For as many days as it takes until you have a positive pregnancy test. Agreed?

“Yes, Alpha”

“You will have your own maid, Your Alpha said you have tendencies of running away. I cannot have anything happening to my unborn pup, so you are not allowed to leave the eastern wing unaccompanied. If you need anything, call your maid. Understood?”

I let out a shaky breath “Yes Alpha “

“Lastly, after the baby is born, you are free to return back to the Riverclaw Pack”

I close my eyes painfully. My Wolf was silent now. She did not like the thought of letting go of her pup. Despite being dormant from the rejection, I could feel her presence during rare instances.

“Gwen, do you understand everything here?”

“Yes Alpha” I answer, blinking quickly to hide my emotion.

Silence hung between us.

Then he moved back.

“You will be treated with respect. But this is not a courtship. I lost my mate. I do not seek another”

“I understand.”

“I'll see you tomorrow night”

With that, he turned and left the hall, his footsteps silent as a shadow.

The day of the claiming had finally arrived. I had bathed and I was waiting for Alpha Conan. I was wearing a silk shirt night dress. Tessie, the Omega assigned to me before my maid arrives, gave it to me. I was expecting Alpha Conan any moment now.

I could feel him before he opened the door. I was drowning in nerves. 

Alpha Conan stepped in and stood across from me. The room was warm, lit with firefight.

“You're nervous” he said “I can smell it”

“I'm not afraid” I replied.

“I never said you were. I said you were nervous”. He murmured “your hands are shaking.”

I looked down. 

He reached out, taking my chin gently but firmly, tilting my head up “I won't hurt you.”

“I know” I whispered into the dimly lit room

“Good. Then take off your dress.”