004

Caspian's POV

I had just returned from hunting, my entire body was covered in sweat while I stood at my office. I felt a sudden jolt of electricity; it was like a spark of energy, and slowly, it ran through my veins.

My eyes wandered around, trying to comprehend what was going o., I only felt something like this once, and that was the most heartbreaking day of my life.

A knock surged through the door as my gamma stepped in. His hands were previously tucked in his pocket, but he pulled them out as soon as he was standing before me.

“What is it Mason, I have been hunting all through the night, I am exhausted and need to go get some sleep”

“I understand but there is someone here to see you”

“It's past midnight, for fuck sake; tell that person to come back at dawn!” I shrugged with a cold expression, yet I still had that feeling in my heart, it kept on cursing through my veins, but I couldn't explain what it meant.

“I have tried, but she is one hell of a resilient lady and won't leave until she sees you, in fact, she claims she had traveled all the way here, saying it's urgent and she needs to get back to her pack this night”

My eyes flickered, piqued with curiosity, I turned to meet his gaze bored at me

“Let her in!” I commanded, and as the lady stepped in, I froze right there; my heart was racing really fast, and there was a mixture of pain, fear, and excitement gushing through my veins.

“Your Majesty!” She bowed her head in respect as per the traditions of the werewolf community, and when she lifted her head to stare at me again, I couldn't deny it; it truly was her.

My Mate!

Our Mate!! My wolf Orion screamed out in my head as he leaped for joy, yet I was stopping myself from being excited. We have been here before and she shattered every hope that I had of having a mate.

“I understand it's late and I am sorry for coming but now was the only time that I would be able to see you and I still need to get back as soon as possible”

She explained her situation. I grew more curious. The one who fled was standing right before me, her eyes glued to mine, yet there was not even a flicker of recognition in her eyes, nor did she truly not recognize me.

I retired to my seat, forgetting all about the fact that I was exhausted and all sweaty. My legs crossed together; I had never been this curious to hear what anyone had to say.

“Go ahead and tell me why you are here?” I demanded, my gaze cold as it pierced through her.

“I want to strike a deal with you!” She blurted out, my eyes trailed at her from head to toe, she was different, very different from the first time that I met her.

Her lips had turned blue, she had lost so much weight and looked more pale. It could only mean one thing: she had been very sick and not taken appropriate care of, even the dress she was wearing was looking all dirt and torn on the side.

Something happened to her and even though I wanted to know, I was trying so hard not to ask.

“Go ahead, I am listening”

“I understand that you have a lot of territory and your power is recognized by every pack in the north, but what if I could help you increase your power?”

I started briefly at her before a subtle chuckle escaped my lips. “You want to help me gain more territories?”

“No, I want to give you access to the Nightshade pack and make them be under your leadership”

Her eyes were consumed with fury; she was like a wounded lion, hurt, angry, and in pain. Her expression was cold, but behind her eyes, I could see that sadness; she had been through a lot.

“You think that you are capable of handing over a pack to me, I hate to admit it, but the Nightshade pack is powerful and you can't just walk in there and take control”

“I know, but I am the Luna. I helped build the pack into what it is today, and if there is anyone who can help you achieve this, it's me!”

Her voice was consumed with determination; no doubt that she knew what she wanted and was ready to go to any length to get it, but then I was more curious as to what she wanted that had brought her here late at night.

“In exchange for helping take over the pack, what do you want?”

She let out a deep breath and then moved closer to me; with each step that she took closer to me, her scent became strong, a mixture of wild like the forest, sensual which smelled like sandalwood, and she was so irresistible like the strong scent of a flower.

I had no idea what she was doing or the boldness in her, but one thing was clear: she didn't recognize me.

She came to a halt before me, and just when I thought that it was over, she pulled the scarf on her neck, and my eyes froze right there. I could feel my chest tighten; the pain grew stronger as it surged through my entire spine.

She had a mark from her lover; it was not just any mark, it was an Alpha's mark claiming what was his, but it did not end there; the mark was burning red, her entire neck had been bruised, and the mark had grown deeper. She had just been brutally betrayed.

“I hear that it is only a Lycan king that has the power to get rid of this mark which I bear” she explained and then wrapped the scarf around the mark again.

“Help me get rid of this mark and I will hand over the Nightshade pack to you on a platter!” Her voice was void of any form of emotions; she had been hurt to her core, and with such a nasty injury she carried on her back, I was more than surprised that she was still alive.

“How do you intend to achieve it, how do you intend to hand the pack to me?”

“There is a secret tunnel that only a few know about, from that tunnel, you can gain access to the entire pack and with that, you can surround the pack before anyone even gets an idea of what is going on”

“So where is this tunnel located?” I asked and a cold smile played on her lips.

“Nice one, but I am not saying a word more than I already did until a contract is signed”

“As much as your offer sounds appealing, that is not what I want”

“Go ahead, state whatever it is that you want”

“I want you!”

“What?” She narrowed her eyes curiously.

“I want you to become my Luna, my Council has been on my neck about that for a while now and since I don't have a mate, I have to bring someone”

A soft chuckle escaped her lips but even when she laughed, the pain was still visible.

“I am trying to get out of one failed marriage, I have no intention of going into another”

“You have nothing to worry about, I won't mark, and I will never claim you as mine, that way you can always leave when you want, but I want the marriage for two years and then you can walk away”

I suggested and even though I had no intention of ever letting her go, I knew that was the only way that I could get her to agree.

But she suddenly pulled out a white paper and placed it on my desk; she pulled out a pen but pierced herself hard on her thumb and carefully waited for her blood to drip into the pen, and once it was to her satisfaction, she began to draft out the contract with her blood.

“What are you doing?” My curiosity piqued as I stared at this strong woman who had been through a lot yet she seemed so determined not to give up on herself.

“There is no loophole for a contract signed with blood!” She announced, and even with the darkness in her eyes, I knew that I had let her go once, but I wasn't ever going to let her leave my side, even if my blood was involved.