Chapter 1: Farewell Bells

Six years later.

The morning sun spilled through the stained-glass windows of the Abbey’s dining hall, painting the long wooden tables with soft hues of amber, crimson, and jade. Erika sat at the corner table with Ursula, her only true friend in this secluded sanctuary. The faint aroma of baked bread and chamomile tea lingered in the air, though Erika had barely touched her plate.

Ursula grinned, leaning forward on her elbows. Her auburn hair caught the morning light like fire. “So, today’s the big day. Off to your grand adventure, Lady Luna-to-be.” Her voice was playful, but her hazel eyes betrayed a hint of sadness.

Erika stirred her tea absentmindedly. “I wouldn’t call it an adventure,” she murmured, glancing at her reflection in the steaming liquid. “I don’t even know this Diego person. What if he’s…” She hesitated, trying to find the right word.

“A monster?” Ursula teased, though her smile faltered. “Relax, Erika. He’s an Alpha, not a troll. I bet he’s tall, dark, brooding—just like in your ridiculous daydreams.”

“I don’t daydream,” Erika retorted, though her cheeks flushed.

“Oh, you don’t? Shall I remind you about your ‘moonlit dance with the mysterious stranger’ fantasy?” Ursula grinned wickedly, leaning back in her chair.

“That was just a story!” Erika protested, though she couldn’t help but laugh softly.

The laughter faded as silence settled between them. Erika picked at the edge of the table, her excitement tempered by a creeping unease. “What if I don’t belong there, Ursula? What if… I’m not enough?”

Ursula reached across the table, clasping Erika’s hands in hers. “Hey, you’ve survived years of Mathilda’s lectures, hours of grueling training, and more solitary meditations than any sane person could handle. You’ll do fine. Besides…” She hesitated, her voice softening. “You deserve something better than the abbey’s boring routine. Maybe this is it.”

Erika managed a small smile, though doubt still weighed heavy in her chest.

The farewell bell rang, a low, mournful sound that echoed through the Abbey halls. Erika stood in the cloister garden, her travel bag at her feet. She felt the weight of the moment in every fiber of her being, though she kept her chin high and her expression calm.

Beyond the iron gate, a sleek black car idled, its tinted windows concealing the man who had come to escort her to her new life. The gate creaked open, and a tall figure stepped through. He was dressed sharply in a tailored black suit, his salt-and-pepper hair combed back neatly. His piercing blue eyes met Erika’s as he approached, his movements precise and deliberate.

“You must be Erika,” he said, his deep voice carrying an air of authority. “I’m Hugo, the Alpha’s personal assistant. I’ll escort you to Valentia.”

Erika nodded politely, her palms slick with nervous sweat. “Thank you for coming.”

Hugo’s gaze flicked briefly to the Abbey behind her, then back to Erika. “No need for thanks, Luna. We should leave immediately. The Alpha dislikes delays.”

Erika’s chest tightened at the title, but she nodded and followed him to the car. He opened the door for her, and she slid into the cool, leather interior. Moments later, Hugo took the driver’s seat and guided the car smoothly onto the winding forest road.

The hum of the engine filled the silence between them as the Abbey disappeared behind a curtain of trees. Erika stared out the window, her thoughts tangled in what lay ahead.

“I know this is a lot to take in,” Hugo said, breaking the quiet. His voice, though formal, held a trace of empathy. “Valentia is… different from what you might be used to.”

Erika glanced at him, curiosity momentarily overshadowing her anxiety. “Different how?”

Hugo hesitated, choosing his words carefully. “For one, it’s a Lycans-only enclave. A place where we can be ourselves without the constraints of human society. You’ll find it more structured than what you’ve known. The Alpha’s word is law, and tradition is deeply ingrained in every aspect of life.”

“I see,” Erika said softly, unsure whether that structure would feel like security or a cage.

“Diego runs a tight pack,” Hugo continued. “He values loyalty and discipline above all else. You’ll need to earn his trust, but once you do…” He trailed off, as if considering how much to reveal.

“Once I do?” Erika pressed, her heart thudding in her chest.

Hugo spared her a brief glance. “He’ll protect you with his life.”

The words were meant to be reassuring, but Erika found them oddly unsettling. She turned back to the window, watching the trees blur into a dark green sea.

As the sun dipped below the horizon, the road widened, and the landscape began to change. Valleys gave way to rolling hills, dotted with sprawling estates and vineyards. Hugo’s tone shifted, becoming almost reverent.

“This is Valentia,” he said. “The heart of Lycan territory. The Di Rocco family has ruled here for generations. It’s a place of power and history. You’ll see.”

The car crested a hill, and Erika’s breath hitched at the sight that unfolded before her. Below them lay a vast mansion, its stone façade bathed in the golden glow of lanterns. Towers jutted into the sky, their windows flickering with light, and the grounds stretched far beyond what her eyes could take in—gardens, fountains, and rows of ancient trees that seemed to stand as silent sentinels.

“It’s beautiful,” she whispered, though the beauty felt cold and imposing, like the Abbey on its darkest days.

Hugo gave a small nod. “It’s more than that. It’s your new home.”

The car rolled down the long driveway, the crunch of gravel under the tires the only sound. Erika’s nerves buzzed with anticipation and dread as they approached the grand entrance. Two guards in dark suits stood at the massive double doors, their postures stiff and unyielding.

Hugo brought the car to a stop and turned to Erika, his expression unreadable. “This is where it begins, Luna. Are you ready?”

Erika swallowed hard, gripping the strap of her bag. “Ready or not, I suppose.”

He smiled faintly, the corners of his mouth barely lifting. “Good answer.”

With that, Hugo stepped out and opened the door for her. Erika stepped onto the gravel, the cool night air wrapping around her like a shroud. As the doors swung open, revealing the mansion’s grand interior, Erika steeled herself.

This was it—the first step into a life she couldn’t yet fathom, with a man she didn’t yet know, and a fate she wasn’t sure she wanted.