Chapter 5

Samantha.

I woke up the next morning with soreness all over my body. I could barely even sit up straight in the car.

Zephyr had been like a mad dog last night. Our mating didn’t end until midnight, and I was pretty sure I passed out right after my last orgasm.

It had been the best sex of my life.

But at what cost?

At least he was responsible enough not to leave me sleeping covered in his cum.

“I’m sorry for waking you so early,” Zephyr said. “I have to attend the Pack’s monthly meeting this morning, and I thought it would be safer if you came with me.”

Rowan couldn’t track me anymore, but staying alone in the hotel wasn’t exactly safe either.

The meeting was being held at Silver Claw Manor—Zephyr’s residence.

I had never been there before, but I had heard enough. Grand. Luxurious. The kind of place other packs envied.

Under different circumstances, I would have been excited.

But my situation…

It wasn’t that simple.

Even though we hadn’t registered anything officially, I was already his Luna the moment he marked me.

Which meant—

He probably intended to introduce me to his pack.

And that was the problem.

I was his nephew’s wife.

Or soon-to-be ex-wife.

It wasn’t illegal…

But it was messy.

No—worse than messy.

People would talk.

They’d think I was the kind of woman who jumped from one man’s bed to another.

And that wasn’t even the worst of it.

I didn’t know if his pack knew he had rejected me before.

Rowan really had ruined everything—even after I left him.

“You don’t have to meet my pack yet,” Zephyr said suddenly.

I let out a small chuckle. “Then what am I supposed to do? Hide in your bedroom until the meeting is over?”

That somehow sounded even worse.

I lowered my gaze, avoiding his eyes. “If you’re ashamed of me… I can stay somewhere else for a while.”

The mark on my neck was enough.

As long as Rowan couldn’t find me, I could manage.

“That’s not what I mean, Samantha.” He lifted my chin, forcing me to meet his eyes. “You’re tired. You should rest today.”

He wasn’t wrong.

I looked like a mess.

My hair was tangled, my eyes dull with exhaustion, my clothes wrinkled from rushing out earlier.

There was no way I was meeting anyone like this.

I’d rather die.

People might even think Zephyr had dragged me here and forced himself on me.

The thought alone made my stomach twist.

“Okay… then let’s stop at a public restroom so I can fix myself a little,” I said, opening my bag.

Inside it was compact powder, and a broken red lipstick.

That was it.

I pressed my lips together.

I used to own an entire makeup studio.

I used to love getting ready every day.

But Rowan…

He said he preferred me “natural.”

So he took that away too.

“What kind of clothes do you like?” Zephyr asked, glancing at his watch. “We still have two hours.”

***

What was supposed to be a quick touch-up turned into a full transformation.

Zephyr took me into a boutique and let me pick anything I wanted—without even glancing at the prices.

He even asked the assistant to do my makeup.

When I stepped out, I barely recognized myself.

A new dress.

New shoes.

Jewelry.

The pink dress I chose was simple but elegant, its thin straps resting on my shoulders, highlighting my collarbones.

“Do you need anything else?” Zephyr asked, his gaze slowly moving over me.

“No… this is more than enough,” I said, rubbing my arms awkwardly. “I’ll pay you back once I find a job.”

He reached out, taking a strand of my hair and twirling it between his fingers.

“No need,” he said softly. “You’ve already repaid me by being beautiful.”

Heat rushed to my cheeks.

“You don’t have to say things like that,” I murmured, unable to hold his gaze.

He didn’t respond.

Instead, he gently touched my cheek before guiding me back to the car.

When we arrived at the Silver Claw Manor…

I forgot how to breathe.

It was massive.

Four separate buildings—the main residence, training grounds, a greenhouse, and staff quarters.

Every single structure looked grand. Expensive and endless. Just looking at it made me feel like my legs would give out before I could walk across it.

I was still taking it all in when suddenly I heard someone call my name.

“Samantha?”

I froze.

“What are you doing here?” a familiar voice asked.

I turned to see a dark-haired man approaching me, his face strikingly similar to Zephyr’s.

Darren Lloyd.

Zephyr’s younger brother.

“You didn’t come with your husband?” he asked, glancing between the two of us.

Before I could answer he stepped closer. Too close. And then he sniffed.

I stiffened.

“That’s strange…” he muttered. “Why does my brother’s scent cling to you like you just—”

He stopped mid-sentence.

His expression changed.

Completely.

He leaned in again, as if trying to confirm it.

Then his eyes widened.

“Oh my god, Zephyr!” he blurted out, staring at Zephyr. “You marked her?!”