Lina drifted in and out of consciousness, her body sluggish, her mind clouded with fog. The steady rhythm of horse hooves and the crunch of gravel beneath wheels filled her ears. The scent of damp wood and leather was overpowering, and when she tried to shift her limbs, she realized **she couldn’t move.** Her wrists and ankles were bound. **Panic surged through her.** She blinked rapidly, forcing her vision to clear. The dim interior of a carriage came into focus. Heavy iron bars lined the windows, preventing any escape. A thick chain ran across the door. **A prisoner.** Her father had truly done it. A sharp jolt sent her body rocking, and she clenched her jaw against the nausea threatening to rise. The sedative still coursed through her veins, making her sluggish, but not enough to stop the fury burning in her chest. Dane’s pack. She was being delivered like **cargo** to the man she despised. Lina gritted her teeth. **No. She wouldn’t let them break her.** A dee
Lina’s wrists ached from struggling against the leather bindings, her skin raw where they had bitten into her flesh. Every breath she took felt heavy, weighed down by the reality of her situation. Owned. Bound to a fate she never chose.Dane stood near the door, watching her with an unreadable expression. His golden eyes reflected the dim candlelight, making him look almost inhuman—like a predator biding his time. "You’ll hurt yourself if you keep pulling," he said, his voice disturbingly calm. Lina let out a sharp, bitter laugh. "Oh, forgive me, Alpha," she sneered. "Wouldn’t want to damage your new **property.**" Dane’s jaw tightened slightly, but he didn’t lash out. Instead, he stepped closer, his presence filling the space between them. "You think this is a game?" he murmured. Lina glared up at him. "No. I think it’s a nightmareFor a moment, silence stretched between them, thick with tension. Then, to her surprise, Dane reached for her wrist and **untied the straps.**
The air inside the room was thick with unspoken words. Lina had been trapped here for hours, maybe more, with only Louis for company.If he could even be called that.She had tried everything—ignoring him, antagonizing him, outright staring at him until he cracked. But nothing worked. He was an impenetrable wall, barely acknowledging her presence unless necessary.That irritated her.“Are you always this quiet?” she asked, breaking the silence yet again.Louis, seated near the door, barely looked at her. “Depends.”“On what?”He didn’t answer.Lina huffed, shifting on the bed. “I think you just like being difficult.”Louis’ lips twitched slightly, but he didn’t respond.Lina narrowed her eyes, tapping her fingers against the wooden headboard. “You know, most people would at least attempt a conversation. It’s common courtesy.”Still nothing.Her irritation spiked. “Fine. I’ll talk, and you listen.”Louis gave a slow blink, as if already regretting whatever came next.“I grew up with my
The moment the carriage stopped, Lina felt the weight of her fate settle on her shoulders. She was here, the Green Moon Pack’s territory. The large wooden gates loomed ahead, flanked by warriors in dark armor. Beyond them, she could see the sprawling village, the towering stone fortress that served as Dane’s home, and the unfamiliar faces of those who would soon call her **Luna.** Her stomach twisted. Dane stepped out first, his broad frame casting a long shadow over the dirt path. He turned to her, his golden eyes unreadable. "Come." Lina hesitated for half a second before stepping down. **She wouldn’t fight. Not now. But she would never submit.** As she moved forward, whispers followed her. The pack members lined the roads, watching her with curiosity, some with approval, others with doubt. She lifted her chin, ignoring them. **Let them stare. Let them wonder. She wasn’t here for them.** Inside the main house, the scent of burning wood and aged stone filled the air.
The sun hung low in the sky, casting long shadows over the Green Moon Pack’s territory. The wind rustled through the towering trees, carrying with it the faint scent of damp earth and pine. It should have been peaceful, but to Lina, it felt suffocating.She had been here for only two days, yet it already felt like a lifetime.Dane had wasted no time in parading her in front of the pack, declaring her as his Luna. He had stood tall, his hand gripping hers in a way that wasn’t gentle, wasn’t affectionate—it was possessive. You are mine now. This is your place.She had forced herself to smile, to stand still under the weight of his touch. But inside, she had been screaming.Now, as she walked through the heart of the pack’s land, she felt the eyes of its wolves on her. Some were filled with curiosity, others with skepticism. A few openly showed their resentment.She didn’t belong here, and they knew it.Her steps were brisk as she made her way down a quieter path. She wasn’t entirely sur
Lina sat in front of the mirror in the Luna’s chamber, her reflection bathed in the dim golden glow of the candlelight. The woman staring back at her was a stranger. Dressed in silks, adorned with jewels, she looked like a queen. But beneath the surface, she was a prisoner.Her fingers curled around the edges of the vanity, gripping tightly as she tried to steady herself. Her breathing was even, controlled—outwardly calm. But inside, a storm raged.This wasn’t her home. These weren’t her people.She didn’t belong here.A knock sounded at the door, sharp and commanding. She already knew who it was.Dane.The door creaked open, and the temperature in the room seemed to drop. The weight of his presence settled over her before he even spoke.He entered without hesitation, the authority he carried pressing down on her like an invisible chain. He was shirtless, his broad chest bare, and the flickering light cast deep shadows over the long scar slashing diagonally across his chest.Lina had
Tonight, she had no choice.Lina lay beneath Dane, her body tense, her breath unsteady. The weight of his presence pressed down on her, a firm reminder of the bond that now tethered them together. It was suffocating, overwhelming. No matter how much she wanted to fight, to push him away, she knew it would be useless.Dane was never one to back down.His fingers trailed down her arm, slow and deliberate, as if testing the resistance in her body. She felt him watching her, waiting for her to flinch, waiting for her to fight. But she refused to give him the satisfaction. If he thought he could break her, he was wrong.His grip tightened on her waist as he pulled her closer, his breath hot against her ear.“You belong to me now, Lina,” he murmured, his voice deep and unwavering.She clenched her jaw, willing herself not to react.But her body betrayed her.A shiver ran through her at the heat of his breath, at the way his fingers pressed into her skin, tracing the curves of her body with
Lina woke to the weight of an arm draped across her waist, the warmth of Dane’s body pressed against her back. The realization struck her like a blow.Last night had happened.Her breath hitched as she stared at the wall, her body frozen beneath his. The events of the night before played on repeat in her mind—the way he had claimed her, the way she had responded despite herself. Heat crawled up her skin, but whether it was from shame or something else, she didn’t know.Carefully, she shifted, testing if she could slip away without waking him. But the moment she moved, Dane stirred. His grip tightened, pulling her flush against his chest.“Where do you think you’re going?” His voice was husky with sleep.Lina stiffened. “Let me go.”Dane didn’t. Instead, he buried his face in her hair, inhaling deeply before exhaling a satisfied sigh. “You smell like me now,” he murmured against her skin, his voice edged with triumph. “Like you should.”Rage burned in her chest. She shoved at his arm,
The forest was quiet—too quiet.Lina’s boots crunched softly over the scattered leaves as she made her way down the narrow path behind the training fields. She’d needed space, again. Ever since that late-night conversation with Louis, her thoughts had been tangled, hard to sort. Every time she thought she had buried her feelings, he’d say something, look at her a certain way, and everything would shift again.He was waiting for her near the edge of the woods, where the trees opened into a small clearing. A half-smirk played at his lips as she approached, hands shoved casually into his pockets.“I was starting to think you ditched me.”Lina raised an eyebrow. “And miss another one of your charming silences? Never.”He gave a low grunt, almost a laugh, then turned to walk beside her as they headed deeper into the woods. It wasn’t official pack territory anymore, but it was safe—usually. They both needed the quiet, the peace. But tonight, the forest felt different.The breeze carried som
The sky had already deepened into a smoky violet by the time Lina slipped out of the packhouse again. The walls felt too close, too heavy with responsibilities she wasn’t ready to face. Out here, under the open sky, she could almost remember who she was before everything changed.Almost.The air was cool against her skin, laced with the earthy scent of pine and fresh grass. A few warriors still lingered near the training grounds, their laughter low and fading as they drifted back toward the main house. Lina kept her distance, wandering further out toward the open fields, where the moon was just beginning to rise.That was when she saw him.Louis.He was sitting alone at the edge of the training field, his back against a low fence post, one knee bent loosely as he stared out over the darkening landscape. His posture was lazy, but his eyes were sharp, like he was guarding something unseen.Maybe himself.Without fully thinking, Lina walked over, the soft crunch of her boots on the grass
The morning after their last encounter, Lina found herself restless.She’d barely slept. Her thoughts had been tangled—looping endlessly around things Louis had said, and the things he hadn’t. The way he looked at her. The way he walked away.She hated how her mind kept circling back to him.The pack was still asleep when she stepped outside. Early light slanted through the towering trees, turning the edges of the forest golden. Birds chirped high above, and the air smelled of dew and woodsmoke. It was quiet in the way only early mornings could be.And again—like fate had a habit of placing him in her path—he was there.Louis stood near the tree line, this time sharpening a blade with calm, measured strokes. The rhythmic shh, shh of the whetstone was oddly soothing. He didn’t look up when she approached.“I’m starting to think you live in these woods,” Lina said.“Maybe I do,” he muttered without glancing at her.“You’re not going to chase me off again, are you?”“Depends. Are you her
The late afternoon sun bled golden light over the forest’s edge, turning the air warm and soft as it filtered through the trees. The pack grounds were quieter than usual—most warriors were inside, resting or eating—but Lina preferred it that way. Solitude had become oddly comforting in the past few days, and now that she was allowed to wander under supervision, she took full advantage of the open space. Her boots crunched lightly against the gravel path as she made her way past the small clearing where training usually took place. A light breeze brushed her hair from her shoulders, and for the first time in days, she felt like she could breathe. She didn’t expect to see him. Louis was standing at the edge of the woods, half-hidden in shadow, sleeves rolled to his elbows, a small pile of firewood at his feet. He moved with quiet efficiency, arms flexing slightly with each piece he stacked. His back was to her, but somehow, she knew he’d sensed her presence before she even said a wo
Morning sunlight bathed the courtyard in gold as Lina stood by the window, watching the pack members begin their day. She hadn’t slept well, her mind circling endlessly around Dane’s apology, her confusion, her anger… and the aching sense of betrayal that had lingered ever since she learned her fate had been decided long ago.A sharp howl echoed in the distance—low, commanding.She didn’t need to be told who it was.Alpha Jackson.Her father.The guards bowed as a tall figure passed through the main gates, flanked by warriors from the Midnight Pack. His presence was like a thundercloud—silent, imposing, impossible to ignore.Lina’s stomach tightened.She had expected him eventually.She just didn’t expect the hurt in her chest when she saw him again.By the time the knock came at her chamber door, she was already dressed and waiting.“Come in,” she said, her voice steady.The door opened, and her father stepped in.He hadn’t changed much. Still broad-shouldered, still carrying the sce
The first light of dawn crept through the tall windows of Lina’s room, brushing golden warmth across the stone walls. She hadn’t slept. She’d spent the night pacing, replaying yesterday’s conversations with her father, her fears, and her endless internal arguments.She hated this.Hated feeling like a prisoner in her own home.And most of all, she hated the aching emptiness that came with knowing her future had already been written—without her consent.The bond to Dane pulsed quietly in her chest. It wasn’t strong—not yet. They hadn’t fully completed the mating bond. But it was there, like a lingering thread tugging at her thoughts.A bond that should have meant protection. Love. Understanding.Not this… distance.A soft knock interrupted her thoughts.She hesitated. Only a few people knocked on her door like that. Not the guards. Not the maids.“Come in,” she said finally.The door creaked open, and Dane stepped into the room.He looked tired. His dark hair was slightly disheveled, h
The door closed behind her with a soft thud, but it echoed like thunder in her chest. Lina walked slowly down the corridor, arms wrapped tightly around herself. Her bare feet made no sound on the cold marble floor, but each step felt heavier than the last.She didn’t cry.She wouldn’t let herself cry—not tonight. The sting in her throat and the pressure behind her eyes begged for release, but she pressed it all down like she always did. There was no room for softness in a Luna’s heart, especially not one who felt so lost in her own home.Dane’s words echoed mercilessly in her mind.“Come join me on the bed. I’m your mate, your husband…”And then—“Lina, go back to your chambers.”She hadn’t known what hurt more—his need or his rejection.He doesn’t understand me. He never has.For a moment, she had thought maybe he would. That maybe, in that dark room with his voice trembling ever so slightly, there would be something real between them. But instead, they stood on opposite sides of a ch
After Lina watched Louis’s shadow disappear into the night, she lingered at the balcony for a few more seconds, the crisp evening air brushing against her skin. There was a strange emptiness in her chest—one she couldn’t explain, and didn’t dare name. Shaking the feeling off, she turned and began heading to her room. Her mind was scattered, and her heart… unsettled.Just as she reached for her door, she nearly bumped into Nisa, who stood there as if she’d been waiting. That ever-present smile curved her lips, polished and unreadable.“Alpha Dane needs you, my Luna,” Nisa said smoothly.Lina blinked, her hand pausing on the doorknob. A thousand thoughts rushed through her mind. Did Dane see her outside with Louis? Had someone told him? A part of her wanted to ask, but pride silenced her.“Must it be tonight?” she asked softly, voice weighed with exhaustion. “I’m really tired.”“I’m afraid so, my Luna. He needs you now,” Nisa replied with eyes glittering with something unreadable.Lina
Louis lay awake in his small room, the silence pressing in like a weight on his chest. He had tossed and turned for hours, pacing the floorboards that creaked with each step. This wasn’t unusual—he rarely slept without interruption—but tonight was different. Tonight, his thoughts weren’t haunted by memories of hunger, shame, or pain. They were haunted by her.Lina.Since the day he first saw her in confinement, something inside him had shifted. At first, it was easy to ignore—a flicker of interest, a strange sense of curiosity. But as the days passed, that flicker turned into a flame he couldn’t put out. He had watched her closely, telling himself it was just duty. That he needed to stay alert. That it meant nothing. But the truth clawed at him more with every sleepless night.He couldn’t stop thinking about her.Her silence. Her strength. The way she looked at the world like it had betrayed her, but she would never let it break her. The way she carried herself, like she’d been throug