Alpha Lucien

Maya’s POV

Even from this distance, I knew he was the Alpha. He was taller than everyone else, broader. Power came off him like heat waves. His hair was dark, almost black, and even though I couldn't see his face clearly, I could tell he was handsome.

Alpha Lucien.

My heart pounded. Not because I thought he was my mate. Someone like him would never be paired with someone like me. But his pack was down there. One of them might be mine.

I watched as Kaiser greeted them. Victoria stood beside him in her perfect dress, smiling widely. She moved closer to Alpha Lucien, clearly trying to get his attention.

The Alpha barely glanced at her.

They all walked inside. I lost sight of them.

I paced the room like a caged wolf. Downstairs, I could hear music playing. Laughter. The welcome party had begun.

"I can't stay here," I told Lyra. "I won't."

"What are you going to do?"

I looked at the door, then the window. Then my eyes landed on the bathroom.

Kaiser's bathroom connected to his bedroom, but there was a small window in there. A window that led to the roof of the second floor.

It was dangerous. I could fall. Break my neck. But staying here felt more dangerous.

I ran to the bathroom and climbed onto the sink. The window was small and high up. I pushed it open and looked out.

The drop to the lower roof was about ten feet. If I hung from the window and dropped, I might make it without getting hurt.

"Do it," Lyra urged. "We didn't survive fourteen years with Kaiser just to give up now."

She was right.

I squeezed through the window, my heart racing. The night air hit my face. I could hear music and voices from the party below.

I hung from the window ledge, my fingers gripping tight. Then I let go.

I hit the roof hard. My ankle twisted and pain shot up my leg, but I bit my lip to keep quiet. I limped to the edge and looked down.

A garden below. Bushes meant a softer landing.

I jumped.

Branches scratched my face and arms as I crashed through a bush. I landed in dirt, my whole body aching.

But I was out.

I got up slowly, testing my twisted ankle. It hurt, but I could walk. I brushed leaves and dirt off my servant's dress and looked at the packhouse.

Light poured from every window. Music drifted out. I could see people moving around inside through the windows.

The party was in the main hall. I just had to get there without being seen.

I limped around to the back entrance, the one servants used. My heart pounded so loud I thought everyone could hear it.

"Please let my mate be here," I prayed. "Please."

I pushed open the door and slipped inside.

The hallway was empty. Everyone was either at the party or in the kitchen preparing food. I could hear voices and laughter coming from the main hall.

I needed to change. I couldn't walk into the party looking like this, covered in dirt and leaves with my dress torn.

I ran to the servants' quarters, my twisted ankle screaming with each step. I pushed open my door and grabbed the only other dress I owned. It was old and faded, but it was clean.

I changed quickly, washed my face and arms, and tried to fix my hair. It was hopeless. I looked exactly like what I was. A slave.

But I didn't care. I just needed to get to that party.

I made my way back through the hallways, keeping to the shadows. When I reached the main hall, I stopped at the entrance.

The room was packed with people. Crescent Pack members mixed with Blood Moon wolves. Everyone was dressed up, laughing, drinking.

And then I smelled it.

Pine and rain. Chocolate and something wild I couldn't name. The scent hit me like a physical force, making my knees weak.

"Mate," Lyra whispered in my head, her voice filled with longing.

My eyes scanned the crowd frantically, trying to find the source of that incredible scent. My heart raced. My hands shook.

There. By the far window.

He stood with his back to me, talking to Kaiser and some other pack leaders. He was tall, broad-shouldered, with dark hair that curled slightly at his neck. Even from behind, he was breathtaking.

As if sensing my stare, he turned around.

Our eyes met across the crowded room.

Alpha Lucien.

Time stopped. The noise faded away. There was only him, only those silver-gray eyes staring into mine with shock and recognition.

"Mate," he mouthed.

Then his expression changed. His eyes widened. He took a step toward me.

"No," I heard him say, his voice carrying across the room even though he spoke quietly. "No, this can't be right."

My heart shattered.

He didn't want me.

Before I could move, before I could run, Kaiser's voice cut through the air like a knife.

"Maya!" he roared. "What are you doing here?"

Everyone turned to look at me.The laughter died instantly, replaced by a tense silence that made my skin crawl. I froze where I stood, my heart pounding so hard it felt like it might burst out of my chest.

Kaiser’s boots thudded across the marble floor as he stormed toward me, his expression a mix of rage and disbelief. “I asked you a question, Maya,” he growled, his voice sharp enough to cut glass. “Why are you here?”

My mouth went dry. Every instinct screamed at me to run, but I couldn’t—not with Lucien’s gaze locked on me. Those silver eyes burned into mine, confusion and something darker swirling inside them. I could feel the bond between us pull tight, the air around us alive and exciting. Lyra whimpered in my head, torn between fear and desire.

My breath caught in my throat as a hundred judging eyes pinned me in place. Words tangled on my tongue—half truth, half fear. If I said the wrong thing, Kaiser would make me pay later. But if I stayed quiet, he’d think I was defying him. My heart skipped, torn between survival and defiance. What if this moment changed everything?