My Last Chance

Maya's POV

A figure in a black hood moved quickly through the shadows behind the packhouse. He kept close to the wall, his head down.

He turned a corner where another man waited in the darkness.

"What do you have for me, Marcus?" the hooded man asked.

Marcus bowed his head. "She still hasn't found her mate."

The man nodded. "And Kaiser still plans to claim her?"

"Yes. He'll make her his wife as soon as she turns twenty-five."

A cold smile spread across the hooded man's face. "Perfect. Make sure she doesn't find her mate before then."

"I will." Marcus started to leave, then stopped. "He beats her. Badly."

The man grabbed Marcus by the collar and slammed him against the wall. "I don't pay you to care. I pay you for information. Don't screw this up, Marcus. You don't want to know what I'll do if you fail."

Marcus struggled to breathe. "I understand."

"Good." The man released him. Marcus slid to the ground.

The hooded figure walked away, pulling his coat tight around him. "Just four more months," he muttered to himself.

**Later That Day**

"Move faster!" the head servant, Madame Grula, yelled rushing past me in the kitchen.

I set down the tray of vegetables on the counter and turned to go back for more.

"No, Maya, go upstairs," Madame Grula barked. "Help with cleaning the guest rooms."

I nodded and ran up the stairs.

The whole packhouse was crazy with activity. The Blood Moon Pack and other packs were arriving tonight. Everyone was nervous and excited, even Kaiser.

I didn't know why they were visiting. Some kind of alliance meeting probably.

Over the last few days, I'd tried not to hope. The Blood Moon wolves were way out of my league. I was just a servant, a throwaway daughter who had been reduced to Kaiser’s slave.

"Less daydreaming, more working!" Madame Grula shouted in my ear.

I jumped. "Sorry!"

I ran upstairs to the guest quarters where Iris and the other servants were changing sheets.

"Have you seen Victoria?" Iris asked me, laughing. "She looks ridiculous. Like she fell into a makeup store."

I shook my head, smiling.

Victoria did look stunning though. I did her makeup perfectly, smoky eyes and red lips. Her dress hugged her curves. Looking at her, I felt a stab of jealousy.

But we were complete opposites. She was the Alpha's sister in designer clothes. I was the slave in rags cleaning her room.

"I heard Alpha Lucien is still unmated," one of the servants whispered. "That's why he's traveling around."

Iris rolled her eyes. "Why would someone like him care about finding his mate? He probably has women throwing themselves at him."

"A mate bond is different," another servant said softly. "Nothing compares."

Something twisted in my chest.

"Can we just focus on work?" I snapped.

Everyone turned to stare at me.

"Poor Maya," one girl sneered. "You'll never know what a mate bond feels like."

"What did you say?" Iris took a step toward her.

I pulled Iris back. I was used to their insults. The other servants thought Kaiser favored me because I was going to be his wife. They were jealous.

If only they knew the truth.

The door opened. Madame Grula stood there looking angry.

"The Alpha wants you," he said to me.

"Must be nice skipping work," someone muttered as I left.

I walked to Kaiser's room, my hands shaking. I knocked on the door.

"Come in."

He was shirtless when I entered, wearing only black pants. I stared at the floor immediately.

"Sit on the bed," he said. "You seemed to enjoy it last time."

I looked up sharply. He was buttoning his shirt now. Without a word, I sat on the bed.

"Excited about our guests?" he asked with a mocking smile.

"I'm just helping in the preparations like everyone else," I said carefully.

"Don't lie to me, Maya." He walked closer. "You're hoping to meet your mate tonight, aren't you? Look me in the eye and tell me you haven't thought about it."

He grabbed my chin hard, forcing me to meet his gaze.

I stared back at him. "Yes. I've thought about it."

He laughed and stood up. "Honest as always. I love that about you."

He walked to the door where one of his warriors stood outside.

"Lock her in here," Kaiser ordered. "Don't let her out for the next three days."

"Yes, Alpha."

The door slammed shut. I heard the lock turn.

I sat frozen on the bed, unable to process what just happened. He would lock me here for three days while the Blood Moon Pack visited.

My last chance at finding my mate, and he wanted to take it from me.

I stared at the locked door until my eyes hurt. The room felt like a cage. Kaiser's scent was everywhere, choking me.

Outside, I could hear servants running around, preparing for the guests. Laughter. Excited voices. The whole pack was getting ready to meet the Blood Moon wolves.

Everyone except me.

I went to the window and looked out. The sun was setting, turning the sky orange and purple. In a few hours, they would arrive. My mate might walk through those gates, and I would be trapped up here like an animal.

"This isn't fair," Lyra, my wolf, growled in my head.

"Nothing in our life has been fair," I replied.

"We should break out. Smash the window."

"We're three floors up. We'd break our legs."

"Better than rotting in here while our mate walks past!"

She had a point. But what could I do? The door was locked with a guard outside. The window was too high. I was trapped.

A knock came at the door.

"Maya?" Iris's voice.

I ran to the door. "Iris!"

"I brought food," she whispered. The lock turned. The door opened just enough for her to slide a plate inside, then it shut again.

Bread, cheese, and an apple. Better food than I usually got.

"Kaiser ordered the kitchen to feed you well," Iris whispered through the door. "He wants you healthy for when you become his wife."

The food turned to ash in my mouth.

"Iris, please help me get out," I begged quietly.

"This might be my only chance to find my mate."

"I can't," she whispered back, her voice breaking. "The guard is right here. If I help you, they'll punish me. Maybe kill me. I'm sorry, Maya. I'm so sorry."

Her footsteps faded away.

I slid down to the floor. Tears burned my eyes, but I refused to let them fall. I hadn't cried in years. I wouldn't start now.

Hours passed. The sky turned dark. Through the window, I saw torches being lit. I heard cars arriving. Doors slamming. Deep voices.

They were here.

I pressed my face against the window, trying to see. Black SUVs lined the driveway. Wolves got out, all of them moving like predators.

Then I saw him.