Chapter 5

Liam’s POV

I had been in the middle of training when one of my warriors rushed over, his face serious.

"Alpha, we found a girl at the pack borders. She’s injured—badly. We took her to the pack hospital."

A girl? My brows furrowed. Rogues were common, but a lone girl showing up wounded? That was unusual.

"Is she awake?" I asked, already moving.

"She just woke up," he confirmed.

I wasted no time, heading straight to the hospital. When I reached the room, I paused for a moment, placing my hand on the door handle. I had no idea who she was, how she got here, or what trouble she might bring. But I needed answers.

Taking a breath, I pushed the door open and stepped inside.

She sat up in bed, looking fragile beneath the thin hospital sheets. The dim lighting in the room softened the harsh bruises on her skin, but I still saw them—the fading purplish blotches along her cheekbone, the swollen cut on her lower lip. She had been through something terrible.

But even injured, even weak, she was breathtaking.

Her midnight-black hair cascaded down her shoulders in soft waves, slightly tangled but still beautiful. And her eyes—those deep, rich brown eyes—met mine for just a moment before she quickly looked away.

The moment I stepped closer, her scent hit me.

Sweet. Addictive. Unlike anything I had ever smelled before.

My breath caught in my throat, and something inside me cracked wide open.

Then, out of nowhere, my wolf roared inside my head, so loud that I almost lost my balance.

Mate.

The word pounded through me like a drum, over and over again. My body tensed, my hands clenched into fists at my sides.

No. No, this couldn’t be happening.

I had convinced myself a long time ago that I would never have a mate again. The Moon Goddess had cursed me—I knew it. I had spent years believing I was meant to be alone, that I wasn’t worthy of a second chance.

Because of what I had done.

Because of what happened last time.

I deserved to be alone.

But now…

Now, she was right in front of me.

I took a deep breath, trying to ignore the way my wolf clawed at me, desperate to claim her. I had to be sure. I had to stay in control.

I stepped closer, making sure my face gave nothing away. "I’m Alpha Liam," I said, keeping my voice calm. "Who are you?"

She hesitated.

It was quick, but I noticed it—the way her lips parted slightly, her fingers twitching against the blanket as if she wasn’t sure what to say. Like she was trying to decide on an answer.

Then she finally spoke.

“…Lana.”

Her voice was soft but steady. And the moment I heard it, something inside me clicked into place.

Lana.

A beautiful name. A name that now belonged to my mate.

Something inside me shifted, like a puzzle piece snapping into place. My whole body tensed, every instinct screaming at me to move closer, to touch her, to make sure she was real.

Mine.

The word echoed in my head, filling every corner of my mind. My wolf paced restlessly, desperate to close the distance between us. I could feel the pull, the invisible thread tying us together, stronger than anything I had ever known.

I wanted to say it out loud. I wanted to tell her she was mine. I wanted to reach out, to pull her into my arms and never let go. I wanted to mark her, to claim her, to make sure every wolf in this pack—and beyond—knew that she belonged to me.

But I couldn’t.

Because I already knew the truth.

If I marked her… she would die.