Chapter 8

Aiden’s POV

“You can’t take her with you! She’s a weak, worthless omega, a slave… What good will she be to you, aside from being a burden?” Jackson snapped, making my blood boil. I wanted to break every bone in his arrogant body.

I stepped forward, voice like ice. “I never asked for your opinion.” Stepping forward, I continued. “She’s coming with me. And you’ll address her by her name. Rose.”

The glare he threw at me could’ve cut steel, but I didn’t flinch.

“P-Please…” Rose’s voice trembled, barely audible.

“Please take me away. I don’t want to stay here.”

Her fingers twisted together anxiously, her frame shaking with fear.

“Sire, I apologize on behalf of my son,” Alpha Craig said quickly, stepping in and clasping his hands together, obviously embarrassed. “He must be… confused.”

“But Father-” Jackson began bristling.

“Silence!” Alpha Craig roared, cutting Jackson off mid-sentence. “Have you lost all sense of decency? Where are your manners, Jackson?”

Watching Jackson get put in his place was satisfying,but the bastard wasn’t done.

“She still belongs to the Black Moon Pack,” he growled. “This is her home. She stays.”

“But I don’t want to stay!” Rose cried, voice breaking. “You rejected me as your mate. You hit me. Please… just let me go.”

Gasps erupted from the crowd. Whispers buzzed through the room like flies. “She was his mate?” “The moon goddess sure has a way of playing games.”

Jackson sneered. “Do you even know what life will be like for you in his Pack?”

Rose lifted her chin, defiant now. “Better than being tortured every day in this one. I’d rather die than stay here another minute.”

The words landed like a slap. Jackson froze, stunned by her courage.

My fury ignited. I stepped forward, my voice booming like thunder. “Is this how you run your Pack? Beating and rejecting your own mate like she’s trash?” I pointed a finger in his face, fury attached into every word. “You’re not just a disgrace to Alphas, you’re a disgrace to werewolves.”

Alpha Craig’s voice rang out behind me. “You rejected her, Jackson. Because she’s an omega. Because she was a slave. So why are you trying to control her now? Step down.”

Jackson’s eyes glowed red. His fists trembled at his sides, veins bulging. But he didn’t move. He couldn’t touch me, a Lycan, and he knew it.

Alpha Craig turned to me again, hands raised in peace. “Sire, let’s resolve this calmly. No need to escalate things further.”

I studied him for a moment, narrowing my eyes, then nodded. “Fine. But before I leave, Diva must face justice.”

Diva’s head snapped up, face pale. “W-What?” she stammered, lips trembling.

“I agree completely” Alpha Craig voiced out immediately, eager to please me. “She should be punished. Don’t worry, I’ll handle it.”

Handle it? Did he think I was bluffing?

“No, Alpha Craig. I’ll be there myself. She gets no mercy.”

He coughed nervously. “Of course, Sire. What punishment do you propose?”

All eyes shifted to Diva. She stood frozen, head bowed in dread. Sweat beaded on her forehead. Jackson didn’t even lift a finger to defend her.

“Rose,” I said gently. “What punishment do you think she deserves?”

“I… I don’t know, Sire.” She lowered her gaze.

“Then I’ll decide.” I straightened. “Diva will be locked in the dark dungeon for seven days. No food. No water. No light. And no one is to release her unless they want to answer to me personally.”

The room went silent. Then, one by one, everyone bowed their heads in unison.

Justice was served for now.

Diva shrieked as the guards seized her, letting out a piercing scream. “No! Please! You can’t do this to me!” She kicked, fought, tried to free herself.

“J-Jackson! Help me! Please!” she sobbed, her face twisted in panic.

But Jackson turned his back, arms crossed over his chest, jaw clenched. He didn’t say a word. His silence clearly meant she was on her own.

Whispers rippled through the crowd,shock, fear, disbelief. The Beta’s daughter. Their future Luna. Dragged away like a common criminal to the dungeon. Some watched with pity. Others with silent approval.

I never enjoyed causing pain, but I couldn’t ignore injustice. Diva had crossed the line. She had to pay.

Rose buried her face in my chest. I held her close, stroking her hair gently. Her scent calmed me in ways I couldn’t explain. It was soft, soothing and addictive. I wanted to keep her like that forever, safe, warm, mine.

Jackson’s glare burned through me like a curse, but I didn’t care. Every gentle touch I gave Rose was a dagger to his pride. I had what he threw away.

I turned to the man tied up near the corner of the hall.

“Release him,” I ordered. “He’s innocent.” Fred nodded and quickly untied the rope.

I walked over, grabbing the man’s head and forcing him to meet my eyes. “Next time, report if you’re being blackmailed. Don’t involve yourself in filth.”

I let go. He stumbled back and fell to the floor.

He nodded rapidly, “T-Thank you, my Lord!” he scrambled up and bolted out of the hall.

Jackson stormed out too, his guards trailing behind. The ceremony dissolved into quiet murmurs as the crowd dispersed.

Rose and I remained. She looked up, her voice soft. “I need to get my belongings.”

“There’s no need, love,” I said. “You won’t need anything from this place ever again.”

We mounted the horse and rode off into the woods, the wind slicing past us as my Pack’s borders called in the distance.

My wolf howled with joy, restless and eager. I wanted to pull her into my arms, to kiss her, to claim her, but I knew I had to be patient. Take things one step at a time.

Still, one question haunted me,

Why hadn’t she realized yet?

Why hadn’t she felt the bond?

Did she not know… I was her second chance mate?