2

Isla’s POV

I’ve been walking for 30 minutes. Our pack is located at the foot of the hill, and climbing up is exhausting.

My destination now is the river inside the forest area of the pack.

I have nowhere else to go—I need to end everything that has happened.

My tears have dried up from how painful and chaotic everything has become.

I still remember clearly when Noah came to me when I was sixteen—exactly one week before my parents died.

Noah said that the Elder of his pack had a vision that I was his fated mate.

My parents were, of course, overjoyed because Noah was a very famous and powerful man.

My parents were renowned entrepreneurs who had close ties with the city elites, so many men tried to become my mate. Some were even willing to defy the Moon Goddess just to gain my parents’ wealth.

My parents always thought I was weak and wouldn’t be able to carry on their legacy, so they gave all their wealth and assets in the name of my fated mate.

The sound of the river’s gentle flow stopped me in my tracks—it made me realize I was almost there.

“Luna Isla!”

Suddenly, a voice called out from behind. I turned around, startled, and saw five men standing there, smiling at me.

“Who are you?!”

I pulled the cloth I was wearing tighter over my shoulders to cover myself more fully.

“Luna Isla, I came to fetch you. Alpha Caleb is waiting for you at the mansion.”

“What do you mean? Alpha Caleb? I don’t know him. Are you Noah’s men?! Don’t worry, I’ll be dead soon, so tell Noah he doesn’t need to bother sending spies to keep tabs on me!”

The man in the black shirt with blue eyes stepped closer with a smile.

He then bowed in front of me and said, “You’re clearly mistaken. We truly are messengers of Alpha Caleb Donovan from the Ravencurse Pack.”

Ravencurse?

I’ve heard of it. That pack is known for being led by an alpha who’s a womanizer and incredibly arrogant.

If I’m not mistaken, they dominate the oil business in several countries. They’re one of the richest and most closed-off packs.

Noah once talked about that pack, but he dismissed them as no threat. Noah was always too arrogant, thinking he was the most feared alpha.

“Luna Isla, we should go now—the air is getting colder. There’s also a dinner party waiting at the mansion.”

“What is going on? I’m not your Luna—stop calling me that!”

I quickly turned around and ran toward the river.

Nothing could stop me from ending the horror that is my life.

The river was very close. I just needed to walk in and let the water consume me.

But then—suddenly—the man from earlier lifted me into his arms.

“Hey, let me go!”

“I’m sorry, Luna Isla, but you have to come with me.”

He covered my mouth, and in an instant, everything went black.

I don’t know what happened after that.

Because when I woke up, I was lying on a bed, dressed in a beautiful nightgown.

“You’re finally awake.”

A deep voice came from a man nearby.

I tried to sit up, but my head hurt too much.

A man suddenly appeared to help me—he was… incredibly handsome.

He smiled warmly, looking at me with such kindness.

For the first time in my life, I was being treated like this.

There was no disgust or judgment in his gaze—not like the others who always belittled me for not being beautiful like the women or Lunas that society adored.

He sat next to me and gently stroked my head.

“Hi. This is our first meeting, but I’m sure you already know who I am…”

I swallowed hard and forced myself to speak. “You… You’re Alpha Caleb?”

“Yes, my Luna.”

I instinctively grabbed his hand before it could touch my face. I stared at him intently.

It was hard to believe this handsome man was my mate.

But I didn’t feel it.

When I met Noah, I could feel our link.

“I don’t understand. If you’re just trying to play with me, maybe you should just let me go… or kill me right now.”

Caleb responded with a laugh, shaking his head while gently pinching my cheek.

“If I wanted to kill you, I would’ve done it the moment I knew you were my mate.

But I came to get you and even postponed a dinner that should’ve started an hour ago—just for you.

I know you still need time to rest, even though I had so many other ways to wake you up,” Caleb said.

“But, Alpha Caleb, I just separated from my mate. How could I suddenly have you as my next mate? I mean, I’m just an unattractive werewolf without a wolf!”

Caleb quickly turned to me, lifting me up with a gentle smile.

Honestly, I could smell his intoxicating scent—it made my heart race.

He walked slowly, carrying me toward a large mirror in the corner of the room.

“What do you see now?” Caleb asked.

“Umm… I don’t know. I just see you holding me, Alpha Caleb.”

“You’re so pure and adorable, my Luna! I want you to see how beautiful you are—and how perfect we look together!”

I looked at the mirror, but to be honest, I was still insecure about my body.

I’d been criticized by men for so long.

Alpha Caleb brought me back to the bed.

He kissed my hand gently.

“Whatever you’ve been through—you won’t experience it with me. I love you sincerely. I’ve chosen you to be my Luna, forever.”

“You’re sure you want—”

My sentence was cut off when Alpha Caleb pressed a finger to my lips, and slowly, his face moved closer to mine.

He gently tilted my chin, and I couldn’t resist as his lips began to kiss mine.