Chapter 4

Aira’s POV

I wasn’t sure if I should accept it. The thought of leaving everything I knew behind felt heavy in my chest. My pack, my family, my life—it was all I had ever known. But my parents were persistent.

"You should accept it, Aira! You belong there, especially since he's your mate and he's an Alpha. Your life will be so much better there!" Mother suddenly chimed in, her voice filled with hope.

"With an Alpha by your side, your life will be great, and you can help us too," Father suddenly spoke, and there was a hint of something in his tone, like he wanted me to accept this offer for their own benefit.

Alpha Chris, standing nearby, cleared his throat, breaking the silence. His authoritative voice echoed, pulling everyone’s attention.

"Everyone," he commanded. "Gather here now so that you can witness this. We’ll make an alliance with those who have come to us."

His words carried weight, reverberating through the crowd. I could feel their eyes on me—judging, questioning, and, for some, pitying.

Alpha Alexander had sent his beta, Lucius, to fetch me. As the announcement was made, I received all kinds of reactions. Confusion lingered in the air, evident on some faces. Others were shocked, their disbelief plain as day. A few smiled, happy for me, but those expressions were rare. Most couldn’t hide their jealousy or disdain.

"She's just an Omega," someone whispered harshly, loud enough for me to hear. "There must be something wrong here."

Others didn’t hold back either. "Maybe she tricked him. Or worse, maybe she made a deal with a witch to cast a spell on Alpha Alexander."

The words cut deep, but I pushed them aside. I knew the truth. I knew deep down this bond was real, even if they didn’t believe it.

"Are you ready, Aira?" Alpha Chris asked, his tone serious, pulling me from my thoughts.

I took a deep, steadying breath and nodded. "Yes, Alpha Chris. I will go with them."

"Good," he replied, his expression softening slightly. "Always remember, you carry the name of our pack. And when you meet Alpha Alexander, you will bring honor to us."

As his words settled over me, some in the crowd began clapping. But even amidst the applause, I could still feel the weight of their skepticism. The whispers hadn’t stopped, and I knew many were still questioning how someone like me—a lowly Omega—could end up as the mate of an Alpha from one of the most powerful packs.

“Let’s go. Alpha Alexander might be looking for us,” Beta Lucius said, motioning for me to follow. His voice was firm but not unkind.

The members of the Shadow Fang Pack—the ones who came to escort me—waited patiently. I knew my parents were watching as we walked away.

“We’re counting on you, Aira,” they said, and there was no hint of concern in their tone; it was more of a command.

When we arrived at their village, it was like stepping into a different world. The place was massive, bustling with activity. The sheer size of it was overwhelming. Everywhere I looked, there were people—more than I had ever seen in our small pack.

"I heard she’s the true mate of Alpha Alexander. Is that true?" someone whispered as we passed.

“Keep it down,” another voice hissed. “Even if she is, Alpha Alexander only needs her to bear an heir. He doesn’t love her.”

I froze for a moment, the words slicing through me. My heart sank, but I forced myself to keep walking. I couldn’t let their words get to me.

When we reached the grand hall, the atmosphere shifted. The energy of the people around me changed; it was heavier, more intense. Even Lucius, who had been composed until now, seemed different—more guarded.

“H-Hey, where are you going?!” I asked, but the group that had escorted me didn’t respond. They simply left me standing there.

Then, a voice announced, “Alpha Alexander, your mate, Aira, has just arrived.”

I swallowed hard, my throat dry as I waited. And then, he appeared.

Alpha Alexander.

His presence alone was enough to make my heart race. I was nervous, intimidated by the sheer power he exuded. When our eyes met, memories of that night rushed back—the night that changed everything. Despite my fear, a part of me felt an odd sense of joy. He had come for me, after all.

I smiled at him and open my mouth to speak, “Alpha Alexander-”

But before I could fully finish what I wanted to say, he raised his hand, dismissing me. The gesture was cold, and my smile vanished.

"From now on, you’ll live here with me," he declared, his voice cold and unyielding. His piercing gaze locked onto mine, freezing me in place. "You’re not allowed to leave. You’ll stay in my room and remain within my territory. You’re forbidden to go outside or show yourself to anyone. Do you understand?"

The sharp authority in his tone left no room for debate, no space to breathe. My heart pounded as the weight of his words sank in. I opened my mouth to protest, to demand an explanation, but the intensity in his eyes silenced me before I could utter a word.

“And I won’t accept a ‘no’ for an answer,” he continued, his voice as cold as steel. “You belong to me now. There’s nothing you can do about it.”

My chest tightened as the finality of his words struck me like a blow. He turned on his heel, dismissing me without another glance, his coldness cutting deeper than any insult.

“Lucius,” he commanded without breaking stride, “take her to my territory. Show her where she’ll be sleeping.”

“Yes, Alpha,” Lucius responded with a crisp nod, his tone devoid of sympathy.

I couldn’t hold back anymore. Panic and frustration boiled over. “W-what? But I have questions! Alpha—”

“Shut up and just follow me,” Lucius snapped, his voice sharp and unrelenting.

I hesitated, my feet rooted to the ground, but there was no escape. My throat burned as I swallowed back the words I wanted to scream. Reluctantly, I obeyed.

For the next two weeks, this became my new reality. My life wasn’t what I had imagined. I thought being mated to an Alpha would be a dream—a life of respect and purpose. But instead, I was isolated, confined, and treated as less than nothing.

“Have you heard?” I overheard the servants gossiping.

They weren’t subtle about it either. Every time they brought me food, their disgust was evident. They looked at me like I was some kind of disease.

“She’s not really loved by Alpha Alexander,” one of them sneered. “She’s just a breeding machine. He’s only using her. She’ll never be our true Luna. She’ll never belong here. After all, she’s just an Omega.”

Their words burned. I didn’t know how they found out about my status as an Omega, but it didn’t matter. They had made up their minds about me.

I couldn’t take it anymore. The endless sneers, the cold stares, and the cruel words—day after day. But this time, something inside me snapped.

“Where’s Alpha Alexander? I need to talk to him,” I demanded, my voice trembling with anger as I addressed one of the servants.

The servant sneered at me, her disdain as sharp as a blade. “And why would he waste his time on you?” she spat.

“Stop pretending like you’re some important soon-to-be Luna. Everyone knows the truth—you’re nothing but a temporary pawn. Once our true Luna arrives, you’ll be discarded, locked away in the dungeon like the worthless Omega you are, and left there to die.”

Her words struck me like a lightning bolt. Horror washed over me, leaving me momentarily speechless. I couldn’t believe what I’d just heard.

Without waiting for a response, I stormed out, my footsteps echoing. I marched through the village, ignoring the whispers, the mocking laughter, and the glares that followed me like shadows. For once, their scorn didn’t matter. I was done being treated like I was invisible.

As I turned a corner, I spotted him. Alpha Alexander stood near the grand hall, deep in conversation with Lucius.

“Alexander!” I called out, my voice cutting through the air like a whip. It was sharp, loud, and filled with every ounce of frustration and pain I’d been carrying.

He turned slowly, his expression calm but curious. When his eyes met mine, he raised an eyebrow. The people around us froze, their gasps of shock loud enough to echo in the open space. No one dared speak, their wide eyes darting between us.

“Is it true?” I demanded, my voice trembling with emotion—anger, hurt, desperation—all threatening to spill over.

“Is it true that you’re just using me as a breeding machine? That you plan to marry your true mate? And after that, you’ll throw me in a dungeon… to die?!”