Prologue

PROLOGUE

Zinnia’s POV

(Five Years Ago)

I stood at the door of Draven’s study for a long time. More than ten minutes. He never looked up.

I did not mind. Not really. He was the Alpha heir. He had important work. Papers covered his desk. He made decisions that kept the whole pack safe. I understood this. I told myself it was okay.

I just wanted to be near him. I wanted to breathe the same air. I wanted to feel close to my mate.

The mate bond hummed softly under my skin. The Moon Goddess had chosen us. She put us together for a reason. We were fated. We were meant to be.

We had been married only three months. I was still learning how to be Luna. The big pack house felt strange to me. I sometimes felt like a guest in my own home. But every single day, my love for Draven grew stronger. Every day the bond pulled me toward him.

"Draven?" I said softly.

He did not answer. His pen kept moving across the paper.

I held the tray carefully. My arms were getting tired. I made his favorite tea the way his aunt Vespera taught me. Three minutes. One spoon of sugar. No milk. I practiced many times to get it right.

"Draven?" I tried again, a little louder.

He finally looked up. His ice-blue eyes met mine. They were cold. Distant. The same look he always gave me.

"What is it?" he asked.

My heart still jumped. He was looking at me. Even for one second, I had his attention.

"I brought you tea," I said. I stepped into the study. "You have been working so hard. I thought you might like something warm."

I placed the tray on his desk slowly. I did not want to mess up his papers. The cup was pretty. Cream color with small roses on the side. I chose it because roses felt romantic.

Draven looked at the tea for a moment. Then he looked back at his papers.

"I did not ask for tea," he said.

His words hurt. But I pushed the pain away and smiled.

"I know," I said. "I just wanted to do something nice for you."

"I am busy."

"Of course." I kept my hands together in front of me. I tried not to move too much. "I will leave it here. You can drink it later if you want."

I waited. Maybe he would say thank you. Maybe he would look at me again. Maybe he would show me a small sign that the mate bond mattered to him too.

He did not look up. His pen kept scratching the paper.

I stayed there for another minute. I watched him. His dark hair. His strong jaw. His long fingers holding the pen. He was so handsome. So perfect. And he was mine. The Moon Goddess gave him to me.

I knew he was not good at showing love. Aunt Vespera had warned me. Draven grew up in a hard house. His father was cruel. He taught Draven that feelings were weak. His mother died when he was young. That pain closed his heart.

But I believed love could change him. I believed my love could melt the ice around him. I only needed to be patient. I needed to love him more. I needed to be better. One day he would open up. One day he would feel the bond the same way I did. He would look at me and really see me.

"I love you," I said quietly.

His pen stopped for half a second. Then it moved again. He said nothing.

My chest felt tight. But I kept smiling. He heard me. That was enough. Words were difficult for him. I understood.

"I will let you work," I said. I took one step back. "Dinner is at seven. I asked the kitchen to make your favorite food."

"I will eat in my study."

"Oh." My smile became smaller for a moment. Then I fixed it. "That is fine. I can bring a plate to you. We can eat together here."

"I prefer to eat alone."

I nodded. "Right. Of course. I understand."

I walked slowly to the door. I stopped and looked at him one more time. The mate bond pulled hard in my chest. It felt like my heart was trying to reach him. Why did he not feel it? The elders said the bond worked both ways. The Moon Goddess made it strong for both mates.

But Draven seemed to ignore it completely.

Maybe he showed love in other ways. Maybe taking care of the pack was his way. Maybe giving me a home and making me Luna was enough. Yes. Actions, not words. That must be it.

I closed the door gently behind me.

In the hallway, I pressed my hand to my chest. The bond ached there. A passing omega saw me and gave me a look full of pity. She quickly looked away.

I stood up straight. I smoothed my dress. I put a calm smile on my face. I would not let anyone see my pain. Draven and I were fated mates. Everything was fine. Everything was as it should be.

I walked to my quarters. They still felt like they belonged to Draven’s mother. The rooms were beautiful but cold. I sometimes felt like I was only borrowing them.

But I was the real Luna now. I was Draven’s wife. I just needed to prove it every day.

I sat down and opened my journal. My friend Lunette gave it to me as a wedding gift. I wrote in it every night.

Day 93 as Luna.

Today I brought Draven tea. He was very busy with pack work. We did not talk much, but that is okay. He works so hard for all of us. I am learning to cook all his favorite meals. Aunt Vespera says the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach. Tomorrow I will bring him breakfast. Maybe he will be more relaxed in the morning.

The mate bond felt very strong today. Sometimes I think I can almost feel what he feels. Today I felt focus and duty. He is such a dedicated Alpha. I am lucky to be his mate.

I told him I love him again. He did not say it back. But that is fine. He shows care in other ways. He makes sure I have everything I need. He introduced me to important pack members. He is patient when I make mistakes with Luna duties.

Lunette called me today. She asked if I am happy. I told her yes. I am happy. I am married to my fated mate. I have a purpose. What more could I want?

She asked if Draven makes me happy. I told her he will. We just need time. Love grows slowly. That is what people say.

I closed the journal and held it against my heart.

Three months done. Many years still to come.

I can wait. I can be patient. I can love him enough for both of us until he learns to love me back.

The Moon Goddess chose us. That had to mean something important.

Downstairs I heard the pack gathering for dinner. There was laughter and warm voices. I stood up, fixed my dress, and went down to join them.

I sat at the Luna’s seat at the high table. I smiled at everyone. I spoke kindly. I played my role perfectly.

Later I would bring Draven his dinner. Maybe tonight he would let me stay. Maybe we would talk. Maybe he would look at me longer than a few seconds.

Maybe tomorrow would be better.

It had to get better.

I would make it better.

I only needed to try harder.

I walked back to the study later that night with a plate of warm food. I knocked softly. When he did not answer, I opened the door quietly.

Draven was still at his desk. The tea I brought earlier sat cold and untouched.

I placed the fresh plate near him. "I brought dinner," I whispered.

He did not look up.

I stood there watching him work. The mate bond pulled again. Stronger this time. It felt almost painful.

One day he would feel it too.

One day he would love me.

I believed it with all my heart.

I had to believe it.

Because if I stopped believing, what would I have left?