Rules and Defiance

The morning sun spilled through the tall windows of my chamber, painting golden streaks across the velvet curtains. I lay still beneath the quilt, the weight of the previous night pressing heavy against my chest.

The contract. The mansion. Damon’s words—cold, sharp, and merciless—echoed in my head like a curse.

"Don’t mistake necessity for affection."

I pressed a hand to my heart, where the mate bond still thrummed like a stubborn flame refusing to die. No matter how he pushed me away, my wolf wouldn’t let go. She whispered his name with every breath, every heartbeat.

I hated her for it.

A soft knock at the door broke the silence. The maid from last night—Maribel, if I remembered correctly—slipped inside with a bow.

“Luna,” she said gently, setting down a tray of fresh bread, fruit, and steaming tea. “The Alpha has instructed you to attend him in his study after breakfast.”

“Of course he has.” I forced a smile that didn’t reach my eyes. “And what if I decide not to?”

Maribel stiffened, her eyes wide. “That… wouldn’t be wise. The Alpha does not tolerate disobedience.”

A bitter laugh escaped me. “Then maybe it’s time someone tested his patience.”

The maid’s lips parted in shock, but I waved her off. “Thank you, Maribel. I’ll manage.”

As soon as she left, I shoved the tray aside untouched. My appetite was gone. Damon’s rules pressed around me like invisible chains. Meals at set times. Guards at every corner. No leaving without permission.

I had signed the contract. But I had not signed away my spirit.

The east wing was quiet as I slipped into the hall, the heavy rugs muffling my footsteps. I could hear voices drifting faintly from below—warriors exchanging greetings, the clatter of dishes from the kitchen, the ordinary hum of pack life.

I should have gone to Damon’s study as ordered. But the more I thought about it, the more my chest tightened. I refused to be summoned like a servant.

Instead, I found myself wandering toward the staircase that spiraled down into the main hall. My fingers brushed against the smooth banister, my steps cautious but deliberate.

Every turn revealed more of Blackthorn Hall—paintings of Alphas past, weapons mounted on the walls, shelves filled with ancient tomes. The house wasn’t just stone and shadow. It was history. Legacy. Power.

And now it was mine, too. At least for a year.

I descended into the courtyard, the crisp morning air hitting my skin. Guards patrolled the perimeter, their sharp gazes flicking toward me in surprise. None stopped me, but I could feel their questions. The Luna was wandering alone.

The garden stretched before me, wild yet meticulously maintained. Roses the color of blood climbed trellises, while lavender and sage filled the air with sharp fragrance. For the first time since signing that cursed contract, I felt like I could breathe.

Until his voice cut through the quiet.

“Defying me already?”

I froze.

Damon stood at the edge of the garden, dressed in a black shirt that clung to his broad shoulders, his hands tucked casually into his pockets. His dark eyes burned into me, unreadable but heavy with authority.

“You were expected in my study.”

I forced myself to meet his gaze, my chin lifting in challenge. “I needed air. Surely I don’t need your permission to walk in a garden.”

His jaw tightened. “Every step you take in this territory is under my protection. That means my rules.”

My wolf stirred, both thrilled and irritated by his dominance. “And what happens if I don’t follow them? Will you throw me out? Break your precious contract?”

For a moment, silence stretched between us, thick and charged. His gaze dropped briefly to my lips, then snapped back to my eyes.

“You test me, Selena,” he said, voice low and dangerous. “Careful how far you push.”

My pulse quickened, traitorous and wild. “Maybe I want to see how far you’ll bend before you break.”

Something flickered in his eyes—heat, raw and unguarded—but it vanished as quickly as it came. He stepped closer, the bond between us sparking like fire against my skin.

“Don’t mistake my patience for weakness,” he murmured, his voice a growl that brushed against my ear. “I promised to protect you. Don’t make me regret it.”

Before I could respond, he turned on his heel and strode back toward the hall, his presence leaving a void in its wake.

I exhaled shakily, my hands trembling. The bond roared inside me, furious and hungry. He affected me too much. And I hated that he knew it.

By afternoon, I found myself outside the study door after all. The heavy oak loomed before me, the scent of parchment and ink seeping through the crack.

I knocked once.

“Enter,” came his voice, deep and commanding.

I stepped inside. Damon sat behind his desk, papers scattered across the surface, his focus sharp as he scanned a document. He didn’t look up as I approached.

“You’re late,” he said.

“I didn’t realize I was being timed,” I shot back, crossing my arms.

“Everything here is measured,” he replied smoothly, finally lifting his gaze to mine. “Every word. Every action. Every breath. That’s how survival works.”

I clenched my fists, struggling to hold back the retort on my tongue.

He gestured to a chair across from him. “Sit.”

I obeyed, though reluctantly.

“The council will convene tomorrow,” he said, his tone all business. “They’ll want to meet you. Some will question your place here. You’ll answer with grace and strength. No hesitation. No weakness.”

My lips curled. “So I’m a showpiece now? A pretty prop to prove the Alpha has his Luna?”

His eyes darkened, his voice dropping into a growl. “You’re more than that. Don’t diminish yourself.”

The words stunned me. For a fleeting second, he had defended me—not as a contract bride, but as something more.

“Then what am I, Damon?” I whispered, the question slipping out before I could stop it.

His gaze held mine, and for the first time, I saw the storm raging beneath his controlled exterior. Heat. Pain. Desire.

“You’re what I can’t afford to want,” he said quietly.

The admission stole the breath from my lungs.

But before I could respond, he straightened, the mask slamming back into place. “That will be all. Maribel will escort you back.”

I rose, my legs unsteady. My heart pounded with words I couldn’t say, emotions I couldn’t name.

As I left the study, I knew one thing for certain: Damon Veylor was a man of rules and walls. But cracks were beginning to show.

And I would find them all.

That night, I stood on the balcony of my chamber, the moon casting silver light across the grounds. The bond thrummed within me, restless and wild, whispering his name into the night.

One year. That was the deal.

But one year might be more dangerous than forever.