C-2

Chelsea Wren POV

“What’s the meaning of this?” Angus Reid steps squarely in front of Alastair, extending an arm to block Chelsea’s path.

Chelsea keeps walking. The wrinkled white gown swishes around her legs. She stops only when she is close enough for both males to catch the lingering scent of last night’s drink and pure determination.

“I heard you need a Luna,” she says, her voice steady. “I need an Alpha. Looks like we can solve each other’s problems right now.”

Angus’s mouth falls open. “Excuse me?”

Alastair’s cold gaze travels over her from head to toe. The dress catches his attention first. A flicker of surprise crosses his dark eyes before vanishing entirely.

Chelsea forces her spine straight. Inside, her wolf paces restlessly. She refuses to let her nerves show.

Alastair’s voice cuts through the silence. “Aren’t you already promised to another male for a mate bond?”

“He found someone else. Your aide just said you’re short on options. Put my name down. I cook. I clean. I keep my distance from other males. I will never shame the Crowhurst name or break the bond. I’ll carry out every duty a Luna should.”

She even manages a subtle wink, making it sound like casual talk between packmates.

Angus recovers enough to sneer. The look on his face screams that a rejected female in yesterday’s gown has no business standing in front of the Alpha.

“Sir, Miss, this is—”

Alastair silences him with one sharp glance. His eyes return to Chelsea and linger there, calculating.

“Fine,” he says at last. “You’ll be my Luna.”

Chelsea’s heart slams once against her ribs. Too fast. No questions. No demand for pack papers.

Angus nearly chokes. “Alpha, we know nothing about her. Not even a name. At least let us run a pack background check first.”

“Unnecessary.” Alastair never looks away from Chelsea. “One condition. You don’t get to regret this choice later. Clear?”

“Crystal. That’s all?”

“Did you bring the documents for the Registry Hall?”

“No.”

He checks the time on his wrist. “Get them. Meet me at the Registry Hall in one hour. Any issues?”

“None.”

“Angus, drive her.” Alastair turns and walks off without another word.

Angus stands frozen for two full seconds before remembering how to move.

Chelsea makes it to her pack residence, grabs the folder she had already prepared for Everett, and returns to the vehicle in under twenty minutes.

At the Registry Hall, the process is brutally short. Signatures. Pack seals. A clerk who barely glances up. When they step back outside, Chelsea holds the fresh mate bond certificate in both hands like it might disappear.

From this moment on, they are bound.

She turns to the male who is now, on paper, her Alpha. “Can we talk?”

Alastair raises an eyebrow. “Speak.”

They take a small table in the nearest diner. He sits like the chair belongs to him.

“What’s on your mind?”

Chelsea keeps her voice low. “This might be bold, but I need a promise. Don’t announce the mate bond to the packs yet. I still have personal mess to clean up. I don’t want any of it touching Crowhurst Holdings or your rank. You can live however you want. I won’t interfere.”

A spark she cannot read moves through his eyes. Silence stretches.

Finally, he answers. “I can agree. But I have terms of my own.”

“Name them.”

“First, you move into my estate today. A public image of a solid mate bond requires it. Second, I have my own pack matters to settle. I will reveal the mate bond and your status whenever it serves me. Those two points are not open for debate.”

“Done.”

Chelsea leaves the diner the second the words leave her mouth.

Angus Reid slips into the empty seat a moment later. He studies Alastair’s face.

“Alpha, I still say we investigate her. Fully.”

Alastair’s thumb brushes the edge of his coffee cup. “Do it. I want to know exactly why a female would ask a stranger for a strategic mate bond.”

“Yes, sir. But… have you met Miss Wren before?”

Alastair’s gaze stays fixed on the door Chelsea just used. A slow, unreadable smile curves his mouth.

“From now on, Angus, you address her as Luna Crowhurst.”