Chapter 4: Welcome to hell

AVIONNA’S POV

That night, sleep didn't come easy. I tossed and turned, pondering all that had taken place during the day.

When the sun finally rose, it still felt like I was trapped in a dream.

Today, I was leaving for Saturn Pack with Alpha Fabian, a decision I hadn’t been allowed to contest. I hadn’t even caught a glimpse of him anywhere after he left the reception hall last night.

It had been Jonas, Ivy’s mate and now husband who’d given me a note from him.

“Tomorrow morning, 8:00am.”

It was really short, clearly not what I was expecting but at least, my new mate hadn’t totally ignored my existence.

I got out of bed and dressed quietly, gathering the few things I’d brought with me from Aunt’s Morticia.

When I finally stepped downstairs, the house was already abuzz with a flurry of activities, just like before except that I didn’t have to be up early to join the maids in ensuring the house was squeaky clean like Mother always liked it.

My steps slowed when I spotted her and Dad standing near the entrance with Ivy and her husband. Mother’s attention was on Ivy, fussing over her dress and smoothening an imaginary crease from her sleeves.

Dad spotted me first. I thought he would say something to me but he barely acknowledged me and turned to fix his gaze on Mother instead, who was now pulling Ivy in for a hug.

“Take care of yourself, cupcake. I’ll miss you so much.”

“I will, Mom,” Ivy nodded dutifully, patting her mom’s back.

“You make sure she doesn’t get hurt too,” Mother fixed a stare on Jonas afterwards, trying unsuccessfully to appear stern. Sometimes, she forgot the formalities that Pack hierarchies required. Jonas might be her son-in-law, but he was still the Gamma of the Saturn Pack.

I stood several feet away, my fingers tightening around the handle of my suitcase. The scene unfolding before me wasn’t really surprising. I had lost all hope for my Dad after what happened last night.

Ivy was the first to speak to me. Her gaze swept over me then rested on my suitcase. “You don’t look like you got much sleep, Avi. You must be excited.”

As if. The dark circles beneath my eyes were a testament to the restless night I’d endured, while the dull ache at the back of my head refused to let up.

I couldn’t be bothered to indulge her in her witty game of pretense though, so I ignored her. Seconds later, Mother called my name, drawing my attention to herself.

“How lucky you are, Avionna. You’re Alpha Fabian’s mate. You’ll be his Luna, and once you bear his heir, your position will be solidified.”

Sometimes, I wondered if Mother was simply gullible or completely delusional. Alpha Fabian’s history was hardly a secret. His story had been among the most publicized in major Packs.

What made her think he would actually make me his Luna, let alone allow me to bear his heir?

More importantly, I wasn’t even sure I wanted any of that.

“Alright, let’s not get ahead of ourselves…” Dad interjected with a clearing of his throat.

“Alpha Fabian’s here,” he added, nudging his head to a spot behind me.

I looked over my shoulder, and spotted my mate. He stood some distance away, watching us with an impenetrable look, the same expression he’d worn last night. It made me wonder what exactly could get to him.

With the awareness of his presence, the atmosphere shifted instantly. He didn’t spare my parents, nor Ivy and her husband more than a brief glance before his attention settled on me.

“Are you ready?”

I looked down at my suitcase, hesitating, before I gave a simple nod.

“Yes.”

He nodded once, then turned towards the door. That was it. No ceremony, nor farewell.

I grabbed my suitcase and walked over to him while Father and Mother said their goodbyes to Ivy.

No one stopped me. Then again, there had never been anyone who cared to.

******

The journey to Saturn Pack was nothing like I’d imagined.

I’d spent the entire first hour waiting for Fabian to say something that would confirm my worst fears but that moment never came. He wasn’t cold to me like I expected, but that was because he barely spoke to me.

The one time he’d addressed me was midway through the journey, when he had grabbed a snack bar from a hidden compartment when my stomach grumbled embarrassingly.

He’d thrown it to me without a word, and didn’t even look my way when he did.

It was strange. I had expected cruelty, perhaps even some indication that he resented having me as his mate. Instead, he barely acknowledged my existence.

I found myself stealing glances at him for the rest of the journey, unable to reconcile this man with the image I’d created in my head. Perhaps I had been wrong.

Perhaps accepting me hadn’t been some elaborate scheme. Maybe he truly wanted his mate.

The word sent a strange warmth through my chest. My wolf stirred with unmistakable contentment, obviously just happy to be close to our mate. I pushed her away quickly, refusing to let myself get swept up in the feeling.

I had thought the same thing about Lucien once, and that hope had crushed me.

By the time we arrived at Saturn Pack, the sun had begun to set. The pack grounds were nothing like Crescent Pack and the Alpha estate stood surrounded by thick forests, with towering stone walls enclosing the property.

Everything about the place felt imposing and powerful.

As we stepped inside, a woman hurried toward us. She looked to be in her late forties, with dark hair pulled neatly into a bun and a warm expression on her face.

“Welcome home, Alpha.”

Alpha Fabian nodded, a wane of a smile emerging on his lips. The first actual expression he’d worn the entire day.

The woman’s eyes moved to me, and her face softened. “Welcome, Luna.

I blinked, shocked by the sudden address.

“Oh, I’m not…”

“Martha will lead you to your room,” Fabian interrupted before I could finish.

I looked at him, but he had already turned away, leaving me with the unfamiliar woman who smiled at me.

“My name is Martha. I’ll show you to your room.”

“Thank you.” I responded, forcing myself to muster a polite smile.

Martha was nothing but kind to me. She showed me the room prepared for me, explained where everything was and assured me that anything I needed would be brought to me.

There were even fresh flowers beside the bed, and it was ridiculous how much that small gesture affected me.

I sat on the edge of the bed after she left, staring at the flowers, deep in thought.

With what I’d seen, maybe…just maybe things could be different here.

I had spent years believing I was destined to be hated because of something I hadn’t done, but perhaps Alpha Fabian didn’t see me that way. This could be an opportunity the Moon Goddess was giving me, a salve to my old wounds.

So, for the first time in years, I allowed myself to feel something dangerously close to hope. I even managed to fall asleep and when I woke up, night had fallen.

The door opened while I was still trying to adjust my vision to the dim lighting of the room, and Alpha Fabian stepped inside.

I jerked up immediately. Something about his demeanor had changed. His expression was cold, and his eyes were darker than I’d ever seen them.

He shut the door behind him, then began to step towards me.

My instinct kicked in, and my heart began to beat faster. He stopped right in front of me and my back stood a little straighter.

“Alpha Fabian…?” I called, uncertain, watching as his lips curled up slowly.

“Is something wrong?” I asked, swallowing thickly.

He didn’t respond, he just stared at me with that strange smile etched on his face.

Seconds ticked between us, every hair on my body standing on end. Just when I thought I would get up and bolt, he reached out and closed his fingers around my chin, forcing me to meet his eyes.

The touch was electric, but I was too unsettled to appreciate the sensation. His smile widened, but there was nothing warm about it.

“I’m pleased to be the one to break it to you, Avionna.” His fingers tightened slightly around my chin.

“Welcome to hell.”