Chapter 4

The hallway felt endless as Ivan led me toward the main hall. My legs were shaking with each step.

"What are they like?" I asked quietly. "The brothers?"

"Different," Ivan said without looking back. "Very different."

We stopped in front of massive double doors. Ivan straightened his jacket and looked at me.

"Remember, miss. Show respect. Address them as Alpha. Don't speak unless spoken. Your life depends on making a good impression.”

He pushed open the doors.

The main hall was enormous. A fireplace big enough to stand in. More crystal chandeliers. And at the far end, three men standing behind a long table.

I knew immediately who they were. The power rolling off them hit me like a wave. All three were tall, broad-shouldered, with the same dark hair and sharp features. But there were differences.

The one in the middle smiled when he saw me. A warm, welcoming smile that didn't reach his eyes.

The one on the left looked me up and down like he was inspecting something. His jaw was tight, his hands clenched.

The one on the right seemed almost nervous, glancing between his brothers and me.

"Kiera Thorne," the middle one said in a smooth voice. "Welcome to our home. I'm Soren Grimshaw."

He gestured to his left. "My brother Dante." The possessive-looking one nodded curtly.

"And Tarlon," Soren continued, indicating the nervous one. "We've been looking forward to meeting you."

What did that mean? How long had they known about me?

"Come closer," Dante commanded. His voice was rough, impatient. "Let us see what we're getting."

I took a few steps forward but stopped when I saw the papers spread across the table. Contracts. Legal documents. My future written out in black ink.

"These are the terms of your arrangement," Soren said, following my gaze. "Everything clearly outlined. Nothing hidden."

"What arrangement exactly?" I asked.

"Marriage," Dante said bluntly. "You'll be our mate. Our Luna. Mother to our heirs."

"All three of you?" The words came out as a whisper.

"It's not as complicated as it sounds," Soren said gently. "We share everything. Territory, pack, resources. Why not a mate?"

"Because I'm not a thing to be shared!"

Dante's eyes flashed with anger. "You're whatever we say you are. Your pack sold you to us. That makes you our property."

"Dante," Tarlon spoke for the first time. His voice was softer than his brothers'. "She's not property. She's going to be our Luna."

"Same thing," Dante muttered.

"It's not the same thing at all," I said, finding some courage. "Luna has rights. Has choices."

"You'll have plenty of choices," Soren said smoothly. "What to wear, what to eat, how to spend your days. Within reason, of course."

"What about the choice to leave?"

"Why would you want to leave?" Soren asked. "You'll have luxury beyond anything you've ever imagined. Status, power, protection."

"...from the world that calls you cursed," Soren said quietly. "From the packs that would hunt you down for the deaths of your mates. From a life of running and hiding."

He was right and I hated that he was right.

"Look around you," Soren continued. "This could all be yours. A real home. A real family. People who won't abandon you when things get difficult."

"People who bought me," I said bitterly.

"People who rescued you," Dante corrected harshly. "From a pack that was ready to let you rot."

The truth in his words hurt worse.

"What exactly would my duties be?" I asked, hating how small my voice sounded.

"Standard Luna responsibilities," Soren replied. "Representing the pack at social functions. Managing household affairs. Providing heirs."

"Heirs?" I looked at all three of them. "How would that work?"

"However nature decides," Tarlon said gently. "The children would be loved and claimed by all of us regardless."

"That's assuming I agree to any of this."

"What's your alternative?" Dante asked. "Go back to your pack that just called you a murderer? Try another pack that will reject you the moment they learn your name?"

"I could go live with humans."

"For how long?" Soren asked. "Until your wolf nature drives you insane? Until you shift accidentally and expose our entire species?"

I hadn't thought of that. Werewolves couldn't survive long-term in human society without going feral.

"Sign the contract, Kiera," Dante said impatiently. "Stop wasting our time."

"I want to read it first."

"Of course," Soren said. "Take all the time you need."

He pushed the papers toward me. I picked up the first page and started reading.

The text was dense, full of legal language I barely understood. But some parts were clear enough.

TERM: Four years from signing date**

DUTIES: Standard Luna responsibilities, household management, social representation, heir production**

COMPENSATION: Room, board, clothing, jewelry, monthly allowance**

TERMINATION: Contract void upon completion of term or mutual agreement of all parties**

It sounded almost reasonable. Too reasonable.

"This seems fair," I said suspiciously.

"It is fair," Soren assured me. "We're not monsters, Kiera. We want you to be happy here."

I flipped through more pages. Some sections were printed in bold black ink, clear and easy to read. But other parts seemed faded, harder to make out.

"What's with the different printing?" I asked.

"Legal formatting requirements," James said quickly. "Standard contract presentation."

Something felt wrong but I couldn't put my finger on what.

"Where do I sign?"

"Right here," Soren pointed to a line at the bottom of the last page.

I looked at the three brothers watching me. Dante looked hungry, possessive. Soren looked patient but there was something cold in his eyes. Tarlon looked almost guilty.

I thought about my pack calling me a murderer. About Rebecca's cruel laughter. About having nowhere else to go.

But I also thought about something else. About the power these brothers had. About the resources they controlled. About what I might be able to do with that power.

If they wanted to use me, maybe I could use them too.

"I need a pen," I said.

Dante smiled triumphantly. Soren handed me an expensive-looking pen. Tarlon looked relieved.

I signed my name at the bottom of the contract. **Kiera Thorne.**

"Welcome to the family," Soren said warmly.

"Welcome home," Tarlon added softly.

"Welcome to your new life," Dante said with satisfaction.

James immediately began gathering the papers. "I'll file these immediately. The marriage will be legally recognized by morning."

Marriage? Oh yes it's the same thing under werewolf law. legally bonded to all three Alphas

Soren said. "Don't worry. We'll ease you into your new responsibilities."

"What new responsibilities?"

Dante stepped around the table toward me. "Starting tonight."

"Tonight?" I backed away from him. "What do you mean tonight?"

“You'll find out when it's time”