Chapter 04

Alana POV

Dexton went back to the dining table and took the documents. “Follow me,” he said.

We headed towards the courtroom, each step dragging me closer to confronting the monster I was fated to. My heart raced and my palms grew clammy, but I held my chin high, determined not to be walked all over again.

We entered the courtroom, and Dexton strode towards his throne with effortless authority. He sat on the throne like a king born for it, while I remained by his side.

The door burst open, and Jared stormed in, seething with fury. The guard tried to stop him, but he pushed them away, fuming.

“Leave me alone,” Jared growled. His eyes scanned the room until they rested on me.

“Alana, why did you run away yesterday and leave me humiliated on the altar?” he asked softly, his eyes holding a glint of sadness so convincing that I almost fell for it. Without waiting for my reply, he continued, “You know what? I forgive you. Let’s just forget about it and go home.”

I stared at him blankly as too many emotions crashed into me all at once. I thought when I finally saw him, I would be able to confront him. But here I was, frozen in a spot, with a gut-wrenching feeling eating me from inside. He began walking towards the door as though he was expecting me to follow, but I stayed glued to where I was.

He glanced back, his eyes darkening. “Alana, aren’t you coming home with me?” His eyes flickered, irritated, and I could tell he was suppressing his anger.

“I’m not going with you,” I muttered, finally finding my voice.

“What do you mean?” He growled, his eyes beginning to look dangerous.

“I’m staying here, Jared,” I replied firmly, standing my ground. I could feel Dexton’s silent yet intense gaze on me, watching the entire scene unfold.

“What? Why?” He demanded, his voice rising. “What has gotten into you?” He suddenly gave an evil laugh. “Look around you, Alana, do you really think you belong here? You wouldn’t even survive a day. After all, what use is a frail wolf like you to the Savage Wolf?”

That was it! I’ve had enough of his bullying. Dexton’s growl rumbled through the room, but I had it under control.

I stepped closer to where the guards blocked him, looked him dead in the eye, and said. “I'd rather be with the Savage Wolf than be your pathetic bride.”

His eyes got darker. “You are nothing but a cheap whore!!” He snarled, lunging at me, but the guards held him back. Dexton ran swiftly towards us, grabbing his collar and pushing him against the wall.

“Touch her again and I’ll wrap your head in a box and send it to your pack,” Dexton growled deadly.

In that moment, a smile crept into my cheeks. I felt protected. Sky waggled her tail and purred in my mind. “You see, he isn’t such a bad guy.”

He pulled me closer to him, sparks flew everywhere, and my body tingled from our contact. “No one touches what’s mine,” he said, his voice menacing, low, and final.

Jared’s eyes widened, stunned and speechless. A new satisfaction swept into my mind. The look on his face was pure gold I was willing to pay for. Fortunately, more was still coming, and this was only the beginning.

One of the guards stepped forward with the contract document and brought out the marriage certificate.

Dexton collected it and threw it at Jared. “There you have it. We are legally married, if you’ll excuse us. You’ve really spoiled our morning already, so I suggest you leave. The guards will escort you out.”

“This isn’t over!” Jared shouted as the guards forced him out. “Alana, you’ll pay for the humiliation you caused me here.”

“No, you will pay for all your actions, Jared. Soon, very soon.” Dexton replied. My insides burned with laughter. I tried to contain it, but it slipped.

After he had gone, a peaceful silence rested upon us. “Urm—thank you… for intervening.” I said, turning towards Dexton.

“I did what was expected. No one should ever address you like that, not even in my presence.”

A soft smile crept onto my cheeks, and I could feel them heating up.

“Go and get dressed. We are going to the Pack House. It is time the pack sees who stands beside me.” He said.

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The packhouse was massive and gigantic. Its walls were tall and intimidating. I cleaned my sweaty palms and held my hands tightly to keep them from shaking.

“What if they didn’t approve of me? What if I can’t even handle the role? I don’t want to disappoint Dexton.” I mumbled to Sky.

“You won't, Alana. You can handle this. Don’t let them see your fear.” Sky replied, giving me newfound confidence.

“Coming?” Dexton said, stretching out his hands for me to take.

I braced myself and held his hands, the usual sparks flowing through my body. I guess it’s just me who is feeling this way. How could I forget this was strictly business?

The pack members filled the entire hall, and I was beyond surprised. BloodMoon pack members were vast in number, no wonder they were identified as one of the largest and most powerful werewolf packs. Immediately we entered, the noise died down, and everyone stood up to bow.

“All hail, Alpha Dexton.” The wolves chorused. The male wolves howled out.

“Thank you,” Dexton replied.

They lifted their heads and sat down, and Dexton began, “BloodMoon members, today, it is with great pleasure I present to you Alana, your new Luna.”

I smiled, expecting the usual round of applause pack members gave when they were introduced to the new Luna, but to my surprise, I got nothing except murmurs.

“She looks so small,” one of the she-wolves said.

“Fragile. I bet she won’t last,” another warrior said.

“Is that our Luna? The Savage Wolf can do better.”

The murmurs of some pack members cut deep into me, but I held my chin high. I couldn’t let their words get to me deeply. I knew what they wanted, and I will give them just that.

Finally, a tall, bold she-wolf stood up. “So this is our Luna?” She scoffed. “She doesn’t look like she can’t survive here, let alone stand by you.”

Dexton’s eyes became darkened as he growled, making all of them submit in fear, but I wasn’t going to allow him to defend me again.

I forced myself to meet her gaze and began, “Yes, you are right, I may not look strong to you, but strength isn’t always in the claws or muscles.” I paused and faced the crowd. “It is surviving what should have broken you. It is standing firm and resilient, willful and focused, and refusing to break. That is something I’ve done all my life.”

The halls erupted in a round of applause. The wolves nodded their heads in approval, and they looked at me with newfound respect. Dexton’s lip curled slightly, and his eyes held a soft spark, almost like he was proud of me, but he didn’t say a word. He didn’t need to.

Just as I thought the tension had settled, the doors of the hall burst open and every eye turned to the entrance.

A woman walked in, tall, curvy, and breathtakingly beautiful. Her aura commanded enough to cause a gasp on everyone’s lips. Her eyes locked with Dexton’s in a familiar gaze that made my stomach churn.

“Dexton,” she said, her voice clear like crystal. “So the rumors were true.”

The whispers began. “It’s her.”

“She’s back.”

“His first mate.”

I froze on the spot. His first mate?