chapter 5

Neriah 

The forest is burning. I ran until I can't run again, but the shadow kept following me.  A man comes out of the fire, looking powerful but faceless. I  told him to help me,  but when his fingers touched my skin, a chain coiled around my wrist, connecting with me. 

 “No, leave me alone,” I shouted, fighting as the forest burned into ashes. 

The faceless man moved closer, holding me tight. “You’re mine,” he snarled, voice dark and final. 

“No,” I screamed as my body jolted awake.

My eyes blinked open, landing on the white ceiling above me. My heart raced, hot sweat soaking the bedsheets as my eyes became clearer and smell of antiseptic filled my nose.

I was in a hospital.

Pain coursed through me as several memories of everything I’ve been through flashed through my eyes, and how I fell into the poison trap that tore my body apart. 

Swallowing the bitterness, I raised my head small and saw a man sitting on a leather chair opposite me, one arm resting on the armrest, the other on his jaw as if he’s waiting for me to wake up. He’s deadly handsome. His chiseled jaw, thick lips, and pointed nose moulded to perfection. 

“You’re awake.” he said, his alpha power rolling off him like smoke. The hair on my body rose as his gaze linger on me like a predator hunting for prey, my muscles stiffened under his intense gaze. 

“Who are you?” I wondered, voice louder than intended. 

His expression hardened. I could swear I saw something like pain before it disappeared as if my question hit something. His expression changed and I realized I've said something wrong.

“Jasper!” he bit out, each word laced with venom. “Alpha of Moonveil.” 

It didn't ring a bell at first, but sweat trickled down my spinethe moment it clicked. 

Jasper Storm? 

He’s indeed an Alpha. His dominating aura spread in the air that I felt suffocated and oppressed. I thought I'd escaped my misery, but turns out I ended up in the lion's den. The biggest, but merciless pack in the whole of Europe. 

Jasper was the deadliest alpha alive. His legacy was forged in blood and fear. He ruled without mercy, killed without thinking twice, smarter and stronger than any alpha in the world. So how can I end up in his pack of all places when I was trying to escape. This is bad. 

“Why did you help me?” I asked, tears welling in my eyes knowing my plans of getting revenge had just been destroyed even though I know I shouldn't shout at him. “Why didn’t you just let me die.”   

His eyes snapped towards me, drained of color. “I didn’t help you.” he snarled. “so don’t mistake me for merciful.” 

I stiffened in fear, but since he said he didn't help me, I guess I can move forward then. “Fine, I was just passing through your pack, I’ll pay for my medical bills and leave.” 

He tilted his head, the smallest curve of cruelty on his lips. “And who said you could leave.” 

A shiver ran down my spine as I stared at his face. 

“You are a rogue from the time you entered my territory and that makes you mine to deal with. You owe me your life and I'll do what I want to it and decide how you repay me.” His voice deepened, heavy with command, eyes glowing into golden light – it was the same eyes that helped me on that day.  

I held my breath, anger rising inside me even though my inside was shaking. “You can’t stop me. You don’t even know me.” 

Something flickered in his eyes as if he didn’t expect me to talk back, but gone in seconds. He let the silence stretch, the room suffocating, but before he spoke, the door opened and a girl about my age entered, breathing heavily as if she’s been running, tears rolling down her eyes. A man also entered behind her and stood beside Jasper.

“Letana!” she cried, running to hug me. “I missed you so much.” 

“It’s Luna to you, Becca!” Jasper said and my eyes widened in shock. 

Luna? 

My stomach dropped, ice spreading through my veins. What the fuck is going on here? 

How can he call me Luna when I’m not even his mate and he didn't know me before. Besides, how long I’ve I been here? Why is he talking like this has already been decided.

I searched his eyes, but it was empty as if he didn't just say the funniest thing I've heard in my life.   

“Sorry, Alpha. I’m just happy to see her. I was so scared she won’t wake up again after one week.” 

One week? I've been unconscious for one whole week? How potent is the poison? How can they even… 

“How do you feel, Luna?” the man who I still don’t know asked, breaking into my thoughts. “I’m sorry the poison affects you this much.”

“I…” I started, but don’t know what to say. as if sensing my confusion, Jasper stood up, walked to me, then pulled the girl off my side and sat beside me on the bed. I shifted on impulse. Everything was happening so fast that I didn't understand anything.

He gently put his hand on mine, and squeezed it warmly before meeting my gaze. 

“As you can see,” he said softly, “My Luna just woke up and she needs me beside her, so leave. I want her to rest.” he spoke using his Alpha tone, leaving them with no choice.

I could only watch, unable to say anything through the confusion. 

“I will come back soon with the new soup recipe I found, Luna.” Becca said, reluctantly following the man. 

“Don’t come back here.” Jasper spats.

As soon as the door closed, he stood up and sat on the chair he hated me.

“What do you think you’re doing?” I asked, voice breaking with anger. 

Jasper’s gaze held me, steady and unrelenting before he said something that stole air from my lungs. 

 “Be my Luna.”

My breath stilled as the words settled in. I thought I didn't hear him correctly, but his expression didn't change. A laugh escaped my lip, sharp and disbelieving at how ridiculous he is. 

But his expression still didn't change. 

Currents passed through my body. I couldn't believe he's offering me the same position that has caused me so many things. The same position Alina desperately wanted that made her take everything from me. I'm not even his mate or has he seen me before. Yet he talks like this is exactly what he wants. As if this is his decision and I can see that he's serious.

“I don't need to know you, but I know you ran away from your pack. And that mark,” he pointed to a star shaped mark at the back of my palm. “is enough to know which pack you belong to and I’ll make sure I take you there.”

My blood ran cold, fear rising in my chest. Take me back to Redmoon? Back to the hellhole where I came from. No. Just thinking about it made me sick. Yet a part of me knew what the position he’s giving me means. I should be happy that I’ll be respected, get connections and everything I need will be provided. But no, I am not happy. My heart felt empty, and nothing can feel the void except I get revenge on everyone that hurt me. 

“I’m not your mate,” I snapped, anger cutting through my fears. “Someone like me can't be Luna and what happens to me when you find your mate?” 

Alpha’s like Jasper don’t give without taking back. They use and discard people when they are not useful again.

“The deal won't be long. I just need you to…” He paused, sighing in frustration, his gaze flickering on me. “Money, protection, power, just say it and it’ll give you. Or get the fuck out of my pack.” 

The truth hit me like rock that I don't have a choice. Jasper is not the type to beg, especially not someone like me. And If I say no, I’d be killed before I leave the room but if I agree with him, I could buy myself some time and maybe even use him. All I have to do is be his Luna for some time before he finds his real mate. But only if he knows how dark and bitter my life is, maybe he won't ask someone like his Luna. 

My throat felt tight, my heart racing, but I forced myself to say it. “I’ll do it.” 

He nodded, but I couldn't help but notice the satisfaction on his face, my chest tightened with worry as he stood up and walked to me.