Chapter Three

Dahlia’s POV

The impact of the fall was harsh. Falling off the 3rd floor in a large mansion, as this should have left me with a broken neck. But my Alpha bones were stronger. Around 2 a.m., I slowly regained consciousness. The moon was bright, and the gentle breeze caressed my bare skin. I looked around. I was in the flower garden, and behind me was the apple tree under which Lunar Jane hosted her coffee parties.

I gathered my long gown with my hand as I hoisted myself up, struggling to remain on my feet. I had sustained a huge gash on my forehead, and it bled into my eyes. Climbing back through the window at such a height was impossible. But I doubted that the guards at the entrance would let me in. So I decided to spend the rest of the night at the home of Madame Boston, the woman who babysat me as a child, before my father passed away.

The path to the tiny cottage she lived in was long, dark, and sloppy, but I found determination in my neediness. I gathered the long ball Darryn bought for me and started walking. Madame Boston, who was fired from the pack service by my uncle and his wife. They hated everyone who was associated with my father; they made sure to get rid of them.

A few minutes into my walk, my eyes suddenly caught something under the apple tree in the orchard, the one Luna Jane would normally spend all her days under. I thought I thought it was an animal, a fox, or even a bear, but the moonlight made my wolf sight sharper in the dark. I saw a dark figure, looking like a man, but when I moved closer, I saw that two people were standing under this tree.

Quickly, I moved backwards and hid under another tree, taking care not to be seen. There were two people under the street at this odd time of the night. These two people were dressed in black attire that made it hard to recognize them. The distance between my tree and the apple tree also made it difficult to make out their conversation. But whatever it was, at that moment it could not be good. I was sure of it.

After a few more moments, one of the men under the tree stepped forward and covered his head with a black hoodie, looking around to make sure he wasn't being watched. While the other simply walked into the thicket beside the garden. My heart began to thump. Who was this person, and what was he doing on the pack property?

My questions were soon answered. The dark figure dipped his hand into his pocket and fished out a phone. In that instant, he took off his covering, but I was not prepared for the person I saw. Dimitri Mooncoast, the Beta of the pack! Dimitri managed nearly all the affairs of the pack and was second in command to my uncle. He was a close accomplice of Hera and the chief operations officer of my family's company.

At that same instant, the other figure took off his veil, and I felt my blood drain out of my veins.

Luna Jane!

Why would Luna and Dimitri be meeting in secret? What was going on between them? I tried to listen to their conversation, but the distance was too far, and they were speaking in hushed tones.

I didn't know what to think, and in the end, I had to go on my way.

I spent the night in one of the empty cottages in the forest. It used to belong to the woman who raised me when my father was still alive. I ignored the moss and dark cobwebs in the room and settled onto the stiff bed. My mind couldn’t process the sudden twist of events. From being a lowly, hated slave to the Alpha’s bride. Turns out the moon goddess actually heard my prayers.

If Darryn hadn’t presented me at the banquet, I would have considered it all a weird dream. I didn’t know when I slept, but I was woken with a sudden bang on the door. The sudden noise jolted me awake, and I raised my head to find the door of the cottage collapsing.

“Dahlia! What are you doing here?”

“Darryn! How did you get here?”

He stormed towards me and gathered me off the bed. “The onlookers told me what Hera did. They saw you fall out of the window.”

“Oh, that. Hera has always been—”

“No! She had no right to treat you in that manner!” I saw Darryn‘s dark eyes flash with rage, and a chill ran down my spine. “You are the Luna of the Regal Wolf Kingdom! You deserve respect.”

“But I’m fine; you don’t need to worry about me or—”

But Darryn wasn't listening to me, and it was only when he stepped outside that I saw the numerous soldiers he came along with. It hurt to see Madame Boston‘s cottage in shambles, especially as the numerous memories flashed across my mind. Someday I would find the answers to my identity, and I would look back.

When we arrived back at the castle, Alpha Darius, Luna Jane, and Hera were outside, pacing back and forth. They fell to their faces the instant we walked in.

“Is this how you dishonor my family!” He bawled. “By trying to kill my bride?”

“No,” My uncle stuttered, lowering his gaze. “This is not my doing, and I’m pretty sure it was an accident.

Darryn did not raise his voice.

That frightened everyone more than a roar would have.

“An accident,” he repeated slowly, his gaze never leaving my uncle’s face. “Your wife pushed my bride from the third floor of your castle. She bled. She disappeared. And your guards did nothing.”

My uncle swallowed. “Alpha Darryn, I am very sorry about this. I will manage the affairs of my pack properly from now on.”

“No, you will do as I say!”

Luna Jane went stone cold with anger.

“This is my pack. My household. You cannot—”

“I can,” Darryn interrupted calmly. “And I will.”

A stunned silence fell.

Darryn turned slightly, his eyes cutting toward Luna Jane. “As of this moment, Luna Jane is stripped of her title.”

The words struck like thunder.

“Did you hear me, Darius?”

“Yes,” my uncle stuttered. “She has been stripped. I‘ll do anything you say.”

Luna Jane staggered back. “You have no authority—”

“You forget yourself,” Darryn said coldly. “I am Alpha of the Regal Wolf Kingdom. Your mate’s pack exists under my protection. Under my treaty. Under my name.”

My uncle’s face drained of color.

“You will obey,” Darryn continued. “Or I will withdraw my protection. Your borders will fall. Your allies will vanish. And your enemies,” he paused, letting the implication settle, “will smell blood.”

The choice was no choice at all.

My uncle bowed his head.

“Yes… Alpha Darryn.”

Luna Jane’s lips trembled. “You wouldn’t dare.”

Darryn looked at her then, truly looked at her, and something sharp flashed in his eyes. “You are no longer a Luna. You will address me properly.”

The soldiers moved instantly, grabbing her.

“No—!” she cried, clutching at my uncle, but he stepped away from her, fear eclipsing loyalty.

“Escort her to the castle,” Darryn ordered. “She will be confined to the east wing. No servants. No guests. No authority.”

Hera screamed as she was dragged along, her voice echoing through the stone corridors. I watched her vanish behind the heavy doors, her power stripped as easily as a cloak.

Inside the great hall, Darryn turned to the assembled elders and guards.

“From today onward,” he announced, “Dahlia is under my protection. Any insult to her is an insult to me. Any harm to her is a declaration of war.”