CHAPTER 2: THE STRANGE FEELING

“Ariana?” he said, stunned.

She beamed, walking closer. “Alpha Austin.”

He stepped back slightly, confused. “You’re my mate?”

Ariana tilted her head. “I think so. The Moon Goddess has her way, right? I’m the old beta’s daughter… you’ve known me since we were pups. But I never thought we'd share the mate bond.”

Austin moved closer to her, something inside him unsure, unsettled. He gently shifted her blouse from the side of her neck and saw the mark.

“My bite,” he whispered.

Ariana smiled wider and pulled him into a hug, wrapping her arms tightly around him.

As she pressed her cheek to his, her smile deepened, but her eyes grew colder.

Austin… she thought to herself. I won’t let you love anyone else. From today on, I’m your mate, and I will be your Luna. No matter what it takes.

But in the depths of Austin’s chest, something felt wrong. Something wasn’t clicking. The bond still felt… hollow.

Unseen by him, Ariana’s fingers twitched nervously behind his back, like she was hiding something.

The black car pulled up slowly in front of the grand Vinci mansion. Thick stone walls, massive iron gates, and a strange chill in the air welcomed Rosemary as she stepped out. The place didn’t feel like a home—it felt like a fortress.

The front door opened with a soft creak, and a maid stood politely with her head bowed.

“Please wait here a moment, miss,” the maid said in a quiet voice. “I will inform the Alpha and the elders that you’ve arrived.”

Before Rosemary could reply, the maid disappeared into the mansion.

Now alone in the massive entrance hall, Rosemary took a deep breath and looked around. The place smelled of pinewood, leather, and something else… something unfamiliar.

She whispered to herself, “So this is a werewolf pack… It feels different. Cold, but alive. I’ve heard they have a strong network… Maybe they can help me find my parents.”

Her thoughts were interrupted by a noise down the hallway. A muffled sound… voices? No—kissing?

Curious, she tiptoed closer.

As she peeked around the corner, her breath hitched. A man and a woman were locked in a heated embrace, the man’s mouth devouring the woman’s like they were starving. Her bag slipped from her hand and fell to the floor with a soft thud.

The couple didn’t notice.

Austin Vinci was trying to seal the bond. His hands trembled as he tried to push a drop of his blood into the mark he had already made on Ariana’s neck.

He mumbled to himself, “I’ve already made the bite mark. Now all I have to do is add my blood… but why can’t I finish it?”

Ariana leaned into him, stroking his arm. “Austin,” she said sweetly, “maybe it’s just nerves.”

But Austin stepped back, frowning. “No. I feel like something’s blocking me.”

—A Few Hours Earlier—

Ariana stood in a shadowy room lit with only candles. Across from her, a cloaked magician sat cross-legged.

“Austin has found his mate,” Ariana said, dropping a strand of hair from a brush onto the table. “Here. Use this. Do a little magic. I need him to believe I’m the only one.”

The magician’s face turned pale. “To tamper with a mate bond... it’s a sin against the Moon Goddess. I can’t do it!”

Ariana’s smile faded. In one swift move, she grabbed the magician by the neck and squeezed, her voice low and deadly.

“Do I need to remind you what happened the last time someone said no to me? Now do it.”

Terrified, the magician chanted a spell, and suddenly, a glowing bond mark appeared on Ariana’s neck.

“This spell will dull his ability to sense his real mate,” the magician warned. “But if he gets too close to her... it’ll all fall apart.”

—Present—

Back in the hallway, Ariana smiled up at Austin again. “Maybe we should try the first step again?”

Austin leaned in.

But that was the moment he caught something—a scent. Sweet. Sharp. Unmistakable.

His eyes darted to the hallway—Rosemary stood there, frozen.

His heart skipped a beat.

“That scent… so sweet… why does it feel familiar?” he thought. “Human…”

Rosemary’s thoughts spiraled. Great. I’m marrying a total jerk who already has a girlfriend. Could this get any worse?

Before she could turn away, Austin grabbed her by the arm.

In a blink, he had dragged her outside.

They stood under a large tree, moonlight casting silver light on her face. He pressed her gently but firmly against the trunk.

Rosemary’s eyes widened, her breathing fast. She was scared but refused to show it.

“You smell familiar,” Austin said, voice rough. “Have we met before?”

She scoffed. “Seriously? That’s your line? Right after making out with your girlfriend? How impressive.”

He stepped back, holding his chest like something was twisting inside.

“Why is my heart—just like that night… Could she be... the one I marked?”

His eyes narrowed.

“Pull down your collar,” he ordered.

“What?!”

Before she could stop him, Austin yanked the collar of her blouse, searching her neck.

Nothing.

He froze. Confused. Angry.

“What was I thinking…” he muttered. “There’s no way she’s my mate.”

Rosemary pushed him hard. “Keep your hands to yourself, creep!”

SLAP!

Her hand left a red mark on his cheek. “I can’t believe I have to marry a jerk like you!”

She stormed back toward the mansion, her heart pounding, tears stinging her eyes.

Austin stood under the tree, touching his face, more confused than ever.

But deep inside, something still didn’t feel right.

And above them, hidden in the shadows of the balcony, Ariana watched everything—eyes cold, jaw clenched.

She whispered, “No one’s taking him from me… not even you, Rosemary.”

Rosemary stormed back into the mansion, her steps echoing through the cold garden. Her cheeks were flushed with anger, and her heart still raced from what had just happened under the tree. That man—Austin—was beyond arrogant. And the woman wrapped around him? A perfect match for him.

Outside, under the same tree, Austin stood unmoving. The slap still tingled on his cheek, but his expression wasn’t one of rage. It was something else.

Something strange.

His lips curled slightly as he muttered under his breath, “Nobody’s ever dared challenge me like that. Hm… fascinating.”

Just then, Ariana appeared beside him. Her eyes searched his face. She noticed the red mark and stiffened.

“Austin, you suddenly disappeared,” she said softly, wrapping her arms around his. “I was worried. That human girl… she’s so rude. I can’t believe you have to marry someone like that.”

Austin’s eyes narrowed, but he didn’t look at her. His voice was cool and distant.

“There’s nothing between us,” he said flatly. “And there never will be.”

Ariana’s smile faltered.