born a human; reborn a luna

four

Chapter 04

Carl Donaldson.

“She's your mate but she might not even notice because of the laid curse.” My wolf said within, making me scoff in disbelief.

I stood in my study, staring at the map in front of me. It was marked with red pins, each one representing a recent rogue sighting near the borders. The patterns were becoming bolder every passing day. This wasn’t chaos…it was strategy, a plan that was working out.

I clenched my jaw, the weight of responsibility pressing down on me like it always did. As Alpha of this kingdom’s most powerful pack, every decision I made rippled through the lives of thousands. And now, with Elsie ... .no, Ivy—under my roof, the stakes have grown higher.

The sound of the door creaking open drew my attention. Without looking up, I spoke. “What is it?”

One of my advisors, Lucas, stepped inside. His face was as grim as ever, his dark eyes sharp. “The patrols are ready to move out,” he said. “But there’s still unrest among the pack about… her.”

Of course, there was. I didn’t expect anything less.

“She’s my wife now,” I said curtly. “The pack will fall in line.”

“Wife or not, she’s unproven,” Lucas pressed. “The wolves need assurance that she’s loyal to us, that she understands our ways.”

I turned to him, my gaze cold. “And they’ll get it. In time. Are they now even questioning my authority, Lucas? I thought you always had it in control, so what happened now?”

I watched him hesitate, clearly weighing his next words carefully. “Time isn’t something we have in abundance, carl. The rogues are organizing, and their leaders are emboldened. If they sense weakness…..”

“There is no weakness,” I snapped angrily.. “Not in me. Not in this pack. And not my mate. Let's get that straight now.”

The word felt foreign on my tongue. Mate. I hadn’t chosen Elsie. The marriage was a political necessity, a way to seal alliances and strengthen our position. But now that she was here, things were… complicated.

She wasn’t like the other women at court…those who simpered and bowed, eager to please. Elsie had fire. I saw it in her eyes every time she looked at me, the confidence she barely kept in check.

It was frustrating. It was infuriating.

It was fascinating.

“Dismissed,” I said, waving Marcus away.

He left without another word, and I was alone again. I leaned against the desk, exhaling slowly. The room felt too small, the air too thick.

I thought back to the ceremony, the moment she’d hesitated before saying, “I do.” That brief pause had spoken loud things. She didn’t want this any more than I did. But she’d gone through with it, and that told me something important about her: she wasn’t weak.

That fire of hers would either be her greatest asset….or her downfall.

A soft knock at the door broke my thoughts. I frowned. It was late, and most of the estate was asleep. “Enter.”

The door opened slowly, and Clara stepped inside. She was the maid who never seemed to leave Elsie’s side. A loyal one. It was obvious she didn’t notice any changes in Ivy. She curtsied, her hands clasped tightly in front of her.

“My lord,” she said nervously, “I thought you should know… the princess is restless.”

Restless. That word barely got the surface of what I’d seen in Elsie.

“Where is she?” I asked.

“She was wandering the halls earlier,” Clara said. “I believe she’s returned to her chambers now.”

I nodded, dismissing her with a wave. As the door closed behind her, I felt an uneasiness in me..

Elsie wasn’t just restless. She was curious. Observant. And far too smart for her own good.

I had seen her that night, standing at the top of the stairs, watching us in the council chamber. She thought she was smart but nothing escaped me in my own domain. She had heard enough to know there was more to this world than she understood, and now she probably might be searching for answers.

That was dangerous.

And yet, a part of me couldn’t help but admire her resilience. She was coursed into this life without warning, surrounded by strangers and dangers she didn’t know about, and still, she stood tall.

She reminded me of someone.

I shook the thought away, unwilling to dwell on old wounds.

Pushing off the desk, I made my way to the window.

“What about this Lady?” I heard Maria's voice from the back and I raised my brows up in awe.

“I warned you several times not to enter my chamber unannounced. I don't like it. The next time you act like this, I won't have a thought that you are my father's step daughter, I will throw you out and have them lock you in the dungeon.” I threatened and she scoffed.

“Oh really? I hope you know you don't own me here. This isn't about me entering your room unannounced but that woman right there, is something dangerous. She's cursed and she doesn't even know anything about this place. She's just a spoiled brat who wants to get on w…

“Maria! Will you shut the f**k up now? If you call someone else a brat, what are you? No, give me that answer. If you dare call my wife and mate names, I will make you pay without turning back to check on you. Dare me.” I warned, sweat dripping down my head.

“I don't know what father sees in you. You don't act when it is needed. I will get to know that Elsie is a witch and is forbidden in our Pack but you are trying to cover up for her, because you are blinded by the curse to love her.” She blurted out and the urge to give her a hard slap across the face surged through me, but I kept at it anyway.

“You can as well do it now!”