The Alpha's Shadow Luna

Chapter 8

I turned to stare at him, eyebrows raised. "Excuse me?"

"You're attractive," he said, matter-of-factly, like he was commenting on the weather. "It's not a compliment, just a fact. So I'm asking."

My jaw tightened. "Do you have a girlfriend?"

He glared at me, eyes narrowing.

I leaned back, crossing my arms. "If we're going to be close enough to have this conversation, you should share, too."

He snorted, a sound caught somewhere between annoyance and amusement. "I've been too busy to look for a woman to be by my side. Besides, I want to find my mate."

I blinked, genuinely shocked. "Your mate? Darien, that's … rare. Most wolves don't even recognize their mates anymore. It takes time, connection. You could miss her entirely and never even know."

His expression didn't waver. "It depends on your wolf and your instincts. I use my beast. I keep its feral nature close. It shouldn't take me months to recognize my mate. I don't plan on missing her."

I stared at him, something twisting in my chest. He said it with such certainty, such conviction, like the universe owed him this one thing and he'd make damn sure he collected. I turned back to the window, watching the snow pile higher against the glass.

"Well?" he prompted, his voice cutting through my thoughts. "I answered. Now it's your turn."

I frowned, still looking outside. "I had a fiancé." I could see his eyes widen in shock in the reflection.

"And?"

"And I gave it my all." My voice came out quieter than I intended, barely audible over the hum of the engine. "Loved with my entire heart. But I wasn't good enough for him."

The silence stretched between us. Finally, Darien spoke, his voice softer than I'd heard before. "Sorry."

I didn't respond. There wasn't anything to say. The hurt was still too raw, too close to the surface, and I didn't trust myself not to crack if I tried to explain it. So, I just kept staring out the window as the snow swallowed the world.

The drive stretched on, the storm growing fiercer with each passing mile. The snow was so deep now that I couldn't see the road anymore, just the vague impression of where it should be. And then, through the white haze, something dark loomed ahead.

A wall.

It rose out of the storm like a monument, twenty feet of solid brick stretching as far as I could see in either direction. I leaned forward, squinting at it.

"You keeping Godzilla in there?" I asked, a laugh slipping out despite myself.

Darien smirked. "Worse. Wolves. And something else."

I looked at him, curiosity prickling. "Something else?"

He didn't elaborate. The gate ahead groaned open, heavy iron bars parting to let us through. As we drove inside, the storm seemed to ease just slightly, enough that I could make out shapes in the distance. A massive structure rose before us, white stone gleaming even through the snow. It looked like a mansion, or maybe a fortress, all sharp lines and towering walls.

The car pulled to a stop in front of the entrance. I grabbed my duffel and climbed out, immediately regretting it as the wind tore at my clothes and hair. A soldier stood near the door, dressed in thick furs, his face partially obscured. But I saw his eyes. They flashed gold, his beast rising to the surface, and a low growl rumbled from his chest.

Darien appeared beside me, his hand on my elbow, firm but not rough. He nodded at the soldier, a silent command, and the growling stopped. The soldier stepped aside, still glaring, but no longer actively threatening.

Darien guided me inside, his grip steady. The warmth hit me like a wave, almost painful after the cold. I blinked, trying to adjust, and took in my surroundings. The entrance hall was grand, all polished stone and dark wood, but it felt cold despite the temperature. Sterile. Unwelcoming.

Another guard stood near the staircase, watching me with the same predatory intensity as the first. His eyes flickered, beast and man warring behind them, and I realized with a sinking feeling what I'd walked into.

This wasn't like Anton's pack. This was something older. Feral. A pack that operated on instinct, where outsiders weren't just unwelcome but seen as threats.

Darien didn't seem bothered. He led me deeper into the mansion, past maids who kept their eyes down, omegas who scurried out of our path like frightened mice. I tried to take in the layout, the turns and halls, but everything blurred together in my exhaustion.

We stopped at the end of a long corridor. Three men stood there, blocking the path, their arms crossed over their chests. They were tall, broad-shouldered, dressed in clothing that spoke of rank and power. And they were glaring at me like I'd just spit on their ancestors' graves.

"Leah," Darien said, his tone business-like. "These are potential officers. It's your job to rank them accordingly."

I gaped at him. "That's the alpha's job."

"Now it's yours," he said, unmoved. "Conduct an assessment. Test them. Decide who's fit for what position."

My mind reeled. "Darien, I can't just—"

"You can. And you will." He looked at me, expression hard. "The alpha is away. When he returns, you'll be introduced. Until then, you have work to do."

The three men hadn't moved. They watched me like wolves sizing up prey, their beasts simmering just beneath the surface. I could feel the hostility radiating off them in waves.

I swallowed hard, forcing my spine straight. "Fine."

Darien nodded, then turned and walked away, leaving me standing in the hall with three hostile wolves and no backup.

"Wait," I called after him. "Where's my room?"

He paused, glancing back over his shoulder. "End of the hall. Last door on the right." And then he was gone, his footsteps echoing until they faded into silence.

I stood there for a moment, staring at the three men. They stared back. None of us moved.

Finally, I cleared my throat. "We'll start tomorrow morning. Be ready."

I didn't wait for a response. I just turned and walked down the hall, feeling their eyes bore into my back with every step. My hands shook as I pushed open the door to my room, but I didn't let myself look back. I didn't let them see the fear.

The room was simple. A bed, a desk, a small window that looked out over the snowy expanse. My duffel hit the floor with a dull thud, and I sank onto the edge of the mattress, finally letting myself breathe.

This was it. My new life. Cold, hostile, and utterly alone.

I pulled the pendant from my pocket, the little wooden wolf that Shane had rejected. I turned it over in my hands, feeling the grooves I'd carved with so much care, so much hope.

Then I set it on the desk, facing the window.

I wasn't that girl anymore. I wouldn't fade. I wouldn't break.

Not here. Not ever again.