Chapter 2
1575 Words
The guards stop like they've hit a wall. Even from behind Byrde, I feel the power radiating from him—raw, dangerous, absolute.
"Alpha Byrde," one guard stutters. "We apologize, but that's—"
"I know who she is." His voice could cut steel. "And I said she's mine."
My legs shake. This can't be happening. The Alpha my sister is supposed to marry just claimed me in front of witnesses.
"Sir, there's been a misunderstanding," my father's voice booms as he pushes through the guards. His face is red with rage until he sees Byrde. Then it goes white. "Alpha Byrde. You're early."
"Apparently, I'm right on time." Byrde's hand moves to my lower back, and the touch sends electricity through my whole body. "Your daughter was just leaving. With me."
Father's mouth opens and closes like a fish. "But... Vera... the arrangement—"
"Has changed."
Two words. That's all it takes. Father, who's never backed down from anything, takes a step back.
"You can't just—" he starts.
Byrde moves so fast I barely see it. One second he's beside me, the next he has Father by the throat, lifted off the ground.
"I can do whatever I want," he says softly, which is terrifying. "This is my mate. Anyone who tries to stop her from leaving with me will answer to me personally."
He drops Father, who gasps for air on the ground.
"Get in the car," Byrde tells me without looking back.
I don't need to be told twice. I scramble into the black car, my hands shaking so bad I can barely grip the door handle.
Through the window, I see Vera running out in her perfect silver dress. Her face twists with fury when she sees me in the car. She screams something I can't hear.
Byrde gets in the driver's side and starts the engine.
"Wait," I gasp. "James—my friend—he's waiting—"
"The stable boy? Already taken care of. He'll receive payment for his help."
My head spins. "How do you know about—"
"I know everything that happens in my territory." He drives through the gate without slowing down. "Including when someone is being sold against their will."
We drive in silence for several minutes. I can't stop shaking. This morning I was nobody. Now I'm in a car with the most powerful Alpha in the region, and he says I'm his mate.
"You're scared of me," he says suddenly.
"Should I not be?"
He glances at me, and something flickers in those dark eyes. "I won't hurt you."
"You just choked my father."
"He hurt you first." His hands tighten on the steering wheel. "I can smell old injuries on you. Broken bones that didn't heal right. Scars."
Shame burns my face. "It's nothing."
The car swerves to the side of the road so fast I gasp. He turns to face me fully, and the intensity in his eyes makes me press back against the door.
"It's not nothing," he says quietly. "How long?"
"I don't understand—"
"How long have they been hurting you?"
I look down at my hands. "Since my mother died. Thirteen years."
The silence that follows feels dangerous. When I finally look up, his eyes are pure black—his wolf at the surface.
"They'll pay for every bruise," he promises, and I believe him.
"Why do you care?" I whisper. "You came for Vera. You don't even know me."
"You're my mate." He says it like that explains everything. "I've been searching for you for two years. The arrangement with your sister was political. Nothing more."
"But how did you know—"
"I didn't. Not until I scented you." He starts driving again. "Fate has a twisted sense of humor."
We pull up to a massive house—no, a mansion. It's beautiful and terrifying, all glass and stone and power.
"This is your pack house?"
"This is my personal residence. Pack house is further east." He gets out and opens my door before I can move. "You're safe here."
Safe. I don't even know what that means anymore.
Inside, the house is modern but warm. Nothing like the cold showcase my father prefers. A woman appears—older, motherly-looking.
"Martha, this is Wendy," Byrde says. "She needs food, medical attention, and rest."
Martha's eyes widen slightly, but she nods. "Of course, Alpha."
"I'm fine," I protest.
Byrde turns those intense eyes on me. "When did you last eat?"
I open my mouth to lie, but something in his expression stops me. "Three days ago."
Martha gasps. Byrde's jaw clenches so hard I hear it crack.
"Martha, please," he says tightly.
She leads me to a kitchen that's bigger than my entire attic room. The food she puts in front of me—soup, bread, fruit—makes my mouth water, but my stomach rebels after just a few bites.
"Slowly, dear," Martha says gently. "Your body needs time to adjust."
Byrde watches from the doorway like a guardian statue.
"You don't have to watch me eat," I say.
"I'm not leaving you alone until I know you're okay."
"I've been alone for thirteen years."
"Not anymore."
The words hit something deep inside me. Luna stirs, reaching for our mate.
After I eat what I can, Martha shows me to a room. It's gorgeous—soft blues and creams, a bed that looks like clouds, an attached bathroom with a tub big enough to swim in.
"This can't be for me," I breathe.
"Alpha's orders," Martha says. "There are clothes in the closet. All new, various sizes. We'll get you properly fitted tomorrow."
She leaves, and I'm alone with Byrde again.
"Why are you doing this?" I ask. "You don't know anything about me."
He steps closer, and my breath catches. This close, he's overwhelming—all controlled power and dark intensity.
"I know you're strong," he says. "You survived thirteen years of abuse. I know you're brave—you were running with nothing but hope. I know you're loyal—you worried about your friend even while escaping."
His hand cups my cheek, and the gentleness breaks something in me.
"And I know you're mine," he whispers. "If you'll have me."
"I'm broken," I whisper back, tears falling. "My wolf is barely alive. I'm not the Luna you need—"
"You're exactly who I need."
He leans down, and for a moment I think he'll kiss me. But he just rests his forehead against mine, breathing me in.
"Rest," he says. "We'll talk more tomorrow."
He starts to leave.
"Byrde?"
He turns back.
"What happens when my family comes for me? When they demand I honor the agreement with Beta Marcus?"
His eyes flash dangerous again. "Let them try."
He leaves, and I sink onto the bed. It's so soft I could cry. Actually, I do cry. For the first time in years, they're not tears of pain or fear.
I'm almost asleep when my phone—the ancient thing James gave me—buzzes.
Unknown number. I almost don't answer, but something makes me.
"Hello?"
"You little bitch." Vera's voice is pure venom. "You think you've won?"
"Vera—"
"He's mine. The Alpha is mine. I don't care if you're his mate. I'll make sure you never make it to the marking ceremony."
"Are you threatening me?"
She laughs. "Oh, sweet sister. I'm promising you. Byrde might think he wants you now, but when he learns what you really are? What Father did to cover it up? He'll throw you back like garbage."
"What are you talking about?"
"Ask Father about the night Mom really died. Ask him why your wolf is so weak it's barely there."
The line goes dead.
I sit up, my heart racing. What did she mean? My mother died from illness. That's what Father always said.
Luna whimpers inside me, and for the first time, I realize she's not just weak—she's hiding. Like she knows something I don't.
A knock at the door makes me jump.
"Wendy?" It's Byrde. "I heard your heart racing from downstairs. Are you okay?"
I open the door. He's changed into sweatpants and a t-shirt, looking more human but no less dangerous.
"My sister called," I say.
His eyes narrow. "How did she get your number?"
"I don't know. She said—" I swallow. "She said there's something about my mother's death. Something my father covered up."
He steps into the room, closing the door behind him. "What exactly did she say?"
I tell him everything. His expression gets darker with each word.
"She's trying to scare you," he says. "Make you run."
"What if she's not lying? What if there's something wrong with me? My wolf—"
"There's nothing wrong with you." He pulls me against his chest, and I melt into his warmth. "Whatever happened, whatever they did, we'll find out. Together."
"You barely know me," I mumble against his shirt.
"I know enough." His arms tighten around me. "Sleep. I'll stay until you fall asleep."
He sits on the chair beside the bed, standing guard. For the first time in thirteen years, I feel protected.
But as I drift off, Vera's words echo in my mind.
When he learns what you really are...
What am I?
And why do I have the feeling that finding out will change everything?
- Writer
