The forbidden mate

Moved away from home

As I was dragged toward the office door, my heart pounded so hard I thought it might burst from my chest. I couldn't believe this was happening. How had my life gone from rejection to this nightmare in just three days?

I tried to plant my feet and resist Vera's grip, but she was stronger than me. "Please," I whispered desperately. "I can't do this. I won't survive."

"That's not our problem anymore," Vera hissed, tightening her hold on my arm until it hurt. "You should have thought about that before embarrassing our Alpha in front of the whole pack."

The injustice of it all made tears spring to my eyes. I hadn't done anything wrong. I'd simply been born with Kane as my fated mate, and now I was being punished for something completely beyond my control.

When we reached the heavy wooden door of Kane's office, I could hear voices inside discussing me like I was a piece of livestock.

"She's young and healthy," Kane was saying. "Perfect breeding age, and she's never been touched by another male."

"And you're certain she won't cause problems?" The other voice was deep, with an edge that made my wolf Kira cower in fear.

"She's an orphan with no family to miss her," Kane replied coldly. "Completely disposable. If she gives you any trouble, feel free to dispose of her however you see fit."

My knees went weak. They were talking about killing me like it was nothing more than swatting a fly.

Vera knocked on the door sharply. "Alpha Kane? I have the girl."

"Bring her in," Kane commanded.

Vera pushed the door open and shoved me inside so hard I stumbled and nearly fell. The office was dimly lit by a single lamp, casting long shadows across the walls. Kane sat behind his massive desk, looking cold. But it was the man standing by the window who made my blood freeze.

Alpha Damon was even more terrifying than the stories described. He was huge—easily over six feet tall with shoulders broad enough to block out the light. His black hair was longer than Kane's, falling to his shoulders in waves that looked like they'd never seen a proper barber. Dark tattoos covered his muscular arms, depicting scenes of violence and death.

But it was his eyes that truly frightened me. They were cold and completely without mercy. When he looked at me, I felt like prey being sized up by a predator.

"This is her?" he asked Kane, his voice carrying a slight accent I couldn't place.

"Maya Clearwater," Kane said, not even bothering to look at me. "Eighteen years old, unmated, and trained as a healer's apprentice. She'll serve your purposes perfectly."

Alpha Damon circled me slowly, like a buyer examining merchandise.

"She's smaller than I expected," he observed, stopping directly in front of me.

I kept my eyes fixed on the floor, too terrified to meet his gaze directly.

"Size doesn't matter for what you need her for," Kane said with a laugh that made my skin crawl. "She just needs to be able to carry your heirs before the curse takes her."

"Indeed." Alpha Damon reached out and grabbed my chin, forcing me to look up at him. His touch was surprisingly gentle. "Look at me, little omega."

I had no choice but to obey. Up close, I could see that his face was actually handsome.

"What's your name?" he asked.

"M-Maya," I stammered.

"Maya," he repeated, and something about the way he said it made shivers run down my spine. "Do you know why you're here?"

I nodded miserably.

"Tell me."

"To be your... your breeder," I whispered, my cheeks burning with shame.

His expression didn't change. "And do you know what happens to my breeders?"

Fresh tears spilled down my cheeks as I nodded again.

"Good. At least you're not completely naive." He released my chin and stepped back. "The agreement is settled then. She comes with me tonight."

"Excellent," Kane said, standing up from his desk. "I'll have her belongings gathered immediately."

Alpha Damon's laugh was dark and humorless. "What belongings? She won't need much where she's going."

The casual way he dismissed my entire existence made me feel sick. I was nothing to these men—just a transaction to be completed.

"Please," I found myself saying, even though I knew it was hopeless. "I'll do anything else. I'll leave the territory, I'll—"

"Silence," Alpha Damon commanded, and the power in his voice made me immediately shut my mouth. Alphas could use their authority to compel obedience from lower-ranked wolves, and his dominance was absolute.

Kane laughed again. "She's spirited, I'll give her that. Might make things more interesting for you."

"Perhaps." Alpha Damon's eyes never left my face. "We leave in one hour. Have her ready."

Kane nodded. "Of course. Vera will prepare her."

"No need for preparation," Alpha Damon said dismissively. "She's adequate as she is."

Vera grabbed my arm again, her nails digging into my skin. "Come on, you. Let's get you packed."

As she dragged me toward the door, Alpha Damon called out one last command.

"And Vera? Make sure she understands the consequences of trying to run. I don't tolerate disobedience."

Vera's grip tightened painfully. "Oh, she understands perfectly. Don't you, Maya?"

I nodded quickly, too scared to do anything else.

Back in my tiny room, Vera threw a small bag at me. "Pack whatever fits in there. Nothing fancy, you won't be attending any social events where you're going."

My hands shook as I gathered my few belongings. A couple of changes of clothes, my mother's old hairbrush, and a small book about healing herbs that Nora had given me. Everything I owned in the world fit easily into the little bag.

"That's it?" Vera asked mockingly. "How pathetic."

I wanted to defend myself, but what was the point? In less than an hour, none of this would matter anymore.

A knock at the door made us both turn. One of Kane's warriors stood there, his expression grim.

"Alpha Damon is ready to leave," he announced. "He wants the girl brought to the vehicles now."

My legs felt like they might give out. This was really happening.

Vera pushed me toward the door. "Time to go, breeding stock."

The walk through the pack house felt like a death march. A few pack members watched from doorways and windows, some with pity in their eyes but most with simple curiosity. None of them would lift a finger to help me.

Outside, three black SUVs waited in the driveway, their engines already running. Alpha Damon stood beside the middle vehicle.

"Bring her here," he ordered.

Vera marched me over and practically threw me at his feet. "As promised, Alpha Damon. One omega breeder, delivered as agreed."

He looked down at me with those cold gray eyes. "Get in the car."

I hesitated for just a moment, and he stepped closer, his voice dropping to a dangerous whisper.

"I won't ask twice."

With no other choice, I climbed into the back seat of the SUV.

Alpha Damon got in beside me, his large frame taking up most of the space. The door slammed shut with a finality that made my chest tight.

As the convoy pulled away from the Silver Moon Pack territory, I pressed my face to the window and watched the only home I'd ever known disappear into the darkness.

I was completely alone now, traveling toward an uncertain and terrifying future with the most dangerous Alpha in the northern territories.

And there was absolutely nothing I could do to stop it.