Alpha’s Runaway Luna

ChapterFour

Chapter 4

DELLA’S POV

The first thing I noticed when I woke up was the silence.

Not the quiet of the pack house at dawn. Not the distant sound or grunts of warriors training or maids whispering in the hallway. This silence was a bit eerie

Like I wasn't supposed to be here.

I wasn't entirely sure.

It didn't help u had no idea where I was

The air smelled like cigarettes and strawberries. An odd combination of scent.

I opened my eyes slowly, my body stiff from sleeping on something softer than the cold ground but harder than my old bed.

The ceiling above me was plain white. No carved beams. No pack insignia. No velvet drapes.

My heart skipped.

I pushed myself up too quickly and the room spun. My hand flew to my stomach.

The baby.

A shaky breath left my lips when I felt nothing wrong. No pain or blood

I sighed again, this time touching my chest.

The memory of last night rushed back all at once. The moon festival. Stacy. Ian whispering her name like it still belonged to him.

Me running.

The car headlights.

The man.

I swung my legs over the edge of the bed and stood carefully. The room was simple. A wardrobe. A small desk. One window with the curtains slightly parted. Through it, I could see trees. Tall and luscious trees. Obviously not as well taken care of as the one in my old pack house, but close

I stumbled out of the room, looking for the man that had helped me last night, and hoping he wasn't some kind of serial killer or worse.

A scent drifted from a distance. A string and dominant one.

It was unmistakable. It was the scent of an Alpha.

My wolf stirred uneasily.

I walked toward the door slowly, my bare feet cold against the tiled floor. My hand hovered over the handle for a second before I turned it.

The apartment was small. A single living space connected to a kitchen. No guards. No servants. No symbols of pack leadership.

Just him.

He stood by the kitchen counter, his back to me, sleeves rolled up as he poured something into a mug. He was tall taller than Ian. Broader too. His presence filled the room in a way that made my wolf instinctively lower her head.

He didn’t turn around immediately. He didn't have to for me to feel his presence.

“I was beginning to think you’d sleep the entire day,” he said calmly.

His voice was deep but not harsh.

I stiffened. “How long was I asleep?”

“Since last night.”

He turned then. Our eyes met.

They were…gollden.

Not the bright green of Ian’s. Not warm. Not cold either. Just… watchful.

I swallowed.

“You brought me here.” It was more of a statement than a question.

“Yes.”

“Why?”

“You asked me to.”

I remembered grabbing his arm. Begging him. Telling him I needed to leave.

Shame heated my cheeks.

“I’m sorry,” I whispered. “I shouldn’t have—”

“You were almost run over,” he cut in. “Apologies are unnecessary.”

He gestured to the chair near the small dining table. “Sit.”

I hesitated but obeyed. My body felt weak. Maybe from the shock. Maybe from everything.

He placed a plate in front of me. Toast. Scrambled eggs. A glass of juice.

“I don’t know what you prefer,” he said. “It will have to do.”

I stared at the food.

“You’re not going to poison it,” I said before I could stop myself.

One of his brows lifted slightly. “If I wanted you dead, you would not have woken up.”

Fair enough.

My stomach betrayed me with a soft growl.

I picked up the fork.

He watched me eat but didn’t sit. Didn’t smile. Didn’t try to make conversation.

“You’re an Alpha,” I said quietly.

“Yes.”

“Where is your pack?” I asked, curiosity getting the best of me. It was off that he was living in an apartment too.

“I don’t have one.”

I blinked. “That’s impossible.”

“It isn’t.”

Silence fell between us again.

I studied him carefully now. He didn’t wear formal clothes. Just a dark shirt and black trousers. No ring. No mark on his neck from a mate.

“You live alone?” I asked.

“Yes.”

His one word answers were pissing me off, but I had to pretend they're weren't.

That explained the apartment. Not a pack house. Not a territory filled with wolves.

Just him.

After a few bites, the nausea rose unexpectedly. I pressed a hand to my mouth.

His eyes sharpened. “You’re unwell.”

“I’m fine.”

“You don’t look fine.” I looked down at my plate. My hand trembled slightly.

He walked closer. Not too close. Just enough for his scent to surround me fully.

It was different from Ian’s. Less aggressive. Still powerful but controlled.

“Why were you in the woods alone last night?” he asked.

I knew this question would come. I could lie.But what would be the point?

“I left my pack,” I said softly.

“Why?”

Because I’m carrying my Alpha’s child and he might kill it.My throat tightened.

“I can’t go back.”

“That is not an answer.”

I clenched my fingers together. “My husband doesn’t want me.”

His expression didn’t change.

“He made that clear last night.”

The word husband felt strange now.

“You are mated?” he asked.

“No.” I shook my head quickly. “It was a contract. Just for the pack. For appearances.”

His gaze lingered on my neck, confirming there was no mark.

“And now?”

“Now it’s over.” He waited. I took a breath that felt like swallowing glass.

“I’m pregnant.”

The word hung between us. For a split second, something flickered in his eyes. Surprise.

Then calm again.

“His child?” he asked.

“Yes.”

“And you believe he would harm it?”

“I don’t know,” I admitted. “But it was part of the contract. No pregnancy. If it happened… it would be terminated.”

Saying it out loud made my chest ache. His jaw tightened slightly.

“You ran to protect it.”

“Yes.” Silence again.

Then, “You realize he will look for you.”

“I know.”

“And if he finds you?”

“I don’t know,” I repeated, my voice cracking this time.

I hated how small I sounded. “I have nowhere to go,” I said.

“No family outside the pack. No money. If I go to another territory, they’ll send word back.”

He studied me for a long moment.

“You’re an Omega,” he said finally.

It wasn’t an insult. Just a fact.

“Yes.”

“Omegas are rarely left alone.”

“I’ve learned to survive.”

A pause.

“I can cook. Clean. I won’t be a burden.”

His eyes narrowed slightly. “I do not need a maid.”

“Then what do you need?” I asked desperately. “I just need somewhere safe until I can figure something out. Please.”

The word please felt heavier than anything I had said all night.

He turned away from me, walking toward the window.

For a moment, I thought he would tell me to leave.

Instead, he spoke without looking at me.

“You can stay.”

Relief flooded me so fast my vision blurred.

“Thank you,” I breathed.

“But.”

My heart dropped. “It will not be for free.”

Of course it wouldn't.“What do you want?” I asked carefully.

He faced me again.

“There are people watching me.”

My brows furrowed. “Watching?”

“I am an Alpha without a pack. That makes others curious. Suspicious.”

I didn’t understand.

“They believe I am planning something,” he continued. “Territory expansion. Alliances. War.”

“And you’re not?”

His lips twitched faintly. “Irrelevant.”

He stepped closer now, stopping a few feet away.

“They have been pressuring me to take a mate. To settle. To appear… stable.”

My breath caught.

“I need a fiancée.”

The word echoed in my ears.

“What?”

“You will stay here,” he said evenly. “You will be introduced, when necessary, as my fiancée.”

I stared at him. “That’s insane.”

“It is practical. The ‘most practical thing.”

“I’m already married.”

“You said it was a contract.”

“It still is.” I said unsure. I had run seat after all

“And you ran.” her raised a brow.

I opened my mouth but nothing came out.

He wasn’t wrong.

“If your Alpha comes looking,” he added, “it will be easier to protect you if you are under my claim.”

Claim.My pulse quickened. “You would challenge him?” I whispered.

“If required.”

The room felt smaller suddenly.

“You don’t even know me,” I said.

“I know enough to know what I want to do.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“You smell like fear,” he said bluntly. “But not deceit.”

My wolf stirred at that.

“And what do you get out of this?” I asked.

“A temporary solution to a persistent problem.”

I stared at him. Another contract. Another lie.But this one might save my child.

“And if I say no?”

“Then I will drive you to the nearest town and you can attempt to survive alone.”

The image of Ian’s men searching the roads flashed in my mind.

I closed my eyes briefly.

I didn’t have a choice.

“When would this… pretending start?” I asked quietly.

“Immediately.”

My eyes snapped to his.

“There is a gathering in three days. Alphas from neighboring territories.”

Of course there was.

“And you expect me to just stand beside you and smile?”

“Yes.”

“And act like I love you?”

“No.”

That surprised me.

“Just stand beside me,” he said. “That will be enough.”

I studied his face carefully.

He wasn’t smirking. Wasn’t amused. Wasn’t trying to intimidate me.

He was serious.

“What’s your name?” I asked suddenly.

A brief pause.

“Kael.”

Kael. It fit him.

“I’m Della.”

“I know.”

Right. He probably heard Ian whisper it last night.I looked down at my stomach again. For my baby. “I’ll do it,” I said.

His gaze sharpened slightly, as if he hadn’t expected me to agree so quickly. “You’re certain?”

“No,” I admitted. “But I don’t have another option.”

He nodded once. “Then rest today. We will discuss the details tonight.”

Details, Rules. Another contract.

As he turned away, I felt the weight of my decision settle over me.

I had run from one Alpha, and fallen into the hands of another.