Luna's Secret Agony

Chapter 4: Den of Wolves

The moment I stepped onto Pack A territory, a chill ran down my spine. The air itself seemed charged with hostility, pressing in on me from all sides. I clutched my small bag closer, fighting the urge to turn and run.

A group of wolves stood waiting, their faces impassive masks. At their center stood Alexander, his presence commanding and undeniable. Our eyes met, and the mate bond flared to life, a mix of longing and revulsion that left me dizzy.

"Welcome to Pack A, Emily," Alexander said, his voice as cold as a winter storm. No warmth, no acknowledgment of our connection. Just icy formality that cut deeper than any blade.

I swallowed hard, forcing a smile. "Thank you for having me, Alpha Alexander. I'm honored to be here."

A derisive snort came from somewhere in the group. My cheeks burned as I noticed several wolves eyeing my scar with undisguised disgust.

"This is Olivia," Alexander continued, gesturing to a statuesque blonde at his side. "My girlfriend and future Luna."

The words hit me like a physical blow. Girlfriend? Future Luna? But we were mates. How could he...?

Olivia's perfectly manicured hand snaked possessively around Alexander's arm as she looked me up and down. Her smile was all teeth, reminding me of a predator sizing up its prey.

"Charmed," she purred, green eyes glittering with malice. "I do hope you'll find your stay... educational."

Before I could respond, Alexander barked out an order. "Show her to her quarters."

A burly beta stepped forward, practically dragging me away from the group. We walked in tense silence, moving further and further from the heart of the pack. The dwellings we passed grew smaller and shabbier until we reached a tiny, run-down cabin on the very outskirts of the territory.

"Here," the beta grunted, shoving a key into my hand. "Dinner's at seven in the main hall. Don't be late."

With that, he turned and left me standing alone in front of my new "home."

The interior was as dismal as the exterior – a single room with a narrow bed, a rickety table, and a chair that looked ready to collapse. A layer of dust coated every surface, and the musty smell made me wrinkle my nose.

Is this how they treat all their guests? Or just the ones they despise?

I had barely begun to unpack when voices drifted through the thin walls, making me freeze.

"Can you believe Alpha brought her here?" a female voice hissed. "Did you see that hideous scar?"

"Forget the scar," another replied. "I heard she doesn't even have a wolf. What kind of freak werewolf can't shift?"

My hands trembled as I clutched a shirt, their words cutting deep into old wounds. I'd hoped things would be different here, away from the pack that had tormented me for years. But it seemed I had simply traded one den of wolves for another.

Determined not to let them see me break, I squared my shoulders and headed for the main hall. The scent of roasted meat made my stomach growl as I approached, reminding me that I hadn't eaten all day.

The moment I stepped inside, all conversation ceased. Dozens of eyes turned to stare, some curious, most hostile. I scanned the room, looking for an empty seat, my heart pounding so loudly I was sure everyone could hear it.

Finally, I spotted a place at the end of a table and made my way over. Just as I was about to sit, a leg shot out, hooking around the chair and pulling it away. I stumbled, nearly falling, as laughter erupted around me.

"Oops," sneered a young wolf, his eyes glinting with cruel amusement. "Didn't see you there, scar face."

Humiliation burned through me as I straightened, fighting back tears. I turned, ready to flee, only to collide with a solid wall of muscle. Alexander.

He steadied me with a hand on my arm, and for a brief moment, I allowed myself to hope. But when I looked up, his eyes were hard, devoid of any warmth or sympathy.

"Is there a problem here?" he asked, his voice carrying easily over the now-silent hall.

The young wolf who had pulled the chair paled. "N-no, Alpha. Just a misunderstanding."

Alexander's gaze swept over me, lingering on my scar before moving to address the room. "Emily Johnson is our guest. You will treat her with the respect due to a visiting pack member. Is that understood?"

A chorus of "Yes, Alpha" echoed through the hall. But I could feel the resentment simmering beneath the surface. Alexander's words may have protected me from outright aggression, but they did nothing to make me feel welcome.

Unable to bear the weight of their stares any longer, I mumbled an excuse and all but ran from the hall. I made it back to my cabin before the tears started to fall, hot and bitter down my cheeks.

What was I doing here? How could I have been so naive to think I could uncover the truth about my past in a place where everyone seemed to hate me?

A soft knock startled me from my misery. I hastily wiped my eyes before opening the door, revealing a petite brunette with kind eyes and a gentle smile.

"Hi," she said softly. "I'm Lisa. I thought you might be hungry, so I brought you some dinner."

The scent of warm bread and savory stew wafted from the covered tray in her hands, making my mouth water. "I... thank you," I stammered, stepping aside to let her in.

Lisa set the tray on the rickety table, then turned to face me. "I'm sorry about what happened in the hall," she said, her voice filled with genuine sympathy. "Not all of us are like that, I promise."

I wanted to believe her, desperately needed to believe that there was at least one person in this pack who didn't see me as a freak or an enemy. "Why are you being so kind to me?" I asked, unable to keep the suspicion from my voice.

Lisa's smile turned sad. "Because I know what it's like to be an outsider. To feel like you don't belong."

Something in her tone, in the understanding in her eyes, broke through the walls I'd built around my heart. Before I knew it, I was pouring out my fears and hopes – my desire to uncover the truth about my past, my longing to find a place where I truly belonged.

Lisa listened without judgment, offering words of encouragement and squeezing my hand in support. For the first time since arriving at Pack A, I felt a glimmer of hope.

As the night grew late, Lisa bid me goodnight, promising to check on me in the morning. Exhausted by the emotional rollercoaster of the day, I crawled into bed, my mind swirling with everything that had happened.

Just as I was drifting off to sleep, a prickling sensation on the back of my neck jolted me awake. I sat up, peering out the window into the darkness. For a moment, I could have sworn I saw a pair of golden eyes watching me from the shadows.

But when I blinked, they were gone. Shaking my head at my own paranoia, I lay back down, unaware that outside, hidden by the night, Alexander stood vigil. His expression was a war of emotions – longing, anger, and a deep, unshakable pain that would shape the days to come.

As sleep finally claimed me, I couldn't shake the feeling that I was standing on the edge of a precipice. One wrong move, and I would fall into a darkness from which there might be no return.