The Alphas Purest Innocent

Chapter 5

Lelia’s POV

He called me beautiful.

I was so stunned I couldn’t move, couldn’t breathe. That one word from him—beautiful—shattered something inside me. Why would someone like him think that about someone like me?

I might’ve recovered, might’ve escaped, but then he threw me over his shoulder like I was nothing more than a rag doll. The sudden contact, the overwhelming spark that raced between us when his body touched mine, made my brain short-circuit. I could barely process what was happening. My ass was right near his face and he seemed far too pleased about it as he told his Beta to go get the car.

I couldn’t keep up. I was lightheaded, giddy even, overwhelmed just by his presence. Before I knew it, I was placed into a sleek black two-door car with leather seats, the scent of him wrapping around me like a vice.

We hadn’t driven long when I finally found my voice.

“You called me beautiful,” I whispered without thinking. The word still echoed in my head, so much sweeter than it had any right to be. Then the reality returned, crashing down on me. “You need to let me out. I do not want to go with you.”

The moment I said it, his face contorted. Sadness. Real, raw sadness flickered for the briefest second before rage smothered it.

The air in the car grew suffocatingly thick with power—his alpha dominance pressing down on me like gravity itself. I struggled to breathe, to stay upright. Then, without warning, something sharp cracked against my head. My skull hit the passenger window.

I’d felt worse, but that wasn’t the point.

My true mate hit me.

He hurt me.

I didn’t know much about mates, but I thought they were supposed to love, protect, cherish. Five minutes into our first car ride and he’d already laid his hands on me—not in desire or affection, but in fury. Lia whimpered in the back of my mind, her pain bleeding into mine. Her betrayal mirrored my own.

“Your own family was trying to marry you off to the first bidder,” he snapped. “And you? You were trying to run. Instead of facing your problems, you tucked tail and ran like the weak little omega you are.”

I shrank further into my seat as he continued.

“You think you can tell me what to do? You think you have any say? I’m Alpha Kevin of the Blood Moon Pack. You are mine. Use this ride to let that sink in. When we arrive, you’ll learn your place and your duties. And let’s be clear—” he turned his head slightly, cold eyes burning into mine— “you are not my Luna. You will not tell anyone about us. You may be mine, but I am not yours.”

Every word was a stab to my chest.

“That’s why you need to let me out,” I whispered, broken. “I am weak. But I want to learn. I want to be strong. You deserve a mate who’s strong…”

“NO!” he roared, cutting me off. “Shut up. We’ve got a two-hour drive. I need to focus.”

I sat in silence, wounded, heartbroken. I’d forgotten to even say goodbye to Aaron.

Would this be worse than home?

His scent filled the car, soothing yet suffocating, making my head spin. I clung to those words: You may be mine, but I am not yours. A tear slid silently down my cheek. Then, exhaustion took over, and I slipped into sleep.

Kevin’s POV

You ever f*****g touch her like that again, and I swear to the Moon Goddess I’ll take control and end you. Deo’s rage reverberated in my skull.

“I had to,” I muttered back. “She said she wanted to leave us.”

She was quiet now, staring out the window. Her silence was deafening. And somehow, even now, she looked beautiful—distractingly so—in that damned dress. Her lashes were wet from tears she thought I didn’t see. She’d fallen asleep, and despite myself, my breathing matched hers—slow, calm.

I had to play this carefully.

Her presence already made me feel stronger—like Deo was gaining power from just being near her. A true mate bond… My father never had this. And I knew—no matter what—I couldn't reject her. Not yet. I needed her. I just couldn’t afford to let her weaken me emotionally.

I linked the packhouse omegas, instructing them to prepare the guest room attached to mine. We were just outside the boundary—unclaimed land. But then I remembered: her birthday was tonight. She couldn’t denounce her pack until she was of age.

The clock said 9:45 PM.

We had to wait.

I looked over—and gods, she was perfect. Sleeping like some dark-haired version of Sleeping Beauty. Her hair had slipped forward, strands obscuring her delicate face. Without waking her, I brushed it back, letting my fingers slide through it.

It was soft. Silky. Reddish-brown. So different from mine, but so... mesmerizing.

I wasn’t one to care about hair. But this? This was hers. And I was hooked.

Two hours passed. I hadn’t even realized.

The clock read 12:15 AM.

“Lelia,” I said firmly. “Wake up. It’s time to de-nonce yourself.”

She didn’t stir.

I shook her—gently at first, then harder—electricity jumped between us. She groaned, clearly in pain. And I saw it then. Her ribs—bruised, probably cracked.

Shit.

Lelia’s POV

Pain flared through my ribs as I was jolted awake. For a second I didn’t know where I was. Then I remembered. Kevin. Alpha. Mate.

But not really.

He didn’t want me for love. Only to own me.

“Will you hurry up already? Are you stupid too?” he growled.

“I’m sorry, sir… I fell asleep. What did you want me to do?” I kept my eyes down, falling into the same submissive tone I used with my parents. If I angered him further… he could kill me.

“You need to de-nonce yourself from your pack before we enter my land,” he snapped. Then, softer, almost an afterthought: “Happy birthday. It’s past midnight.”

“Oh… uh, thank you.” My voice cracked.

Do it, Lelia, Lia urged in my mind. It’s not about him. It’s about us. Freedom. A new beginning.

And what, into the arms of another abuser? I shot back bitterly.

But I knew she was right.

“I, Lelia Jenkins of the Dark Moon Pack, cut all ties with my current pack. I vow to leave the property and never return. I accept my fate with the Moon Goddess and will live life as a rogue.”

Pain pierced my chest. The mind link shattered. I was alone.

“I, Alpha Kevin of the Blood Moon Pack, accept Lelia Jenkins, rogue, into my pack. Announcing her as the Alpha’s personal omega.”

I gasped. I hadn’t expected him to actually make me part of his pack.

“I… I, Lelia Jenkins, accept the Blood Moon Pack and vow to protect and serve the Alpha and Luna.” My voice cracked on the word Luna. I felt the connection snap into place—mind links flooding in, warm welcomes surrounding me.

Nobody had ever welcomed me before.

As we approached the gates—tall, looming, regal—I couldn’t help it.

Excitement bloomed in my chest.

Even if I should be terrified of what came next, a part of me—maybe a foolish one—felt… hope.

Kevin looked over at me, reading it on my face.

“Welcome to the Blood Moon Pack, Lelia,” he said softly. “Welcome home.”