His Luna

Ring made of rubies

She had never tasted this food in her entire life as far as she could remember. As Kirsty was about to grab another slice of meat, she noticed that the man inside stopped talking and just looked intently at her. She glanced for seconds in his direction as her mouth was stuffed with food and continued once again to focus on her slices of meat.

"I am quite sure you are not hungry," the man's voice cut through the air, laced with a hint of sarcasm. Kirsty felt his eyes piercing into her, observing her every move. She glanced at him for a brief moment, acknowledging his presence, before returning her attention to the slices of meat in front of her.

She could feel the sarcasm in his voice, yet it didn’t move her nor stop her from continuing what she was doing. If these are the types of food that the slaves have, she doesn’t care about being a slave at all, that’s what she thought.

“Take it easy, you are not in competition with someone else.”

Kirsty remained to keep her silent. If the people of the pack would use her, she might as well enjoy what they could offer to her. It was a win-win situation for her, especially since she felt that she was safe within the vicinity of the pack.

“So, I intentionally went here to offer you something.” Sam wanted to convince Kirsty, and he knew that the rogue would take a bite of his offer since it was for her own benefit.

"What do you mean, offer me something?" she asked, her voice tinged with caution. She was curious to hear what Sam had to say, but she wasn't about to let her guard down just yet.

Sam took a moment to collect his thoughts, his gaze focused and determined. He understood that he needed to choose his words carefully to win Kirsty's trust.

"I know you've been living as a rogue, fighting for your survival and independence," Sam began. "But I also know that deep down, you yearn for more. You want a place where you truly belong, where you can find support and protection."

Kirsty's eyebrows furrowed as if Sam had struck a chord within her. It was true that the life of a rogue had its challenges, and she had often found herself longing for a sense of community, a place to call home.

“Hmmm.” Kirsty hummed as she put a spoonful of mashed potato inside her mouth. It was a mouthful that made her unable to even utter a single word. She chose this, as she didn’t want to say anything that would contradict the good treatment of the beta of the pack, knowing that the person is also powerful in the place where she is exiled into.

For the second time around, she thought about the other human slaves who were with her. She had no idea nor even a single piece of information about their whereabouts.

"You are aware that you are the only rogue in the pack... and I, together with the two men with me earlier, were the only ones who knew your real identity..." Sam's words hung in the air, carrying a weight of revelation. Kirsty's heart skipped a beat as she tried to comprehend the implications of what he was saying. The realization struck her like a bolt of lightning, causing her to feel as though she was digging her own grave by being in the pack.

"What do you mean?" Kirsty's voice trembled with a mix of fear and curiosity. She desperately sought an explanation, hoping to grasp the full extent of the situation she found herself in. Her mind raced with questions and doubts, unsure of what the future held for her within the confines of the pack.

Sam, the one-eyed man who had been questioning her, took deliberate and slow strides closer to the closed cell where Kirsty was confined. The intensity in his eyes sent chills down her spine, but she couldn't tear her gaze away from him. There was an air of authority and calculation about him as if he held a hidden agenda that only he knew.

"I forgot, including the Alpha," Sam's voice trailed off, his words lingering in the silence. The weight of his statement settled upon Kirsty like a heavy cloak, leaving her feeling vulnerable and exposed. The realization that even the Alpha, the leader of the pack, was unaware of her true identity struck her with both relief and apprehension.

"The…A-Alpha?" Kirsty's voice trembled, her heart pounding in her chest as if it were attempting to escape its confines. The mention of the Alpha of the Trowbridge pack sent a wave of fear coursing through her veins. She was well aware of the Alpha's reputation and his disdain for rogues like herself. The mere thought of being discovered by the Alpha filled her with a deep sense of dread, knowing the dire consequences that could follow. Her inner wolf whimpered in fear, instinctively recognizing the gravity of their precarious situation.

"Yes, the Alpha," Sam confirmed, his voice laced with a hint of ominous anticipation. He made a deliberate choice to emphasize the word "yet," leaving Kirsty with a chilling realization that her safety within the pack's territory was far from guaranteed. The fact that the Alpha hadn't yet seen her only heightened her unease. It meant that she was living on borrowed time, a hidden presence within the pack, vulnerable to exposure at any moment.

“What...does it have to do with me?” Kirsty's voice trembled as she posed the question, her eyes searching for answers in Sam's serious gaze. She sensed the weight of his words and the gravity of the situation. The realization that her life was intricately tied to the Alpha's disdain for her kind sent a shiver down her spine.

Sam's expression remained resolute as he replied, his commitment to the pack evident in his every word.

"Your life. The Alpha despises your kind. One wrong move here and it will cost you your life." The intensity of his statement hung heavy in the air, emphasizing the perilous circumstances surrounding Kirsty's existence within the pack.

“I came here to propose you something…” Sam plastered a smirk.

Kirsty regarded Sam with a mix of curiosity and wariness as he spoke, his smirk indicating that he had something important to propose. She couldn't help but feel a flicker of hope that perhaps he had a solution to the precarious situation she found herself in.

For him, it was the last resort of the woman to make sure that she is safe while she is inside the pack. Because if she would be able to escape the place, the pack, she couldn’t guarantee her safety outside knowing that the rogues were interested in her.

"What is it?" she asked, her voice laced with cautious anticipation. While she had learned not to trust easily, she couldn't deny the desperate longing within her to find a sense of security and protection within the pack. Despite its complexities and dangers, it still offered a measure of shelter from the unknown threats lurking beyond its borders.

Sam leaned in slightly, his gaze locked with Kirsty's as if assessing her reactions. He took a moment to compose himself before revealing his proposition.

"I have a proposal that could ensure your safety within the pack," he stated, his tone carrying a hint of confidence.

"You see, the rogues are still interested in you, and if you were to escape the pack, I can't guarantee what awaits you outside. However, if you agree to it, I can offer you my protection and vouch for your loyalty and allegiance to the pack."

"And what do you expect in return?" she inquired, her voice tinged with a mix of skepticism and caution. She had learned to be wary of bargains that appeared too good to be true, especially within the intricate dynamics of the pack.

“This is favorable on your part. As you know, our pack is the strongest and the most powerful one in the country…and the presence of you, a rogue inside might question these designations that were given to us since we let you in here…” Sam walked near the unlit fire furnace.

Kirsty knew about it. All she ever wanted was her safety, and now that someone would offer it for her, she won’t think twice about grabbing it without a second thought.

"I am willing to do whatever you want me to do...just let me live," Kirsty pleaded, her voice filled with desperation and fear. In a moment of desperation, she found herself on her knees before the imposing beta, hoping that her submissive gesture would sway him in her favor. She knew that her life hung in the balance, and she was willing to do whatever it took to ensure her survival.

The beta was taken aback by Kirsty's sudden display of submission. It was clear that he wasn't accustomed to such a show of deference from someone in her position. While he held a position of authority within the pack, he was also aware of the responsibility that came with it. The sight of a vulnerable woman kneeling before him tugged at his conscience, reminding him of the complexities of power dynamics and the weight of his decisions.

Taking a moment to collect his thoughts, the beta considered Kirsty's plea. He recognized the fear in her eyes and the desperation in her voice. He understood that her survival was at stake, and although his instincts told him to maintain a position of authority, he couldn't ignore the human compassion that stirred within him.

"I see," he finally responded, his tone softer than before. "We detained you here for four days, and during that time, the Alpha was conducting his visits throughout the pack. You were fortunate that he didn't come to this place."

"What should I do?" Kirsty asked, her voice laced with a mix of apprehension and willingness to comply. She was ready to follow any instructions that would secure her safety and allow her to continue living.

"Stand up," the beta commanded, his voice firm yet not devoid of empathy. "Continue with the food being served. We don't want to see food go to waste." The pack has given importance to food not being wasted, but aside from that, he couldn’t stand watching a woman kneeling in front of him as if he was the powerful man in the area.

Kirsty immediately went to the table and continue with the remaining foods which were berries and grapefruit. She was in agony as she waited for the next information that the beta would give her.

"You will clean the ranch, I will accompany you to the place, and it's the sole thing that you would do in the pack. Maintain the cleanliness of it, and make sure that the horses are well-fed. Understood?" Sam's voice held a commanding tone as he laid out Kirsty's responsibilities within the pack. The weight of his words resonated with her, signaling a new chapter in her life within this unfamiliar community.

"Yes..." Kirsty replied softly, a mixture of relief and apprehension flooding through her. The realization that her body would not be subject to unwanted advances or forced intimacy brought a sense of comfort. She had feared the worst, given the rumors surrounding her role as a rogue. To be entrusted with the task of tending to the ranch and caring for the horses seemed like a reprieve from the potential horrors she had anticipated.

Sam's next gesture took her by surprise. He presented her with a ring, its design simple yet striking with its vibrant rubies. It was a ring that held significance within the pack, particularly for those who held lower status. In a way, it symbolized safety and protection, a talisman of sorts amidst the intricacies of pack hierarchy.

"And by the way, wear this ring," Sam instructed, his voice carrying a hint of reassurance. "No matter what happens, do not take it off your finger. Do you want safety? That ring offers you one." Sam extended the ring.

Kirsty was thinking twice about it, but her inner wolf was pushing her to just grab the ring. When she got a hold of it, she immediately put it on her right ring finger. The interaction with the beta had left her puzzled, wondering about his motivations and what he might gain from his actions. It was clear to her that his involvement had deeper implications, and she couldn't help but wonder what lay beneath the surface. For now, she silently offered a prayer of gratitude to the moon goddess again for her life.

“Follow me to the ranch.” The beta's commanding voice broke through her thoughts, bringing her back to the present. His words stirred her from her reverie, reminding her that there were still matters at hand. She set aside her unfinished meal, her hunger momentarily forgotten, and made sure the ring was secure on her finger. It was time to follow the beta's lead.