The scent of wolfsbane and fear clung to every corner of the Silver Moon pack house. It was so strong that even breathing felt like swallowing poison. I stood behind the half-open door of the servants' corridor, my fingers wrapped tightly around its wooden frame as I watched the destruction unfolding inside the great hall. My father, Alpha Marcus, was on his knees. I had never seen him kneel before anyone. Not when rival Alphas challenged him, not when rogues attacked our borders, and certainly not when members of our own pack questioned his authority. For thirty years, he had ruled Silver Moon with an iron fist, demanding obedience and punishing anyone who dared challenge him. Yet tonight, the mighty Alpha looked like a frightened old man begging for his life. And the man standing before him was the reason. Alpha Kael Blackwood. The Shadow King. His reputation had travelled through every territory in the northern region. Some called him a ruthless conqueror, while others whispered that he had been born without a conscience. Stories claimed he had destroyed entire packs without hesitation and executed anyone who betrayed his authority. There were even rumors that he had killed his own mother after discovering her involvement in a betrayal against his family. I had never believed every story I heard, but after witnessing what he had done to our warriors, I no longer doubted that he was capable of terrible things. Thirty warriors lay dead across the great hall. Their blood stained the polished marble floor, and the surviving pack members stood against the walls, too frightened to move. My cousin Daniel was among the fallen. His lifeless body rested near the staircase, his eyes still open as though he had been waiting for someone to save him. I pressed a trembling hand against my mouth. Kael stood in the middle of the destruction, dressed entirely in black. His broad shoulders, sharp jaw, and perfectly controlled movements made him look almost unreal. His dark hair fell slightly across his forehead, and his obsidian eyes seemed to absorb every trace of light around him. He was devastatingly handsome, but there was something frightening about the emptiness in his expression. He didn't look like a man who had just taken thirty lives. He looked like someone who could take thirty more without losing a moment of sleep. "The blood debt stands," he announced, his deep voice carrying effortlessly through the silent hall. "Your pack murdered my brother. I've taken thirty of your warriors in return. Now, I will take something far more valuable." My father's hands shook against the floor. "Please, Kael. Take our treasury. Take the eastern territories. You can have our weapons and whatever wealth remains in this house. Just spare the people who have survived." Kael tilted his head slightly, studying him with an expression that made my stomach twist. "You still don't understand, Marcus. I didn't come here for your money." "Then what do you want?" For several seconds, Kael said nothing. His gaze travelled across the hall, passing over the frightened warriors and the members of the council. Then, slowly, his eyes settled on the doorway where I stood hiding. Our eyes met. Something strange happened inside my chest. A sudden warmth spread through my body, followed by a powerful pull that made my knees weak. It felt as though an invisible thread had been tied around my heart and was being pulled directly toward him. My wolf stirred. Mate. The word echoed inside my mind, leaving me breathless. No. It couldn't be. I had spent eighteen years believing that I was too weak, too ordinary, and too insignificant for anyone to choose me. I was an omega who could barely control her wolf, not the kind of woman an Alpha would look at twice. Yet my wolf was certain. The monster standing in our bloodstained hall was my mate. Kael's lips curved into a faint, humorless smile. "I want your daughter." My father's head snapped upward. "Luna?" My name sounded almost unfamiliar coming from his mouth. "She's barely eighteen," he protested. "She's an omega. She has no place in your affairs. Take anything else, but leave my daughter out of this." I almost laughed. It was strange hearing my father pretend to care about me. For as long as I could remember, he had treated me like an unfortunate mistake, something that embarrassed him whenever important guests visited. My older half-brother had received his attention, his affection, and his training. I had received nothing except reminders that I was the weakest member of the family. Kael took one slow step toward the doorway. "I know exactly what she is." His gaze never left mine. "Omega blood is considered precious in certain territories. But I have no interest in your daughter's bloodline, Marcus. I want her because she is the last thing you have left to lose." The door suddenly swung open. I stumbled backward as Kael entered the corridor. Up close, he was even more intimidating. His presence filled the narrow space, and the faint scent of cedar and cold rain surrounded him. My wolf reacted immediately, pushing against my control with an almost painful need to get closer. Kael looked down at me. "What's your name?" I swallowed, forcing myself to meet his eyes. "Luna." "Look at me when you answer, little omega." "I just did." Something shifted in his expression. Perhaps he hadn't expected me to respond. Most people lowered their heads whenever he spoke, but I had spent too many years being humiliated to start bowing to another cruel man. He studied my face for another moment before extending his hand. "Come." I glanced toward my father, silently hoping he would intervene. Instead, he lowered his head. That was when I understood. He was going to let Kael take me. My own father was exchanging me for his survival. "You're not even going to stop him?" I whispered. Alpha Marcus didn't answer. The silence hurt more than any insult he had ever thrown at me. I turned back toward Kael, lifted my chin, and tried to steady my breathing. "If you're going to kill me, then do it yourself. I won't beg." A dark smile appeared on his face. "Kill you? No, Luna. That would be too easy." He leaned closer, his voice dropping until only I could hear him. "You're going to marry me. You're coming to Blackwood territory, where everyone will know exactly whose wife you are. Your father will spend the rest of his life wondering what I've done with the daughter he was so willing to surrender." My stomach twisted. "And if I refuse?" "Then you'll learn that refusing me has consequences." I wanted to hate him. I wanted to scream, fight, and run until the forest swallowed me. But beneath my fear, the mate bond continued to pulse, creating a connection I couldn't understand. My greatest enemy was my mate. And somehow, that frightened me more than the blood on the floor. Kael didn't give me time to pack. His warriors escorted me out of the pack house while the surviving members watched from the entrance. Nobody stepped forward. Nobody questioned the decision. Even the people who had known me since childhood remained silent. I asked to visit my mother's grave before leaving, but Kael refused. "You're wasting time," he said. "She's the only person in this pack who ever loved me. At least let me say goodbye." For the first time, his expression changed slightly. His eyes narrowed, but he didn't respond immediately. Then he turned to one of his warriors. "Give her five minutes." I stared at him, surprised by the unexpected permission. It wasn't kindness, but it was more than I had expected. I ran toward the small garden behind the pack house, where my mother's grave rested beneath an old willow tree. The flowers I had placed there two days earlier were beginning to wilt. I knelt in front of the stone and brushed away the fallen leaves. "I'm sorry, Mama," I whispered. "I don't know where they're taking me, and I don't know if I'll ever come back. But I promise I won't let them destroy me." The wind moved gently through the branches. For one brief moment, I remembered her voice telling me that being an omega didn't make me weak. She had always insisted that there was something special about my wolf, something that would reveal itself when the time was right. I had never understood what she meant. Perhaps I never would. When I returned to the entrance, Kael was waiting beside a black SUV. His expression suggested that he had already grown tired of waiting. One of his warriors opened the back door, and I climbed inside without another word. Kael settled into the seat opposite me. The vehicle moved almost immediately, carrying me away from the only home I had ever known. For several minutes, neither of us spoke. I stared through the tinted window, watching the familiar buildings disappear behind the trees. My hands rested tightly in my lap as I tried to ignore the uncomfortable awareness of the man sitting across from me. "Do you always look at people as though you're planning their funeral?" I finally asked. Kael raised an eyebrow. "Do you always speak when nobody has asked you a question?" "Only when I'm uncomfortable." "Then I suggest you get used to being uncomfortable." I turned toward him. "Is that supposed to frighten me?" "No. It's a warning." His voice was calm, but something in his eyes made me believe every word. I looked away before he could notice how badly my hands were shaking. "Why me?" I asked after a moment. "If you wanted revenge against my father, why not kill him? Why drag me into something I know nothing about?" Kael's jaw tightened. "Three years ago, your father ordered an ambush against my brother's hunting party. They were attacked deep inside the northern forest. His warriors killed everyone who tried to defend themselves, slit my brother's throat, and left his body for the crows." My heart sank. "Your brother?" "Dorian." There was something different in his voice when he said the name. It was subtle, almost invisible, but for the first time, I heard something beneath his anger. Pain. "How old was he?" I asked quietly. "Twenty-four." "I'm sorry." Kael let out a humorless laugh. "Don't waste your sympathy on me." "I wasn't pretending." His gaze returned to mine. "You know nothing about what happened." "You're right. I don't. But I know what it feels like to lose someone you love." For a brief moment, I thought he might ask about my mother. Instead, he leaned back and stared out the opposite window. "Your father never told you what he did?" "No. My father never tells me anything important." "Interesting." I frowned. "What's interesting?" "Nothing you need to concern yourself with." I hated the way he dismissed my questions. It reminded me of my father, who had spent years treating me like a child incapable of understanding anything. "Then why bring me along if you're not going to explain anything?" Kael turned toward me. "Because you're the price your father must pay." His words landed heavily between us. I lowered my eyes, refusing to let him see how much they hurt. I wasn't a weapon, a possession, or a punishment. I was a person who had never been given the chance to decide what she wanted. Yet nobody seemed interested in asking. The Blackwood fortress appeared just before sunrise. It stood on the edge of a towering cliff, surrounded by dense forest and high stone walls. Dark watchtowers rose above the stronghold, and armed warriors patrolled the entrance. Silver torches burned along the pathway, illuminating the massive iron gates bearing the Blackwood crest. I had heard stories about this place since childhood. Some said prisoners entered through those gates and were never seen again. Others claimed the Shadow King kept his enemies beneath the fortress, where nobody could hear their screams. I wondered which story would become mine. The SUV stopped, and Kael stepped outside first. A warrior opened my door, offering his hand. I ignored it and climbed out myself. Several wolves had gathered near the entrance. Their attention immediately shifted toward me. Whispers travelled through the crowd. "That's the Silver Moon girl?" "She's an omega?" "The Alpha brought her here as his bride?" "Does he intend to make her Luna?" I kept my eyes forward, pretending their words didn't affect me. Kael stopped beside me. "Keep your head down. Don't speak unless you're spoken to, and don't wander around the fortress without permission." I looked at him. "Anything else? Should I stop breathing too?" His eyes narrowed. "You seem determined to test my patience." "And you seem determined to control every breath I take." He stepped closer, lowering his voice. "Listen carefully, Luna. Half the wolves in this fortress want you dead because of what your father did. The other half will see you as an opportunity to weaken me. If anyone touches you, I will deal with them personally." I searched his expression. "Because you care what happens to me?" His answer came immediately. "Because you're mine." The words sent an unexpected shiver through me. "Not because I care," he added. "You're my property, my revenge, and the blood price your father owes me. Don't confuse those things." I looked away, hiding the strange ache in my chest. My wolf didn't seem interested in his explanation. He is ours. I silently begged her to be quiet. The fortress was even more intimidating inside. Dark marble floors stretched beneath enormous chandeliers, while portraits of former Blackwood Alphas lined the walls. Warriors stood at regular intervals, their black uniforms bearing the silver wolf emblem of the pack. Nobody smiled when we passed. An elderly woman stood near the staircase, holding a silver tray. Her gaze settled on me, and her expression changed. "Alpha," she greeted Kael with a respectful bow. "Is this the girl from Silver Moon?" "Yes." The woman studied me for a moment. "She's very young." Kael's expression hardened. "Do you have something to say about my decision, Margaret?" "No, Alpha." But her eyes returned to me with something resembling pity. I wondered how many people in this fortress had already decided what kind of woman I was without knowing my name. Kael continued walking until we reached a pair of enormous oak doors. He opened one and stepped aside. "This is where you'll stay." I entered cautiously. The room was beautiful, almost painfully so. A massive four-poster bed stood in the centre, dressed in white silk sheets. A fireplace occupied one wall, while tall windows overlooked the forest surrounding the fortress. There was a dressing room, a private bathroom, and a balcony overlooking the valley. It was more luxurious than anything I had ever experienced. But when I approached the entrance and noticed the lock, my stomach tightened. "Am I allowed to leave?" "No." I turned around. "So this is a prison." "Call it whatever makes you comfortable." "You're holding me against my will." Kael removed his leather jacket and handed it to a nearby warrior. "You're alive. You have food, clothing, and a room. Many people would consider that generous." "Many people aren't being forced to marry a stranger." His expression became colder. "Tomorrow, the ceremony will take place. You'll stand beside me, repeat your vows, and become my wife. After that, you'll learn how things work in this fortress." "And if I refuse to say the vows?" "Then we'll have a problem." I folded my arms. "You really think marrying me will make your brother's death hurt less?" For the first time, his expression lost its perfect control. He approached me slowly, stopping close enough that I could feel the warmth of his body. "You have no idea what I've lost." "Then tell me." His eyes searched mine. I could feel the mate bond pulling us together, demanding that I close the distance between us. My wolf wanted his touch, his protection, and his acceptance. But I refused to let instinct make decisions that belonged to me. Kael reached out and lifted my chin. "You're going to learn something, little omega. I don't forgive. I don't forget. And I certainly don't fall in love." I gently removed his hand. "Good. Because I don't intend to make loving you my responsibility." Something flickered across his face. For a second, I thought I saw surprise. Then his expression hardened again. "Enjoy your final night of freedom. Tomorrow, you become my wife." He turned toward the door. "Kael." He stopped without looking back. "What?" I hesitated before asking the question that had been troubling me since the moment he announced his intentions. "Did your brother know my mother?" The silence that followed was immediate. Kael slowly turned around. "Why would you ask that?" "I don't know. I just thought..." "Your mother has nothing to do with this." His voice was sharper than before. "Don't bring her name into my brother's death." He left before I could respond. The heavy door closed, followed by the unmistakable sound of the lock turning. I stood motionless for several seconds. Why had he reacted that way? I had barely mentioned my mother, yet something about the question had disturbed him. It was almost as though I had touched a secret he desperately wanted to keep buried. I walked toward the window and looked down at the forest. Somewhere beyond those trees was the world I had known. My mother's grave, the Silver Moon territory, and the life I had lost in a single night. I pressed my palm against my chest. The mate bond continued to hum beneath my skin, stubborn and warm. Kael Blackwood wanted to destroy me because of a crime my father had committed. He believed I was nothing more than a tool for revenge, and tomorrow I would become his wife. But there was something he didn't understand. I had already spent eighteen years being treated like I was worthless. I had survived my father's rejection, the cruelty of my pack, and the loneliness of growing up without a mother. I wasn't going to let another man decide how much of me he could break. I turned away from the window and noticed something lying on the bedside table. A small silver envelope. My name was written across it in handwriting I recognized immediately. My mother's. My heart stopped. I rushed toward the table and picked it up with trembling fingers. Beneath my name were five words that made the room seem to spin. When you meet your mate, run. I stared at the handwriting, unable to breathe. My mother had been dead for six years. And somehow, she had known I would meet Kael Blackwood.

I didn’t sleep. Every time I closed my eyes, I saw the five words written in my mother’s familiar handwriting. When you meet your mate, run. I had read the message so many times that I could almost feel her voice speaking the words beside my ear. My mother had been dead for six years. I had buried her beneath the willow tree behind our pack house, cried until my throat became sore, and spent countless nights wishing I could hear her voice one more time. Yet somehow, a message written in her handwriting had appeared inside my bedroom at Blackwood Fortress. And it wasn’t the message itself that frightened me most. It was the fact that she had known I would meet my mate. I sat on the edge of the enormous bed, holding the silver envelope between my fingers. I had searched every corner of the room, hoping to discover something else, but there was nothing. No explanation, no additional letter, and no indication of who had placed it there. Kael had insisted that my mother had nothing to do with his brother’s death. But the moment I mentioned her name, his expression had changed. He had become unusually defensive, almost angry. Was it possible that he knew something about her? A soft growl escaped my throat as my wolf stirred. Ask him. I shook my head. He won’t tell us anything. Then find out yourself. I looked toward the locked door. I had no idea how I would investigate anything while being held inside a fortress filled with warriors who considered me an enemy. Still, I wasn’t going to surrender. I carefully folded the letter and slipped it beneath the mattress. Whatever secrets my mother had left behind, I intended to uncover them. A sudden click interrupted my thoughts. The door opened. I quickly turned, expecting Kael, but a woman stepped inside instead. She was tall and elegant, with silver-streaked hair pulled into a tight bun. Her sharp features gave her the appearance of someone who had spent most of her life commanding others. She wore a fitted black uniform with gold embroidery around the collar. “Get up,” she ordered. I remained seated. “Good morning to you too.” Her eyebrows lifted slightly. “Do you always have something to say?” “Only when someone enters my room and starts giving orders.” She walked farther inside, her gaze moving over the room before settling on me. “Delta Rhea,” she introduced herself. “The Alpha has instructed me to prepare you for the wedding ceremony.” I stared at her. “The wedding is today?” “Unless you’ve suddenly changed your mind about becoming his wife.” I almost laughed. “Did anyone ask whether I wanted to become his wife?” Rhea’s expression remained cold. “Wanting something and being permitted to have it are two very different things in Blackwood territory.” She placed a bundle of clothing on the bed. “Put this on. The ceremony begins in one hour.” I looked down. A wedding dress. It was made of white silk, decorated with delicate silver embroidery. Tiny wolves had been stitched along the waist and sleeves, and the fabric shimmered whenever the light touched it. It was beautiful. That somehow made everything worse. “Did he choose this?” I asked. “Of course.” “How thoughtful.” Rhea studied me. “You should be careful with your tongue, girl. The Alpha is not known for tolerating disrespect.” “And you’re not known for being friendly, apparently.” For the first time, something resembling amusement appeared in her eyes. “You’re either very brave or you have absolutely no understanding of the situation you’re in.” “Perhaps both.” She shook her head and pointed toward the changing screen. “Get dressed. I won’t ask again.” I picked up the dress and disappeared behind the screen. As I changed, my thoughts returned to Kael. I wondered whether he had slept. I wondered whether he was looking forward to the ceremony or simply treating it as another opportunity to humiliate my father. Most of all, I wondered whether he felt the mate bond as strongly as I did. My wolf had been restless all night. Every time I thought about him, she pushed against my consciousness, desperate to reach him. I hated that. I hated that my instincts could betray me so easily. When I stepped out from behind the screen, Rhea briefly paused. The dress fitted perfectly. Its long sleeves were decorated with silver patterns, while a delicate train flowed behind me. My dark hair fell over my shoulders, and the small silver necklace my mother had given me rested against my collarbone. Rhea examined me from head to toe. “At least you look presentable.” “Thank you. I’ll treasure that compliment forever.” She ignored me and opened the door. “Come along.” The corridors seemed longer than they had the previous night. As we walked, warriors turned to stare. Their expressions ranged from curiosity to open hostility. Some whispered behind their hands, while others didn’t bother hiding their disgust. “That’s the omega from Silver Moon.” “She’s the Alpha’s revenge bride.” “How can he possibly make her his Luna?” A woman standing beside one of the pillars stepped forward as we passed. “Traitor’s daughter,” she spat. I stopped. Rhea immediately tightened her grip around my arm. “Keep walking.” The woman laughed. “Perhaps her father should have sent his useless daughter to the battlefield instead of allowing our Alpha to bring her here.” I looked at her. “My father sent plenty of warriors to the battlefield. Apparently, yours wasn’t among them.” Her expression hardened. Rhea pulled me forward before the woman could respond. “Are you trying to get yourself killed?” she whispered. “I was answering a question.” “That woman is the Alpha’s cousin.” “Then perhaps she should learn some manners.” Rhea sighed. “You really don’t understand how dangerous this place is.” I glanced at her. “Believe me, Delta. I’ve understood danger since I was old enough to recognize the sound of my father’s footsteps.” She didn’t answer. But for the rest of the walk, her grip on my arm became slightly less forceful. We eventually reached two enormous doors decorated with silver wolves. Beyond them, I could hear the low murmur of hundreds of voices. Rhea stopped. “Remember something,” she said quietly. “Whatever happens inside, don’t provoke the Alpha.” I studied her face. “Why? Are you afraid of him?” Her expression changed. “Everyone with any sense is.” Before I could ask another question, the doors swung open. The throne room was magnificent. Massive stone pillars supported the high ceiling, and silver torches illuminated ancient tapestries depicting the history of the Blackwood bloodline. At the far end stood an enormous obsidian throne, surrounded by carved wolves with their mouths open in silent howls. Hundreds of pack members had gathered. At the centre of the room, beneath the Blackwood crest, stood Kael. He wore a black ceremonial suit with silver detailing along the shoulders and sleeves. His dark hair had been brushed away from his forehead, exposing the hard lines of his face. He looked nothing like the man who had arrived at Silver Moon covered in blood. Today, he looked like a king preparing to claim a kingdom. And when his eyes found mine, the mate bond awakened with such force that my breath caught. Mate! My wolf surged forward. I nearly stumbled, but forced myself to remain standing. Kael’s expression tightened. I noticed the slight movement of his jaw and the way his fingers curled against his side. He felt it too. “Bring her forward,” he commanded. Rhea released my arm and stepped aside. I walked toward him, keeping my head high. When I reached the bottom of the platform, I stopped. Kael waited. I didn’t move. A murmur spread through the assembled wolves. His eyes narrowed. “Come closer, Luna.” “I can hear you perfectly well from here.” Someone in the crowd gasped. Kael descended the steps slowly. His movements were controlled, but I could sense the anger building beneath his calm expression. When he finally stood before me, the difference in our height became painfully obvious. “Do you enjoy testing me?” “Not particularly. I simply don’t enjoy being ordered around.” His gaze travelled over my face before settling on my eyes. “Your father killed my brother. Your pack destroyed my family. And yet you stand here wearing my wedding dress as though you have forgotten why you’re here.” “I haven’t forgotten anything.” “Then remember your place.” I felt my wolf growl. I swallowed the fear rising in my throat. “My place? You mean the place you decided for me without asking?” His jaw tightened. “You’re standing here because I allowed you to live.” “And I’m standing here because you dragged me away from my home. Don’t confuse those things.” For a moment, the entire room seemed to disappear. There was only Kael and me. His expression remained unreadable, but something shifted behind his dark eyes. “You’re a difficult woman.” “And you’re a difficult man.” A faint, dangerous smile touched his lips. “Perhaps this marriage will be more interesting than I expected.” He turned toward the gathered pack members and extended his hand. “Witnesses of Blackwood!” The room fell silent. “Today, I take Luna of Silver Moon as my wife. Her father’s blood debt remains unpaid, and this marriage marks the beginning of what he owes my family.” The crowd responded with approving growls. I felt sick. He wasn’t announcing a marriage. He was announcing a punishment. Kael took my hand, and the moment our fingers touched, warmth spread through my body. The mate bond surged between us, filling my chest with emotions I couldn’t separate from my own. For one terrible second, I wanted to lean against him. I wanted him to hold me. I wanted to believe that the man who had destroyed my home might somehow become the person who protected me. Then I remembered his words. You’re my revenge. I pulled myself together. The pack elder stepped forward carrying a small wooden box. He was an elderly man with white hair and a long beard. A silver pendant hung around his neck, bearing the symbol of the first Blackwood Alpha. “Before the ceremony begins,” he announced, “the ancient laws require both parties to acknowledge the bond and accept the responsibilities of marriage.” I looked at Kael. “Responsibilities?” He ignored my question. The elder opened the wooden box and removed two silver rings. “These rings represent the joining of two bloodlines. Once the vows are spoken, the union will be recognized by the pack.” He handed Kael one ring. Kael took my hand. The contact sent another wave of warmth through me, and I struggled to keep my expression neutral. “Do you, Kael Blackwood, accept Luna as your lawful wife, promising to protect the bond between you and honor the responsibilities of this union?” Kael’s gaze remained fixed on mine. “I accept the union.” The elder nodded. Then he turned toward me. “Do you, Luna, accept Kael Blackwood as your husband and acknowledge the bond that joins you?” I hesitated. My mother’s letter flashed through my mind. When you meet your mate, run. I looked at the ring in Kael’s hand. I wanted to refuse. I wanted to tell everyone that this marriage was built on lies, blood, and revenge. But refusing would not return me to Silver Moon. It would only give Kael another reason to punish me. So I lifted my chin. “I accept the union.” The elder placed the ring on my finger. The moment it settled against my skin, a strange sensation travelled through my body. The bond pulsed once, stronger than before, and my wolf went completely still. For a brief second, I thought I heard another voice. Not mine. Not Kael’s. Something distant and ancient. Blood remembers. I blinked. “What was that?” I whispered. Kael turned toward me. “What?” I looked at him, confused. “Nothing.” The elder raised his hands. “By the ancient laws of the Blackwood pack, you are now husband and wife.” A low cheer filled the room. Kael didn’t smile. He simply turned toward me, his eyes dark and unreadable. The elder cleared his throat. “The Alpha must seal the union with a kiss.” My stomach tightened. Kael placed one hand around my waist and drew me closer. His touch sent a shiver through my body, and my wolf immediately responded. His face lowered toward mine. “I hate you,” he whispered. I looked directly into his eyes. “Then we’re starting our marriage honestly.” Something almost resembling amusement crossed his expression. Then his lips met mine. The kiss was intense, brief, and filled with emotions neither of us seemed willing to acknowledge. I felt the mate bond flare between us, but I refused to let the moment make me forget why I was standing there. When he finally pulled away, his breathing was uneven. His gaze remained on my face for another second before he turned toward the crowd. “The ceremony is complete.” The room erupted into cheers. But I barely heard them. I was too busy wondering why the man who claimed to hate me had looked almost as shaken by that kiss as I was. “Take her to my chambers,” Kael instructed Rhea. I turned toward him. “Your chambers?” “Did you expect to spend your wedding night in the servants’ quarters?” “I expected to spend it somewhere that didn’t belong to a man who kidnapped me.” His expression hardened. “Be careful, Luna.” “You’re always telling me that.” Rhea approached and gently touched my arm. “This way.” I followed her out of the throne room, leaving Kael behind. The corridor was quieter now. The celebrations continued somewhere in the fortress, but Rhea seemed uninterested in them. We walked for several minutes before she finally spoke. “Do you understand what you’ve just become?” “His wife?” “More than that. You’re now connected to the most powerful Alpha in the northern territories. Every decision you make will affect the people around you.” I looked at her. “Does that mean they’ll finally stop treating me like an enemy?” She gave a small, humorless smile. “Probably not.” “Wonderful.” We reached a pair of dark wooden doors. Rhea opened them. Kael’s chambers were enormous. A large fireplace occupied one side of the room, while a massive bed stood beneath a canopy of dark fabric. There was a sitting area near the windows, several bookshelves, and another door leading to what appeared to be a private dressing room. Everything smelled of cedar, smoke, and something unmistakably belonging to Kael. I stepped inside. Rhea remained near the entrance. “The Alpha will return later.” “How comforting.” She studied me for a moment. “Listen carefully, Luna. There are things about this pack you don’t understand. Don’t trust everyone who smiles at you, and don’t assume that everyone who treats you harshly wishes you harm.” I frowned. “That’s a strange thing to say.” “Blackwood has secrets. Some of them are older than the Alpha himself.” Before I could ask what she meant, she walked out. The door closed. I stood alone in the centre of Kael’s chambers, staring at the expensive furniture and the enormous bed. I was married. To my enemy. To my mate. And I had no idea what would happen when he returned. I removed the wedding ring and examined it beneath the light. Something was engraved inside the band. A small symbol. A crescent moon surrounded by three tiny stars. My heart began to pound. I had seen that symbol before. It was on the back of the silver necklace my mother had given me. I immediately reached for the necklace around my neck and turned it over. The markings were identical. I stared at the two objects, trying to understand what they could possibly have in common. My mother had owned something connected to the Blackwood family. And somehow, the wedding ring had the same symbol. A sudden knock interrupted my thoughts. I quickly slipped the ring back onto my finger. The door opened. Kael entered. He had removed his ceremonial jacket, and the sleeves of his black shirt were rolled to his elbows. His expression was tired, but his eyes immediately settled on me. “You’re still awake.” “I wasn’t aware I was supposed to sleep.” He closed the door behind him. “Rhea told me you caused a scene during the ceremony.” “Then Rhea should have told you that I didn’t particularly enjoy being forced into a marriage.” Kael walked toward the fireplace. “You’ll get used to it.” “I hope you don’t expect me to thank you.” He turned. “Do you ever stop talking?” “Do you ever stop giving orders?” For several seconds, neither of us spoke. Then his gaze dropped to my necklace. “Where did you get that?” I instinctively touched it. “It belonged to my mother.” His expression changed. “Your mother?” “Yes. Why?” He stepped closer, studying the small pendant. “What’s her name?” “Elena.” The silence that followed was so sudden that I could hear the fire crackling behind him. Kael stared at the necklace as though it had awakened a memory he had spent years trying to forget. “Take it off,” he ordered. I stepped backward. “No.” “Luna, take it off.” “Why? What’s wrong with it?” His eyes darkened. “That symbol belongs to my family.” My heart began to race. “That’s impossible.” “Where did your mother get it?” “I don’t know. She never told me.” Kael reached toward the pendant, but I closed my fingers around it. “Don’t touch it.” His hand stopped. For a moment, I thought he might force me to surrender it. Instead, he lowered his arm. “Your mother was not who you think she was.” I stared at him. “What does that mean?” He looked away. “Go to sleep, Luna.” “No. You don’t get to say something like that and walk away. What did you know about my mother?” His expression hardened. “Some questions are better left unanswered.” “Not when they concern my family.” He moved toward the door. “Stay away from the northern wing of this fortress. You’re not permitted there.” “Why?” He paused. “Because I said so.” The door opened. Before leaving, he turned back one final time. “And Luna?” I met his gaze. “Yes?” “Whatever your mother told you about the Blackwood family, forget it.” Then he disappeared into the corridor. I stood frozen, my fingers wrapped around the necklace. My mother had warned me to run when I met my mate. Kael knew the symbol she had left behind. And now he was telling me to forget everything she might have known about his family. I looked toward the closed door. For the first time since arriving at Blackwood Fortress, I understood that my marriage was only the beginning of something much bigger. And whatever secret my mother had carried to her grave, it was buried somewhere inside this fortress.

The wedding night was supposed to be a celebration, but there was nothing beautiful about being locked inside a stranger’s bedroom. Kael’s chambers were filled with expensive furniture, ancient books, and decorations that probably cost more than everything I had ever owned in Silver Moon. A massive bed stood beneath a canopy of black silk, while a fireplace illuminated the dark walls with dancing shadows. Along one side of the room stood several bookshelves filled with old volumes about pack history, ancient bloodlines, and forgotten supernatural laws. It was a beautiful prison. The windows were reinforced with iron bars, and the heavy wooden door had no handle on the inside. Even worse, the silver wedding ring on my finger refused to come off no matter how hard I pulled. I had tried soap, water, and even a little oil from the dressing table. Nothing worked. It’s the pack magic, my wolf whispered. I examined the ring again. What kind of marriage requires a magical prison? An Alpha marriage, she replied. I rolled my eyes. “Wonderful.” I walked toward the window and looked down at the courtyard. Several warriors were still patrolling the grounds, their movements precise and coordinated. Beyond the fortress walls, the forest stretched toward the distant mountains. Somewhere beyond those mountains was Silver Moon. Or whatever remained of it. My fingers instinctively touched the necklace around my neck. The small silver pendant felt unusually cold against my skin. Kael’s reaction to it continued to trouble me. He had recognized the symbol immediately. More importantly, he had seemed almost frightened when I told him it belonged to my mother. I returned to the bed and reached beneath the mattress, retrieving the silver envelope I had hidden earlier. I unfolded it carefully, tracing the familiar handwriting with my fingertips. When you meet your mate, run. Why had she written those words? Had she known who my mate would be? And if she had, why hadn’t she told me anything before she died? I was about to fold the letter when I heard footsteps outside. The sound grew louder until the lock turned. I quickly slipped the envelope beneath my pillow. The door opened. Kael entered without knocking. He had changed into black trousers and a dark shirt, with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows. His expression was colder than it had been during the ceremony, and his dark eyes immediately settled on me. For a moment, neither of us spoke. Then he closed the door. “You shouldn’t have challenged me in front of my pack.” I folded my arms. “Good evening to you too, husband.” His jaw tightened. “Don’t use that word.” I raised an eyebrow. “Which one? Husband? Is there another title you’d prefer?” He walked farther into the room. “You embarrassed me today.” I stared at him in disbelief. “Are you serious?” “My warriors watched you refuse my command. They watched you question my authority in front of the entire pack.” “And you survived. Congratulations.” His expression darkened. “Do you think this is a game?” “No. If it were a game, I would have asked for better rules.” Kael stopped in front of me. “You have no understanding of what is happening around you. My enemies are watching every decision I make. They see this marriage as an opportunity to weaken my authority. Half my council believes bringing you here was a mistake.” “Then perhaps you should have married someone they approved of.” “I didn’t ask for your opinion.” “And I didn’t ask to become your wife.” Silence settled between us. For a moment, I thought he might lose his temper. His hands curled into fists, and the muscles along his jaw tightened. Instead, he turned away and walked toward the fireplace. “You think being my mate gives you some kind of protection,” he said. “It doesn’t.” I followed him with my eyes. “Then why do you keep reminding me that I’m yours?” He looked over his shoulder. “Because you belong to this marriage now.” “Marriage isn’t ownership.” His gaze returned to the flames. “You’ll learn that things work differently here.” I watched him carefully. There was something strange about the way he spoke about the marriage. He sounded almost angry with himself, as though being bound to me was a punishment he hadn’t anticipated. Perhaps he hated the mate bond as much as I did. That thought should have comforted me. Instead, it made me wonder what he would do if he discovered that I was beginning to feel something for him despite everything. Kael remained near the fireplace for several minutes before speaking again. “My pack has a problem.” I frowned. “Is that why you came here? To tell me about your problems?” “Listen.” I closed my mouth. “Three of our northern patrols have disappeared within the last two weeks. No bodies have been recovered, and nobody has claimed responsibility. Last night, while I was dealing with your father’s pack, another patrol failed to report.” I looked at him. “Do you think someone is attacking your territory?” “I know someone is.” “Then why are you telling me?” His eyes narrowed. “Because you’re going to become part of this pack, whether you like it or not. You need to understand what you’re entering.” I considered his words. “If your warriors are disappearing, shouldn’t you be searching for them instead of arranging revenge marriages?” His expression became dangerous. “Careful.” “I’m only asking a question.” “You’re asking questions about matters you don’t understand.” “Then explain them.” He stared at me. For several seconds, I thought he would refuse. But eventually, he pulled a chair away from the fireplace and sat down. “Someone has been testing our borders. They know our patrol schedules, our guard rotations, and the locations of our weakest defensive points. Whoever is responsible has access to information that should only be available to members of my inner council.” I frowned. “So you think there’s a traitor inside your pack?” “Possibly.” “Have you questioned your council?” “Every member.” “And?” “Nobody has confessed.” I shook my head. “Perhaps you’re asking the wrong questions.” His eyes narrowed. “What does that mean?” “If someone knows your patrol schedules, then they’re probably not acting alone. Maybe the information is being passed through someone who doesn’t even realize what they’re helping.” Kael studied me. “That’s an interesting assumption.” “It’s not an assumption. It’s a possibility.” “And you believe you can solve a problem my best warriors haven’t been able to solve?” I shrugged. “I believe asking different questions might lead to different answers.” For the first time, he looked at me without obvious hostility. It lasted only a moment. Then he stood. “Don’t mistake this conversation for trust.” “I wouldn’t dream of it.” He walked toward the door, but stopped before opening it. “There’s something else you should understand. Your father’s death changes everything.” My heart suddenly tightened. “What?” Kael turned. “Marcus is dead.” The words entered my ears, but my mind refused to understand them. I stared at him. “What did you say?” “Your father was executed after we left Silver Moon.” The room seemed to tilt. “No.” Kael’s expression remained cold. “Yes.” I shook my head. “You’re lying.” “Why would I lie about something like that?” Because you wanted to hurt me, I thought. Because you wanted to make me suffer. Because you were capable of anything. But I couldn’t say any of those things. My father had been cruel. He had neglected me, humiliated me, and eventually surrendered me to his enemy. Yet he was still my father. And now he was dead. I pressed a hand against my chest. A strange sensation spread through my body, like a thread being pulled apart somewhere deep inside me. My wolf whimpered. He’s gone. I closed my eyes. For one brief moment, I felt something that wasn’t mine. A fading heartbeat, a distant cry, and an overwhelming sense of finality. Then it disappeared. I opened my eyes, struggling to breathe. “I felt it,” I whispered. Kael looked at me sharply. “What?” “The moment he died.” His expression changed. “You felt your father’s death?” I nodded slowly. “Through the pack connection. It was like something inside me suddenly went silent.” He studied me with an intensity that made me uncomfortable. “That’s unusual.” “Not for an omega.” “Most omegas cannot sense a death across territories, especially when the connection has been weakened.” I looked down at my hands. “Perhaps I’m not as ordinary as everyone thinks.” Kael said nothing. I swallowed. “How did he die?” “His execution was carried out by my warriors.” “Did he suffer?” Kael’s eyes hardened. “Why does that matter?” “Because I asked you a question.” He looked away. “It was quick.” I nodded, although the answer did little to comfort me. I had spent years wishing my father would look at me with pride. I had imagined countless conversations in which he finally apologized for making me feel unwanted. Now those conversations would never happen. “I hated him sometimes,” I whispered. “I hated how he treated me. I hated how he looked at me as though I was a mistake. But I still wanted him to live long enough to understand that I wasn’t worthless.” Kael watched me silently. I wiped the tears gathering in my eyes. “I suppose I’ll never get that chance.” Something shifted in his expression. For the first time, he seemed uncertain about what to say. But whatever emotion had briefly appeared disappeared almost immediately. “Now you understand what it means to lose someone.” I looked at him. “Yes. I do.” He seemed to expect me to become angry, but I didn’t. “My father never loved me the way he loved my brother. He made me feel unwanted for most of my life. But I still loved him because he was my family.” I took a shaky breath. “Maybe that’s the worst part about being an omega. Everyone expects us to be gentle, forgiving, and obedient. They forget that we have feelings too.” Kael’s gaze remained fixed on me. “You’re not like the omegas I’ve known.” I gave a sad smile. “Perhaps you haven’t known very many.” The silence between us became uncomfortable. Kael moved toward the table and poured himself a glass of water. His movements were controlled, but I noticed the slight tension in his shoulders. “There’s something I want to know,” I said. He didn’t look at me. “Ask.” “Why did you choose me?” His hand paused. “I already explained that.” “No. You explained why you wanted revenge. You never explained why you chose me specifically.” He placed the glass down. “You’re Marcus’s daughter.” “I have a brother.” “Your brother is not here.” “That doesn’t answer my question.” Kael turned toward me. “Your father spent years protecting you from the consequences of his actions. You were the one thing he refused to place in danger.” I stared at him. “That’s not true.” His expression remained unreadable. “How would you know?” “Because he never protected me. He barely noticed when I was hurt.” Something flickered in his eyes. “Perhaps you don’t know as much about your father as you think.” I frowned. “What does that mean?” He approached the bookshelf, selecting a thick black volume. “Three years ago, my brother was murdered. The investigation led us to Silver Moon. Your father denied responsibility, but several witnesses identified his warriors.” “Then why didn’t you confront him through the council?” “Because the council was already compromised.” I remembered what he had said about the missing patrols. “Was my father involved with the people attacking your borders?” Kael looked at me. “That’s what I intend to discover.” I stared at him, trying to understand. For the first time, I realized that the story surrounding Dorian’s death might be more complicated than Kael had made it sound. Perhaps my father had been guilty. Perhaps he hadn’t. Either way, I was determined to discover the truth. Kael placed the book on the table. “Listen carefully, Luna. I’m giving you one week.” I looked at him. “For what?” “To prove that you can be useful to this pack.” I almost laughed. “Useful?” “You’re going to learn how Blackwood operates. You’ll attend council meetings, understand the pack laws, and demonstrate that you can contribute something beyond your bloodline.” “And if I refuse?” “Then you’ll remain exactly what my enemies believe you are. A weakness.” I folded my arms. “You expect me to prove myself to people who already hate me?” “I expect you to show them that underestimating you is a mistake.” His words surprised me. I studied his face, wondering whether he was mocking me. “Why give me an opportunity at all?” He didn’t answer immediately. Then he stepped closer. “Because I want to know whether the daughter of Marcus is truly as insignificant as she appears.” I felt anger rise inside me. “My father may have treated me like I was worthless, and your pack may see me as an enemy, but I won’t spend my life trying to convince people that I deserve to exist.” His gaze sharpened. “Then what will you do?” I lifted my chin. “I’ll prove that I can stand without anyone’s permission.” For several seconds, Kael simply watched me. Then he nodded once. “One week.” I extended my hand. “Agreed.” He looked down at it. “Do you think this is a business arrangement?” “No. But I prefer knowing the terms of my imprisonment.” A faint smile touched his lips before disappearing. “Get some sleep. Your training begins tomorrow.” He moved toward the door. “Kael?” He stopped. “Why did you react so strangely when I mentioned my mother?” His expression immediately changed. “Your mother is not part of this conversation.” “She gave me a necklace bearing the Blackwood symbol. You recognized it. I deserve to know why.” He stared at the pendant resting against my chest. “That symbol belonged to an ancient branch of my family.” “Then why did my mother have it?” “I don’t know.” I studied him. For some reason, I didn’t believe that answer. “You’re hiding something.” His eyes darkened. “Be careful about accusing your Alpha of things you cannot prove.” “I’m not accusing you. I’m asking you to tell me the truth.” He opened the door. “Stay away from the northern wing of this fortress. And don’t enter the old archive without permission.” My heart skipped. “What’s in the archive?” “Things that no longer concern you.” The door closed before I could ask another question. I stood there, staring at the empty doorway. The northern wing. The old archive. My mother’s necklace. There was too much connecting these things for it to be a coincidence. I didn’t sleep immediately after Kael left. Instead, I returned to the bookshelves and began examining the titles. Most concerned pack history, ancient treaties, and supernatural law. One particular volume caught my attention. It was old, its leather cover cracked along the edges. Unlike the others, it had no title printed on its spine. I pulled it free. A small piece of paper slipped from between its pages and landed on the floor. I picked it up. There were only three lines written on it. The first bloodline was never broken. The moon remembers its daughters. The forbidden heir must never awaken. My breathing became uneven. I read the words again. The moon remembers its daughters. My mother had always told me that my wolf was special. She had said there was something inside me that I would understand when I was ready. Could this be what she meant? I turned the paper over, hoping to find a name or date. There was nothing. Suddenly, my wolf stirred. Someone is coming. I quickly returned the paper to the book and slid it back onto the shelf. A moment later, I heard footsteps. The door opened slightly. A young woman entered carrying a tray of food. She had light brown hair, bright green eyes, and a small scar running along her cheek. She smiled politely. “Good morning, Luna. I’m Elise. I’ve been assigned to look after you.” I nodded. “Thank you.” She placed the tray on the table. “You’re expected in the training courtyard tomorrow morning. Delta Rhea will be supervising your lessons.” I sighed. “Wonderful. Another person who can’t wait to give me orders.” Elise laughed softly. “Don’t worry. Rhea isn’t as terrible as she looks.” “That’s reassuring.” She glanced toward the bookshelf. For a brief moment, her smile disappeared. “Have you been reading the old books?” I frowned. “Just looking.” She hesitated. “Perhaps you should avoid those shelves.” “Why?” Her eyes moved toward the door. “Some books in this room haven’t been opened in years. The Alpha doesn’t like people touching them.” I studied her face. “Do you know why?” Elise lowered her voice. “Because some of them belonged to his mother.” My heart skipped. “His mother?” She nodded. “Lady Seraphina. She disappeared many years ago. Nobody in the fortress is allowed to speak about her.” I remembered the rumors I had heard about Kael. The stories about his mother. The accusations of betrayal. “Did she die?” Elise looked uncomfortable. “Nobody knows.” Before I could ask anything else, she straightened and picked up the empty tray. “I should go. The Alpha doesn’t like his servants staying in his chambers too long.” She reached the doorway, then paused. “One more thing, Luna.” I looked at her. “Yes?” Her expression became serious. “Whatever you do, don’t let anyone see that necklace.” My fingers immediately touched the pendant. “Why?” Elise glanced down the corridor. “Because the last woman who wore that symbol was accused of destroying the Blackwood bloodline.” Then she disappeared. I remained standing in the middle of the room, unable to move. My mother had owned the same symbol. Kael’s mother had disappeared. And somewhere inside the fortress, there was an old book warning about a forbidden heir who must never awaken. I looked down at my necklace. For the first time, I wondered whether my mother’s death had truly been an illness. Or whether someone had made certain she would never reveal the truth. Outside, the wind began to howl through the fortress towers. My wolf lifted her head. Luna, something is coming. I swallowed. “What?” She remained silent for several seconds. Then her voice echoed through my mind, quieter and more frightened than I had ever heard it. I can feel it. There is something inside us that has been sleeping for a very long time. I closed my fingers around the pendant. Before I could respond, a strange warmth spread across my palm. The silver symbol began to glow. And somewhere deep beneath Blackwood Fortress, something answered.