Sera's POV
I woke up with my head on Kael's shoulder.
For one peaceful second, I forgot everything. Forgot who he was. Forgot the bond. Forgot seven years of hate.
Then reality crashed back and I jerked away so fast I hit my head on the car window.
Through the bond, Kael's hurt slammed into me like a fist to the chest.
Sorry, he said quietly, even though I was the one who'd pulled away. You fell asleep an hour ago. I didn't want to wake you.
I pressed against the door, putting as much space between us as possible. Where are we?
Almost home. He pointed ahead through the windshield.
And there it was. Blood Moon Pack compound.
It rose from the mountain like something out of a nightmare all stone and steel, walls twenty feet high, and guard towers at every corner. This wasn't a pack house. It was a fortress built for war.
My father's killer lived here.
And now, so would I.
It's not as bad as it looks, Kael said, reading my fear through the bond.
It looks like a prison.
It's protection. After my father He stopped. My pack needs to feel safe.
Nash pulled through massive iron gates. Wolves lined the courtyard, dozens of them, all staring as we drove past. Word had already spread. Their Alpha had returned with a mate.
The car stopped and my hands started shaking. I couldn't do this. Couldn't walk out there and pretend to be Kael's happy mate while planning my escape.
You don't have to be afraid, Kael said gently.
I'm not afraid of you.
Another lie. The bond twisted uncomfortably, calling me out.
Kael's jaw tightened but he didn't argue. He just opened his door and walked around to mine. When he opened it, every wolf in the courtyard was watching.
Stay close, he murmured. Some of them won't understand why I chose an omega.
You didn't choose me. The Moon Goddess did.
Same thing.
He offered his hand. I stared at it like it might burn me.
Through the bond, I felt his patience. His determination. His absolute certainty that he'd protect me from anyone here who might challenge me.
I took his hand.
The bond sang the second our skin touched. Warmth flooded through me, and I hated how good it felt. How right.
Kael led me through the crowd. Wolves bowed their heads as we passed, showing respect. But I heard the whispers.
She's so small.
An omega? Really?
Where did she even come from?
The Moon Goddess must have made a mistake.
I kept my head high, refusing to show weakness. Let them judge. Let them whisper. I wasn't staying long anyway.
Inside the compound, Kael led me up three flights of stairs. The halls were empty here, quiet.
This is the Alpha wing, he explained. My personal quarters. You'll stay here.
He opened a door and I stepped into rooms that were bigger than my entire apartment. Huge bed, sitting area, private bathroom. Floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the mountains.
It was beautiful.
It was a cage.
You're safe here, Kael said, watching my face. No one will hurt you.
I'm a prisoner.
You're my mate. His voice was firm. There's a difference.
Is there?
Kael's eyes flashed with something that might have been anger or pain. Yes. A prisoner doesn't get a choice. You have three days to decide if you want this bond. I'm giving you that choice.
And if I choose to reject it?
Then we both die. He said it so simply. But it'll be your choice, not mine.
I didn't know what to say to that.
Kael moved toward the door. Rest. You've been through hell tonight. I'll have food sent up.
Wait. The word came out before I could stop it. Where are you going?
My office. I have work to do. He paused. Why?
Because the bond was already screaming at the distance between us. Because even though I hated him, some part of me wanted him to stay.
I hated that part.
Nothing, I said. Never mind.
Kael studied me for a long moment. Then he pointed to a door I hadn't noticed. That connects to my rooms. If you need anything, I'm right there.
He left before I could respond.
The second the door closed, I felt it the bond stretching, pulling, and aching. My chest hurt. My wolf whined inside me, wanting her mate back.
No, I told her firmly. He's not our mate. He's our enemy.
But the bond didn't care about enemies. It only cared about finding its other half.
I explored the rooms, looking for exits, weapons, anything useful. The windows didn't open. The door to the hallway was unlocked but I heard guards outside. The only other door was the one leading to Kael's rooms.
I was about to test it when someone knocked.
I tensed. Come in.
A young woman entered carrying a tray of food. She had kind eyes and a gentle smile.
Hi! I'm Lyra. Kael asked me to bring you dinner. She set the tray on the table. You must be exhausted. That attack was terrifying.
You were there? I asked carefully.
No, but everyone's talking about it. And about you. Lyra's smile widened. The Alpha's mate. That's so romantic.
It's not romantic. It's complicated.
All the best love stories are. She gestured to the food. Eat. You look like you haven't had a good meal in forever.
She was right. The food smelled amazing. My stomach growled.
Lyra laughed. I'll take that as a yes. I'll come back tomorrow to check on you, okay?
Wait. I caught her arm. You're being nice to me. Why?
She looked confused. Why wouldn't I be?
Because I'm nobody. Just some omega your Alpha got bonded to.
You're not nobody. You're our Luna now. Lyra's expression turned serious. And anyone who's mean to you will have to deal with Kael. Trust me, nobody wants that.
After she left, I ate in silence. The food was good but I barely tasted it. My mind was spinning.
Two days left. Two days to figure out how to save Kael from Viktor, reject the bond, and escape with my life.
Impossible.
I walked to the connecting door and pressed my ear against it. I could hear movement on the other side. Kael was in there, close enough to touch.
The bond urged me to open the door. To go to him. To let him hold me and make everything okay.
I stepped back, hands shaking.
Get it together, Sera, I whispered. He's the enemy. Focus.
But it was hard to focus when I could feel his emotions through the bond. His exhaustion. His worry. His bone-deep loneliness that matched my own.
Night fell. I lay in the huge bed, staring at the ceiling, trying not to think about Kael in the next room.
Through the bond, I felt when he went to bed. Felt his hope that maybe, somehow, I'd learn to accept him. Felt his fear that I'd choose death over being with him.
And underneath it all, guilt. Such crushing guilt about my father that it made my own chest ache.
A tear slid down my cheek. Then another.
I hadn't cried in seven years. Had trained myself not to feel anything except hate.
But the bond was breaking down my walls, making me feel everything.
I cried for my father. For my lost pack. For the girl I used to be before everything burned.
And I cried for Kael, whose pain was now mine to carry.
I was still crying when my phone buzzed.
Another message from Viktor: How does it feel, little moon? Being bonded to your father's killer? I bet it hurts. But don't worry the pain will end soon. I'm coming for him. And you're going to help me.
My blood turned to ice.
Before I could respond, another message came through. This time it was a photo.
Me. Right now. Lying in bed. Taken through the window.
Viktor was here. Inside Blood Moon territory.
And he was watching me sleep.