Chapter 4 004

~DERRICK~

“This cannot be,” I muttered as my nose filled with the most pleasant scent I had ever encountered. A rush of energy surged violently through me as my eyes locked onto the woman sitting on my study table.

She was beautiful.

I couldn’t believe what was happening. It was actually true. I scoffed at the realization, shaken by the sudden development. But why me? And why her? I was the Alpha of one of the most powerful packs in the country. Even at thirty years old, I had never found my mate. Yet yesterday, something strange happened.

I had felt a pull, a strange, undeniable connection to a woman groaning on the arena floor, her face battered, silver chains wrapped tightly around her legs. I hadn’t understood it then. I hadn’t wanted to. But without thinking, I had already felt the bond forming, and still I had denied it.

Why?

That question echoed relentlessly in my mind as I watched her eyes widen in shock, mirroring my own.

She was shocked.

So was I.

“Mate… she is our mate,” Charles, my wolf, whispered excitedly.

I felt his emotions surge, his affection unraveling instantly toward the woman before us, and I clenched my jaw, wondering if she was truly fit to be what I needed.

Charles didn’t care about my doubts. He purred, restless and eager, itching for her touch. I cautioned him sharply. He needed to remain under control, especially in front of a woman who already looked dangerously foul-mouthed.

My gaze dropped to the shattered silver chains scattered across the floor from the force I had exerted earlier. I forced myself to breathe, to calm down, to understand the gravity of the situation.

I didn’t understand what was happening, but it felt like the Moon Goddess was playing a cruel trick on me.

What? I was mated to a rogue? Was this some sort of joke?

I scoffed, my eyes flicking back to the woman who had raised her arms defensively. A smirk tugged at my lips as I wondered what she would do if I decided to hurt her.

“How dare you raise your arms at me!” I roared.

She flinched, fear flashing across her face, yet she straightened immediately, taking a defensive stance once more.

“Don’t you even think of coming closer to me,” she said.

I scoffed and stepped closer, looming over her on the table.

“You don’t order me around,” I said coldly. “I am the Alpha here. Do you understand?” She nodded slowly.

“When did you arrive here?” I asked sharply. “No, how long have you been a rogue?” She scoffed.

Did she just scoff at me? Heat rushed to my face.

“I’ve been here for two months,” she replied stubbornly. “And as for how long I’ve been a rogue, I don’t think that’s any of your business.” I chuckled darkly.

She wasn’t just a rogue, she was a crazy one.

How could I possibly be mated to a rogue? Was that even possible? Charles groaned in displeasure at my thoughts.

“That is none of your concern,” I snapped internally. I needed clarity. Being mated to a rogue was not something I wanted, or had ever imagined.

“What are you saying?” Charles protested. “The Moon Goddess does not make mistakes. And don’t you see how beautiful our mate is?”

I hated that I agreed.

Even in her tattered state, her beauty was undeniable. She glowed softly beneath the chandelier’s light, radiant despite everything.

“Can you please let go of my waist first?” she said quietly.

Her voice sent a jolt straight through me. A low growl escaped my throat before my mind caught up with my body.

I looked down, my arm was wrapped firmly around her waist.How had that happened?

Was I under some sort of spell?

I lifted my gaze, only to find her glaring at me with pure fire.

“That look in your eyes annoys me,” I said, gripping her jaw.

It was a lie.

She was doing things to me that I couldn’t explain.

Why was I affected just by looking at her? Why did her emotions shake me so deeply?

“If you hate my eyes that much,” she snapped, “why don’t you remove them?” I hissed softly. Goddess, she was stubborn.

“Do you think I couldn’t?” I asked, my aura turning cold. I despised being challenged, and my Alpha pride would never allow it.

She shivered as the atmosphere shifted, and I cursed inwardly. I wasn’t helping. “Can you please stop ruining things?” Charles grumbled, but I ignored him.

“You already know what we are,” I said.

She remained silent, watching me carefully, as if waiting for me to destroy this situation myself.

“I know this is strange to you,” I continued, forcing myself to explain, “just as it is strange to me.” She nodded slowly.

I pressed my lips together, trying to compose my next words. “The truth about us being mates,” I said carefully, “I want you to keep it a secret.” Her eyes widened in shock.

I had expected her to lash out, to fight, but she didn’t. Her silence unsettled me, and against my better judgment, I continued.

“I need a strong Luna,” I said bluntly. Pain flickered across her face, and I scoffed. What had she been expecting? I wasn’t concerned with her feelings. I needed to get rid of her, cleanly.

“Do you want to reject me?” she asked quietly.

For the first time, I hesitated.

Was I rejecting her? The thought felt foreign…complicated.

“About that..”