CINDY'S POV

Alpha Luis is here, and he's protecting me. I can't believe I get to see him in person again.

"Your mind is brainwashed by that girl, Alpha. You should get away from her," Aunt Jezel said.

"An abuser should be the one to get away from her. No one should mess with my mate, or else I'll banish you from this country."

Aunt Jezel and her daughters were scared. They immediately shuffled out of the pub, afraid of Alpha's threat. When they were gone, the people inside cheered.

"All hail our incoming Luna!"

They were all happy that Alpha Luis visited his old town and, especially, that he'd finally met me, his missing mate. Because of that, the owner opened the pub, offering free drinks to all customers. We had a mini-celebration, and Alpha Luis's messengers spread the news.

"Good morning, folks. Our dear Alpha Luis finally found his mate in a pub in his old town. You can really find your true love in your old town, eh? What a day to celebrate! We now have a Luna."

The pub's radio greeted me when I went downstairs to prepare the pub for opening. Usually, I woke up before Mr. Jerry, but today, he was already there.

"Good morning, Luna. You have a guest."

I saw Alpha Luis sitting at one of the tables. When he saw me, he stood up and gestured for me to sit in the next chair.

"Hi!" he greeted, smiling. "I'm Luis. May I know your name?"

I halted, thinking that letting him know my name might be a rude thing to do, but I composed myself. "My real name is Cinderella. But, please, call me Cindy."

"Cindy," he whispered, nodding.

"What are you doing here so early?" I said.

"I'm here to legalize our bond." He produced a contract. "If you sign it, you accept our bond. But if you reject it, then..." He trailed off, smiling sadly.

If I rejected this, it meant we'd be mateless forever. It's my dream to have a family, but more than that, part of me wanted to sign it to get back at Henry and my stepfamily. If Henry saw me happily living with his bachelor uncle, I'm sure he'd be dripping with jealousy.

Without a second thought, I signed the paper. "I accept you as my mate, Alpha Luis."

After that, he told me we'd be living in his mansion. The werewolf scouts packed my things, and four automobiles were ready to drive us there. I thanked Mr. Jerry for his help before getting into a car with Alpha Luis.

My days in the mansion were a new experience. I was pampered like a princess. The maids tended to my clothes, bath, food, and other necessities.

When Alpha Luis was done with work at the pack council building, he spent ample time sightseeing with me, just the two of us. We walked on the beach at sunset, ran as wolves in the woods, ate at fancy restaurants, and I participated in a donation drive.

He was so passionate, unlike Henry. Despite not knowing the extent of the abuse I suffered from my stepfamily, he knew deep inside his heart that he'd protect me.

"I don't want any bruises on her. Understood?" He said to his maids one day. It warmed my heart because I proved Aunt Jezel wrong. Someone was willing to love me.

That night, while we were having dinner, a messenger knocked on the door.

"Alpha, your ex-girlfriend wants to see you. It's urgent."

We made eye contact, and I knew what he meant. He wanted me to go with him. Together, we went to the mansion entrance and saw a lady in a white dress with long black hair.

She was beautiful, but her face was tear-stained. When she saw me, she pointed.

"You!" she shouted. "You're not his mate. I should be his Luna. I'm the real owner of that necklace from the party."

CINDY'S POV

The pack council interrogated the girl, who was temporarily staying at the council's quarters while the investigation was ongoing. I didn't know what the deal was with her, but I was sure she wasn't telling the truth. I was the true owner of the necklace.

I was walking in the hallway of the quarters, taking Alpha Luis his lunchbox, when I turned the corner and saw Patricia, the girl who claimed to be the necklace's owner.

"I'm amazed you have the guts to be in the council's quarters when you're not the real Luna," Patricia said, crossing her arms.

"I am the real Luna," I emphasized. "You're the impostor, the alpha's ex-girlfriend trying to win him back to improve her reputation."

She looked surprised by my reply.

Did she think I would back down just because I look innocent? She was wrong. I had been through a lot at my old home at the hands of my stepmother and stepsisters. After years spent in Mr. Jerry's town and at the pub, I'd learned to fight back and stand up for myself. I was no longer someone who could be easily treated like an animal.

"Let's see," she said, raising an eyebrow. "When the investigation proves I'm the real owner of the necklace, you'd better pack your clothes before I throw them out of the mansion."

She walked past me, hitting my shoulder.

When I reached Alpha Luis's office, I gave him his lunchbox, and we spent some time talking and laughing. Then, someone knocked. Beta Eric entered.

"Alpha, the investigation is over. We need your presence in the meeting room to discuss the findings."

Alpha Luis looked at me and took my hand. We walked together to the meeting room, where the Gamma, the Omega, two elders, and Patricia were waiting.

Alpha Luis sat at the far end of the table, and I sat beside him.

"We've figured out Patricia's identity," Beta said, looking at Patricia. "She isn't the Alpha's Luna. She's just after Alpha's power. It's you, Ms. Cindy. You're his Luna."

"What? No!" Patricia shouted, slamming the table in rage. "You're deceived by that girl! I am the real Luna!"

I stood up. "If you won't accept the truth, you can leave."

At Alpha's whistle, two guardians entered, grabbed Patricia, and dragged her from the meeting room, amidst screams and protests.

"You did great," Alpha whispered after I sat down.

Because of the incident, Alpha Luis, wanting to avoid further damage to his reputation and prevent my humiliation, decided to parade us around the country.

We took a five-day trip in a float, showcasing my presence as his Luna. The float was surrounded by werewolf scouts and guardians to ensure our safety. The locals were cheering our presence. The radio constantly announced the parade and my status as the official Luna.

It was slightly embarrassing, but also great, that Alpha Luis wasn't ashamed to have me as his Luna. If it had been Henry, he would have certainly denied me. I wonder what he'll react with this. I hope he'll regret breaking up with me for Jenny and receive the karma he deserves.

We returned to Alpha's mansion safely. A small celebration was held in the banquet hall with the councils, elders, and powerful men from around the country. A small crowd applauded as Alpha and I walked the red carpet to our seats on stage.

The emcee kept the celebration lively with his witty punchlines. I laughed a couple of times, and during that, I noticed Alpha looking at me lovingly. After dinner, the audience lined up to give me gifts. Some gave vegetables, domestic animals, and plants; others gave packaged gifts.

When it was time to unwrap the gifts, all eyes were on me. I chose the red gift first because of a fascinating smell emitting from it. When I opened the gift, my eyes widen with shock and horror.

"It's a time bomb!"

CINDY'S POV

Alpha Luis immediately grabbed the bomb and ran outside. The timer showed seconds when Alpha threw it far into the air. The time bomb exploded, and the night was tainted with red, orange, and white. It made the sky shine like day.

"Are you okay?" Alpha asked, checking my body for wounds or scratches.

I cupped his face, looking at his worried eyes. "I'm fine. Thank you for protecting me."

"Of course, I will. I won't let anyone hurt you," he said, before kissing me on the lips.

I could feel the affection in the kiss, like I was precious to him. Never in my life had I experienced that after my dad died. He was the one who showed me what love is. And for that, he is more than my mate; he is the one I want to spend my life with.

It was clear to all of the Fenrir Pack that I was receiving death threats. Alpha Luis was worried for my safety, so he doubled my private scouts and guardians. Along with that, Beta Eric was also training me.

In the morning, I would help clean, tend to the plants, and make the interior of the mansion beautiful with flower decorations and my own paintings. Then I'd give Alpha Luis his lunch, which I personally cooked, in his office. By the time afternoon arrived, Beta Eric and I would be on the training grounds, and he would teach me how to defend myself in case of another attack.

"Urgh!" Beta Eric groaned when I pinned him to the ground. "That hurt. Let me go," he added, tapping the ground to gesture for me to release him.

I did so and helped him stand up. "Did I do it right?"

"You impressed me," he nodded. "You're a fast learner, just like the Alpha. No wonder you are mated with him."

After the session, I cleaned myself in the bathroom from all the sweat. When I went outside, I was taken aback by a guy waiting for me in front of the door. He was tall and had a sinister look.

"Hi, there, baby girl. Want some fun?" he asked. "In bed?"

I pushed him aside, but I shrieked in pain when he grabbed me by the hair and pinned me to the wall. This guy! Who did this pervert think he could harm? A Luna? I would teach him a lesson.

Before he could do anything, I kicked his shin so hard he knelt down in pain. I punched his face, and blood gushed from his nose.

"Don't you dare harm me or any girls around, or else you won't see another day."

I told Alpha Luis what happened, and he made sure the guy was punished. Alpha Luis put him in prison and he was punished severely. Messengers and broadcasters told the public about the pervert, ensuring no one would do it to anyone else, especially girls.

One morning, as I was using a water sprinkler to water the plants, a lady approached me to thank me for fighting for their safety.

"If it weren't for you, Luna, our Alpha wouldn't have made the law about sexual abusers stricter. We are really grateful you are our Luna."

I was so touched by what she said that I hugged her tightly and gave her the cupcakes I had baked.

While we were in the kitchen, with personal chefs all around, a maid came to tell me some news.

"Someone is looking for you, Luna," she said, her eyes filled with anxiety.

"Who?"

"I don't know. But he's knocking down some werewolf scouts just to talk to you."

I hurriedly went outside the mansion only to be greeted by Henry, who was screaming my name.

"Cindy! Cindy! Thank goodness, you're here. We need to talk." He immediately ran towards me and held my hand tightly.

I pulled my hand away, which made him frown.

"What are you doing here?"

"I want you to break up with the Alpha, Cindy. He's not your true fated mate; I am. Remember the time I taught you how to bring out your wolf? I made you transform because your wolf appeared for me. Believe me, Cindy. Ditch the Alpha and come back to me."