I burst into the living room, my heart pounding with fury. Zara lounged on the couch, a smug grin plastered across her face, and I was still reeling from the terrible words I had overheard her muttering to herself. The sunlight streaming through the window highlighted the calculating glint in her eye, and I knew I had to confront her.

"Zara, how could you say such terrible things about Jasper?" I demanded, my voice trembling with anger. "You say you care for him, but it sounds more like you're just manipulating him. What’s your game? Are you planning to harm him, or maybe hand his pack over to rogues? What’s your scheme, you deceitful little idiot?”

In a heartbeat, Zara's smugness shifted to a facade of innocence. "I have no idea what you mean, Susan," she replied, fluttering her eyelashes. But I wasn’t fooled. The stench of her lies was palpable, and it churned my stomach.

I stepped closer, my fists tightly balled. “Don't try to deceive me, Zara. I’m not naive! I heard everything. You’re just biding your time, waiting for the right moment to pounce, aren’t you? I sensed something was off about you the instant I laid eyes on you!” My voice escalated, and I could feel my fury reaching a boiling point.

Zara's eyes blazed with indignation as she rose to her feet, hands firmly planted on her hips. "You’re just envious, Susan. Envious that Jasper cares for me and not you. You should really focus on your sick child at the hospital because, at this rate, you might just lose him!" Her words struck a nerve, and a wave of fear washed over me for my child's well-being.

I let out a chilling laugh. "So this was your scheme all along, huh? Not only are you barren, but you’re also malicious? You intended to harm my child, didn’t you? I hope nothing happens to him, and just wait until Jasper arrives. I’ll tell him everything I overheard, and I’ll ensure you pay for this!"

My words lingered in the air, and for a brief moment, Zara appeared stunned. But then her expression contorted with fury, and she lunged at me. We tumbled to the ground, exchanging punches and kicks. The room echoed with the sound of crashing furniture and our grunts of pain.

I managed to land a few solid hits, but Zara was unyielding. She scratched and clawed at me, and I could feel the sting of her attacks on my skin. Just when I thought I was gaining the upper hand, Zara snatched a nail file from the table and drove it into my flesh. I cried out in agony as blood seeped from my injury.

The metallic scent of my own blood made me feel lightheaded and unsteady. I turned to Zara, my gaze filled with rage, but before I could lunge at her again, I noticed Jasper in the doorway, his expression seething with anger.

"Susan, how could you dare to fight my Luna? Have you lost your mind?" he snarled, advancing toward me. Despite the throbbing pain from my wound, I attempted to defend myself, but Jasper's strength was overwhelming. He struck me repeatedly, his fists crashing into my face and body.

I felt myself being lifted off the ground, my head spinning wildly. The surroundings began to fade, and I feared I might lose consciousness. Just when I thought it was all over, a deafening crash resonated through the room, followed by the thud of Jasper hitting the floor.

I looked up to see Lord Alpha Christopher, the ruler of the largest and most powerful pack in the country, looming over Jasper's fallen form.

He was a towering figure, with piercing blue eyes that seemed to bore into my soul.

His dark hair was messy, and his jaw was set in a firm line, giving him an air of rugged intensity.

As the leader of the Moonlight pack, Christopher was a household name.

His pack's dominance and his own fearless leadership had made him a legend in his own right.

He was always featured on TV, his chiseled face and imposing presence commanding attention and inspiring awe.

"Back off, Jasper," Christopher growled, his voice low and authoritative, sending chills down my spine. Jasper pushed himself up, fury etched across his features.

"What are you doing here, Christopher? This is my territory, and you're merely a guest. I have every right to deal with anyone I choose!" He snapped, showing his teeth in a fierce display.

Christopher's wolf let out a deep, threatening growl. "Mate," he hissed, his gaze fixed intently on mine.

Jasper pushed himself up, astonished, as he wiped the blood from his mouth. "What do you mean?" he shot back at Christopher, his voice tinged with fury and a trace of desperation. "What do you mean she's your mate? You think you can just stroll into my pack and spew nonsense, just because you're Lord Alpha?"

Christopher's gaze was fixed on me, sending a chill down my spine. His commanding presence enveloped the room, and his voice was deep and authoritative. "I mean that I can sense the bond we share," he declared, his eyes locked onto mine. "I can smell your wolf, Susan. You are my mate."

My wolf stirred within me, celebrating our connection. A wave of wonder and awe washed over me, filling my heart with hope. Could it really be? Was Alpha Christopher truly my fated mate?

Zara rose to her feet, her movements playful as she extended her hand to Alpha Christopher. "Hello, Alpha Christopher! It's such a pleasure to meet you. You're even more striking in person! I'm a big admirer of your artwork!" She fluttered her eyelashes, but Christopher's face remained unyielding.

"Cut the act, Zara," he growled, his tone laced with contempt. "I'm not here for socializing," he said, pushing her aside. He shifted his focus to Jasper, his gaze sharp. "What were you doing to this girl?" he demanded, his voice authoritative and unwavering.

Jasper's expression contorted with rage, yet he took a step back, his eyes flickering nervously to Christopher's. "This doesn't concern you, Alpha Christopher," he retorted, attempting to hold onto his bravado. "You're intruding on my affairs, this is my domain! My pack!"

Christopher's eyes blazed with fury as he advanced toward Jasper. "One more word from you, Alpha Jasper, and I’ll demonstrate exactly why I hold the title of Lord Alpha," he growled, his tone low and threatening. "If you want to avoid having your name submitted to the wolf council for a demotion, you better answer the damn question! Why are you punishing her?"

Jasper's complexion drained, and he gulped nervously. He understood the consequences of defying the Lord Alpha. "She's— my mate," he stuttered, struggling to uphold his falsehood. "I was merely disciplining her for her disobedience."

I clenched my jaw, fighting through the pain, and interjected. "I'm not his mate," I declared, my voice steady and unwavering. "I’m his surrogate. I bore his children for him and his barren fiancée. They’ve turned my life into a nightmare for years."

Zara gasped in disbelief, then chimed in. "That's a lie!" she screeched, her voice high-pitched. "Susan's wolf is possessed. You can't trust her, Alpha Christopher."

Yet Christopher's face remained inscrutable. "I will only heed the words of my mate," he stated, his gaze fixed on mine. He reached into his pocket and retrieved a letter. "The Alpha General is on the hunt for his missing niece, abducted by rogues years ago. We believe she’s still alive, and whoever finds her will receive a reward of five million dollars."

Zara's eyes sparkled with avarice as she quickly grabbed the envelope from Jasper's grasp. "Wow, Alpha Christopher, that’s an incredible amount!" she exclaimed, her voice laced with enthusiasm. "We promise to help you find her! Let’s go over the details!”

Christopher's gaze sharpened as he faced Jasper. "You really think you can make promises, Zara? Jasper, it's time to train your mate; she needs to grasp what it means to be a true Luna," he said, his tone laced with contempt.

Jasper's face reddened with anger. "How dare you!" he snarled. "You have no right to interfere in my pack's affairs!"

Christopher's smile was cold and calculated. "I have every right," he said, his voice dripping with authority. "As the Lord Alpha, it's my duty to protect the innocent and punish those who abuse their power."

Without waiting for a response, Christopher lifted me effortlessly into his arms, cradling me like a bride, and carried me out of the house.

Christopher's eyes locked onto mine, and I felt a shiver run down my spine, not out of fear but pure attraction that even made my wolf growl in pleasure.

"You're safe now, Susan," he whispered, his voice low and soothing. "You'll never have to go back to that place again."