Lian ran through the dense forest, her breath coming in ragged gasps as she tried to outrun the Betas pursuing her. She had to escape the Evergreen pack. She couldn't endure another day under Bruce's cruelty. But as she pushed forward, her feet skidding on damp earth, she found herself cornered at the edge of a steep cliff. Below was nothing but darkness, an abyss with no visible end.

The Betas smirked, their eyes gleaming with amusement. "Are you really going to jump?" one of them sneered. "No one’s stupid enough to throw their life away. You should be grateful the Alpha still lets you live."

Lian's jaw tightened. "I’d rather be thrown away than stay in that place."

Luminous, her wolf, spoke firmly. “Jump, Lian!”

Lian hesitated, her heart pounding in her chest. Before she could respond, Bruce arrived, his presence sending a chill through her veins. "Lian! Come here!" he ordered, his tone eerily calm. "Don’t be stubborn. I’ll overlook this—just this once."

Lian met his eyes, the cold, cruel promise lurking beneath his forced composure. If she returned, she would never escape again. The bruises and scars on her body told her the truth: if she went back, she wouldn’t survive.

Glaring at Bruce, she made her choice. "I don’t believe you," she said, her voice firm. "But never forget this face, Bruce… I’ll hunt you down.."

Then she turned her back on him and let herself fall.

The wind howled around her as she plunged into the abyss. She braced for the impact, expecting pain, but instead, she crashed into the cold embrace of water. The shock stole her breath, and darkness consumed her.

Lian's eyes fluttered open to a white ceiling. Panic seized her as she took in the unfamiliar surroundings. Her heartbeat quickened. Was she in a hospital? Had they called Bruce?

Her body trembled as fear clawed at her throat. She tried to move, but before she could react, several people entered the room. "Calm down," one of them said gently. "We won’t hurt you."

“Who are you? Let me go!”

Lian's mind screamed at her not to trust them. Hadn't she heard the same empty reassurances before? And what had they done? Nearly killed her. Her breathing turned erratic, and she thrashed against their grip. "Let me go!"

Before they could tighten their hold, a deep, commanding voice filled the room. "Let her go."

The hands restraining her immediately withdrew. The scent that followed was intoxicating, soothing her frayed nerves. She turned her head and saw a tall, well-built man approaching. His aura radiated authority, his cold eyes scanning the room before settling on her. When he looked at her, the ice in his gaze melted, replaced by something gentler, warmer.

He spoke softly. "Are you okay?"

Lian swallowed, her throat dry, her voice barely a whisper. "Yes."

The other people in the room hesitated before one of them, a woman, stepped forward and addressed him. "Alpha Kaizer."

Lian's breath hitched. Alpha Kaizer? She had heard of him—the powerful leader of the Black Wood Pack, the neighboring pack of Evergreen. Fear and relief warred inside her.

Kaizer’s gaze flicked to his Beta. "Leave us."

The Beta hesitated. "Alpha—"

A low growl rumbled from Kaizer’s chest, and the woman flinched before nodding and exiting the room.

Once they were alone, Kaizer turned his attention back to Lian. "Are you in pain?"

Lian shook her head, but the simple movement made her realize how weak she felt. Kaizer noticed and stood, pouring a glass of water before handing it to her. She accepted it with trembling hands, taking small sips to ease the dryness in her throat.

Kaizer watched her carefully. "We found you by the riverbanks near our pack. You were unconscious, covered in bruises." His voice was steady but laced with an unspoken question. "What happened to you?"

Lian’s grip on the glass faltered. The moment his words sank in, her body stiffened, and fear swallowed her whole. The glass slipped from her hands, shattering against the floor.

She curled into herself, arms wrapped tightly around her trembling frame. Panic surged, memories of pain and cruelty flashing behind her eyes. Her breaths came in rapid, shallow gasps.

Kaizer’s expression darkened. He hadn’t expected this reaction. Whatever she had gone through, it had left deep, raw wounds. His voice softened. "Hey, you’re safe here. No one will hurt you."

But Lian wasn’t sure she could believe that yet.

Then Luminous voice rang. “MATE!”

“What?”

Lian’s breath hitched as she processed Luminous’s words. Her wolf was certain—Alpha Kaizer was their mate. But how? She felt nothing special toward him. No sparks, no instant connection, nothing like the stories she’d heard about fated mates.

“Luminous, what are you saying? How could he be our mate? I don’t feel anything.” Lian questioned through their mind link.

Luminous huffed. “Then why do you feel safe with him? Why does your heart calm in his presence? It was a year ago when we met her.”

Lian clenched her fists. Maybe it was just relief. After all, he had saved her. He was nothing like Bruce. But could fate be so cruel as to give her another Alpha as a mate?

Kaizer studied her carefully, noting how she’d stopped trembling. It had been a week since he’d found her near the riverbank bordering his pack’s territory. He knew exactly who she was.

Lian Allens, the Luna of the Evergreen Pack.

He had seen her before, a year ago at a gathering, standing beside Bruce. To others, they seemed like a devoted Alpha and Luna, but Kaizer knew better. He had witnessed the truth firsthand.

It was his birthday banquet, and Kaizer had been searching for his mate. Many said that finding one’s fated mate unlocked a werewolf’s true potential. Hopeful, he had invited every pack leader, along with their Betas, in the chance that his mate might be among them.

And she was.

The moment she entered the hall, his wolf, Night, went wild.

“She’s here! Our mate is here!” Night howled excitedly in his mind.

Kaizer turned sharply, his eyes locking onto a petite figure beside Alpha Bruce Allens. A soft floral scent wrapped around him like an intoxicating spell. She was beautiful, but something was wrong.

She did not react.

No widening of the eyes, no recognition—nothing.

Kaizer’s heart clenched. ‘How could she not feel it?’

Determined, he approached.

“Alpha Bruce,” Kaizer greeted, forcing calmness into his voice. “And this is?”

Bruce smirked and placed a possessive hand on the woman’s shoulder. “My Luna, Lian Allens.”

Kaizer stiffened. ‘His wife?’ Night whimpered in pain.

Still, Kaizer studied her closely. Her eyes were downcast, her body unnaturally still. A faint bruise peeked from under the sleeve of her dress—one most would miss, but not him.

Her scent held traces of distress and… fear.

His hands clenched into fists.

Bruce continued speaking, mostly about alliances and trade, but Kaizer barely listened. His focus remained on Lian. She never once looked up, never once spoke.

Beside Bruce, a Beta woman draped herself against him, speaking for him as if she were the true Luna. It irritated Kaizer.

“Beta,” he interrupted coolly. “I wasn’t addressing you.”

The woman stiffened but said nothing further. Kaizer sighed, excused himself, and walked toward the garden for some fresh air.

“Something is wrong, Kaizer. She’s hurting,” Night murmured. “Did you see her eyes? They’re empty.”

Kaizer exhaled sharply. “And what do you expect me to do? She’s married.”

“Then why does she feel so lost? Why can’t she sense our bond?” Night growled. “Something is blocking her from feeling us.”

Before Kaizer could respond, a sharp sound split through the night. A slap.

His entire body tensed. He turned back, and what he saw made his blood boil.

Bruce had just struck Lian across the face. She didn’t fight back. She simply lowered her head, baring her neck in submission.

Kaizer’s vision blurred red.

Bruce’s words dripped with disdain. “How dare you humiliate me in front of Alpha Kaizer? Acting so stupid in front of him. Do you think I didn’t notice as if you’re playing victim!”

The Beta beside Bruce looked smug, a cruel smile playing on her lips.

Lian stood there, silently crying.

Kaizer’s fingers twitched. He wanted to rip Bruce apart. Wanted to take Lian away from him. But he knew he couldn’t—not yet.

But now, seeing her lying in his pack’s infirmary—battered, broken, and in a far worse state than before—Kaizer felt something snap within him.

Bruce would pay.

And not just for Lian.

Kaizer had his own grudges against the Evergreen Pack. Grudges he could no longer ignore.

His sharp gaze softened as he looked at her. “You’re safe now, so don’t worry.”

Lian met his eyes for the first time, uncertainty swirling in her expression. Could she trust him? Was she truly safe?

Kaizer held her gaze, determined. He would protect her, no matter what.

But Lian had one thought echoing in her mind.

‘What happens when Bruce finds out where I am?’

Kaizer took one last glance at Lian, ensuring she was fast asleep before stepping out of the room. His expression hardened the moment he was met with the disapproving glare of his Beta, Clarise. She stood with her arms crossed, her lips pressed into a thin line.

"You shouldn't have brought her here," Clarise said, her voice laced with frustration.

Kaizer met her gaze coldly. "She’s my mate," he replied, his tone sharp. "Would you have me leave her to die?"

Clarise’s expression didn’t waver. "Yes," she said without hesitation. "If I were in your shoes, I’d have ignored it for the sake of the pack. She doesn’t belong here, Alpha Kaizer. She needs to go back to where she came from."

His jaw clenched at her words. He took a slow, deep breath before speaking, his voice dangerously calm. "That’s you, but I’m not you so why would I need to do what you said? You’re not my boss nor a leader that is higher than me, Clarise. You don’t know me at all, Clarise."

She flinched slightly at his tone, but she refused to back down. "You're letting your emotions cloud your judgment," she pressed on. "She’s weak and she’s useless. She’ll bring nothing but trouble because of how unworthy she is. She’ll not make you strong!"

Kaizer narrowed his eyes. "I’m the Alpha here, and It’s not for you to make a decision for me.” Kaizer looked at her coldly, “You are relieved from your duty as Lian’s guard. From now on, don’t ever approach her, do you understand me?"

Clarise’s eyes widened in shock. "What?"

"I don't trust you around her," he said coldly. "I can't risk you doing something reckless."

Clarise's hands clenched into fists. "You're making a mistake," she hissed.

Kaizer didn’t reply. Instead, he turned on his heel and walked away, leaving her fuming in the hallway.

As she stood there, seething, another figure stepped in front of her. Luke, Kaizer’s most trusted Beta, leaned against the doorframe, his arms crossed. "What are you planning, Clarise? I can see in your eyes that you were thinking of doing something that the Alpha doesn’t like," he said, his voice laced with amusement.

Clarise scoffed. "I’m going to take that woman out of this pack. She doesn’t belong here. She belongs to the Evergreen pack."

Luke let out a short laugh before his expression darkened. "Then, are you going to defy the Alpha’s orders?"

Clarise lifted her chin. "She’s not fit to be our Luna. She doesn’t even know how to lead."

Luke smirked. "And you do?"

She glared at him. "I deserve it more than she does! I’ve trained to be one! She doesn’t!"

Luke shook his head, unimpressed. "If you were meant to be Luna, we’d all feel it. But we don’t, do we?" His voice dripped with mockery. "The Alpha chooses his Luna. Not you. Not your family. Not anyone else."

Clarise’s face turned red with anger. She had spent years convincing herself that she would stand beside Kaizer one day. A few had believed it, including her parents, who had always schemed for more power. But now, this weak, battered woman was standing in the way of everything she wanted.

Luke stepped forward, blocking the door. "Leave before I report you to the Alpha."

Clarise shot him a venomous look. "You’ll regret this," she spat before storming away.

After a few days Lian stayed Inside the room. Her mind was clouded with thoughts. Kaizer had been kind to her—kind in a way no one else had been before. Could she really trust him?

"Luminous," Lian whispered in her mind, "can I trust him?"

Luminous hummed in response. "You can. He will protect us."

Lian wasn’t sure. No one had ever protected her before—not her father, not Bruce. She had never been strong enough to fight back. And what if Kaizer turned on her when he found out the truth? That she was a failed wolf, unable to shift? Would he cast her out like everyone else?

She hugged herself, trying to chase away the fear creeping into her heart.

Suddenly, the door burst open.

Lian barely had time to react before a strong hand grabbed her wrist and yanked her forward. She gasped, stumbling as she was dragged out of the room.

A familiar face loomed over her—Clarise.

"You don’t belong here," she hissed.

Lian trembled. Fear clawed at her chest as she was pulled down the hallway.

Where was Kaizer? Would he even come for her?

Her heart pounded as she realized—she might not get the chance to find out.