I tried to hide the anxiety that had begun to rise inside me as we walked back to the pack house. I wrapped my arms tightly around him with my head pressed against his chest as he carried me like I weighed nothing.
We turned through the hallways that led to the end of the large building that had belonged to the Alpha and the rest of his family.
Glancing side to side as we walked away in silence, I prayed Arden wouldn't see me with his uncle in such a compromising situation. The other guy followed behind us, tapping away at the cellphone in his hands with reckless abandon.
When we'd gotten to the only room that stood at the edge of the house, the guy pushed the wooden door open with a loud creak.
"Would you be needing anything, Alpha?"
"I won't be needing anything. When I do, I'll let you know." He nodded, turning to leave before the Alpha spoke again, "Don't stray off the pack grounds, Zade."
Zade nodded before he walked away. Sage also turned on his feet, entering the room. I observed the monotone and minimalist decor he'd chosen, the bland wallpaper merely accentuated by the velvety bookshelf nestled nearby. The room was a subtle contrast to what I'd imagined for a man of his status.
Gently, he dropped me to my feet, then he moved to the side, settling himself at the edge of the four-poster bed right in the middle of the room. I faltered, curling my toes when I focused my eyes on them in embarrassment.
I didn't know what he had in mind or why he'd brought me to his room.
"Sit, please. I'd like to talk with you. If you're okay with that."
My brows furrowed. "My clothes are wet."
He smiled at me, his eyes holding warmth and comfort. "It's okay."
Hesitating at first, I nodded. Scurrying to the side, I slowly sank down onto the soft mattress, feeling the fluffy quilt under my fingers.
"I'm sorry, I didn't know you were the Alpha," I hurriedly chipped in, wondering if he also had a punishment in mind for me too, for failing to acknowledge him earlier.
"Not many people know me. And, I don't care for the rules other mundane wolves adhere to."
Confused, I continued to stare at him, watching as he casually fiddled with the large ring on his thumb with an insignia.
"What I mean is, I don't care for formalities. Tell me, little wolf. What is your name?"
"Isla."
"Mm." His tongue darted out to wet his bottom lip. When our eyes locked, I wavered, feeling a sense of uneasiness creep up my stomach. "Beautiful name for a beautiful person. What family do you belong to?"
Wearing a scowl, I scoffed. "I don't know. I'm a wolfless orphan in a pack where apparently, everyone wants me dead."
"Easy, little wolf."
He rose to his feet, circling to my front. He crouched low, his calloused fingers softly pushing my chin up so I could look at him.
"I meant no insult. I didn't know. Okay? I don't seek to make you feel uncomfortable."
I nodded, my voice barely a whisper.
"Then, why do you have me here?"
"Mostly, to talk, but my wolf wants us to be near you. It's to keep us calm from going back to rip her head off."
His words brought out mixed reactions from me—one was for his wolf wanting to be near me and the other was for saying he'd wanted to rip Hazel's head off.
"Why would your wolf want to be near me?"
"You're my mate."
He said the word so casually with a shrug, I could feel a pang where a headache was starting to form. I felt dizzy and lightheaded from exhaustion. Jerking myself away from him, I hurried back to my feet.
"Thanks for whatever that was earlier, okay? Thanks for saving me but I think you're gravely mistaken! I'm not your mate. I'm no one's, for that matter. Okay? So stop whatever you're trying to do because you won't get anything out of it. I have nothing to offer you," I seethed, my tone laced with pain.
A mate? The same words Arden had spoken to me only to use me for his needs and dump me when he grew tired of me?! I had no mate, I had nothing. The moon goddess herself made sure to watch me wallow in misery. I would not let myself be deceived once again.
He tried to move closer to me to give me some sort of assurance that he wasn't a threat to me, but I cringed, and a pained expression flashed through his eyes for a brief moment.
He staggered back away from me. "I know it's not the right time to tell you but I just need to make sure you know."
"You said it yourself, you don't believe in the moon goddess so why would you suddenly think she has a mate prepared somewhere for you and that mate is me?"
"You're right. I don't believe in her. But I do believe meeting you wasn't a coincidence and we are somehow fated. If anyone deserves a chance at my side it's you. No one is fitting to be my Luna like you are. I want you, my wolf wants you. That's all that matters."
His words shocked me. If anything, the sudden sensation of my heart melting and heat creeping under my skin when I suddenly felt butterflies in my belly were signs his words were starting to get to me gradually.
The calm way he spoke them, the deep timbre of his voice, and the way he raked his fingers through his hair was all too enticing, but no. I could fall for any more lies. I would never let myself be used one more time.
"You're wrong. Find someone else for that spot if you're so eager for a Luna."
Ending my words brusquely, I turned on my heels, fleeing his presence as fast as possible.