Chapter 2

Seeing Tristan in my room, dread fills me as he rushes in like he is possessed. I am shaken and don't know how to react, and then his voice brings me out of my thoughts.

"How dare you try to poison me?" There is something about his look I can't decipher; he looks like someone who has been possessed.

In a swift second, he pounces on me, holding my neck and violently shaking me, my legs dangling in the air before he throws me away. My body hits the floor, as I cough, grabbing my neck.

Sasha growls, "We can't die like this." I regain my composure and hit him where the sun doesn't shine.

He releases a loud growl in pain. "You are dead, Lyra."

I didn't know I had such strength in me as I hurriedly used furniture to create a barrier between us and grabbed a rod from the room to hit him hard so he could be incapacitated while I thought of a route of escape.

I have thought about running away many times, and I have considered using the window. So in a swift second, I move to the window. The height is something else, but at this point, I don't think I have a choice. I'm at a point of life and death, and I would rather escape than die at the hands of this ruthless Tristan. Not minding the height, I jumped down.

I know he is going to mind-link the guards on patrol that night, informing them of my escape, so I run as fast as my legs can carry me. My legs ache from the impact of jumping from the window.

In a matter of seconds, I have this strange feeling when I notice the guard running after me. I can't run fast in my human form, so I immediately shift into my wolf form without a care in the world that I'd be naked afterward.

I can sense the hurry in their steps, which become louder, making my heart race faster as I near the lake. My wolf whimpers and lets out a howl when I perceive a sweet smell that makes my wolf purr. It's intoxicating and makes my wolf giggle.

I lose control of my footing as I feel a sharp pain coursing through my paw. I growl in pain and look down, realizing I've run into a trap. This doesn't look good as I fear that the guards will soon catch up with me.

A sudden wave of weakness washes over me. It seeps into my veins, sapping my strength, and pain twists through me.

My heart pounds with an alarming rhythm as the trap tightens its grip. Fear and confusion envelop me as the guards pursuing me come to a halt and surround me.

Then, I hear a loud growl that shakes the earth. He growls again, this time louder. With the trap tightening its grip on me, the world around me blurs.

---

I wake up with a splitting headache, feeling disoriented as I take in my surroundings. The room has a high ceiling and white walls, making everything look bright and adding to the confusion in my head.

My head beats harder as I try to figure out what happened. The room's bright whiteness gives off a cold, clinical vibe. Questions crowd my mind, and a growing unease settles in. Where am I? How did I get here? The confusion in my head is like a fog, making it tough to gather any clear thoughts.

I take a deep breath, trying to shake off the dizziness and focus on my surroundings. Like a puzzle falling into place, memories start to piece together in my mind.

Panic sets in, and I hastily look around, desperate to confirm that I am not in Croftwood territory. The realization hits me that I am in a place I don't recognize.

There is a sound from outside, and the door opens. A man enters. He is tall and stands out in the room. His broad shoulders indicate strength and confidence. The way he carries himself suggests he has to be either the Alpha or Beta.

He looks at me for a moment, as if trying to figure out something about me.

"Hi," he mutters, his face revealing worry, but there is also a stormy expression.

"Hi," my voice is a bit hoarse. The room fills with tension as we face each other. Trying to get up, I can't let my guard down in this unfamiliar place.

"No, no, no, little one. You need to heal up completely," he says, surprising me with his show of care. That's when I notice Sasha, my wolf, remains dormant, sensing a need for recovery.

His voice echoes in the room, "You ran into a trap laced with wolfsbane, so it will take time to feel your wolf again."

Stunned, I look at him, wondering how he can sense my thoughts.

"Mere coincidence," Sasha says in my head, rolling her eyes. A smile crosses my face, reassuring me that Sasha isn't hurt. My reaction prompts the tiniest smile on his face.

It feels strange to be in the care of someone I barely know, but in that moment, I choose to trust in the sincerity of his intentions. His eyes turn glossy as if he is mind-linking someone. Then the door opens, and a man walks in wearing a white coat and a friendly smile. I assume he is the pack doctor.

He slightly bows to the man, who acknowledges with a nod. I cautiously glance at his face as he checks my vitals. "How long have I been out?"

"One day."

"Everything seems good. Let's take a look at your leg," the doctor says. As he examines where the wound had been, his eyes widen in surprise.

"This is extraordinary. Wounds like this typically take much longer to heal, and there should be some residual scarring. Your recovery is quite remarkable."

"Beta Zach, come take a look," the pack doctor calls. Zach rushes over, his expression mirroring shock.

I recall the painful moments when Alpha Tristan had hurt me—choked, slapped, and beaten me for defying instructions or meeting his gaze. Strangely, within hours, the injuries would vanish without a trace.

The door suddenly bursts open, and someone walks into the room. He carries an undeniable aura of authority that seems to envelop the entire space. It isn't just about his posture or the way he carries himself; it is an energy that speaks of a natural leader, someone accustomed to being in charge.

My wolf screams in my head as his scent hits me like a boulder, my heart racing faster with every breath. The unmistakable scent of an Alpha fills my nostrils. I observe the pack doctor and Beta Zach baring their necks, a clear sign of respect for the Alpha.

Then my wolf screams, "Mate." I curse under my breath, "Fuck my life, Moon Goddess, I'm mated to an Alpha."

I take a good look at him in awe and fear. My breath catches as the realization hits me, and my eyes widen for a moment. A shiver runs through my spine.