R BL

lease.

heart racing in my chest before m

e said calmly from beside m

hair just a few steps away. His green eyes were fixed on me, intense but unreadabl

clutched the duvet, dragging it up to my chest like it could shield me f

His voice was calm but carried a certain authority that made it har

anced around quickly, scanning the unfamiliar room. The walls were dark and wood

?" I asked, my voice dry and

before taking another sip. "Isn't that the question e

strange about how calm he was, as if he'

ut I know you're the one who showed up back there, when I ha

sn't in the Crystal Moon Pack anymore. There, I would've been on the floor, scrubbing tile or receiving c

small table next to him a

ipping lower. "I've been watching you, Cedar B

had ever spoken of their de

look on my face. "That's why I'm telling you the truth. I

, muscles built from battles, from years of survival. His hair was dark and swept back, clean and thick. He wasn't exactly handsome in t

to be d

on the duvet. "What do you want f

bed before sitting on the edge. His weight sh

ched the blanket. "This is usually the part where the rescued says thank you...

didn't ask to be saved," I mu

out hesitation. "You begged for life. You promised your br

know that? No one had ever heard those p

're not the moon goddess," I said, still trying to hold my gro

f and shifted farther

minus Maruto of the Oakwood Pack, am your answered prayer. And I choo

like a whispered legend, one I never believed I'd encounter in the flesh. Now it made sense. The fear in Icarus' eyes, the sile

'll protect you," he said quietly. "But only if you let me. I didn't r

don't understand why someone like you would go

u will have access to everything I possess. My name, my resources, my status. The fear that follows me will sh

strand of hair behind my ear. Th

aid, locking eyes with me. "You can k

ok me more th

eamed of while bleeding on the floor of my pac

dn't b

no?" I ask

nodding toward the large wooden

hy does it have to be one hundred da

s eyes scanned my face, pausing at my cracked lips. His thumb bru

head said run. My h

he even heard me, my focus was more on th

rpened. "You

he Crystal Moon Pack, accept you, Alpha Dominus Maruto of the O

like a storm had passed. "You

s gently to my forehead. The

ervants take care of you while I draft the c

ehind him, sil

of everything settle. His scent still lingered o

to. Was this a dream come true... o

and the warmth of comfort crept in

in a long time, I d