Rejected by my mate, Claimed by Alpha Ryder

“I, Julius Armstrong, reject Doris Charles as my mate.” The laughter came right after. This was the second time my mate rejected me because I cannot talk. In the pack, they call me dumb not because I am stupid, but because I am mute. When I turned eighteen, my first mate rejected me for that reason. Today, it was the Gamma. He is twenty-one, the same age as the Alpha and Beta. This was his third rejection. The first girl was too fat, the second was too short and now, I was dumb. I never wanted to attend the mating ceremony. I knew how it would end, but my stepmother forced me to go, and my stepsisters came just to watch me get mocked again. The next day, wolves who had found their mates returned to officially claim them before the Alpha and pack leaders. I went only because I was forced, just to stand there and watch my stepsister get chosen. Then something happened that no one expected. The Alpha claimed me as his mate in front of everyone. Was I shocked? Yes. Did I believe him? No. Did I think it was a cruel joke? Absolutely. Because no Alpha would choose a rejected, mute girl like me. CHAPTER 1 ~ Doris ~ Today is the mating ritual, I was still cleaning the room of my twin stepsisters, Vanessa and Veronica, as always. My knees hurt from kneeling on the floor. I scrubbed at a stain on Vanessa’s floor until my fingers burned, but it didn’t come off. I scrubbed harder. They turned eighteen today, and everyone knew they would find their mates and I was nineteen with no mate. I woke up very early, around 5 a.m., to start cleaning and cooking, I cleaned all the rooms, including the twins room. When I got to Henry’s room, I skipped it, as usual, he always told me not to clean it. Don’t worry, sis I’ll clean it myself, he would say. Most times, I never touched his room. I was still scrubbing the corridor when I suddenly remembered it was the mating ceremony day. Before I could even finish, my stepmother walked in. “Doris, don’t tell me you’re not prepared for the ceremony yet, you need to do and leave my house today, I don’t mind if you bring a low level omega as your mate, it’s not like you worth anything good. Every time I look at you she continued…I see your mother. You’re just like your slut of a mother.” That word always hurt me. Slut. It was the only thing she ever called my mother, and it always broke me. I quickly finished up but before I could get to my room, the twins walked through the corridor, dragging their dirty feet over the place I had just cleaned. They laughed and walked away, and I had to clean it all over again for the third time now. When I finally went to my wardrobe to prepare for the ceremony, there was nothing decent to wear. It was always the clothes Vanessa and Veronica were done with—clothes they had already ruined before throwing them to me. I picked up a pair of old jeans, they were faded and too loose on me, I had gotten thinner over time. The tops looked more like rags used for cleaning the kitchen than clothes meant for a person to wear. Or a girl like us, my wolf said in my head. Her name is Candy. So what are we going to do now? Candy asked. We need to find our mate today. I ignored her because I already knew the truth. No one wants a mate who cannot talk. I walked quietly toward the mating arena, not because I had high expectations of finding my mate that day, but because I wanted to try at least once. “Our dumb sister thinks she’ll find a mate,” Veronica laughed. “The Moon Goddess would never curse anyone with a mate like you unless it was a rogue.”Vanessa added, shoving me aside as they walked past me. When the mating ritual began, the air shifted. One by one, werewolves started perceiving the scents of their mates. Then, suddenly, I noticed a scent sweet like strawberries. Finally, Candy jubilated inside me. “We have a mate.” Just then, the Gamma stepped forward but the moment his eyes met mine, irritation flashed across his face. That was when I realized it. I was his mate. And just as I had expected, he did exactly what I knew he would. “I, Julius Armstrong, reject Doris Charles as my mate.” The laughter came right after. Not that I didn’t expect it, I always knew it would happen…this was the second time my mate rejected me because I cannot talk. In the pack, they call me the dumb girl not because I am stupid, but because I am mute, a girl who cannot speak. Julius Armstrong was the Gamma, the third in command under our young Alpha. They were all twenty-one and this was the third time Julius had rejected his mate. The first time was when I was seventeen. Rumors said he rejected her because she was too fat, he called her a loser, someone unworthy of being his mate. The second time was when I was eighteen, he rejected his mate at the same time my first mate rejected me, this time, he said she was too short. And now it was my turn.… the third time, he was rejecting me just because I was a mute girl obviously. What did I expect? Who would want a mute girl as his mate? I wasn’t surprised, not really because I had expected it but the humiliation… the sting of being dismissed yet again hit harder than I cared to admit. It wasn’t just embarrassment. It was the quiet, sinking feeling that maybe this was my life now. Always rejected. Always invisible. Always alone. After the rejection, I looked around. Everyone was looking at me, some with pity, some like I wasn’t even there... I felt like a lonely child standing in the middle of a crowd, I had no friends. “I’m so glad the Gamma rejected her,” a girl whispered, leaning closer to her friends. “What was she thinking, coming here?Honestly, no sane wolf would ever pick her,” another girl whispered back. I ignored them and turned my head to the other side and saw Veronica already standing close to the Gamma, showing herself off as the chosen one. They had been dating for months before the ceremony, so I expected her to be his mate and not me. While Vanessa stayed around the Alpha, throwing herself at him. The Alpha looked at me, our eyes met for a moment, but he said nothing, he didn’t seem interested in Vanessa at all, even though she kept forcing herself on him. Veronica stayed with the Gamma, laughing and acting close to him, just like always. I stood there alone, wishing I had never existed. I was not born mute, my stepmother and stepsisters made me this way but they pretended like I had always been like this. Lost in my thoughts, Henry ran up to me. “Hey, Doris,” he said. “Tell me you’re okay.” I shook my head, then nodded, I didn’t know what else to do. Henry was the only person in the pack who accepted me for who I am, he was only sixteen, yet he acted more mature than most of them. He held my hand as we walked away. “Just because you didn’t find your mate today doesn’t mean you won’t find him in the future,” he said gently. “Try to stay positive.” I nodded again. I couldn’t talk, so nodding was all I could do. When I needed to answer questions, I wrote them down in my small notebook that I always keep with me. Just as I got home, I was already expecting my stepmother to shout. It was normal for her to be angry whenever I came back without a mate. When I reached the door, I saw her waiting. My father was there too, but the moment he saw me he walked back inside, obviously he didn’t want to be involved. Most of the time, when my stepmother or the twins maltreated me, he remained quiet, he never said anything. I don’t know if he was happy that I was being maltreated or if he simply didn’t care. Sometimes I wondered if he even cared at all. Which father would see his own child being mistreated and just walk away? As I approached my stepmother, she looked me up and down. The twins had already gone home, and they were back in her good graces, laughing beside her. Before I could even enter the room, Henry grabbed my hands and guided me forward. “Stop right there,” my stepmother snapped the moment I almost stepped inside. “You think my warning was a joke, right? I told you not to come back to this house without a mate,” my stepmother snapped. “I’ve endured you for nineteen years, and I won’t anymore. You’re nothing but a headache to me, I told you to go find a mate, and right now, go look for anyone, bring back a dog or any animal I don’t care, but just stop coming here empty-handed. You are a demonic reminder of your mother… a slut!” The twins joined in, their voices cruel and loud. “Yeah, Mommy! Her mother was a slut! And a child of a slut will be a slut too!” Vanessa said, while Veronica laughed. “Stop it! Stop treating her like this!” Henry interjected, trying to defend me. “It’s not her fault she got rejected by her mate. What do you expect her to do? She doesn’t even have a chance to meet anyone else. Can’t you have some sympathy?” But my stepmother shouted over him, furious. “Get inside and stop involving yourself! I don’t want to see you near this slut’s child!” CHAPTER 2 CHAPTER 2 I ran without knowing where I was going. I only knew I couldn’t stay there anymore, and leaving was the only thing in my head. And guess what? Nobody called after me. Nobody came running. Instead, they laughed. They fucking laughed at me. It would’ve been better to be in hell, because what I felt in that house was no different—maybe worse. At least hell doesn’t pretend to love you before it burns you alive. I didn’t stop until I reached the lake, a short distance from home. The only place I ever ran to when my head became too loud. My hiding place. I sat on the rock by the water, picking up stones and throwing them as far as I could. One splash at a time. One stone. One pain. One memory I couldn’t erase. A presence shifted behind me. “You’re here today,” a calm voice said. “I was starting to think this place was mine alone.” Blade Lucious. He lowered himself onto a rock beside me, not too close, not too far…carefully like he understood silence. Blade is Alpha Ryder’s Beta, he’s different from the others—quiet, controlled, never trying too hard. I’d met him here weeks ago, by this same lake and he seemed decent. But I still didn’t want a friend. Friends always left. He watched the ripples fade before speaking again. “Today was rough,” he said gently. “For a lot of people.” I stiffened. I said nothing, It wasn’t like I could and walking away now would only be rude. Besides, he was just trying to be nice unlike everyone else. “I don’t think being rejected or not finding a mate means something is wrong with you,” he continued, voice casual, almost detached. “Everyone knows my mate died two years ago. I’m twenty-one now, and I haven’t found another.” He paused, then added, but guess what? It doesn’t bother me anymore.” Liar. Even without looking at him, I could hear the weight in his voice. I couldn’t forget how his mate died in that car accident because I was there that day. But there was no way I could ever tell anyone. After all, I was just the mute girl in the pack. We sat in silence. I kept throwing stones and he didn’t interrupt. Eventually, he spoke again. “It’s getting late. You should head home, your parents might be worried.” I almost laughed. If anything, they were probably hoping I wouldn’t come back. The thought made my lips twitch. “Oh,” Blade said softly. “You smiled.” He sounded genuinely surprised. Almost pleased. I frowned, how could something so small make him happy? His father was wealthy, he had a loving family. No siblings to compete with him and everything in his life seemed arranged. The universe must’ve taken offense to my thoughts, because rain suddenly poured from the sky—cold and heavy. We both stood. Blade reached for my hand, instinctive, like it was the most natural thing in the world. I shoved him away. Then I ran. Being close to me would only stain his reputation, and I wouldn’t let that happen. One of the top girls already had her eyes on him anyway. I couldn’t afford more attention. The twins were already enough. I reached home soaked and gasping. At the door, I paused and counted to five. Something I always did when fear crawled up my spine. Then I stepped inside. Laughter drifted from the twins’ room. Loud. Excited. I moved closer. Veronica was jumping around the room. Vanessa was showing off a new backpack. Their mother stood nearby, smiling proudly. New school uniforms. School. It hit me then I’d forgotten school resumed in a week. The twins were in twelfth grade now. I hadn’t felt excitement for school in years. I stopped attending in ninth grade. Since then, I stayed home while they left every morning. I stayed behind. “But Mom, what about Doris?” Henry’s voice cut through the room. “At least let her enroll with Vanessa and Veronica. She’s brilliant.” “Don’t start, Henry,” Veronica snapped. “I will,” he replied calmly. “You all know you haven’t treated her right. One day, karma will catch up with you all.” Vanessa scoffed. “You still believe in karma? Grow up, karma doesn’t exist in this generation.” Henry had always been like this. When I was still in school, he sneaked into classes, copied notes, listened to lessons, and came home to teach me everything. He fought anyone who tried to bully me. And here I was now hiding in my own house listening to him defend me again. Do you know how painful that is? And how grateful? Everyone deserves a Henry in their life. Footsteps approached. I quickly ran to my room and shut the door. Leaning against it, I slowly slid down until I was sitting on the floor, my back pressed tightly to the door. I tried to hold the tears in, but they never listened, they flowed freely down my cheeks anyway. I could feel Candy stirring softly inside me. It had been a long time since I let Candy take control. Maybe because I didn’t want her out yet or maybe because I no longer know how to let her out at all. I sat there longer than I could remember. My eyes grew heavy and my body felt weak, I didn’t even have the strength to stand up and crawl into bed. I stayed there until exhaustion pulled me under. When I woke, pale morning light crept through the window. A sharp knock hit the door. “You’re still sleeping?” my stepmother shouted. “Get up and prepare the snacks for the twins’ mating ceremony. Since you couldn’t even find a mate, you might as well be useful.” Right. Today was the ceremony. Those who’d found their mates yesterday would stand before the Alpha, the elders, the council and claim them. And I would be there too. Not as anything important. Just their slave. CHAPTER 3 The ceremony hadn’t even begun yet, and my body already felt like it had been dragged through dust. “Doris, hurry up with ironing my dress!” Veronica’s sharp, impatient voice echoed through the house. It hadn’t even been five minutes since she’d dumped the dress on my hands, yet she’d come to check on it at least five times. Not because the dress wasn’t ready, but because frustrating me was the point. She was the only one who had found a mate. Julius Armstrong would claim her today, obviously. When I finished ironing, I carried the dress to her room and laid it carefully on her bed. I didn’t wait for approval, I quickly turned and left her room immediately. “Doris.” Henry’s voice stopped me. “You’re not dressed yet?” I looked down at myself, then back at him. I tugged lightly at the torn gown I was wearing, silently telling him this was it. This was what I had. His brows pulled together in confusion. “Wait… Doris,” he said slowly. “Is this what you’re wearing to the ceremony?” He pointed at my gown. “Even a beggar wouldn’t dress like this,” he muttered, anger slipping into his voice. Before I could react, he grabbed my hand and pulled me along. He didn’t stop until we reached his room. He released my hand and walked to his bed. “I got this for you.” I followed his gaze. A dress lay neatly spread out on the mattress. Long beautiful pink gown. My breath caught. Tears burned my eyes before I could stop them, and the next thing I knew, I was hugging him tightly. When I finally pulled away, questions rushed into my head. I grabbed my notebook and quickly wrote them down. How did you get the money for this? You didn’t steal it from the twins, right? I held the notebook up to him. “No,” he said quickly, shaking his head as a small laugh escaped him. “I didn’t steal it, mom gave me the money.” Relief washed over me, and before I could stop myself, I smiled. I picked up the dress carefully. It was soft beneath my fingers, lighter than anything I’d ever owned. I held it against my body and turned slowly, the fabric brushing my legs as I spun. Henry smiled at the sight. “Why don’t you go put it on?” he said gently. “The ceremony will start in a few minutes.” He nudged me playfully toward the door, and I hurried to my room. I slipped into the dress carefully, afraid of tearing it. When I finally looked up, my gaze met the mirror or rather, the broken piece of one nailed to the wall. The girl staring back at me didn’t look like someone used to hiding in corners. For the first time, I looked beautiful. Excited, I rushed out of my room to show Henry. I didn’t make it far. My stepmother stood at the corridor. Her eyes swept over me slowly, from head to toe, that familiar look of disgust settling on her face. “Where did you steal the money to buy this dress?” she asked coldly, stepping closer. Before I could react, her fingers grabbed the fabric. The twins stepped out of their room just then. “So now you’re stealing from us?” Vanessa sneered, her face fully done, eyes sharp with jealousy. “How can you wear a dress prettier than ours?” Veronica added. “It’s not like you even have a mate, you mute girl.” My stepmother tightened her grip on the dress. “Go back inside,” she ordered. “Change into that rag you were wearing before and give this gown to Veronica.” My hands shook. “No.” Henry’s voice cut through the corridors. He came running toward us, his eyes dark with anger. “I bought the dress for her,” he said firmly. “She’s wearing it to the ceremony. Is there a problem with that?” My stepmother turned on him, her lips curling. “So I gave you money to buy clothes for yourself, and instead you wasted it on this slut?” Before anyone could stop her, she yanked the fabric hard. The sound of tearing filled the house. The dress ripped against my body. I gasped, clutching the torn fabric to my chest as tears spilled down my face, hot and unstoppable. Henry reacted instantly, he pulled off his jacket and wrapped it around me, shielding me from their eyes. “Come,” he said softly, guiding me back toward my room. He stood between me and them until I was safely inside, then closed the door. I slid down to the floor, shaking. The dress lay ruined at my feet. A few minutes later, the door swung open. “Doris.” My stepmother’s voice was sharp, impatient. “Get up and come out. Now.” She didn’t wait for a response, the door slammed as she walked away. I pushed myself off the floor, my body still trembling, I slipped back into the old torn gown and stepped out of the room. For a moment, I just stood there. The twins were already dressed, glowing in expensive fabrics and jewelry. Their laughter filled the house… I was barefoot, my feet pressed against the cold floor, watching them like someone who didn’t belong in the same space. A sharp clap echoed. “Doris,” my stepmother snapped. “Stop staring like a fool and start walking.” I obeyed. I carried cartons of drinks from the house to the ceremony grounds. My arms shook under the weight, but no one noticed or maybe they did and simply didn’t care. The twins laughed loudly with their friends, snapping their fingers at me as if I were a pet. “Doris, bring more wine.” “Doris, wipe this.” “Doris, you spilled that.” Each command peeled away another layer of my dignity. Around us, other girls sat proudly beside their families, their faces bright with excitement. Today, they will be claimed officially. High-profile ladies occupied the front rows, whispering amongst themselves. There were rumors the Alpha would choose his Luna today. Most believed it would be Clara Anthony. She sat at the center, her posture perfect, chin lifted, confidence written into every movement. She had been close to the Alpha since childhood, to everyone else, the match made sense. I stood at the edge of it all, holding a tray, invisible. Then an elder in the pack stepped forward. His staff struck the ground once. “The mating ceremony,” he announced, voice carrying across the crowd, “has begun.” “Doris, hurry up with those drinks.” My stepmother’s sharp voice cut through the music and laughter. I lowered my head and obeyed, I always did. After all, I had learned early how to disappear. The tray felt heavier with every step, my hands trembling beneath its weight. Sweat soaked into my clothes, I didn’t smell like perfume or excitement like the other girls…I smelled like dirt. By the time the ceremony truly began, my entire body ached. As I moved through the crowd, one of the twins brushed past me deliberately. Her shoulder hit the tray, and a cup slipped free, shattering against the ground. She gasped loudly, eyes wide in fake shock. “Oh no,” she said, turning quickly to her mother. “Look at the mess Doris made.” Her voice carried. “I don’t understand why Doris can’t do a single thing right,” she added, shaking her head. Every conversation stopped. All eyes turned to me. My heart slammed painfully against my chest as I dropped to my knees, gathering the broken pieces with shaking fingers. The glass bit into my skin, but I didn’t stop. No one cared. Except two people. A shadow fell beside me. Then another. Before I could react, someone gently pulled my hand away from the shards. Blade Lucious. He took over without a word, picking up the broken glass carefully. Henry knelt beside him, helping just as quietly. I shook my head, panic flooding me, I didn’t want them dragged into this neither do I want more troubles. They both looked up at me. And smiled. “It’s okay,” Blade said softly. He gathered the last pieces and walked back to his seat as if nothing had happened. Henry stayed a moment longer. He disposed of the glass, then pressed a clean cloth into my hands. I nodded. His mother noticed. “Henry,” she snapped. “What do you think you’re doing? Go sit with the other boys. That’s where you belong.” He hesitated, then obeyed. Her gaze shifted to me coldly. “And you,” she said quietly, her voice low enough to cut deeper. “After today, you won’t be coming back to my house.” My breath caught. “I don’t need you anymore,” she continued. “I don’t need trash like you under my roof.” I stood there, frozen. “There’s a rejected omega who needs a mate,” she went on casually, as if discussing groceries. “You’ll be going to him.” Her lips curved slightly. “Veronica will be mated to the Gamma. Vanessa will be mated either to the Alpha or the Beta. I won’t have your bad luck around my family anymore.” I nodded. That was all I knew how to do. I wasn’t invited to sit anywhere, so when no one was looking, I slipped away to a corner. I leaned against the wall at the edge and watched from there. An outsider. Then the music faded. A figure stepped forward. Alpha Ryder. The crowd erupted in cheers as he raised his hand. “Today,” he announced, his voice carrying across the grounds, “I will be choosing my Luna, according to the laws of our pack.” The cheers grew louder. Alpha Ryder Stone had ruled Moon Park for three years. I’d heard how he took the throne after his parents were poisoned and killed, a tragedy that shook the entire pack. Many had doubted him then because he was young. They had been wrong. In three years, Ryder had proven himself. The pack was secure under his rule, its borders reinforced, its enemies silent. Whispers said rivals feared Ryder more than even his father. Alpha Ryder’s gaze searched the crowd and settled on me. I looked away quickly, but not before I caught the faint smile on his lips. CHAPTER 4 ~ Ryder’s POV ~ I would be lying if I claimed yesterday wasn’t still weighing on my mind during the mating ritual, the painful scene of Julius rejecting Doris replaying over and over. Part of me had felt satisfaction and relief. She had been out of his reach and for reasons I couldn’t explain, that made my chest tighten in a strange kind of happiness. The rejection had been brutal, and I had seen how badly it hurt Doris. A knock on the door pulled me from my thoughts. “Come in,” I said, straightening. The door swung open, Julius and Blade walked in—my closest friends since childhood. “Don’t tell me you’re not going to the ceremony today,” Julius teased, leaning against the doorway with a smirk. Blade chuckled, giving me a light punch on the shoulder before sliding into the chair at my desk, calm in contrast to Julius’s energy. “Obviously, I’m going to the mating ceremony,” I replied evenly, my voice steady. Julius raised an eyebrow. “But come to think of it, Alpha Ryder,” he emphasized the title with mock bowing, “you don’t even have a mate or a girl you’re dating, so how are you going to pick your Luna today? The elders make it compulsory. You can’t rule for years without a Luna, you know the principle. Blade leaned back, smirk tugging at his lips. “Except he’s probably going for Clara.” Julius’s eyes widened in mock horror. “Clara? Really? Clara rejected every mate that came near her. Yeah she’s probably been waiting for you all this time, that’s so classic.” Blade laughed quietly. “It’s going to be a show. Clara Anthony doesn’t even know what’s coming.” I rolled my eyes and stepped closer, catching Julius by the shoulder and giving him a playful shove. “Who says I don’t have a Luna in mind, huh?” I said, letting the challenge hang in the air. “And who says it’s going to be Clara Anthony? You’ll see. It’s going to be a surprise for both of you.” They laughed, but I held my ground, smiling faintly. “Now, it’s time for you two to leave my room.” “No, no,” Julius protested, flopping onto the edge of my bed with exaggerated flair. “We are not leaving. Come on, Ryder just tell us who your Luna is. We’re your Beta and Gamma—you should tell us first.” Blade crossed his arms, grinning faintly. “Yeah. We’re your left and right hands, Alpha. Transparency is part of the job.” I shook my head, laughing softly. “No. Not until the ceremony because I want it to be a surprise for everyone.” Julius groaned dramatically. “You’re impossible.” Blade simply shook his head, smiling faintly, as if he had expected nothing less. I brushed past them toward the door. “Consider this your warning…leave my room, or I’ll drag you both out myself.” They exchanged a look, amused but exasperated, and slowly got up. Julius threw a teasing wink over his shoulder, and Blade gave a small nod. The door clicked shut behind them. I let out a breath I hadn’t realized I was holding. Today, the ceremony and I would find her. A few hours later, it was time for the ceremony. By the time I stepped onto the grounds, everyone was already seated. The crowd buzzed with anticipation, but as I walked forward, murmurs quieted. All eyes fell on me. I paused, letting the weight of the moment settle, then raised my voice. “Today, I will be picking my Luna, following the rules of our pack,” I announced. The crowd erupted in cheers. Raising a hand for order, I continued. “But first, we will honor those who have already found their mates.” “If you have a mate, or one you wish to choose as your mate, come forward with them so the elders and I may bless your bond before I select my own Luna.” Immediately, pairs stepped forward. Julius took his mate Veronica by the hand, leading her confidently. Together, they stood before the elders and me, their union blessed and bound by tradition. Their proud smiles spoke of the ceremony’s promise reserved only for the worthy. And then my focus shifted. I scanned the crowd for the one who had quietly captured my attention. My eyes finally landed on her. Doris. She stood at a distance, almost invisible, quietly observing everything. The moment our eyes met, she quickly looked away, hands tightening at her sides. No one dared meet my gaze. “I, Alpha Ryder Stone, take Doris Charles as my Luna and chosen mate of the Moonpack,” I declared. Silence fell immediately. Every whisper, every movement froze as the crowd processed what had just been announced. I walked toward her, ignoring the murmurs and whispers. Doris’s eyes widened, and instinctively she covered her ears, shaking her head as if she’d misunderstood. She even stepped back, ready to flee. I stopped right in front of her, my gaze never leaving hers. “There’s no running from this,” I said softly, but firmly. I held out my hands. She hesitated, pulling back, but I stepped closer and gently took her hands in mine. Her fingers trembled as she walked beside me toward the center of the ceremony. Then I noticed she was barefoot, her feet cold against the ground, exposed. I lifted her into my arms without a second thought. She stiffened, startled, but I held her close, steadying her as I carried her straight to the center. Once we reached the center, I set her gently on the floor. She pressed herself against my chest, as if trying to hide from the world. I noticed just how scared she really was, and my gaze softened. She had never felt protection like this before. I lifted my head, letting all eyes fall on us. “As promised, I present to you the Luna of Moon Park.” The grounds fell silent and all eyes were on us. She pressed closer, hiding against my chest, every inch of her body tight with tension. Then I raised my hand, signaling the end. “The ceremony is concluded, everyone may now celebrate with their mates—visit your mate’s family or any place you wish to honor your bond.” I walked with the elders, Doris remained quiet at my side, leaning lightly against me. She barely moved, simply letting me lead her where we needed to go. That’s when her family came into view, I led Doris toward them and ensuring she remained safe under my watch. I could feel her fear, even without a word, and it was her family that frightened her the most. This was only the beginning, from now on, my Luna would never face fear without my protection. CHAPTER 5 ~ Doris’s POV ~ My heart was hammering so hard I thought it might jump out of my chest. I couldn’t believe what had just happened on the field. In front of the entire pack, Alpha Ryder had looked straight at me and said the words no one ever expected. “She’s my Luna.” Me. The one everybody calls “a loser” right in my face. I stayed close to him as he guided us through the crowd, my arms tight around his waist. His body was solid as a wall between me and the rest of the world. Even so, I felt their eyes burning into my skin, no one tried to hide it. “Why her?” “A mute Luna? Seriously?” “She can’t even speak during meetings, how’s that gonna work?” “Ryder must’ve lost his mind tonight.” “Probably felt sorry for her. Charity case.” “Clara Anthony would’ve been perfect, at least she can open her mouth.” Every word stabbed a little deeper, I pressed my face harder against Ryder’s shirt, breathing in the clean smell of vanilla and something warm. His hand rested gently on my back. We finally reached my family near the edge of the gathering. Dad stood up straight the second he saw us coming and for once he didn’t look angry. He actually stepped forward and shook Ryder’s hand. “Alpha,” Dad said, voice low and formal. “Welcome.” Mom stayed sitting, arms crossed tight over her chest, watching everything like a hawk. Her lips were pressed into a thin line, I knew that look. It meant trouble. Before I could even catch my breath, Mom grabbed my wrist and yanked me a few steps away, pretending she just wanted to “fix my hair” or something. The second we were out of their earshot she leaned in close. “How did you do it?” she hissed. “How did a useless thing like you trick the Alpha into picking you? You think you’re special now? You’re still bad luck and always have been.” Her words landed like slaps but I kept my eyes on the ground, staring at the patches of my worn gown. What was I supposed to do? what would I say to the woman who’d spent years telling me I was nothing? She dragged me back to the group and sat me on a low wooden bench in the corner. Every time Ryder glanced over, she flashed him that big fake smile she saves for important people but when she looked at me? Nothing but cold stares. I curled my fingers into the edge of my dress and tried to disappear inside my own head. Why me? The question kept spinning around and around. Did Ryder even know I was mute? Like, did he really know? Or did he just see a quiet girl and think it was cute? What happens when he finds out I can’t give speeches, can’t yell orders, can’t even argue back when someone insults the pack? A shadow fell over me, I looked up and there he was—Ryder, tall and calm with those dark eyes watching me like I was the only person in the whole world. “You okay?” he asked softly. I swallowed hard and nodded once. It was all I could manage. He crouched down a little so we were closer to eye level. “Can we go somewhere quieter? Just to talk? There are a few things I need to say before we move forward.” Before I could even think, Dad jumped in. “Our house is close by we can go there.” Ryder nodded. “That works perfectly.” The walk home felt like a dream. Ryder kept his hand on my lower back the whole time. Like he was saying I’ve got you without using words. Dad actually walked beside us instead of ahead like he usually did, he kept stealing little glances at me, like he was seeing me for the first time. When we got inside, Mom rushed to offer Ryder the good chair and a glass of cold water. He thanked her politely but didn’t sit, he stayed standing, looking around our small living room like he was measuring it. “I don’t want to drag this out,” he said, voice steady. “Doris is my chosen mate now and that means she’s my Luna.” “Tonight she becomes my wife in the eyes of the pack, I’m taking her with me when I leave but first I want your blessing. Both of you.” The room went dead quiet. Then Vanessa exploded. She’d been sitting in the corner pretending to scroll on her phone, but now she jumped up so fast the chair scraped the floor. “Are you serious?” she snapped, staring at Ryder like he’d lost his mind. “Her? The mute girl? You’re the strongest Alpha in three territories and you pick her? She can’t talk! She can’t lead! She’s… she’s nothing! Look at her, she’s plain, she’s awkward, she’s basically a charity case.” “I mean, even the beggars in the market have more dignity than her!” I felt my face burn, I shrank back against the wall, wishing I could melt into it. Ryder didn’t even blink, he just looked at Vanessa calmly, like she was a barking puppy. When she finally ran out of breath, he spoke. “I heard you,” he said simply. “But my decision isn’t changing.” Mom saw her chance, she quickly stood up, smoothed her dress, and gave Ryder her sweetest smile. “Alpha, please,” she said in that soft, fake-nice voice she uses when she wants something. “Can I talk to you for a second? Alone?” He nodded and followed her to the far corner near the kitchen doorway. I stayed where I was, but the house is small. I could hear every word. “Look at her, Alpha,” Mom started. “She can’t speak, not even a single word. How is she supposed to be Luna? The other packs will laugh at us and they’ll think we’re weak.” “She’s messy and a slut just like her real mother was with no class but Vanessa?” Mom waved a hand toward my stepsister. “Vanessa is beautiful. She’s confident and she can talk to anyone, charm anyone. She’s exactly what a Luna should be.” My chest hurt so bad I could barely breathe. Ryder let her finish, then he answered, voice low and even. “Mrs Anna,” he said, “I’m not picking a Luna because she’s pretty or loud.” “I felt the bond with Doris, I looked at her and I knew that’s it. No one and not you, not Vanessa, not the whole pack is going to change my mind. Unless Doris herself gives me a reason not to trust her, she’s coming with me tonight.” Mom went quiet, I could almost hear her teeth grinding. Ryder walked back over to me, his eyes softened the second they met mine. “Doris,” he said gently, “go pack a few things. Whatever matters to you. We’re leaving soon.” I shook my head a little. My hands felt shaky as I signed the words slowly so he could understand: Nothing important to pack. He studied my hands for a second, then nodded like he got it. A tiny smile tugged at the corner of his mouth. “Okay. Then we’ll get you new things and whatever you need.” I looked around the tiny living room one last time, the spot on the wall where Henry had drawn a stick-figure wolf when he was six. This place had never really felt like home for nineteen years. Just then the back door banged open. Henry came running in, cheeks red, grinning so wide it almost split his face. “Doris!” he shouted. He threw his arms around me and squeezed tight. “You’re gonna be Luna! Luna! Can you believe it?” I hugged him back just as hard. Tears stung my eyes. He pulled away a little, still smiling. “I’m so happy for you, sis. You deserve this. Go be amazing. And visit me, okay? Promise?” I nodded fast, throat too tight to even try signing. Henry glanced at Ryder and gave him a shy little wave. “Take care of her, Alpha. She’s the best.” Ryder dipped his head. “I will.” Henry gave me one more quick hug, then stepped back. I took a long, shaky breath. The air tasted different somehow, like the start of something new. Ryder held out his hand. I looked at it for a second, then I placed my smaller one in his. His fingers closed gently around mine. Together we walked out the door. I didn’t look back. For the first time in my life, I wasn’t running away from something. I was walking toward something better I guess. And for once I wasn’t walking alone. Vanessa ran over and bent close, her voice low enough that only I could hear. “Enjoy it while you can,” she whispered. “You’re stealing my place, and I won’t let you keep it.” She smiled sweetly, then turned and walked away. CHAPTER 6 ~ Doris ~ The car ride felt like it lasted forever. I sat in the back seat, staring out the window as trees and houses blurred by. Ryder drove quietly, his hands tight on the wheel. He didn’t say much, just a few words like “We’ll be there soon” or “Are you okay?” I nodded each time, but inside, my heart was pounding like a drum. Why did he pick me? It didn’t make sense. When we finally pulled up to his house, it was like stepping into a dream or maybe a fairy tale from one of those old books Henry used to read to me. The building was huge, like a castle made of stone and wood, with big windows that sparkled in the evening sun. There were flowers everywhere in the garden, red and yellow ones that smelled sweet. Tall trees surrounded it, making it feel safe and hidden. Back at my old home, our house was small and dark, with creaky floors and walls that always needed fixing. This place was so fancy, I felt like I didn’t belong. My clothes looked even worse here. Ryder parked the car and turned to me. His eyes were kind, but his face stayed serious, like he was holding something back. “This is your new home, Doris,” he said softly. “Come on, I’ll show you around.” He got out and opened my door, like a gentleman in a story. I stepped out slowly, my bare feet touching the smooth gravel path. It didn’t hurt like the rough ground at the ceremony. He clenched his jaw when he saw my bare feet. For a second, he stepped a little closer to me. His hand even lifted slightly, like he wanted to pick me up. But then he stopped. His hand dropped back to his side, and he cleared his throat. “We’ll get you shoes tomorrow,” he said quietly. We walked up the wide steps to the front door. It was made of thick wood with carvings of wolves running under the moon. Ryder pushed it open, and inside, wow, it was even more amazing. The hallway had shiny floors that looked like they were made of marble, and a big staircase curved up to the second floor. Lights hung from the ceiling like stars, and there were soft rugs that felt fluffy under my toes. I could smell fresh bread baking somewhere, and hear soft voices from other rooms, people lived here I guessed. But it was so quiet and clean, not like my old house where my stepmom always yelled and the twins left messes everywhere. Ryder led me through the hall. “The kitchen is that way,” he pointed. “You can eat whenever you want. No one will stop you.” His voice was gentle, but he didn’t smile much. He seemed distant, like he was being careful not to get too close. Was he regretting choosing me already? My stomach twisted at the thought. “And over here is the living room. We have meetings sometimes, but you don’t have to join if you don’t want to.” The living room had big couches and a fireplace taller than me. Bookshelves lined the walls, full of books I’d never seen before. I wanted to touch them, but I kept my hands by my sides. We went up the stairs. “Your room is right here,” Ryder said, opening a door at the end of the hall. I stepped inside and I gasped silently. The room was bigger than my whole old bedroom and the twins’ combined. A huge bed with fluffy pillows and a soft blanket in light purple, my favorite color. How did he know? There was a desk with paper and pens, and a window looking out at the forest. A closet stood open but empty. It even had its own bathroom with a tub that looked like it could fit two people. “This is yours,” Ryder said, standing in the doorway. He didn’t come in all the way, like he was giving me space. “If you need anything, just write it down or something. I’ll assign someone to help you tomorrow.” His eyes met mine for a second, and I saw something warm there, but then he looked away. “Get some rest. It’s been a long day.” He nodded and closed the door softly behind him. I stood there alone, the room spinning a little. I sank onto the bed, the mattress so soft it hugged me. Candy stirred in my mind. “This is our new home. It’s nice, right? But I couldn’t relax, doubts flooded in like rain. What if Ryder only picked me out of pity? Everyone at the ceremony laughed when Julius rejected me. They called me worthless. And now, the Alpha chose me? It felt like a joke, a cruel one that would end with me back in my old life, scrubbing floors. My breathing got faster. I clutched the blanket, trying to calm down but memories crashed over me like waves. I was five again, up on that high building with Veronica and Vanessa. They were laughing, saying it was a game. “Jump, dumb Doris!” But they pushed me. The fall… the wind rushing past, the ground coming up too fast. Pain exploded everywhere when I hit. My body hurt, but my heart hurt more. After that, words wouldn’t come out. I tried, but my throat closed up. Doctors said it was in my head, from being so scared. Anna, my stepmom told everyone I was born that way, but it was a lie. They made me this way. Tears stung my eyes. I curled up on the bed, shaking. My chest felt tight, like I couldn’t breathe. Why did they do that to me? The panic grew, making my hands tremble. I rocked back and forth, trying to push the thoughts away. Minutes felt like hours. Finally, the shaking slowed, I wiped my face, feeling empty. This room was pretty, but it didn’t fix the hurt inside. There were voices drifting up from the garden below. I slowly moved toward the window and peeked through the curtain. It was few of the maids from the house. They stood near the flower beds, pretending to adjust the plants, but their heads were close together. Whispering. “Can you believe it?” one of them muttered, her voice low but sharp. “The Alpha picked that mute reject?” The other maid scoffed. “I heard she was rejected twice. Twice! And now she’s Luna?” They both laughed quietly. “She’s not worthy,” the first one continued. “She doesn’t even speak, how is she supposed to stand beside the Alpha? She’ll embarrass him.” “I give it a month,” the second maid said. “He’ll realize he made a mistake.” Their words felt like stones thrown at my chest. I stepped back from the window slowly, my vision blurring with tears. Even here. They still saw me the same way. I hadn’t even done anything yet. Why did everyone hate me so easily? My fingers tightened around the curtain. Was this what being Luna would be like? Smiles to my face but whispers behind my back. Candy’s voice was quiet but firm inside my mind. “Let them talk. One day, they will bow. But right now, all I felt was small. I climbed back into bed, pulling the covers over my head. This new life was scary. The house was beautiful, and I had a mate now but the pain inside me was still there. Would I ever truly feel safe? Candy’s voice was soft in my mind. “Give it time, we’re stronger than they know. I closed my eyes and held onto her words. I hoped she was right. ***** I woke up suddenly not because of any sound, but because of that heavy feeling you get when someone is watching you. My heart was already pounding before I even opened my eyes. I lay still, trying to convince myself it was just a bad dream until I heard it… a very soft scrape, like metal brushing against the window frame. I forced myself to turn my head slowly toward the window. Through the thin gap between the curtain and the glass, I saw him. A tall figure dressed in completely black hoodie pulled up, black trousers, black gloves. He was standing maybe one meter from the window, perfectly still. Moonlight caught the side of his body, and that’s when I saw it clearly…the knife in his right hand. He was holding it low, pointing down, like he was ready to use it any second. Because the window glass had that one-way tint from outside, he probably couldn’t see in clearly. But from inside, with the room dark and the moonlight outside, I could see every detail of him like he was standing under a spotlight. My whole body went cold, I couldn’t breathe properly. I just stared, frozen, praying he hadn’t noticed my eyes open. He tilted his head slightly, like he was listening or deciding something. Then he raised the knife a little, tested the window frame with the tip, very gently. The soft tink sound made my stomach drop. I wanted to scream, but nothing would come out. I just kept staring at that knife, at his black. And then… he just stopped, he lowered the knife, turned around slowly, and walked away like he had changed his mind or heard something. Someone had come for me. In my new home and on my first night as a Luna. He knew exactly which room was mine. CHAPTER 7 A sharp knock on the door jolted me awake. My eyes flew open. For a second, everything felt fuzzy—the soft purple blanket tangled around my legs, then last night crashed back into me like cold water. My heart started racing all over again, I sat up fast, pulling the covers to my chin, staring at the window. The curtains were still half closed. No one was there now but the fear sat heavy in my chest, like a stone I couldn’t swallow. Another knock, softer this time. I swallowed hard and slipped out of bed. My bare feet touched the fluffy rug. I padded to the door, heart thumping, and cracked it open just a little. Three maids stood in the hallway, smiling politely. Each one held several big shopping bags, shiny ones with ribbons and logos I didn’t recognize. Behind them were more bags stacked on the floor, and two more maids carrying even larger ones. “Good morning, Luna,” the first maid said brightly. She had kind eyes and brown hair tied back neatly. “Alpha Ryder sent these for you. He said you should have everything you need.” Luna. The word still felt strange, like it belonged to someone else. I stepped back and opened the door wider. They filed in quietly, setting bags on the bed and floor. One maid opened the closet doors and started hanging dresses in soft colors, jeans that looked brand new, sweaters, jackets, even pretty nightgowns. Another arranged shoes on the bottom shelf: sneakers, flats, sandals, boots, heels I’d never worn in my life. Jewelry boxes came next. Necklaces with tiny sparkling stones, bracelets, earrings that caught the light. There were bags too, small purses, bigger shoulder bags, even a backpack with little wolf charms on the zipper. Makeup, hair brushes, lotions that smelled like flowers and vanilla, everything anyone could ever want. I stood there, arms wrapped around myself, watching them work. My old clothes from yesterday looked like rags next to all this. When they finished, the first maid turned to me with a warm smile. “Alpha wants you to feel comfortable here, Luna. If anything doesn’t fit or you need something else, just press that bell,” she said, pointing toward it. “We’ll come right away, and bring whatever you need.” They started to leave. My hand shot out before I could think, I grabbed my notebook from the desk, wrote fast, and held it up to the kind-eyed maid. Where is the Alpha? She read it and smiled again. “He’s downstairs in the living room, Luna.” They bowed their heads a little and left, closing the door softly behind them. I stood in the middle of the room, surrounded by all the new things. It should have felt nice. Exciting, maybe. But the knot in my stomach wouldn’t go away. All these beautiful clothes and jewelry made it feel like I was someone important. I changed quickly into a simple blue dress from one of the bags. It fit perfectly, soft against my skin. I slipped on matching flats real shoes for the first time in forever. They didn’t pinch or rub, I looked in the mirror, I looked… different and beautiful but my eyes still looked scared. I took a deep breath and headed downstairs. The staircase felt endless, my hand slid along the smooth railing. Voices drifted up from the living room low at first, then clearer. I slowed my steps near the bottom, suddenly nervous. I was about to turn the corner when I heard Julius’s voice—sharp, loud, like he didn’t care who heard. “Why her, Ryder? Why Doris? The mute girl? What is so special about her?” I froze. My feet stopped moving, I pressed myself against the wall, heart hammering so loud I was sure they’d hear it. Julius kept going. “She doesn’t even look like she should be Luna. She looks like… like some piece of trash someone dragged in from the street. Everyone’s talking about it. The maids, the guards, half the pack. You could have had anyone. Clara, for example. She’s strong, beautiful, respected. Why choose the reject who can’t even speak?” There was a pause, I peeked around the corner just enough to see. Ryder stood near the fireplace, arms crossed, face hard. Blade was beside him, looking uncomfortable. A few servants stood quietly in the corners, heads down, pretending not to listen. Julius paced in front of Ryder, gesturing wildly. Ryder’s jaw tightened. For a second he looked really angry. But then his face smoothed out, like he put on a mask. When he finally spoke, his voice was loud, cold, clear enough for every servant in the room to hear and clear enough for me. “Who told you I chose her because I want her?” Ryder said. “Remember what happened two years ago? My supposed Luna—my first assigned mate was hung at the gates, her body just… dangling there for everyone to see. Do you think I forgot that? Do you think I don’t know what I’m doing?” He stepped closer to Julius. His voice got louder, almost a shout. “I don’t give a damn about what happens to a mute girl. That’s exactly why I chose her, If someone comes for her, if they try to hurt her, I won’t lose sleep over it. I can’t let a real, complete human die again not like last time. But a mute reject? If she dies, the pack moves on and I move on. That’s the point.” The words hit me like a slap.Then another. I felt my knees shake, my chest hurt so bad I couldn’t breathe right. He didn’t care. He really didn’t care. All the clothes, the room, he did it because I was disposable. Because if the killer came back, Ryder wouldn’t even blink. Now I understood. I wasn’t chosen, I was insurance. I wanted to tell him about the intruder, but the words died in my throat. There was no point now. No point in anything. Tears burned my eyes, I turned to run. My elbow caught the tall flower vase on the side table. It wobbled, then crashed to the marble floor. Shards scattered everywhere. Flowers spilled across the marble. Everyone turned. I didn’t wait, I ran. Up the stairs, legs pumping, tears blurring everything. I didn’t go to my room because I couldn’t face that big bed and all those new clothes that suddenly felt like a lie. I kept running down the hallway, past doors, until I turned a corner and pushed into a small empty room at the end. I slammed the door behind me and slid down against it, hugging my knees. Footsteps echoed in the hall, fast, heavy. Someone was coming after me. I pressed my hand over my mouth so I wouldn’t make a sound. My heart pounded so hard I thought it would break. The footsteps stopped right outside the door. A hand touched the knob. It turned slowly. Please don’t let it be him, I begged inside my head. Please don’t let it be Ryder. The door creaked open an inch. CHAPTER 8 ~ Doris ~ The door creaked open another inch. Then another. I squeezed my eyes shut so tight that little stars burst behind my eyelids. My whole body felt like it had turned to stone. Please don’t be him. Please don’t be him. The words looped in my head like a song I couldn’t stop humming. My arms hugged my knees harder, and my fingers digging into my skin, I waited for Ryder’s deep voice, cold one to cut through the quiet. But the footsteps were soft and careful. I cracked one eye open. It wasn’t Ryder. Blade stood in the doorway. His dark hair looked messier than usual, like he’d run his hands through it a hundred times. In his hand he held my pen, the blue one I always carried in my pocket. He looked down at me where I sat curled against the door, knees up to my chin. “You dropped this downstairs,” he said quietly. His voice wasn’t loud or bossy. It was gentle, like he was talking to a scared bird. “Figured you might want it back.” I stared at the pen, my fingers were still shaking when I reached out. I took it and clutched it against my chest like it could protect me. Blade didn’t move closer right away, he just looked around the small empty room, then he lowered himself to the floor a few feet away from me. He sat with his back against the opposite wall, legs stretched out, hands resting loose on his knees. He didn’t try to crowd me. He just sat there. I shifted sideways a little, pressing my shoulder harder against the door. I needed more space. He noticed. But he didn’t say anything about it. After a long quiet moment—long enough that I could hear my own heartbeat, slowing he spoke again. “You don’t always have to believe what the Alpha says when other people are listening.” My head snapped up. My eyes locked on his face. He wasn’t looking at me, he was staring at a tiny crack in the floorboards, like it held all the answers. His voice stayed soft. “Sometimes words are said for ears that aren’t yours. To keep certain people from guessing the real truth. To keep someone safe.” My fingers squeezed the pen until the plastic made a tiny creaking sound. Blade finally glanced at me, his eyes were steady. Not angry. Not pitying. Just honest. “I’m not saying he’s perfect but I know him, and I know he doesn’t throw away the people he actually cares about.” The words felt warm for a second like a tiny candle in the dark, but then Ryder’s voice crashed back into my head, loud and cold from downstairs: “I don’t give a damn about what happens to a mute girl… If she dies, the pack moves on. I move on.” I shook my head once. Blade didn’t argue, he just nodded, like he understood everything I couldn’t say. Then he went quiet again. We sat there for what felt like forever, the only sounds were my breathing, still too fast and the faint tick of a clock somewhere far away in the house. After a while, Blade pushed himself up slowly. He held out his hand not grabbing, just open, palm facing up. “Come on,” he said gently. “You can’t stay in here all day. Let’s get you back to your room.” I stared at his hand. I didn’t take it. But after a few more heartbeats, I used the door to push myself up. My legs felt wobbly, like they belonged to someone else. Blade didn’t rush me, he waited until I was standing straight, then stepped back to give me room. We walked out together. The hallway felt too bright after the dim little room. My new blue flats made soft tapping sounds on the floor. Blade walked beside me not too close, not too far either. Like he knew exactly how much space I needed to feel safe. We turned the corner. And there he was. Ryder stood at the far end of the hallway, arms crossed over his chest. His face was blank hard to read. His eyes flicked from me to Blade, then back to me. Something quick flashed in them sharp, like a spark then disappeared. He stepped forward. “You start school tomorrow,” he said. His voice was flat. Calm. Like he was reading from a piece of paper. “Go back to your room. The maids will bring your food. They’ll bring everything you need for school. Prepare tonight, you start tomorrow.” He didn’t ask how I was. He didn’t look at the dried tear tracks on my cheeks. He didn’t mention the broken vase downstairs or why I’d run. He just turned and walked away. His boots echoed down the hall until the sound swallowed him up. I stood there, staring at the empty spot where he’d been. Blade touched my elbow just a light brush of fingers. “Come on,” he said softly. “Let’s get you to your room.” I let him guide me. My legs moved, but I didn’t really feel them. Everything felt far away, like I was watching myself from somewhere high up. We reached my door, Blade opened it for me. The room looked exactly the same, purple blanket folded neatly on the bed, closet full of new clothes, desk with my notebooks. But it didn’t feel like mine anymore. It felt like a pretty cage. He paused in the doorway. “If you need anything just write it down and give it to a maid. Or find me. Okay?” I nodded once. He gave me a small sad smile, then closed the door quietly behind him. I stood in the middle of the room for a long time, then I walked to the bed and sank down on the edge. My eyes drifted to the window. The curtains were still half-closed. I remembered the man from last night. Ryder’s words kept replaying in my head. “If she dies, the pack moves on. I move on.” I pulled my knees up and wrapped my arms around them. And then I saw it. On my pillow. A single piece of white paper. It hadn’t been there before. My heart gave a hard thud. I stared at it. Slowly, I reached out and picked it up. Big red letters were scrawled across it…messy, angry, like someone had pressed the marker so hard it almost tore the paper. “Hey new Luna welcome to hell and get ready to die like the previous Luna.” My fingers went cold. I couldn’t scream. Instead, I rushed to the bell at the corner of the room and pressed it repeatedly, my fingers trembling against the cold metal. Within minutes, a few maids hurried in, their footsteps echoing against the floor. Their eyes immediately fell on the letter clutched tightly in my shaking hands. One of the maids gasped softly before rushing out obviously to call Ryder. I remained seated, frozen in place, my body still trembling as the words on the paper blurred before my eyes. CHAPTER 9 ~ Ryder’s POV ~ My wolf was raging inside me, claws scratching at the surface, ready to tear something apart. I slammed the door of my private room shut so hard the walls shook, the only people left inside were Julius, Blade, and me. No one else needed to hear this. I turned on Julius, my eyes blazing with Alpha authority. “You will never speak about my Luna that way again,” I said, my voice low but deadly calm. “Disrespect her in front of me and anyone one more time, and you will face consequences you won’t recover from. She is my Luna. That is not up for discussion.” Julius frowned, crossing his arms like he couldn’t believe what he was hearing. “Alpha, what do you even mean? I was only looking out for you and for the pack! We can’t have a mute Luna. How do you expect the Crescent Brotherhood to look at us now? Among the five packs in the alliance, you’re the only one who didn’t have a Luna for so long. And now you choose a mute girl? They’ll mock us. The rival packs already sniffing around for our weakness and I’m sure they’ll use this to tear us down.” His words stung like a bee. The Crescent Brotherhood was a group of powerful wolf packs that worked together for protection. We had meetings, shared secrets, and fought enemies side by side for centuries. But I didn’t care about their opinions. Doris was mine, chosen by me or whatever magic made mates real. I stepped closer, my voice dropping to a dangerous growl. “No. You do not raise your voice at my Luna. You do not challenge or insult her in front of the whole pack.” “And I don’t care what the Crescent Brotherhood thinks. I don’t care what any other pack whispers behind our backs. Doris is mine. End of story.” Julius clenched his jaw tight, veins popping in his neck. “Alpha, I—” “I don’t care what you meant,” I snapped, cutting him off. ““You will respect her. In public. In private. Everywhere or you and I are going to have a much bigger problem than pack politics.” Blade shifted his weight, clearing his throat. “Alpha, you both should please calm down, I don’t have any problem with our new Luna and—” A sharp knock cut him off. I didn’t take my eyes off Julius. “Come in.” The door opened. One of the younger maids Lila stood there, face pale, hands twisting together. “Alpha,” she said in a rush, “there was a threat message left for the Luna. She’s upstairs… she’s shaking.” The room went still. My blood turned cold, then fire. I didn’t think. I moved quickly. I shoved past Lila, boots pounding the hallway. Blade was right behind me—Julius too, though I barely registered him. My heart slammed against my ribs with every step. The stairs blurred. Voices from downstairs faded into nothing. I reached her door and shoved it open. Doris sat on the edge of the bed, knees pulled tight to her chest, arms wrapped around herself like she was trying to disappear. Her face was pale, eyes wide and glassy. She was shaking small, uncontrollable tremors that made her shoulders jerk. On the purple blanket beside her lay a single sheet of paper. I crossed the room in three strides and snatched it up. Big, angry red letters stared back at me. “Hey new Luna welcome to hell and get ready to die like the previous Luna.” My stomach dropped. I knew that handwriting. The same jagged strokes. The same red ink. It was identical to the note they’d left pinned to my first mate’s body two years ago, the one I’d found hanging from the pack gates like a broken doll. My hand tightened around the paper until it crumpled. I looked around the room wildly, the window was closed, curtains still. The door had been locked when the maid came in. No broken glass or forced entry. How? How did they get in? My gaze snapped back to Doris. She was staring at the floor, tears sliding silently down her cheeks. Her fingers gripped the edge of the blanket so hard her knuckles were white. I dropped to one knee in front of her, careful not to touch her yet. My voice came out rough, quieter than I meant. “Doris are you okay?” She didn’t look up right away. Then slowly, she nodded just once, small and shaky. I swallowed hard. “Did you see who left this?” Another tiny shake of her head. I reached out slowly, hesitated, then gently took her trembling hand in mine. Her skin was cold. I helped her stand. She let me, but her legs wobbled like they might give out. I kept my arm around her shoulders loose, not tight, giving her room to pull away if she wanted. She didn’t. “Come with me,” I said softly. “You’re not staying in here for now.” I led her out. Blade and Julius were in the hallway, faces grim. Blade’s eyes went straight to the crumpled paper in my fist. Julius looked pale. “Maids,” I barked over my shoulder. “Move everything from this room to my room. Now. Everything. She’s staying with me until I figure this out.” One of the maids nodded quickly and hurried off. I guided Doris down the hall toward my suite. She walked beside me, silent, still shaking. Every few steps her shoulder brushed mine, and I felt her flinch just a little like she wasn’t sure if touching was allowed. My room was at the end of the corridor. Bigger than hers though. Darker wood, heavier curtains, a wide bed with dark blue sheets. A fireplace sat cold in the corner. My scent was everywhere. Hers was faint and sweet like strawberries and something soft I couldn’t name. I opened the door and stepped aside so she could go in first. She hesitated on the threshold, eyes flicking over the space. The bed looked huge. Too big for one person but small for two people who barely knew each other. I couldn’t risk making her any more uncomfortable. I cleared my throat. “You take the bed. I’ll sleep on the couch by the window or on the floor. Whatever makes you feel safe… I won’t come in until nightfall, so make yourself comfortable.” She didn’t move. I rubbed the back of my neck, awkwardness crawling up my spine. “I know this is strange. We’re not yet close and we haven’t even really talked much. But after what happened” I lifted the crumpled note. “I can’t let you stay alone. Not until I know how they got in and who they are.” She looked at me. Her eyes were red-rimmed, still wet. Slowly, she reached into her pocket and pulled out her notebook. Her fingers shook as she opened it, flipped to a blank page, and wrote. She held it out to me. I read the words. “I saw a man in black last night outside my window. He had a knife.” My blood went cold all over again. I stared at the page, then at her. “Last night?” She nodded. “Why didn’t you tell me?” She bit her lip, looked down, then wrote again. I wanted to tell you when I woke up but after what you said downstairs I thought you wouldn’t care. The words hit harder than any punch. I closed my eyes for a second, breathing through my nose. When I opened them, I kept my voice low. Steady. “I said those things to protect you. To make the wrong people think you don’t matter to me, so they wouldn’t target you.” I swallowed. “But I was wrong. They’re coming for you anyway.” She stared at me, searching my face like she was trying to decide if she could believe me. I took one careful step closer. “I’m sorry you heard that. I’m sorry you thought it was true. But you are not disposable, Doris. Not to me.” Her eyes filled again. She looked away, hugging the notebook to her chest. I glanced back at the door. Maids were already carrying her things in. I turned back to her. “Stay here tonight. I’ll sleep on the couch. We’ll figure this out. Together.” She gave the tiniest nod. I exhaled, tension leaking out of my shoulders for the first time today. But then I saw it. On the hand of one of the maids, I saw red stains… Was she the insider? My heart slammed. Without thinking, I lunged toward her.