Luna Liana sat in the alpha office, her gaze icy as she regarded Alpha Jackson and his family. The Alpha and his daughter, Jessica, looked nervous and guilty under her scrutiny. She was aware that they had hoped for a mating alliance between Damien and Jessica, but Luna Liana had never entertained the idea. Jessica was too volatile, too spoiled, and too hard to control. However, Liana had never anticipated that Damien would find his mate in a half-breed like Anne. That, she could not allow.
Her ambitions were well known throughout the pack. Liana was the true power behind her; her mate was weak and easily controlled. Her influence extended far and wide, and she had no intention of letting her carefully constructed plans be derailed by an unsuitable mate for her son.
"Alpha Jackson," Liana began, her voice cold and commanding, "I find it utterly disgraceful that a member of your pack would drug my son. The dose was so high that our healer has confirmed Damien will remain unconscious for several hours."
Alpha Jackson shifted uncomfortably, his eyes downcast. "Luna Liana, I am deeply sorry for this incident. I assure you, this is not reflective of our pack's values."
Liana's eyes narrowed. "Your apologies are noted, but they are insufficient. How could such a grave mistake occur under your watch? This negligence is intolerable."
Alpha Jackson swallowed hard. "I understand your frustration, Luna Liana. Please tell me how I can rectify this mistake."
Liana smiled, but it was devoid of warmth. "I am leaving now, Alpha Jackson, but I expect you to handle this problem swiftly. The problem being Anne."
"But Luna Liana, Anne has claimed to be Damien's mate. If what she says is true—"
"If what she says is true, then it's even more important that we resolve this matter. Damien cannot be with a mate who has such questionable origins and who brings such chaos."
Alpha Jackson nodded, his eyes twinkled. "I will see to it personally. Anne will be dealt with."
"Good," Liana replied, her tone final. "I expect you to keep me informed of your progress. Do not fail me in this, Alpha Jackson."
With that, she turned on her heel. one would stand in her way, especially not a half-breed like Anne.
*****************************
As soon as Luna Liana's imposing figure disappeared from sight, the tension in the room erupted. Jessica's mother, Luna Katherine, turned on her daughter, her eyes blazing with fury.
Slap !
Jessica's cheeks stung as her mother slapped her.
"Jessica! How could you be so reckless?" Luna Katherine's voice echoed off the walls.
"All you had to do was seduce Damien, and you couldn't even manage that?"
Jessica's face flushed with anger and embarrassment. "It's not my fault! Anne is to blame for everything! I drugged Damien, but somehow she got to him first."
Alpha Jackson's face darkened, and he stepped forward, his voice low and menacing. "Jessica, do you realise what you've done? Do you understand the precarious position you've put us in?"
Luna Katherine nodded in agreement, her face contorted with a mix of disappointment and rage. "We cannot afford to have this kind of scandal attached to our family. If Luna Liana finds out that you were involved in drugging Damien, she will decimate our pack. You must never speak of this to anyone."
Jessica's eyes widened in fear and indignation. "But what about Anne? What are we going to do with her?"
Alpha Jackson's expression turned steely; his decision made. "Anne will be dealt with soon enough."
Jessica's mother stepped closer to her, gripping her shoulders tightly. "Jessica, listen to me. You need to be careful. One wrong move, and everything we've worked for will be destroyed. Do you understand?"
Jessica nodded, swallowing hard. "I understand. I won't say a word to anyone, I promise."
*****************************************************
Anne sat on the cold, hard floor of her cell, her mind a whirl of confusion and fear. She hugged her knees to her chest, her heart aching with desperate hope. Damien would come for her, wouldn't he? Mates were supposed to be bound by an unbreakable bond, destined to protect and care for each other. She pinned all her hopes on him.
A soft voice from outside her cell interrupted her train of thought. She looked up to see Aron.
"Aron?" she whispered, her voice trembling. "What's going on? Where's Damien?"
Aron's face was shadowed with worry as he approached the bars of her cell. "Anne, things are worse than you know. Damien and his people have left. Luna Liana rejected you as his mate, and he was drugged. Jessica is blaming you for everything."
Anne's heart sink. "But I didn't drug him! He's my mate, Aron. How could they do this?"
Aron sighed, shaking his head. "No one here will believe you, Anne. The Alpha and Luna have too much power, and they've already decided you're guilty. Your only chance is to escape. That's why I'm here."
He handed her a small bag through the bars. "This has some money, clothes, and a phone. I have some human contacts from my college days. You need to go to them and lay low for a while. Alpha Jackson is planning to get rid of you, Anne."
Anne's eyes widened with fear and determination. "But how will I get out?"
Aron glanced around nervously before producing a key. "I managed to get this from one of the guards. We don't have much time."
He unlocked her cell door, and Anne slipped out, her heart pounding. Aron led her through the dimly lit corridors of the packhouse, their footsteps echoing ominously in the silence. They moved quickly. They reached the garage, and Aron motioned for her to hide behind a stack of crates.
A garbage truck rumbled nearby, its engine humming a low, steady rhythm. Aron opened the back of the truck, revealing a narrow space filled with trash bags.
"It's not ideal, but it's the best way to get you out unnoticed; the stench will hide your scent." Aron said, his voice low.
Anne nodded, her throat tight with fear and gratitude. "Thank you, Aron. I don't know how to repay you."
Aron gave her a sad smile. "Just stay safe, Anne. I'll do what I can to help from here."
He helped her climb into the back of the truck, arranging the bags around her to provide some cover. As the truck began to move, Anne's heart raced. She was leaving everything she knew behind, venturing into the unknown with nothing but a bag and a fragile hope.
Finally, the truck slowed to a stop. Aron opened the back and helped her out, the night air cool and fresh against her skin.
"This is as far as I can take you," he said, handing her the bag. "There's a bus station a few miles from here. Take the first bus you can and contact the people I mentioned. They'll help you."
Anne nodded, her eyes filling with tears. "Thank you, Aron. I won't forget this."
"Good luck, Anne. Stay strong."
With that, Aron climbed back into the truck and drove away, leaving Anne alone on the side of the road. She took a deep breath, her resolve hardening. She had survived this long, and she would keep surviving. For Damien, she would go to him and tell him that she was his mate.