~Eira Pov~
My heart was pounding in my chest as I sprinted through the dark alleyways of Cathedral village. I had finally made up my mind - I couldn't take the torment and abuse from the black night pack any longer. It was my 18th birthday, and I knew that if I didn't leave now, I would be stuck there forever.
I could hear the baying of the hounds behind me, their howls echoing off the ancient walls of the castle dungeon. They were getting closer, and I knew that if I didn't find a way out soon, I would be caught.
Suddenly, I stumbled and fell, my ankle twisting painfully beneath me. I bit back a scream of pain and tried to get up, but my body wouldn't obey. Tears stung my eyes as I resigned myself to my fate.
But then I heard a voice - deep and commanding - calling out to me. "Hey, are you okay?"
I looked up and saw him for the first time. Alpha Michael. He was tall and broad-shouldered, with piercing blue eyes and a rugged, handsome face. Have heard stories about him being brutal, but I don't know if it's true.
For a moment, I was too stunned to speak. What was he doing here, in Cathedral village? And why was he interested in me?
But then he stepped forward, extending a hand to help me up. "Come on," he said. "We have to go."
I hesitated for a moment, unsure if I could trust him. But the hounds were getting closer, and I knew that I didn't have much time. So I took his hand and let him pull me to my feet.
Together, we ran through the narrow streets of the village, dodging carts and dodging the angry shouts of the villagers. I could feel Michael's hand tight around mine, and I wondered what he was thinking. Did he really want to help me, or was he just using me for his own purposes?
As we reached the edge of the village, I looked back and saw the black night pack closing in behind us. But Michael didn't slow down. Instead, he pulled me into the forest, where the trees loomed overhead and the shadows danced on the forest floor.
For a moment, we stopped to catch our breath, and I took the opportunity to study him more closely. He was wearing a simple leather tunic and pants, but there was something regal about him, something that set him apart from the rest of the villagers.
"Why did you help me?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.
Michael looked at me, his eyes piercing. "Because I've been watching you," he said. "And I think you might be my mate."
I felt a shiver run down my spine at his words, and I wanted to burst into laugher. Mate? Was he serious? But before I could say anything, Michael leaned in and pressed his lips to mine.
It was a shock - I had never been kissed before - but at the same time, it was thrilling. There was something about Michael's touch, something that made me feel safe and protected, even in the midst of all the chaos.
As we journeyed towards Oia village, I couldn't help but feel a sense of trepidation. I was leaving everything I had ever known behind and venturing into the unknown. And all for a man I had only just met.
But there was something about Michael that drew me to him, something that made me feel like I could trust him. Maybe it was his strong, protective presence, or the way he seemed to see right through me.
Whatever it was, I knew that I had to keep my wits about me. I couldn't afford to let my guard down, not when I will be surrounded by strangers and unfamiliar territory.
As we approached the village, I saw the crescent pack castle for the first time. It was a towering structure, with turrets and battlements that reached towards the sky. And all around it were the bustling streets of Oia village, filled with vendors selling their wares and children playing games.
Michael led me through the streets, his hand tight around mine, and I couldn't help but notice the way people looked at us. They seemed to recognize him, to respect him, and I wondered what kind of leader he was.
Finally, we reached the castle gates, and Michael spoke to the guard in a language I didn't understand. The guard nodded, and the gates creaked open, revealing a grand courtyard filled with all manner of people.
There were rogues lounging on the steps, betas tending to the gardens, and maids carrying baskets of food. And in the center of it all was Michael's throne, a grand chair made of oak and adorned with jewels.
As we approached, Michael's second-in-command, a gruff man named Liam, stepped forward to greet us. "Alpha," he said, nodding respectfully at Michael. "Who is this?"
Michael squeezed my hand, and I felt a surge of reassurance. "This is Eira," he said. "My mate."
Liam looked me up and down, his eyes lingering on my dirty clothes and unkempt hair. "She doesn't look like much," he muttered.
But Michael stood tall, his eyes blazing with a fierce determination. "She is everything to me," he said. "And I will not have anyone speak ill of her."
Liam raised his hands in surrender. "Fine, fine," he said. "I meant no offense."
And with that, we were ushered into the castle, where Michael began to show me around. He showed me the grand hall, where banquets were held and important meetings took place. He showed me the armory, where weapons of all kinds were kept. And he showed me his private chambers, where we would spend the night.
It was all so overwhelming, so different from anything I had ever experienced before. But suddenly, my tummy rumble. Michael look at me and chuckle, he asked me to come with him.
Michael took me to his chamber, a large room filled with luxurious furnishings and a comfortable-looking bed. He asked one of his maids, Rachel, to serve me any food or fruit of my choice after taking my bath because I looked dirty with my rough hair, torn clothes, and dirty fingers.
Rachel helped me draw a warm bath, and I sank into the water with a sigh of relief. As I scrubbed away the dirt and grime of my old life, I felt a weight lift from my shoulders. For the first time in years, I felt clean.
When I emerged from the bath, Rachel had laid out a selection of fruits and bread for me to eat. I savored the taste of fresh fruit, feeling grateful for Michael's hospitality.
As I ate, Michael told me more about himself and his pack. He explained that he had been watching me for a while, waiting for the right moment to approach me. He had sensed that I was his mate, and he knew that he had to do whatever it took to claim me.
I listened intently as he spoke, feeling a sense of awe at his power and strength. But at the same time, I couldn't help feeling nervous about what was to come. I had never been someone's mate before, and I wasn't sure if I was ready for the responsibility that came with it.
But as I looked into Michael's eyes, I saw a deep sense of love and devotion. He was willing to do whatever it took to protect me and keep me safe. And for the first time in my life, I felt like I had found someone who truly cared about me.
As the night wore on, Michael and I talked and laughed, getting to know each other better. And as I drifted off to sleep in his arms, I felt a sense of peace that I had never known before. I was home, finally, where I belonged.
The next day, I suddenly hear the commotion outside, the loud voices and angry snarls of wolves. My heart races with fear as I peer out the window, watching as a group of wolves from the Black Night Pack approach the gates of the Crescent Pack.
The vibrant atmosphere of Oia village seemed to fade into a haze as the black night pack descended upon the Crescent pack with a vengeful purpose. Fear gripped me as I witnessed their arrival, their presence a dark cloud casting a shadow over the once bustling courtyard.
Alpha Ethan, a tall and imposing figure, stepped forward, his eyes fixed on Liam. " Michael," he bellowed, his voice echoing through the air. "We have come to claim what rightfully belongs to us."
My heart pounded in my chest, my breath caught in my throat. The words cut through me like a blade, a painful reminder of the life I had sought to escape. I was their property, destined to be nothing more than a slave in their cruel grasp.
But Michael stood defiantly, his voice filled with authority. "She is no longer yours to claim," he declared, his eyes narrowing. "Eira is now my mate, and I will not allow you to lay a finger on her."
Alpha Ethan's gaze flickered between Liam and Michael, his features contorted with anger. "You dare defy our traditions?" he seethed. "You think you can snatch a slave wolf from another pack without consequences?"
Liam stepped forward, his stance unwavering. "We do not recognize your archaic traditions," he retorted, his voice dripping with contempt. "Eira's destiny is not to be a slave but to be treated like a queen, cherished and loved."
The tension in the air was palpable as the two Alphas locked eyes, a battle of wills playing out before us. Samantha, a loyal member of Crescent pack, positioned herself beside Liam, her voice laced with determination. "We won't let you take her," she stated firmly. "Eira is family now, and we will protect her with everything we have."
Just as the confrontation reached its boiling point, Michael's eyes flashed with anger and concern. He turned to face me, his expression pained. "Eira," he murmured, his voice laden with regret. "I promise I will fight to get you back. But for now, you must go with them."
Tears streamed down my face as I clung to Michael, begging him not to let them take me away. But he gently pulled himself away, his voice filled with determination. "Go, my love," he whispered, his eyes filled with fierce resolve. "I will find a way to bring you back to me."
Alpha Ethan smirked triumphantly as his rogue pack members forcefully took hold of me, dragging me away from the Crescent pack and towards their own grim fate. My pleas fell on deaf ears as the familiar faces of Oia village grew distant, replaced by the menacing shadows of the black night pack.
Desperation clung to me like a second skin as I was torn away from the life I had just begun to glimpse. I clung to Michael's promise, his words of resilience echoing in my mind. The fight was far from over, and I vowed to hold onto hope, to believe that our love would conquer all.
As we vanished into the distance, I stole one last glance at Michael, his gaze unwavering and filled with determination. The battle had just begun, and I knew that he would stop at nothing to reclaim what was rightfully ours.
