The next day, sunlight poured gently into the room, waking Alona from her deep sleep. She slowly opened her eyes and saw a young maid inside the room. The girl was wearing a neat gray dress with a white apron and looked to be around the same age as her. The maid was quietly cleaning the shelves near the window and turned around with a startled smile when she noticed Alona was awake.

“Oh! I’m so sorry if I woke you up,” the maid said in a cheerful voice. “It’s my duty to tidy this room every morning.”

Alona sat up on the bed and stretched her arms a little. “It’s alright. I was already waking up,” she replied softly.

The maid came closer and gently placed a paper bag on the bed. “I’m Cindy, by the way. Alpha Jake asked me to give this to you. He said you could wear one of the dresses inside, so you’ll feel more comfortable.”

Alona looked at the paper bag curiously and peeked inside. It was filled with different styles of casual clothing. Her eyes widened slightly. “Thank you,” she said.

Cindy smiled. “You’re welcome. After you change, you can have breakfast. Why don’t you take a bath first? The bathroom is just over there,” she said, pointing toward the open door on the side.

Alona nodded and quietly stepped inside the bathroom. She gasped softly when she saw how big it was. It was almost as large as her bedroom, with a gleaming bathtub and polished mirrors. After a refreshing bath, she chose a soft sky-blue dress from the bag and wore it.

When she came out, Cindy clapped her hands with delight. “You look so pretty!” she said, beaming.

Alona gave a shy smile. Cindy helped her brush her wet hair and looked at her thoughtfully. “You know, you look like someone from a rich family. Maybe you’re a Luna or a daughter of an Alpha. Or maybe someone important.”

Alona blinked. “Why do you think that?”

“Your skin,” Cindy said, touching Alona’s arm gently. “It’s flawless, smooth, and fair. No maid or low-ranked she-wolf has skin like this.”

Alona sighed and lowered her gaze. “I really don’t know what my life was before… who I am… or where I came from.”

Cindy gave her a gentle pat on the shoulder. “You’re safe now. The Red Moon Pack is a good place. Alpha Jake is the best alpha of all. He’s actually the son of King Shane and Queen Amelia.”

Alona’s eyes widened slightly. “King and Queen?”

Cindy giggled. “Maybe you forgot that too. King Shane and Queen Amelia are the rulers of all werewolf packs. They live in the kingdom of Westoria. Red Moon Pack is one of the packs they govern, and Alpha Jake, their son, is the leader here.”

Alona nodded slowly, taking in the information. Cindy turned her to the mirror and smiled. “Perfect. You’re ready.”

Cindy guided her out of the room and down the grand staircase. Alona looked around in amazement at the huge mansion. The sparkling chandeliers, the rich wooden floors, and the detailed paintings on the walls made her feel like she had stepped into a palace.

They entered the dining area, where Alpha Jake sat alone, sipping coffee. His eyes lifted and met hers—and just like before, Alona felt her heart beat faster. Something about his gaze stirred something inside her. Jake, too, paused and swallowed hard as he looked at her.

He gestured to the chair across from him. “Come, sit. Eat something.”

Alona nodded and quietly sat down. Her eyes moved around. “Do… do you eat with everyone here?”

Jake shook his head. “I live alone. The maids eat in the kitchen.”

After eating in silence, Jake stood and offered her a walk in the garden. She agreed, and together they stepped outside. The breeze was cool and refreshing. Alona noticed a maid cleaning near the pool. They walked slowly until they reached a bench under a tall tree.

Jake motioned for her to sit. “Do you remember anything? Even a little?”

Alona sadly shook her head. “Not yet,” she whispered.

Jake looked at her for a moment, then said, “That’s alright. You can stay here as long as you need.”

That night, the warm glow of the kitchen lights shone over the wooden counters as delicious scents began to fill the air. Alona stood beside the stove, a gentle smile on her face as she stirred a simmering pot. Cindy and another maid, Lila, watched her with wide eyes filled with awe and admiration.

“I don’t know why,” Alona said softly while slicing some vegetables, “but I feel like… I’ve done this before. Cooking feels natural to me.”

Cindy grinned. “Well, we’re not complaining! You’re like magic in the kitchen.”

By the time dinner was ready, the dining table was filled with an impressive spread—savory roast meat, steamed vegetables seasoned with herbs, a light salad, fried rice with golden egg strips, and a steaming bowl of fish soup with ginger and green onions.

Alpha Jake entered the dining room, expecting the usual simple meal. His eyes widened as he saw the table loaded with delicious dishes.

“What is all this?” he asked, stunned.

Cindy giggled. “Alona cooked everything, Alpha.”

Alona stood nearby, wiping her hands on a towel with a shy smile. “Alpha… please have a taste.”

Jake raised a brow, took a seat, and picked up a spoon. He tried the fish soup first. The moment it touched his tongue, his brows relaxed, and a slow smile spread across his face. “This is really good.”

Alona let out a soft breath of relief, her cheeks slightly flushed.

“Cindy, Lila… come join us,” Alona said kindly.

But Cindy quickly waved her hands. “Oh no, Miss Alona! We’ll eat in the kitchen, as usual.” She grabbed Lila’s hand, grinning, and the two ran off, leaving Jake and Alona alone.

Jake took another spoonful and looked at her with a teasing smile. “Maybe you were a cook in your old life.”

Alona chuckled and nodded. “I guess so. I just… feel at home when I’m in the kitchen.”

From that night onward, for nearly three weeks, Alona took charge of preparing meals. Every breakfast, lunch, and dinner was cooked by her. Even Beta Simon commented that the food was better than any he’d tasted before. Alona would smile but always seemed to blush whenever Alpha Jake complimented her dishes.

But one evening, after dinner, Jake noticed the balcony doors slightly ajar. Curious, he walked out and found Alona standing quietly, arms wrapped around herself, gazing at the moon.

“You’re quiet tonight,” Jake said gently.

Alona didn’t turn immediately. “It’s been three weeks,” she said in a soft voice. “But still… I have no idea who I am.”

Jake leaned on the railing beside her. “Are you… not happy here?”

Alona quickly shook her head. “No, I like it here. I like cooking for you… staying in the Red Moon Pack. But sometimes I wonder… what if I have a family out there? Parents? A sibling? Someone waiting for me?”

Jake lowered his eyes. “I’m sorry,” he said quietly. “I didn’t even ask around the neighboring packs about you. I just kept waiting for you to remember something.”

Alona turned to face him, seeing the regret in his eyes. “It’s okay, Alpha.”

Jake looked up, a little guilty. “If you really want… tomorrow, we’ll visit the nearby packs and ask if anyone knows you.”

Alona’s heart softened. She saw the sadness in his eyes and stepped closer. Gently, she wrapped her arms around him. “I’m just worried that maybe I have a mother or father…”

Jake hugged her back, pulling her close as he stroked her back gently. “Or maybe,” he said quietly, “you’re also wondering… if you already have a mate?”

Alona slowly pulled back and looked into his eyes. “I don’t feel like I have one,” she whispered. “Do you?”

Jake’s gaze held hers for a moment, then slowly dropped to her lips. Instead of answering, he leaned in and kissed her softly.

Alona froze for a second, surprised—but then she closed her eyes and kissed him back.

Jake deepened the kiss, his arms wrapping around her as he lifted her gently and carried her inside. Still kissing her, he brought her into his room and carefully laid her on his bed.

He looked down at her, brushing a strand of hair from her face. “I’ve never had a mate,” he said quietly. “I’ve never mated or marked any woman.”

Alona reached up and caressed his face, her thumb brushing his cheek. “Then maybe…” she whispered, “you were waiting for me.”

Their lips met again—this time slower, deeper—as they fell into each other’s arms.

Jake’s hands trembled slightly as he gently removed the hair from Alona’s neck, his lips tracing soft kisses down her skin. Alona responded with a quiet gasp, her fingers gripping the front of his shirt, pulling him closer. The bond between them ignited, wild and instinctive, as if their souls had been searching for each other all along.

“Alona… I want you,” Jake whispered against her lips, his voice rough with emotion.

Alona looked into his eyes and nodded. “I want you too.”

Their clothes slowly fell to the floor, forgotten in the haze of longing and warmth. That night, under the moonlight streaming through the window, Jake mated with Alona, claiming her as his. Their hearts beat in unison, and when the moment came, Jake gently sank his fangs into her neck, marking her with love and devotion. Alona didn’t resist—she welcomed it, a soft cry leaving her lips as the mark bound their souls together.

Suddenly, they heard a loud bang.