Nora’S POV

My heart was pounding so loud, I swore both men could hear it.

I didn’t even think before I said that word. Mate.

It slipped out of me like a breath I’d been holding for years.

Earlier, when I woke up in the hospital bed and saw him sitting beside me, his aura was the first thing I felt thick, commanding, impossible to ignore. His scent filled the entire room, rich and powerful, and my wolf reacted instantly. She pushed past every thought in my head, forced a word out of my mouth before I could stop her.

Mate

The way Derek’s face lit up when I said it… I’ll never forget it. His dimples deepened, his golden eyes softened, and he smiled like he’d just found something he’d been searching for his whole life.

“I, Derek, the Lycan King, accept you as my mate,” he said, his voice steady and sure. “I promise to love and cherish you. This is one of the greatest moments I have always waited for.”

The way he said it like there was no hesitation shocked me to my core.m, and the additional shock “Lycan King…his my mate” He’d asked several questions about my bruises earlier, but I had no idea where to start explaining. I didn’t want to mention my stepmother’s theft, not yet. I didn’t want him to start looking at me with judgment.

Then the door opened, and Asher walked in.

I don’t know what made me feel it, but there was a strange satisfaction in watching him bow in front of me… or maybe it was seeing the way Derek’s expression hardened when he spoke, full of authority and command.

“I’ll be taking her with me tonight,” Derek said.

My head snapped toward him. Tonight?

Asher froze for a second, his jaw tightening. “Congratulations, my king,” he forced out, each word sounding like it scraped his throat. “But it would be an honor if you joined us for dinner tonight… to celebrate your… mate.”

He almost choked on that last word, and I caught it.

“I will acknowledge that,” Derek replied simply, his tone leaving no room for argument.

After Asher left, Derek pulled out his phone. His voice turned low, commanding, as he instructed his beta to bring me a dress and call the best makeup artist to give me a new look for the dinner.

It was at that moment the reality of everything hit me. My life had just taken a turn I never saw coming. Tears burned in my eyes, and my wolf was practically dancing inside me, her joy radiating through every part of me.

“Are you crying?” Derek asked, stepping closer, his brow furrowed with concern.

“I—” My voice cracked before I could even form a proper sentence. “It’s nothing.” I wiped at my cheeks quickly, embarrassed that he caught me so easily.

Derek didn’t buy it. His eyes scanned my face like he was memorizing every detail, and then his hand was warm, firm, and impossibly steady cupped my chin, forcing me to look at him.

“Don’t lie to me, mate,” he said softly, but there was a command beneath the gentleness. “If those tears are from pain, I’ll find who caused it.”

A shiver went down my spine. The way he said “find”made me believe he meant much worse than that. My wolf purred at the protective edge in his tone, but my human side panicked at how dangerous this man truly was.

“They’re not from pain,” I admitted. “It’s just… a lot. Everything’s changing so fast.”

His thumb brushed away a tear. “Then let it change. You were meant for me, Nora. The Moon Goddess doesn’t make mistakes.”

Hearing my name from him, so certain, so possessive sent another wave of warmth through me. But before I could respond, he leaned closer, his scent surrounding me again, his golden eyes locking on mine like he was staking his claim right there in that hospital room.

“You won’t ever have to fight alone again,” Derek said, voice low and sure. “Whatever hurt you before ends now. You’re mine.”

Suddenly, his phone rang, breaking the moment between us. Derek stepped back and pulled it from his pocket. The instant he answered, a woman’s voice flowed through the speaker. Undeniably the voice is familiar to him.

“My princess,” he greeted with a smile I hadn’t seen before.

Princess.

I blinked, my mind racing. Oh, Nora, stop. Don’t be stupid. He’s a king—of course there would be a princess. Probably his sister. Definitely his sister.

But still, the way my chest tightened caught me off guard. Was that… jealousy?…oh no.

From the phone came her playful voice again. “Gerrick told me, you know. That diarrhea-mouthed beta of yours.”

Derek chuckled. “And what did he tell you?”

“That you’ve found your mate!” she said with an excitement that made my stomach twist. “So tell me— is she beautiful? How old is she? Is she from a high rank? I hope she’s not some… weak frog.”

The words hit harder than I wanted to admit.

Derek’s gaze shifted to me then, his golden eyes locking on mine. There was a small, knowing smile on his lips, but he didn’t answer her questions. Instead, he stepped toward the door and slipped out of the ward room, still speaking to her in a low tone I couldn’t hear.

And instantly, my earlier joy dimmed.

I know how this world works. Every werewolf, every Lycan, every Alpha dreams of rising higher. And from her questions, I could already sense it, his family might reject me.

A “weak frog.”

If only she knew… I was worse than a frog.

****

“You look… so stunning. Like a goddess,” the makeup artist said, stepping back to admire her work.

We had already left the hospital and were now in the guest suite reserved for the Lycan King. Calling it a “room” didn’t feel right—it was more like a miniature mansion tucked inside the main palace. I still couldn’t believe my head was under this roof. Even the omegas who worked here carried themselves with dignity and were treated with respect.

I could see shadows shifting outside the open doorway. omegas lingering, pretending to pass by, but really, they were here to confirm the rumors. And I knew how fast rumors spread here like wildfire. One omega had already come in to offer me drinks… twice. I hadn’t even asked for one. She was just trying to get a closer look, to see if the whispers were true.

After dressing in a deep emerald gown that hugged my figure and fell like liquid silk to the floor, I stood in front of the mirror. For a moment, I felt the familiar sting of tears pressing at my eyes. But no this wasn’t the time to cry.

Nora, this is the time you walk with full confidence. Your unbelievable dream is now your reality. Act like who you are now. I told myself firmly, straightening my shoulders.

“Ready?” Derek’s voice came from the doorway. He stepped inside, adjusting his cufflinks, but the moment his eyes landed on me… he stopped.

I felt almost swept away just looking at him. Tall, bold, devastatingly handsome in a perfectly tailored suit that carried his presence like a crown.

“Oh, goddess…” I heard him murmur under his breath.

His gaze locked on me, and I couldn’t even read his reaction—was it a surprise? All I knew was that the air between us felt charged