His steps were slow but firm. My chest rose and fell as he bent down so our eyes met. He was so close I could see the golden rings in his eyes.

He reached out and gently tucked my messy hair behind my ear.

“I have finally found you, my sweetheart,” he said softly.

My lips parted. “Me… sweetheart? No. This is impossible,” I whispered. “How can I have more than one mate?” My throat burned as I said it.

My wolf stirred inside me. “This doesn’t make sense… but he smells like home too. His scent feels safe.”

I shook my head quickly. “No. No, it can’t be.”

Before I could say another word, he lifted me up like I weighed nothing, one arm under my knees, the other around my back. My eyes widened.

“Hey! Put me down!” I shoved at his chest, but it was like trying to push a wall.

He didn’t even flinch. Instead, he leaned close to my ear, his warm breath brushing my skin. “Your wolf smells broken,” he whispered. “But I promise you… I won’t let anyone hurt you again.”

His words sent chills racing down my spine. I froze. My protest died in my throat. My mind replayed Leon’s harsh rejection, his cold eyes, the laughter of the crowd. My chest ached.

“Why… why are you saying this?” I whispered.

He didn’t answer. He just held me tighter. My wolf whimpered softly. “He means it, Elena. He won’t throw us away.”

I wanted to believe her, but the pain in my heart was still raw. My voice shook. “I don’t even know you.”

“You will,” he replied firmly. “You’ll know me soon enough.”

I pressed my face against his chest. I was too tired to fight. The ache in my injured hand, the hunger gnawing at my stomach, the exhaustion from walking in the dark forest—it all crashed down at once. My eyelids grew heavy.

And before I knew it, sleep pulled me under.

When I opened my eyes again, I wasn’t in the forest. I blinked against the soft light of a chandelier above me. I was lying in the biggest bed I had ever seen, covered in silk sheets.

My mouth fell open. “What… where am I?”

The door creaked open. My heart jumped as Kael stepped in. He looked more intimidating now in daylight.

“Sweetheart,” he said, his voice calm and steady. “You are awake. Finally.”

I pushed myself up slowly, my hands shaking. “Awake? How long have I been asleep?”

“Two days,” he answered simply, coming closer. “Your body was weak. You must have gone through too much.”

“Two… days?” I repeated, stunned.

He sat on the edge of the bed, his golden eyes scanning me carefully.

“Yes. But now you’re safe. This is your chamber.”

“Chamber?” I frowned. “You… you gave me a room?”

“Yes.” His tone was steady. “My mate deserves comfort, not pain.”

I swallowed. “I’m not used to this. I’ve never…”

He raised a brow. “Not anymore. Here, you will be served. You don’t have to lift a finger.”

I blinked at him. “Served? By who?”

“The maids,” he replied. “They will come to prepare you soon. Dinner is at eight.”

I pulled the blanket tighter around me. “Dinner? You mean I’ll… sit at the table?”

His lips curved in a faint smirk.

“Of course. You’ll sit by my side. Where else would my mate sit?”

I felt heat rise to my face. I quickly looked away. “You don’t even know me.”

“I know enough,” he said firmly. “I know you’re mine. I can sense your pain, Elena. That’s why I’ll give you time before we do the needful.”

My brows furrowed. “What does that mean?”

His smirk deepened. “Don’t act shy. You know what mates are meant to do.”

My face burned hot. “I…I don’t want that. Not now!”

He leaned closer, his eyes glinting. “I didn’t say now. I said I’ll give you time. But don’t forget—it will happen. Because it’s meant to.”

I swallowed hard and looked down. My wolf whispered softly. “He’s teasing, but he’s serious too. He wants you.”

Kael stood up, his voice calm. “Eat well. Rest well. I want you to be strong, sweetheart.” He gave me one last long look, then walked out, leaving me speechless.

I pressed my hands to my face. My heart was racing.

Leon’s POV

Two nights. Two whole nights without sleep. My head pounded. My chest ached. Since the moment I rejected Elena, something inside me had been tearing me apart.

I paced my room. My chest rose and fell heavily. The bond was broken, yet it haunted me.

The door opened. A maid carried in a tray of food. She set it down nervously on the table.

I glanced at it once, then my stomach turned. The plate wasn’t aligned right. The napkin was wrinkled. The soup looked cold.

Elena would never have served it like this.

My chest twisted. I growled, sweeping the tray off the table with a crash.

“Get this out of my sight!”

The maid squealed and hurried out, leaving the mess behind.

I pressed a hand to my forehead. I hated this.

The door opened again. Ethan walked in, calm but serious.

“Alpha Leon. We need to talk. Cassian is moving again. He’s killed five of our men near the border.”

I slammed my fist against the wall. “I don’t care about Cassian right now!”

Ethan’s jaw tightened. “You should care. He’s a threat. If we don’t stop him, more will die.”

“Not now, Ethan!” I shouted. My chest heaved. “Not a word about him right now!”

Ethan frowned, watching me carefully. “This isn’t just about Cassian, is it? You’re falling apart because of Elena.”

My hands curled into fists. “Don’t say her name.”

“She was your mate,” Ethan said quietly. “And you threw her away like that.”

“Shut up!” I roared. My voice cracked. “I said shut up!”

Ethan’s eyes softened, but he didn’t speak again. He turned and walked out, leaving me alone in the storm of my own rage.

I stood there, panting. I couldn’t take this. I needed Maya. She would calm me.

I stormed down the hall. My chest thudded hard as I reached her chambers. Without knocking, I pushed the door open halfway.

Then I froze.

Voices. Her voice was breathless and pleading.

“Faster… faster… Jaxon!”

My eyes widened. My blood turned to ice. No. No, I didn’t hear that. I couldn’t have.

I shoved the door open fully.

And there they were. Maya and Jaxon. My gamma. Both of them naked, tangled together on her bed.

“Maya?” My voice broke.