CHAPTER FOUR

Anabella’s Pov

My eyes fluttered open to an unfamiliar ceiling, confusion wrapping around me like a second skin as I sat up slowly. The bed beneath me was far too soft, the room too extravagant, and I couldn’t even remember how I got here.

The door creaked open before I could make sense of anything, and a young maid entered with a silver tray of food, the delicious aroma filling the room.

Though my stomach twisted with nerves, I croaked out, "Where... where am I?" my voice hoarse.

She placed the tray down carefully and bowed slightly, her tone respectful. "You're in the Crimson Hood Pack, Luna."

The pack name hit harder than anything else she said, making me stiffen instantly. Crimson Hood... Gaston. Of course it would be him, who else would have dragged me here?

I exhaled shakily, rubbing my palms against my temples, trying to process everything when, all of a sudden, a voice echoed softly inside my head,

"Hello, Ann..."

I jolted upright, heart hammering against my ribs as I turned to the maid in panic. "Did you hear that?!" I gasped.

The maid only smiled kindly, her head slightly bowed. "No, Luna, it's probably your wolf," she said, her tone calm as if it was the most normal thing in the world.

My wolf. The reminder hit me like a splash of cold water; I had been without her for so long that I barely knew what it felt like to have that connection to a wolf, and now, after Gaston marked me, it seemed she was finally awake.

Tentatively, I closed my eyes, reaching out mentally. "Hi," I whispered.

"You can call me Juno," The soft voice replied warmly, a wave of comfort washing over me.

"Juno..." I tested her name, feeling an odd sense of belonging, like something that had been missing for years was finally snapping back into place.

"Can I leave, Luna?" the maid asked quietly, drawing me back to reality, and I flushed in embarrassment, shaking my head quickly.

"Please don't call me that, I’m not your Luna," I said, my voice a little shaky.

The maid hesitated, fiddling with her apron awkwardly, but before she could respond, Juno’s voice floated through my mind again, "Mate marked us, so you are, Ann."

I swallowed hard, flashes of Gaston pinning me to the wall as his teeth sank into my flesh. It felt more animalistic than anything else.

“Kindly do” The maid nodded and immediately made her way out.

"Apologies, Ann, I made mate that way," Juno added quickly as if she could sense my spiraling thoughts.

Before I could ask her what she meant, the door opened again and Gaston stepped in, his dark hair wet and messy, drops of water clinging to his neck as he strode inside, smelling of soap and pine.

"Mate..." Juno squeaked excitedly inside my head, while I instinctively shifted backwards, my heart racing in my chest.

Gaston’s blue eyes softened the moment they landed on me, and without a word, he came closer, sitting beside me on the bed, the mattress dipping slightly under his weight.

"How are you feeling?" he asked, his voice low and rough, and despite the nerves tightening my stomach, I found myself answering, "I’m fine."

He reached out briefly, then seemed to think better of it, sighing heavily as he dropped his hand. "I’m sorry," he said, his voice hoarse, "for everything... for marking you without your consent, but I don't regret almost killing Theron; the coward deserved it."

I rolled my eyes, not even trying to hide it. "You should stop holding a grudge against him," I muttered, folding my arms across my chest.

His jaw tightened, and for a moment, hurt flashed across his features. "Do you love him that much?" he asked, voice barely above a whisper.

The vulnerability in his eyes made my heart clench painfully, and unable to answer, I quickly shifted the conversation. "Why don’t you hate me after everything I did?" I asked instead.

His features softened instantly as he leaned closer. "Because I can’t," he said simply, like it was the easiest thing in the world. "You’re my mate, Ann, my first love. I waited for you, craved you, prayed you would come back. I wanted you."

The genuineness in his words hit hard, and guilt churned in my stomach, twisting it into knots.

"I’m sorry," I whispered, hating the way my voice cracked. "I’m sorry I left...only leaving a letter behind."

He shook his head gently, a faint smile curving his lips. "You’re here now, and that’s all that matters."

I nodded stiffly, the lump in my throat growing heavier by the second, but I forced myself to speak. "Where’s my mother?"

He stood immediately, his smile widening. "She’s outside.You want her to come in?"

Relief crashed over me, and I sat up straighter. "Not yet. Tell me Gaston, do you know why Theron lied about me being his mate?," I asked without hesitation. If Isa was stating the truth, I couldn't wrap my head around why. Why would Theron deceive me?

“You aren’t in the right frame of mind to know that now Ana” Gaston grunts, getting on to his feet.

He didn't say much, but it confirmed I wasn't really mated to Theron. If it was all a lie, how come Gaston didn't come for me all these years, until yesterday?

“Stop overworking your brain, you’d confuse yourself even more” Gaston let out a sigh as he walked to the door, And as if she had been waiting for this moment, the door snapped open and my mother stepped into the room, her eyes filled with tears.

The moment I saw her, all the walls I had built around myself crumbled, and without thinking, I stumbled toward her, tears blurring my vision. My chest was tight with emotions I could no longer suppress.