Alpha Nathan's Pov.

I absolutely cannot deny that I went completely and utterly insane in that devastating moment.

The sight of her broken body, her tears streaming down her bruised face, the way she winced with every breath she took-I simply could not stand there like some helpless bystander and watch her suffer in agony.

My hands were trembling with pure rage, my wolf was clawing at my chest, demanding blood and vengeance for what had been done to her.

"How could they do this to you?" I whispered through gritted teeth, my voice breaking with barely contained fury.

Throughout my entire life as an Alpha, I had always been the type of leader who believed in forgiveness, who thought that mercy was a sign of true strength and wisdom.

But something dark and primal awakened inside me when it came to my property, to anyone who truly belonged to me in any meaningful way.

"They will pay for every mark on your skin," I growled, my eyes flashing with the promise of retribution.

The very idea of forgiving someone who had dared to hurt what was mine became absolutely unthinkable and impossible to even consider.

She was fragile, vulnerable, and completely defenseless in every possible way that mattered.

She was supposed to be under my direct protection and unwavering care, living safely within the boundaries I had established specifically for her wellbeing and security.

"I failed you," I muttered, my voice thick with self-loathing and guilt.

How could I possibly allow anyone to lay even a single finger on her without facing the most severe and brutal consequences imaginable for their actions?

But if I'm being completely honest with myself, it wasn't only because I had made a solemn and binding promise to protect her from all harm that might come her way.

The truth was far more complicated, personal, and emotionally devastating than that simple explanation could ever convey.

"You left without telling me," I said, my voice rising with a mixture of panic and anger.

She had actually walked out of the house without informing me of her plans, without seeking my permission or guidance in any way.

"I just wanted to see if they had changed," she whispered weakly, her voice barely audible through her swollen lips.

How incredibly stupid and recklessly dangerous could she possibly be to make such a life-threatening decision without any backup or protection?

How could she even consider going back to that same nightmarish house where they had consistently abused her, tormented her spirit, and made her entire existence a living hell day after day?

In that moment of crystal-clear realization, as I held her trembling form against my chest and felt her heartbeat synchronizing with mine, I became absolutely certain that I was deeply and irrevocably in love with her.

"Maybe this is just lust," I told myself desperately, trying to rationalize the overwhelming emotions coursing through my veins.

"Maybe these feelings will fade away with time like all the others have before."

But even as I spoke those words aloud, I knew they were lies born from fear and denial.

At that precise moment, it wasn't merely physical attraction or simple desire that consumed every fiber of my being.

These were feelings of complete and utter insanity, emotions so intense and all-consuming that they defied every logical explanation and understanding I had ever possessed.

"What have you done to me?" I whispered against her hair, breathing in her intoxicating scent that drove my wolf absolutely wild with need and possession.

I allowed myself to sink completely into such beautiful and overwhelming affection, but her influence over me was far more powerful and devastating than what my heart could possibly handle or withstand.

I gently licked her wounded lips, tasting the metallic hint of blood mixed with her natural sweetness, then kissed her trembling hand with reverent tenderness.

The more I gazed deeply into her mesmerizing eyes, the more obsessed and utterly captivated I became with every aspect of her being.

"Tell me what happened," I demanded softly, my voice taking on the commanding tone of an Alpha who would not be denied the truth.

"I need to know everything they did to you, every word they spoke, every moment of pain they caused."

I had decided to ask her about her reasons for going there and what exactly had transpired during her visit.

She lied to me at the beginning, her eyes darting away from mine nervously, but then something absolutely shocking and unexpected happened-I heard her mind speaking as clearly as if she had spoken the words aloud!

I guess she had no idea about this newfound ability of mine.

I tried desperately not to show any outward signs of what I was experiencing, maintaining a calm and composed expression while my mind reeled from this revelation.

"Just tell me the truth," I said gently, reaching out to cup her face in my hands.

I could actually hear what she was thinking about with perfect clarity, every thought and memory playing in my head like a vivid movie.

"He tried to rape me." Those five words echoed repeatedly in her mind like a broken record, and she hesitated with every fiber of her being to tell me about the horrific ordeal she had endured.

The phrase was more than just simple echoes in my ears-it was a thunderous roar that repeated over and over again until I felt like I was drowning in rage.

"What did you just say?" I whispered, my voice barely controlled as my hands began to shake with murderous intent.

I couldn't breathe anymore.

The air felt thick and suffocating around me.

"He did WHAT?" I roared suddenly, my voice echoing through the room like thunder as my wolf fought for control.

I even found myself yelling at her in my overwhelming fury and panic, something I had never done before and immediately regretted.

But sooner rather than later, I grabbed her hand and dragged her determinedly to her mother's house, my steps purposeful and filled with deadly intent.

This was my revenge, not hers.

This was my need for justice and retribution consuming every rational thought in my head.

But she simply assumed that I was doing this as an Alpha protecting his Pack members, not understanding that this was entirely personal and selfish.

"You think this is about Pack justice?" I asked her as we walked, my voice low and dangerous.

The truth was far simpler and more possessive-I was doing this entirely for myself because she was mine, and I wanted to keep her that way forever.

I wanted her alive, breathing, safe, and completely untouched by anyone else's violence or hatred.

I had absolutely no idea what was going to happen in the uncertain future that lay ahead of us.

"I can only control what happens right now," I muttered under my breath, my jaw clenched with determination.

I only knew with absolute certainty what I was going to do in the present moment to ensure her safety and my own peace of mind.

Beating Isabella's twisted and abusive family members was not only reasonable but absolutely necessary for justice!

Every punch I threw felt righteous and justified.

But offering her the chance to be mine forever was incredibly risky, unexpected, and completely unplanned-the words just tumbled out of my mouth before I could stop them.

"I want you to stay with me," I said suddenly, surprising even myself with the desperate honesty in my voice.

Isabella excitedly jumped to her feet and stared at me with wide, hopeful eyes filled with joy and anticipation.

"Really? Do you actually want me to be your Luna?" she asked breathlessly, her voice trembling with emotion and barely contained excitement.

"Are you finally going to make me your official mate and partner?"

"No!" I blurted out defensively and automatically, the word escaping my lips before I could think it through properly, shocking her completely and causing her face to fall with crushing disappointment.

"That's not what I meant at all," I added quickly, trying to backtrack and explain myself better.

She gasped audibly and blinked rapidly, her confusion and hurt evident in every feature of her beautiful face.

"What! Then what exactly did you mean by being with you forever? I don't understand anything you're saying right now. I thought that you had finally admitted and accepted that I am your real mate, your true other half destined by fate itself."

I stepped closer to her, drawn by an invisible force, but she immediately stepped back defensively, creating distance between us that felt like a physical wound.

I rubbed my chin nervously and started the difficult process of correcting this painful misunderstanding.

"Isabella, I really like you more than I've ever liked anyone before, but whether you're my real mate or not, I would never break the sacred bond between me and my current Luna. So please don't even dream or hope of being my Luna someday, because it will never happen."

"Ouch, that's incredibly harsh and cruel," she commented with obvious pain, throwing accusatory and wounded looks directly at me that cut through my heart like sharp knives.

"Why would you say something so hurtful when you know how I feel about you?"

I was only being straightforward and honest, not intentionally harsh or cruel in any way.

I absolutely didn't mean to lie to her or give her false hope about our future!

"Listen carefully, I just want to clear things up here once and for all so there's no confusion between us. I genuinely want to be with you in whatever way possible. So, my offer is..." I began, trying to find the right words to explain my complicated feelings.

She cut off my words abruptly, scoffing with obvious disdain and disbelief.

"Offer?" she repeated sarcastically, crossing her arms tightly over her chest as if she was preparing to reject whatever I was about to propose immediately.

That defensive gesture made me ignore her obvious displeasure and continue with my proposal anyway.

"Isabella! I want you to be my mistress," I announced at once in a confident and unwavering tone, presenting it as a one-time offer with no room for negotiation.

"Take it or leave it, but this is what I can give you."

But honestly and secretly, I desperately wanted her to accept my proposal with all my heart.

She had completely turned my entire life upside down in just a matter of days, changing everything I thought I knew about myself.

I had been thinking about her constantly since the moment I left her side, unable to focus on anything else.

"You're all I think about," I admitted quietly, my voice softening with vulnerability.

She had somehow miraculously converted my previously lifeless, dull, and monotonous days into excited and cheerful emotional experiences filled with purpose and meaning.

So yes, I absolutely had to have her in my life even if that arrangement was meant to last forever.

I snapped back to reality when she said with obvious anger and hurt, "So selfish of you, completely disregarding my feelings and what I want! How could you possibly treat me this way after everything we've been through together? What's the actual difference between you and my cruel mother now? If you weren't the one who heroically saved my life and generously offered me a safe house, I would slap your face repeatedly for humiliating and degrading me like this. Don't you have any real feelings for me beyond physical desire?" She raised her eyebrows challengingly, demanding an honest answer.

"I'm truly sorry, but I do have feelings for you-deeper feelings than I've ever experienced before," I explained simply and honestly, sharing exactly what was constantly roaming through my confused head.

"But sleeping with you a few times doesn't automatically mean you're my destined mate, and it certainly doesn't mean I would kick my current Luna out of my life for just three sensual nights of passion."

She had to stop dreaming of things that would never happen in reality!

I shrugged my shoulders casually and said in a calm, measured voice, "Whether you decide to accept my deal or not is entirely up to you, and I'll respect your decision either way. I still genuinely like you more than words can express. And I always keep my promises and commitments. This house will remain yours regardless of your answer, and you'll always be under my protection no matter what happens between us. So, I'm going to leave you alone now to think about everything carefully and make your decision."

I pulled her resistant body closer to my chest and leaned down to kiss her soft lips one final time before leaving, but she deliberately turned her head away and huffed with obvious displeasure and rejection.

"Don't touch me," she whispered, her voice filled with pain and anger that cut through my soul.

I raised my eyebrows in genuine shock and surprise at her sudden cold attitude toward me.

"So, you really don't want me to touch you anymore after everything we've shared?" I asked, hurt evident in my voice as I reluctantly pulled away from her and walked slowly toward the door.

"Fine then," I said to her, delivering my final words before leaving her alone with her thoughts.

"I will leave now, and I will send my Beta Ethan to check on you daily for your safety and wellbeing. If you decide to accept my offer of being my mistress-just give him a written letter with your answer, and he will personally deliver it to me immediately."

She didn't reply to me at all.

She didn't try to stop me from leaving either.

She didn't move even a single inch from where she stood.

Only her beautiful eyes followed my movements, gazing at me with an expression as if she had suddenly started hating me with every fiber of her being.

So, I simply left her standing there alone.

But deep down in my heart, I desperately hoped that she would eventually surrender to her feelings and accept my deal sooner rather than later.

It truly was a win-win situation for both of us.

She would be incredibly happy and satisfied with me, having access to everything she had never even dared to dream of owning or experiencing.

And I would finally be completely satisfied and fulfilled with her constant presence in my life.

But that stubborn, beautiful girl somehow managed to break my confidence and shatter my normally unshakeable self-esteem when she didn't send me back any letters or responses for the first couple of agonizing days.

On the other side of this complicated situation, I had to maintain appearances and give my current Luna a normal, loving relationship just as we used to have before Isabella entered my life.

But since my heart and soul were now completely attached to another woman, I had to fake every smile, every touch, every declaration of love.

"I love you," I would tell my Luna, the words tasting like ash in my mouth.

I was slowly dying inside that suffocating situation.

I struggled constantly to live without Isabella while pretending to be a devoted mate to my Luna.

"How was your day?" my Luna would ask cheerfully, and I would force a smile while my thoughts were consumed entirely by Isabella.

It was absolutely awful and torturous, and this emotional triangle wasn't making anyone involved truly happy or fulfilled.

I desperately wanted to balance these conflicting aspects of my life.

I wanted to focus completely on my Luna and give her the attention she deserved.

"Maybe I should take you on a vacation," I suggested to my Luna one evening, trying to rekindle our connection.

I tried repeatedly to convince myself that Isabella was only a temporary fling, a passing fascination that would eventually fade away like morning mist.

But obviously and painfully, every single day that passed without any reply from Isabella made me progressively lose more of my sanity and peace of mind.

"Has Ethan brought any messages?" I would ask eagerly each evening, only to be disappointed again and again by the negative response.