JASON

I stepped out of the room to think. God, I was stupid to believe it would be this easy. Sure, I had found my mate, but she would never be enough. She was vanilla, and I was a depraved monster who got high off causing pain. Of course, it had to be the will of the Moon Goddess—her little way of punishing me for what happened with that bastard, Sofiane. I almost wanted to laugh. What game was she trying to play this time?

My first instinct was to kill the girl and get it over with. Wait for the next mate. But she wanted me, and my equally depraved wolf wanted to see how this power play would end. Maybe I could introduce her to my world—to my cravings—and wait for Sofiane to make his move. Still, there was a chance she might mean something to me later, and I couldn’t risk that. Not with the convergence this close. Killing her wasn’t an option either. I’d made a promise, and I intended to keep it.

“Jason!”

I looked up at the sound of my name. Satake Kunisada stood there with that usual disapproving glare, arms folded, eyes full of judgment. Beta of the Crow. Judging by the disgust on his pale face, I assumed word had already spread.

“You don’t look too happy to be back,” I teased. “Was your visit to the Monarch that dull?”

“Contrary to what I was led to believe, they’re actually good people,” he said. “And guess what—you don’t need to go berserk to make us one big family. But before I get into that, I heard a rumor, and it better not be true.”

There was no point in denying it.

“Does it perhaps have to do with the Crow Pack getting its first Luna?”

Satake’s eyes went wide. The mischievous glint in them vanished instantly. “Wait,” he said, running his fingers through his sleek black hair. “You think word might have gotten to Sofiane?”

“Probably,” I said, glancing at Olamide’s list. The things she’d written were small. Insignificant. I couldn’t understand why she was so upset about leaving her old life behind. Even with all her fear, she had to realize a life with me would be heaven compared to what she had before—if she obeyed.

I remembered the way she looked at me earlier. She was attracted to me, even if she hated herself for it. That was the natural pull of the bond. The mix of danger, wealth, and power I carried only amplified it. My captive despised me—and herself—for the desire she felt. I intended to use that. To push her limits until submission came naturally. Each step toward obedience would be rewarded. Each mistake, punished. By the time I was done, she would crave me so deeply she’d forget this began as an abduction.

“Doesn’t that concern you?” Satake asked, pulling me out of my thoughts.

I looked at him, wondering what he expected me to say. That I’d protect her with my life? That I’d die before I let anyone touch her?

“Not really,” I said. “The goddess should’ve known better than to give me a mate right before the convergence. I don’t care what happens to her. I’ll play my part, but her survival depends on her—and who she chooses to trust.”

“That’s grim, even for you,” Satake replied. “I’d expect it from your brother Devin, but not you. I don’t think the goddess is punishing you, Jason. She’s trying to teach you to trust. Times have changed. If you’d just—”

“Don’t lecture me,” I snapped.

My words came out low and sharp, almost a growl. They did their job. Satake fell silent. I’d heard enough of his softhearted sermons. That kind of thinking got people killed.

“The world’s cruel, Satake,” I said firmly. “Just because the monsters who killed your parents spared you doesn’t mean the bad guys have a heart of gold. If hunters saw you now, they’d blow your head off without blinking. You might’ve looked human as a pup, but that doesn’t change the fact that they’d do anything to end our kind.”

I shoved Olamide’s list into his face. “So, be a good little beta and go get this Luna’s things from downtown. Her address is on there.”

He took the paper, scowling, then sniffed it. “It’s wet. Smells like tears.” He looked up at me accusingly. “Did you make her cry?”

“It’s not my fault she’s a freaking mundane,” I muttered, trying to keep my Alpha composure. Satake always managed to make me feel like a brat.

His jaw dropped. Good. That meant he didn’t know yet. That she was human. Not that it would stay secret for long.

“She’s human?” he said slowly, pocketing the paper. “I wonder what kind of trauma you’ve already put her through.”

“We’ll discuss it tomorrow at the pack meeting,” I said curtly. “Just get her things and get some sleep. We’ve got plenty to talk about.”

Satake sighed, bowed slightly, and walked out.

When I returned to the bedroom a few hours later, she was sitting on the love seat with Luna curled up on her lap. She was petting the cat absently, her hand trembling. The scene should’ve softened me, but instead, I felt something twisted stir inside. Watching her discomfort made me feel… satisfied.

“Olamide,” I said quietly.

She looked up fast, eyes wide, startled. That fear again. It called to me in a way I hated to admit. I wanted to lock the door, drag her close, claim her—make her mine until she forgot what fear even was. Instead, I pushed a cart forward and stopped it beside her.

“Are you hungry?” I asked, though I already knew the answer. There was something gratifying about making her admit it.

Her eyes dropped to the floor as she murmured, “Y-yes, Alpha.”

The hesitation in her voice wasn’t about the title. It was fear—fear of what I might make her do to earn that food. My wolf whispered something wicked, and for a second, I almost listened. But I pushed it aside. She needed to stay sane—for now.

I brushed a tear off her cheek, then placed a plate of spaghetti on her lap. Luna hissed at me and leapt to the floor. Maybe I imagined it. Or maybe I wanted someone, anyone, to disapprove of me. Funny that my conscience came in the form of a cat.

I sat across from her, eating my own meal while she picked up her fork with trembling fingers. She took a bite like she was afraid the food might be poisoned. Maybe that was smart.

“You’ll share this room with me for now,” I said, nodding toward the far end. “The closet over there is empty. You can use it when your things arrive. It shouldn’t take long.”

Her hand shook again as she swallowed. It was almost painful to watch how hard she tried not to upset me. Smart girl.

“Are you listening to me?” I asked, testing her.

She looked up instantly, eyes wide like a trapped rabbit. “Y-yes, Alpha.”

Good. She was learning. The title rolled off her tongue like instinct now. Fear was an excellent teacher.

“You just want to stay safe, don’t you?” I said, leaning back. “That’s why you’re being so agreeable.”

“Yes, Alpha. I don’t want you to hurt me,” she whispered. “I’ll try my best to do everything you want.”

Her pleading hit somewhere deep inside me. For a second, I almost felt like a monster. Almost.

“Do you find me attractive?” I asked suddenly.

She froze, fork halfway to her mouth. “Please don’t make me answer that.”

“Why not? Because you’re afraid admitting it will drive you mad?”

She stared down at her hands. Her silence told me everything, but I wanted to hear her say it.

“A yes or no would be fine,” I said softly. “I promise I won’t hurt you.”

She looked up, eyes burning with fear and defiance. “No.”

A single word. Sharp. Final.

And somehow, it thrilled me.