Danica’s POV
I moved carefully, my bare feet making no sound against the cold wooden floor. My heart pounded as I crept toward the door, my hand gripping the handle tightly. Just a few more steps and I’d be free.
The moment I slipped out of Alpha Nicholas’s room, a cold breeze hit me, sending shivers down my spine. Relief flooded me as I turned toward my quarters. No one saw me. I was safe.
Or so I thought.
A sudden cough shattered the silence. I jumped, spinning around in fright.
Leah stood there, arms crossed, a knowing grin stretching across her face.
“Well, well, well,” she teased, stepping closer. “Look who’s sneaking out of the Alpha’s room like a thief in the night.”
I rolled my eyes and brushed past her, pushing my door open. “Keep your voice down,” I hissed.
She followed me inside, shutting the door behind her. “So… tell me everything,” she demanded, practically bouncing on her feet. “What happened? How did it happen? And most importantly—have you been accepted?”
I sighed, sitting on the edge of my bed. “The bond between us is back, but I have no idea where this is going.”
Leah’s smile faltered. “What do you mean?”
I ran my hands through my hair, frustration bubbling in my chest. “We want each other, that much is obvious. But what comes next? What if this is temporary? What if he regrets it? What if—”
“Danica,” Leah cut in, taking my hands in hers. “Why are you overthinking this? The Alpha clearly has feelings for you.”
I scoffed. “Feelings? You mean the same Alpha who rejected me without hesitation?”
Leah sighed, shaking her head. “People change, Danica. Maybe he didn’t realize what you meant to him until now.”
I stared at her hard before voicing my biggest fear. “What if he rejects me again?”
Her lips parted as if she wanted to say something, but nothing came out. Silence stretched between us, thick with unspoken words.
Then, a sharp knock echoed through the room.
Leah and I exchanged glances before she hesitantly stepped forward and opened the door. Her eyes widened slightly, and she turned back to me. “Beta Doris,” she muttered.
At the mention of his name, I shot to my feet.
Leah quickly excused herself, slipping out of the room. Beta Doris stepped inside, his expression unreadable as he closed the door behind him.
For a long moment, he simply stared at me, his arms crossed over his chest. The tension in the room was suffocating.
Finally, he spoke. “Do you know who Celeste is?”
My brows furrowed in confusion. “Celeste?” I repeated. “The woman from Blackmoon Pack? The one who comes here often?”
Doris nodded. “Yes. Do you know who she is?”
I shrugged. “One of the Alpha’s bedmates, I assume.”
Beta Doris let out a humorless chuckle, shaking his head. “No, Danica.” He folded his arms, his gaze piercing through me. “She is betrothed to the Alpha.”
My body went cold.
He continued, his voice firm. “Celeste is the future Luna of our pack.”
I felt like the ground had been ripped from beneath my feet. My jaw dropped, but no words came out.
The room started spinning, and for the first time in a long time, I had no idea what to do.