Chapter 12 – A Place to Belong
The Silver Moon Pack had never welcomed an outsider into the Alpha’s manor—let alone a rogue from a rival pack.
As Hunter escorted Wren through the castle, servants and warriors stopped what they were doing. Curious whispers followed them down every corridor.
“That’s the girl Alpha claimed as his mate.”
“She can’t even speak.”
“Can a cursed girl really become our Luna?”
Wren lowered her eyes, the familiar sting of rejection tightening her chest. No matter where she went, people only saw the curse.
Hunter sensed her unease immediately.
Without hesitation, he slipped his cloak over her shoulders, shielding her from the cold—and from the judgmental stares.
“You’ll get used to this place,” he said softly. “No one here has the right to look down on you.”
Before Wren could respond, an elderly woman approached with a warm smile.
“I’ve prepared a room for Lady Wren.”
The title caught Wren completely off guard.
Lady.
No one had ever addressed her with respect before.
Hunter nodded approvingly.
“From today onward, she is to be treated with the same respect you give me.”
The servants exchanged uneasy glances before bowing.
“Yes, Alpha.”
As Wren entered her room, she froze.
Fresh clothes rested neatly on the bed. Warm food filled the table, and a vase of wildflowers sat beside the window. Everything had been prepared with care.
A single tear rolled down her cheek.
For years, she had slept in a cold storage room, surviving on leftovers while everyone else celebrated.
Now, someone had given her a place she could finally call her own.
Hunter watched quietly from the doorway.
“You deserve better than the life they forced on you.”
Their eyes met.
The mate bond pulsed stronger than ever.
Yet before either of them could speak, Beta Clay rushed into the room, his face grim.
“Alpha… we’ve received word from the Wolfhart Pack.”
Hunter’s expression darkened.
“What happened?”
Clay took a deep breath.
“They’re demanding you return Wren immediately… or they’ll consider it an act of war.”
The room fell silent.
Hunter instinctively stepped in front of Wren, his voice calm but absolute.
“They had their chance to protect her.”
“They lost that right the day they cast her out.”
Outside, thunder rumbled across the night sky.
The battle for Wren had only just begun.
