Chapter 3 Flash backs

Karen POV

My head throbbed as the knock came at the door.

"Come in," I muttered.

The maid entered with a bow. "The Alpha requests your presence in the hall." She flicked her fingers, and other maids swept in with perfumes, silks, and jewels.

Before I could protest, they were on me, scrubbing, combing, dressing me like I was something precious instead of a runaway. Their hands worked fast, but my thoughts raced faster. I wondered if they'll even accept me as part of them

Minutes later, I stepped out. My legs trembled, but the corridor was mercifully short. The hall loomed ahead, filled with pack members watching me with sharp eyes.

Then I saw Zaiden.

Broad shoulders, calm authority. His eyes found mine across the room and refused to let go. My breath hitched; I forced myself to look away, but his presence pressed against me like heat.

"The priestess will arrive soon," he said, suddenly close. Too close.

I swallowed. "Okay." My voice cracked.

"Relax," he murmured, brushing his fingers against the back of my hand. "I don't bite."

My heart stuttered. Xavier never made me feel like this never. I hated it, I hated that my body betrayed me so easily.

The ceremony began. Rules, vows, rituals all a blur. My hands shook as the priestess bound mine with Zaiden's, slicing our palms so our blood mixed. A strange warmth rushed through me. For the first time in weeks, I didn't feel like an outcast. I felt... tethered. Like I belonged.

"You may step down," the priestess said.

I stumbled back to my seat, trying to steady my breathing. The voices, the whispers in my head from the bond it was overwhelming.

The hall erupted into chatter, but I slipped away. My room felt like safety, Or so I thought.

One of the border guards stood outside, the same man who'd nearly dragged me down before. His eyes were cold, unreadable. I forced a smile, waving lightly. He didn't return it. I sighed and shut the door. "Duh. He didn't have to be so mean."

I changed quickly, letting the hot bath wash away the weight of the ceremony. My body still ached, but for a moment, the warmth was almost comforting. By the time I sank into bed, exhaustion was pulling at me until the door opened.

It was Zaiden.

He filled the doorway, face unreadable, eyes sharp. My heart lurched.

"You might want to tell me," he said flatly, stepping in, "why you ran from your pack."

I froze.

"I don't harbor traitors," he continued. "I won't risk my people's lives."

"I..." My voice broke. "I can't. Not now. Please just give me time."

He tilted his head, lips curving in something that wasn't quite a smile. "Maybe you'll want to talk when I tell the Alpha of Blue Moon Pack that his missing Luna is under my roof."

My blood ran cold. "You wouldn't."

"Watch me." He slipped a phone from his pocket, thumb hovering over the screen.

"No!" My voice cracked, panic flooding me. "I'll.."

He paused. "Go on."

"I'll tell you," I whispered, my fists clenching in the sheets. My chest heaved as the memories threatened to break me all over again.

He smirked, sliding the phone back into his pocket. "Good. I'm all ears."