Chapter 9 Awakening

Zariah's eyelids fluttered open, her vision blurry as she tried to make sense of her surroundings. The room was unlike anything she'd ever seen-high ceilings adorned with intricate carvings, walls lined with tapestries depicting wolves and moons, and a fireplace crackling softly in the corner. The bed beneath her was impossibly soft, the sheets silken against her skin. For a moment, she wondered if she was still dreaming.

Then it all came rushing back-the alley, the men with glowing yellow eyes, the silver wolf with golden eyes. She sat up abruptly, her heart pounding. "Where the hell am I?" she muttered, her voice hoarse. The door creaked open, and an older woman stepped inside, her silver hair tied back in a neat bun. She carried a tray of food, the aroma of fresh bread and roasted meat filling the room. Her sharp eyes softened as they landed on Zariah. "You're awake," the woman said, her voice calm and kind. "I'm Elena.

How are you feeling?" Zariah's eyes narrowed. "Where am I? Who are you?" Elena set the tray on a nearby table and approached the bed, her movements slow and deliberate. "You're in the Lycanthorin packhouse. You're safe here." "Safe?" Zariah scoffed, her voice rising. "I don't even know where 'here' is! And who brought me here?" Elena hesitated, her gaze flickering to the door. "The Alpha brought you here. He'll explain everything when he returns." "The Alpha?" Zariah's mind raced. "You mean the guy with the glowing eyes?

The one who-" She cut herself off, her cheeks flushing as she remembered the way he'd looked at her, the way he'd called her his mate. "This is insane. I need to get out of here." She swung her legs over the side of the bed, but Elena stepped forward, blocking her path. "I wouldn't do that if I were you. You're still weak, and the Alpha wouldn't take kindly to you wandering off." Zariah glared at her. "I don't care what your Alpha would or wouldn't take kindly to. I'm not staying here." Elena sighed, her expression sympathetic but firm. "You don't have a choice, I'm afraid. Not until the Alpha says otherwise." Before Zariah could argue, the door opened again, and Valrik stepped inside.

His presence filled the room, his golden eyes locking onto hers with an intensity that made her breath catch. He was even more imposing up close, his broad shoulders and sharp features radiating power. Zariah's heart raced, but she refused to let him see her fear. "Leave us," Valrik said, his voice low and commanding.

Elena nodded, casting one last glance at Zariah before slipping out of the room. The door clicked shut behind her, leaving Zariah alone with Valrik. "Who the hell are you?" Zariah demanded, her voice shaking despite her best efforts to sound brave. "And what do you want with me?" Valrik crossed his arms, his gaze never leaving hers. "I'm Valrik Lycanthorin, Alpha King of the werewolves. And you... are my mate." Zariah stared at him, her mind reeling. "Your what?" "My mate," Valrik repeated, his tone leaving no room for argument. "The Moon Goddess paired us. It's fate." Zariah let out a bitter laugh. "Fate? Are you serious? I don't even know you! And I'm not a werewolf, so whatever delusion you're under, you can forget it." Valrik's jaw tightened, his golden eyes flashing with irritation. "You don't have to believe me, but it doesn't change the truth. You're my mate, and I'm not letting you go." Zariah's hands clenched into fists. "You can't just keep me here! I'm not some... some prize for you to claim!" Draeven growled in Valrik's mind, his voice sharp. *Be patient. She doesn't understand.* Valrik ignored him, his temper flaring. "You think I wanted this? A rogue with a dormant wolf? You're a liability, but you're mine, and I'll protect you whether you like it or not." Zariah's eyes widened, her chest tightening with anger and fear. "I don't need your protection! And I'm not yours!" She pushed past him, heading for the door, but Valrik grabbed her arm, his grip firm but not painful. "You're not going anywhere." Zariah yanked her arm free, her voice rising. "Let me go! I can't be running from one danger just to land in the middle of... whatever the fuck this is!" Valrik's eyes narrowed, his voice sharp. "What danger?" Zariah hesitated, her mind racing. She didn't even know who those men were or why they'd attacked her.

All she knew was that they were dangerous-and now she was trapped here, with a man who claimed she was his mate. "I don't know," she admitted, her voice trembling. "They just... came after me. I don't even know why." Valrik's expression darkened, his golden eyes flickering with something unreadable. "You don't know who they were?" "No," Zariah snapped. "And I don't care. I just want to leave." Valrik's patience snapped. "You're not leaving. Not until I figure out what the hell is going on." Zariah's hands clenched into fists, her voice trembling with anger. "You can't keep me here!" Valrik's lips twitched in a faint smirk. "We'll see about that."

The chapter ends with Zariah storming back to the bed, her mind racing as she tries to figure out how to escape. Valrik watches her, his expression unreadable, but his resolve unwavering. He knows she's his mate, and he'll do whatever it takes to prove it-even if it means breaking down every wall she's built.