Chapter 3 Fated Mate

YELENA

I woke up the next morning feeling lighter than air. My body ached in all the right ways, and my lips curved into a smile before I even opened my eyes.

The warmth beside me was steady, familiar, and intoxicating. I buried my nose into the pillow, inhaling the rich, masculine scent that clung to the sheets. His scent. My husband's scent.

When I finally dared to look, I almost giggled. Gods, he was beautiful. His chest rose and fell in even rhythm, sharp jawline catching the faint light seeping through the curtains.

He wasn't just handsome... no, that was too small a word. He was devastating, carved by the Moon Goddess herself, and even in sleep his presence wrapped around me like chains.

And the way he had touched me last night... my thighs pressed together at the thought. Drunk, yet still able to make me see stars. If I hadn't already known, I'd swear he was made for the sole purpose of ruining me in bed.

Unable to resist, I leaned down and pressed a kiss against his lips. He stirred but didn't wake, and I forced myself to pull back before I gave in to temptation and climbed on top of him again this morning. Instead, I slid off the bed and padded to the bathroom.

By the time I returned, hair damp and body wrapped in his oversized shirt and shorts, the clock read six. Still early. Perfect. I could at least pretend to be a good Luna wife and cook before he woke up.

The kitchen was massive, with shining steel and marble everywhere. I felt like a thief sneaking in, though it was technically my home now. I turned on the gas, set a pot, and got to work.

Eggs sizzled in butter, the air filling with the sharp crackle. Bacon followed, its fat popping and spitting. Pancakes stacked high, golden and fluffy, while toast browned in the oven.

I squeezed oranges for juice, sliced apples and strawberries, and even attempted sausages though I nearly burned my hand flipping them. By the time I was done, the entire kitchen smelled like heaven and smoke.

I wiped sweat from my forehead, proud and hungry. But before I could sneak a bite, I heard movement upstairs. My pulse kicked. He was awake.

I rushed, setting the plates carefully... too carefully, because everything here screamed luxury. One plate shattered and I almost died right there, but thank the Goddess it was only a napkin holder and not his favorite china. I placed his food, poured orange juice, and added mine across from him.

When I turned, I froze.

He stood at the end of the stairs, casual in a white off-shoulder shirt and black shorts, hair slicked back neatly. My throat went dry. He was unfair. Cruel. No man should be allowed to look like that in the morning.

His lips tilted, his voice low and thick, "When you're done drooling, wife, come join me."

Heat rushed to my face. I forced myself to move, pretending I wasn't just caught ogling him like some wolf in heat.

"This looks delicious," he said, sitting at the table. His gaze dragged over the spread and then to me. His face remained unreadable, eyes sharp, voice flat. "As delicious as you."

Did he mean it? Was he mocking me? I couldn't tell. I swallowed hard, muttering, "Thank you."

He lifted his fork, tasted, then paused. My stomach clenched. I stood there like an idiot waiting for his verdict, because apparently, I cared what he thought.

Then his lips curved faintly. "Is there anything you're not good at?"

I blinked. My face burned. Praise from him was rare, and Goddess help me, it hit deeper than I wanted to admit.

Relieved, I sat across from him, trying to act casual. "Thank you. I'm... happy to have you as my husband. You're not only the most handsome man I've ever seen, you're also sweet."

He smiled but said nothing. Not even a compliment back. Typical. Still, I told myself it didn't matter. He was mine. My Alpha. And I was his Luna. The rest of the she-wolves could choke.

The honeymoon flew by faster than I expected. I thought he'd whisk me away to another country, as the richest Alpha in the region. Instead, he kept me close, in his mansion, under his watch.

At first I sulked, but then he drowned me in kisses and touches and words that made me melt, and I decided I didn't care where we were as long as he was with me.

I felt like the happiest she-wolf alive.

So happy, in fact, that I didn't realize I was practically skipping down the hospital corridor until a familiar voice rang out.

"Was your marriage that sweet that you're about to fly?"

I whipped around. Nyra, my best friend, strutted toward me, rolling her eyes dramatically. Her voice was always dipped in sarcasm, like she lived to annoy me.

"If flying were possible, babe, I'd be halfway to the moon by now."

She swatted my shoulder playfully. "Take it easy, Luna! People will think you're possessed."

I laughed, unable to stop the ridiculous grin spreading across my face. "I can't. I'm the luckiest she-wolf on the planet and you can't tell me otherwise."

Before Nyra could fire back, a sharp voice sliced through the air.

"Lena! Nyra!"

We froze. Both of us groaned in unison as our senior nurse stormed down the hallway, face pinched in permanent irritation.

"You're late and you're still walking like you own the place?"

We exchanged a glance, then hurried forward like scolded pups.

She sneered. "One day, I'll have the new doctor separate you two troublemakers."

Nyra plastered on a fake pleading face. "We're sorry, Senior. We didn't know time had gone."

The woman hissed and swept past us.

"Wait," I muttered, tugging Nyra back. "What did she mean, new doctor? Are we getting a new one?"

Nyra shrugged like it was gossip too boring for her. "Looks like it."

My chest tightened. My husband had begged me to stop working, to focus on being Luna. But I couldn't. I loved this. Healing, helping, making a difference.

Even when he suggested paying for me to pursue my full medical doctorate so I wouldn't be stuck as just a nurse, I refused. I wanted to do it on my own, follow the steps like everyone else. Luna or not, I wasn't cutting corners.

Our old doctor had been a nightmare, a tyrant in a lab coat. I prayed this new one would be different. Hopefully male too... female wolves in power had a way of sharpening their claws on everyone else.

"Oh my," Nyra whispered suddenly, her hand squeezing my arm.

"What?" I asked.

Her grin spread like wildfire. "It's a male doctor."

I rolled my eyes, though relief fluttered in my chest. "Good."

We pushed into the gathering crowd of nurses. The doctor stood at the front, speaking in calm authority. His voice rumbled low, like distant thunder. The moment my eyes landed on him, my entire body shivered.

I didn't understand why.

Nyra gripped my elbow. "Lena, what's wrong?"

My knees wobbled. My wolf stirred, restless. "I... I don't know," I whispered.

"Are you sick?" Nyra asked louder this time. Heads turned. Some nurses gasped.

"Luna?" Voices rippled with alarm.

What the hell was happening to me?

The crowd shifted, opening a line as the new doctor stepped forward. He was tall, broad-shouldered, with hair dark as night. His eyes lifted and then they changed to golden mixed with red.

My breath caught. My wolf trembled, then howled inside me.

"MATE!"

The word tore from my lips before I could stop it.

My eyes widened in horror.

What?!

No. No, no, no.