Chapter two

Diana

The next morning, I stood at the edge of the forest, staring at the waiting Carriage.

My bags were packed, my fate sealed. It was hard to believe that less than twelve hours ago, I was rejected and humiliated in front of the entire pack. Now, I was being shipped off to marry a man I had never met—a man everyone whispered about in hushed tones.

The disabled Alpha. Cruel. Cold. A monster.

I tightened my grip on the handle of my suitcase. The urge to turn back, to run, was overwhelming, but my father’s voice echoed in my mind, Your Mother's treatment will be cancelled, choose wisely.

And I had choosed to. I accepted to be the substitute for Jane, who was already the future Luna of Crescent.

I had no choice. My mother's health comes first, and by no means will I not do anything to see she's well cared for.

I didn't tell her I was getting married. I told her I got a job at the biggest pack in the northern part of Heavens City.

I could sense the resolve in her gaze while she was being taken off to the physician for proper care, I wish has hell to hold her and tell her I'm scared, but I'll fight for her sake.

I sighed. Maybe it's better for me too. If jsne become the Luna while I'm still there, she would definitely subject me to slavery.

With one more determined resolve, I stepped forward.

The drive to the Dynamic Pack was long, the silence in the carriage oppressive.

The rider, Randy, said nothing, his expression unreadable. My thoughts raced, tumbling over each other like a storm. What kind of man was this Alpha? Would he accept me, or rejecte me, just as Evan had?

After what seemed like forever, the car slowed, pulling up to a sprawling estate surrounded by high walls and guarded gates. My stomach twisted as I stepped out, the sheer size of the mansion before me making me feel impossibly small.

A woman waited at the entrance, her expression sharp and disapproving. “You’re late,” she said, her tone clipped. “Follow me.”

“Well…” I muttered underneath my breath. This doesn't look welcoming at all.

I swallowed hard and nodded, clutching my suitcase as I trailed behind her. The interior of the mansion was just as intimidating as the exterior—cold, grand, and eerily silent.

We stopped in front of a set of heavy double doors. The woman turned to me, her gaze piercing. “The Alpha prince is waiting for you inside. Do not waste his time.”

By hell I knew she would make my stay miserable.

I nodded again, my throat dry. She opened the doors, and I stepped inside.

I hadn't expected to meet with him directly almost the moment I arrive. I was supposed to rest, meet with the Alpha, and then be introduced to the Prince by him.

But then, it occured to me well enough, that I had been here on a mission. And there's no point dragging it.

Father had said the marriage will happen later tonight. He also gave strict instructions.

“You will report everything about the prince to Randy.”

The room was dimly lit, the air heavy with tension. My gaze landed on the figure sitting in the wheelchair by the window. His back was to me, but I could see the outline of his broad shoulders, the tension in his posture.

“Come closer,” he said, his voice deep and commanding.

I hesitated for a moment before stepping forward. My heart pounded as he turned to face me, and my breath caught.

If Evan was goodlooking, this man is everything more than that. He's hot, beautiful and sinful.

His piercing green eyes locked onto mine, cold and distant. His dark hair framed a face that was both devastatingly handsome and utterly unreadable. But it wasn’t his looks that stole my breath—it was the faint, familiar pull in my chest.

Mate.

No. No, no, no. This couldn’t be happening.

I can't be mated to another that fast. The least I expected was to be emotionally tied to this devilish looking man.

His expression darkened as if he felt it too. “You’re supposed to be my wife, right?” he asked, his tone dripping with disbelief.

I nodded, unable to find my voice.

His voice was just has his looks. Cold yet enchanting I could swear I felt something.

But then, his lips twitched, his gaze hardened. “You must think you’re clever, sneaking your way into my life like this.”

“I didn’t—” I started, but he cut me off.

“Save your lies,” he snapped. “I know exactly what this is. My uncle sent you, didn’t he? You’re just another one of his spies.”

“Spy?” I repeated, my voice trembling. “I’m not—”

“I don’t care what you are,” he said coldly. “You’re nothing to me. Do you understand?”

Tears burned in my eyes, but I refused to let them fall. Those tears are Normal because of the emotions stirring up from the fact that my second chance Mate doesn't want me either.

I could tell in his eyes he knew.. but he chosed not to say. A silent and painful way of rejection.

I squared my shoulders, forcing myself to meet his gaze. “I didn’t ask for this,” I said, my voice shaking but firm. “I’m only here because my mother needs help. I don’t want to be your wife any more than you want to be my husband.”

I'm not supposed to let that out, but I'm too tired of being seen as someone who always have to obey. Someone who had to accept rejection and not say anything.

For a moment, something flickered in his eyes, shock, but it was gone as quickly as it came.

“Good,” he said, his tone icy once more. “Then we have an understanding. Stay out of my way, and I’ll stay out of yours.”

I nodded, my chest aching. “Fine.”

“Fine,” he repeated, turning back to the window. “You can leave now.”

“You..” he said, causing me to stop on my track, “should harbour no thought at all. I already rejected you the instance you walked in.”

I stood there for a moment, his rejection hitting me harder. The pain in my heart visible, the second time. But I refused to let him see how much it hurt. I turned on my heel and left the room, closing the door behind me.

The woman from earlier was waiting for me in the hall. “This way,” she said, her tone no less harsh.

She led me to a small room at the far end of the mansion. It was simple, almost bare, with none of the luxury I’d seen elsewhere in the house.

“This will be your room,” she said. “Dinner is at seven. Don’t be late.”

I nodded silently as she left, closing the door behind her.

I sank onto the edge of the bed, my hands trembling as I buried my face in them. The events of the past day crashed over me, the pain of Evan’s rejection mixing with the sting of Dante’s coldness.

My wolf whimpered in the back of my mind, her pain mirroring mine. Two mates, I thought bitterly. Two rejections.

I looked down at my hands, my fingers curling into fists. I couldn’t cry—not anymore. Tears wouldn’t change anything. If I was going to survive here, I needed to be strong.

For my mother. For myself.

Lifting my head, I took a deep breath and straightened my shoulders. I wouldn’t let Dante break me. If he wanted to see me as nothing, I’d prove him wrong.