Chapter 5 DOUBTS AND IMPERSONATIONS

DAISY’S POV

My breath hitched. Mate? The word echoed in the small room, my heart beating erratically in my chest. I straightened, fixing my eyes which I’m sure would be blazing in anger right now, at the lady who had just burst in. "What?" I snapped, the last of the fears I tried so hard to hide.

The lady glanced at me, turned back to the Alpha who was now already on his feet, his jaw clenching in tune with the tightening of his fists, and continued, "They say she bears the mark of the Bloodmoon pack. They're demanding explanations."

I threw the covers back again, ignoring the wince of pain that crossed her face. "What the fuck is going on here? Is someone going to tell me or are we pretending I’m invisible?”

My wolf snarled within me, a low, possessive growl that vibrated through my bones.

The room was quiet for some brief seconds as the Alpha seemed to contemplate what to do.

"Stay here, "He commanded, after a while, speaking to the lady. My wolf growled more loudly within me as I watched him lock gazes with the woman, a silent promise passing between us. "I'll handle this."

She didn't argue, but her green eyes held a flicker of defiance that mirrored the wildness in my own heart. I took a deep breath, pushing down my wolf's rising anger.

As he left the room, I heard him tell the guards outside the room. "Help Elara keep her safe."

So her name was Elara. Seeing how she didn’t cower at Harold, she’s probably his Omega who brought her to the pack house.

The room went back to its room silence as I was left in the room with the lady who watched warily. I sat back down on the bed facing the door and she sat on the chair next to the bed.

My heart hammered against my ribs. The Bluemoons claimed they had found someone bearing the Bloodmoon mark on their territory, someone claiming to be Harold’s mate. Was the mate thing a lie? Or was there another she-wolf he had been involved with?

But no. My wolf whined a low, mournful sound deep within me, a denial fierce and absolute. We were mates, Harold and I. The bond pulsed between our wolves. It wasn’t a complete bond since we had not yet been bonded but the undeniable connection nonetheless.

It had to be a lie – a desperate play by the Bluemoons to exploit a potential weakness. I nod in agreement with my thoughts. I heard a clearing of my throat that roused me from my thoughts.

I look up to find Elara, the Bloodmoon omega, sitting across from me, her gaze watchful. Her brown eyes held a mixture of curiosity and scepticism.

“What? Do I have a speck of your business on my face?”I ask, frustrated at her ceaseless staring. She didn’t say anything but shrug.

My wolf stirred and I smelled a woody pine scent and I turned back to the door. Seconds later, the door opened, and Harold stepped in, his stoic mask perfectly in place.

He maintained eye contact with me for a few heart-stopping seconds and turned back to Elara to exchange hushed words with her, their voices too low for me to decipher. A pang of jealousy, sharp and unwanted, pricked at me. My wolf growled deep within, a possessive rumble protesting this silent exchange.

Harold dismissed Elara with a curt nod, her face betraying a flash of disappointment as she left the room. Now, his gaze fell upon me, his blue eyes cold and assessing. I met his stare defiantly, refusing to show the fear gnawing at my insides.

"You heard," he said finally, his voice devoid of warmth.

"I did," I replied, my voice raspy. "What does it mean?"

"Whether their claim is true or a fabrication, the situation requires caution,” he stated flatly. “We haven’t fought with the Bluemoon pack but from the situations of things, we have good reason to believe that the Bluemoons intend to bring this "imposter" to Bloodmoon territory to infiltrate us. Unfortunately for them, you arrived right on time and all we need to do is find out what exactly they want to achieve.”

"And then?" I pressed the need-to-know burning in my chest. We both knew we were mates but he hadn’t said anything about it. I just hope he isn’t planning to reject me.

He paused, a flicker of something unreadable crossing his features. "Then," he said finally, "we'll see."

There was a dismissal in his voice, a clear message that the conversation was over. I bristled, a wave of anger surging through me.

"You're just going to let them parade another woman around as your mate?" I snapped, my voice sharper than I intended.

Harold's gaze narrowed. "There will be no parading," he growled, the primal energy of his wolf brushing against the surface. "I have a plan to try to know what their pack is up to you only have to watch and wait."

"After that?" I challenged, unable to contain my defiance.

He studied me for a long moment, his expression unreadable as always. "Let's just say your arrival has caused quite a stir, Daisy. Until I understand your motivations and the truth behind your presence here, you are a guest – just a guest under observation."

His words stung. A guest? Even after he knew I was his mate? Was I merely a suspect? But then, what choice did he have? He didn't know me, for an Alpha, the obligation to keep his position and pack safe must be greater than the need to have a mate.

The silence stretched between us, thick with tension. I yearned to tell him the truth, to reveal the nightmare I escaped from the Bluemoons, the orchestrated betrayal that cost my father his life. But a deep-seated fear held me back. What if he didn't believe me?

Frustration bubbled over, mixing with the lingering fear. "Fine," I said, my voice tight. "I’ll sit like the duck you want me to be.” I rolled my eyes and pouted.

I watched as his eyes dropped to my lips and returned to my eyes and he held my gaze for another agonizing moment, then turned and strode towards the window.

“Now, we wait,” he said.