Chapter 2

SASHA MOORE

I woke with a sharp ache in my wrists and immediately realized something was wrong. My hands were tied behind my back, my ankles were bound together, and my phone was nowhere in sight; the last thing I remembered was Adrian knocking me, followed by Vivian's cruel smile as darkness swallowed me.

“W-Where I am?”

The door suddenly opened, and Adrian walked into the room with my phone in his hand. “So, you're awake,” he said calmly, as if I hadn't been kidnapped and tied to a chair.

“Untie me,” I demanded, pulling against the restraints. “Now!”

“I'll untie you,” Adrian replied, walking closer, “but first, you have to promise me that you won't hurt Vivian.”

I stared at him in disbelief. “Are you serious? You knocked me, tied me up like a criminal, and you're still worried about her? Do you even think if I am okay or not?” My wolf growled beneath my skin as I struggled harder, but Adrian remained completely calm.

“Vivian didn't deserve what happened tonight,” he said firmly. “She was already frightened and vulnerable before you arrived.”

I laughed bitterly. “Vulnerable? She stood in that hotel room wearing nothing but a towel while you protected her from me. Don't insult my intelligence, Adrian. She planned everything.”

His golden eyes narrowed. “Don't accuse her of something you can't prove.”

My anger growing hotter with every word. “I don't need proof to know she's manipulating you. I saw her face when I was losing consciousness. The crying stopped, Adrian. Her entire expression changed, and she smiled at me like she had finally won.”

Adrian shook his head. “You're imagining things because you're angry.”

I looked at him in disbelief. “You really believe she's innocent, don't you?”

He answered without hesitation. “Yes. Vivian is kind, gentle, and nothing like you. She doesn't know how to fight people or defend herself, so I have to protect her.”

“And what am I, Adrian?” I asked quietly. “Strong enough to be treated however you want?”

Adrian didn't answer immediately, and that silence told me more than his words ever could.

I pulled against the restraints again. “Untie me!”

Adrian finally reached down and released my hands, then removed the restraints from my ankles. The moment I was free, I sat up and rubbed my wrists while glaring at him. “Our mating alliance is over!”

Adrian's expression hardened. “No.”

I stared at him. “What?”

“We're still getting mated.”

I laughed in disbelief. “After what you did to me?”

“Yes,” he said, as if the answer were obvious. “Tomorrow's scandal changes nothing about our fate.”

“It changes everything!”

Adrian stepped closer. “You are my fated mate, Sasha. The Moon Goddess chose you for me but I had to protect Vivian too.”

“And what about protecting me?”

“You can protect yourself.”

The words struck harder than I expected.

Adrian continued, “You're strong, Sasha. You can handle the rumors and criticism. Vivian can't. She's sensitive, and the pack's hatred is already hurting her.”

I stared at him. “So that's your excuse?”

“It's not an excuse.”

“Then what is it?”

Adrian took a breath before saying the words that would change everything between us. “Before the mating announcement, I'll have the official Silver Moon Pack account announce Vivian as my official mate.”

For a moment, I couldn't breathe.

“Your what?”

“She'll accompany me to the banquet,” Adrian continued. “The pack needs to see that I'm protecting her. Once the scandal dies down, we'll complete our mate bond privately.”

I stared at him, convinced I had misunderstood.

“You want Vivian to stand beside you as your official mate?”

“Yes.”

“And what am I supposed to be?” I frowned deeply.

Adrian's face remained calm. “My fated mate according to the Moon Goddess.”

“That isn't what I asked.”

He looked directly into my eyes. “You don't need to be publicly involved until everything settles.”

My hands began trembling.

“So you want me hidden. You want the pack to believe Vivian's your mate while I stay behind you?”

“It's for her protection.”

I laughed bitterly. “For Vivian’s protection? What about me?”

Adrian's jaw tightened. “You don't understand the pressure I'm under as the future Alpha. My father, Alpha Joe, expects me to protect the pack's reputation, and Vivian has become the target of everyone because of that video.”

“And I'm not important?”

“You are.”

“Then why does she get to stand beside you?”

“Because she's vulnerable.”

I stared at him, feeling something inside me breaking apart.

“You think I'm strong enough to survive being humiliated while she's too fragile to face the consequences?”

Adrian nodded slowly. “Exactly.”

My eyes filled with tears, but I refused to let them fall.

“So after the banquet, what happens?”

“We complete our mate bond.”

“And Vivian?”

Adrian hesitated.

That hesitation made my stomach twist.

“She will remain important to me,” he finally said.

I stepped backward as though he had struck me, “Important?”

“She was my first love, Sasha.”

I clenched my fists. “Then why didn't the Moon Goddess choose her?”

Adrian's expression darkened. “Because fate chose you. That doesn't mean I have to abandon Vivian.”

I stared at the man I had loved for years and suddenly felt like I was looking at a stranger.

“So let me understand this,” I said slowly. “Vivian will stand beside you before the entire Silver Moon Pack as your official mate, while I hide somewhere and wait for you to decide when I'm useful?”

“Don't call it that.”

“What should I call it?”

Adrian's eyes hardened. “You're my fated mate. Vivian is my public mate. Once the situation is under control, you'll become my Luna.”

I felt sick.

“Your public mate,” I repeated. “And your fated mate hidden behind her.”

“Sasha—”

“No.” I raised my hand, stopping him. “Do you even hear yourself? You want Vivian beside you where everyone can see her, and you want me waiting quietly for you behind closed doors.”

He sighed, “That isn't what I'm saying.”

“It is exactly what you're saying! You want me to be your mistress!”