Zuria
I woke up to a bright light shining in my face. I groaned, stretching my stiff muscles, only to realize something was off. My dress was the same as last night, and the bed beneath me was softer, the sheets finer than anything I owned. Panic gripped me as I sat up, my head pounding.
This wasn't my room.
The space was far too large, the furnishings too luxurious. Whoever owned this place had money—serious money. My breath caught in my throat.
Had I been kidnapped?
Well, if I had, my captors were in for a disappointment. They'd really hit the jackpot with me—an orphan with nothing to my name.
I forced myself to stand, but the moment I moved, dizziness hit me like a wave. My vision blurred, and last night's events crashed into me all at once. The attack. The shouting. The pain.
I needed to get out of here.
I stumbled toward the door, but before I could reach it, it swung open. My heart pounded in my chest as I braced myself to face whoever had brought me here.
To my shock, it wasn't some stranger standing there—it was Arien.
He held a tray of food, but the moment he saw me standing, his eyes widened, and he dropped it onto the nearest table.
"Zuria!" He was at my side in seconds, his hands gripping my shoulders. "You're awake. Are you feeling alright?"
I blinked up at him. "Arien…? How did you get here?"
His lips quirked into an amused smile. "Well, I think I'm supposed to be here—seeing as this is my house."
I gasped, my eyes darting around the room. His house?
"Wait… what happened last night? How did I get here?"
Arien exhaled and led me back to the bed, gently pressing me to sit. "I was heading home after dropping you off, but then I heard shouting. Your voice." His expression darkened. "I ran back and saw Celeste throw you to the ground. Your head hit the wall."
I touched the side of my head, suddenly understanding the dull ache there.
"You're lucky it wasn't anything serious," he continued. "I stepped in and—"
"My uncle and aunt," I cut in, my heart clenching. "What happened to them?"
Arien's brows furrowed. "Why do you sound more worried about them than yourself?"
I bit my lip. "I just… want to know."
He sighed. "Your uncle tried to fight me, but I knocked him out. Celeste tried to run, but I caught her. They're both in the dungeons now, awaiting punishment."
My mouth fell open. Dungeons?
"Wow. Okay."
Arien tilted his head. "Why didn't you tell me what they were doing to you?"
I looked down at my hands, suddenly feeling small. "I had just met you," I admitted. "And… despite everything, they were still family. I felt indebted to them."
Arien's jaw tensed. "Well, it's over now." His grip on my hands tightened slightly. "Because you'll be staying here from now on."
My head snapped up. "What?"
"You heard me," he said matter-of-factly. "They're in the dungeons, and as your mate, it's my responsibility to take care of you."
I stared at him, my heart pounding for a different reason now. The weight of his words settled over me. No one had ever taken care of me before. No one had ever claimed me as theirs.
Tears burned the back of my eyes.
"What's wrong?" Arien asked softly, his thumb brushing my hand.
I sniffed, quickly wiping at my eyes. "Nothing. Just… something in my eye."
Arien frowned, then, without warning, pulled me into a hug. His warmth surrounded me, his heartbeat steady against my ear.
"You don't have to worry about anything ever again," he murmured. "I'll take care of everything."
I closed my eyes, letting myself sink into the unfamiliar comfort of his embrace.
After a moment, he pulled back. "You should eat before your food gets cold." He retrieved the tray and placed it in front of me. The plate was piled with eggs, bacon, and toast.
"You made this?" I asked skeptically.
Arien smirked. "It might interest you to know that I am one of the best cooks I've ever had the pleasure of knowing."
I raised a brow, lifting a forkful of eggs to my mouth. The moment I tasted them, I coughed dramatically, clutching my throat.
Arien panicked. "Zuria?! Are you choking?" He started patting my back.
I bit my lip to hold back a laugh before flashing him a mischievous grin. "Got you."
His mouth dropped open. "Seriously? You—do you know how scared I was?"
I giggled. "Come on, I was just messing with you."
Arien shook his head. "Unbelievable."
I finished my meal, and he set the tray aside before turning to me with a more serious expression. "Do you know how scared I was when I walked into that house and saw you passed out?"
I swallowed hard. He looked so sincere. So unlike the arrogant Alpha I'd first met.
I hesitated before slowly wrapping my arms around him. "Thank you," I whispered.
Arien's arms tightened around me, his nose brushing against my hair. "You don't have to thank me."
I pulled back slightly, our eyes locking. My gaze flickered to his lips, and before I could second-guess myself, I leaned in, pressing mine against his.
Arien froze for half a second before his hands slid to my waist, pulling me closer. His lips pressed harder against mine, and warmth spread through my chest. He bit my lower lip, and I gasped at the unexpected sensation.
Taking advantage of my parted lips, he deepened the kiss, his tongue brushing against mine. My entire body tingled.
His hands slipped beneath the hem of my dress, his touch warm against my thighs. My fingers trailed down the muscles of his arms, his back—he was ripped.
I shifted in his lap, and a groan rumbled deep in his throat. My breath hitched as I felt him—all of him—pressing against me through his sweatpants.
Just as his fingers hooked onto the band of my panties—
A knock sounded at the door.
I yelped, scrambling off him, my face burning as I sat beside him. Arien groaned, running a hand down his face before grabbing a pillow to cover himself.
The door opened, and Alpha Harvey and Luna Lorrie stepped inside.
Luna Lorrie smiled knowingly. "You could have at least waited until we were gone," Alpha Harvey muttered.
I wanted the ground to swallow me whole.
Luna Lorrie swatted his arm. "Stop embarrassing them." She turned to me with a gentle smile. "Hello, dear."
I bowed my head, my face flaming. "Hello, Luna."
"There's nothing to be shy about," she assured me. "This is completely normal for fated wolves who haven't mated yet."
I nearly choked on air. Oh my god.
"We just wanted to let you know that you're safe here," she continued. "If you ever need anything, you can ask Arien. And if he can't provide it, you can always come to me."
I blinked up at her in surprise. A family. I had never known what that felt like.
I slowly stood, bowing my head. "Thank you, Alpha. Thank you, Luna. For helping someone like me when you didn't have to."
Luna Lorrie's expression softened. "Non
sense. You're family now."
I swallowed hard, glancing at Arien. He squeezed my hand.
For the first time in my life… I wasn't alone