Swara's initial surprise turned into seething anger as she observed the black-clad guards barring her way. Despite knowing the source of this interference, she remained resolute, refusing to yield.

"Miss Bose, the alpha requires your presence. Please come with us," the chief security guard stated respectfully.

"I have no intention of going. Clear my path and let me through," Swara replied firmly, trying to push past them. However, the guards remained unmoved, blocking her way.

"The alpha's orders are clear. You must comply, or we will be forced to use necessary measures," the chief security guard replied firmly.

Encircled by a phalanx of guards, Swara begrudgingly acknowledged the inevitable truth: there was no escaping Sanskar's determination. With a heavy heart, she acquiesced and followed the guards in silence.

'Sanskar, you're truly heartless, wasting no time in disposing of a mate as inconsequential as me,' Swara seethed with resentment, her anger intensifying with each step she took.

Within ten minutes, she found herself standing in Sanskar's study, unleashing her fury on him. "Using abduction to bring me here is a flagrant violation of the law, Sanskar," she berated him.

"In my territory, I am the one who dictates the law. You chose to defy my command, yet here you stand before me," Sanskar replied, a self-satisfied smirk playing on his handsome face.

Feeling utterly powerless in front of Alpha Sanskar only fueled Swara's irritation further, but at least she retained the freedom to voice her rebuttals however she saw fit.

"I was merely complying with your order when you instructed me to leave. It's quite a pity you're so forgetful at such a young age," Swara retorted sarcastically.

"I'm not as forgetful or foolish as you, who couldn't follow a simple order and snuck out," Sanskar retorted, his tone matching Swara's sarcasm as he advanced towards her.

"Snuck out? That's nonsense! I wasn't locked up, was I? I left confidently," Swara shot back, stepping back as she watched Sanskar's approach.

"Indeed, you're becoming bolder by the day, defying my commands without a second thought. You deserve to be disciplined," Sanskar stated firmly, his gaze fixed on Swara as he continued to approach her.

Swara involuntarily retreated until she was backed against the wall, her heart pounding in her chest as she met Sanskar's intense gaze.

In his eyes, there was a newfound warmth toward her, a sentiment that had blossomed amidst the recent shifts in their relationship. For the first time, Sanskar felt drawn to Swara, sensing a connection that made her feel like his own. Swara's heart fluttered at the realization.

'No, I won't fall for his charm. He's just a deceitful manipulator,' Swara thought, resisting the allure of his gaze.

Swara's voice trembled as she retorted, "You're accusing me? After what you've done? Exploiting a vulnerable woman?" She fought to steady her heart, rattled by his nearness.

She stretched her slender arms to push Sanskar back, striving for space, but he caught her hand and secured it above her.

"If a drunken woman throws herself at me, how can I resist, especially with my mate? I'm not exactly a saint," Sanskar whispered softly near her face, eliciting a crimson blush from her cheeks.

'Could he be acknowledging me as his mate?' Swara pondered with a racing heart, momentarily distracted.

In the same instant, Sanskar was taken aback by Swara's soft, pink, and trembling lips; he had never found her so irresistible. Without hesitation, he sealed them with his own hot lips.

For a brief moment, Swara shivered, but the overwhelming sensation of being kissed by her one true love, coupled with her long-held desire for his affection, overtook her resistance. She wrapped her arms around his neck, surrendering to the moment, and they both indulged in a passionate kiss.

Their first kiss lingered, a testament to their longing for each other. Gasping for breath, Sanskar released her, resting his forehead against hers. Softly, he whispered in her ear, "From now on, obey me."

'Obey him? What's he implying?' Swara's thoughts churned with frustration. Pushing Sanskar away, she demanded in a raised voice, "What nonsense are you talking about, and what was that for? How could you do this to me when we're supposed to be breaking this mate bond?"

"Breaking the mate bond? Who gave you that idea?" Sanskar responded in disbelief. He couldn't fathom letting go of his mate, especially as he found himself falling for her more deeply.

Swara fell silent for a few moments, grappling with the realization that Sanskar never directly mentioned his desire to sever their bond with her, but she had overheard it.

'So, even if he didn't say it to me, he said it to Laksh, and I heard,' Swara thought, swallowing nervously.

"I happened to overhear your conversation with Laksh," Swara admitted solemnly, her voice tinged with resignation. "I understand now that I can't fulfill the role of Luna as Alpha Sanskar had hoped. I'm prepared for the possibility of rejection." With a heavy heart, she lowered her lashes, unable to meet Sanskar's gaze.

'It seems she's misinterpreted my conversation with Laksh,' Sanskar pondered, feeling pity for Swara, which stirred compassion within him.

With a gentle grip on Swara's shoulder, he lifted her chin to meet his gaze. "This isn't what you think. I simply wanted to keep our relationship hidden from others, for both your sake and Kavita's."

"For my sake?" Swara murmured in surprise.

"Yes, this sudden twist of fate could paint a target on your back, and Kavita will undoubtedly be devastated when she learns the truth," Sanskar said solemnly.

'Oh, so this was all for Kavita, his precious little darling, and I was simply a means to an end,' Swara thought, her disappointment palpable.

"Sanskar, you're awfully considerate when it comes to your former flame... Oh, my mistake, she's not even your former flame, is she?" Swara quipped with irony.

A smile tugged at Sanskar's lips as he observed Swara's jealousy, revealing a new facet of her character.

"Are you feeling a bit jealous?" Sanskar quirked an eyebrow.

"I don't have any right to be," Swara retorted, her expression sour, which only widened Sanskar's smile.

"Of course you do, Swara. You're my Luna, and your feelings matter," Sanskar reassured her, his tone gentle.

"Sanskar Maheshwari, are you intending to play both sides, accepting me as your Luna while also keeping Kavita as your girlfriend?" Swara voiced her complaint once again.

Her current hostility towards Kavita stems from witnessing her deceitful nature in a past life. Swara's primary concern was always Sanskar's well-being and safety.

"Absolutely not, I will end things with her. I just don't want to disclose my mate status until she finds her own mate," Sanskar stated, his expression serious as he contemplated his decision.

'Sanskar, you're far too considerate for someone who's been deceptive. Who's to say she hasn't already found her mate? It's entirely plausible that the masked individual, her accomplice from my past life, is her mate. I must find him; he could be the key to unlocking Pandora's box,' Swara thought determinedly.

"Don't worry, okay? I won't let you down," Sanskar reassured Swara with a gentle tap on her cheek, followed by a tender peck on her forehead.

Moved by Sanskar's affectionate gesture, Swara wrapped her arms around him in a tight hug.

Elsewhere, beneath the same roof as Sanskar and Swara, another couple shared intimate moments, finding solace and passion in each other's arms.

"What's troubling you, Adarsh honey? You seem quite upset," Kavita inquired, her voice laced with seduction.

"I'm furious! Sanskar ended up with Swara as his mate. Now, you stand no chance. My meticulously crafted plan can't fall apart like this," Adarsh spat out with rage, his fists clenched tightly.

"I had a hunch about this, but how did you find out?" Kavita asked, surprised by Adarsh's knowledge. She had discovered the truth by eavesdropping on Sanskar and Laksh's conversation.

"I've strategically placed my omegas in Sanskar's villa; they provide me with all the information about him," Adarsh boasted, a malicious smirk on his face.

"But how is that even possible? Isn't he overly cautious after the deaths of the previous alpha and Luna? That's why he lives alone and avoids letting anyone get too close," Kavita queried, clearly surprised.

"Despite his caution, he's still a sentimental fool who drops his guard around his family, and as his only family, I have access to him," Adarsh chuckled, joined by Kavita in laughter.

"He's such an emotional sap; it's easy to manipulate him. He feels sorry for me, his girlfriend, and is too afraid to reveal his mate. I'll use this to drive Swara out of his life and to take her place," Kavita plotted, her mind spinning with nefarious ideas.

"How?"

"Just trust me and follow my instructions; soon, you'll be the alpha of the Crescent Moon pack," Kavita whispered her scheme into his ears.

Their laughter, filled with malice and greed, reverberated through the room as they solidified their wicked alliance.