MILLIE

I stare out the window for hours. Leander is long gone. My eyes find the moon, our goddess. I wonder why she gives all the luck in the world to a man who disrespects her. Leander captured both the Alpha title and me, but shows no gratitude to the goddess. Meanwhile, I've always prayed to her, but have only found misfortune.

Someone is cooking dinner downstairs. I can hear the clanking of pots and splashing of water. I know it's not Leander. He hasn't returned.

I always enjoyed cooking, but I guess that's something I have to give up now that I'm Leander's captive. I shouldn't enter the kitchen where many knives twinkle under the light, beckoning me to grab one and lose it inside Leander. The man has a tendency of making me murderous.

The clanking stops, and minutes later a knock comes to the door. By the time I reach the door and open it, there's nothing but a tray with covered plates on the floor. I pick up the tray and mutter a thank you to my ghost chef.

I eat the juicy steak and potatoes and go downstairs for a glass of water. I hear the dishwasher running, and there's nothing out of place on the counters.

"This is a diligent ghost," I mutter.

My eyes catch a knife, and a few crazy thoughts roll around my head.

The front door opens, and I hope Leander doesn't appear. I turn to look at the arrival, and the empty glass in my hand shatters as it hits the ground.

"Mom!"

She runs, throwing her arms out. "I'm here! Oh, baby. What has he done?"

It has been a long day. A day of pretending to be made of ice just like the Alpha of the Mockingbird pack. A day of frustration and anger. I break in my mom's embrace, my eyes tearing and my nose sniffling.

I only got to see her every two years when I was on the run, because we feared that Leander would track her. It took weeks of coordination to ensure it was safe to meet. But she's here unexpectedly. The best gift I've ever gotten.

I scan her from head to toe, checking her condition. She looks healthy.

"Leander called you?"

"He did." She nods eagerly, wiping my cheeks. "Your dad couldn't make it. But he's coming, honey. I'm so sorry that he found you. Has he hurt you?"

"Only my pride and blood pressure." I force a chuckle, not wanting her to worry. "What about you? He told me you were sick!"

She shakes her head. "It was a leg infection that is nearly healed. I've been taking medication and doing well. My only worry is you."

I glance down at her legs, still paranoid. I was expecting to hear the worst, but perhaps the goddess heard my prayers. This was a false alarm, but I doubt Leander had information about my mother's recovery. My parents have wanted nothing to do with him since I left the pack.

Knowing that guards are listening to our conversation, she lifts her hands to sign. We were so dedicated to separating me from Leander that we learned sign language years ago.

You're the one that needs to be saved from that parasite of an Alpha. I'll get you out of here. Don't worry.

I quickly sign back.

No. Don't try anything. Don't get involved. I've got this.

I look out the window, wondering if Leander is nearby. If there's a price tag attached to this act of kindness. What the hell does he want from me in exchange for seeing my mother? There's always something. He's a businessman.

"Come. Let's catch up."

For a few hours, we don't talk about Leander. We discuss her gardening and the cabin Dad has been building. I tell her about my plans to fish like I used to. We pretend to be a normal daughter-mother duo. Like I'm not kidnapped by a powerful, ambitious Alpha that's probably leering through the window.

"Why do you think he sent you?" I finally ask her, breaking the peace.

She sets a hand on my knee, the warmth comforting. "I think he wants me to tell you to behave."

I snort. "I'd jump into a tank full of sharks for a chance at swimming away from this pack. Behave? I'm not his dog. I'm a wolf."

"I know, but..."

I frown at her. "But?"

"There's one thing that's coming up. The solstice, where all of the Alpha families gather for the goddess' blessing." Her brows draw together with concern. "I know you don't acknowledge your title as Luna, but we can't deny that the goddess chose you, and the solstice is important to our people. It gives us hope."

"You want me to...drape myself over Leander's arm and pretend I'm his willing Luna in front of the most elite families in the world?"

"Just this once, baby. We cannot deny the goddess. It would break the hearts of the people if the Alpha families do not pray to the moon."

My mom is extremely religious. That's why it was so conflicting for her to help me run away. She felt like she was challenging the fate the goddess chose for me. But she supported me anyway while reminding me that I can deny Leander, but I can't deny my nature as a Luna.

I frown. "I don't know, Mom. I don't feel like playing house with a guy better suited in a nuthouse."

"Do it for the pack, Millie. Just this once. It's the most important event that happens only every five years. It keeps our rivers flowing, our game plentiful, our forests lush. We must set aside our differences for just one day."

I groan. Would Leaner even want to go? He doesn't seem to be religious. Or a party guy. Or a people guy.

"I'll go for you."

Her face lights up, and it makes the incoming heartache worth it.

***

After Mother leaves, the house is submerged in silence. I wonder if Leander lived like this for years. Alone in a house with shadows that swallow warmth.

I sit on the couch, waiting for his arrival so we can rip our throats out one last time. I sit on the same couch where he beat his cock as I squished my thighs in frustration.

I sigh. This would be so much easier if he didn't look...like that.

I sit up when the door opens and Leander enters.

"Did you meet with your mother?" he asks, standing by the door.

"I did."

I don't thank him. There's no need to show gratitude to a kidnapper.

"She's staying in a pack house. I'll see her again tomorrow before she returns to my father's side."

He nods. "I'll allow it."

I glare at him. He's allowing me to meet my mother?

I bite back a remark. I've argued enough with him today. It's late. I want to end this conversation and retire to bed.

"She told me about the solstice. I reckon you won't want to go?"

"I will go."

"But why? You're not religious. I didn't think you would want to pray to the goddess or socialize with other Alphas."

He heads for the staircase. "I'm going because I want to see you in a dress."

There's a strange stir in my chest. I'm not sure if it's because of outrage or a much more sinister feeling.

***

I sit on the couch with my mom. Her fingers brush through my long hair as she braids it. Although I altered my appearance when I was on the run, I could never bring myself to cut my hair. I dyed it black, occasionally cut bangs, got tattoos and exercised to lose stubborn extra pounds I could never lose in my teen years. I learned makeup techniques, used eye contacts, and experimented with a dozen looks, but I could never cut my hair more than a few inches. It felt like my last link to my mother, who spent dozens of evenings with me on the porch as she styled it.

"You know we can't see each other again, right?" I ask.

It has been a lovely morning with no sight of Leander. I suspect he left the house before I woke up and flooded the house with my morning pheromones. It brings me joy to have sent the Alpha running.

The walls are bare, not presenting a single one of his portraits. I would hate to be watched by those grey eyes all day.

"Millie," Mom sighs. "Let's take it one day at a time."

"I don't have such a luxury. I must plan ahead. Leander is not above using you to manipulate me. I need you to be at a safe distance, Mom. Be with Dad. Be out of Leander's domain."

"He can't order me to do anything, baby. He..."

I look at her pitifully, although I should be looking at a mirror because I'm the one that's screwed.

"He's an Alpha. He's powerful," I whisper, hating the words. They taste like copper. Heavy, metallic, and unpleasant. But they must be spoken and acknowledged because they're the truth.

Leander rules the biggest pack. He might not have been born an Alpha, but he clawed for the title and won it. That makes him all the more worthy than an Alpha born into the position. As much as I can't tolerate the man, I can't strip him of his prestige. That would be too human of me. All of my werewolf senses crown him as an Alpha. There's an innate, deep, natural urge to submit to him that my wolf encourages. An urge that I will fight every day.

"I need you to be out of his reach so he can't turn you into a pawn."

I lift my hands to sign.

Just give me a few months to escape. I'll let you know when I need help. Don't worry, I'll be free one day.

She nods and lowers her head to hide the tears that I know are flooding her eyes.

With a sigh, I wrap my arms around her.

"I love you." These words I don't have to sign because I don't care who hears them.

My mom leaves and my only companion becomes silence. It's unnerving not having children's laughter and chatter surrounding me as it did for years.

I sneak around the house just to hear something. My footsteps, creaking doors, and my racing heart.

I peer into every room. Most of them are empty. Leander didn't even care to furnish them. I approach the library, planning to research how to terminate a mate bond. I've unsuccessfully researched this topic over the years and never found anything substantial. The only chance I have is in Leander's library. Alphas have access to restricted, ancient books and scrolls. When I interned for the Luna, I learned that these books are kept in special cases to protect them from the elements.

My braid swings behind me as I reach the end of the hall and grab the doorknob with a clammy, warm hand. I turn the knob, but it's locked as I figured it would be.

I'll need the key. A mission for another day, because Leander wouldn't be reckless enough to leave the keys lying around.

I explore other rooms and find one lined with random items like boxes and cleaning supplies. My eyes lock on three fishing rods safely placed in a glass cabinet. I recognize them because they're mine. I used to fish with these all the time.

Why did Leander keep them? To remember me?

My heart skips a beat, but I quickly bite my lip in punishment. I refuse all affection for that man.

I once heard a story of a hunter who killed a deer, made dentures, and ate the deer using its own teeth. I've thought about that story ever since Leander captured me. The ghoulishness of it all. The savageness. And a part of me admires the hunter.

I want to subject Leander to the same disrespect. Use this mate bond that's etched into his soul and weaponize it to hurt him.