Elaine did not even have a chance to think . One moment she was quietly eating on her own , and the next she felt a firm but steady grip around her wrist . Alpha Darius , towering and confident , pulled her up with surprising ease . In his other hand , he carried her plate of food as though it were the most natural thing in the world . " You eat so little . You should eat more ," Alpha Darius said , his deep voice drawing every ear in the room . Elaine froze , unsure how to respond . Her mind spun in confusion . What is going on here ? She had only met him that morning , their introduction brief and unexpected . Yet now , he acted as though they were old friends , closer even . Around them , the dining hall grew quieter . The eyes of every guest and pack member followed their every step . Whispers rippled like waves through the crowded tables . Her pack leaders sat stiffly , their expressions carefully controlled , though their eyes betrayed disapproval . Michael's jaw clenched as if he were biting back the urge to stand and interfere , but not even he dared , not against Darius . The Crescent Moon Pack carried a reputation carved in blood and steel . They were the warrior pack , unmatched in strength and feared across territories . If Silverblade was respected for its influence and power, Crescent Moon was revered - and dreaded - as the number one pack in existence . Their Alpha was not one anyone challenged . Yet the way Darius looked at her , spoke to her , and tugged her along with such casual authority , he did not appear as the ruthless wolf the world described . He smiled easily , laughed softly , and held himself with the kind of charm that disarmed those around him . Friendly , almost boyish . But Elaine knew better . Everyone here knew better . Behind that warmth was a man who commanded armies , a wolf no one dared cross . When they reached his table , a tall man already seated there fixed them with an unimpressed stare . Darius's Beta , Marcus , stood immediately , his presence sharp and disciplined . His brows lifted in disbelief . " Marcus ," Darius said without hesitation , pulling Elaine forward as though presenting something precious . " This is Elaine . The one I told you I met earlier . " Marcus's frown deepened . " Darius , you do remember we are not in our own pack house right now , don't you ? You cannot just drag a member of another pack to sit with you . " 1/3 < Chapter 17 More Rewards > Darius c **** d his head , feigning innocence . " Oh ? Should I have dragged you instead , then ? " Marcus pinched the bridge of his nose , exasperated . " That is not what I meant . Protocol exists for a reason . You should have asked the Alpha's permission before insisting one of his pack members sit at your side . " His tone was patient but sharp , the way one might speak to a reckless child . Elaine's lips parted , and despite herself , a small laugh slipped out . The tension around them cracked like thin ice . Both men immediately turned toward her , one with irritation , the other with amusement . Elaine's face flamed , and she lowered her gaze . " I'm sorry ," she said quickly , though her laughter bubbled again . " It's just ... is this how it always is ? It seems like the Beta is the one taking care of the Alpha . " The faintest smile touched Marcus's lips , but Darius leaned closer , eyes glinting . " Not always ," he said , lowering his voice as though the words were meant only for her . " Just to the people I am close to . " Her brow furrowed , and confusion washed over her . " But ... we only just met . " " I know ," Darius replied , his tone shifting , carrying an edge of sincerity that rooted her in place . " But can't you feel it ? That connection between us ? Because I do . And I cannot explain it . " Her heart thudded , painfully loud in her ears . She wanted to say it - that she could feel something . That strange pull , not a mate bond , but something safer , warmer . Something that reminded her of the way she used to believe safety existed . But she swallowed the words , biting them back until they burned in her chest . How could she trust this feeling ? She had trusted before , and every time it had broken her . She had felt safe with Michael , her fated mate - until he betrayed their bond . She had felt safe with her parents - until they turned away and left her to face humiliation alone . She had felt safe with Kathy - until her own sister took Michael from her . She had felt safe with Alpha Efrein and Luna Beatrice - until they forced her to surrender the one thing that belonged to her , all for the sake of duty . Every time she opened her heart , it was ripped apart . Why should this be any different ? And besides , in just a few days Darius and his Beta would leave . They would return to their lands 2/3 < Chapter 17 More Rewards > after the mating ceremony . And she , too , would be leaving - leaving behind the pack that abandoned her . Her thoughts were interrupted by the sharp , clipped voice of Alpha Efrein pressing into her mind through the pack link . " After breakfast , we will see you at the Alpha's office . " The command was cold , authoritative , and final . There was no room to refuse . Elaine's stomach dropped , her fingers tightening around the edge of her plate . What do they want with me now ? She thought bitterly , though a part of her already feared the answer . Breakfast dragged on endlessly , though Elaine barely touched her food . The laughter and chatter around the tables sounded muffled , distant , like she was caught in a fog . Every so often she caught Alpha Darius watching her - sometimes openly , sometimes from the corner of his eye . His presence pressed on her senses , unsettling yet strangely grounding . But the pack link from Alpha Efrein still burned at the back of her mind , reminding her that her reprieve was temporary . As soon as the meal ended , she would have to face them again - her Alpha , her Luna , her parents , her sister , and Michael . The people who had stripped her of everything she thought was hers . When at last Darius excused himself , leaving her with a lingering smile that only deepened her confusion , Elaine rose slowly from the table . Her legs felt heavy , as if every step carried the weight of invisible chains . She followed the familiar corridors of the pack house , passing smiling faces , murmured conversations , and curious stares . To them , she was no more than the rejected girl swept up in the attention of the most powerful Alpha alive . To her , each glance felt like a knife . By the time she reached the Alpha's office , her palms were damp with sweat . Two guards stood outside the doors , their expressions unreadable , their bodies taut with discipline . They didn't speak to her - didn't need to . They opened the heavy doors in silence , allowing her to step into the room she dreaded . Comments