Chapter 2
Erin's POV
"Y-yes Alpha," I stammered, fingers trembling as I carefully replaced the silver frame on the nightstand. "I'm sorry. I must have gotten lost." My voice cracked, betraying my fear.
Derek moved into the room with predatory grace, each step measured and silent. His broad shoulders squared beneath his tailored suit, creating an imposing silhouette against the doorway.
"This side of the stronghold is clearly marked as a private area," he said, his voice unnervingly calm yet carrying an undercurrent of menace. "For you to have made it this far shows either remarkable stupidity or deliberate disrespect." His jaw tightened as he enunciated each word with precision.
My cheeks burned with humiliation. I scrambled to my feet, desperate to leave, but my legs felt weak beneath me.
Just then, a woman glided into view behind Derek, her long black hair cascading down her back like a midnight waterfall. She wore an elegant beige dress with intricate silver embroidery that accentuated her graceful curves. A pendant bearing the distinct silver pine symbol of her clan caught the light.
"Is everything alright, Derek?" she asked, her voice melodious with a hint of a cultured accent. Her eyes narrowed as they assessed me.
"Just a little girl," Derek answered without turning. "Nothing for you to worry about, Mya."
This must be his fiancée from the Silverpine Pack—the woman everyone had been talking about. The daughter of Alpha Charles Windsor, whose union with Derek would merge two powerful werewolf bloodlines under tomorrow night's full moon.
She stepped around Derek with fluid elegance, her perfectly arched eyebrows rising slightly. Up close, she was even more beautiful—high cheekbones, full lips, and eyes like polished amber.
"Who are you?" she asked, her gaze sweeping from my scuffed sneakers to my department store jeans with thinly veiled disdain.
Before I could answer, Derek cut in, "She's just someone who's about to leave." His tone left no room for argument.
I began to inch toward the door, eyes downcast, shoulders hunched instinctively.
"I really am sorry," I said, barely above a whisper. "I was just looking for Bradley."
"Bradley isn't here," Derek stated flatly. "And even if he were, that wouldn't give you the right to invade my private space." His eyes flashed dangerously.
As I hurried past the nightstand, my elbow caught the photo frame, sending it crashing to the floor. The glass shattered, fragments scattering across the hardwood.
"I'm so sorry!" I exclaimed, immediately dropping to my knees. In my panic, I grabbed too carelessly, and a sharp edge sliced into my finger. I winced as blood welled from the cut.
Derek's reaction was instantaneous. His nostrils flared widely, his eyes flashing from green to brilliant gold. For an instant, his mask of composure cracked, revealing something feral underneath.
"Leave it," he commanded, his voice a guttural growl. "Get out. Now."
I scrambled to my feet, rushing past them with my bleeding finger clutched to my chest.
Just as I reached the doorway, I heard Mya's voice, deliberately pitched to carry. "Did you see that, Derek?" she said with a musical laugh devoid of warmth. "What an irresponsible rural girl. To think she might attend our binding ceremony tomorrow... What is Bradley thinking?"
My eyes blurred with tears as I fled down the hallway.
I found myself in the main hall, pressing my injured finger against my jeans. Around me, pack members arranged silver moon lilies for tomorrow's ceremony.
"Are you alright, dear?" a commanding voice pulled me from my thoughts.
I looked up to see an elegant older woman watching me with calculated interest. Her silver-blonde hair was arranged in an elaborate updo, and she wore a tailored navy blue dress with subtle silver accents.
"I'm fine," I replied, straightening my posture. "Thank you for asking, Mrs. Stone."
This was Bradley and Derek's mother, Judy Stone, the Alpha female of the Darkwood Pack. I immediately wiped away any trace of tears, aware that any sign of weakness would only lower her opinion of me.
"Ah, Aaron Blackwood's sister," she said, her voice carrying the subtle inflection of someone used to being obeyed. Her gaze fell to my hand. "You're hurt."
Before I could protest, she took my hand in hers. I noticed her subtle flinch at the contact, quickly masked by a practiced smile.
"Nothing serious, but we should clean it," she said, her tone suggesting both concern and mild distaste. "We can't have you dripping blood on the ceremony preparations."
As she expertly bandaged my finger with efficient movements, I could see the preparations in full swing through the doorway.
"The binding of two powerful clans is always a significant moment," Judy commented. "Tomorrow night's full moon will witness the fulfillment of a decade-long alliance. You've met Mya Windsor, I presume?"
"Mya seems... lovely," I said carefully.
Judy's smile was measured. "She is the daughter of the Silverpine Pack Alpha, a werewolf female of impeccable lineage. This union has been planned since Derek and Mya were children. It will bring great strength to both our clans." She finished bandaging my finger and released my hand immediately, subtly wiping her own fingers. "There, much better now."
"Thank you," I said, recognizing the dismissal in her tone.
"Now, what brings you to our stronghold today?" Her posture had stiffened, creating an invisible barrier between us.
My cheeks burned again. "I was looking for Bradley. He mentioned he was helping with preparations for the ceremony." I hesitated. "But I got lost and ended up somewhere I shouldn't have been."
"Well, Derek has the weight of the pack on his shoulders," she replied, adjusting her silver bracelet. "His union with Mya isn't just a marriage, it's a political alliance. Don't take his reaction personally, dear."
"How are things with you and Bradley?" she asked, her tone suggesting casual interest while her eyes remained evaluating.
"He's good to me," I answered, perching on the edge of my chair with careful posture. "We've been together for almost a year now."
"I see," Judy said. "If I'm not mistaken, you'll be turning eighteen soon?"
"Tomorrow, actually," I confirmed.
"An important birthday in our world," she nodded. "Do you believe Bradley might be your mate?"
"I hope so," I admitted.
Judy's smile widened, though her eyes remained distant. "Some matches are destined by the moon, while others... are more practical arrangements."
She stood up smoothly. "You're quite pretty, Erin, in a... natural sort of way. I can understand why Bradley would be drawn to you at his age."
"Do you know where I might find Bradley now?" I asked.
"I believe I heard him mention he needed to discuss something with a girl named Lily." Her tone carried an undercurrent I couldn't identify.
"Lily? Lily Winters?" I asked, confused.
"Yes, that's her," Judy's eyes watched my reaction with interest.
"I should probably go," I said, standing up.
"Will we see you at the binding ceremony tomorrow night?"
"Yes, my brother mentioned we received an invitation."
"Wonderful. Be sure to bring your mother. It's time we met the woman who raised such... interesting children."
By the time the taxi pulled up in front of the Winters' mansion, dusk had descended. I walked up to the front door, my heart beating faster with each step.
The elderly maid let me in. "Miss Winters is in her room."
I knew the way to Lily's bedroom by heart. I knocked and pushed it open without waiting. "Lily?"
Lily stood by her bed, hair disheveled and cheeks flushed. Her room was uncharacteristically messy, with a dampness in the air suggesting someone had recently showered.
"Erin!" she exclaimed, eyes widening with shock. "What are you doing here?"
"I could ask you the same thing," I replied. "Mrs. Stone told me you were discussing something with Bradley."
Lily's face paled slightly. "I—I wanted to surprise you."
Looking at her pale face, I couldn't help but grow concerned.
"What's wrong? Are you sick?" I asked.
Before she could answer, I heard a door open behind me. I turned to see a man stepping out of Lily's bathroom, a towel wrapped around his waist, water droplets still glistening on his bare chest. His hair was wet, slicked back from his face.
Time seemed to stop. For a moment, I couldn't comprehend what I was seeing. Him. In Lily's bathroom. Half-naked. His expression shifted from relaxed to horrified as our eyes met.
Tears were already blurring my vision before I choked out his name.
"Bradley?" I whispered, my voice breaking.