The wolf leaped at Aeryn without notice. She barely had time to scream before Thorne stepped in front of her, stopping the animal mid-jump. The huge gray beast snarled and snapped its teeth, but Thorne held it tightly by the scruff of its neck.
"Enough, Liam!" Thorne's voice boomed through the backyard. "This is your Luna. You will show respect."
The wolf whimpered, then changed form. Where the beast had been, a young man now knelt, his head bowed. "Forgive me, Alpha. I needed to test her reactions."
Aeryn's heart hammered in her chest. They'd barely arrived at Thorne's land, and already she'd been attacked.
"If you ever come near her like that again, I'll rip your throat out myself," Thorne growled, his eyes flashing golden with anger.
Aeryn put a trembling hand on Thorne's arm. "It's okay. I'm not hurt."
Thorne turned to her, his face softening. "This is not how I wanted to welcome you to your new home."
Home. The word felt strange. This massive stone house with its sprawling grounds wasn't home. Home was her little town, her mother's cooking, Lars's teasing. But that life seemed far away now.
A group had gathered to watch the commotion. Aeryn saw curious faces, some friendly, others clearly upset with her presence. A beautiful woman with long dark hair pushed to the front of the crowd.
"So this is her? The omega who somehow snagged our Alpha?" The woman's words dripped with acid.
"Maya," Thorne warned.
Maya ignored him, circling Aeryn like a cat. "She doesn't look special to me. Just a country girl who got lucky."
"That's enough!" Thorne snapped. "Aeryn is my mate and your Luna. You will all treat her with the respect she deserves."
A tall man with kind eyes stepped forward. "Welcome, Luna. I'm Finn, Thorne's beta. Whatever you need, just ask."
Aeryn nodded thanks. At least someone seemed happy to see her.
"Come," Thorne said, taking her hand. "Let me show you our home."
As they walked away, Aeryn felt Maya's eyes burning into her back.
The next few days passed in a blur. Thorne's home was bigger than her entire town. He gave her new clothes, jewelry, and her own room next to his. Every meal felt like a feast. Pack members bowed when she walked by.
But not everyone smiled. Many watched her with cold eyes, muttering when they thought she couldn't hear.
"She'll never last." "He'll tire of her soon." "Poor girl has no idea what she's gotten into."
One afternoon, a knock came at her door. Aeryn opened it to find Mavis standing there, a small bag in her hands.
"Mavis!" Aeryn hugged her friend tight. "How did you get here?"
"Your mother sent me with some of your things." Mavis looked around the luxury room. "Wow. You're really living like a queen now."
Aeryn pulled her inside and closed the door. "It's all so strange. Everything happened so fast."
"Are you happy?" Mavis asked, sitting on the bed.
Aeryn stopped. "I think so. Thorne is... different than I expected. He's kind to me. Protective."
"But?"
"But some of his pack hate me. And I keep hearing things about him, about people he's been with."
Mavis squeezed her hand. "Listen to me, Aeryn. I've heard stories about Thorne for years. He's known for taking women to his bed and then forgetting they exist the next day. The mate bond might keep him faithful for now, but guys like him don't change overnight."
"He says it's different with me," Aeryn said softly.
"They all say that." Mavis looked around uncomfortably, then lowered her voice. "There's something else. I overheard two of his guys talking on my way here. They said something about Thorne's deal with someone named Celeste."
"Who's Celeste?"
"I don't know. But they seemed surprised he marked you when he was meant to marry her."
A cold feeling settled in Aeryn's stomach. "Maybe it's nothing."
"Maybe." Mavis didn't look convinced. "Just be careful, okay? Don't fall too fast."
That night, Thorne took her to a pack party. Under the full moon, wolves danced and feasted around a huge bonfire. For the first time since arriving, Aeryn felt at ease. The music and laughter reminded her of home.
Thorne never left her side, his hand warm in hers. When he looked at her, his blue eyes glowed with something that made her heart race.
"Are you happy here, little wolf?" he asked, moving her hair back from her face.
"I'm still getting used to everything," she revealed.
"You're doing wonderfully." He kissed her face. "Everyone can see how special you are."
"Not everyone," she mumbled, thinking of Maya and the others who glared at her.
Thorne's face darkened. "Has someone been unkind to you?"
"No, it's fine." Aeryn didn't want to cause trouble. "Just normal pack politics, I guess."
"There's nothing normal about disrespecting their Luna." He pulled her closer. "Tell me who, and I'll handle it."
Before she could answer, Finn rushed toward them, his face grim.
"Alpha, we have a problem. Rogues at the north border. At least twenty."
Thorne tensed. "The same ones from the village?"
"Seems like it. They're asking to speak with you... and your new Luna."
Aeryn felt a chill run down her spine. "Me? Why would they want to talk to me?"
Thorne's face turned fierce. "Stay here. I'll deal with this."
"But if they asked for me—" "I said stay here." His voice was strong. "Finn, keep her safe."
As Thorne stalked away, Finn gave her a sorry look. "He's just trying to protect you."
"I know." But she couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to the story. "Finn, who is Celeste?"
The beta's face paled. "Where did you hear that name?"
"It doesn't matter. Who is she?"
Finn sighed. "She's the daughter of a nearby Alpha. There was talk of a union through marriage, but that was before Thorne found you."
"So I ruined his plans?"
"No, Luna. The mate bond trumps all other plans. Even Celeste would understand that."
But the uncomfortable feeling in Aeryn's stomach wouldn't go away.
Later that night, unable to sleep, she slipped out of her room. The halls were quiet as she made her way toward the north side of the area. She just wanted to see what was happening, then she'd go back.
As she neared the forest edge, voices floated toward her. She crept closer, hiding behind a big tree.
"You made a promise, Thorne." A woman's voice, cold and angry.
"That was before I found my true mate." Thorne's voice was equally hard.
"A convenient reason. My father won't accept this abuse."
"Your father understands the rules of our kind. A mate bond can't be broken."
"And what about our child? Will you leave your own blood?"
Aeryn's breath caught in her throat. Child? Thorne had a child?
"Don't play games, Celeste. We both know there is no child."
"Not yet. But there could be. One night, Thorne. That's all I'm asking. Honor your promise, give me a child, and I'll never bother you again."
Aeryn could barely breathe. The woman must be Celeste, the one Finn mentioned.
"My answer is no." Thorne's voice was strong. "My loyalty is to my mate now."
"Then you leave me no choice." Celeste's voice turned cold. "If you won't respect our agreement, I'll make sure your precious mate learns exactly what kind of man you really are. Every woman, every promise you've broken. How long do you think she'll stay once she knows the truth?"
"Leave Aeryn out of this."
"Too late." Celeste laughed bitterly. "The rogues are already moving. Your mate has a very interesting past, Thorne. One that's about to catch up with her."
Aeryn backed away, her heart racing. What did Celeste mean? What past? She turned to run and crashed straight into a strong chest.
"Well, well." The man grabbed her arms, his grip painful. "Look who I found spying."
The stranger's eyes glowed red in the darkness, and Aeryn realized with fear that he wasn't one of Thorne's pack. This was a rogue.
"Let me go!" she fought, but his grip tightened.
"I don't think so, little omega." His smile showed sharp fangs. "You're coming with me. Your real Alpha is waiting."
Real Alpha? Aeryn opened her mouth to scream, but the rogue clamped his hand over it. As he dragged her into the darkness, one terrible thought flashed through her mind: Thorne wasn't the only one keeping secrets.