CHAPTER 35: TERRIFYING TRUTH

His words hung in the air, lingering around like smoke I couldn’t breathe through.

Every time he got this close—his voice low, his scent in the room—I forgot where I stood. Or maybe, I just didn’t know anymore.

The Alpha’s breeding mate. The girl marked with dangerous power. The one who wasn’t supposed to have a wolf. The Omega.

I blinked up at him, my heart beating too fast for its own good. "You don’t mean that," I whispered, trying to convince myself.

He tilted his head, his thumb brushing my lower lip like he was tracing something invisible. "Don’t I?"

Before I could reply, there was a knock on the door. Sharp. Urgent.

Dawn let out a short growl, one that rumbled through his chest. His hand dropped from my face, and he turned toward the door. "What?"

I took a breath of relief as I watched his back to me moving to answer the door.

The door opened just enough for one of the Pack’s committee members to step inside. A woman in a grey robe—tall, older, and nervous under Dawn’s dark stare. She bowed her head immediately.

"Forgive the interruption, Alpha," she said, voice steady but cautious. "Alpha Kieran has arrived. He’s waiting for you in the council chamber."

Dawn’s jaw flexed. "Now?"

"Yes, Alpha. He said it was urgent."

He exhaled, slow and heavy, then turned his gaze back to me. "Stay here."

I frowned. "I—"

"I mean it, Bambi." His tone softened but still carried the authority that made my stomach twist. "Do not leave this room until I get back. Do you understand?"

I nodded, even though something in me rebelled against his command.

He gave me one last look, the kind that felt like a warning and a promise at once. Then he left, the door shutting quietly behind him.

The silence that followed was unbearable.

For a few minutes, I just stood there, staring at the door he’d disappeared through. Then, slowly, I looked around the room—the rumpled bed, the food still untouched, the folded dress laid neatly over the chair.

The dress.

It was one of the ones his servants had brought me early that morning. Soft lavender fabric, simple but elegant—nothing like the dull clothes I usually wore.

I sighed. I couldn’t just sit here waiting like a prisoner.

I changed quickly, pulling the dress over my head. It fit perfectly, hugging my waist and flowing just above my knees. My hair fell over my shoulders, a bit messy, but I didn’t care. I needed air. Space. Silence that didn’t have his scent in every corner.

I walked to the door, hesitating for only a moment before stepping out.

The hallway was quiet. Morning light pierced through the tall windows, painting everything gold. The walls were decorated with the Alpha’s family crest—wolves beneath a full moon, symbols of power and legacy.

I kept my head down as I made my way to the elevator.

When the metal doors slid open, I stepped inside, pressing the button for my floor. The soft noise of the machinery filled the silence. I leaned against the wall, exhaling a long, tired breath.

But then—just before the doors closed completely—someone else slipped in.

I froze.

The scent hit me first. Sweet but sharp. Like jasmine hiding something metallic around the corner.

Luna Odessa.

Her presence filled the small space. I recalled what Alpha Dawn said about choosing me as the next Luna. Can I even pull that? Odessa had the aura. When she steps into a room filled with people, head turns. When you take one glance at her, you know instantly that she held a very high position. I held none of those traits. I mean, how could I? I was an Omega. Even if Alpha Dawn did not know that i was an Omega, I’m sure he sees that the aura of a Luna was non-existent in me. He knows I don’t fit to be his Luna yet, he is still pushing it for his own selfish interest.

She looked flawless, as always—her hair coiled in a perfect twist, her green dress hugging her tall figure. Her lips curved into a smile that didn’t reach her eyes.

"Well, if it isn’t the Alpha’s little project," she murmured.

I swallowed hard, forcing my hands to stay still. "Luna."

She pressed the button for the upper floor—the one that led to her private quarters—and the elevator began to move.

For a few seconds, there was only the sound of the machine. Then, she turned to me, eyes gleaming. "You’ve been busy, haven’t you, Bambi?"

I blinked, unsure what to say.

"Don’t look so startled," she continued softly. "I hear things. I see things. You think I don’t know where you’ve been staying?"

My throat tightened. "It wasn’t my choice."

"Oh, I’m sure it wasn’t," she said, tilting her head. "He took you, didn’t he? Moved you into his quarters. Such a bold move for someone who swore you were only a breeder."

I stayed silent, my fingers gripping the side rail for balance.

She smiled again, cruel and graceful. "Relax. I’ve changed my mind."

That caught my attention. "What?"

"I said, I’ve changed my mind. I don’t need you anymore for the little plan I had."

Her tone was too calm, too deliberate.

I frowned, trying to steady my voice. "So... what happens now?"

She glanced at me, her reflection catching in the elevator’s metallic wall. "Now? Nothing. You’ll go back to your little chores. Keep pretending you belong here until you finally realize you don’t."

I stiffened. "You promised not to expose me."

Odessa’s smile widened just slightly. "I did. But promises are such fragile things, don’t you think? I’ll think about it."

The elevator stopped with a soft chime. The doors slid open.

She turned to leave, pausing briefly at the doorway. "You should’ve stayed out of his sight, little Omega. You don’t know what kind of man you’ve tied yourself to."

I met her gaze, forcing strength into my voice. "Maybe I do."

Her expression faltered for just a second, then returned to its perfect mask. "Oh, you don’t, trust me. I was going to deal with you by using you for the plan I had but I changed my mind because I figured Alpha Dawn will do that himself. You’ll regret ever getting attached to that man."

She leaned in slightly. "A small hint here, little project. Alpha Dawn met me when I was struggling and made me his Luna. The same pattern he is trying with you. Enjoy Alpha Dawn slowly transforming you into a miserable person like he tried to do with me."

And with that, she was gone.

The doors closed again, trapping me alone in the elevator, my pulse racing.

Her words echoed in my head long after I reached my floor.

I stepped out, walking slowly down the corridor toward my bedroom. The walls seemed taller than before. I fought to breath steadily. I didn’t know if it was fear or anger rising in me—or maybe both.

When I reached my door, I hesitated before going in. My hand rested on the handle, my heart still beating too fast.

"Enjoy Alpha Dawn slowly transforming you into a miserable person like he tried to do with me."

Her voice replayed again and again. What was she talking about? What did she mean by that? And why now—after everything?

Inside my room, the air smelled faintly of lavender and dust. The bed was neatly made, the window curtains drawn open. Everything looked exactly as I had left it—untouched, lifeless.

I sank onto the edge of the bed, my fingers trembling slightly.

For the first time since last night, I wished Dawn hadn’t left me alone. I hated admitting it, but his presence—his control—had become the only thing keeping my fear from swallowing me whole. Which was why I believe I was in deep trouble. If Luna Odessa wasn’t bluffing, I was in deep trouble. Because I wasn’t ready to let go of whatever connection I had with the Alpha. If he wanted to scheme against me like Luna suggested, he can and he would.

I pressed a hand over my thumping heart. I wasn’t even sure if it was thumping out of fear of what the Luna had said or our of the reminder of Alpha Dawn leaving a piece of his in me by marking me.

Yeah, I was in deep trouble.

"I don’t belong here," I whispered to myself. "But maybe... I was never meant to."

I lay back, staring at the ceiling again.

The thumping of my heart. The mark Alpha Dawn left. And then, my mate that only appeared in a splitting second and disappeared like it was never there. Everything linked to Alpha Dawn.

Even miles away in the council chamber, I still feel him inside me, a quiet sound I couldn’t shut out.

And in that strange connection, I found a small, terrifying truth.

I was deep into whatever feelings I had for him. It was too late to go back.