Chapter 4

LEON'S POV My hatred for the Gerard pack runs deeper than anything else. My Pack, the Golden Crown pack, once thrived on a vast territory deep in the forest. I spent my childhood in a wooden cabin there, surrounded by ancient trees and the sounds of nature. Those memories are vibrant and alive, filled with laughter, adventure, and the warmth of family. But they were reduced to ashes by the Gerard pack, forcing us to flee to a strange land with bizarre conditions. That loss is a wound that can never truly heal. In fact, God knows how we even survived. My father was a strong and proud Alpha, who had to rebuild our business empire from scratch. I remember him hunched over his desk through the night, strategizing and making deals. He would never forget the shame of losing our land and the lives of our kin, and neither would I. The place we relocated to was a different world, one we had to adapt to and survive in, but it was never truly home. On his deathbed, Father looked at me with pain-filled eyes. "Leon," he called to me in an uncharacteristically weak yet authoritative voice that brought tears to my eyes, "never forget the shame of having our territory destroyed. You will take back what is ours. You will make them pay for what they did to us." Those words have been my guiding light, my driving force. Even now, as I stand on the precipice of a new battle, I can still hear Father's voice urging me forward. The hatred for the Gerard pack runs deeper than anything. Nowadays, the Gerard pack's Alpha Matthew is a coward who never attends gatherings I'm present at, yet enjoys mocking me at the ones I miss. The gentle music plays in my ears as I scan the room, unsurprised to not find Matthew's presence - it's bound to be a dull night. Suddenly, my wolf Rion stirs within me. "Buddy," he whispers excitedly. My heart skips a beat. I begin scanning the crowd, my eyes searching for the source of this sudden revelation. Then I see her. Among the elegantly dressed guests, she stands out like a beacon. The world around her seems to blur and fade, leaving only her in sharp focus. Waves of curiosity and undeniable attraction wash over me. She is utterly captivating, her mere silhouette commanding my full attention. Rion urges me forward. "Go to her," he insists. "She's ours," Rion growls softly, brimming with possessiveness. In those three short seconds, I consider a million pickup lines, all of which turn to stunned silence when I see my mate's face. The Moon Goddess has a cruel sense of humor - my mate is the Luna of my sworn enemy? Irene turns and strides towards me. My breathing grows rapid, my pulse quickening. The closer she gets, the more I can smell her scent - a heady blend of sweetness and warmth, with notes of fresh greenery that fill me with both calm and longing. She is now just feet away, and it feels like the entire room has disappeared, leaving just the two of us. Our eyes meet, and I see a familiar flicker in her gaze. Does she feel it too? That bond tying us together, that magnetic pull? "Hello," I say, my voice calm despite the storm of emotions within. "Hi," she replies, her tone soft yet steady. Her eyes are a deep blue, filled with curiosity and caution. What brings her here? "I'm Leon," I introduce myself, extending a hand. "Irene," she answers, taking my hand. Her touch sends a jolt through me, I can even feel my groin stir, my mind flashing with sparks from just my mate's touch. Rion growls in my mind, and it seems like the only word I can form is fuck. But I doubt any woman would appreciate a man saying that upon first meeting. "Enjoying the party?" I ask, more to break the silence than out of genuine curiosity. Besides that matter, I have nothing else to say to her. How strange! "It's...lively," she replies, a hint of a smile playing on her lips. "But I'm not much for these kinds of events." I nod in understanding. "Neither am I. Too ostentatious, lacking in substance." Her smile brightens, and I feel an odd sense of pride at being able to make her smile. "Indeed," she agrees. "I prefer quieter settings." The conversation flows smoothly, and I find myself growing more intrigued by her. She is intelligent, kind, with a quiet strength that captivates me. But our realities loom over us. She is part of Matthew's pack - I need to learn more about her situation. "So what is an enemy Luna doing here unguarded?" I boldly ask. Time to get down to business. "I suppose it did take you a while to ask that pertinent question," she replies, her eyes filled with genuine interest. "But I am no longer Matthew's mate, nor his Luna." The Goddess! Thank you for this gift. I have to work to suppress the upturned corners of my mouth - from any angle, this is a development of the highest delight. I try to cough to cover my elation, feigning nonchalance as I inquire, "That is indeed a sad turn of events. So what brings you to the gathering?" I can see she is deeply uncomfortable now, seeming filled with fear and tension, and it tugs at my heart. I wish she would unburden herself to me, and I would comfort her, then take her to my bed to help her through this painful night - "I hope you can believe what I'm about to say," Irene says, biting her lip, the friction making it appear even redder as I can't help but swallow hard, listening intently. "Matthew betrayed me. That's why I left the pack. And I need your help to carry out my plan for revenge." Good! She blurts it out quickly. Her candor hangs in the air, and at the thought of Matthew's impending downfall, a flicker of glee passes through me before being replaced by fury. How dare he treat her like that? My mate? Rage rises within me, coupled with an intense desire to protect her, to comfort her in any way I can. But I know I must tread carefully. I don't want to scare her off. I also haven't verified the veracity of her claims. She seems to sense my doubt but presses on undeterred. "The information I have can destroy Matthew. Will you help me?" I look at her, searching her gaze, then slowly extend my hand. She places a small USB drive in my palm, our fingers brushing briefly. The jolt between us is palpable. I grip the drive, feeling its weight as I ponder what could be stored inside. Could this be a trap by Matthew? Irene's reputation in the pack may even exceed Matthew's - a renowned human Luna whose love story with Matthew was even featured in magazines. I steady myself - this also concerns my pack. "Why should I help you?" I ask coolly. She meets my gaze, her eyes filled with desperation and resolve. "Because Matthew is a threat to us both," she begins. "He's not just my personal enemy. He's a threat to anyone who opposes him. You've seen his behavior, his callousness. If he's allowed to continue operating his way, it won't just be my life he destroys. It could be yours. Your pack's." Her words resonate deeply. For years, Matthew's ambition and lack of ethics have been a thorn in my side. But hearing Irene voice it, knowing the personal cost she has paid, makes it feel more visceral. "He betrayed me in the worst way," Irene continues, her voice wavering slightly. "He cheated on me with my own sister, and now he's cast me out, saying I'm unfit to be his Luna. I have to make him pay for what he's done to me." I grit my teeth, fury rising within me at the thought of how Matthew treated Irene. We discuss further the specifics of the information she has, and how we can use it to take down Matthew. From the way she speaks, I can tell Irene is highly intelligent and cunning - I admire the strength she displays in the face of such betrayal. "I have to go, I can't let Matthew find out I came to see you," she says softly. "You can take the time to verify if my actions are genuine." I watch her lithe form disappear from my sight, and a heaviness settles within me. What kind of woman is Irene? A human, yet possessing a resilience rivaling werewolves. Her reputation alone proves she was an exceptional Luna. She gave up everything to join the pack, only for Matthew to put her through hell in the end. But she hasn't been beaten down - instead, she chooses to fight back. She is an undeniable force to be reckoned with. Now that she has been confirmed as my mate, is the time finally ripe to exact revenge on Matthew?