Thorn Varek's POV
I had slept so long that I forgot I had urgent matters to attend to.
I must have exhausted myself lately.
Looking outside, I saw it was already dark—almost midnight.
I got dressed, recalling the faint chattering I'd heard earlier. It must have been Alex and Kai.
I had forgotten to tell Alex that the execution should not take place.
Stepping outside, the sky was dark. The stars barely shone, but a full moon hovered overhead. I sighed.
I began to hear low murmurs—voices coming from the grounds where executions were held.
Her execution hour had come.
I mind-linked my Beta and Gamma at once.
What is going on?
You're finally up, Kai replied through the link.
I'm on my way to the grounds with the rogue.
Well, since they were already doing it, I would let it happen.
I headed toward the grounds.
When I arrived, my pack greeted me.
I sat on the chair placed for me.
Kai approached.
"Sorry we didn't wake you up," he whispered.
"It's been a while since you had such a good rest. We decided not to interrupt."
"Did you have the dinner Alex prepared?" he added.
"I didn't," I answered.
"There you go again," he muttered, rolling his eyes.
I chuckled. "Stop your drama, Kai," I said with a laugh.
Suddenly, my face went blank as my chest tightened. I clutched at it, and Kai's eyes widened as he mind-linked me.
Alpha, what's wrong?
Only a few people noticed my reaction.
It felt like my wolf was fighting to break free.
A strange sensation flooded my chest—something I'd never felt before.
A scent filled my nose. Sweet… like milk and lavender.
Then it shifted—earthy, dirty.
Mate, my wolf said.
That couldn't be.
I scanned the crowd.
There was no way my mate would just show up like this. I would've known earlier.
No, I told my wolf.
I don't sense a connection with anyone here.
Mate, my wolf repeated again and again.
"Alex," I called, struggling to breathe.
"I think…"
"My mate is here."
Alex's eyes widened—almost falling from his face.
Shock mirrored my own.
The scent grew stronger.
I looked up. Alex was walking forward, flanked by two guards holding a chained girl.
Her skin was pale and dirty. Long white hair fell over her shoulders.
Her head hung low.
Mate, my wolf said again.
Then she looked up. Her blue eyes locked with mine.
"MATE!" I shouted—I couldn't hold it in any longer.
I stood from my seat and stepped toward her.
My eyes didn't leave hers.
She didn't look away.
Suddenly, a sharp metal object pierced my back.
Gasps erupted around me.
I felt the blood begin to run down.
Even as pain rippled through me, I didn't take my eyes off her.
I could've sworn she had a smug smirk on her face.
Alex rushed toward me.
"Are you alright?" he asked urgently.
"Who threw that dagger?!" Kai roared at the crowd.
His fury was unmatched—someone had dared harm me.
I heard murmurs.
No one admitted it. But I knew.
It was her. The girl.
I reached back and pulled the dagger from my flesh.
My mate did, I mind-linked Kai.
That smirk… she definitely did it.
She had the rare ability—summoning weapons.
A slow grin spread across my face.
Her almost happy expression vanished.
My wound healed almost instantly.
"She is my mate," I finally said, breaking the tense silence.
The whispers started again.
"A rogue can't become our Luna."
"He actually found her…"
Some were shocked. Others angry.
The long-awaited Luna… a rogue.
"What?!" she exclaimed.
She knew. But she was clearly in denial.
The feelings rushed in—desire, need, and something more… something overwhelming.
Nothing else mattered.
All I wanted was to go to her.
Ten years I'd waited for my mate.
Now here she was.
Our eyes didn't break contact.
I stepped closer.
I raised a hand and placed it gently on her cheek.
It was dirty, but I didn't care.
"You are my mate," I said softly, eyes calm, almost pleading.
She struggled to accept it.
My wolf, who had been restless, finally stilled the moment we touched.
Without hesitation, I broke the chains and lifted her into my arms.
Adjourn the gathering, I mind-linked Kai and Alex.
I carried her home.
I still couldn't believe she'd come to me this way.
Once inside, I noticed her eyes roaming the space.
I carried her to the bathroom.
Earlier, I had prepared a bath, expecting I'd want one after returning.
Gently, I set her down.
Looking at her, she was clearly worn out. Her dress was in rags.
I reached for her clothing—
"I will do it myself," she said, pushing my hands away softly.
"I'll wash up alone too," she added, seeing I hadn't moved.
I hesitated.
So many thoughts ran through my mind.
Would she vanish if I left?
I would not let her if she dared.
"I'll be in the room," I said, turning away.
"You can put on any of the shirts there."
Good thing I had awoken just in time, else my mate would have been no more and I would have no one to blame.
I stepped out, waiting right outside the bathroom door—for my Luna.
I began to wonder how beautiful she would look—truly look—once cleaned up.
I couldn't get her out of my mind.
It was as if she had complete control over me.
I just needed to stay calm.
But all I could feel from my wolf was the intense urge to mark her right now.
She looked so small, so fragile, that I couldn't help but wonder how much suffering she'd endured before we captured her.
"Agh!" I heard her cry out in pain.
I rushed over, almost barging in.
"Don't come in," she said, her voice low and str
ained. She sounded like she was hurting.
I wanted to go in.
I had to summon every ounce of strength not to open that door and check on her.
I didn't want her to be in pain—not anymore.