Chapter 4 04

GWEN

When I opened my eyes, the fire was almost out. A calm morning light filtered through the curtains, soft and gray. I turn to the other side of the bed. It was empty.

He was gone.

A dull ache throbbed between my legs, and I winced as I sat up slowly, wrapping the sheet around me. My body was sore, tender in places that hadn't been touched before.

Alpha Conan hadn't kissed me. Not once. There was no emotional connection last night. He just took what was needed, what was agreed.

That was what I was here for, wasn't it?

A surrogate

Not a mate. Not a lover. Not a choice.

I stared at the ceiling and let the truth settle over me like cold water. I'd given my virginity to a man who didn't even want to see me in the morning.

Because I was Nothing more than a duty.

A Knock came at the door.

I stayed still, bracing.

It wasnt the Omega from yesterday.

"Lady Gwen?" She called softly

"Come in" I say, my voice barely above a whisper.

She stepped inside with a tray of tea and warm bread. Her face was unreadable, calm. And professional. She looked like she was in her 50's

"My name is Raya,I am to be your personal maid," she begins " The Alpha asks that you walk the grounds with Beta Lucas. He has work to attend to. He shall see you at dinner."

I have a small nod and try to stretch without grimacing

Raya eyes me knowingly. "You will be sore for a day or two. Try not to limp. They will be watching you closely. You will be expected in the West training ground after breakfast".

I nodded and reached for the tea. She didn't leave right away. I glanced up and caught her watching me with a small frown.

"What is it?"

She hesitated, then said carefully

"Your scent... it's different".

My brows pulled together. " different how?"

"It's sweeter and.. stronger,". She said almost whispering. "Not from being with the Alpha last night. It's different. It's... lingering. Oh never mind. It's probably just me."

But I saw doubt flicker in her face before she turned and left.

Beta lucas met me at the stairs. He didn't say much at first, just nodded for me to follow as we moved through the inner territory. We passed warriors, patrol units and the training field where two she Wolves were sparring with daggers.

The Sun was bright on the sand but i felt a chill on my skin.

Lucas's eyes drifted towards me now and then. He was trying not to be obvious.

"What?" I asked after the third glance.

He scratched his jaw. "Nothing"

"Beta Lu–"

"It's your scent" he cuts me off "and call me Lucas"

I stared at him, "what about it?"

"It's stronger,Different and... sweeter, And I am a mated Wolf. I caught it on Conan too, before he left the hall this morning."

I looked away, something fluttering low in my belly.

"It doesn't mean anything" I say quickly.

Beta Lucas gives me a slow nod, but he looked unconvinced. "If you say so"

We walked on.

Eventually, the forest thickened around us.

"This is the outer border". Lucas said. "We clear this path daily. Helps to keep the rogues away".

I didn't get a chance to ask why.

Because that's when the wind shifted.

And something leapt from the shadows.

A massive, feral rogue came crashing through the trees. His fur was mottled with dirt and scars. His eyes were red and wild. Lucas shoved me aside and shifted halfway, just enough to meet the wolf's teeth with his own claws.

The forest echoed with snarls and thudding paws.

The rogue fought like he was starving. And worse, he was... targeting me?

I tried to stay behind Lucas. I couldn't shift because of my rejection, but the Wolf broke free and lunged at me.

His claws slashed at me, tearing my clothes and into my flesh.

Pain exploded through my ribs. I Cried out.

Lucas went mad with fury. He tackled the rogue and Tore into him. It was over in seconds.

"Gwen!" Lucas was at my side, holding me upright.

"I feel dizzy" I say

"Stay with me" he says but I don't understand

"I'm fine," I whispered, but the ground was spinning. My fingers were sticky with blood. " Just...dizzy"

Then everything went dark.

I woke to the soft scent of herbs and burning sage.

The pain in my side was sharp- wrapped in healing bandages. I should have been healed by now. The rejection weakened my Wolf, so I will heal slowly. I shifted slightly and winced.

"You're awake," came a deep voice. Calm. Familiar.

Alpha Conan.

He stood near the corner, arms crossed, watching me.

I swallowed "I thought you were busy?"

"I was" he said. "Then Lucas mindlinked me"

He came closer, stepping into the dim light.

I sat up slowly "Lucas– did he tell you what happened?"

"Yes." His voice dropped lower. "The rogue... was targeting you. Almost As if it knew your scent".

I felt a chill run through my spine " why would it?"

He didn't answer. Instead, he sat at the edge of the bed and reached for my wrist.

"Let me see"

I have him my arm, the reached closer.

The moment his fingers touched my skin.

The world shifted.

The pain faded. The air thickened between us.

My heart skipped a beat once, the twice.

His scent filled my lungs like wildfire.

His thumb brushed over my pulse. Slowly.

"What was that?" I whispered

It wasnt a mate bond. I knew how the mate bond felt like. And this feeling wasn't it. It was different. Calm, pulling, addicting. I couldn't explain it.

My Wolf shifted. Something had happened. What was it?

His jaw tensed "it's not possible".

I swallowed hard. "What do you mean?"

His hand tightened for just a second. Then he pulled away.

"You need rest," he said quietly, standing.

He walked to the door and paused like he wanted to say more– but didn't.

Then he was gone.

I lay in the quiet again. Staring at the ceiling, heart pounding in my chest.

What I felt wasn't the mate bond. But what was that?

They say second chance mates was nearly impossible.

But I know something happened

And we'd both felt it.

Far off, somewhere in the forest, a single bowl broke the silence.

Low.

Long.

Not a warning.

But a realization.

Something was changing.