His Identity

[Lucian’s POV]

I wait as the woman stares at me, truly considering what it is that I’ve asked her, and from the look of disbelief that sparkles in those silver eyes of hers, I know that she isn’t taking me seriously.

Whatever. I think inwardly. Don’t take me seriously; it doesn’t matter what you think anyway.

Given our current positions, the only thing that she could do was go along with me. I already bought her, which meant that she belonged to me, and if she wanted to pay me back, she could do this for me.

“Did you suffer brain damage?” She finally asks, eyeing me like I was an idiot.

“Pardon?” Out of all the things I was expecting for her to respond with, that most certainly wasn’t it. “What did you…?”

“You want me to pretend to be your fiancée,” she continues. “Me of all people? Are you out of your fucking mind, or do you live under a rock?”

Frowning, I consider what it is that she is saying as I wonder what exactly it is that she is referring to.

“Let me spell it out for you.” She sighs, showing me just how fierce she is despite her being raised in the auction house. I was certain that she probably suffered many beatings, hell, the proof of that was all over her body. “I am cursed,” she continues slowly. “Cursed. Why do you think no one has ever bought me? It’s because I bring ruin to whoever is around me.”

Remaining silent, I take in her words, really considering what it is that she is saying. Of course, I knew all about her and her past. How could I not do my own research after feeling the mate bond with this feral woman in front of me?

I knew about the decimation of her pack and the reasoning behind it, but was she really thinking that happened because she was cursed?

Well, maybe I could help her to alleviate some of the guilt that she was living with all this time.

“Are you referring to what happened to your pack?” I ask, not beating around the bush. “You think that you were the one that brought ruin to them? You’re wrong,” I continue. “The reason your pack was wiped off the map was because of the greed of another.”

My brother. I think inwardly, wondering how she would feel if I told her that I was related to the very person who took everything away from her. Would it make her hate me more than she already hated me, or would she be more willing to help me?

As of now, we had a similar enemy, and that would work out in both our favors if she was willing to work with me.

“So, you do know about me.” She laughs. “I guess you did your research.”

“Pandora Oliver, 21 years old, the only daughter of the late alpha and luna of Crescent Moon. Your parents and pack were killed when you were only ten because the alpha of Onyx Moon wanted a marriage alliance, but your parents refused. Because of their refusal, Onyx Moon attacked. After that you were sent to the auctions, where you remained because no one dared to test the power of Onyx Moon. Am I correct?”

“For most,” she confirms. “But there’s one thing you’re wrong about.”

“And what is that?” I ask curiously.

“My name. Pandora died the night Crescent Moon was destroyed. Since that day I have been Four.”

“Four,” I repeat. “Like the number.”

“That’s correct.” She confirms. “It was the number I was given when I entered the auctions, and it has been what I have been called since that day.”

“Are you saying that you prefer to have that name over your original one?”

“Yes,” she nods, her expression blank, her voice hollow. “That girl back then has been gone for a very long time. I don’t wish to associate myself with her because she was weak and unable to protect those that she cared for the most.”

Remaining silent, I process Pandora’s words as my heart and wolf ache for her, for our mate who has been in so much pain for so many years.

“You were nothing more than a child.” I point out, but stop as she gives me a growl of warning. “If you had fought back, you would be dead.”

“Better dead than alive when everyone else was killed because of me.” She points out. “At least then their faces and voices wouldn’t haunt me.”

As she speaks, I can see her walls growing taller and thicker, surrounding her, making it impossible for anyone to scale or even break, but I wasn’t going to give up so easily.

“Say you did die back then,” I begin, deciding to show all my cards. “What then?”

“Then I would be at peace.” She responds as though it is the most natural thing. “That’s such a ridiculous…”

“It isn’t,” I counter. “If everyone died that night, who would be around to take revenge on the ones who stole everything?”

Here it was, my offering, and I was certain that once I laid it out on the table, she would take it. Well, if she didn’t consider me to be the enemy as well.

“And how do I do such a thing?” She demands. “I am only one person. How can…”

“With my help.” I announce. “If you help me achieve my goals, I will help you take down those who took everything from you.”

“Are you saying you’re willing to destroy Onyx Moon? You do know that if anyone heard that, you could be executed.”

At her words a burst of laughter escapes me over how cute she sounds.

“Are you worrying about me?” I ask in amusement. “And here I thought that you hated my guts.”

“Don’t try to twist my words.” She snaps. “Onyx Moon is the strongest pack out there, and anyone who dares to go against them will end up like my pack.”

“Not if they’re a member of Onyx Moon.” I point out and then enjoy the look that crosses her face.

“What?” She gasps, her eyes growing wide. “What the fuck did you just say?”

“You heard me.” I respond. “Go ahead, why don’t you ask me who I am since you haven’t thought to ask it yet?”

“Why should I?” She counters, her spikes coming out. “That isn’t…”

“My name is Lucian De’Ortiz.” I respond despite her trying to act indifferent. “I am the second son of Angelo De’Ortiz, the alpha of Onyx Moon, and second in line for the position of alpha once my father retires, as long as my brother is out of the way.”