Chapter 2

Violet's POV

Dying was never an item on my to-do list, but apparently, the White Moon pack had other plans.

I should have known that sneaking through their territory was a bad idea. Scratch that -- I knew it was a bad idea but when you're a rogue with nowhere else to go, you take risks.

Unfortunately, my luck ran out faster than my breath did when six warriors tackled me to the ground.

Now, here I was, tied up like a criminal, waiting for my turn to die.

The air was thick with the stench of old blood and wet stone and the room was damp and dark. A ray of the moon's silver light streamed through the small, barred window. This place was clearly a dungeon.

My wrists ached from the rough ropes binding them and my throat was drier than the smile of the guard standing watch.

The guard, pacing in front of my cell. Now, I know why from among the six warriors that caught me, he was stationed here. The man was a massive wall of muscle with a thick scar cutting across his left eye. Any escape attempt and he will kill me.

He snorted a laugh and pointed at me.  "Look at you, a weak rogue thinking she could sneak into our land. You're lucky Alpha Aaron hasn't ordered your execution yet."

Ah, so that was the charming Alpha of White Moon, Alpha Aaron.

I had heard of him before. Well, who hadn't?

The man was the most ruthless, battle-scarred warrior who took over his pack after his entire family was brutally massacred. The rumours were he had one mission : find the traitors and make them suffer a fate worse than death. That was the man who would become my executioner in the next hour.

I wasn't going to let that happen.

It was never my intention to get caught but the moment I heard his name, a wild idea struck me. A desperate, insane, probably-going-to-get-me killed kind of idea.

I had something the Alpha wanted.

"Take me to Alpha Aaron," I said with a smile. "I have very important information for him."

The guard scoffed. "Rogues don't make demands, sweetheart. You'll be dead by sunrise."

I swallowed hard. Not that I could help it.

"Wait..."I paused, trying to keep the trembling out of my voice. Then I went on. "Tell him I know something about the people he's looking for -- the ones who betrayed his family."

Now, that got his attention. The guard's eyes narrowed and he smirked.

"You're bluffing."

I shrugged, even though their ropes were burning through my wrists.

"Maybe, I'm bluffing. Maybe, I'm not. If I die, this secret dies with me. Are you willing to risk that?"

The guard snorted. Then with an irritated grunt, he turned on his heels and stormed away.

I exhaled shakily, my heart hammering against my ribcage.

My Mission to Stay Alive has just begun.

Now, came the toughest part -- convincing a vengeful, possibly unhinged Alpha to spare my life.

I waited for hours and was almost on the verge of giving up hope until heavy footsteps echoed in the hall.

The air shifted as though charged with electricity. Something was coming. Something big.

I steeled my spine, waiting in anticipation for whoever was making his way here.

When he stepped into view, the air thickened so hard I could taste it.

Silver eyes that looked like the edge of a blade, cold and sharp; tousled dark hair and jagged scars on his forearms, proof of any man that had survived countless battles. He stepped forward and I could see how impossibly tall he was. This man was no ordinary man. He must be Alpha Aaron.

"Start talking." He said. No introductions or exchanged pleasantries. This man was the real deal.

My heart was beating wildly in my chest but I refused to let my fear show. I met his gaze and began. "I will start talking but I want something in return."

The guard from earlier growled. "I thought I told you rogues don't make demands!"

Alpha Aaron lifted his hand to silence the man.

Then he looked at me. His cold expression didn't change but amusement danced in his eyes. "You're either very brave or either very stupid."

I forced a smile. "I think it's a little bit of both."

His lips twitched before the cold mask returned. "What do you want?"

I inhaled softly. "Make me your Luna."

The silence that followed was deafening.

One of the guards actually choked on a light while the others bit back exploding laughter.

Alpha Aaron's eyes darkened and at that moment, I realized I had fucked up.

"Excuse me?" He raised an eyebrow.

I swallowed the lump in my throat. "You're looking for revenge, right? The traitors who betrayed your family? I know who they are and where they are."

He didn't even react. I felt like I was pouring water on a rock.

"Keep going." He didn't even blink.

I cleared my throat. "They're in the Midnight pack. These people deserve to suffer for what they did, and only I can help you do it but... but I need your protection. I need a new pack. I need...to be your Luna."

"And you need a Luna." I added.

Aaron exhaled slowly and stepped closer. The air between us thinned and I nearly sank beneath his scorching gaze.

"What makes you think that you're worthy of being my Luna?" He asked, his tone soft yet dangerous.

Sweat trickled down my spine but I couldn't hesitate, I couldn't back down. He knew what he was doing and so was I.

I answered. "Because we have one thing in common."

"And what's that?" He asked as though challenging me.

"I hate them as much as you do."

His eyes went round for a second. That got him.

He dragged his eyes over me, assessing me. I was nothing more than a petite wolf with wet clothes, bruised wrists and the defiance I refused to let go. I expected him to laugh or go "off with her head"

Instead, he did what I never expected. He laughed. A low, dark and an entirely amused laugh.

"You're insane." He added.

I smiled, my tensed body relaxing. "So I've been told."

He gave me another look before taking a step back. "Untie her."

The guards exchanged confused looks.

"Untie her." Aaron repeated coldly.

Without hesitation, the guards moved on command. The ropes tying my hands, loosened and I massaged my sore wrists.

When I looked up, Aaron was staring at me.

"Is something wrong?" I asked, confused at the unreadable look in his eyes.

He tucked a loose strand behind my ear and replied. "Fine. You will be my Luna."