The hallway was longer than I thought it would be.
A guard walked in front of me, quiet and stiff. I followed him down marble stairs, past paintings that were probably worth more than my whole life, through hallways that smelled like money and death.
My heart was beating so fast that I thought everyone could hear it.
But I kept my chin up and my face blank. Let them believe I was calm. Let them believe I wasn't scared.
We came to a stop in front of two huge wooden doors. There were voices on the other side. Laughter. The sound of glasses clinking.
The guard opened the doors.
Everyone in the room stopped talking.
Everyone looked at me.
There were at least thirty people sitting around a long table. Every one of them is a wolf. I could feel the power coming from each and every one of them in the air. They were tough. Not safe. And they all looked at me like I was food.
Dante was sitting at the head of the table.
He looked like a king sitting on his throne. Strong. Not able to be touched. His gold eyes locked onto mine the moment I walked in, and the mate bond flared so hard I almost stumbled.
I made myself keep going.
Isabella sat to his right, her expression cold and amused. On his left was a man I did not recognize. Tall, dark-haired, with kind eyes that seemed out of place in this room full of predators.
Dante stood. Everyone else at the table immediately fell silent.
He pointed to an empty chair next to him. In front of Isabella.
The gesture said, "Come here." Come sit next to me.
I wanted to say no. I wanted to get up and leave.
But I wasn't dumb. This was a test. And if I failed, I would lose any little bit of respect I might have gained.
I walked over to the chair and sat down.
Dante sat down after me. Only then did everyone else start to feel better.
The man on Dante's left leaned in and smiled at me. Since I got here, it was the first real smile I had seen.
My wolf said, "He is trying to make you feel better."
I told her to be careful.
The man said, "Hello." My name is Luca. Dante's Beta and, sadly, his best friend.
I said softly, "Bianca."
I understand. He looked at Dante, then back at me. Welcome to the family! Don't let them scare you too much.
I thought it was too late.
Isabella picked up her wine glass and took a slow sip across from me. She was watching me like a cat watches a mouse.
So, she said it out loud. This is the partner.
There were whispers all over the table.
Again, I could feel everyone's eyes on me. Making a judgment. Taking measurements. Figuring out if I was worth the air I was breathing.
Dante said yes. His voice was like a knife cutting through the noise. Bianca is this. My friend. Your Luna.
Someone said, "Luna." She doesn't look like much.
There was a lot of laughter at the table.
My face hurt, but I didn't look away. I focused on breathing and kept my eyes on my plate.
Dante's hand hit the table hard. The sound broke through the room like a gunshot.
Be quiet.
Dante said softly, "Anyone who disrespects my mate disrespects me." And I think we all know what happens to wolves who don't respect me.
No one said anything.
No one even made a sound.
Dante said, "Good." He sat back and waved to the servants who were waiting by the wall. Serve the food.
They moved right away and put plates in front of everyone. The air was full of the smell of cooking meat. I heard my stomach growl, but I didn't pay attention.
Dante said to eat next to me.
I'm not hungry.
You haven't eaten anything all day.
I don't care.
He clenched his jaw, but he didn't push. He simply picked up his fork and began to eat.
Everyone else did what they were told.
I sat there with my hands in my lap and tried to hide.
It didn't work.
A woman's voice came from down the table. Bianca, where did you come from?
I looked up. The woman was pretty. Light-colored hair. Eyes that are blue. A body that could stop cars. She smiled, but it wasn't a nice smile.
I said the auction.
Everyone at the table gasped.
The woman said again, "The auction." You mean you were a slave.
I was in jail.
The same thing. She leaned in, and her smile got bigger. How much did Dante give you?
Luca said sharply, "Giulia." That's enough.
No, she said again. I think we all have the right to know. Our Alpha has tied himself to a wolf that has no pack, no family, and no value. I'm just curious about how much she meant to him.
I said, "Two hundred thousand euros." Even though my hands were shaking, my voice was steady. He gave two hundred thousand euros. I hope that answers your question.
Giulia laughed. The sound was mean. Two hundred thousand. How kind. I guess he felt bad for you.
I said he knew his mate and did what any Alpha would do.
Friend. She said the word like it tasted bad. Do you think the bond makes you special? Do you think it makes you one of us?
I said slowly, "I think that fate doesn't make mistakes."
The table was quiet again.
Giulia's smile went away. Are you saying that I am wrong?
What I'm saying is that Dante would be with you if he were meant to be. But he isn't. He is with me. So maybe you should stop acting like a jilted lover and start acting like a pack member who respects her Alpha's decisions.
Someone gasped.
Isabella really did smile.
Giulia got up so quickly that her chair fell over. You little—
Dante told him to sit down.
His voice was cold. The end.
Giulia stared at him with wide eyes. Alpha, I— Sit. Down.
She sat down.
Everyone in the room was holding their breath.
Dante looked at me. I couldn't read his face, but I could tell he was okay with it through the bond. Little. Angry. But there it is.
He said quietly, "You have fire." Okay. You will need it.
Then he got up and spoke to the table. Bianca is my friend. She is your Luna. And starting tomorrow, she will train with the pack. Speak up now if any of you have a problem with that.
Everyone was quiet.
Dante said, "Good." Dinner is done.
He left without looking back.
Everyone else stood up and started to leave. As they walked by, a few of them looked at me. Most of them didn't even look at me.
Isabella stopped next to my chair. She said, "You did better than I thought you would." But it's easy to say things. You will have to show that you can back them up tomorrow.
She left after that, too.
Luca was the only one left. He walked over and squatted down next to my chair so that we could see each other.
He said that was brave. Dumb, but brave.
I had no choice.
You always have a choice. He grinned. But I think you will surprise everyone, no matter what. You too.
Why are you being so nice to me?
Because someone has to be. He got up and held out his hand to me. Come on. I'll take you back to your room.
I grabbed his hand and let him help me up. My legs were weak, but I made myself walk.
I looked back one more time as we left the dining room.
The table was now empty. But I could still feel all those eyes on me.
Making a judgment about me.
Hating me.
Waiting for me to mess up.
I would have to deal with them again tomorrow.
And this time, words wouldn't be enough.
Luca walked me back without saying a word. He stopped when we got to my door.
He said, "For what it's worth, I'm glad Dante found you."
Why?
He needs someone who won't let him down. He gave me a serious look. This life and this world kill people. But I think you've already been through the worst of it. And you're still here.
Not very much.
Just enough. He smiled once more. Take a break. Training starts at dawn.
What kind of training do you need?
The kind that will either make you stronger or kill you.
Great.
He laughed and left.
I went inside and locked the door behind me. I leaned against it and let myself shake after that.
I had made it through dinner. Not much.
But tomorrow was going to be worse.
A lot worse.
I walked over to the window and looked out at the dark estate. Dante was probably making plans for my future somewhere out there. Figuring out what to do with me. Should you keep me or throw me away?
And I had no choice in any of it.
My wolf moved. She couldn't sit still. Mad.
She growled, "We're not weak."
I understand.
Then show it.
I put my hand on the glass and made a promise to myself.
Tomorrow, I will show them all what I can do.
And if they tried to hurt me, I would hurt them first.
That night, I didn't sleep.
I saw Giulia's angry face every time I closed my eyes. Isabella's smile was cold. How the whole pack had looked at me like I was nothing.
I was tired by the time the sun came up.
But I got out of bed anyway and put on the clothes that were left for me. Pants that are easy to wear. A top with no sleeves. Shoes that are good for running.
There was a knock on the door.
I said, "Come in."
Isabella came in. She looked me up and down and then nodded. Okay. You are all set.
What are you ready for?
Training. She turned around and began to walk. Come with me.
I went down the stairs, through the house, and out into the back courtyard with her.
There were at least twenty wolves waiting for them. They were all wearing training clothes. Everyone was looking at me.
Dante was at the front of the group, arms crossed and a blank look on his face.
When our eyes met, the bond flared up again. More powerful. More hot. Can't be ignored.
He was the first to look away.
He yelled, "Listen up!" This is Bianca. She will start training with you today. She will learn how to fight. To hunt. To stay alive. And if she can't keep up, she will be left behind. Did you get it?
Yes, they all said at once, Alpha.
Okay. He pointed to Isabella. You have her in your hands.
Isabella smiled. The smile wasn't nice.
She said to me, "Welcome to hell." Don't die.
Then she yelled, "Run!" to the group. Ten miles! Go!
They all left.
I stood there, unable to move.
Isabella turned around and looked at me. What are you waiting for? Go!
I ran.
And as I did, I realized something very scary.
This was just the start.