Jasper pushed himself up, astonished, as he wiped the blood from his mouth. "What do you mean?" he shot back at Christopher, his voice tinged with fury and a trace of desperation. "What do you mean she's your mate? You think you can just stroll into my pack and spew nonsense, just because you're Lord Alpha?"
Christopher's gaze was fixed on me, sending a chill down my spine. His commanding presence enveloped the room, and his voice was deep and authoritative. "I mean that I can sense the bond we share," he declared, his eyes locked onto mine. "I can smell your wolf, Susan. You are my mate."
My wolf stirred within me, celebrating our connection. A wave of wonder and awe washed over me, filling my heart with hope. Could it really be? Was Alpha Christopher truly my fated mate?
Zara rose to her feet, her movements playful as she extended her hand to Alpha Christopher. "Hello, Alpha Christopher! It's such a pleasure to meet you. You're even more striking in person! I'm a big admirer of your artwork!" She fluttered her eyelashes, but Christopher's face remained unyielding.
"Cut the act, Zara," he growled, his tone laced with contempt. "I'm not here for socializing," he said, pushing her aside. He shifted his focus to Jasper, his gaze sharp. "What were you doing to this girl?" he demanded, his voice authoritative and unwavering.
Jasper's expression contorted with rage, yet he took a step back, his eyes flickering nervously to Christopher's. "This doesn't concern you, Alpha Christopher," he retorted, attempting to hold onto his bravado. "You're intruding on my affairs, this is my domain! My pack!"
Christopher's eyes blazed with fury as he advanced toward Jasper. "One more word from you, Alpha Jasper, and I’ll demonstrate exactly why I hold the title of Lord Alpha," he growled, his tone low and threatening. "If you want to avoid having your name submitted to the wolf council for a demotion, you better answer the damn question! Why are you punishing her?"
Jasper's complexion drained, and he gulped nervously. He understood the consequences of defying the Lord Alpha. "She's— my mate," he stuttered, struggling to uphold his falsehood. "I was merely disciplining her for her disobedience."
I clenched my jaw, fighting through the pain, and interjected. "I'm not his mate," I declared, my voice steady and unwavering. "I’m his surrogate. I bore his children for him and his barren fiancée. They’ve turned my life into a nightmare for years."
Zara gasped in disbelief, then chimed in. "That's a lie!" she screeched, her voice high-pitched. "Susan's wolf is possessed. You can't trust her, Alpha Christopher."
Yet Christopher's face remained inscrutable. "I will only heed the words of my mate," he stated, his gaze fixed on mine. He reached into his pocket and retrieved a letter. "The Alpha General is on the hunt for his missing niece, abducted by rogues years ago. We believe she’s still alive, and whoever finds her will receive a reward of five million dollars."
Zara's eyes sparkled with avarice as she quickly grabbed the envelope from Jasper's grasp. "Wow, Alpha Christopher, that’s an incredible amount!" she exclaimed, her voice laced with enthusiasm. "We promise to help you find her! Let’s go over the details!”
Christopher's gaze sharpened as he faced Jasper. "You really think you can make promises, Zara? Jasper, it's time to train your mate; she needs to grasp what it means to be a true Luna," he said, his tone laced with contempt.
Jasper's face reddened with anger. "How dare you!" he snarled. "You have no right to interfere in my pack's affairs!"
Christopher's smile was cold and calculated. "I have every right," he said, his voice dripping with authority. "As the Lord Alpha, it's my duty to protect the innocent and punish those who abuse their power."
Without waiting for a response, Christopher lifted me effortlessly into his arms, cradling me like a bride, and carried me out of the house.
Christopher's eyes locked onto mine, and I felt a shiver run down my spine, not out of fear but pure attraction that even made my wolf growl in pleasure.
"You're safe now, Susan," he whispered, his voice low and soothing. "You'll never have to go back to that place again."
