Chapter 3

Falon Haynes POV: The heavy cedar scent and the burning memories of last night still haunted my senses as we walked out of the university library. Suddenly, a faint, high-frequency hum vibrated at the base of my skull. It wasn't a sound heard through my ears, but a deep, rich baritone echoing directly inside my mind. Within a pack, the Mind-Link allowed wolves to communicate across distances. But to bridge a connection this clear and intimate, it required a profound bond—usually one reserved only for true fated mates. I assumed it was simply his overwhelming Alpha bloodline forcing the connection. "Falon. Are you alright?" Brock's voice came through. It carried a tightly wound edge, as if he were holding back a raging storm. I jumped, whipping my head around in surprise, earning a puzzled glance from Halie. I shook my head quickly at her and focused my thoughts to push a response back along the mental link. "I'm... I'm fine. I'm with Halie." "I know," he replied, his tone vibrating through my chest. I could practically feel the subtle, steady rhythm of his breathing. "About last night... I apologize. I lost control. The herbs in that drink clouded my judgment, but I should have protected you, not taken advantage of you." The memory of his calloused hands gripping my waist and his searing kisses rushed back into my head, setting my cheeks on fire. I bit my lower lip, desperately trying to rebuild the emotional walls Casimer's betrayal had forced me to create. "Don't bring it up," I projected back firmly, trying to sound as detached as possible. "It was just a biological reaction. An accident. Let's just stick to the terms of the Mating Agreement." A heavy, suffocating silence fell over the link. When Brock spoke again, his tone was laced with an unyielding Alpha authority that sent a shiver down my spine. "It wasn't an accident, Falon. You are my Luna. And I will treat you as such." Before I could fire back a denial, a sleek black Rolls-Royce Phantom glided to a halt at the bottom of the library steps. The passenger door opened, and Martha Kowalski, the Hamilton family's senior housekeeper, stepped out in a crisp gray suit. She held a black velvet box in both hands, her eyes scanning the crowd before locking onto me. She walked straight over, completely ignoring the staring students. "Good day, Luna," Martha said, bowing her head with absolute deference. "The Alpha instructed me to deliver this to you personally." She lifted the lid of the box. Resting on the dark velvet was a jaw-dropping platinum band set with a massive, flawless pink diamond, flanked by rows of deep-blue sapphires. Whispers broke out immediately among the passing students. A pink diamond of that caliber wasn't just jewelry; it was a symbol of absolute authority. It meant the entire Hamilton Pack was now at my feet. I stared at the blinding ring and felt like I was looking at a piece of burning coal. "No, this is far too much," I said, taking a step back and shaking my head. "Please take it back, Martha." Martha kept the box extended, her expression polite but completely immovable. "Luna, the Alpha made it clear that I am not permitted to return to the estate with this ring." Brock's low voice echoed in my head once more, possessive and dark. "Take it, Falon. Wear it. Let everyone know who you belong to." I drew in a steady breath. Only yesterday, Casimer had treated me like a useless pet he could discard for a better political alliance. I refused to be a caged bird again, even a gilded one under Brock's protection. I didn't want his compensation or his pity. "Tell the Alpha I appreciate the thought, but I don't need it," I said, my voice leaving no room for argument. I gently but firmly pushed the velvet box back toward Martha. Martha let out a quiet sigh. She snapped the box shut, bowed once more, and retreated to the vehicle. Halie watched the Rolls-Royce pull away, her jaw practically on the floor. "Are you insane?! You just rejected a custom pink diamond from the Alpha? That thing costs more than an entire city block! He is trying to claim you, Falon!" "I don't want to owe him anything more than I already do," I murmured, grabbing her arm and pulling her toward the armored SUV. "Our marriage is just a contract. I need to remember that, even if he doesn't." "You are so stubborn," Halie groaned, shaking her head as she climbed into the passenger seat. "Fine. But you are definitely accepting my gift. Drive north. Aim for Maple Lake." At the mention of Maple Lake, my chest tightened. That was the land my parents had dreamed of developing before their tragic deaths. Why would Halie want to go there? I hit the ignition, the powerful engine letting out a low, guttural purr before I steered it onto the main avenue. But just as we reached the intersection to leave the campus, a silver-gray sports car suddenly lunged out from a side lane, tires screeching against the asphalt. It slammed on the brakes, blocking our path entirely. The driver's door swung open, and Casimer Conner stepped out. His golden-brown hair was perfectly styled, but his amber eyes burned with an arrogant, furious fire as he marched straight toward my vehicle.