I step into the huge kitchen my steps light and tentative. Looking around I notice something. The sleek appliances are gleaming like they’ve never been touched. It doesn’t take long to realize I’m right.

“He probably hasn’t used this space in years,” I mumble to myself.

His life reeks of isolation, of a man bearing the weight of an entire pack with no one to share it with. I’ll have to draw him out of his shell somehow.

It’s morning and early streaks of sunshine are streaming through the windows. A perfect morning for a simple breakfast: eggs, toast, and coffee. The smell fills the kitchen, comforting and warm.

My teeth bite into my lower lip as I ruminate over my thoughts. I could just poison him right now but that wouldn’t work for a number of reasons, one being that I’m currently being watched.

Apart from the Alpha’s insane sharp senses that could tell him if something was off with the way his food smelled even if it was the minutest difference, he has security cameras in every corner of this house. There’s one pointed in my direction now, I’d bet he’s watching me through his screen wherever he is.

I start to walk through the house, trying to make it seem more like a bored stroll than me trying to get a scope of this mansion and see if there are any blind spots.

It’s insane how much I’m risking with how this mission could go sideways any minute.

The reason why he’s so feared is because of how untouchable he seems. The new Alpha has rarely been seen, not many people know what he looks like and they speak of him with fervor, like he’s a god. They say he can see right through traitors and he tears them apart limb to limb.

Him not reading through my lies yesternight wasn’t just a miracle, I’ve trained most of my life for this.

To destroy the Alpha of the Blood Moon Pack, to avenge my sister’s death and bring this pack the restitution they deserve.

I come across a pool in the heart of the mansion’s outdoor space. It’s surrounded by marble tiles and lush gardens.

The sight brings a sense of serenity to me for a moment but I feel the air shift and immediately jump away from the spot I was standing in.

It’s the Alpha.

Before I can make anymore movements he grabs my wrist and pulls me to himself.

The sight of him sends a shudder down my spine, he’s looking down at me, eyes narrowed in disdain— or is that irritation? Either way, they’re sharp and piercing, his lips are curled into a sneer, I can see how tight his jaw is like he’s barely holding back whatever darkness he has in him.

What catches me off guard is how unbearably attractive he is. It confuses me, why would the gods give such evil a face like this?

“Why are you still here?” He questions, his voice deep but breathy.

It takes a second for me to gather myself so I can answer without stuttering, but still my eyes travel down his body, revealing his toned, naked torso and my brain goes quiet for a moment unable to process any thoughts.

“Ahem,” I hear him clear his throat, impatience clearly written on his face.

“I can’t leave,” I say, my hands curling into a ball. “I don’t have a choice. If I leave, I’m dead.”

A look of amusement crosses his face, he arcs his brow, “Are you more afraid of my Beta than you are of me, your Alpha?”

He steps closer to me, closing what little space was between us. “I could kill you right here, right now,”

His grip tightens around my wrist, causing me to wince, “It’s imperative that you leave while I’m asking nicely,” he lets go of my hand and stalks off.

I narrow my eyes and decide to follow, “But, why do you feel the need to be holed up in this huge house all by yourself?”

He arcs a brow as he regards me silently with a side eye, all the while not breaking his stride.

“You’re really straining your survival rates here,” he muses. I take this as a sign to keep engaging him.

“If it’s the last thing I do, I’d die a happy death knowing I made my Alpha happy, just give me this chance,” I say this with an adequate amount of yearning in my eyes. Even though I’m spewing gibberish, I just need to hold his attention.

“And who told you your Alpha wants to be happy?” He deadpans, a light quizzical look on his face.

I force a chuckle that echoes softly between us. “Doesn’t everyone want to be happy? Or are you saying you’re immune to basic human needs?”

His gaze sharpens, and for a split second, I think I’ve crossed some invisible line. But then he smirks, the expression both infuriating and oddly captivating.

“You assume too much, little fox,” he murmurs, his tone dripping with condescension. He takes a step closer, his towering form casting a shadow over me.

“Happiness is a weakness. It clouds judgment, dulls instincts. And in this world, weakness is death.”

I swallow the retort that rises in my throat and hold his gaze, determined not to flinch. My heart is pounding, though I keep my face neutral. “Then what do you live for? Power? Fear?”

His smirk falters, and his eyes narrow. “Enough questions. I’m not your puzzle to solve.”

He turns abruptly, striding toward the house, but my feet move before my brain catches up.

“Wait,” I call after him, my voice more demanding than I intended. He stops, his back rigid, and I swear I feel the temperature drop.

“You’re playing a dangerous game,” he says without turning, his voice low and threatening.

“I’m already in the game,” I counter, stepping closer. “And let’s be honest, you’re curious about me too. You want me here. You wouldn’t have let me stay otherwise.”

That gets his attention. He spins around, his expression unreadable. “You’re very sure of yourself.”

“Not really. Just desperate.”

The words hang between us, and for a moment, his mask of indifference slips. There’s something raw in his gaze, something almost… human. But just as quickly, it’s gone, replaced by cold calculation.

“Your desperation is making you reckless,” he says, stepping closer until the space between us is almost nonexistent. “And it’s going to get you killed.”

His hand brushes past me as he walks away, the faintest touch of his fingers against my shoulder. It sends a jolt through me, like static electricity, and I’m left standing there, trying to steady my breathing.

But I’m not alone for long.

A sharp crack echoes from the trees lining the perimeter of the yard, like a branch snapping under pressure. My instincts kick in immediately, and I whip around, scanning the area.

He hears it too. His head tilts slightly, his posture shifting to something predatory.

“You heard that?” I whisper, but it’s clear he doesn’t need confirmation.

“Stay here,” he orders, his voice cold and authoritative.

I ignore him, following a few steps behind as he stalks toward the sound. He glances back, his eyes flashing with irritation. “I said stay—”

Before he can finish, a figure emerges from the shadows of the trees, cloaked and hooded. The intruder moves with fluid grace, like a predator stalking prey. My stomach drops.

The Alpha growls low in his throat, the sound reverberating through the air. “You’re bold, stepping onto my land uninvited.”

The figure doesn’t respond, instead reaching into their cloak and pulling out a long blade that gleams in the sunlight.

I freeze, my mind racing. Who the hell is this?

The intruder lunges without warning, the blade slicing through the air toward the Alpha. He moves like lightning, sidestepping the attack and grabbing the assailant’s arm, twisting it with a sickening crack.

The blade clatters to the ground, and the hood falls back, revealing a woman with sharp, angular features and eyes filled with hatred.

My pulse quickens. What is she doing here?