I scrambled to the far side of the bed, pulling the sheets up as if they could shield me from him. “Who are you? Where am I?”
“You fainted,” he said, ignoring my panic. “I brought you here for your safety. Welcome to my palace.”
“That doesn’t answer my question!” I snapped, my voice shaking.
He sighed, stepping closer, and I noticed the tension in his jaw. “My name is Jacques Caldwell, though most know me as Jack. I am the King Alpha, ruler of all werewolves.”
The words hung in the air, heavy with meaning. I stared at him, my mind racing. “King Alpha?” I echoed. “You mean… you’re the leader of werewolves?”
“Yes,” he said simply, as if that explained everything.
I shook my head, my disbelief bubbling to the surface. “This isn’t possible. Werewolves aren’t real. This has to be a dream.”
“It’s not a dream.” His voice was firm but not unkind. “You’ve already seen the truth.”
I paused for a moment and then I introduce myself to him. “I am Cestia Storm. I am a human. This can't be... This is not possible!”
He scoffed. “But look, here we are already. So yes, this is possible. That my mate is a human.”
I opened my mouth to argue, but immediately closed it. I had a distinct and unmistakable recall of his transitioning from wolf to man. “Why did you say that I am your mate?”
He approached, his presence authoritative yet somehow reassuring. “Because you are. I can smell it,” he said, his eyes unflinching. “Werewolves view the tie between mates as holy. It's a fate-forged bond that is stronger than anything else in the world.”
My pulse quickened, and my thoughts became disorganised. “But I am not a werewolf! I am just... human.”
“That doesn’t matter,” he said, his tone resolute. “Fate doesn’t make mistakes. You’re meant to be mine, Cestia. My mate, my Luna.”
“Luna?”
“My queen,” he clarified, his voice softening. “You would rule beside me, guiding our kind.”
I stared at him, stunned by the weight of his words. None of this made sense. Less than a day ago, I was worrying about my next paycheck, and now I was being told I was destined to be the queen of werewolves?
“You can’t just decide that for me,” I said, my voice shaking. “I didn’t ask for this.”
“I’m not asking, Cestia,” he said, his eyes narrowing slightly. “This is bigger than either of us. The bond between mates is not something that can be ignored.”
I felt a cold knot of fear twist in my stomach. “What happens if I say no?”