Ten

Rhea.

Everything felt different, everything felt new. This was all new. I had never experienced what I was feeling right now. Me, being in a car, driving to my new home with my mate as the Luna of a pack I knew nothing about. I was worried, but somehow being in a car for the first time ever and then seeing the outside world for the first time felt all new and unreal to me.

I just couldn't believe that my life had made such a huge turn in just one day. That I'd really be a Luna and no longer an omega, no longer a slave, no longer a toy. I'd no longer wash plates or cook. I'd no longer go on errands but send someone to do it for me.

As I had those thoughts, I felt a warm hand on top of mine. I looked down to see Remus's hand on mine. I looked up at him with a bit of a shocked expression, but his soft smile made me smile too.

He had these beautiful brown eyes, a dainty nose, and plump pink lips. Looking at his lips reminded me of our one night stand, and I immediately felt a ball of desire between my legs. I swallowed hard and raised my brows, trying to compose myself.

The trees outside zoomed by, their green leaves blurring together as we drove. The sky was dark but filled with glowing stars and halfmoon. Everything seemed so cozy, so alive. It was like I was seeing the world for the first time.

Remus squeezed my hand gently, bringing me back to the moment.

"I've been thinking of you nonstop since that night," he begins. My eyes widen in surprise, and he nods at me. "I fell for you before we even..." He sighs without finishing his sentence, but I know what he means. "I woke up the next morning and you were gone. That was the beginning of my misery, Rhea. I only knew your first name, nothing else. I went to your cabin several times looking for any clue, but there was none. Sometimes, I slept there, hoping you'd show up, but you never did."

He moves closer to me and holds both my hands. "I thought I wouldn't see you again," he whispers, his deep voice making my stomach churn with excitement and anxiety. I look at his eyes, then his lips, and back to his eyes. He moves even closer, and I know what he's about to do, but his driver interrupts us.

"We've arrived home, sir," the driver announces. Remus sighs and leans his forehead against mine. We stay that way for a moment, just breathing each other's air, feeling the closeness. Then Remus shifts back as the door to his side opens. My door opens as well, and that's when my panic begins.

I take a deep breath, trying to steady myself. The world outside the car looks so big and unfamiliar. I feel small and nervous. Remus gets out of the car first, extending a hand to help me out. I take his hand, feeling the warmth and strength in his grip.

The house in front of me is huge, with tall windows and a wide porch. It's beautiful but also intimidating. People are gathered around, their curious eyes watching us. I feel a lump in my throat and squeeze Remus's hand tighter.

"Don't worry," he whispers, leaning close to me. "They'll love you. Just be yourself."

I nod, trying to calm my racing heart. We start walking towards the house, and I can hear the whispers and murmurs of the people around us. I keep my head up, trying to look confident, even though I feel like a bundle of nerves inside.

As we reach the steps of the porch, an older woman steps forward. She has kind eyes and a warm smile. "Welcome, Luna," she says, her voice gentle and welcoming. "We've been waiting for you."

I smile back, feeling a little bit of the tension ease from my shoulders. Remus squeezes my hand again, and I take comfort in his touch. We follow the woman into the house, and I'm struck by how grand and elegant it is inside. The ceilings are high, and the rooms are filled with beautiful furniture and decorations.

"This is your home now," Remus says softly, looking at me with those warm brown eyes. "You're safe here. You're loved here."

I take a deep breath and nod, feeling a mixture of relief and hope. This is my new beginning, my new life.

I followed Remus through the winding hallways of his pack's estate, my heart racing with keenness. We were on our way to meet his sister, who I had heard so much about as we walked.

As we entered a cozy sitting room, a bright smile greeted us. Remus's sister, she was even more beautiful than I had imagined. Her long, curly brown hair cascaded down her back, and her warm hazel eyes sparkled with kindness.

"Rhea, it's so wonderful to finally meet you!" She exclaimed, embracing me in a warm hug. "I am Rachel and I have heard so much about you from Remus, and how he was dying to find you." She teases at the end we both chuckled.

I felt a surge of appreciation towards Rachel for making me feel so welcome. We chatted for a while, laughing and getting to know each other. I was amazed at how easy it was to talk to her, how much we had in common.

But as the evening wore on, Remus mentioned that it was time to head to his parents' place for dinner. My stomach began to twist with anxiety. I had been dreading this moment, wondering how his parents would react to me.

As we arrived at their elegant home, I could sense the tension in the air. Remus's parents, Marcus and Elara, greeted us with formal smiles, but their eyes betrayed their disapproval.

"So, Rhea," Elara said, her voice dripping with condescension, "we've heard a lot about you. Tell us, what makes you think you're worthy of being our son's mate?"

I felt an outpouring of defensiveness, but before I could respond, Remus cut in. "Mother, that's enough. Rhea is my fated mate, and I won't have you questioning her worth."

Elara's expression turned icy, but Remus took my hand and led me away, saying, "Let's get some rest, Rhea. We can deal with this in the morning."

As we walked back to our quarters, I felt a mix of emotions: gratitude towards Remus for defending me, but also anxiety about the challenges I may face ahead.

As Remus guided me out of the room, I couldn't help but notice a woman standing in the hallway, her eyes fixed intently on Remus. She was beautiful, with long, curly blonde hair and piercing blue eyes that seemed to bore into my soul.

 Her designer dress hugged her curves perfectly, and her high heels clicked on the marble floor as she approached us. But despite her stunning appearance, I felt a shiver run down my spine as she smiled at me.

"Well, well, well. Look what we have here," she said, her voice dripping with sarcasm as she extended a manicured hand to me. "I'm Tessa. And you are...?"

I took her hand hesitantly, feeling a rush of unease as she held it a little too long. "I'm Rhea," I replied, trying to sound calm.

Tessa's eyes sparkled with amusement as she turned back to Remus, her hand lingering on his arm. "Remus, darling, you didn't tell me you had a new plaything."

I felt a flush rise to my cheeks as Remus cut in, his voice firm. "Tessa, this is my mate, my Luna and wife to be. Rhea, this is Tessa, like she said. She's a family friend."

But Tessa just laughed, a throaty sound that sent a shiver down my spine. "Oh, no, no, no. We're so much more than that, Remus," she purred, her eyes glinting with mischief. "And I'm sure Rhea would love to know all about our...history."

I knew right then and there that Tessa was going to be trouble. Remus seemed to sense my discomfort, and he quickly pushed Tessa away, his hand on the small of my back guiding me down the hallway. "Let's get you settled in, Rhea," he said, his voice low and soothing.

As we walked, I couldn't help but feel like I was being pulled into a world of drama and intrigue, and I wasn't sure if I was ready.

As we walked, Remus told me, "Don't mind Tessa, she's a nobody. She's just known for her attitude and arrogance." But his words only piqued my curiosity. What had been between them? Why did he seem so dismissive of her, yet his body language screamed that there was more to the story?

I pushed the thoughts aside, reminding myself that I wasn't in love with Remus. I had chosen to come with him because my mother and sister wanted me to, and because I wanted a free life, finally. I didn't need to get tangled up in Remus's past or his relationships.

We walked past a beautiful, simple living room, with comfortable-looking couches and a large window that let in a flood of natural light. Then, Remus opened a door and gestured for me to enter. I stepped inside, and my eyes widened in surprise.

The room was spacious, with high ceilings and large windows that overlooked a stunning garden. The bed was enormous, with plush blankets and pillows that looked inviting. I felt a surge of relief, grateful to have a peaceful space to call my own.

"This is your room, just next to mine," Remus said, his eyes crinkling at the corners as he smiled. "I hope you like it."

I nodded, feeling a sense of thankfulness towards him. "It's beautiful," I said, my voice sincere. "Thank you."

Remus nodded, his smile faltering for a moment.

Shadowclaw, was a world away from Silvermoon's toxic surroundings. The luxury and grandeur overwhelmed me, making me feel like a small fish in a vast ocean.

Remus's gentle voice broke the silence. "I'll leave you to settle in. If you need anything, don't hesitate to ask."

I turned to face him, my heart racing with anxiety. He stood by the door, his eyes locked on mine, a hesitant expression on his face. For a moment, we just looked at each other, the tension between us was getting deeper.

Then, he turned to leave, but his feet seemed rooted to the spot. He didn't move, his back to me, his shoulders tense. I sensed his reluctance to leave, his desire to stay. But then he just walked out and closed the door behind him.

Curiosity got the better of me, and I found myself following him, my bare feet making barely a sound on the soft carpet. I reached the door just as he was pausing, his hand on the handle.

To my surprise, he hadn't left. He stood outside my door, his back against the opposite wall, his eyes fixed on me. Our gazes met, and I felt a jolt of electricity run through my body.

Remus began approaching me, his movements fluid, and crossed the distance between us. I didn't move, my heart pounding in my chest, as he reached out and gently grasped my shoulders.

 I felt a jolt of shock as his lips crashed against mine, demanding, possessive.

His kiss was like a wildfire, consuming me, leaving me breathless. I tried to push back, but Remus's grip tightened, holding me in place. His tongue invaded my mouth, tangling with mine, sending shivers down my spine.

For a moment, I forgot to resist. I forgot that I didn't have feelings for him. I forgot that he was the alpha, and I was just a fragile omega. All I knew was the fire that raged between us, the connection that sparked like a live wire.

Remus's kiss deepened, his lips molding to mine, his tongue stroking mine with a gentle fierceness. I felt my knees weaken, my body swaying into his. His arms wrapped around me, holding me close, as if he'd never let me go.

I was lost in the storm of his kiss, my senses overwhelmed by the scent of his skin, the taste of his lips, the feel of his heat. For a moment, I felt like I was home, like I was exactly where I was meant to be.

Remus's growl vibrated against my lips, a low, rumbling sound that made my heart skip a beat. His hands roamed my body, tracing the curves of my waist, the swell of my hips. I felt his desire, his need, his hunger for me.

And yet, despite the intensity of his kiss, I felt a sense of safety, of protection. Remus's arms were a shield around me, a barrier against the world.

As we broke apart for air, Remus's eyes locked onto mine, burning with a fierce possessiveness. I felt a shiver run down my spine as he whispered, "you're mine now."