Alpha mate and escape

Stilla POV

I started to come back to life the moment I opened my eyes to find myself in a large room I didn't recognize. I sat up and looked around. The room was painted in shades of black and brown that somehow created a solid, elegant harmony. There was a long couch at the far end, and to its right, a double-door entrance — it must be the wardrobe. Beside it was a smaller door — probably the bathroom.

I glanced down at my clothes and noticed I was no longer wearing the dress I had on before. Who changed my clothes?

I stood up, trying to leave, but the sound of the bathroom door opening froze me in place — and a strong, masculine scent filled the room.

The Alpha King stepped out, dressed in casual clothes.

Wait… wasn't that just a dream?

Am I really the mate of the Alpha King?

As soon as our eyes met, I dropped my gaze and instinctively took a step back. I felt him approach.

"You're awake?" he said.

I only nodded silently.

"Are you alright? The doctor said it was due to exhaustion and a bit of shock. You need rest. If you want to go back to sleep, go ahead."

I wanted to run. But I didn't know how.

Gladi — my wolf — wasn't helping either. I stayed frozen, searching for any thought, any escape.

But the Alpha was still waiting for an answer.

I gathered my courage to speak.

"I'm fine… thank you, Alpha King."

"Call me Lucas," he said.

"There's no need for formalities between us. You're my mate — my equal. And why won't you look at me? Are you submitting to me?"

He took a step forward, and I took one backward in response.

"Stop that."

His voice was firm — almost commanding — and it made my body flinch.

He noticed my trembling and immediately took a step back.

"I'm sorry. I won't come any closer. Can you at least tell me your name?"

"Stilla, sir."

"Stilla… Stilla."

He repeated my name, and I couldn't deny how beautiful it sounded from his lips.

Even Gladi purred with delight.

"A beautiful name… for a beautiful woman."

"Sir, may I leave?"

"Leave? Where?"

"To my pack…?"

"That was your former pack. This… is your pack now."

What am I supposed to do?

He won't let me go…

"Sir… can I speak with my sister?"

"Of course. She's been waiting downstairs since you collapsed. I'll ask them to bring her to you."

"Thank you, sir."

"Please stop saying that. I told you — call me Lucas."

His tone carried a hint of frustration.

He turned toward the door — the one I assumed led out of the room.

Just before stepping out, he looked back at me.

"Can you look at me… just once?"

I tried. I truly did… but my gaze wouldn't lift.

I didn't know what his reaction was. I only heard the door close.

And finally, I could breathe again.

Gladi scolded me for how I acted, but I ignored her.

The door opened again, and Julia walked in and rushed toward me.

"Are you okay?" she asked, her voice full of concern.

"I am… but Julia, please… get me out of here," I begged.

"How could I possibly do that? You're the Alpha King's mate — the future Luna of us all."

"But I don't want this! You know more than anyone… I never wanted a mate.

Because once he learns about my past… he'll leave me after I've already gotten attached.

Even if I ever imagined having a mate… I always hoped he'd be someone ordinary. No rank. Just like me.

But now… my mate is an Alpha… I'm going to lose my mind."

Tears began to fall from my eyes as I spoke.

"Calm down, and listen to me.

I know you're scared. I know how you feel about Alphas.

But you need to understand this: he's your mate before he's an Alpha.

He won't hurt you. He can't.

He'll be the first person to love you unconditionally.

You need to give him a chance. Trust me."

"And if he doesn't hurt me… he'll reject me after he finds out…"

"You didn't do anything wrong! You were a victim."

I removed my sweater and showed her the scars that still remained on my body.

"Look at this… Do you think he'll still want me like this?"

She gently put my sweater back on me.

"Yes, he will. Just… try. Please, give it a chance."

"I don't know… but I'll think about it."

"Good. I need to go now. Be strong. Open your heart."

"Wait. Who changed my clothes?"

"Me. Don't worry."

"I see... I'll come out with you."

We walked out together to find several people standing in the hallway. Among them were Alpha Jackson, Jake, and others I assumed were Lucas's family.

We approached them slowly. Jackson and Jake were talking with the Alpha King.

I lowered my gaze immediately and stood beside Jake — the one I really wanted to talk to.

He turned to face me.

"Are you alright?" Jake asked.

"Yes, don't worry."

"So… this is goodbye, huh?"

"I guess so. Jake, I always wanted to thank you.

You've been such a great support to me. Really, thank you."

"Don't thank me. I was happy to meet someone amazing like you.

Take care of yourself."

"You too."

He hugged me quickly before walking away.

My sister took my hand.

"I'll always be here, don't forget. If you need me, I'll come.

And you can visit whenever you want."

Alpha Jackson stepped closer and added,

"Julia's right. You're always welcome in my pack."

"Thank you, Alpha Jackson… for everything.

But please… take care of my sister."

"Of course. Don't worry."

He turned to Julia, "I'll be waiting for you outside."

She nodded and followed him.

She hugged me tightly — and I hugged her back, holding back my tears.

I watched their car disappear into the distance… and suddenly, I was alone again.

I felt the presence of two people beside me.

I looked up and saw a girl younger than me, and a boy around her age — both smiling.

"Hi, I'm Andrea, Lucas's sister," said the girl cheerfully.

"And I'm Dustin, nice to meet you," added the boy.

"Hi, I'm Stilla," I replied, nodding politely.

They seemed nice, but… they were the Alpha's family. I had to be careful.

"Okay, you two got your turn. Now it's ours," said a woman in her mid-forties.

"Welcome to our family.

I'm Lucas's mother… and I'll be your mother too."

Mother…?

I had forgotten what that word even meant.

Tears welled up in my eyes again.

I tried to hold them back but failed.

I asked to excuse myself.

I didn't know where I was going, but I found myself back in the same room as before.

I closed the door behind me and sat on the couch.

This is all so strange and new. I don't know what to do, how to act…

"Let's just surrender to our mate and forget everything else!" said Gladi happily.

"Seriously, Gladi… I'd punch you if I could.

Here I am trying to think logically, and you're saying nonsense."

"Then tell me, what else can we do besides adapt?" she replied.

"It's hard for me, don't forget… he's an Alpha, and we're just ordinary."

"And you don't forget who you really are… and whose daughter you are," she snapped back.

The door opened.

I knew it was him.

That powerful scent was unmistakable — for both me and Gladi.

I stood up and lowered my gaze.

"I want to talk… but first, let's solve the problem of you looking into my eyes," said Lucas.

"How?" I asked.

"Like this."

His strong yet gentle hand held my chin and lifted it slowly.

Now, my eyes met his — dark, intense, mesmerizing.

His face was beautiful.

His dark hair… his eyes…

Gladi sighed dreamily.

 "Don't forget that body and those muscles~"

"Gladi, shut up before I lose it!"

"This is much better," he nodded in approval.

He let go of my chin, and our eyes still locked.

As I tried to look away again, he warned me:

"Don't. I'm warning you — don't do that again."

So I kept my head up.

He sat on the couch and gestured for me to sit beside him.

I did… keeping some distance between us.

"Alright, Stilla. I'll ask you some questions, and you'll answer."

I nodded in understanding.

"How old are you?"

"Twenty-one."

"Hmm, so there's a seven-year gap between us.

You're the sister of Luna from the White Moon Pack?"

"Yes."

"I see. You can ask me anything as well — I'll answer honestly."

(Don't be dumb and ask that question!) shouted Gladi in my head.

Like I'd listen to her.

"I have a question," I said.

"Go ahead," he answered, watching me carefully.

"When will you reject me?"