A few hours passed in the blink of an eye. Abigail was now asleep after Xander made sure she ate properly.

The scars on her body were healing gradually, and Xander never left her side.

He provided everything she needed, and both he and his wolf, Axel, kept watch over her.

Alexander's phone buzzed with a text from Shawn. Reluctantly, he left the bed where his mate rested, dressed quickly, and glanced at Abigail’s sleeping form before stepping out of the room.

“Shawn, are you certain about what you just said?” Alexander asked, his face void of emotion. The words echoed in his head like a vivid scene, igniting fury within him.

“Yes, Alpha. I’ve had it confirmed by a few trusted sources,” Shawn replied firmly.

Alexander began pacing around the room, his hands shoved into his pockets as he stood by the window, staring out into the night. His mind raced with thoughts.

“What should we do?” Shawn asked, breaking the tense silence.

“We do what must be done,” Xander said, his voice cold. “And that’s bringing my mate home.”

After the meeting, Xander returned to his suite. The sweet scent of grapes, citrus, and roses hit him the moment he entered, making his wolf groan inwardly.

Her scent had become his favorite thing in the world.

He moved toward the bed but stopped abruptly when he realized she wasn’t there. His brows furrowed in confusion, and Axel growled possessively for their mate.

Panic seized them both as memories of earlier events surged back.

Xander’s stride quickened as he headed to the bathroom. When he opened the door, his heart nearly stopped at the sight before him.

Abigail was under the shower, her body bare and trembling as she scraped her skin with her claws.

Blood ran in thin rivulets down her arms, and though her cries were soft, they pierced his soul.

Xander stepped inside the shower, his clothes soaking instantly. He crouched to her level, gently grabbing her hands to stop her self-inflicted harm.

“Hey, stop it. That’s enough,” he said softly. “You’re hurting yourself.”

Abigail yanked her hands away, shaking her head. Tears streamed down her face, visible even under the running water.

“Please, just let me be,” she whispered, her voice trembling.

“No,” Xander said firmly. “I won’t let you be—not when you’re hurting yourself.”

“I feel filthy,” she sobbed, her voice breaking. “I can’t forget what happened. Every time I close my eyes, I see them. I feel their hands on me. I’m so scared.”

Her confession shattered Xander. Without hesitation, he pulled her into his arms.

Abigail clung to him, seeking comfort in his warmth as her cries filled the room, mingling with the sound of the running water.

They stayed like that for a while until Abigail sneezed, breaking the heavy silence.

Xander moved quickly, scooping her up and carrying her to the closet. He wrapped her in a towel, drying her gently before helping her into one of his boxers and a hoodie.

Abigail’s cheeks flushed as he knelt to assist her, and when she hesitated, he looked up at her with a smirk. “So innocent,” he muttered, causing her blush to deepen.

Dressed in his oversized clothes, Abigail sat beside him on the balcony, sipping tea. Xander’s mind replayed Shawn’s earlier words, and his mood darkened.

“Are you okay?” Abigail asked, her voice filled with concern.

Xander hesitated, then asked, “Tell me about your family, Abigail.”

Her face paled slightly, but she nodded, knowing the question was inevitable. She took a deep breath and began her story.

“My family was perfect at first,” she said quietly. “It was just my father, my mother, and me. We were happy... until that day when everything changed.”

She paused, her eyes shutting against the painful memories. A shudder ran through her, but the sparks of Xander’s touch grounded her.

She opened her eyes to see his hand on her lap and a small, reassuring smile on his face. It wasn’t a full smile, but it melted her heart nonetheless.

“Go on,” Xander urged gently. “You’re safe here.”

Abigail nodded and poured out her story, telling him everything—how she was turned into a pack slave and endured years of torment.

Xander’s growl rumbled low as he listened. Both he and Axel burned with the need for vengeance.

Without warning, he pulled her onto his lap, his face burying into the curve of her neck. She tilted her head instinctively, giving him access as his lips brushed her skin.

Sparks ignited between them, and she trembled in his arms.

“I promise you,” he murmured against her neck, his voice deep and unwavering. “Anyone who’s ever hurt you will pay.”

Abigail’s heart raced at his words. She could feel his sincerity, but doubt lingered.

Could she truly bring herself to hurt those who had wronged her? She wasn’t like them—she couldn’t.

“You haven’t told me anything about yourself,” she said, trying to change the subject. “I don’t even know your name.”

Xander smirked. “How rude of me. I’m Alexander Reed, Alpha of the Outlaw Pack.”

Abigail froze, staring at him in disbelief. “You’re Alexander Reed?” she gasped. “Alpha of the Outlaw Pack?”

Xander frowned. “Is that a problem?”

Abigail shook her head, overwhelmed. This man—her mate—was a legend.

Stories of his power and ruthlessness were told in whispers, even among humans. And now, she was his mate.

How was this even possible? She, a lowly pack slave, was destined to be the Luna of the largest pack in the country.

Could she handle it? Doubt and wonder filled her mind as she stared at the man before her.