[Solamire Pack]
After a few hours of the car ride, they finally reached the pack, and Evangeline could already tell it was nothing like Lunaris.
Where her pack had charm, nature, and centuries-old stone buildings lined with ivy and warmth, Solamire was sleek, cold, and terrifyingly advanced. Towering walls that almost reached the sky surrounded the pack, layered with checkpoints and high-tech security.
The road stretched into smaller streets, and they drove between mirrored buildings, glass-walled structures that curved like blades. No cottages, no gardens, no howls echoing through the woods like in Lunaris. Just long stretches of concrete buildings, dark trees, and watchtowers hidden cleverly among them.
As they drove deeper, Evangeline was awed, her eyes taking in the surroundings. This didn't seem like a pack but a fortress.
And then came the estate.
Set behind thick barriers, the packhouse loomed like a fortress. Its vast structure resembled a grand mansion, with tall walls and elegant towers rising against the sky. It was beautiful, but utterly unwelcoming.
"Get down." Ezaar's voice brought Evangeline out of her thoughts. "My pack seems to be eager to meet you finally." He added, his tone dark and mocking, before stepping out of the car.
Evangeline scowled at him, her eyes trying to burn a hole in his back as he walked away. But they almost popped out upon seeing a sea of people lined up in front of the building.
Taking a deep breath, Evangeline got out of the car. Her steps were reluctant as she neared the gathering, her heart thudding loudly against her chest. Evangeline stood in her spot, gulping in fear. The wolves stared at her in disgust, their eyes full of fury. Oh, they were dying to butcher her!
Not even a second later, a rotten egg came her way, landing perfectly on her head. It broke and slipped down her forehead, the smell flaring her nostrils.
"Bitch!"
"You devil's spawn! How dare you show up here?"
The crowd roared in rage, ready to throw more things at her. But Ezaar stepped forward, blocking Evangeline completely. His stare was enough for them to drop their hands. Many whined and recoiled, not out of fear, but respect for their beloved Alpha.
Ezaar turned around to Evangeline, his eyes falling on the white egg pieces. "Oh, what a grand welcome you had, Kitten." He chuckled out loud and reached out to wipe the slime.
Evangeline slapped his hand away, her eyes red and burning with humiliation. "Stop your chivalrous act. You must have planned all this before." She spat, wiping the egg off her head.
Ezaar furrowed his brows at the accusation. "I'm not that evil, Kitten." When their eyes met, he smiled innocently. "I would have told them to carry stones. That would have been a great choice, don't you think?"
Evangeline fumed, her mind urging her to choke him right away. But before she could attempt it, the crowd went abuzz with murmurs. A group consisting mainly of elders came out of the packhouse, led by a young man. He was almost as tall as Ezaar, hawk-eyed with black hair and a stoic face. It was Devlin Mesor, the pack's Beta, and she instantly recognized him.
"We heard you were mated to her again, Alpha." One of them spoke as they stepped in front of Ezaar. "Break the bond immediately," he commanded.
"Yes!" Another elder chimed in. "Her father murdered your parents, Beta Dev's father, and half of our pack! We will never accept her as our Luna!"
"And she has no wolf," the only woman in the group murmured. Scanning Evangeline, she added, "She's twenty-one already and still hasn't awakened it. Such a weakling can never help you run the pack!"
"Yes! Break the bond immediately!"
"No—kill her and end it at once!"
Cruel comments spread like wildfire. The crowd buzzed with hums, disgusted to even breathe the same air as her. Evangeline could understand their sentiments. In fact, she would be the happiest if they convinced their Alpha to break the bond and send her back. But her hopes died as Ezaar spoke.
"I am the Alpha, you morons." Ezaar chided the group. Glaring at his Beta—his best friend—he added, "And I make the decisions here, not any of you."
Devlin clenched his jaw, ready to argue, but before he could, Ezaar continued.
"And who the hell is spreading such nonsense?" Ezaar barked at the crowd. "She will be my Luna?" He scoffed in disbelief.
"I brought her to ruin. Not to rule." Ezaar said aloud, his voice filled with venom.
The elders glanced at each other while confusion rippled through the crowd. So he hadn't come to save his mate? Devlin frowned deeper.
"From today," Ezaar's voice silenced everyone. When all eyes were fixed on him, he continued, "Evangeline Raymore, Daughter of Graham Raymore, will serve as Solamire's slave. Everybody is free to use her to her best abilities."
The once furious crowd erupted in joy. Many cheered and clapped, their celebration sending shivers down Evangeline's spine.
She heard every single word, his tone clear and cutting through her heart. She knew it. She had expected it. But it still hurt to hear it from his mouth. And she hated that it affected her so much. Well, blame the bond. The fate-damned bond!
Slave.
The word screamed in her head, again and again, each time stinging sharper. Her legs shook, terror twisting inside her as she imagined what they were thinking. What they'd do with her.
Evangeline took a step back, the ground feeling further away. Her lungs burned as if there was no air at all. She clutched her stomach, trying to calm herself, but the panic clawed at her chest like it wanted to break out.
"Fucking move!" someone cursed among the crowd, footsteps pounding in her direction.
"Filthy bitch!" The voice was sharp, guttural.
Evangeline blinked, trying to process as the person got closer. And then-
Crack.
The crowd gasped out loud as she got punched square in the face. It was hard enough to send Evangeline staggering back.
Pain exploded through her skull, white light flashing in her vision. She stumbled, falling like a ragdoll, and hit the ground. The world blurred, blood coming out of her nose.
And the last thing Evangeline saw through the blur and chaos was Ezaar. Not helping. Not rushing to catch her. But suddenly, collapsing right beside her with blood dripping from his nose.