he left his pack for a while to follow this tailless one he had decided to make his mate, camped with a small escort an hour away from her Silvermoon tribe. Her elders had already accepted the gifts, though it was more like payment and now all he had to do was take her, the contract was for tomorrow morning. He hadn't seen her yet

Her fear gripped his heart. She was truly no match for her tribe and the beast within him. Perhaps it would be better to spare her this fate... but then again, she could calm him down if she obeyed. He must make a decision soon or risk losing both the girl and face in front of his own pack. With a sigh, he rose to meet them as they approached with Rina Artay shivering beside them. "You have brought me what I've asked for," he growled lowly.

"Yes, Black Fang," one of her warriors answered for her. The other kept a wary eye on his escort, ready to defend their new mistress if necessary. Sarien glanced down at Rina again before addressing the warrior once more, "She is mine now. See that your tribe does not interfere."

The warrior nodded stiffly and stepped aside, motion

He moved to stand before her, studying the girl for a long moment. Her fear was palpable and nearly overwhelming, but there was something else there as well... perhaps hope? He extended a clawed hand, slowly, carefully not wanting to spook her further. "Come with me," he rumbled softly.

Her fingers closed around his in an almost desperate grip. It was pathetic... but at the same time, it was strangely arousing as well. He took a step back, pulling her with him so that she stood beside him. "Your place is now by my side," he growled out, feeling possessive and protective of this small creature who had somehow managed to claim him as hers.

Her warriors hesitated for only a moment before bowing their heads in submission. They knew that once Rina was taken from them, there would be nothing they could do. Reluctantly, they turned and left the pair alone with each other. The air around them felt heavy with tension as they waited for what would happen next.

Rina shivered violently against him but didn't pull away. She glanced up at him from under her lashes, uncertainty clouding her bright blue eyes. Would he hurt her

"Rina," he growled softly, his voice vibrating through her as he spoke her name. "Look at me." His clawed hand cupped her chin gently, forcing her gaze up to meet his own. "I am your new alpha, your mate... and I will protect you. As long as you obey, nothing will hurt you here." He smiled then, a smile that wasn't entirely cruel or possessive. "Do you understand?"

Her blue eyes were almost transparent as they locked onto his own. A tear trickled down her cheek and he brushed it away with his thumb, gently wiping the moisture from her skin. "It will be alright," he assured her, though his tone still held an edge of authority. "Just obey me... and everything will be as I say." He paused, waiting to see how she would react before continuing, "Do you understand this?"

His heart raced in anticipation, half-hoping that she'd accept his terms while simultaneously dreading what might happen if she didn't. The power of the beast within him demanded obedience... and he wasn't sure how much more control he could exert over himself.

Her voice was so soft he barely heard it over the pounding of his heart, but the word was enough to make his chest tighten with relief. He nodded slowly, his clawed hand still cupping her chin gently as he studied her face. "Good," he rumbled out, feeling a small surge of hope begin to build within him. With a careful flick of his wrist, he turned them both and led her back toward his camp, the pair walking side by side under the watchful gaze of their escort.

"You are now my mate," he growled softly, not taking his eyes off the path ahead as they walked. "You will obey me without question... and in return, I will protect you." He paused, turning his head to meet her blue gaze once more. "Do you understand this?"

His eyes narrowed slightly at the hesitation in her voice, but there was also hope and trust...perhaps even affection. He stopped walking, turning to face her fully, his expression softening as he considered her words. "As your alpha," he began carefully, placing a hand on his chest, over his heart, "I will do everything within my power to keep you safe and happy." His voice was low and steady, holding nothing but sincerity. "That is my vow to you, Rina... as your mate."

The corner of his mouth curved up in a small smile. "Do you accept me?" he asked, feeling the weight of her decision pressing down on him. He wasn't used to any

Her soft touch and affirmative answer sent a shiver down his spine, and he felt something inside of him begin to unfurl, expanding with hope. He cupped her face in his clawed hand, tilting it up so that she met his gaze once more. "Then let us go home," he rumbled huskily, a grin tugging at the corners of his mouth. His escort parted ranks to let them pass, their eyes never leaving their new Alpha and his mate as they disappeared into the camp ahead.

Together, they began the journey toward building a life together... one where Rina's small but resilient beast could finally find its place amongst the darkness within him.

Rina's gratitude warmed him deeply, and he smiled down at her as they continued walking side by side through the camp toward their new life together. "You are welcome," he growled softly, a sense of accomplishment filling him. For the first time in many moons, it felt like he truly had a partner...a mate who could balance his inner beast with their own unique strengths and weaknesses. He wondered if she knew how precious that made her to him, and how hard he would fight to protect her from anything or anyone that threatened them. "There will be time for us later," he murmured, taking her hand in his. "But first, we must make our presence known to the rest of my pack."

They arrived at the center of camp where several other werewolves had gathered around a roaring bonfire, their eyes widening as they saw Rina standing beside Sarien Blackfang. As

He wrapped an arm around her shoulders, holding her close as the rest of his pack watched them with curiosity and awe. "My pack," he growled lowly, nodding toward those gathered before him. "This is Rina... she is now my mate, and I will not have anyone harm her." His voice was cold and firm, but there was an undercurrent of possession and protectiveness as well. He looked down at Rina, meeting her frightened gaze with his own steady one, trying to reassure her that he would keep her safe no matter what. "Understand?"

There were murmurs of agreement from the others, their respect for their new Alpha's word unquestionable. Sarien felt a surge of relief wash over him as he realized they had accepted Rina without issue. Perhaps there was hope for them after all... hope that she could truly be his equal and help him tame the darkness within.

He held her closer, his body unconsciously shielding her from the rest of his pack. "Thank you," he murmured into her hair, feeling a sense of relief wash over him at their acceptance. They still had many challenges ahead, but with Rina by his side, he felt more confident than ever that they could overcome them together.

For tonight, however, he wanted nothing more than to claim his mate properly and thoroughly. With gentle fingers, he began to untie the cloak she wore, revealing her pale, smooth skin beneath. Her shiver sent a jolt of desire coursing through him, and he pressed his lips to her neck, nipping gently before soothing the sting with his tongue. "You are safe now," he whispered against her skin. "My beast is tamed... for you."

His gaze locked with hers as he waited for her reaction, his heart racing in anticipation of her answer. Would she trust him enough to fully submit and let him claim her? Or would the fear of what he might do if she resisted keep her from giving herself over completely?

"Rina," he growled softly, his voice vibrating with desire as well as affection. "I promise you... nothing will harm you while you're with me." He cupped her face in his hands, forcing her to meet his gaze. "Do you believe me?"

Her soft nod was enough, and with a growl of triumph, he pulled her closer still, crushing their bodies together in an unbreakable embrace. His hands roamed over her lithe form, mapping every curve and valley as his tongue flicked out to trace the line of her jaw before claiming her lips in a possessive kiss that left them both breathless. The power of his lust was almost overwhelming, and he could feel it beginning to tear at the last shreds of control he'd managed to maintain around Rina so far.

He pulled away slightly, panting heavily as he met her gaze once more. His eyes were nearly black with desire, and his fangs elongated slightly. "I need you," he rasped, his voice rough from exertion. "Now."

Her fear was still there, clear in her gaze as she glanced around at the others gathered nearby. It would not do to have anyone witness their coupling this night; it might only serve to spur rumors and gossip among those who did not yet understand or accept the bond between them. With a growl of frustration, he reached out and caught her chin, forcing her attention back to him. "Look at me," he commanded hoarsely.

"Now is the time for you to trust me," he said, his voice soft but filled with an underlying force that brooked no argument. His hand slid down her body, cupping the curve of her rear possessively as he pressed himself even closer against her, grinding his hips against hers in a demanding motion. "Prove to me that you are my mate and belong only to me."

Her eyes locked on his, uncertainty still clouding their depths, but