bChapter /bb144 /b

    bra’s /bPOV

    I couldn’t move. My feet were stuck to the ground as if the earth had imed me. It was supposed bto /bbbe /ba rumour. Everyone told me it would happen the whole second–chance mate thing. But I had never believed it. Not for a second.

    And yet, here I was, staring into the eyes of the man who was supposed to be my second chance.

    He stood there, just as surprised as I was. The moment I took in his scent, I knew it a strange mix of familiarity and something… foreign. But nothing stirred in me. The bond wasn’t there, not yet. I could recognize him, but I didn’t know him. Not as a mate.

    The whole thing with second–chance mates was different. We could sense each other, feel the pull, but the bond stayed dormant. It would be up to us – both of us to decide if we wanted this or not.

    Dorian took a step forward, his long stride eating the distance between us, his eyes locking onto mine with an intensity that made me freeze.

    “Funny,” he muttered, his smile almost mocking. “I didn’t expect you to be my second–chance mate.”

    The words stung more than they should’ve. He seemed amused, but I wasn’tughing. My heart tightened. “Stop calling me that,” I snapped, my voice colder than I intended.

    His grin widened, dimples popping. “Oh,e on. It’s not like I’m calling you something awful. ‘Thorne’s rejected Luna,‘ that’s who you are, right?” He leaned in just enough to make it clear he wasn’t backing off.

    A sh of anger shot through me, sharp and hot. “I said stop.”

    –

    I took a step back, putting space between us. He raised his hands in mock surrender, his smile still in ce. “Okay, okay, my bad.”

    He bowed, a little too dramatically, but somehow it felt naturaling from him. He had this knack for

    making even the most ridiculous gestures look like they belonged.

    “Better?” he asked, his voice dripping with sarcasm. “I know you’re more than just that, ra. You’re Blood Moon’s princess, Alpha Cael’s sister. I’m aware. And hell, you’re a damn good Gamma, too.” He grinned.

    I tilted my head, narrowing my eyes. “Do you always flirt with women you’ve just met?” The words came out before I could stop them, half an usation, half a joke.

    “No, definitely noti./ii” /iDorian chuckled, his tone low. “But this is different. You’re my mate. What else am I supposed to do?”

    I stared at him, not sure whether to punch him orugh. “We’re not mates, not yet,” I mutteredb, /bbnot /bbuying

    binto /bbthe /bbease /bin bhis /bwords.

    Without waiting for his response, I held out my hand, palm facing up in a deliberate challenge. bDorian’s /beyes flickered down, his gaze softening for a split second before he took a step forward to close the bdistance/b.

    I raised an eyebrow as I slowly extended my arm.

    But then, without warning, I pressed a dagger to his throat, the cold steel biting into his skin.

    The sudden shift in the air was enough to freeze both of us. Dorian’s smile disappeared as his eyes flicked bto /bthe de.

    “You really want to do this?” he said, his voice smooth, but there was a shift – something darker underneath. “Threatening your mate, huh?”

    I didn’t flinch. “You’re a lot of things I don’t understand, Dorian. Why did you send the soldiers away?” My

    grip tightened on the dagger, pressing harder into his skin, blood starting to bead where the de met his

    throat.

    He didn’t step back. Instead, he looked me straight in the eye, unafraid. A strange, quiet respect formed between us, even with the dagger so close.

    “I told you. I’m trying to keep you safe,” he said, voice low. “I’m not your enemy. If you want, I can take you straight to Kimberly. I’m just trying to keep you out of trouble, not make more of it.”

    I held the dagger there for a long beat, studying him. I didn’t trust him, not yet. But there was something about him his calm, his confidence – that I couldn’t ignore.

    –

    Finally, I lowered the de. “Fine. Take me to Kimberly.”

    “But I’m warning you, Dorian,” I said, my voice low and dangerous. “You so much as make a wrong move, and I won’t hesitate to slit your throat.”

    He chuckled softly, like he didn’t believe me. “Wouldn’t dream of it.”

    Dorian pulled open the door, a smirk dancing on his lips. “After you, my mate.”

    I turned back to Dora, who was watching me with a worried frown.

    “You okay?” she asked, her voiceced with concern.

    “I’m fine,” I said, trying ito /ireassure/her. “Don’t worry about me.”

    She hesitated, ncing over at the door. “I just… I’m sorry for what my fiancé did. He’s an idiot, and I can’t believe he testified like that for the money.”

    “Where is he now?” I asked.

    bDora’s /bblips /bbcurled /bbinto /bba /btight bsmile/bb. /b“He’s bnot /bbmy /bbfiancé /banymore. His legs were bbroken /bafter bthe /bbflogging /bbkicked /bbhim /bbto /bthe curb.”

    I snortedb, /bamused. “Good for you.”

    She smiled faintly, but it was tinged with sadness. “Take care of yourself, rab./bb” /b

    I nodded, then turned to leave. As I stepped into the cool night, the chill of the wind hit meb, /band I shivered, pulling my coat tighter around myself.

    Before I could say anything, Dorian tossed a thick jacket over my shoulders. The heat from his body still clung to it, warming me immediately.

    “Put it on,” he said softly. “It’ll cover your scent. You don’t want your ex tracking you down.”

    I froze for a second, staring at him. “You think of everything, don’t you?”

    He didn’t respond with words, just a slight shrug. Instead, he took the lead, walking down the quiet street with a confidence that was almost unnerving.

    I zipped up the jacket, feeling its warmth soak into my skin. The distant howls of wolves echoed in the air. My heart skipped a beat. It was Thorne. Still out there. Still looking for me.

    “Thanks,” I muttered, my voice softer this time.

    Dorian didn’t say anything, but his smile returned. “This way,” he said, turning a corner down an alley that smelled of rain and wet earth.

    We moved quickly, taking shortcuts through the city’s winding backstreets. I couldn’t help but notice how well he knew the area. As if he’d been doing this for years.

    Fifteen minutester, we reached a small courtyard, and there, under the shadows of a ne tree, stood

    Kimberly.

    “ra!” She gasped, running to me. “Shit, you made it!” She wrapped her arms around me, holding me tight. Then she pulled back, her face suddenly serious. “But where’s Cael?”

    I hesitated. “I shoved him out before the gate closed.”

    Her eyes narrowed. “Where’s Jory? Is he okay?”

    I could see the worry in her eyes, and I didn’t want to lie. “He’s fine. He’s safe. But I need answers. What the hell is going on with Dorian?” I turned to her, my voice demanding. “He’s been lying to me.”

    Kimberly’s face turned pale. “He’s not who he says he is. His file… it’s all fake.”

    I froze. The world seemed to stop for a second. “What do you mean?”

    Kimberly lowered her voice. “He’s not just a soldierb, /bra. He’s a mystery.”

    I could feel a coldness creeping down my spine. More questions. More lies. And here I was, standing bin /bbthe /b

    middle of it all.