Zara’s POV

I stood beside the French window in my white custom bridal gown, staring blankly outside. My eyes were empty, devoid of hope.Today should have been the happiest day of my life – I had just married Nicholas Grantham, the Alpha of The Moonlit Pack and CEO of the multi-billionaire Apex empire.

I should have been happy, right?Yet here I was, alone in our marital suite, my face pale with sorrow.

My wolf Elena whined softly in my mind, sensing my distress. "He's our fated mate, Zara. I can feel it, even if he denies it."

I pressed my lips together, suppressing both my emotions and Elena's protests. Elena had been restless since the mating ceremony, drawn to Nicholas's powerful Alpha presence. The scent of sandalwood from him drew my wolf- smooth, rich, and slightly sweet.

His cruel words still echoed in my mind.

"I wonder what tricks you used to manipulate my grandfather into this marriage arrangement," he sneered, towering over me with contempt in his eyes. I opened my mouth but words failed me.

He leaned down, his lips almost brushing my ear. His hot breath against my neck made my body melt, my heart racing wildly. Despite his cruel words, my wolf yearned to be closer to him. Was this the irresistible pull between fated mates?

"Don't flatter yourself," he whispered. "You're nothing but a contract bride. Don't expect anything from me. Just stay as a good Luna for two years and then get lost from my life..."

He left the marital suite after those words, leaving me standing there alone. Tears streamed down my face uncontrollably, while Elena whimpered at his harsh words."How can he be so cruel?"

My mind drifted back to how this all began...

"His condition is getting worse. He needs a heart transplant. Otherwise, he can't survive."

The doctor's words had hit me like a physical blow. My hands trembled under the table as I struggled to find my voice.

"Did you apply for the heart?"

I could only manage a weak nod. We'd been on the waiting list for almost a year, but Brian's number was still after a hundred other patients. Even if his turn came, the surgery costs were far beyond what we could afford.

Fighting back tears, I lifted my chin and asked, "Is there no other treatment but a transplant?"

The doctor's expression was sympathetic but firm. "Brian was born with congenital heart disease. It's a miracle that he survived till 19 years without the transplant. But his heart is getting weaker day by day. It can't pump the blood his body needs. He needs the transplant soon. I know someone who can arrange the heart immediately. If you want, I can get through to him. But it's a bit costly."

"How much?" My voice was barely above a whisper.

"Well, normally it takes a few hundred thousand for the transplant, but he will charge a million."

"A million?" The words came out in a strangled gasp.

I felt like the sky had fallen upon my head. Arranging a few hundred thousand was difficult for me, but a million was an astronomical figure. Where could I arrange so much money? I felt as if my surroundings were spinning.

I didn't know how I came out of the doctor's chamber. My mind was in a mess. I didn't go back to the ward. At that moment, I could face neither my brother nor my mother. I walked out of the hospital and went to the nearby park. Sitting on a cemented chair, I broke down into tears, covering my face with my palms. My shoulders were shaking continuously. Elena howled mournfully in my mind, sharing my pain. "We'll find a way," she tried to reassure me, but even she sounded uncertain.

"Hello, Miss Morris."

I stopped crying instantaneously and raised my eyes to the source of the voice, only to see a middle-aged man standing tall next to me. His expression was unreadable as he gestured toward a limousine parked across the street. "The Alpha Solomon wants to talk to you. He's in the car. "

I recognized him. He was the beta of Alpha Solomon. I was perplexed, thinking why the Alpha Solomon wanted to meet me.

I walked out of the park, following the beta. He opened the door of the limousine for me, and I went inside.

Alpha Solomon in his eighties was sitting inside the limousine like a king, holding his lion-headed walking stick. He wore a grey custom suit. His thin grey hair was combed back meticulously.

He was the former Alpha of my Pack, having relinquished his position to his grandson, Nicholas Grantham. Despite his advanced age, he emanated an aura of power that made Elena instinctively lower her head in respect. His light blue eyes behind thick-rimmed glasses studied me intently.

"Come and sit here," he patted the seat beside him.

Elena stirred within me uneasily as we settled next to him. I hadn't seen Alpha Solomon since a decade ago, when my father, an elite Pack warrior, died protecting him from rival wolves' assassination.

I was kind of uncomfortable approaching him. After taking a deep breath, I sat on the seat next to him.

"You've grown into a pretty lady," he smiled warmly.

I blushed, looking down at my hands. "Thank you."

"I know you're having trouble arranging money for your brother's surgery. I can help you."

My head snapped up in disbelief.

"I can pay his medical bills and arrange the surgery he needs. But..." He paused meaningfully. "You have to marry my grandson Nicholas."

My eyes grew wide in shock.Every wolf in The Moonlit Pack knew of their Alpha's reputation –a ruthless businessman and notorious womanizer.He changed women like clothes.

Alpha Nicholas attended university in Silvergate City and returned to Greyhaven City shortly after graduation to take over the pack's Apex Corporation. I had never met him before, only heard his name mentioned.

What did Alpha Solomon think of me? I needed the money, but it didn't mean that I would mate with a playboy like Alpha Nicholas. They may have been rich and powerful, but I was a dignified she-wolf. Nobody could coerce me against my will. I wouldn't agree to such an arrangement.

The change in my expression didn't go unnoticed by his sharp eyes. He knew I wasn't happy, but he was persistent. "I know what you're thinking. But before you reply, consider my proposal carefully. You need money to treat your brother, and I need a Luna for my grandson who can teach him the morals and values of the pack. You're perfect for him."

"Your father sacrificed his life to save mine. I owe him a debt. I could help you without asking for anything in return, but..." He smiled. "I became greedy when I saw how beautiful and competent you've become. Zara, I've never requested anything from anyone. But I'm requesting this of you. Our pack needs a strong Luna, and you have the qualities we need.Consider my proposal. You will not be at a loss."

I was listening to him attentively, staring at him incredulously. His offer was indeed alluring, but could I accept it?

I had always dreamed of finding my fated mate, spending a lifetime with my true love. But being bound to a playboy like Alpha Nicholas, known for toying with women, made my heart ache deeply. This might be the biggest mistake of my life.

But thinking of Brian suffering in pain, I became weak. Could I compromise my happiness for saving my brother? At that nick of time, I couldn't decide.

Noticing my hesitation, Alpha Solomon said again, "You don't have to reply to me right now. Take your time and think about it carefully."

He wrote down his number and handed it to me. "Take your time and think about it carefully. I hope you'll accept my proposal. It will benefit both of us."

"And what about Alpha Nicholas?" I couldn't help asking. "Does he agree to this?"

Solomon's expression darkened slightly. "Leave Nicholas to me. Just know that once the mating ceremony is complete, even he won't be able to deny the bond."

I nodded numbly. "I'll think about it."