Chapter 3 Three

• Luciano’s POV
• The scent hits me like a punch to the gut. It coils around my senses, intoxicating, inescapable, raw. It’s her. It’s undeniable.
• A shift in the air tells me Sebastian senses it too. His blue eyes flicker with recognition, nostrils flaring slightly as he inhales deeper, savoring it.
• “Mate,” my wolf murmurs barely audible but the word cuts through the silence like a blade.
• Evana stiffens, her fingers twitching at her sides. Her face is pale, lips pressed together so tightly they nearly disappear. She’s trying to control her breathing but I can see the slight tremor in her fingers.
• She’s terrified.
• Good.
• I step forward, slow, deliberate watching her carefully. Her breathing hitches but she doesn’t move. I can see the rapid rise and fall of her chest. The way she forces herself to remain still under my gaze.
• She feels it. The bond. The pull. She knows exactly what we are to her.
• She just doesn’t want to accept it.
• Sebastian doesn’t share my patience. He smirks stepping up beside me. His gaze dragging over her in an assessing manner. “Well,” he drawls, voice laced with amusement. “Didn’t expect this, did you?” he says to me but my gaze remains on her the entire time unsure of what the moon goddess is playing at. She must have planned to curb our animosity with a mate before we take over all the packs not to mention the fact that she’s mated to both of us.
• We're twins, sharing has never been a problem for us.
• "No," I say curtly and Sebastian chuckles darkly. “And yet, here we are.”
• Evana swallows hard, eyes darting between us. I can see the effort it takes for her to hold herself together. She’s fragile, caught in a situation she never prepared for.
• Sebastian tilts his head, his smirk widening. “Tell me, Evana,” he muses, his voice deceptively light, “are you disappointed?”
• She hesitates, then quickly lowers her gaze. “No, Alpha,” she murmurs, her voice steady but cautious. “I… I just want to be free. I didn't expect this ”
• Sebastian hums, tapping a finger against his chin. “No, I imagine you didn’t.” He leans in slightly. “You’re afraid.”
• She flinches, her hands tightening further but she shakes her head. “I respect you both, Alpha. I know what you’re capable of.”
• Sebastian’s grin sharpens. “Respect,” he echoes. “That’s a nice word for it.”
• I watch her closely, noting the stiffness in her posture, the way her shoulders lock into place like she’s preparing for an attack.
• She is afraid. But she’s trying not to show it.
• Sebastian takes another step toward her. Close enough that she has to tilt her head back to look at him. He lowers his voice almost a whisper now. “Do you know what they say about us?”
• She nods, her breath shallow. “Yes, Alpha.”
• “And?”
• She hesitates, then answers carefully, “They say you are strong. Unchallenged. That you… do not tolerate weakness.”
• Sebastian chuckles, glancing at me. “She listens well.”
• I don’t react. I simply watch. Observe.
• Sebastian’s fingers trail along the hem of her sleeve, a deliberate taunt. “Do you know what happens to those who defy us, little wolf?”
• Her body tenses, but her voice remains soft, almost submissive. “I would never defy you, Alpha.”
• Sebastian grins, clearly enjoying himself. “Oh? And why is that?”
• She meets his gaze for a brief second before lowering her eyes. “Because I know my place.”
• Sebastian laughs. “Do you now?”
• She nods stiffly. “Yes, Alpha.”
• He leans in even closer lowering his voice to something dark “We’ll see about that.”
• I finally step in, my voice steady, controlled. “We’re wasting time.”
• Sebastian sighs but takes a step back, finally giving her space. “Shame. I was just starting to enjoy this.”
• I turn to Alpha Mikhail. He’s been silent this entire time, his expression carefully neutral but I know this revelation is a shock to him. He didn’t know. He didn’t anticipate this.
• “The deal remains,” I say, my tone leaving no room for argument.
• Mikhail nods stiffly. “Understood.”
• Evana’s head snaps up, her lips parting slightly in surprise.
• Sebastian raises a brow. “You look surprised, little wolf. Did you think we’d refuse you?”
• She quickly lowers her gaze. “No, Alpha.”
• He smirks. “Liar.”
• She flinches.
• Sebastian chuckles. “Don’t worry. We’re keeping you. Whether you like it or not.”
• I don’t wait for further arguments. “We leave now.”
• I see the brief flicker of panic in her eyes but she quickly smothers it, stepping forward without hesitation.
• Good. She’s learning.
• The journey is quiet at first.
• Evana sits between us in the back of the sleek black vehicle, her hands clasped tightly in her lap. She keeps her gaze lowered, her posture rigid but I can feel the tension rolling off her in waves.
• Sebastian watches her like a predator studying its prey. “You’re very obedient, little wolf,” he remarks. “Is that out of fear or wisdom?”
• She doesn’t hesitate. “Respect, Alpha.”
• Sebastian grins. “Respect,” he echoes, drawing out the word like a taste on his tongue. “I suppose that’s a smart answer.”
• She nods slightly but remains silent.
• Sebastian leans closer. “Tell me, Evana, do you know what being our mate means?”
• She swallows, her throat bobbing slightly. “It means I belong to you, Alpha.”
• Sebastian tilts his head. “You say that so easily. Do you truly believe it?”
• She hesitates. “Yes, Alpha.”
• He chuckles. “You’re lying again.”
• She shakes her head quickly. “I would never lie to you, Alpha.”
• Sebastian lets out a low hum of amusement. “Clever little wolf.”
• I watches her carefully. She’s saying all the right things, playing the part of the obedient mate, but there’s something beneath it. A flicker of resistance. Of fear.
• I knows she isn’t completely broken.
• Not yet.
• Sebastian rests his arm along the back of the seat, his fingers ghosting just behind her shoulder. “You’re scared,” he muses.
• She keeps her voice steady. “I trust you, Alpha.”
• Sebastian smirks. “Another lie.” but she doesn’t respond this time.
• Sebastian exhales in amusement. “You’ll learn, little wolf. We don’t tolerate dishonesty.” he adds while I look away from them to look into the horizon.
• The rest of the drive is spent in silence.
• When the vehicle finally comes to a stop, Evana hesitates for the first time.
• I step out first, then turn to her. “ come on”
• She obeys immediately, stepping into Caballo territory. Our Territory where we are king.
• She stiffens almost instantly.
• I see the way her eyes widen slightly, the way her fingers twitch at her sides. She’s taking in her surroundings realizing exactly where she is.
• She’s surrounded.
• Wolves linger in the shadows, some standing in plain sight watching her every move. Their presence is heavy, suffocating. The air here is thick with dominance, power, control.
• Evana barely moves, her breath shallow.
• Sebastian steps in beside her, grinning. “Feel it, little wolf?”
• She doesn’t respond.
• He leans in, his voice dropping to a whisper. “That’s the weight of reality sinking in.”
• She grips the fabric of her sleeve, knuckles white.
• Sebastian chuckles, stepping ahead. “Welcome home Evana ”