Chapter 2
Hope's POV
After the ceremony, Axel led me to my new home—a simple but cozy cottage. Moonlight streamed through the windows onto the modest wooden furniture, making everything appear peaceful and serene.
I walked around the room, feeling this place that would become our love nest. Behind me came soft footsteps as Axel approached, his strong arms encircling my waist.
"What are you thinking about?"
I leaned back against his broad chest, saying softly, "Whether all of this is real."
"Then let me prove it to you." His hand caressed my cheek gently.
I turned to face him, seeing the fire burning in his eyes. No hesitation, no fear—just an Alpha's desire and certainty for his mate.
"Are you sure you won't regret choosing me?" His fingers traced my chin.
I smiled slightly, then stood on my tiptoes and kissed his lips. "I've never been more certain of anything."
That kiss seemed to ignite something. Axel pulled me close and kissed me deeply. In that moment, I felt an unprecedented thrill, my wolf howling with excitement in my consciousness.
"Hope..." he breathed in my ear, "Once I mark you, you'll belong to me forever."
I looked into his eyes, my heart racing. "Then mark me."
What happened next felt dreamlike. Under the Moon Goddess's witness, we completed the most sacred bonding ritual. When Axel's fangs pierced the skin at my neck, a powerful electric current shot through my entire body.
In that moment, I heard his inner voice.
"Hope... my mate..."
The mind-link was established. We had become true fated mates.
My wolf whimpered with happiness in my consciousness—it had finally found its other half.
The next few days passed peacefully and sweetly, but this tranquility was soon shattered.
At dusk, I was startled by commotion from the training grounds. Angry roars, the clash of metal, and terrified screams mixed together in chaos.
A sense of foreboding rose in my heart as I immediately ran toward the training grounds.
The training ground was in complete chaos. Axel was half-kneeling on the ground, his eyes completely golden, fangs bared, growling low. Around him, several young warriors trembled as they backed away, one bearing obvious claw marks on his arm.
"He's lost control again!" "This is the third time this month!" "He's going to get us all killed!"
The pack members' whispers cut into my heart like knives. Through our mind-link, I felt Axel's inner struggle—his sanity battling fiercely with his inner wildness.
"Hope..." his pained voice echoed in my mind.
Without hesitation, I walked straight toward him.
"Hope! Don't go near him! It's dangerous!" someone shouted.
But I was already standing before Axel. He looked up at me, those golden eyes flickering with wild light, fangs gleaming coldly in the sunset.
Any rational person would have turned and fled in that moment, but I only felt his inner pain.
"Breathe deeply," I said softly, reaching out to caress his cheek. "Focus on my voice. You are Axel, not a beast."
A miracle happened. The moment my hand touched him, warm energy flowed from within me. It felt like gentle sunlight piercing through dark fog.
The golden light in Axel's eyes began to fade slowly, his tense muscles gradually relaxing. He gasped heavily, regaining his sanity.
"How... how did you do that?" he looked at me, eyes full of amazement.
I was equally shocked. This ability... I had never possessed it in my past life.
"My God... a healing gift!" Elder Marcus said in a trembling voice. "This is the Moon Goddess's blessing!"
The surrounding pack members fell to their knees, their eyes filled with awe. Those with healing gifts were considered messengers of the Moon Goddess, sacred and inviolable.
I helped Axel to his feet. His eyes no longer held pain, only deep gratitude and undisguised love.
"Thank you, my destiny," he said through our mind-link. "You've saved me once again."
After that day, though I had successfully stabilized Axel, gossip within the pack intensified. I sneered, knowing exactly who was fanning the flames behind the scenes.
Axel remained outwardly calm, but I felt the enormous pressure in his heart. Seeing his sleepless silhouette at midnight, I decided to get some calming herbs.
The next day, I entered the medical room.
As soon as I walked in, I saw Nova sitting at Douglas's desk, her face glowing with artificial happiness.
"These herbs are amazing," she cooed to Douglas. "The herbal tea last night helped me sleep so peacefully."
Douglas smiled warmly, reaching out to stroke her hair. "As long as you're happy."
Seeing their intimate interaction, I sneered inwardly. Nothing but a false performance.
"Hope?" Douglas noticed me, his tone friendly. "What brings you here?"
"Getting some calming herbs," I replied calmly, "for Axel."
Nova's eyes immediately flashed with mockery. "Still worrying about that ticking time bomb? Sister, he'll hurt you eventually."
"I'm not interested in your opinions." I kept my head down, continuing to select herbs.
Douglas glanced at his watch. "Nova, I need to check on other patients. Wait here for me."
After he left, the air instantly became tense.
The sweetness vanished from Nova's face, replaced by a malicious sneer. She slowly approached me. "Sister, do you really think choosing that madman was a wise decision?"
