Minerva's POV
My eyes sharpened when I saw her.
She had been trespassing around my borders when I felt the shift in energy, something ancient and unexplainable that had sent a ripple through the air.
And I had frowned.
At first, I assumed it was an intruder, another foolish rogue trying to test the boundaries of my land. But as the scent reached me sea breeze and salt water, a scent uniquely hers. That was when I realized it wasn't just anyone.
It was her.
My mate.
The word itself felt foreign, bitter on my tongue.
I refused to believe it.
Fate was cruel indeed. A weak person who looked as if a thousand of wolves had stamped on had become my mate.
That made me want to laugh.
I leaned back on my throne, my expression unreadable as I watched her kneeling before me, chains wrapped around her wrists. She was battered, bruised, her long dark hair disheveled, but her spirit wasn't broken.
She looked defiant. Unyielding. Unafraid.
Annoyance flickered through me. She should be afraid.
She was caught trespassing on my land. That alone warranted punishment.
I exhaled slowly, schooling my expression into cold indifference.
"Why were you trespassing in my territory?" My voice cut through the silence, low and firm.
She lifted her chin slightly, despite the position she was in. "I was merely passing through."
"Lies." My fingers tapped against the armrest of my throne. "You were found deep within my borders. Passing through is an excuse for fools. Try again."
Her dark eyes met mine, challenging. "I must have mistaken the way."
I arched a brow. She was a terrible liar.
"You traveled far into forbidden land, mistook your way?" I repeated, unimpressed.
She held my gaze. "It was not my intention to trespass, Alpha."
There was something in her tone that irked me—not submission, not defiance, but something in between.
I could have had her executed on the spot.
But I didn't.
Instead, I studied her, dissecting every little detail about her that made my wolf restless.
Her scent called to me, her presence ignited something in my blood I had long ignored. My wolf wanted to claim her.
But I was not a man who followed fate.
I carved my own path.
"This is Kynigos territory," I said finally. "Trespassers are punished severely."
I watched her reaction, expecting fear—but she gave me nothing.
She only sat there, her shoulders squared despite her exhaustion, her chains clinking softly as she shifted.
This woman was either incredibly brave or incredibly stupid.
"You understand that I have every right to execute you?" I continued.
Her lips parted slightly, but she didn't look away. "If that is your will, Alpha, then do it."
That stopped me.
I had expected begging. Bargaining. Fear.
Instead, I was met with a strong headed woman.
I exhaled slowly. This was not how I expected this to go.
I had been prepared to dispose of her quickly, another problem handled efficiently—but now I hesitated.
Something about her presence felt dangerous, not in the way an enemy warrior would be, but in the way a storm slowly built over the sea, promising destruction but pulling you toward it nonetheless.
The bond burned in my veins, daring me to acknowledge it.
I refused.
I stood, stepping down from the throne. The guards flanking her immediately stiffened, awaiting my command.
She tilted her head up as I approached, her eyes following my every movement.
For a brief moment, I simply looked at her.
Then, I made my decision.
"You want to live?" I asked.
She narrowed her eyes slightly. "Yes."
"Then you will serve me."
A flicker of confusion passed through her features.
"You trespassed. You entered my land without permission. Execution is the usual sentence," I reminded her, voice quiet, controlled. "But I am feeling... generous."
Her lips parted, as if she wanted to speak, but she stayed silent.
"You will work in this palace," I continued. "Under my eye. That is your punishment."
A guard scoffed. "Alpha, she is not a servant—"
I cut him a sharp look, and he immediately silenced himself.
Circe studied me carefully, then exhaled.
"Fine," she said. "I'll serve."
The moment the words left her lips, I turned to the guards.
"Remove the chains," I commanded.
They hesitated but obeyed.
The metal clattered to the floor, and the moment she was free, her hands curled into fists.
She was already thinking of escape.
I smirked, just slightly.
Let her try.
I had seen the way her muscles tensed the moment the chains hit the floor, how her fingers curled into fists, how her eyes flicked toward the nearest exit like she was calculating her chances.
Foolish.
She wouldn't make it past the first corridor before being dragged back in. And if she did—I would find her myself.
I stepped closer, towering over her, watching for any sign of weakness. She didn't look away.
"Your name?" I asked.
She didn't hesitate. "Rivera."
The lie rolled smoothly off her tongue, too smooth.
I let the name settle, as if I believed it. As if I didn't already know there was more to her.
I leaned in slightly, just enough to make sure she felt my presence, my authority. "Rivera," I repeated, my voice unreadable. "Interesting name."
She held her ground, stiff, unreadable.
I watched her for a long moment, then stepped back, satisfied for now. "You will learn quickly how things work here, Rivera."
I turned slightly, gesturing for a servant. "See that she is cleaned and clothed properly."
Then, my eyes met hers again, cold and absolute.
"I will see you in my quarters."
She stiffened slightly, just enough for me to notice. Good.
Without another word, I turned and walked away, knowing full well she would follow soon enough.
And knowing, without a doubt, that she was hiding something.