His Fake Luna... Kind Of

What in God’s name was that smell?

It wasn’t a bad smell, mused a slowly waking Italia, whose eyelids were too heavy to fully open. It wasn’t a smell that belonged to her bed though, of that she was certain. Her sleep-fogged brain was able to conclude three things. One, the smell was actually a person’s scent – the most delicious scent: fresh pine, spring rain, and cedar wood. Two, the alluring scent belonged to a male. And three, the male was a wolf-shifter, just like Italia. But Italia Furrows did not sneak strangers into the pack house, even if they did smell incredible.

Forcing a single tired eye open, she took a peak at her surroundings and was able to confirm that the mystery male had in fact long gone. She turned to glance at her alarm clock, or she would have done if it hadn’t done a disappearing act. Along with her wardrobe, bedside table and TV. Oh and these silky sheets beneath her, they were definitely not her sheets.

She sat up and cursed. Nope, this definitely wasn’t her room. In fact, she wasn’t even in her home. Warily scanning her surroundings, her eyes widened in not only response to the luxury around her, but also the realisation that she was inside what appeared to be a… cave? Not a stone age type of cave though, oh hell no. The light-cream sandstone walls were all perfectly smooth apart from the occasional niche that was being used as a mini shelf.

The floors were covered with plush grey carpets that looked incredibly soft. To the left, there was a very masculine-style triple wardrobe and a large set of draws, both a dark oak that matched the headboard of the platform bed. The bed itself was under a smooth arch that had been moulded into the cave, making it cozy despite the enormity of the bed. Although, it wasn’t cozy enough for her to be enjoying this weird ass scenario.

Although her wolf was on high alert, she didn’t find herself nervous or anxious. Italia couldn’t help but snigger. Her dumb wolf didn’t even have the sense to worry or stress that they were in a strange cave with no memory of arriving here.

Italia thought back to her night. Had she gone out with Aria and ended up in a strangers bed? Hmm, that didn’t seem right. For one, Italia didn’t remember arranging a night out and two, her position as a pack healer meant she was constantly on call, so she could never get ridiculously drunk. Besides, she was fully clothed – in her sweats no less – and there was no smell of sex on her or the bed.

Despite the fogginess in her brain, she could recall going to the animal shelter where she works and starting her shift. But she sure didn’t remember leaving. Italia took in a deep breath, deciphering the scents lingering. But she could only smell two individuals, besides herself and the delicious-smelling wolf. Another male and female, both of whom were unfamiliar wolf shifters.

Italia found some peace in the fact that at least she hadn’t fallen into the grasp of Rayden, that dick Alpha, who didn’t give a crap that she didn’t want to be claimed by him. Neither did her father. You know how women were labelled gold-diggers? Well, her father was an alliance-digger. And if meant using his daughter to get one, oh well.

She couldn’t even defend him and say it was because he was desperate for an alliance, because he wasn’t. Italia’s father collected alliances for the sake of it, not because he needed them. Truth be told, he just didn’t have time for his daughter anymore. Not since her mother had died and he believed Italia was latent. It was a blow to his pride, an aberration in his bloodline. To her father, being responsible for her conception meant that she was his weakness. And honestly, he certainly wouldn’t be putting her photo on flyers if she didn’t return from wherever the hell she was.

Her eyes fixated on a set of black curtains and she quickly rose from the bed. Dizziness rushed over her, making her sway and stagger her way to open the curtains with sluggish, ungraceful movements. Jesus, what was with her? Revealing the bay window, one that was unfortunately locked, she noticed it was late afternoon. How long had she been here for exactly?

Her brows creased as she took in the view. Most packs had a massive luxury lodges surrounded by a number of cabins. Some even had cliffs filled with lodges. But this place wasn’t on a cliff – it was the cliff. With arched, lighted balconies and smooth stairways leading to different levels, it was like nothing she had seen before. What. The. Fuck?

Below was grass, grass and more grass. A huge forest. So from what Italia could tell, she was in some kind of strange, huge cave system in the middle of no-man’s-land. Something told her she was still in Arizona somewhere, but that the taxi ride home was going to hurt her bank account. Good thing her kidnapper was wealthy. Especially since there didn’t seem to be any sign of her purse anywhere.

Smoothing out her chocolate-brown locks, she headed for the door on her shaky legs. She might have been cautious about it if she hadn’t been so annoyed and confused. Besides, she figured if these wolves intended to hurt her then they would have done it already. And they certainly wouldn’t have left her to sleep on such a comfy, extravagant bed.

Tugging on the door handle, to her horror and frustration she found the door to be locked. “Hey!” she called out, knocking loudly. Nothing. “Helloooooooooo!” Still nothing.

So, summing it up, she was in a strange place around strange shifters and she was being confined? Now, her wolf was pissed. “Hello! This is your captive speaking! Open the freaking door!”

A chuckle preceded the turning of a key and then the door slowly swung open. Italia found herself face-to-chest with what she could only describe to be a living mountain. Another wolf. She arched her brow, a cocky, devilish smirk, wondering what could possibly be so amusing.

“You’re awake. Good.”

“And which avenger might you be?” No, it wasn’t the best time to make jokes, but she was a sarcastic bitch and when she was pissed off, well the sarcasm took on a life of its own.

His smirk widened. “The Alpha wants to speak to you.”

“And your Alpha is…?”

He winked. “Follow me.”

Rolling her eyes at his cocky swagger, Italia followed him through a tunnel that took them further into the mountain. She realised they were in a network of tunnels. Like some kind of giant ant colony. Her wolf was going crazy at the unfamiliar scents, wanting Italia to explore the place. “Mind telling me where I am?”

“All will be revealed soon.” He drawled.

“How about how I got here?” she asked irritably.

“The Alpha will explain that to you.”

She couldn’t contain her growl, but it seemed to amuse the man. Soon they came to a black door, which mystery man held open while she passed through. Now they were in a huge open-plan kitchen that was surprisingly modern and stylish with beige cabinets, black marble countertops, and platinum appliances. In the centre of the large space was a long sandstone dining table which a small number of male shifters hovered, all whose heads turned when she entered the room, giving her a view of who was sat at the table. Her jaw practically hit the floor.

Cassian fucking Knight. Mother fucker.