Anastasia sat rigid and unmoving as the doctor treated her wound, avoiding his pitying gaze.

The lavish furnishings provided no comfort as she tracked Cobra’s restless, intense prowling.

He hovered protectively by her side, cradling her hand and repeatedly kissing her knuckles with tender reverence. "I’m so sorry for hurting you," he murmured fervently between kisses. "Knowing I caused you pain sickens me."

As soon as the fresh bandages were secured, Cobra swiftly scooped Anastasia into his arms before the doctor could leave.

Anastasia crossed her arms on her chest and blankly looked at corridors while being carried by Cobra.

Cradling her gently against his powerful frame, he carried her from the room with a tenderness that contrasted his forceful alpha presence.

Striding through the corridors, Cobra beamed with pride at every possessive glance towards his beautiful mate.

Finally, he kicked open an ornate double door, revealing luxurious living quarters designed specifically for Anastasia’s comfort.

"Here is your new room, my love," he spoke gently, softly putting her on the king-sized bed. "I made sure you would not need anything, but if I forgot something you want, just tell me and I will get it for you right away."

Pacing restlessly, Cobra drank in every lavish detail before throwing open the cavernous walk-in closet, displaying endless racks of designer clothing, shoes, and accessories.

"This is your closet, my love," he said reverently, stroking the fine fabrics. " I made sure to buy the clothes in the style that you exactly like and prefer."

Plucking out a sleek red gown, he marveled at the delicate chiffon slipping through his roughened fingers.

His intense gaze locked on Anastasia, gauging her reaction.

"But if you don’t like something," he murmured huskily. " I can change it or even bring the thing that you exactly like. Just let me know, my love."

Cobra stepped uncomfortably close, his pheromones saved her in a good way, but she hated it. "Feel free to use the shower. I made sure to stock it with all your favorite products, my love."

A chill went down Anastasia’s spine at the realization he even knew her to the point of knowing what product she uses on her body.

But she hid her discomfort behind a dazzling smile. "You got all my exact products? How thoughtful."

Moving to the huge closet, she trailed her fingers over the luxurious fabrics, selecting a comfy pajama set.

She turned to Cobra with an inquisitive raised brow.

"Let me make sure you chose them correctly," she requested sweetly, the tone she knew disarmed him.

Proud to prove his devotion, Cobra eagerly led her to the lavish bathroom.

Anastasia’s breath caught seeing every single one of her vanity items perfectly displayed - from her antique brushes to her favorite moisturizing lip oil.

The same exact product.

Every single one of them.

He bought the exact same product that she currently uses.

How and from where did he even get this information?

Forcing a smile, she praised, "You bought everything perfectly right. Wow, Well done."

She stroked his stubbled jaw in feigned intimacy. "After my shower, I will want a thick steak and a big glass of my favorite wine. Do you know which wine is my favorite? Could you arrange that for me?"

Cobra visibly swelled with pride at her rare praise and skin contact, nodding obediently and so excitedly. "Of course, anything you want. I will have it ready, my love." His dark gaze smoldered. "Relax, my love. I will await your summons."

With one last worshipful, obsessive almost psychotic look, Cobra left the bathroom with a wide smile on his face.

The second the door clicked closed, Anastasia’s brilliant facade shattered, and her fake grin vanished, leaving a harrowed, haunted expression.

As the bathroom door closed behind Cobra, the full reality of Anastasia’s situation hit her like a suffocating wave.

This is when she finally processed and realized what situation she had put herself in.

Her inner wolf craved her two fated mates - Liam and the sane side of Cobra - that the Moon Goddess had bound to her soul.

But how could she ever truly have Liam after the cruel lies and pain she caused him? And Cobra’s unhinged, obsessive side both enticed and revolted her.

Did the moon Goddess give her two fated mates to tell her she would not be able to have neither of them?

A mirthless chuckle escaped her lips as she realized the cruel cosmic joke.

The moon gods had given her the two halves of her destined mate - the two men she could never fully possess, no matter how much she yearned for them.

At least now she reasoned with a sigh, she could try to maintain control.

Perhaps appease Cobra enough to stop deadly attacks on Luna’s pack.

Maybe even convince her psychotic mate to end the attacks if she played her role perfectly.

Desperate to calm her weary turmoil, Anastasia quickly stripped and stepped into the steaming shower.

She exhaled as the searing water sluiced over her battle-worn body.

Carefully unwrapping her bandages, she exposed the jagged bullet mark on her abdomen.

As pale pink water swirled down the drain, she lathered up a loofah with her favorite body wash.

Each firm stroke not only cleansed grime but seemed to scour away lingering emotional and physical aches.

Rinsing away the suds and washing her hair, some of the oppressive weight on her spirit had lifted by the time she stepped out.

________

Toweling off her damp body, Anastasia secured the plush robe and moved to the vanity.

She meticulously treated her face with cleansers, serums, and a thick moisturizer. Once her pampering routine finished, she slipped into a luxurious charcoal silk chemise set, the buttery fabric caressing her skin.

Finally, she wiped away the steam on the mirror to reveal her luminous reflection.

Taking a steadying breath, Anastasia centered herself, calling forth an impenetrable mask of regal poise to survive the coming days.

One sharp nod later, her expression blazed with renewed determination to face what awaited beyond the door.

__________

In the quiet of her chamber, Cobra silently approached, bearing a tray of food for his mate.

As she sat down on the bed, feeding herself, he watched her, his gaze filled with an intensity born of devotion.

A slight signal with her hand, made him stand up and approach her as she asked, he obediently complied.

"Open your mouth," she whispered, her touch gentle as she fed him.

In that moment, both found solace in the exchange, though a weighty conflict lingered beneath their shared intimacy.

She tenderly wiped his lips, making his heart race like a teenage girl in love.

"Cobra, the Luna pack has shown me kindness. Can you promise to refrain from further attacks?"

His response was hesitant, torn between his devotion to her and his territorial ambitions. "I can not. I have a plan to take over everything for you. To be someone for you."

Yet, her words carried a compelling logic, urging him to reconsider. "You have the north and the west, and with me, you have the south. Is it not enough? And you are someone, you have always been someone."

Cupping his face, she spoke with a quiet authority that belied her inner turmoil.

Cobra, unable to resist her influence, acquiesced, his love outweighing his desire for conquest.

"Anything for you, my love," he promised a testament to the depth of their bond amidst the turmoil of their world.

Her smile, a bittersweet expression of relief and regret, graced her lips as she tenderly kissed his forehead.

Gratitude swelled within her, mingled with the weight of their choices.

"Good, thank you, Cobra," she murmured softly, her voice a delicate melody in the quiet chamber.

Tears glistened in Cobra’s eyes, a testament to the depth of his emotions.

She accepted his touch, wordlessly conveying his vulnerability.

Silently, she brushed away his tears, a gesture of comfort without judgment. "Don’t cry," she whispered, her voice a gentle caress. "I have you now."

In the intimacy of the moment, she sought solace in his embrace.

"Can I hug you?" she asked, her voice tentative yet filled with longing, yearning for reassurance amidst the uncertainty of their path.

Cobra immediately nodded, chest puffed with devotion and desire to please her.

Before he could speak, Anastasia boldly pulled him into a warm embrace, her arms wrapping around his thick, muscular frame.

His potent, virile scent - a rugged blend of leather, and musky man - enveloped her in dizzying waves.

A deep, rumbling purr vibrated from Cobra’s barrel chest as he reveled in her arms.

Utterly submissive, he nuzzled shamelessly against the silky hollow of her throat.

That primal display of absolute surrender to her dominance ignited a feral, possessive hunger within Anastasia.

Her inner wolf howled in triumphant yearning to claim and ravage every quivering inch of the yielding beast in her grasp.

Nothing satisfied her instincts more than having these big, strong, domineering men - who ruled undisputed over all others - crumble into pliable, needy submission under her touch alone.

She and her inner wolf are so internally happy to be able to make Cobra aka their fated mate feel so safe to be submissive and vulnerable in her arms.

As Cobra nestled contentedly against her welcoming body, Anastasia flashed back to that feral, passionate night with Liam - how his powerful, battle-hardened form had melted rapturously into her skilled hands.

Of course, she inwardly growled, unable to fully embrace the moment.

Of course, the Moon Goddess has always been wise, she chooses fated mates so carefully.

She chose two men for Anastasia exactly to be able to love, and cherish them and perfectly for her.

The only problem is her relationship with each one of them is more complicated than the other.