CHAPTER 1

ELIZA'S POV

He told me to stay home and watch our two weeks old baby, but my excited heart chose to come.

Today is the final day of the palace head guard fight. Whoever that wins will be crowned the Alpha's Royal Head guard and rewarded greatly.

My fiancé, Lucas, has been in the fight for over a month since it started, pushing through to make sure he gets qualified for the finals.

Now today... "You can do it, Lucas! I believe in you!" I yelled from amidst the crowds, watching the love of my life battle with his opponents with zeal and determination.

He doesn't know I'm here. I want to surprise him when he wins. It'll be a joyous moment for us.

Everyone is rooting for him because of his incredible skills. He's dominating this fight.

I had my hands up to chest, praying to the Goddess to help my Lucas win so we can finally get our new home and give our baby the best life he deserves.

Just as I made these prayers in my heart, Lucas delivered the final hit to his opponents, sending them falling to the ground!

"HE WON!" The crowds screamed next to me as their cheers erupted like thunder, celebrating the winner!

"Goddess!" I exclaimed with joy, jumping with my hands in the air, screaming my mate's name!

"He won! Oh Goddess, thank you so much. We can finally get a new house and money and... I'm so excited!" I screamed amidst the crowd's cheerful roars, almost breaking down into tears.

Heaven knows how much we've suffered together.

The struggles, the mockery from people and from his family... It was such a hurtful moment for us to bear.

Lucas's family were the worst. They made the relationship a hell. They tormented me so much, forcing Lucas to move out from his own home to stay with me in a one room crumbling apartment.

He couldn't bear to see me get hurt, so he chose me over his family.

I felt guilty when he made this decision, so I promised to help support him in the best way I can.

When the announcement of the quest came in, only men recognized for their strength and physique were invited, but my Lucas wasn't among.

I was the one who sent a letter to the palace, picking him as a suitable candidate for the game.

I can never forget how nervous I felt when a response came from the palace right outside our rundown home.

Lucas was there when a guard showed up and told him the good news.

He was so happy and gave me the sweetest embrace that still makes my heart melt whenever I remember it.

Until today, he doesn't know I'm the one who made an appeal to the palace to take him in.

"I'll tell him everything," I smiled with joy, watching my Lucas throw his arm into the air with victory, increasing the chants of everyone.

As this was happening, I noticed a few people rushing out from a guided entry into the battleground to meet with Lucas.

"Wait, that's my in-laws," I said, recognizing Lucas's father, mother, and two sisters.

They were allowed to go and see Lucas, and celebrate with him!

From my fiancé's expression, he wasn't expecting them to show up to his fight. In fact, he looked so happy and warmly welcomed them.

Seeing this, I decided to go and join them and celebrate my fiancé specially as his soon to be mate.

"He'll be so happy!" I shrieked with joy, rushing off to the entry.

When I got there, the guards stopped me and demanded to know who I was.

With pride, I told them my relationship to the champion. "I'm his fiancée. Those are my in-laws," I said with a smile on my face, looking into the battleground, watching my Lucas laugh with his family.

"Fiancée?" The guards chorused in confusion, staring at me like they don't understand that word.

"Yes, his soon to be mate. Lucas is my husband. You can go and ask him. Tell him Eliza is here," I said, grabbing on to the hem of my top to ease my excitement.

I really can't wait to meet him.

"Ma'am..." One of the guard spoke, putting his hand out to block the way. "We can understand how desperate you are to meet the winner, but when someone lies to our faces, we won't tolerate it."

"Lie?" I gasped in surprise, noticing how both guards gazed at me like I'm indeed a liar!

"No, I'm not lying. I'm really Lucas's fiancée. You can go and..." Before I could complete my sentence, something horrifying took place right in the open, before my eyes!

Aside from my in-laws, there was another woman with them, dressed so beautifully like she's coated with wealth.

She stood before my Lucas with a smile as my fiancé happily pulled her into his hold and... And kissed her!

"What's... What's happening? Who's that woman?!" My heart pounded with terror, as I watched my Lucas savoring another woman's lips while everyone watched with admiration, praising them!

That's when the guards before me scoffed and said, "That's the Champion's real fiancée, Lady Tamari."

"His family already confirmed it when they came through. So, it's best you take your lies elsewhere before we force you."

My inside collapsed at what the guards just said and at the heart wrenching sight before me!

"Fiancée? This is a lie! I am Lucas's only fiancée! Who's this imposter?!" I screamed in my head, breathing heavily.

But the sight before me shows they aren't lying. Lucas just kissed this woman before the entire pack, proving he knows her and... "Oh Goddess." My legs quivered as I staggered back a little.

"Lucas... Lucas," I called with so much pain, watching his family happily celebrating this strange woman.

And the joy on Lucas's face killed me completely.

He's staring at her with so much love in his eyes!

I couldn't speak but stood there frozen, feeling my eyes welling up with tears as the guards laughed at my expression.

"Shuu now!"

"Go away or we'll make you!" They threatened, taking a step forward to chase me away.

It was at that moment Lucas's excited gazes fell in my direction and he froze in shock when he saw me.

His eyes popped like he had just seen a ghost. Even his face went pale, yet his family and lover didn't notice the changes all over him.

That reaction... It says it all.

"GET LOST!" The guards yelled at me again, giving me a hard push from the shoulder.

I staggered back, my hurtful gaze still on Lucas, who couldn't even look at me for another second because of his guilty conscience.

He looked away, letting his new lover embrace him tightly.

That finally forced my tears out, as I ran away from there like the broken soul I've become, crying.