002

I’d rather hear him yell at me than sit across from Prince Charming.

Yeah, that’s how fucked up Alpha Kane had made me.

When Isabella arrived at the pack house that morning, her excitement was unbearable.

“Today’s the big day, my Lady!” she sang, spinning around with a makeup brush in her hand.

“Big mistake, you mean,” I muttered, but she only smirked and handed me a short black dress that probably violated every royal protocol in existence.

“Oh, please,” she teased, pushing me toward the mirror. “If you’re going to meet your fiancé, at least look like the woman who’s stealing his throne and his heart.”

I rolled my eyes but let her work her magic. She curled my hair, added a touch of crimson to my lips, and stepped back to admire her creation.

“Perfect,” she said. “Now maybe your Alpha Daddy won’t be mad at you.”

That name—Alpha Daddy—burned through my chest like fire. I didn’t respond. I couldn’t.

The ride to the restaurant was silent except for the low hum of the engine. My stomach twisted with every passing streetlight. I stared out the window, counting down the minutes until I could return to the safety of my room… or maybe just his voice, even if it was yelling at me again.

When we arrived, the driver opened my door, and I stepped out into the crisp morning air. The restaurant was grand—glass walls, golden accents, the kind of place where everything shimmered, and everyone pretended to be happy.

Prince William was already waiting inside. He stood when he saw me, all charm and royalty, that perfect smile that made other women swoon. He was handsome, no doubt. Polished, clean-cut, confident.

And yet… nothing.

No spark.

“Holy shit, Eve,” Isabella whispered under her breath, her eyes widening like she’d just spotted a celebrity. She leaned in closer, fanning herself dramatically with her hands. “He’s fucking gorgeous. Like, royal-level hot. If you don’t snag him, I might just volunteer as tribute.”

I shot her a glare, but she only grinned wider, that mischievous sparkle in her eyes turning full-blown wicked. “I’m serious! You better not break his heart, girl. A guy like that? Polite, loaded, and looks like he stepped out of a fairy tale? You’d be insane to let him slip away.”

“Shut up, whore! I hope you at least have your panties on…” I practically joked, and she blushed red, swatting my arm with a laugh that drew a curious glance from the hostess.

We sat, exchanged polite smiles, and let the silence stretch between us like a wall neither of us wanted to climb. I could feel Isabella’s eyes darting between us, silently begging me to try harder.

He was kind—too kind. He asked about my favorite things, my childhood, the pack life. I answered in pieces, keeping my tone even, controlled. But then—

“So… tell me,” he said softly, “what’s your wolf like?”

I froze.

The air around me went still. His words sliced through my calm like a blade.

“My… my wolf?” I whispered, the word tasting foreign on my tongue.

The table fell silent. Even Isabella’s cheerful expression faltered.

“She… she doesn’t have one,” Isabella blurted out, her voice trembling slightly.

Prince William blinked, immediately realizing his mistake. “Oh—I didn’t mean to— I was just curious—”

“It’s fine,” I interrupted, my tone sharper than I intended. I forced a smile, though it felt like my face might crack. “Since Alpha Kane is the strongest Alpha in the country, I suppose people expect his taken daughter to be strong too.”

I laughed bitterly, eyes fixed on my untouched glass of water. “But as you already know… the rogue war gave me trauma. And since then, I haven’t felt or awakened my wolf.”

The words came out steady, but inside, I was shaking. My chest ached, memories clawing their way to the surface—screams, blood, and the scent of smoke.

Prince William’s expression softened. “I’m sorry,” he said quietly.

I nodded, pretending to accept it, but my mind was already somewhere else.

Back at the pack house.

Back to the man who never asked, never mentioned my wolf—yet somehow understood my silence better than anyone else.

And I hated myself even more for wishing he’d been the one sitting across from me instead of Prince William.

The drive back was quiet, my thoughts spinning faster than the car tires on the road. Isabella had already been dropped off at her house, waving goodbye as her driver pulled away.

I stepped out at the pack house, my chest tightening at the sight of the familiar gates. I wanted nothing more than to rush upstairs, lock myself in my room, and pretend the world—and the engagement—didn’t exist.

But then a voice called out, smooth and dangerous, cutting through the quiet like a knife:

“Eve! You’re home. How was your date with your boyfriend…”

My skin crawled. That word—boyfriend—made my blood boil.

If it wasn’t that evil, pretending witch… Lady Helen.

I froze halfway up the stairs, eyes blazing with anger.

“What are you doing here?” I demanded.

“What do you mean?” she said, stepping forward, her smile sharp and proud. “This is my fiancé’s house… I just thought it proper to see where I’ll be living. You know, I spoke to Kane earlier, asking if I should come live here with you. After all, I will be Luna someday.”

“In your wildest dream!” I hissed, rolling my eyes and storming upstairs.

Her soft, mocking laughter followed me, echoing off the walls. “Oh, Eve… still fiery. I like that. But don’t forget your place. Kane trusts me, respects me, and soon… I’ll own every inch of this house. Including him. And you… you’ll learn your boundaries.”

I clenched my fists, my nails digging into my palms. “You’re nothing but a selfish, power-hungry witch.”

She tilted her head, smirk widening. “Call me what you like. I prefer strategist. This world rewards cunning and strength, not softness. And don’t forget—Kane listens to me. He respects me. You… are just in my way.”

I wanted to scream, but instead I spun and bolted for my room.

I checked the time. Past 4 p.m. That meant Kane would be back soon.

I refused to go downstairs for lunch. If he didn’t see me, he’d come looking—and when he did, I could beg him to let me refuse the marriage to Prince William. That was the plan.

I sat by the window, heart pounding, watching the road for his car. Every tick of the clock twisted my nerves tighter. I already rehearsed what I would say, how I would argue… because Kane always agreed to what I wanted.

Five minutes. Thirty minutes. One hour. One hour and a half.

Still no one came.

He’ll come. He has to notice. I pressed my hands to my cheeks, breathing shallowly. If he sees I didn’t come down for dinner, he’ll come for me. He always notices.

The house was quiet. No maid came to call me, no one knocked on the door. The silence pressed against me like a physical weight.

I decided I couldn’t wait any longer. First, I needed to wash away Prince William’s scent—the faint perfume clinging to me, reminding me how powerless I’d felt today. A quick bath, a fresh change of clothes… a plain blouse and skirt, nothing fancy. I didn’t care. I just wanted to feel myself again.

As I stepped into my room, a new sensation hit me—a scent, thick, commanding, impossible to ignore.

It wrapped around me like heat, pulling at something deep inside me.

My breath hitched.

And before I could make sense of anything… I realized it was coming from his chamber.