Chapter 2

The moment the words left my mouth, a pair of disbelieving eyes locked onto me.

Hadley.

I turned to him, confused.

"I just told you I'm not marrying you. Why are you staring at me like that? Think I'm playing hard to get? Don't worry, I'm not the type to throw myself at a man who doesn't want me."

My words were casual, but Hadley's face flushed red in an instant. He was furious.

"Don't think I'll buy your act! Who knows what kind of scheme you're running, you vile woman!"

"Callum's half a man! Marry him and you'll never know what it's like to be with a real man!"

Hadley's eyes were full of contempt. He didn't bother hiding it.

His voice dripped with condescension.

"Zoe, for the sake of us growing up together, I can offer you a place as a secondary mate. As long as you behave, I'll make sure you live out your days in peace. Don't be stupid about this. Unless you'd rather marry Callum and spend your nights alone."

I ignored Hadley's taunting and kept my eyes on the Alpha King.

"I only want Callum. If I can't have him, I'd rather never mate at all."

I wasn't afraid the Alpha King would call Callum in to challenge my claim.

Callum was born to the Alpha King's first wife, back when Roran was still climbing to power. After taking the throne, Roran fell for Hadley's mother and demoted his first wife to a lesser position. Callum's mother died of heartbreak.

Callum had every reason to hate his father.

In my past life, the one who'd spoken up for me was one of Callum's people.

At this point, the Alpha King couldn't pretend anymore.

The softness drained from his face. Gone was the pleading old man. His eyes turned sharp, every inch the Alpha King.

"Fine. I'll let you marry Callum. But you know he's not Hadley's equal. Don't come to me with regrets."

I answered without hesitation.

"I won't regret it."

In our bloodline, an Alpha King heir must produce a child to inherit the title.

I didn't believe for a second that Hadley's precious mistress Juno could produce an heir. And I didn't believe Callum was really the broken man everyone said he was.

I walked out of the Throne Room. Hadley, who'd never given me the time of day, was suddenly trailing behind me.

His voice was mocking. His gaze crawled over my body.

"Zoe, I've heard Gifted She-Wolves are incredibly sensitive. You must be desperate for it. Too bad Callum's got nothing to give you. When you get lonely, come find me. I'll round up a few Rogues who've never touched a woman. They'll take care of you."

I stopped walking. He'd said the exact same thing in my past life.

The pain of Rogues tearing at my body hadn't faded.

I reminded myself this was the Alpha Manor. I reminded myself Hadley was still the Alpha King heir. I dug my nails into my palms to stop myself from slapping him across the face.

Hadley took my silence as submission. He laughed, satisfied, and walked away.

Watching his retreating back, my fury peaked.

As long as Hadley sat in that Alpha King heir's seat, the fate of my past life hung over me like a blade at my throat.

That thought made me change direction. I headed for Callum's Manor.

Unlike the old days when visitors and officials crowded its gates, Callum's Manor was so deserted that even the birds didn't bother stopping.

My face was the best pass anyone could have. The guard at the gate took one look at me and scrambled to fetch someone.

Before long, Callum was wheeled out.

My eyes went straight to his lower half. I didn't bother being subtle.

"Like what you see? I'm a broken man. Choose me and it won't end well for you."

I raised an eyebrow. Interesting.

Callum was under house arrest at his manor, yet he'd gotten news from the Throne Room this fast. His network ran deep. His ambition ran deeper.

Looked like I'd made the right choice.

I crouched down and pressed hard on both his legs.

"Still got some strength in them. They can be fixed. The real question is whether the rest of you still works."

The servants nearby turned red at my bluntness.

But Callum just smirked.

His gaze sharpened. For the first time, he really looked at me.

"I underestimated you. I thought you were just another girl chasing after Hadley. Didn't expect this kind of ambition."

"Don't worry. Everything works."

I nodded, satisfied. I didn't ask for details.

The Alpha King's favoritism was no secret. I didn't believe I was the only Gifted She-Wolf in existence. The Alpha King simply never bothered finding one for Callum.

If Callum hadn't played crippled and helpless, the moment he lost his title, he'd have lost his life too.

"Then don't disappoint me."

I got what I came for. I patted Callum on the shoulder and left the manor.