CHAPTER 5

EVELYN

My mouth opened, but no words came as hot tears rolled down my face.

Six years.

I waited six years.

And finally, I got my wolf.

I couldn’t help but wonder if Mike would want me back now that I had my wolf. Would my life finally fall back into place? Would everything return to how it used to be?

“Absolutely not, girl. Do not think about another man when your mate is standing right here in front of you. And besides, if he left you for Vanessa, what makes you think he won’t leave you again...even if you have your wolf?” Ira said, her disgust for Mike evident in her tone.

She badly wanted to tear Mike to shreds. Her feelings felt new, foreign...but I liked it.

Lost in my thoughts, I didn’t notice when Keiran took a few steps toward me, gently wiping my tears away. “You must be a late bloomer, huh?”

I nodded softly, sniffling. “I’ve wanted a wolf for so long. Every day, I prayed to the Moon Goddess to give me my wolf, but it never came…” More tears cascaded down my face. “I lost my pack to my husband and my best friend because I didn’t have a wolf.”

I didn’t know why I was telling him all this, but I felt a strange sense of comfort around him...even though I’d only met him yesterday.

I guessed this was the power of the mate bond.

His face tightened with something I couldn’t quite decipher, his gold eyes darkening. “Do you want vengeance?”

It wasn’t the question I wanted him to ask, but I answered anyway.

“Yes.” I genuinely did. I wanted them to suffer. I wanted my father’s clan back.

“Then I’ll make it happen…”

“Don’t,” I said quickly. “I want to do it myself.”

“I assume that if you don’t have a pack anymore, you probably have nowhere to stay. How do you intend to get revenge?”

I stayed silent, tongue-tied. He was right. I would need help if I wanted to achieve my goals...but I didn’t want to get involved with another man. Not after what Mike did to me.

“That’s true, but you don’t even know me. If you’re the Lycan King like you claim, then I’m not sure it’s wise to bring home a stranger you met yesterday.”

“You’re not a stranger,” he said smoothly. “You’re my mate.”

“I know, but...”

“No buts or ifs. You’re coming with me.”

A frown crept onto my face. I didn’t like being bossed around...especially by him.

“And if I refuse?”

“I’ll take you with me anyway.”

The finality in his voice told me there was no room to argue. If he truly was the Lycan King, his influence could help me reclaim my father’s pack and exact vengeance on those who wronged me.

“Fine, then. I’ll come with you,” I said.

The tension on his face eased immediately. He motioned for his guards to enter and began giving orders.

“Tell Mother to organise a royal ball to welcome my Luna and invite...” He turned to me. “What’s the name of your pack?”

“Whitestorm Pack,” I said, frowning. “But wait, why is that necessary? It’s just a ball, isn’t it?”

“I want your ex-husband to know that you’re no longer his. That you belong to me...and me only.”

“Ooooh, he’s possessive. Possessive men are so hot,” Ira gushed like a teenager seeing her crush for the first time.

I wasn’t amused.

“I’m not yours,” I stated firmly. “This is just an agreement. I’ll leave once I have my vengeance and my pack back.”

He only chuckled, and I knew exactly what it meant. He didn’t plan on letting me go...whether I liked it or not.

****

Soon, we arrived at his palace. The sheer scale of it was overwhelming, yet undeniably beautiful and classy. Towering brick walls lined with flowering vines, sprawling gardens filled with greenery and life, and a massive stable housing exquisite horses of different colours and sizes.

I had to admit...he had excellent taste.

As the carriage came to a stop, a woman hurried over and opened the door. She looked every bit like royalty: a blue dress with gold accents, hair so silky it seemed to shimmer, smooth skin, and pearl-white teeth that caught the light as she smiled.

The moment she saw me, she let out a startled shriek, covering her mouth with her palms.

“You’re more beautiful than they described!” she gushed, helping me out of the carriage.

I smiled nervously. “Thank you.”

Keiran stepped down beside me, a grin tugging at his lips. “What can I say, Mother? The Moon Goddess knows her stuff,” he replied, his eyes fixed on me.

I looked away.

She laughed, smacking his chest lightly. “Always so freaking proud.” Her attention shifted back to me as she took my hand in hers. “The ball is in a few hours. We need to get ready.”

Right. The ball.

The ball my ex-husband would probably attend.

I swallowed, my head spinning. Overnight, my life had changed so drastically it felt like whiplash...and I wasn’t sure I was keeping up.

I had a mate.

A wolf.

A kingdom to rule.

It was overwhelming.

As much as I wanted to see the look on Mike’s face, fear curled in my chest. Fear of the world I was stepping into. Fear of becoming the Lycan King’s wife.

“Are you okay?” Keiran’s mother asked, pulling me from my thoughts as I realized we were standing in front of a door.

Keiran was nowhere in sight...probably off preparing for the event. I drew in a shaky breath. “I’m fine. Just a bit overwhelmed.”

Her eyes softened. “I understand. It’s sudden. But you know these Alphas...especially when they find their mate. They like to make it very clear so others know to stay away from what’s theirs.”

“But I’m not his woman…” I muttered under my breath.

She heard me, but only chuckled. “You’ll get used to it soon.”

She gave my shoulder a gentle squeeze and pushed the door open. Inside, several maids waited attentively.

“Please prepare her for the ball. Make her the prettiest Luna there,” she ordered, her tone shifting seamlessly into that of a queen.

“Yes, Queen Vivian,” they replied in unison.

She gave me one last reassuring smile before leaving me in their care.

Tonight, my mate was going to claim me in front of the entire realm.

Tonight, my ex-husband was going to see me with another man.

Tonight marked the beginning of my vengeance...and I would see it through.

A newfound determination settled deep in my bones as I clenched my fists. “Make me look breathtaking,” I said with a small smile. “So no one can look away from me.”

They immediately got to work.