Chapter Two

Kyro’s Pov

I will make one thing very clear.

I, Xavier BlackWood, do not believe in fairytales, soulmates or even fate.

What I believe in is survival, strength, and putting all my enemies 6 feet under before they attempt the same on me.

Romantic, isn't it?

But when you're the Alpha of the most feared rogue pack in existence, you don't get to be soft. 

I didn't run the BlueMoon pack to be a cozy little family like those pampered fools in the CrescentMoon or RedBlood packs. My wolves were fighters, warriors who had been betrayed and abandoned by our so-called “civilized” brethren.

And I was their king.

A king with a kingdom made of blood and bones. 

The packs called me a monster, a beast, a cold-blooded murderer.

And they weren't wrong at all.

I rule my pack with fear, respect, and a healthy amount of violence. 

There were no elders in my pack to offer wise propositions, no alliances, not even treaties.

The other packs wanted us dead and we return the favour with every seething interest.

But after every war, I came out alive.

I was still breathing.

And as long as I was alive, the BlueMoon pack would never kneel to anyone.

“Alpha,” my Beta, Asher, called from the entrance of the tent. “We caught an intruder.” 

I didn't look up from the blade in my hand. “Kill them.” 

Asher cleared his throat nervously. “You might want to meet them first.”  

I sighed, setting the blade down. Asher wasn't the type to waste my time and if he was bringing this to my attention then it was very important.

“Fine,” I said, rising to my feet. “But if it's another idiot thinking they can spy on us, save me the trouble and throw them into the pit of snakes.” 

That was how things worked in my pack.

You break the rules, you die.

No second chances. 

No freaking mercy.

That's why no one dared to cross me or my territory.

That's why I was king.

… which made it all surprising when I stepped out of my chambers and saw a very small, very angry-looking girl tired up in a tent.

“Don't you dare touch me!” She shrieked, kicking at the guards holding her.

You've gotta be kidding me.

“Who the hell is this?” I turned to Asher.

Asher scratched his head. “Not sure, Alpha. She just waltzed right into our territory.” 

The girl — no, the wolf — whipped her head towards me, her green eyes blazing with fury. “I didn't waltz in! I was kidnapped!”

I stared at her and she stared back.

Then I took a step forward and the world stopped.

The scent hit me like a thunder bolt — sweet like honey, warm like home. My wolf howled in recognition, his voice echoing through my mind with one single, undeniable truth.

Mate.

My blood ran cold.

No. God, no. This had to be a mistake.

I reached out and grabbed her chin, tilting her face up so I could see her properly and that was when I realized that fate had just spit at me in the face.

Green eyes.

The unmistakable scent of royalty.

The sheer audacity in her glare.

I knew exactly who she was.

Aria Ivanov, the daughter of the Alpha of the RedMoon pack and future wife of the Alpha of the CrescentMoon pack.

She's not just an ordinary wolf.

She's my enemy’s daughter.

My rival's fiancee.

And my mate.

The Moon Goddess was such a goddamn comedian.

“Okay. Back this up for a second,” Aria looked at me like I was the idiot in this situation. “First of all, I didn't waltz into your territory. Some freakishly large wolves dragged me here against my will.” 

I raised a brow. “That's actually how a kidnapping works, yes.” 

She ignored me. “Second of all, I didn’t even know who you are.” 

“Xavier BlackWood, the one and only.” 

“I know now!” she yelled this time. She wrinkles her nose and her face went through a series of rapid expressions — rage, then absolute horror.

“I refuse.” 

I tilt my head. “You refuse what, exactly?” 

“This whole thing!” She gestured wildly between us. “You! This … this is a terrible idea.”

I pulled up a chair. “Wow. I didn't know you had a say in this.”

“Excuse me?” Aria spluttered.

I exhaled slowly. “You do understand how mates work, don't you?”

Her mouth opened then close again. Then opened again. “Yes, obviously. But no! I cannot be mated to you! I'm engaged to someone else, okay?!” 

“And?” I arched a brow.

“And… I'm the daughter of your enemy!”

I shrugged. “I've killed many enemies before. This wouldn't be the first time I've stolen something from them.”

She let out a strangled noise. “Stolen? Something? I’m not a thing!”

“That remains to be seen.” I smirked.

Aria tried to kick at me but her ankles were chained and her legs were too short to reach me. 

“Untie me right now!” She demanded.

I considered it. For about half a second then — “No.”

“WHAT?!” She practically screamed.

“You're mine, Aria,” I leaned forward. “And one thing about me is that… I. Don't. Share.” 

Her cheeks pinked. “I… I don't care about some stupid bond you're f - feeling but I'm not staying here with you!”

“Well, that's rather unfortunate, darling, but I don't remember giving you a choice.” 

Aria let out a frustrated scream. “This is the worst day of my life.”

I leaned over her, my smirk widening. “Oh sweetheart. You haven't seen anything yet.” 

As I walked out of the tent, hearing Aria yell curses behind me, I was beginning to think the Moon Goddess had a personal vendetta against me. 

Like, what the hell did I do? 

Is it because I didn't believe in her? Did I step on a sacred flower? Steal a peaceful offering given to her? 

Because there was no way she would let me suffer this much unless she had it out for me.

First, I just concluded a war that makes me very exhausted. 

Then I hear someone's invaded my territory. Not just any wolf but my enemy's daughter.

Small victories.

But that didn't mean I was free.

Asher came up beside me. “I think you'd have to cut her loose coz she won't stop screaming.”

I slapped my forehead. “What the hell. Just … let her go.”

As he turned towards the tent but I massage my temples.

Why do I have a feeling that I just made a terrible decision?