Chapter 2

My name spread like a wildfire in the wolves community when Mira and I won the game. It was not easy. I almost died since I was the most vulnerable among the participants—but my combat skills and tactics helped me survive and…stand out.

"Vera," Mira said as she graced the room with her worried eyes. She immediately sat beside me while my legs and arms were wrapped with bandages.

"Don't look at me like that, Mira. You have heard the doctor. It's just a minor bruise," I assured her even if I was feeling otherwise. It was my willpower that helped me recover.

"If you were only a werewolf, we could help you heal. I feel so sad and worried seeing you lying in this bed, covered with these stupid bandages." I laughed at her remark. "Plus, I am still mad when they try to let you stay in that dirty garage even if you are deeply wounded!"

I remembered how they rejoiced and celebrated my victory after putting me inside my room. Wounded. Dripping with blood. Healing myself. I was all by myself that night, not until Mira barged and begged Alpha Duran to put me in one of the guestrooms of the packhouse and give proper medication.

I didn't expect to receive special treatment from the pack but I was hurt when it was Alpha Duran who commanded his men to put me inside my room. He didn't congratulate me and it seemed like he didn't want to recognize my triumph.

"Mira, despite winning the race, it doesn't change the fact that I am still a slave in this pack," I said sadly. Her eyes welled in tears, hurting for me. I just smiled at her bitterly. "It's fine. I deserve the Alpha's wrath."

Mira shook her head and gently held my hand. "No, Vera. It's not your fault that Luna Beatrice died..."

Mentioning her name pinched my heart—like a lethal sound that can make a long termed wound bleed once more. Luna Beatrice was my savior—the angel sent by heaven to save and heal wounds and pour so much love without restriction. But I brought her demise which led her to set her feet to the portal of afterlife.

I was about to speak when we heard the creaking of the door. It revealed Alpha Duran and a mysterious old man wearing a cloak. The strange greybeard was sporting formal attire. He had this dominating aura that could sip all the brilliant particles around the room. Even Alpha Duran was intimidated by his presence but the latter tried his best to hide it.

"Mira, kindly leave us alone. We will talk with Vera," Alpha Duran said in his cold commanding voice.

Mira wanted to stay but she obeyed alpha and left the room. I saw her worried face before she closed the door.

"Vera, I want you to meet Alejandro Cunningham. He is the head of the Cortov," he introduced.

My eyes widened at the mention of that organization. Cortov. It is composed of all packs around the country. The deadliest. The most powerful packs were in there. His presence here screamed danger. I knew that he was up to no good.

"I know you know who we are," he said in his baritone cold voice. His deep eyes darted me, trying to intimidate me. "We are the ones who saved you years ago after Duran's pack was attacked by the Vatrimosso clan."

My hands began to shake as I remembered what happened that night. Blood. Too much blood in my hand. Luna Beatrice got killed. Tragedy.

"I wouldn't walk around the porridge. I'll tell you why I'm here, besides, your Alpha agreed already."

I looked at Alpha Duran with pain in my eyes. I knew that he was my alpha but why didn't he ask for my permission?

Stupid, Vera. You are a slave! He doesn't need your approval!

"I will send you to Eclipse Castle. The Lycan King is fond of you after watching your match. You will leave there as long as he wants," he uttered. "There's no guarantee that you will be coming back here…alive."

My eyes widened when he mentioned the Lycan King who personified arrogance, virility and power. Everyone was afraid of him. In his prime years, he killed thousand Alphas. It was a miracle that he was the one who offered a truce but of course, all of us were still at his mercy.

"P-please have mercy on me," I begged as my eyes welled in tears. "Alpha…please don't send me there."

"You have no other choice, Vera. Zephrus Saunder who requested it."

My heart sank after hearing that our Alpha couldn't help me. My eyes closed deeply as I tried to wipe my tears. What else can I expect from him? He wanted to get rid of me for how many years and it was the best time to dispose me and made me suffer.

"You looked defeated, huh, but what if I will tell you that you can avenge your family—and of course, my wife, once you earn his trust," Alpha Duran said. "Vatrimosso clan is under his power too."

Fire spread within me at the mention of that clan's name. The wrath I've been keeping for years shows again, reminding me how they brutally killed my parents, my siblings—my family and Luna Beatrice.

"You have to get ahead of the Vatrimosso patriarch before they merge their power."

"What do you mean?"

"No one knows how the Vatrimosso Clan earned his trust after the Cortov defeated them years ago," Mr. Cunningham said disappointedly. "But if they manage, your clan and the organization are at stake. As of now, you are the only person who can get close to him."

"W-what do you want me to do then?"

"You have to earn his trust. Impress him with your skills and brainwash him about that clan," Mr. Cunningham.

"Seduce him, that's the most effective way since he is still mateless."

"Duran, you know what happened to his mate when he discovered her ulterior motive. He cut her head in an honor killing and displayed her head at the gate of his palace!" Mr. Cunningham said angrily. The greybeard looked at me. "You aren't going to form an intimate relationship with him. You just need to update us in everything and cooperate with us."

We fell silent after Mr. Cunningham said that. It was risky but it was the only way to avenge my family and Lady Beatrice and to stop the possible merging of powers. We had to make a decision now before that demonic clan conspired with the powerful creature. I had no other choice but to risk my life before it was too late.

"I will cooperate with you in one condition," I said. Both of them looked at me, of course, I wouldn't set my feet in the portal of hell without securing my life.