Chapter 3

Maria POV

Am I dreaming right now?!

Did he say the Lycan King?!

The Lycan King is my mate?!

Is this a dream? And if it is, I never want to wake up or even think.

His dark black hair looked like the night itself, and his sharp eyes carried a terrifying power that could make anyone tremble with a single glance. His features were harsh, carved with frightening perfection. As for the aura surrounding him… it was overwhelming. Terrifying enough to make my body shake against my will.

He killed that damned guard for me.

No one had ever done anything for me before.

This feeling was truly beautiful.

I swallowed hard, my eyes never leaving his for even a second.

“You… are really my mate.”

His arms tightened around me, and in the next moment, his expression turned into something terrifying. His jaw muscles clenched hard.

“I will not forgive anyone in this kingdom.” His voice came out dark and full of rage. “I will kill them all… for you.”

A strange warmth spread through my chest, as if all the pain I had lived through over the years was slowly beginning to disappear.

Finally…

Finally, someone came for me.

He carried me effortlessly in his arms. I felt the heat of his body surrounding me as he started walking upstairs with me.

“Your Majesty, she is—”

That was Lucian’s voice, but he couldn’t even finish his sentence.

“Black Moon Pack will be burned to the ground.”

His voice was sharp… furious.

He pulled me closer against his chest while his black eyes filled with dark rage.

“That woman…” he said slowly, as if he was struggling to control himself. “Is my mate.”

Everyone’s breathing stopped, and their faces turned pale.

As for me…

My heart pounded violently inside my chest.

“Alexander’s mate… the Lycan King’s mate. And what did you do to her?”

His voice was lower this time… but even more terrifying.

I saw Lucian step back, sweat gathering on his forehead despite his attempt to remain composed.

“H-How did this happen?!”

All eyes turned toward Emilia.

She was staring at me with shock and disgust, as if she couldn’t comprehend what she was hearing.

“How can this trash be the Lycan King’s mate?!”

He gently set me down on the ground.

Everything happened terrifyingly fast after that.

I didn’t see when he moved.

I didn’t see how he reached her.

All I saw was Emilia’s head rolling across the ground in front of everyone.

The others froze in place, unable to even breathe.

As for Alexander…

He stood there, blood dripping from his hand, his expression terrifyingly cold.

“Your Majesty…” Lucian’s voice came out shakily. “She is… one of the rogues.”

“She killed my brother… and she’s a girl without origin or family. She’s descended from the rebels who once rose against the kingdom. We merely… captured and imprisoned her.”

Liar.

That bastard was lying shamelessly.

Rage ignited inside me the moment I heard his words, and for a second, I wished I could rip his heart out with my bare hands.

But before I could speak…

I felt Alexander’s gaze on me.

Slowly, I raised my eyes toward him.

And he was looking at me strangely.

A look that confused me.

I didn’t understand it.

He remained silent for a few seconds, as if thinking about something, then suddenly turned toward Lucian and said coldly,

“No one moves from here.”

Every body stiffened immediately.

“Gather the rest of the pack… until I return.”

Then he suddenly grabbed my arm firmly.

I gasped softly when he pulled me behind him without another word. I stumbled after him, trying to keep up with his steps.

He violently opened the door to one of the rooms until it slammed against the wall.

Then he threw me onto the bed harshly.

Alexander’s eyes turned pitch black.

Rage radiated from his features in a terrifying way. His jaw muscles were tightly clenched, and his breathing was heavy, while the aura surrounding him became suffocating enough to make my chest tighten.

He locked his eyes directly onto mine and spoke in a low voice… but one filled with restrained violence.

“Are you one of the rogues?”

My brows furrowed in shock, unable to hide my confusion.

“What?”

He stepped only one step closer, but his presence alone was enough to make the room feel smaller.

“Do not answer me with another question.” His voice came out sharp as a blade. “Answer me immediately.”

My breathing quickened unconsciously as I stared at him, unable to understand the reason behind his sudden anger.

“Are you one of the rogues?!”

This time he shouted it, and my entire body trembled.

My tongue froze.

What was I supposed to say?

I myself didn’t know the truth.

I didn’t know who I was, where I came from, or why I had lived my entire life as an outcast.

“Do not stay silent.” His voice became harsher, his black eyes shining with dangerous rage. “Answer me now.”

Then he moved quickly and grabbed my arm so hard that I gasped in pain.

“I want an answer.” His fingers tightened more, as if he had lost control of himself. “You are one of those bastards who call themselves rogues, aren’t you?”

“Get away from me!” I screamed as I tried to pull away from him, but his grip was too strong to break. “You’re hurting me… let me go!”

But his anger didn’t calm.

On the contrary, it grew stronger with every second of my silence.

I felt the heat of tears burning my eyes from the pain and confusion, and finally I screamed—

“Yes!”

The word came out mixed with rage and misery.

“I don’t belong to this pack… and I don’t know any other pack!”

Silence suddenly filled the room.

Even his breathing stopped for a moment.

As for me…

I stared at him while trembling, my heart hurting far more than the arm he still gripped tightly.