Marked by betrayal, bound to the Lycan Lord.

XENA'S POV. I lay on my bed, staring at the ceiling, the blanket pulled up to my chin even though the room was warm, I felt cold inside. It had been weeks since my mother died, but the ache hadn’t lessened. If anything, it had gotten worse.Since her death, my world has turned into a nightmare. My stepfather, once pretending to be kind, showed his true face and my stepsister Chloe always sneered at me and mocking me in every opportunity they got. They made it very clear, I wasn’t wanted. To him, I was a stain on his perfect life. He said I tarnished his image, an image he never knew was "dirty" until my mother was gone. The only thing keeping me from breaking completely was the thought of my wedding in three days. My fiancé... the one person who saw more in me than the blood in my veins. It was a small ceremony, barely a celebration, his parents insisted on keeping it that way for reasons best known to them and since my mother saw the love their son had for me, she didn't oppose

XENA'S POVI sat on the edge of the couch, my fingers curled tightly around the fabric of my skirt. My stepfather stood near the fireplace, arms crossed, his face unreadable. Chloe, that smug witch, lounged on the other couch like a queen, her legs crossed, lips curled in a satisfied smile.“I guess you know now,” my stepfather said finally, his tone flat. “About Chloe and Jason, so it’s time to move on.”“Move on?” I laughed bitterly, standing up. “Just like that? You expect me to forget everything and move on like none of this ever happened?”“You’re acting like you and Jason were married,” Chloe said, flipping her hair. “You weren’t, so stop acting like you owned him.”I turned to her, rage bubbling up again. “You already have a fiancé, Chloe! Or did you forget? Why are you after mine?”Chloe rolled her eyes. “I’m not marrying some random stranger just because Mom wanted me to. Please.”“That’s your business,” I snapped. “But leave mine alone!”Chloe leaned forward, a wicked smile

KAEL’S POVBlood splattered across my boots, a wicked smile playing on my lips as I engaged in my favourite sport…fucking traitors. I wiped my stained red knuckles on the collar of the bastard who now lay twitching on the floor. Alpha Gregor, a coward, liar, snake. I cracked my neck, fists still burning from the fury.He was coughing blood, gasping. “P-pozhá-lusta… Ya ne khotél... I didn’t mean to—”“Ne khotél?” I crouched beside him, grabbing his jaw. “You didn’t mean to cross me?”His face was a mess, one eye swollen shut, blood dripping down his broken nose. I wanted to do worse. I should’ve done worse.“You thought you could sell my weapons to rogues?” I growled, switching to Russian again. “Ty dolzhen byl podumat' o posledstviyakh.”He whimpered. “I’ll make it right—please, Alpha…”“You won’t make anything right, you know the rules, one strike you're out.”I let my claws, long sharp silver claws, then I drove them into his chest…slow, precise, right between his ribs. He let out

XENA’S POVSusan led me to the council chambers, Kael was talking to someone, he stopped talking immediately I walked closer. The man slowly nodded and walked past me, judging by his aura, he was a man of authority. Kael pushed the heavy doors open, abs walked in, I followed Kael into a large, cold room made of stone. It felt more like a cave than a meeting hall. Strange symbols glowed on the walls, casting soft gold light across the floor. The elders slowly stood up as Kael walked to his seat. I kept walking behind Kael, forcing my legs to move even though my heart was racing. I didn’t know if I should make eye contact or stare at the ground, so I looked straight ahead, pretending like this was the most normal thing for me. Kael stepped right up to the throne-like chair in the center, the Alpha’s seat. He turned to the chair beside him. We exchanged understanding glances, I nodded and quickly sat down on my chair. The elders slowly took their seats, their eyes never leaving me.

XENA’S POVI stepped out of the shower, the hot steam still clung on my body. I don't remember the last time I had an expensive and relaxing bath.I wrapped the towel around my body, my hand instinctively rubbing my belly, I was only a few weeks gone but I felt heavy already. I stared at the mirror, muttering a prayer to any god that was listening. All I wanted was the safety of my child, he or she shouldn't have to come to this world and pass through everything I passed through. My hair dripped water down my back as I shuffled slowly into the room. Susan was already waiting for me by the bed, her arms crossed, a worried crease etched into her brow. She was always a call away. “I brought the bandages,” she said gently, her eyes scanning the fresh bruises blooming across my skin. “You ready?”I nodded, my teeth sinking into my lower lips as I removed the towel, placing it on the bed.I sat down nervously, using my hand to shield my stomach a little. It would be game over if she foun