Chapter 1

Darius’s POV

“Ahh….” A moan slipped past my lips, my eyes rolling to the back of my head as he rammed into me.

Luca pinned me down, my hands bound by a merciless grip, leaving me a panting mess. But I didn’t mind, I would gladly let him ruin me over and over again.

“Do you like that Alpha?” He smirked, his green eyes flashing with amusement.

I couldn’t respond, not when his large hand clawed my throat, robbing me of any oxygen and making me lightheaded.

Beads of sweat coaxed my forehead, my heart thundering against my chest as I looked up at him, pleading for him to continue.

He let out a feral growl in response, his hips snapping forward in a violent thrust. I could feel myself tighten around his length, feel him tearing me from the inside out.

My moans filled the silence of the night, begging, yearning, for this man who was as sweet as sin.

He was my lover: a secret, and the bane of existence.

“Luca…” I managed to muster, my eyes watering with tears is a pleasure.

Luca’s jaw tightened, his brows furrowed, lips parted in awe.

“Fuck don’t look at me like that,” his lips soon found mine as he reached his climax, filling me to the brim with his seed.

I held him close, feeling the subtle rise and fall of his chest, along with the tremors of his racing heart. His skin felt hot against mine, and in that moment, I wanted to forget all of my responsibilities.

He was the light in my dark eerie world, and if that was a taboo, I didn’t mind getting crucified.

***

The morning sun came too soon, and as always, I woke up to an empty bed.

I stared at the space beside me, where Luca should be, my fingers running through the silk bedsheets. His scent still filled the room, a painful reminder of his presence.

A sigh slipped past my lips, my gaze wandering to the open window.

For how long do I have to keep hiding?

A sharp knock on the door pulled me from my train of thought, a wake-up call to reality.

“Come in.” My voice was firm, and the door creaked open, revealing my Beta, Asher, at the doorway.

He greeted me with a bow, his shoulders stiff in attention. “Alpha, the council is waiting.”

I was amused whenever I was addressed as an Alpha, knowing that the word had lost all meaning the moment my father was buried.

He didn't die peacefully, but at the cold hands of the king. The very same family I’m being forced to marry into.

The council chamber was cold and hostile. Six elders sat at the round table, men who pushed my father to his doom and were now repeating the cycle.

“The wedding preparations are underway, you’ve kept the king waiting long enough.” One spoke as I took my seat.

I was already tired of the topic, but they kept their eyes on me, judging as if I were a child they’d grown tired of disciplining.

I leaned against the table, my voice low. “We all know the royal family wants to use this wedding to keep us on a leash. They are afraid I would take revenge for what they did to my father—”

“The former Alpha has played his part, we have no power against the king. We should be grateful he spared us as a pack after your father’s act of treason.” Another interjected.

My jaw tightened.

It was always like this. To them, I was nothing but a puppet, an Alpha only by title. I never believed my father was guilty, he was more loyal to the king than anyone, but he was discarded without a thought.

I would never forgive that. Neither would I sit still.

I had a plan. A solid one, and I was going to see it through to the end.

When the meeting ended, I left before anyone could stop me. Asher was quick on my side, and I stopped in my tracks to listen to him.

“The princess is here, and she insists on seeing you.” He whispered.

My fists balled at my sides, but I had to bear it—the tight knot of resentment growing within me.

“Isn’t it bad luck for the groom to see the bride before the wedding?” I couldn’t help but scoff.

Asher gave a worried look, and I fought the urge to roll my eyes.

Princess Aveline, the jewel of the Fenrir Empire, home to the most powerful werewolves in the world, was my bride-to-be. Albeit forcefully.

She was a weak little thing, and I had little to no interest in women in the first place. I just needed to get one thing from her. The very thing that would finally set me free;

The crest of the Fenrir. A precious stone carved with ancient magic, one that had been bestowed upon none other than Aveline by the king himself.

Luca had told me that if I could get that, then we would have everything we needed to elope and start a life together.

So for that reason alone, I was willing to put up with the charade.

“Hello, Aveline.” I greeted her as soon as I arrived at the waiting room, fully dressed to impress.

Her pale features brightened up, and she needed the help of two maids to stand on her feet.

“Alpha Darius.” She grinned, her voice a soft tremor.

I forced a smile, masking my irritation. “You look lovely.”

The princess steadied herself, shooing her maids with a simple wave. My brows furrowed as she fumbled with a small velvet box, holding it out to me with shaky hands.

“I….I had this made for you. Can you wear it on our wedding day?”

I opened the box, and inside lay a fine brooch. But that wasn’t what made my eyes widen, it wasn’t what made my chest tighten.

It was because this wasn’t just a brooch….it was the crest of Fenrir.

“Wow.” I regained my composure, schooling my face into awe, into tenderness. “This is a great honor, my love.”

I gently took her hands in mine, leaning forward to drop featherlight kisses on her knuckles.

She hiccuped, her pale cheeks flushed pink. Hopelessly in love, hopelessly foolish.

“I can’t wait for us to finally become husband and wife.” She beamed, her eyes glistening with adoration. I tried not to flinch as she caressed my cheeks, leaning in, but I pulled back before her lips met mine.

Instead, my hands tightened around her waist, and I angled my head to whisper in her ear.

“Let’s wait till we are in our marital bed, my love.” I insisted

I watched her swallow hard, then with a slow nod, she offered me a warm smile before turning on her heels, her dress sweeping like mist as her maids guided her out.

The moment the doors shut behind her, my smile dissolved. I looked down at the brooch, my heart swelling in anticipation.

Finally…

The key to my freedom.