Chapter 2

It was the day of the wedding, and I had spent the first few hours preparing for an event that wouldn’t take place. Once I found a chance to be alone, I retired to my chambers, but I didn’t expect to find Luca waiting in the shadows.

His green eyes glowed with unfiltered heat, and before I could react, he seized me by the collar crashing his lips to mine.

My back hit the wall from his staggering weight, my knees weakening at the feel of his erecting grinding against me. His tongue stabbed my mouth without permission, jealousy scorching through his dominance. He tasted sweet, and I felt a slight sting as he angled his head to deepen the kiss.

“You seem excited for your wedding,” he growled between the kiss, his mouth trailing to my neck, his hands fierce on my body. “Do I get an invite?”

I leaned into him, letting him take what he wanted, and when he finally pulled away, I smiled and showed him the brooch.

“That wouldn’t be necessary,” I replied.

His eyes widened as he examined it, shining with a hunger I had never seen before…even for me.

“You got it .” He muttered, taking it from me.

“Yes,” my thumb brushed against his lips, bringing his gaze back to me. “We don’t have to wait anymore.”

Luca’s smirk came slowly, “Well done,” His hands slithered to my crotch, and I took in a sharp breath as he palmed the throbbing tent in my pants. “We move tonight. I’ll meet you at the old bridge by midnight.”

I nodded, finding his lips once again, sealing our promise of the future with a kiss that left me aching for more.

But when it clocked midnight, and I waited at the bridge, staring at the full moon with bated breath…….… he never came.

Hours dragged, the wind whistled impatiently, but the quiet of the forest rang in my ears, matching the drum of my racing heart.

I walked aimlessly on the dirt road, my chest tight with anxiety. I checked my phone for the hundredth time today, but there was still no word from Luca.

Or had something happened to him?

I froze at the possibility. My heart skipped a beat.

Just then, my phone buzzed.

A message from Luca.

Hope seared through me, but my brows furrowed in confusion as I realized he only sent his current location.

He was back at my pack house?

I took a deep breath, my grip on my phone tightening. Returning now would be dangerous, especially after I refused a royal decree by not showing up at the wedding. But for Luca, it was a risk I was willing to take.

***

The Bloodfang estate loomed in the dark, but no warmth greeted me. I sneaked inside through the servants’ halls, moving like a fugitive on the run.

The place was quiet. Too quiet. No voices, no familiar scents, and no sign of my loyal pack members. It was like a deserted land, with nothing but the echo of my own footsteps.

I reached my bedroom, the only place Luca could be, and as soon as I pushed the doors open, my gaze found an envelope on the desk, and it was a neatly folded letter.

But no Luca.

I swallowed hard, peeling the letter open.

Dear Darius,

Don’t bother looking for me, I had already left with the only thing I ever wanted—the crest. Did you really believe that I loved you? I’m grateful you were too horny to realize you were being used. Thank you for throwing away your pack, your influence, and your future for me. I’ll make good use of your sacrifice.

Luca.

I staggered back like I had been hit. The letter slipped from my grasp, my chest heaving as I recounted his words.

Luca….betrayed me?

Just as my world spiraled out of control, the sound of engines cut through the silence.

I looked out the window, my breath catching in my throat as I saw the SUVs sliding into the yard like predators. Men in dark uniforms marched out like ants, and the insignia on their sashes made my stomach twist with dread.

They were from the palace no doubt.

My first instinct was to shift and flee, but the moment I summoned my wolf, my knees buckled as a shattering pain pulsed through every fiber of my being.

“Arrgh!” I crumbled to the ground, pupils dilated in shock.

I can’t shift? But how?

Before I could comprehend what was happening, a thundering explosion shook the building, and the doors to my bedroom burst open.

Iron hands seized me, dragging me out like a criminal. I struggled against their grip, but the pain stopped me from mustering my full strength.

What exactly was happening to me?

My pack house was burning down, and the legacy I’ve built throughout the years was reduced to ashes before my very eyes.

I was shoved into the ground, forced into the kneeling position as the raging flames devoured everything behind me.

“This is unacceptable!” I yelled out, albeit desperately. “I’m an Alpha!”

In response, I received a firm kick to the gut, erupting into a fit of coughs.

“An Alpha?” A new voice entered the scene, and I… Alpha Darius, quivered at their mere presence.

Who was it that radiated such overwhelming power?

Slowly and dreadfully, I raised my gaze, meeting bright amber eyes staring down at me in contempt.

I stilled. Goosebumps littering my skin.

The tall frame of a man—No, a beast—towered over me. The one figure I least wanted to face…..

Prince Kael…

The Tyrant heir of Fenrir.

His gaze sliced through me like a merciless blade, stripping me bare of every shred of dignity I had left.

His expression was unreadable, but a silent storm brewed in his eyes. The Prince tilted his head to the side in assessment, his arms crossed behind his back with soldierly precision.

“So this is my sister's killer?”

I blinked once then twice.

“What?” I whispered in disbelief, cold sweat trickling down my temple.

The princess is dead?