Prologue

“You’re a crazy bitch—how dare you do that to an Alpha’s daughter?!” Elodie whined as she stood up and straightened her dress. She made sure everyone heard her.

I held my chin high. “You may be the Alpha’s favorite daughter, but I’m an Alpha’s daughter nonetheless—even when that said Alpha also despises me.” I threw my father a knowing glance. He narrowed his eyes at me.

“ENOUGH!” A voice that rattled the glasses entered our arising drama.

I almost forgot the fact that wherever Elodie is, Alpha Gregor is always there. Of course, he’ll be in the Alpha Ball: he’s the Alpha of the Fireheart Pack, not to mention he’s Elodie’s fiancé.

“Oh hi, Alpha Gregor. Or should I say, good evening to you 'my mate who rejected me'.” I fluttered my eyelashes at him and paired it with a sickly sweet smile.

“You’ve been stalking me, aren’t you?” The Alpha clicked his tongue and crossed his arms. “That's why you're here, Evadne. You're obsessed with me. The likes of you never understand that no one in this world wants you.”

I narrowed my eyes at his accusation. He only devilishly grinned and ran a hand on his hair.

“You’re free to throw whatever insult at me, Greg. I don’t care.” I sneered, “I no longer even think of you nor the fact that you still exist.”

“Whatever you do, you’ll never have me back,” he said with unabashed pride.

“And why would I want spoiled goods returned to me?” I countered, flipping my unbound hair. Elodie and Alpha Marcus of the Moonflame Pack, my father, growled behind me in warning. “I’m stronger now, Alpha Gregor. Why would I want the prince when I can have the king?”

His mouth quirked to the side, ignoring the truth I just hurled at him. “Only Elodie is strong enough to be my Luna, Evadne. She’s always the stronger between the two of you, and you’re always the one to be easily crushed!”

Elodie and Alpha Marcus giggled behind me, lifting their wine glasses in cheers. Everybody now stopped to stare and watch us. Even the heavenly music ceased and is now replaced with the guests' intense gaze.

This year's Alpha Winter Ball is going to be much more...entertaining.

“If what you say is true, then why not try crushing me here and now?” I challenged him. “Surely the Alphas and Lunas won’t mind being entertained by your fragile hands tonight, Alpha Gregor.” I gestured to the people around us.

Wicked delight gleamed in those green eyes as if he had always hoped this moment would come—the time when he could show how embarrassed he was to have me as a mate. Or former mate, for that matter. To show everyone why he rejected me and he deserved someone stronger.

Well, I’m no longer the weak and battered Evadne. I now belong to the Alpha King—even if our hearts refused to cooperate.

“Fine, bitch. Just don’t come crying at me again to save you.” Then Alpha Gregor lunged for me with his signature attack. But I, being trained by the Alpha King’s pack...he didn’t expect that I was faster than him now.

My hands wrapped on his wrist. His eyes widened at my speed. I didn’t waste any time and snapped it once.

He yelled in pain as soon as the sound of his bones crunching reverberated. I stomped on his foot and smashed his toe without remorse.

“Who's the one easily crushed now?” I let my sarcastic tone echo deep in his bones. “Your unfaithfulness deserves to be rewarded. But don’t worry, I’ll let you walk out of this Alpha Winter Ball with enough bones to bury on your grave.”

My former mate threw a punch using his other unbroken hand. It hit my shoulder. I stumbled backward for a heartbeat and stifled a cry of pain. In retaliation, I attacked his groin with a mighty kick and it sent him on the ground a few feet from where I was, holding on to the thing between his legs.

It seems he won't be able to use that favorite part of his for a few days.

I smirked. Everyone murmured and whispered at my much more powerful aura now. I was exuding predatorial grace with ease just like Alpha King Kallias.

I glanced behind me and Elodie and Marcus were only watching me intently as if gathering their strength and waiting for the right time to come and meet my fists.

“You're doing great,” Mara praised.

Alpha Gregor chuckled. The bastard still stands. “Is that all you can brag? You must really be upset that I rejected you in front of the whole Moonflame Pack that you beat the shit out of me now in front of an audience.”

“Maybe I should thank you, Alpha Gregor,” I cooed. “If you did not reject me, I'll never meet my second-chance mate, which by the way is stronger and more powerful than any of you.”

The eyes of the Alphas and Lunas widened. “Only the Alpha King is more powerful than any of us,” said one of them, confusion evident on his face.

I tilted my head to the side. “Oh? Why, thank you for realizing that he is more powerful than any of you.”

Alpha Gregor wiped his tears with the back of his hand. He’s fucking crying now, and I could’ve rolled on the ground laughing if he didn’t shot right to his feet, eager to strike at me again—

A shattering growl, like a thunder heralding its presence amid a winter storm, splintered the silence.

He always likes dramatic entrances. It was the same growl from that night when we met in the battlefield of the Blackwind Pack.

“It’s the Alpha King!” one of the Alphas exclaimed. Gregor’s face was alarmed by the His Majesty’s sudden arrival.

Alpha King Kallias was in his signature silver attire and blue cape. His hair was smoothened and combed appropriately as if the trace of Beta Elise’s fingers earlier while kissing him had vanished.

One second, Alpha King Kallias was standing ten paces from mine. The next, his hand was now around Alpha Gregor’s neck. The poor Alpha didn’t even have time to draw breath as he began choking.

“She is mine,” Alpha Kallias growled. “SHE IS MINE!” My mate announced to all of them, to all of us.

My second-chance mate threw a knowing glance at my direction. I returned it with a blush and bit my lower lip. “Thank you,” I mouthed the words voicelessly, even though I knew he would never reciprocate my feelings.