Chapter 5

Mireya's POV

The beating of my heart turned erratic. I can feel cold sweat coming out of my palm.

"I…I got lost," I reasoned out and faked a laugh. “I thought the Grand Council Hall was this way,"

His brows furrowed as he stared.

Fear traveled to my chest but I still forced a smile, standing firmly with my excuse.

He glanced over my shoulder before bringing his gaze back to me. “Let’s go. The ceremony will start in a few minutes,”

I nodded and quietly followed him but I couldn’t help but look back at the iron door.

I need to know why he was calling my name. Is he asking for my help to escape? Does he need to tell me something? Or maybe he has a plan on how to stop this marking ceremony?

“Mireya,” Caius called, while we stood in front of the huge wooden door that led to the Grand Council Hall.

I looked at him, even though I already knew what he would say.

You will never be my true Luna. Keep in mind that you are nothing but a replacement.

“You will never be my true Luna. Keep in mind that you are nothing but a replacement,”

I bit the insides of my cheeks to hold back my laughter. I never thought I would still remember those cruel words.

“What?!” he asked, irritation laced in his tone.

I cleared my throat and shook my head. “I just remembered something funny,”

His brows furrowed again and if I had a sewing kit with me I would have stitched them together, they are always almost touching anyway.

When the huge wooden door was pulled open, Caius offered his arm and I forced myself to take it.

I have no plan.

Everything was moving too fast. All I know is, I want to alter my tragic fate but I don’t even know where I should start.

If I refused to be the substitute Luna then two possible outcomes await. It’s either I will be beheaded in front of the Royal Council or Alpha Edward will throw me out of the pack and I will end up living as a rogue.

We walked down the aisle and stood at the altar beneath King Victor’s throne.

An Elder stood in front, his palm raised as though he were offering a solemn prayer over us.

I watched him intently. My memory was vague but I remember that after his solemn prayer, he would permit Caius to mark me.

His forehead creased. His hand started trembling. Did he act like this before?

When his eyes snapped open, they went straight to me, sending a chill down my spine. “You are marked,”

The crowd behind us gasps. The hall was filled with their murmurs.

“She had been marked?”

“She wasn't pure?”

“How can they offer a woman who had been claimed?”

Marked? What does he mean? I haven’t met my mate. I haven’t been claimed by anyone…but a face crossed my mind.

Azrael.

He buried his pang on my neck and took me back to this moment. Did he mark me? Did he claim me as his without my knowing? I thought he only did that to perform his sorcery?

“Who marked you, Mireya?” Caius grabbed my arm and forced me to face him. “Who fucking claimed you?!”

His claws started to pierce my skin.

Just when I was about to speak a familiar loud and commanding footsteps filled my ear.

His scent infiltrated my nose and I could feel my insides turning into chaos.

I turned my head towards the door and there I saw the man I had made a deal with.

Royal guards pointed their swords in his direction but he wasn’t fazed. He was looking straight into my eyes, flashing a mischievous smile.

Now that he was standing in a well-lit room I clearly saw what he looks like. He was wearing ragged clothing made of patchwork cloth. His jaw was rough with stubble and his eyes which looked like molten gold seemed to command power without even trying.

“A-Azrael,” King Victor’s trembling voice broke the silence.

For the first time, the composed King seems to have lost his control.

Azrael gaze who was glued to me shifted to the King whom he claimed to be as his father.

“You recognized me…” he thrilled and smiled. “Father,”

The crowd gasps again but this time it is louder.

“Father?”

“King Victor has another son?”

The Royal Council was in complete chaos, throwing questions that only King Victor and Azrael can answer.

A part of me thought Azrael was lying. I doubted his words but seeing King Victor’s reaction tells one thing—Azrael is telling the truth.

As if there were no blade at his throat, Azrael strode confidently across the aisle and came straight to me.

“What do you think you’re doing?!” Caius hissed at him, while gripping my arm firmly.

Azrael didn’t respond but in a swift movement, he grabbed Caius' throat.

“Azrael!” My eyes widened when I saw blood cascading down Caius’ throat.

“You’re hurting my woman, Caius,” he coldly spoke.

The Royal Guards surrounded Azrael, their swords pointed at him but Azrael’s world seemed to narrow on Caius and he couldn’t see anything else.

“Y-You a-asshole,” Caius struggled. His face turned pale and I felt his hold on me loosen until I was finally freed.

As if that was Azrael's cue, he mercilessly threw Caius on the floor.

Looking at Caius gasp for air and hold his neck just to suppress the blood made my chest clench.

“Don’t tell me you feel sorry for that asshole,” Azrael whispered.

I glared at him. He was being reckless. The two of us might be beheaded because of what he did.

“They will kill us!” I gritted out. “Do you think they will let us live after what you did?! You fucking marked me and now you hurt Caius?! You weren’t thinking—“

He reached for my arm that was marked with Caius’ claws, his hold was gentle, like he was afraid to hurt me. Then he looked into my eyes. “You won’t die. I won’t let you die. Not on my watch, Mireya,”