Chapter 1

CHAPTER 1

Eden

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The cell’s air was stale and the dim light cast its weak hue on my broken body shackled in chains, the cold metal biting into my skin. My once pale skin, now covered in red and purplish hue. My joint, as worn out as the door hinges of the cell. The air hung, heavy with the stench of my dirty body. I haven't showered in a week nor have I eaten in four days.

The dungeon creaked open and Troy Adonis, the new Alpha king, and my mate.

“I’m sure you must have heard about the Timagon?”

Of course, the rumors had spread like wildfire; Lydia the ferocious wolf had challenged their abomination of a lunar to a Timagon-a duel of honor

“I’m here to tell you to accept it.” His eyes, those eyes that once burnt with warmth and love now glazed cold like a frozen lake—colder than the haunting walls of this cell—as he stared down at me.

“You know Lydia would kill me if I accepted the challenge.” My voice tightened.

Lydia was known for wearing her viciousness like a prized jewel. And I… I was weak, a wolf without its beast. Even if I trained for a thousand years, there’s no way I could defeat her.

“Can’t you stop this?” My eyes jolted him, desperately searching for the man I loved behind his eyes, but emptiness stared right back at me.

I could tolerate when other members of the pack stared at me that way—like I was undeserving of living. But seeing him stared down at me that way, broke every inch of my soul.

Five months ago after the death of King Alpha Lev, the man who murdered my parents and put me in his harem, Troy became the new Alpha king and he destroyed the harem and I and the rest of the women were set free. Despite knowing I was an abomination, Troy treated me nicely and we made love several times. But when I finally mated with him and the Elders protested; how dare a Lyge—a wolf from a generation of humans turned wolf—become Queen Luna. I was surprised when he sided with them.

“You think you have a choice?” Troy shot his brows up. “Either you accept the challenge or be beheaded for killing Alpha Lev.

“But you know I didn’t kill him.” My eyes bulged out.

“Do I? You made several attempts to kill him.”

I shook my head vigorously. “I never did. I was framed.” I bowed my head. “Troy, please believe me. At least for old-time sake.” My voice quivered.

Troy bowed. Pinning my chin, the man who once touched me like I was a delicate flower, yanked my face up, forcing my gaze to meet his. “Accept the challenge and you will be banished.

“But I have nowhere to go. This is my home.” My chest burnt and tears began to well up at the corner of my eyes.

Banishing wasn’t looking like a sweet option either. Was I supposed to roam around the land like a rogue? Wolves depended on the pack for survival, especially weaker ones like me.

“Make your choice, Eden, time isn’t an ally.” His voice sounded like a ticking time bomb.

But being a rogue was better than being dead. My chest tightened as I accepted my fate. “Promise me that it will end in banishment.” As a Timagon was usually a fight to the death.

“A Red Fang always keeps his promise.”

“I accept.”

Straightening his spine, he said. “The Timagon will be held tomorrow by 6 pm in the forbidden land.” With those words, he strode out of the cell, leaving knots to fill my hungry stomach.

One of the prison guards, through the small door hole, tossed a plate of bread. “Enjoy as this might be your last.” He snarled before his steps retreated.

Picking up the bread, I bit into it. The sharp musty taste, one akin to spoiled milk, assaulted my taste buds. But I was too hungry to spit it out. Instead, I jerked my head back and gulped down. I couldn’t fight a battle with an empty stomach.

The hurtful words of the pack members—“Freak, monster, child of evil”—lingered in my head like a fresh wound, melding with the scars and half-healed cuts on my skin from the whippings they called “deliverance.” The long jagged scar that ran down my back— like a dry river of pain—still burned where Lydia had poured boiling water over me; in her words, she was cleansing me of my Iniquities. All of it served as a painful reminder that I was a sinner, and the only sin I had committed was being born.

As the tears that had pooled finally sprinted down, stinging my face as unforgiving as an acid, a sour taste lingered on my taste buds. Was it from the stale bread? Or was it from the sour memories? An answer I knew not.

********

6 pm and the sun had begun its descent, casting its gold hue in the sky. I couldn't find the beauty in it like I did every other day. The scent of decayed plants traced the air reminding me I might end up like them—dead.

The Eight elders and a few members of the parliament encircled me, but giving enough space for the impending battle. Troy settled across from the Elders.

“Dhinatos!” Their chants echoed, honoring Lydia as she strutted to the middle of the circle.

Lydia held the highest rank in the harem and after it was destroyed, she rose quickly in the hierarchy. After all, she was the daughter of a fallen Alpha; an alpha who lost his pack to another.

Standing before me, Lydia leaned and whispered into my ears. “Do you know why Alpha Troy chose the forbidden land? So the blood of an abomination doesn’t stain our land.”

My stomach twisted as I whipped my head to Troy, who wore a cold expression. I shook my head.

The chants ceased as Troy rose. “May the Timagon begin.”

Shutting my eyes, I raised my head to the sky. The cold air whispered chills into my skin. “Don’t panic,” I muttered to myself as I attempted to calm my pounding heart. No one should hear the muttering of all my fears.

A sinister smile settled on Lydia’s lips and my end reflected in her eyes. “May your claws be dull and your fangs break.” Her blue eyes morphed into bright yellow.

How I admired the yellow hue, a symbol of power, one I couldn't have. After all, I was an abomination—undeserving of a beast form.

“May your claws be dull and your fangs break,” I responded.

“All for honor,” we said in unison.

After the words left our lips, Lydia lunged at me, and quickly, I dodged it.

“You have gotten faster,” she taunted as we moved in a circle. “But, you won’t be able to escape my next attack.”

And she was right. Before I could react, she kicked me on my legs. A wince escaped me as pain shot through me as I fell to the floor.

Lydia straddled me and quickly, I raised my hands, bringing my forearm together before my face, creating a shield. Her heavy punches thudded against my joined forearm, burying pain in the depth of my bone.

The cheers of the spectators quaked the forest. Their celebration stung my ears, reminding me I didn't belong…I never belonged.

Troy did not attempt to intervene. Perhaps the shame of having a weak mate had overcome him.

I groaned like a broken machine as cruel punches kept coming. I felt my hand weaken and my heart faltered. I knew if one of those punches hit, I’d likely pass out. I swallowed down the bitter taste of fear.

Drawing in a long breath, I summoned all the courage to fuel my weak bones. I grabbed Lydia by her waist and I flung her over. A hiss escaped her as she tumbled.

She rose to her feet and dusted her body, her wounds disappearing like it had never happened. Her eyes darkened as did her expression. Deadly intent hung overhead like a dark cloud as she drew out her claws.

My heart slammed against my ribs as I could smell death hovering around. It’s beat erratic and wild.

My eyes frantically darted around as I searched for a way to flee… to hide from her wrath. But I was encircled, like a cage, my pack members surrounded me like I wasn’t one of them.

My eyes fell on Troy. I darted towards him and fell to my knees, the sand biting into my knees, but I couldn’t care. With Undiluted desperation gnawing at me, the sharp pain in my legs, nothing could compare to the grave chills terrorizing my spine.“Please save me.” My body shuddered.

I knew if I didn’t stop this, Lydia would kill me before I even got banished. The thought of dying like this haunted me—dying without ever feeling valued, without running through the forest in a wolf form. All my life was spent in isolation and rejection. How could die without getting a chance to live?

My eyes locked onto him like he was some kind of merciful god who could atone me for my sins. “End this madness.”

His gaze, unfaltering and merciless. “My hands are tied.”

“That’s not true. You are the King Alpha.”

Troy cut me off. “I’m not as powerful as Alpha Lev. If I resist they will challenge me to a timagon.”

His words squeezed at my chest. I turned back, my eyes trailing the elders and parliament that encircled me like vultures ready to feast on my carcass.

Every moment stretched painfully, as though time itself mocked my desperate plea for safety. “If I die, you know what happens to you?” I reminded him.

When a mate dies still linked to the other. It was close to impossible to find another mate. Without a mate, the wolf would endure pain that would even lead to madness. Like they said A wolf without a mate is like a moon without the sun—it couldn't shine.

“That’s why we are going to reject each other.”

My eyes widened at his words as hell breathed its heat into my veins.