THE ALPHA KING'S SUBSTITUTE BRIDE

“Your betrothed would be here any minute,” my father, Alpha Faustus announced, breaking the eerie silence in the dining.My step-sister, Kira was present at the dining but I knew very well that he was not referring to her. He was talking to me. I had been betrothed to the son of the Alpha of a neighboring pack, Prince Christopher, and no matter how much I protested, my father would not hear of it.“You don’t seem to be excited, Anna?” he frowned.I stared up at him and rolled my eyes. Did he really expect me to be excited after he had married me off like an animal without seeking my consent?“I’m doing this for the family,” my father pressed on. “For your mum…”“Enough!” I cut in. “Don’t speak about my mother, please.” I knew all he had to say. It was the same old story –our pack was lacking resources after the wars and we needed alliances with richer packs to survive. My marriage to Prince Christopher would mean the end of the hunger in our pack. According to my father, their pack w

It was another cold morning in the Blood Moon Pack and the very fact that my uncle, Lartes had summoned me to the throne room was enough to spoil my day. I flashed a feigned smile to the guard that broke the news to me and I quickly wore a leather jacket. I knew I had to give my uncle and his guards the impression that I was on their side. The tiniest hint of treason would have meant my warm blood watering the fields. My uncle, Lartes Octavian had assumed the role of the Lycan King of our pack, the Blood Moon Pack, and leader of the Council of Werewolves and Lycans after the mysterious death of my parents a year ago, and although the pack doctor had made a public announcement that their death was of natural causes, I never believed it. It was too much of a coincidence; the two of them died one night, and my uncle suddenly returned from his journey halfway across the West the next day. I knew he had a hand in their death and ever since then, I had devoted my time to secretly find

ANNA'S POVThe whole place looked too calm for an invasion. Apart from the large influx of armed guards, I could not hear any sound of a battle. That however was not any of my business.My business was the only thing I cared about and that imbecile Xavier was trying to block my path.I walked around the palace, so magnificent it felt otherworldly, and with every step I took and the magnificence I beheld, my anger and hate for the royal house of the Black Moon pack grew.I walked aimlessly with no direction in mind except the direction my nose led me. It had been a long time since I perceived the sweet smell of fresh bloody meat baked with butter and spices and the sweet-smelling scent of the roast drew me using my nose as bait towards what I suspected to be the kitchen.I walked around freely, facing only a few oppositions from the royal guards which I happily and easily obliged. In fact, I was glad for their opposition as it accorded me a means to unleash the rage that was coursing t

ANNA'S POVUnconsciously my head swiveled to face the guard who had just finished speaking. My eyes narrowed as I wondered what was going to happen.Would he really sell their prince out?"What?!" Alpha Lartes bellowed, almost rising out of his chair with the force with which he had spoken."Yes, My King. We think we know exactly who is betraying you in your court," The guard said again.I looked at the two men dumbfounded, my mind already working out the mechanics of what was happening right now.Even though I still could not believe it, I discovered that the lame imbecile whom I was to marry was also a victim of the devil sitting next to me.I had overheard his conversation with the man whom he had helped escape and from that, I knew that he was a friend since he was a foe of my foe.There was no way I could let him get caught. The fact I hated his guts did not mean I should allow a possible ally to be lost. Laertes was a strong force, if I was going to beat him, I needed all the al

XAVIER'S POV.We watched each other.I could feel our kin's blood boil within us.I pondered on his question. Who was I?The problem was I had been asking myself the same question ever since I woke up to find my parents dead and my birthright snatched from me and as I stood today, I still haven't found an answer."I am Prince Xavier Octavian of the Black Moon pack," I said out loud with my shoulders high and my chest pushed outwards with pride.I saw a smile play on my uncle's face. I had said exactly what he had wanted to hear.I had intentionally and deliberately left out the part of my introduction which stated that I was the rightful heir to the throne.I had done it intentionally to make him happy. My words would show him that I accept his leadership and would throw him off my scent."And where does your loyalty lie?" He asked but this time, his tone was more subtle."To the throne," I said with a bow.Once again, I had intentionally chosen my words.I had not called his name as