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Sloane Grayson’s POV 

My Fiancé, Erythos, was to get engaged to the girl the moon goddess chose for him tonight. And I? I was expected to smile when he did it. 

I couldn't feel any sensations in my body, it was all numb. After I called off our engagement, Erythos hit me with the news of getting engaged the next day. 

But, I went to the ceremony anyway. I walked down the marble staircase, my hand brushing against the banister, then, into the ballroom that was decorated in gold and blood red silk. Chandeliers hung over the ceilings, giving the atmosphere that surreal glow, and my gown? It was too tight and the colour chosen for me didn't suit me. 

I still looked beautiful in it, my pale face draped in make-up to make me look more alive than dead. 

As I walked into the ballroom, heads turned to look at me, but none dared to say anything. Some sneered, others laughed, while others gossiped. 

They were all dressed in velvet gowns, laced with embroidered collars and fangs hidden behind their heavy red painted lips. 

This wasn't just Erythos's mating ball, no. It was his coronation and I? I was the rejected princess that was forced to attend her ex fiancé's engagement with a smile on my face. 

My father stood to my right, his height imposing, face clenched in a cold frown. “You are going to smile…” he snarled without sparing me a glance. “You are an Alpha's daughter” 

I pursed my lips, nodding slightly. 

My breath hitched, my eyes glistening with tears but I forced myself to stay calm, my grip tightening around the wine glass which trembled slightly in my fingers. But I didn't take a sip, my stomach could hardly hold water, let alone, alcohol. This was all thanks to the moon sickness that was already at its peak. 

I looked across the room and there, I saw him. 

Erythos.

Standing tall, his head held up high with pride. 

He was draped in black, as though he was morning, but that mischievous smirk on his lips made my stomach churned. His arm was snaked around her waist; his ‘destined mate'. She looked younger and more beautiful, her wolf's aura could be felt burning under her skin. 

He whispered something into her ear, kissing her temple as she giggled, blushing.

I stood there like a corpse, watching. 

Just like Erythos had said earlier, I was just a backup plan. 

The music kicked in, the crowd erupting into claps, the activities began in full swing, as though I never existed. 

But then, the music suddenly died down, cutting off mid-note. 

Gasps and murmurs filled the room, their whispers echoing. 

Then, a sudden gust of wind rushed into the ballroom, so sharp and intense the torches on the walls flickered, the chandeliers clattering against each other violently. 

Dresses danced in the wind, glasses spilling over, breaking in loud crashes. 

Then, the main door slowly creaked before a loud, banging crash could be heard. 

Then, he stepped in. 

The man from earlier. 

Zaurik. 

He was dressed in a black suit, tailored perfectly to hug his broad physique. His large coat moved behind him, slithering like a snake as he walked. His long raven black hair was tied back, his jaw clenched together in that kind of expression that made knees buckle and hearts explode. And those golden eyes….goddess, it burned with an intensity both alluring and dangerous. 

Behind him were two men. I recognised them from the hospital. They stood silent, their faces expressionless, dark glasses worn over their eyes. 

And beside them was that monster. Half dragon, half wolf, its eyes blazing like molten lava, limbs flexing with muscles armoured in black. A silver, monstrous chain wrapped around its neck, but it didn't seem to have any use. 

No one breathed, no one even dared to move or speak. 

He said nothing, didn't have to. 

It was him, the monster I had met in smoke and blood. 

And he was here. My hand felt cold around the wine glass. My stomach turned. He walked forward. Slowly. Deadly. Calmly. 

And then… he spoke. “Hello... brother.” 

I couldn't breathe. Everyone looked over, Erythos froze. Zaurik's voice was smooth and sharp, like silk over a knife. “I was wondering what a traitor would look like when they grew up.”

People gasped loudly in the room. 

“Zaurik Thorn…” 

“He's alive…..” 

“The banished prince……” 

“Why is he……?” 

Nobody finished what they were saying. Because Zaurik didn't care. He wasn't there to explain things, he was there to see them struggle. 

And then…..his eyes moved. Stopped on me. Everything inside me froze as he looked right through me. Not at me…..through me.

Like he could see the bad inside me. Like he could smell the sickness destroying me. His eyes didn't back down, it didn't get softer. They saw right through every lie I'd ever told. 

Then, like it was nothing, he turned around. And walked away like none of it was important. Like I wasn't important. Something inside me broke. My feet moved before I even thought about it. I followed him.

******

The door didn't shut when I slipped through them, my heels clicking against the marble floor, the cold air biting through my thin silk dress. 

The courtyard was bathed in moonlight, the trees swaying slowly with the tune of the breeze. Zaurik was already halfway through the pack house. The beast walked behind him, its claws digging into the ground. The chains dragged lazily behind Zaurik. 

“Please….wa…wait!” I yelled out, fastening my pace as I gasped breathlessly. 

The man didn't stop, he didn't even glance back or spare me a gaze. But as I staggered even closer, I yelled out again. “I….I just…just want to talk…” 

That seemed to get through him as he stopped on his tracks, but still didn't turn or move. 

“You don't want to come too close, little wolf” he snarled, his cold voice cutting through the night. “My pet doesn't hesitate to bite” 

I stopped in my tracks, gulping down with fear. “I'm…. I'm not afraid of…of him” 

He spun his heels towards me slowly. 

As he stared up at me, his golden orbs caught the moonlight, glistening. The corner of his mouth twisted in a slight, lazy smirk. 

“Then why are your legs trembling?” He growled. 

I pursed my lips, clenching my fists tightly but said nothing. 

He tilted his head slightly. “What is the matter, little dove? Did your little golden Alpha bruise your heart a little too hard? Or are you just realizing he never cared about it?" His voice held no trace of emotion, just coldness. 

“I'm…I'm dying” I muttered under my breath, but I knew he heard me. 

His smirk didn't falter. “Aren't we all, little wolf?” 

“No…no, it's not that” I replied, my voice a whisper. “I'm really dying. Moon sickness and I have nine months to live, maybe less than that” 

He stared at me silently. 

I took a step forward. “And….and I don't want to die like this, pls. I don't want to die knowing I was never wanted by anyone, never loved….” 

He strode closer, his beast growling behind him but didn't move from its position. 

“Hmm……let me guess” he purred, his voice smooth. “And now you want to feel something new before your clock runs out? Want a monster to kiss you and whisper sweet death into your ears like your golden Alpha body never could?” 

I flinched…. slightly but said nothing. 

His eyes never left mine as he continued. “You want to be touched in ways you've never been….owned, lied to, worshipped by something so sharp it could cut you open” 

“I…I just want to matter” I finally said, my voice cracking. “Even if it's fake….at least till I die” 

He tilted his head. “You want to be mine….” He snarled slowly. “But not loved” 

“I…I want to feel alive…” I replied. 

“Hmm…..” he hummed. “You want to taste damnation…but not enough to choke on it” 

I said nothing. He lowered his tone. “You're either very brave…..or….very fucking stupid” 

I took a deep, shaky breath. “I….I can pay if you want…” 

His smirk widened as he leaned in closer. “With what?” 

“Mo…money…” I replied. 

Then, silence followed after my words. 

My voice rang out again, broken and raw. “Be…be my boyfriend for a year….just until…until I….” 

“Die?” He took the word from my mouth. 

I nodded, pressing my lips slightly, thinking he would mock me or laugh. 

He didn't laugh. But he moved closer, standing right in front of me now. The night seemed to wrap around him. The creature behind him growled again, but still didn't move. 

Zaurik leaned down, his lips almost touching my cheek. “Pet for rent, huh?” he whispered. “You always beg like this... or just when you're dying?”

I stared into his eyes. 

“Just when I'm desperate” I choked on a sob. 

“Then say hello to the devil, little wolf” he snarled.