CHAPTER TWO

DELILIAH

Three years later...

I put some finishing touches on my makeup before stepping out of my quarters in a white, long, flowing robe. A black, sleek car was parked outside, blending with the darkness of the night. A middle-aged man bowed his head before running around to open the passenger door for me.

I had barely taken two steps towards the vehicle before a head suddenly appeared in view.

“Deliliah!” my friend, Vivian, beckoned me with a grin. “Get in! We're gonna be late!”

My steps came to a brief pause as I stared at the quarter moon in the sky, wondering if I should do a quick divination to check on my luck for the evening. Of all the replacements my deputy priestess could choose to take her place for the evening, she just had to choose the wildcard in my life, the Oracle of the Moon Priestesses.

After a second thought, I decided against it and entered the car with a sigh. The car engine immediately flared into life as the vehicle drove off, leaving the secluded forest and heading straight into the heart of pack territory.

My friend immediately scooted closer with a bright smile on her face.

“Hey, there,” she said, bumping her shoulders with mine. “I bet you didn't expect me to follow you for tonight's event, did ya?”

I swallowed the frustrated groan bubbling in my throat and simply shook my head. “No, Vivian. I did not expect you here. I thought my deputy priestess despised you since the day you dragged her hair when we were fourteen.”

Vivian's smile faltered, turning sheepish, but she did not back away as I'd expected. “Yeah, she did. I had to pull some strings to change her decision.”

Of course she did. My beautiful, red-haired, sharp-tongued friend, who wore the same white gown as mine, couldn't possibly have accepted my deputy priestess's decision so easily. With her brown, doe eyes and fiery temper, she probably argued her way until she had no choice but to let her come tonight.

“Just tell me that you didn't get into another physical fight with Hannah,” I said, resisting the urge to pinch my nose bridge like I always do whenever Vivian was involved.

“I-I didn't!” she sputtered, eyes wide with panic and guilt. “I...just asked Caspian to overturn her decision.”

My expression hardened. “That was out of line. You had no right—”

“I know! I know I shouldn't have done it!” Vivian said, raising her hand in surrender. “But I was desperate. I didn't know how to watch over you after the morning divination I foresaw after the gathering.”

My head snapped to her for the first time in the night after hearing her words. As Oracle of the Vyrclaw Pack, Vivian was the kind of woman who always acted strictly on the moon goddess's orders. If she didn't want to say anything, it would be nearly impossible to get it out of her.

“Fine,” I relented with a soft sigh. “Just...try not to cause trouble tonight.”

Vivian's body relaxed after receiving my permission, her smile appearing once more as she leaned against the posh leather seat.

“Of course, I'll be on my best behavior. Caspian drilled the importance of tonight's event into my brain before he let me go,” she said, before clearing her throat and adopting a feigned solemn tone. “There must be absolutely no mishaps in the welcoming ceremony of the new Alpha King into the Vyrclaw Pack.”

I rolled my eyes, knowing that she was only doing it to grate my nerves. It was only three months ago that we received news that the former Alpha King had been defeated and another had taken his place. No one knew his name, but his tales already preceded him.

Some say that he was a brute and a bloodthirsty savage wolf who liked to fight others without reason. Others said he was a cold, calculated strategist who let others do his dirty work. But there was one thing that was common in all these rumours.

He remained undefeated since his first wolf battle.

“Have you been able to find out his identity yet?” I asked, watching the bright streetlights blur past my window as we entered the town.

Vivian shook her head. “Not yet. No one has been able to even get a picture of him since he ascended the throne. That's why he's visiting the pack one by one, introducing himself personally.”

Hmm, a man of mystery.

I couldn't care less who sat on that damn throne as long as it didn't affect the smaller packs in the country. All I wanted was a peaceful life where I could live out my life as the Head Priestess of the Vyrclaw Pack, fulfilling my vow to the moon goddess.

So all I said was, “Then I guess we'll find out his identity tonight.”

The ride was silent for a while until we nearly reached the alpha's mansion. The dazzling lights outside the magnificent building never failed to take my breath away, but it looked even more beautiful tonight.

Vivian suddenly turned to me with a solemn expression. “That reminds me, I have one last thing to discuss with you.”

This time, I didn't hold back from releasing a weary sigh. “What is it?”

“It is about the young acolyte, Iris,” she said. “I think she has suffered enough at the Hall of Punishment and should be released as soon as possible.”

“No,” I said flatly. “Her punishment stands.”

Vivian's voice turned pleading. “C'mon, Deliliah. She made a small mistake of sneaking out of the temple grounds. She is a young and curious child, so it only makes sense that she would be a bit mischievous—”

“I have already passed my judgment and will not be questioned, Vivian,” I snapped, my voice sharp and final. “Let her punishment serve as a warning to the other young acolytes who are curious about things that do not concern them. Our duty is to serve the moon goddess, and that is what we shall do.”

At that same moment, the car came to a screeching stop in front of the mansion. I came out of the car with a strange feeling creeping up my spine. My gaze lifted toward the grand entrance as I walked towards my destination. The world around me seemed to dull, the chatter of voices fading into a distant hum as that terrible feeling coiled deeper in my guts.

Just when I was about to step into the marble stairs, my breath suddenly caught as my eyes settled on two men waiting at the entrance.

I thought I was dreaming... no, I thought I must have been hexed or be under some kind of illusion spell. Because there was just no way this could be possible.

No.

It just couldn't be real.

The sight of my alpha, Caspian Quinlan, standing side-by-side with my first love, Viktor Volvov.

The man who abandoned me was now wearing the Alpha King’s crown.

My heart slammed violently against my ribs.

He abandoned me… to return as king.