3| Merciless Clarity.

DAISY

He fucking had the audacity to sleep next to me after forcing himself on all those she-wolfs. Rage burned through me as I flicked my eyes open. A pounding headache tore through my skull, and I winced in pain. When I snapped my head to the side to glare at Aldric, my eyes widened in shock when I saw an unfamiliar figure lying peacefully beside me.

Just then, the memories of what happened last night came flooding back, crashing into me with merciless clarity. My hand flew to my mouth as I clamped it shut, stifling the gasp that threatened to escape.

What the hell was I thinking when I offered to pay this man for sex?

Panic coursed through me when I looked under the blanket and saw that I was wearing nothing but my underwear. Fuck!

Without wasting another second, I jumped out of the bed, slipped into the dress that lay crumpled on the floor, and quietly snuck out of the cheap hotel room. My cheeks burned with shame. I couldn’t remember what happened after he carried me away, and the thought made me cringe harder with each step I took back to the pack house.

Aldric met me in the foyer just as I was about to ascend the stairs.

“Where have you been?” he groaned, his voice laced with irritation as a frown deepened across his face.

“I went to drink at a bar and passed out somewhere,” I muttered, ascending the stairs without waiting for his response.

I had barely made it halfway up when he grabbed my arm, jerking me to a stop. “Then why the hell do you reek of another man?!” he growled, rage burning in his eyes.

I could tell he didn’t feel the pain of betrayal that should have cut through him if our bond was betrayed, which was really unsettling.

There was something terribly weird about our mate bond.

“A kind stranger found me and helped me to a safe place last night. Unlike someone who didn’t even realize I was gone all night,” I spat, yanking my arm free from his grip before storming up the stairs and rushing into my room.

I couldn’t stand his disgusting ass.

Later that day, Aldric came into my room. His tone was calm, calculated, as if trying to play the part of a reasonable mate. “The Alpha King’s birthday ceremony is tonight,” he announced. “I’d like you to come with me.”

The words instantly grated on my nerves. Aside from the fact that it was ridiculously short notice, the thought of seeing Alpha Theron, the same man who knew about Aldric’s abuse and still turned a blind eye, made me sick.

“I’m not going,” I said flatly.

Aldric’s jaw twitched. He hated rejection. But instead of lashing out, he softened his tone, letting desperation creep in.

“Daisy, please. This is important to me. Don’t embarrass me in front of the Alpha King. I need you by my side tonight. Just this once… please.”

I opened my mouth to insist on my refusal, but an idea suddenly clicked inside me.

“Would my uncle be there?” I asked. My uncle was the northern Alpha King.

He shook his head. “Only westerners would be in attendance.”

“Okay. Fine.” I breathed. “I’ll go with you.”

I had other plans for the party.

A few hours before the birthday dinner, an omega walked into my room holding a shabby-looking black dress.

“And who is this for?” I asked as I scrutinized the dress.

“Alpha asked me to bring a dress to you...”

“Aldric wants me to wear that?” I scoffed in disbelief.

“No. The dress he asked me to bring was a pretty red dress, but Luna Lilith— I mean, Lilith— took it from me and gave me this to bring to you instead,” she said nervously.

Rage boiled in my chest. They already called that bitch Luna.

“Take it back to her,” I spat, before ushering the omega out of my room and shutting the door closed.

Leaning against the door, my chest heaved as I tried to calm the fury burning inside me. Humiliation after humiliation. I was sick and tired of it all. But I had to remind myself that it’s for a good cause.

In my closet, I pulled out a navy-blue midi gown. It wasn’t extravagant, but it was mine. As I slipped it on and adjusted the straps, my thoughts strayed to the stranger from last night.

My heart quickened. My skin heated as flashes of memory teased me. How my body had reacted to him at the bar, how alive I had felt in that moment. I couldn’t remember what happened afterward, but the mere thought of him left me flustered.

“Are you ready?” Aldric’s mind-link came through. “We are outside, waiting for you.”

We?

When I reached outside, I understood what he meant by “we.”

Lilith was there, dressed in a sleek red gown that shimmered beneath the lights. A gleeful look painted her face, smug and mocking.

My eyes lingered on her, knowing immediately that this was the red dress the omega had told me about.

“What?” she rolled her eyes. “Close your mouth before flies enter.”

“Lilith,” Aldric said smoothly, placing his hand low on her back, “do not speak to her like that.”

My stomach twisted at his shamelessness. “Apparently, you already have a date. So why bother taking me along?” I scoffed, turning to leave.

But he was beside me the next moment, grabbing my arm and forcing me to a stop.

“Don’t go, Daisy. The Alpha King rarely throws birthday parties, and Lilith wanted to attend this one. Please don’t read too much into it. She’ll ride in another car. Just stay with me tonight.”

A few more days. That was all I needed. Just a few more days and I would have video evidence of him abusing those innocent omegas. Some of them had already agreed to help me. Once I secured that proof, I would hand it over to the Alpha Kings’ council. Then Aldric would pay.

Taking a sharp breath to calm my rising frustration, I turned back around and climbed into the car.

The event hall glittered with extravagance. Crystal chandeliers sparkled above, showering the marble floors with light. Men and women paraded in gowns and suits, power radiating from every corner.

I started counting the minutes the moment we stepped inside.

“The powerful Daisy Northwood of the North. Now Daisy Valek of the West. Our hero,” Alpha Theron Westeros greeted as he approached, a grin plastered on his face. He pulled me into a light hug. “Nice to meet you again.”

I forced a smile. “The pleasure is mine.”

A few months ago, there was a powerful ancient spirit who wreaked havoc across all kingdoms—the Olga. Although it was believed that the Olga couldn’t be destroyed, I took it upon myself to destroy it, and I was successful.

Since then, I had been tagged as the hero who saved the world. I used to be really powerful, but it was quite disturbing now that I could barely feel my power anymore.

To avoid suspicion, I had to put up my best act until those girls were finally free.

While I engaged Theron in small talk, Aldric and Lilith slipped away together. I had no idea where they went, and honestly, I didn’t care. Or at least, I told myself I didn’t. A dull ache still lingered at my chest at his betrayal. The mate bond was cruel like that.

After Alpha Theron left to attend to other guests, the suffocating atmosphere pressed against me. So, I excused myself and stepped outside to receive fresh air.

As I breathed in the cool night air, I suddenly felt a presence behind me.

“You never paid me before sneaking out,” a familiar voice drawled before I could even turn around.

My heart lurched as I quickly turned around to see the stranger from yesterday night standing before me.

“Hello, Daisy,” he murmured, a smirk tugging at his hot lips.