Chapter 3

THE KING

CHARLES

I didn’t want to go to the Darksun Pack, but I had no choice. As the Lycan King, I had to keep up appearances. So, I went. The pack wasn’t strong or rich, but they managed to survive because of their allies. I didn’t think much of the Alpha and Luna. They weren’t sharp, but at least they tried.

The handover ceremony went as expected. There were lights, music, and proud smiles. The Alpha gave a toast and said he was stepping down. Then his son, Flint, walked onto the stage with a big smile and a proud look. A she-wolf stood beside him, holding onto his arm. I guessed she was his mate. "Tonight," the old Alpha said, "I pass on my title to my son, Flint Masters."

Applause followed. Flint took the mic and spoke clearly. "I, Flint Masters, vow to lead this pack with honor and strength, to the best of my ability."

They clasped hands. The glow of the transfer surrounded them. People cheered and shouted his name and the celebration began.

Danford, my Beta, leaned in close. “Can we go now?”

“No,” I said, waving off a servant as I took a glass of champagne. “We leave in the morning. Go enjoy yourself.”

Danford groaned but perked up the second a group of she-wolves passed us, giggling and stealing glances.

“I suddenly feel like staying,” he grinned, already heading toward them. I stayed back, detached. I made small talk with some local Alphas, all curious about the state of my pack. I answered out of courtesy, but my Lycan grew restless with every passing second.

Then, Ballard stirred.

‘Mate,’ he growled. I froze.

‘Where?’ I asked, my eyes scanning the crowd. I didn’t see her. I didn’t feel her.

I left the gathering at once and made my way toward the Alpha’s quarters. On the way, I tried to pick up her scent—only faint traces.

As I reached the Alpha’s office, I stopped. Laughter and moans came from behind the door. Disgusted, I turned away and went to the former Alpha instead. He stood among a group, laughing and drinking.

I walked up, ignoring the way everyone stiffened at my approach. My aura pressed down hard.

“Did every member of your pack attend tonight?” I asked, my voice cold. The man blinked, then looked away. “Y-yes… yes, Your Majesty.”

“I don’t think so.” My voice deepened. “I caught my mate’s scent. She’s not here.”

His Luna stepped in, trying to soothe the tension. “All the unmated females were present, I swear. Perhaps—perhaps she isn’t from our pack—”

A sharp growl ripped from my throat, cutting off her words. The room fell quiet. Then, a female near the back raised her voice. “There are some women locked in the dungeon, Your Majesty… They were caught sneaking around. Maybe…”

I didn’t wait. I bolted toward the dungeon, each step heavier with rage. Ballard pushed forward, more beast than man now. As I got closer, her scent hit me like a wave—warm, sweet, impossible to ignore. I could hear her.

A scream.

I lost control.

The guards barely moved out of the way as I barreled in. Her scent led me to the last cell. I didn’t hesitate—I tore through the iron bars with bare hands.

Inside, I found her. She lay on the ground, struggling to stay conscious. Her clothes were torn, her body bruised. Blood stained the floor. A man hovered over her, shirtless, his hands forcing her down.

I saw red.

“Mate,” I growled. The word came from both me and Balard.

Without a second thought, I lunged. The male didn’t stand a chance. Ballard tore him apart like paper. Another man tried to run—we ended him too.

Silence followed.

I dropped to my knees beside her. Her face was streaked with tears, her lips trembling.

“Hey,” I whispered, brushing her hair back. “I’ve got you now.”

Her blue eyes barely focused on me. She raised a weak hand to touch my face, then it fell. She passed out in my arms.

I lifted her gently. She felt weightless. So fragile. Someone would pay dearly for what they did to her. And I would burn this pack to the ground if I had to... 

I took my mate to the packhouse hospital. I laid her on the bed. The doctors told me to leave the room, but I didn’t move. I wasn’t going to leave her alone.

My Beta came in and put a hand on my shoulder. He must have heard what happened.

“Is that the Luna?” he asked, looking at her. The doctors looked nervous because my Alpha power was strong.

“Alpha, you should leave,” a tall nurse said, her voice shaking. “You don’t want to see this.”

“She’s right,” my Beta said. “Your power is making it hard for the doctors to work.”

I shook my head. I wanted to see it. I had to know what they did to her.

“No,” I said firmly. The doctors turned her over and tore her shirt. My Beta gasped. I held back a growl and clenched my fist. Her back was red and bloody. She had deep cuts and bruises. Some were old, and some looked new.

“She’s been hurt a lot,” the doctor said quietly as he cleaned her wounds. Even though she was asleep, she flinched when the medicine touched her back. I took her hand.

“I’m sorry, baby,” I whispered. “They will pay for this.” I let go of her hand and left the room. My Beta called my name, but I didn’t answer. I needed to be alone.

I went to the woods and shifted into my Lycan form. I let out a loud howl and ran through the forest. I ran for hours, thinking about how I found her. I asked myself, what if I wasn’t there? What if I was too late? Would she still be alive?

Even after all that running, my anger didn’t go away. I went back to the pack house. It was quiet, and everyone was still sleeping. I went to the minibar and drank my favorite whiskey.

I felt tired and went to the room they made for me. I told my Beta to stay with my mate.

Lying on the bed, I thought about her. I didn’t even know her name yet. I wanted to know everything about her.

Why was she in that terrible place? The dungeons only held the most dangerous wolves. Could she really be one? She looked so weak and gentle.

“I can’t feel her wolf,” Ballard said. I noticed it too. When our skin touched, I felt a small spark, but it wasn’t strong. We will find out what happened.

The next day, I woke up at 10 am, showered, and got ready. Then, I went to Flint’s office without waiting to be called in. He sat in his chair. The former Alpha and Luna sat on the couch with two other men. They all stood and bowed when I arrived. We exchanged greetings, and I took a seat in front of the new Alpha.

“I found my mate in your pack,” I said. From their faces, they already knew. Flint frowned with interest, while the others forced cheers, clearly cautious.

“I found her in the dungeon, being abused by your guards,” I said, disgusted. Flint’s face showed anger and rage. A growl escaped his chest, and he smashed his desk in half.

“I’ll kill them,” he declared.

“Already did,” I said with a sarcastic grin.

“What happened? Why was she locked up?” I looked into his eyes. He shifted uncomfortably. I suspected it involved him. He swallowed hard.

“Which one?” he asked. “Don’t pretend you don’t know. You’re starting to annoy me.”

He looked offended but stayed silent. He took a deep breath and rested his arms on the broken table, staring at me.

“Amy,” he said. I repeated the name silently. Amy. A beautiful name for a beautiful girl. A smile appeared on my lips.

“It suits her,” Ballard added. “There’s a mistake. Amy is not yours. She’s my mate,” I growled and stood up. In a flash, I was in front of him, grabbing his neck. I lifted him off the ground and squeezed. His face turned purple, but I didn’t let go. How dare he claim my mate? The former Alpha and Luna begged me to stop, but I ignored them.

“Amy is my mate, and I’ll kill anyone who tries to touch her,” I said slowly and calmly. I threw the little Alpha to the ground. He gasped for air. His parents moved to help him up, but he growled and pushed them away—stupid prick.

“With all due respect, my king, she was mine first,” he said. “If the Moon Goddess gave her to another, it means you rejected her—especially after what I found her going through. Alpha Flint, do you lock your mate in a dungeon?” I knew for sure the goddess had blessed me, and the fool must have rejected her.

“I was wrong. I’ll take back my rejection!” he challenged.

I saw red but held back from wasting energy.