Red Lips, Hidden Thorns

Kai knew Jackie would be furious about his engagement. She was the younger sister of his best friend, Reed, and the daughter of the current Beta. They had grown up together, but after turning eighteen, Jackie had become a stunning woman—with her curvy body and doll-like face. She easily made her way to his bed after the death of his fated mate.

The memory of his fated mate Julie’s death was still painful for Kai, but Jackie had been a convenient comfort. She was easy to please, easy to handle. Now, everything was about to change. His father had arranged a marriage for him with the Alpha’s daughter from the Red Full Moon Pack. Carina? Marina? Torina? He couldn’t even remember her name. Nor did he care. Spoiled and arrogant, just like all the other Alpha daughters—greedy to become Luna Queen. This one might be the worst of them all, coming from the wealthiest pack.

He sighed. He didn’t want her. In truth, he didn’t want anyone. His heart had died with his mate. But there was no way out—he knew the alliance was crucial for the pack and the kingdom. So, he would sacrifice and marry her.

With a heavy sigh, he pushed open Jackie’s bedroom door without knocking.

The scene inside was chaos. A chair lay shattered against the wall. Deep claw marks scarred the armoire. Perfume bottles shattered, dresses torn, the aftermath of a tantrum laced with wolf rage.

And at the center—Jackie.

Dressed to kill in a crimson dress that hugged every tempting curve, her lips painted the same sinful red, her chest heaving with fury.

“You look even sexier when you’re mad,” Kai said coolly, mischief flickering in his hazel eyes.

Jackie’s nostrils flared. “You think this is funny?” she snapped. “Four years, Kai. Four years of being yours. I was supposed to be Luna Queen. And now I hear some entitled bitch is flying in to take my place?”

Kai arched a brow. “We had fun, I won’t lie. But I never made you promises.”

Her voice turned shrill. “Don’t insult me! I’m the Beta’s daughter. You slept in my bed almost every night. You marked me with your scent. You—”

“—You came to my bed, Jackie,” he interrupted coldly. “You wanted to play Luna, and I let you. But don’t confuse lust with loyalty. My mate is dead. I’m not interested in love. This alliance is for the kingdom. End of story.”

Tears welled in Jackie’s eyes, but she blinked them away. Rage burned behind them. She wasn’t about to beg.

Instead, she softened her voice, her gaze turning syrup-sweet. “I’m sorry, baby,” she cooed, stepping closer. “I didn’t mean to raise my voice. I just love you. That’s all. The thought of sharing you drives me crazy.”

She ran her hands over his chest, lips brushing his neck. “I don’t care about the title. I just want you.”

Kai didn’t move.

She pressed herself against him, her hands sliding into his hair. “Let me remind you how good we are together,” she whispered, trailing kisses along his jaw.

His jaw tightened. “Jackie,” he said, voice like ice, “I have things to prepare. She arrives tomorrow.”

“Tomorrow?” she hissed, before quickly schooling her face into a mask of calm. “Of course. Duty first.” Her smile returned, soft and venomous. “I hope you’ll still find time for me tonight…”

She nipped his earlobe gently. He left without a word.

Jackie stood motionless for a moment, fury simmering beneath her skin. She wanted to scream. To shift. To kill.

But instead, she went for a walk.

The palace gardens were drenched in roses and afternoon sunlight when she stumbled upon Queen Victoria having tea beneath a floral canopy, looking as regal as a goddess and twice as dangerous. Her silver-streaked hair coiled into a perfect twist, her eyes sharper than frost.

“Oh, darling,” the Luna Queen said smoothly, her lips curving into a too-kind smile. “Come. Sit with me.”

Jackie sat down, wearing a melancholic expression. “Thank you, Luna. You’re so kind. Not much time left for me to enjoy the palace, I suppose.”

“Is it about those horrid arrangements? Nonsense. I won’t allow my son to marry some stray chosen by my husband,” Luna Victoria said, sipping her tea.

Jackie’s lips curled into a pleased smirk, but her voice remained sad. “But the arrangements are already finalized. Nothing can be undone.”

The Luna laughed. “We can’t cancel the agreement, true. But we can make her life here so miserable, she’ll crawl back to whatever hole she came from. Then the agreement will fall apart—by her own doing.”

Jackie and the Luna Queen exchanged a look of understanding.

“I’ll destroy her with pleasure,” Jackie thought, smiling to herself. "The crown will be mine."