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. Attractive and obedient, she had easily made her way into his bed after the death of his mate.

After Julie died, Kai hadn’t cared about anything. His mate—his true mate—was ripped from him, and with her went whatever soul he had left. Jackie had been... convenient. A distraction. Warm, willing, and painfully easy.

But everything was changing now. His father had arranged a marriage to the Alpha’s daughter from the Red Full Moon Pack. Kai didn’t even remember her damn name—Carina? Marina? Something with too many syllables and not enough substance. Spoiled brat from a pack dripping in wealth and self-importance.

He didn’t want her. Hell, he didn’t want anyone. But duty wasn’t a choice, and he wasn’t just a man—he was the Alpha Prince.

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 obeyed, adopting a sorrowful expression. “Thank you, Luna. I suppose I won’t have many chances to enjoy the palace after tomorrow.”

“Nonsense,” Victoria said, sipping her tea. “I’ll never allow my son to marry a girl chosen by my husband. Some foreign mongrel with a fancy name doesn’t belong on our throne.”

Jackie blinked. “But the arrangements—”

“Can’t be undone, yes,” the Queen said. “But we don’t have to cancel the wedding. We just make the poor dear so miserable, she begs to leave. Let the deal fall apart on her terms.”

They shared a long, knowing look.

Jackie’s lips curled. “It would be my pleasure.”

Her thoughts darkened like the storm clouds rolling in.

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.

Kai entered Jackie’s bedroom without knocking.

The room was a mess. Some furniture was broken, claw marks raked across others, and in the center stood a furious Jackie, dressed in a short red dress, high-heeled sandals, and crimson lips.

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

“You think this is funny?” Jackie snapped. “We’ve been together for four years. I was supposed to be Luna Queen. And now I hear some bitch is coming from across the ocean to take my place!”

“Wow,” Kai raised his brows. “We had fun, I’ll admit—but I never promised to make you my Luna.”

“What? It was obvious! We’re together. I’m the Beta’s daughter. No one fits better as Luna.”

Kai said nothing, simply adjusting his already perfectly styled caramel-colored hair.

“You seduced me, took my innocence, and now you’re throwing me away?” she shouted.

“Innocence?” Kai snorted. “You jumped into my bed on your own—and you were far from innocent. I don’t need a Luna. Marrying that girl wasn’t my choice. I’m the Alpha Prince. I have a duty. You knew this day would come.”

Jackie realized she was losing. She needed a new strategy.

“I’m sorry, baby,” she said softly. “I just love you so much. The thought of sharing you drives me mad.” She pouted, stepping closer and placing a hand on his shoulder. “Honestly, I don’t care about the Luna position. I just need you.” Her voice dripped sweetness as she leaned in and kissed him lightly.

He didn’t respond. She pressed herself against his chest, fingers playing with his hair, and tried again.

“Jackie, I have to go. There are arrangements to be made—she arrives tomorrow.”

“Tomorrow?” Jackie fumed, but quickly masked her anger with a sugary smile. “Of course, you have duties, my love. I hope to see you tonight.” She whispered seductively in his ear and nipped gently at his earlobe.

He left.

In an attempt to calm her nerves, Jackie ventured into the palace garden and discovered Luna Queen Victoria enjoying afternoon tea under a canopy of blooming roses. She was calm and collected. The Luna looked like the queen, elegant, aloof, and dangerously poised, with her silver-streaked hair in a perfect twist and her cold blue eyes that saw everything. She said kindly, "Oh, dear, do join me," but Jackie could feel the steel beneath her smile.

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."