Chapter 3. His Past

* Ivan *

She held my gaze without flinching, but I am not someone who would look away that fast when I saw something interesting. These days, it rarely happens to me.

Moon Goddess. It had been a while since my cold life had any action or felt any presence of excitement. And again I noticed her scent. Not just the scent of royal blood or just the pride she wore in the way she stood.

It was her defiant eyes. The same cold, unwavering stare that could make seasoned warriors lower their heads. How I would love to make her eyes beg me for anything one day. Those dirty thoughts arose in my head.

But at the same time, she reminded me of Alpha King Daemon's eyes. For one second, the noisy beerhouse disappeared in my mind.

And all I saw was another pair of dark brown eyes looking at me a decade ago. I had barely reached my eighteenth winter when the Alpha King summoned me to the big Palace

Not to his popular throne room or the elegant council chamber. But to the underground war hall where no servant was allowed to enter.

The room still smelled of old blood, burning oil, and sharpened steel. I knelt on one knee as I listened.

"My King."

Alpha King Daemon stood before the map of the kingdom with his hands clasped behind his back. Even back then, he was already a legend. A wolf who won in a fierce battle for the throne.

The wolf who united fractured packs as well. But he is also called the monster who ended rebellions before they became wars. He didn't waste more words.

"There is one last task for you, Ivan."

I looked up to meet his gaze. Dark brown eyes stared back at me, challenging. He placed a sealed document onto the table.

"A noble household has been plotting against me, against my family for a decade. Now that my twin children are both ten years old, I want them to live a normal life."

I recognized the crest in his hand immediately. House of Vargan. One of the oldest bloodlines in the kingdom.

Rich and powerful noble wolves. And openly plotting against the Crown because they hated him.

"They have gathered allies," Alpha King Daemon said quietly. "If they live until sunrise, thousands from my royal guards will die before winter."

My jaw tightened.

"There are women in the household, Your Majesty."

"Yes. I am aware of that."

"Children as well."

His eyes confirmed my words. Silence settled between us. Then came the next words I have never forgotten.

"If they are old enough to remember their family name, they are old enough to become the next rebellion in this Kingdom."

The room became very still as I thought about it.

"You may refuse. Ivan, I won't blame you."

I looked at him. "You promised me early freedom."

"I did, and I am true you word."

"If I complete this. Then, can I be free to go?"

"You walk away from my blood service forever, and you can take as much gold as you ever needed. Get married and have pups of your own."

I don't want any reward. Only freedom. Something every royal assassin dreamed about. I lowered my head. "I accept."

We rode beneath a moonless sky. There were only seven of us. Seven strong warrior wolves against an entire estate. That was enough.

We climbed the walls before midnight. The wolf guards of the noble family died without making a sound. The first noble I killed never even woke up. The second reached for his sword.

The third begged me for mercy. By the next wolf, I stopped counting. The mansion burned while screams echoed through the valley.

Every corridor smelled of the big house filled with smoke and blood. Every room held another life ending beneath my blade.

There was no glory or honor. Only the orders Andy duty to the Alpha King. One little boy couldn't have been older than eight.

He stood in front of his younger sister with a carving knife held in trembling hands when I entered their room. He was terrified of us. Still, He stood between her and me.

His father's courage. I remember lowering my sword for a heartbeat. Just one heartbeat. Then I remembered Alpha King Daemon's words.

If they are old enough to remember their family name...so I closed my eyes. When I opened them again, I finished the mission.

The next day. By sunrise... House Vargan no longer existed.

When I returned to the capital, my armor was so soaked with blood that its original color couldn't be seen. I walked straight into the throne room. Dropped my sword at Alpha King Daemon's feet.

"It's done, your majesty."

He looked at me for a long moment, then a tiny smile appeared on his lips. Then he nodded once.

"You are free, my loyal warrior!"

Just like that. I had achieved my freedom. I walked out of the palace that day and never looked back. Or at least. I told myself I hadn't.

Years passed. I built this beerhouse and bought an apartment far from the Capital. Stayed away from kingdoms, away from politics. I was without parents, and who grew up as a warrior in the Palace is meant to live alone.

Because every time I closed my eyes. I still heard that little boy gripping a carving knife. I still smelled burning wood and saw blood running down marble stairs.

Freedom had been expensive for me. Far more expensive than the Crown ever admitted.

Now. Standing before me. Was Alpha King Daemon's daughter, to my surprise! And she is Beautiful.

Completely unaware that the man she had just hired to become her husband had once been the Alpha King's most feared weapon. She looked at me impatiently.

"Why are you staring at me like that?"

I almost laughed sarcastically. Because if she knew. If she knew how many noble families whispered my name to frighten their children. Or how many rebellions ended because I left no one alive to continue them.

She would never have offered me her hand in this impossible deal. Yet she stood before me there without fear.

Just like him that night. Except. There was something Alpha King Daemon never possessed. A compassion for others. I had seen it in her when she stopped me from crushing the rogue's throat.

"Let him go."

Most royals would've ordered the execution of that rogue. She chose mercy for his life. A dangerous choice but a beautiful one. I looked at her for another long moment.

Then a slow smile crossed my face.

"So, Princess. As the Alpha King's little daughter who wants to marry a stranger she just met in a faraway land? Are you certain about your decision?"

She frowned. "Of course I am! Better you than Alpha Ashbourne."

I raised one brow. Alpha Alex, a noble blood. Didn't she like him? I know I have the look. But. She's a lot younger than me; did she even guess how old I am?

The Moon Goddess certainly had a cruel sense of humor. After all these years. The greatest mission of my life had earned me my freedom.

But somehow. Freedom had walked back into my beerhouse wearing cowboy boots, smelling of jasmine and rain, asking me to become her husband

She asked for something to drink from Randal while I watched her and smirked. "Do you plan on getting drunk tonight, Princess?

"Don't spoil my fun... sit down and drink with me. Then start telling me your name; let us get to know each other."

I chuckled. To be commanded by a she-wolf is a first for me. But she isn't just any she-wolf, she is the daughter of the Alpha King.

“Oh! I thought you wouldn't ask."