Chapter 1:

Majori's POV:

"Pant… Pant…"

The sound of heavy breathing echoed throughout the dark forest. Branches rustled all around, accompanied by the screeches, shouts, and whistling wind, forming a cacophony of eerie chaos.

My chest ached, lungs feeling like they would burst. I could barely keep myself upright anymore, but stopping now would mean certain death!

My body felt heavier by the second, my legs numb and almost frozen. The biting cold of the midnight forest cut through my skin like a blade. Blood seeped through the open wounds, soaking the hem of my clothes, dripping onto the ground. My foggy mind clung to a single, desperate thought.

I must survive!

"That bitch turned left! Hurry!"

A shrill scream pierced the night behind me, and the strength of the pursuing pack seemed limitless.

I was gasping for breath, my lungs burning, my body nearly giving in to the toxins of the dark forest. All I could do was stagger deeper into the night.

"Thud!"

Blood splattered onto the ground, and pain shot through me, causing my entire body to tremble.

A stone rolled aside as my shadow loomed over the frozen ground. My left leg gushed blood, and whatever strength I had left quickly drained away.

The pursuers were upon me.

"Damn it! This she-wolf's life force is tougher than a cockroach's!"

I struggled to lift my hands, crawling desperately forward. Pain exploded from my scalp as a brutal force yanked me backward by my hair.

A scream tore from my throat as I writhed in agony. Bright flames, ravenous eyes—these men were more terrifying than will-o'-the-wisps haunting a graveyard.

"Don't waste my time! Kill her already!"

Their savage laughter reverberated through the poisonous woods. The leader released his grip on my hair. The blade's gleaming edge caught the light, reflecting the misery etched across my filthy face.

A flash of steel, a piercing pain in my chest—I couldn't bear it. I was going to die. The promises I made would remain unfulfilled.

I'm sorry… I'm so sorry…

In the foggy blur of memories, the chaotic light faded to darkness. A gunshot rang out, followed by a chorus of enraged screams.

I couldn't remember what happened next, only that, somewhere in the hellish abyss, I saw him.

He had come for me.

…

Vincent's POV:

The dark forest was suffocating that night, cold, damp and filled with the metallic stench of blood. The mist clung to my skin like ghostly fingers and every breath felt heavier than the last.

Captian kicked away the corpse still clutching at his leg, muttering something under his breath as he waved off the smell. Behind him, my men were already cleaning up what was left of the attackers.

But I barely registered any of it.

All I could see was the girl in my arms, her body limp, her blood soaking into my clothes. My heartbeat thundered in my ears as I stared at her face, pale and lifeless. Majori.

Captian approached carefully. I could hear the hesitation in his voice when he spoke.

"Lord Vincent? She's losing a lot of blood. Should we take her back?"

I didn't answer. I couldn't. My mind was spinning too fast.

We had been training in the forest just moments ago when we stumbled upon the ambush. At first, I thought it was just another border conflict rogue wolves, perhaps, crossing into my territory. I ordered my men to intervene to maintain order as any Alpha should.

But then I saw her.

Majori.

The woman who had once been my everything, the one who shattered me beyond repair. And now she was lying there, broken and bleeding, surrounded by strangers who dared to touch her.

Rage exploded inside me. The trespassers refused to surrender and I lost control. I told my men to kill them all to leave no one breathing.

By the time I came back to myself, it was over. The ground was a canvas of blood and ruin. Flesh and bone littered the forest floor.

And Majori… she was slipping away in my arms.

When Captian spoke again, I finally noticed how cold she'd become. Panic gripped me, sharp and merciless. My hands trembled as I held her closer, veins straining against my skin.

What happened to you, Majori? Who did this to you?

"Return to base—immediately!" I roared, my voice cracking with something between fury and fear.

I didn't know what awaited us back there. But I knew one thing for certain someone would pay for this.

…

Majori's POV:

Pain.

Agonizing pain coursed through my entire body, as if I'd fallen from a hundred stories high. Not a single part of me was unscathed, my bones creaking like shattered fragments threatening to collapse.

I groggily opened my eyes, staring blankly at a blindingly white room. Thoughts slipped away as the pain overwhelmed me, leaving me gasping for air.

I realized I couldn't move. I tried to look around but saw only a cocoon of bandages wrapped tightly around me. Not a single spot was left unscathed. I bit my lip to endure, the agony slowly clearing my muddled mind.

Why… am I here?

All I could remember was being hunted, chased down by those monstrous men, their laughter filled with glee as they closed in on me, eager to tear me apart and feed me to the crows.

But somehow… I didn't die.

Someone saved me… That moment… Who was it?

I struggled to recall, but the pain continued to cloud my thoughts. I looked around, biting down hard. I was clearly still alive; there was no way those beasts had a sudden change of heart.

I squeezed my eyes shut, forcing myself to think.

Wait… why does this place feel so familiar…?

The patterns, the decor… A bold realization struck me like lightning, sending chills down my spine. This room was eerily similar to where I used to live—in Vincent's private estate… in the Fugari Kingdom!

Vincent… That name, so familiar, triggered a sharp pang in my heart. He was the man I had loved so deeply years ago, but now… all of that was in the past.

But one thing was certain: I could not stay here!

Sensing the danger, panic surged through me. I kicked off the covers, enduring the stabbing pain as I forced myself to move.

I yanked out the IV, tossing it aside. I tried to push myself upright, face pale and contorted with determination. My legs were wrapped in thick bandages, making it nearly impossible to touch the ground.

And when I tried to put weight on them, a searing pain flooded my senses. After last night's chase and that disastrous fall… my legs were likely broken.

Sweat dripped down my cheeks. Stubbornness welled up inside me like a rebellious teenager defying all reason. No matter how anyone tried to convince me otherwise, I wouldn't listen.

The first step I took sent me crashing to the floor.

A sharp, agonizing pain shot through me. I could barely move.

"You're still as stubborn as ever."

The voice came from above, freezing me in place.

The man crouched down, his silhouette slowly coming into focus. He cupped my face gently, forcing me to look up at him.

The one person I'd spent a lifetime trying to avoid.

None other than Vincent.

The last time we met, I was unconscious, covered in blood, being hunted like prey.

This time, I was on my knees, pale and disheveled.

I bit my lip, shame and humiliation surging within me.

Vincent caught the flicker of fear in my eyes, and his irritation grew. Without hesitation, he lifted me into his arms, ignoring my struggles. Enveloped in his intoxicating scent, memories of the past flooded back, as vivid as if they happened only yesterday.

I shook my head.

We were never meant to be… not now, not ever.