Prologue: The Betrayal

"The alpha summons you to his office." Raenerys was interrupted from reading her favorite book when the frigid voice of her sister, Sera, resonated around the four corners of her room. She calmly turned to face her older sister as she placed the book on her bed and stood up.

Sera was currently the right hand of their father. And she's the second-strongest in their pack. . . They called her the beta. She was one of those who were not in favor of Raenerys being the next leader. Sera wants to be the next leader, to become the alpha female of the Siverious Clan. But she sometimes fears the idea of Raenerys being strong. She sees her as mere dust hurting her eyes, and a hindrance to her being a successor to the position.

Raenerys shrugs off how disrespectful Sera's tone and her way of approaching her are. She's used to that kind of treatment from the members of the Siverious Clan, the pack that her father leads; it's not new to her. The reason that Raenerys is different from everyone in Siverious is. A weak she-wolf who can't do anything. She has nothing compared to all the people her age. Even her cousins—she will never be able to vanquish them. That makes everyone worried that their pack would falter if she succeeded in the position.

Raenerys didn't say anything specifically since she knew Sera wasn't interested in what she had to say. Sera wasn't fond of talking to her, so she immediately left before Raenerys could even say a word. She headed straight to her father's office to ascertain what he desired this time. After knocking three times, she slowly turned the door knob to open the door, only to see her father—Salve Lauregnory—looking straight at Raenerys like he was waiting for her to come in.

"Sera told me you wanted to talk to me, what is it?" Raenerys's voice remained soft despite the urge to sound bored.

"Sit down, Raenerys," like the good girl that she's always been when she's talking to her father. Raenerys followed her father's command. She often wants to ignore her father or the opinions of anyone else. She wanted to fight back or speak up every time she was insulted, but she couldn't because of her limitations. The only thing she can do is act kind. She can't be herself; she cannot speak up to defend herself; all she can do is submit and put up with the slurs the other wolves are hurling at her. She felt so inadequate.

"The pack is growing, as are the enemies. To maintain our status and power, we have to make allies," he started. Raenerys stayed quiet and listened to her father. She still has no idea what he wants from her. As for allying with other strong packs, she is so sure she won't be able to help him. It would be Sera who could help him; she's the next leader after all.

"And as a daughter of this pack's Alpha, I have no choice but to let you marry the Alpha from the North." Astonishment plastered Raenerys's face after she heard what her father said. She even shook her head in disbelief. Knowing to whom his father was alluding, they must be preparing to make a difficult marriage proposal. The North Alpha is known for his power and savage pack. They're the strongest pack because they have a cold-hearted and ruthless alpha leading them. Raenerys was aware of her father's motivations for making the North Pack an ally rather than an adversary.

They need Nevil, and she knows she needs him more than her pack does. But Nevil is someone she thinks wouldn't be interested in her. She loves him, but he doesn't; gone is the Nevil who used to be her friend before. Nevil was once living near them; they were neighbors until his family moved to the north and he succeeded in being the North's Alpha. Nevil forgets about her. He never dared to check on her, as rumors spread that Nevil disliked weak wolves.

"M-me?" It seems absurd that she needs to say it again. Her father looked at her seriously.

"Yes, you. You have to marry Nevil Lancaster. It's a must. You have no choice. I just told you, so you know and can prepare, Raenerys. Sera can't do that because she's the next leader, she cannot leave the pack." The alpha speaks with a sense of finality. She understood that what he said was a demand, not a plea and that she had no option but to go along with what her father wanted her to do. As always. Raenerys knew she could never demand, reject, or oppose.

Shocked and speechless, she left her father's office. She cannot fathom the reality that they will cross the narrow sea to meet the North's Alpha—Nevil. She has no idea how he now looks. They were too young before, and only the news of Nevil as the fearsome alpha rings in her mind like a bell every time. She could already imagine the looks of Nevil glaring at her like a beast ready to devour her without any hesitation. She wasn't sure if Nevil would accept what her father wanted because she wasn't the ideal woman to be his Luna. It will only cause trouble by chance.

That didn't put her to sleep. Her mind has so many stuff, questions, and worries, so she decided to take a run in the middle of the night.

Raenerys made a quick run in the middle of the darkness, hearing the gust of wind, the noise of the surroundings, and the rumble of the dry branches she was stepping on. Leaves chased her because of how fast she was running. Raenerys's vision seemed to become clearer in the middle of the darkness. The other wild animals in the forest immediately ran away and hid whenever they saw her approaching. When she reached the top of the hill, she just stopped there, turned down to look at the very dark forest she had passed through, and turned her gaze again to the very bright and large moon she could see from where she was. She quickly looked up and let out a very loud howl, followed by the other wolves around her.

She returned to her former form after. She scooped up her clothes and put them back on before sitting down on the grass. Her eyes fixed on the moon before she closed them as the tears fell, which she often suppressed every time. The accented cries gave way to raucous howls of anguish and annoyance.

Raenerys couldn't help but ask why, with the number of creatures that will be endowed with life, it has to be her. But she couldn't find the right answer. She's living her life without getting the exact answer she needs. While in deep thought, she later heard a series of howls down the hill.

She knew that voice, and it was her father's and Sera's.

Raenerys stood up and wiped away the tears before adjusting herself, and, without hesitation, she ran back. But even before she could finally leave the forest, two outside wolves blocked her way. She was overwhelmed with nervousness, not because she was a coward. But because she knew the limits of her strength and capability, their burning red eyes and sharp, shining fangs sent fear into her. She knew that she wouldn't be able to live if she tried to fight them. The two outsiders looked stronger than her, and fighting them was like asking to die.

Her tears started to blur her vision, and she had no choice but to fight. Even if she dies, it doesn't matter to her anymore. She'd rather die fighting; she doesn't want to be a failure anymore. She will fight until her very last breath. Her growls filled the forest as she waited for their attacks. She did everything to dodge all their attempts. They moved fast, and because she somehow went through some training, she was able to follow them, but it wasn't enough. The latter hit her too. She groaned in pain, and she was sure the wound she had gotten was very deep.

"I can't believe she's the daughter of their alpha," One of the outsiders said in a deep voice with a tinge of sarcasm, gazing at how piteous Raenerys looked at that moment.

"We shouldn't be wasting time on that one, the right hand was better than her—she's worthy of a fight." another voice stated like it was bored with what he was doing.

"Let's go. She's already got the right warning."

Raenerys doesn't know when they left. She was left there writhing, and even if she forced herself to get up, she couldn't do it. She just cried when she was slapped again by the reality that she was just weak. Shame on her race. She doesn't deserve to lead, and she knows the councils are talking about that too.

Sera, the one they pointed out, is strong, and fighting her was not a waste of time.

"Raenerys!" A woman's voice echoed as she carried Raenerys, who was already on the verge of passing out. Raenerys immediately recognized the voice and was so sure it was Sera. She wanted to utter Sera's name, but she couldn't make it anymore.

Sera took Raenerys, unconscious, to their Den's infirmary to treat her wounds. Those present were concerned, and the alpha's raging, loud voice could also be heard, like a loud growl, commanding their doctor and others that were in charge of healing.

"Call Azleah, hurry!" The alpha's voice remained dangerous as if he wanted to kill that very moment.

"What's on that kid's mind, and why is she always coming out alone?" The alpha asked frustratedly while staring at her unconscious and wounded daughter.

"Look how incapable she is, Father. I don't think it was the right idea to arrange her marriage with Nevil." Sera tried to convince the alpha to make Raenerys stay. She's worried about what Nevil might think when he meets Raenerys again and finds out that she remained that weak wolf girl before.

"But that was the only way we could offer just to bring him in our favor, Sera. Raenerys needs to marry Nevil and become his wife. I can't let you leave the South." Salve is uncertain deep within him, but he has no choice; Raenerys was his only option, and there is no other way to connect with Nevil but to propose a marriage rather than challenge them to a fight just to make them an ally. He cannot risk the current state of their pack right now.

The argument between the alpha and Sera no longer followed when Azleah arrived. The doctor in the pack—she will easily heal Raenerys, who can't heal herself. Werewolves can heal themselves by undergoing their usual healing process. It's a painful process that requires strength, but since she's weak, she'd pass out before even trying and has to rely on being healed by their healer.

"Raenerys will wake up later, let her rest first," Azleah remarked, and the alpha and Sera nodded at once. While they were waiting for Raenerys to wake up and begin sailing towards the north, they departed first to meet with some council members who wanted to speak with them.

Like Sera, the suggestions of some in the council are the same. They don't like the idea of Raenerys being sent to the North to present herself to Nevil and offer to marry her. Nevil was shrewd and difficult to manipulate, and they knew that he would quickly find out that Raenerys, who was being offered to him, was nothing but a weak woman.

Salve pondered it as others offered a counter-plan. That was something the alpha considered before nodding in agreement with the councilors.

Raenerys felt as though she had lost her strength, and then she weakened. Although her entire body was frail, her wounds had healed. But her time there was short-lived since her father sent someone to wake her up so they could leave towards the north before daybreak. She was forced to enter her room, where she packed a few items of clothing and some of her books so she could distract herself while they were on board.

"Don't let Nevil notice right away that you're weak," Sera said while she was busy watching the ocean. Raenerys was shaken by what she heard from her sister.

"So, we're going to trick him. Do you know what could be in exchange for what you want? Nevil would probably slaughter our whole pack." Sera laughed in sarcasm as she stared nowhere. Raenerys was weirded out by her sister's reaction, which is why she brought her eyes to her.

"Sometimes we do bad things to save more, this pack is our home, and we're living in survival mode every day. We have to see things clearly and be selective as to which one we have to give up to go up and what we have to let go of to stay afloat." Sera's words were deep and meaningful, but Raenerys clearly understood what she wanted her to understand.

"I know," that's why her father chose her for that. Salve cannot give up Sera, so he needs to give up Raenerys.

The sail took several hours before they reached the North. They hiked and entered a deep forest just to get to where the Den of Nevil is. Raenerys couldn't help but feel nervous and uneasy as they approached Nevil's place. After thirteen years, she will finally meet him again, the man of her dreams, the man she's been in love with since then, and she's loving him even in his absence.

Seeing the place gave off a kind of uncomfortable and fearful feeling. It was cold, making her shiver. She was too afraid to see Nevil, but that was her reality. She couldn't also contain the excitement of seeing him again.

Raenerys was barely out of breath when they stopped in front of a tall and rusty black gate. It slowly opened, and they immediately continued walking until they reached the black mansion. It must be Nevil's. Her father turned to her and immediately continued walking inside. They were guarded by Nevil's guards as they entered a very spacious room; it was like a gothic-themed office.

Even before her feet had warmed up standing there, a drop-dead gorgeous creature appeared in front of them. He has jet-black, messy hair; he's tall with a tanned complexion; and he's dressed in a black button-down shirt tucked into his black pants with a belt. The first three buttons of the sleeve he is wearing are unbuttoned, showing his chest, and the end of the sleeve is rolled up to the elbow. But aside from that, Raenerys finds the man intimidating. He exudes authority and power that makes his presence too much to handle. He stood with a sense of pride and arrogance like no one or nothing could ever bend him to kneel. Nevil. That name entered her mind while she was staring at the man.

Just by describing how loudly her heart was thumping at the time, she could tell it was him. Nevil's looks have undergone a great deal of transformation; while he was already a handsome youth when they first met, he is now a grown man and his features have matured and become more seductive.

Another man in black approached him and whispered something that Raenerys couldn't hear. Only later did Nevil turn his gaze toward her. His cold blue eyes stared at her, making her knees weak and tremble for an unknown reason. Nevil's lips were tightly pursed, and she never once saw emotion in his eyes. His icy stare dropped into her body, and then he looked away to look at her father.

"Everyone, leave, I will talk to the South Alpha." His voice sounded nice to Raenerys, despite how thunderous it was. He has a seductive voice, which Raenerys finds quite alluring.

They all went out while Sera stayed by her side. They waited for the talk to last, and she got conscious of what they could be talking about.

"So, that's Nevil now?" Nevil was such a dangerously handsome and hot alpha that everyone would be willing to be killed just to be with him.

Raenerys shook her head at the thought. It's not right for her to lust after a dangerous man. It took what she was sure was half an hour of conversation between the two alphas until her father quietly came out before Nevil. The North Alpha's hands were shoved in his pocket as his eyes bore into her again.

"Rigor will point out where you will temporarily stay to rest tonight," Nevil said before removing his gaze from Raenerys.

Her father immediately nodded and followed Rigor, whom she was sure was Nevil's assistant because this was also the man who whispered something to him. Some of their colleagues also followed, and then Sera, which is why Raenerys also stood up. She looked at Nevil, but he didn't glance at her and turned away. She watched him step on the stairs toward the second floor of the mansion, and she couldn't help but wonder if Nevil remembered that they had once been friends.

Her question was buried in silence the moment she was left alone standing there. It wasn't long before she chose to follow until they reached the back of the mansion. Rigor led them to the chambers where they could rest, and she quietly went to hers and closed the door. The room was good despite the color scheme that makes it look gloomy.

She chose to rest her body on the bed after turning off the lights, and just sleep, hoping everything would go well tomorrow. She also didn't know what the outcome of the agreement between Nevil and her father was, but she was sure she would find out the next day. But even so, she couldn't help but be afraid and worried. Those thoughts did not make her sleep, like that night after her father talked to her about his plan.

She didn't know how long she had been awake until she heard rustling noises. Footsteps and caught a glimpse of a shadow moving by the side of her room caught her attention. She jump out of bed and walked over to the door out of curiosity. Fortunately, her room was dark when she opened it, so if there was anyone outside, she won't be easily noticed. She roamed her eyes outside to see if there was anyone in the corridor, but she found nothing.

Raenerys went out for good. She needs fresh air to think and for sleepiness to visit her. But as soon as she exited, she noticed a figure heading towards the mansion. She squinted her eyes to see it clearly, and she found out that it was Sera. What is she doing? Raenerys cannot help but ask that in her mind as she cautiously follows her older sister.

Raenerys's chest thudded loudly, especially when she entered the mansion. She was trying to act gracefully because Nevil might have his guards spread out and catch her.

Sera's calcitrant eyes are also noticeable, glancing from time to time around her as she went upstairs. That's why Raenerys often hides until she sees Sera knock and enter a room.

Her heart pounded, but she couldn't pull herself to get closer to that door to hear what was happening behind that closed door. Instead, she found herself walking back to her chamber and choosing to sleep because of the pain she felt from the suspicions she knew were likely true.

Raenerys woke up the following morning with a distraught heart. She didn't say anything when they were given breakfast, which she knew Nevil had ordered. They were summoned after breakfast to the mansion's living room, where Nevil was waiting for them. He was reclining on his velvet couch, drinking his coffee, and reading a book with his huge picture frame placed on the wall behind him. He closed the book when they stopped in front of him. It was her, her father, and Sera; the rest of their colleagues stayed outside. While Nevil's guards stayed behind them.

Looking at Nevil, Raenerys couldn't help but remember what she saw last night. She intently stares at Nevil, who remained nonchalant and unbothered. When she glanced at Sera, she was looking nowhere, like in deep thought. Raenerys's suspicions strengthened. She clenched her fist, and she felt that something inside her was being torn. Her tears were also on the side of her eyes, but she held them back even more when her father spoke.

"We are so glad for your decision, Nevil. I am looking forward to our deal and our alliance. Please take good care of my daughter." Raenerys's mind went blank as she heard that. She couldn't hear the conversation between Nevil and her father anymore.

Salve was the first to leave the mansion without saying a word, and he was followed by Sera. She's afraid. At the last minute, she just wanted to come home with them. But Nevil's guard blocked her way. They're so much bigger and taller than her that she can hardly see her family leaving.

"Bring her to her room," Nevil's voice echoed, sending shivers down Raenerys's spine. It made her stiff and weaker. Her breath hitched at the idea that Nevil accepted her and the marriage proposed by her father. Eyes widening in shock, she turns her gaze to him only to meet his icy stare as his lips twitch.

"Don't celebrate. Your father tried to trick me. He didn't know he was the one who had been tricked by me. Did you know what he told me?" Raenerys didn't know, but something strange came to her mind. She didn't want to think about anything, but she couldn't help but be curious.

Nevil stepped forward closer to Raenerys, who is now pale and stuck. He knows what the woman was feeling at that moment, and he can't help but feel mirth.

The woman pleased him when it came to being entertaining, which is why he wants her to stay alive, even though the truth is he wants to kill her and send the corpse to the South. That's more fun to think about. He loves hearing curses from others; he loves the idea of anger towards him; he loves hate more than admiration. He would rather be feared for his terrifying qualities than for his authority or ability to punish people. He is notorious for being aggressive, rough, and violent, but that didn't concern him. He can't believe either that this lady in front of him was that kid from the past—the kid he fell in love with but fell out with after those years, realizing Raenerys was nothing but a weak wolf and would never be of any use to him.

Raenerys could barely breathe as the distance between her and Nevil grew closer. The man is still giving her cold stares, and it eats away at her soul. She is unsure of what is now going through his mind, but she is certain that whatever it is, it is not good.

Nevil touched her chin before cupping her jaw. The way he touched her was between gentle and rough; there was a little firmness to it, but it didn't hurt.

"You're weak, your soul is worthless, and nothing's special about you apart from your beautiful face and body." Nevil cocked his head to one side as though looking at her entire face, yet his words pierced her to the core. It leaves invisible wounds and triggers her tears. That's why tears immediately formed on the sides of her eyes. She didn't know why she was hurt by his words when she was already used to hearing insults from others. Maybe because it was the man she loves. Of course, it would hurt so bad.

"I rejected you as a bride—as my Luna. I told your father, I don't want you, so bring you back to where you belong, and do you know what he said?" Her chest tightened as she held his arm when his grip on her jaw became more firm.

"N-Nevil..." she groaned, almost wanting the man to let her go, but the man seemed to be more satisfied. He loves it; he loves hurting someone. He is a sadist. That's what came to her mind upon seeing how he was enjoying it.

"Do you want to know what he said?" Raenerys shook her head, knowing she couldn't handle what she was going to hear next from him. Because of that, Nevil's eyes darkened, and he let go of her jaw harshly. Her body wobbled because of the impact, but she held herself firm, even though the truth is that she was in danger of falling.

"He begged me to accept you even just as my slave, all kinds of slave that I want, but the only thing that entered my mind upon hearing that word was sex. I don't want a useless wife who would rely on me so she could be protected, but you're hot and beautiful, so I want you to be my sex slave—that way I'll let you live. You'll have a use for me in bed, I guess. So I accepted it, you'll be my wife. But you know, your father doubted I would finally make him my ally, he offered me your sister too. He told me if I am worried about my heir—that he will become weak too, he offered Sera to carry my child, well, Sera's hot, so I let her sleep with—" That's it. Raenerys didn't think about what she would do next until she extended her arms and slapped the devil on his face hard.

It was so wrong of her to revere and love him now that she has experienced and seen how disgusting he is. He disrespected her and insulted her. . . He broke her heart, ripping it into pieces. More than that, he fucked her sister, and she cannot accept that. Even her father betrayed her to save the pack, and she would never accept or understand that either.

"You bitch!" With raging golden yellow eyes and visible fangs, Nevil was about to hurt her with his claws when he stopped midway upon seeing Raenerys's tears dripping down on her fragile face. Her eyes were etched with pain and hatred. Gone was the innocent and kind face of the woman; gone was the gentle kid he once admired. At that moment, Nevil witnessed how a gentle wolf turned into a vicious predator, and he knew it would come back and he would be the prey. She will come for him.

Nevil stopped; she took that chance to run away. It was weird that Nevil's guards didn't chase after her, but she didn't care about that anymore. She was betrayed and disrespected. She had enough of all the insults and being underestimated. She just wants to run away from everything and has promised to come back strong and formidable. She will conquer the north. She will be the downfall of Nevil, and she will reign in this world as the most powerful lone wolf.

. . .