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 I clutched the chain around my neck as I gazed out over my pack. How did we get to this point? I was the luna of this pack. It was my job to protect them, yet all I was able to do was spare their lives. I watched as they lined the pack members up to be counted and labeled. I was the only one in chains, a cruel symbol that they had control over their leader.

“My luna, you did what you had to do,” Bastian whispered next to me. Bastian was my mate’s beta. He had remained loyally by my side, even after my mate abandoned us. My mate Alfred was the leader of the Stone Heart Pack. Everything was great until just a couple of months ago. Up until Ivy showed up. I closed my eyes, not wanting to drift to those unwanted memories.

“I’m not your luna anymore, Bastian. Please, just call me Allissa.” I winced as I felt the silver chain burning at my skin.

I could see Bastian tense up, balling his hands into fists. “I wish I could remove it from you.”

“I agreed to this for a peaceful turnover. None of the pack members would be harmed as long as I complied with their terms. If I hadn’t been poisoned, I wouldn’t be in such a weakened state and could have protected the pack.” I bit back the bitter tears that welled in my eyes. That damn bitch Ivy made sure I was completely incapacitated by the time the Lycan King’s army arrived. I looked down at the ground and cursed for not killing Ivy earlier.

It was two months ago when Alfred brought Ivy to the pack. She was his stepsister and had run out of money. From what I had been told, Ivy was very materialistic, and she was sent away by the previous alpha for draining their accounts. At least that’s what I was told. Who knows what the real reason was now.

Within those two months, Alfred began to act strangely, and I noticed that money was being freely given to Ivy in large sums. Last week, he took her to a lavish party at the Lycan Kingdom, which was where the problem happened. Alfred, who was drunk, attacked an officer who was flirting with Ivy. The Lycan King, Darren Weston, ordered Alfred to turn himself in for punishment.

I found out about it today through a messenger, who said they would come by force and destroy our pack unless Alfred turned himself over. I went running to look for him, well running the best I could with the pain I was having. And my jaw dropped, I found him in bed with Ivy! This whole time he had been hooking up with his stepsister. All the pain I had been feeling wasn’t from the miscarriage I suffered when Ivy first arrived. It had all been caused by his infidelity with Ivy.

I went hysterical. I began yelling at Alfred, and I demanded he take responsibility for his actions. In my anger, I didn’t notice Ivy had moved behind me. I had seen her get up, but I thought she was getting changed. Instead, something sharp and painful landed in my back. Paralyzed, I fell to the ground. I tried to call for someone through my mental link but it was blocked.

“Quickly, Al. Get the cards and money. We have to leave,” Ivy said urgently as Alfred knelt in front of me.

“Ivy, what did you do to her?” There was a small growl in his voice, as if he really cared.

“She’ll be fine. She is paralyzed. This is perfect. She will have to take responsibility for your actions as your luna. We have to leave, or who knows what they will do to you.”

“Lissa, I am so sorry. I didn’t mean for any of this to happen. Please forgive me.”

I could hear his voice tremble, and at first, I thought he wasn’t going to leave. But then Ivy grabbed his arm and he looked up at her. A moment later, he was gone.

It wasn’t until Bastian came in to report the invasion that he found me on the floor. They administered medicine to help reduce the effects, but I was still too weak to fight. We had been betrayed, and now they were going to destroy our pack.

I did what any good leader should do. I sent out a messenger to tell them that I would bear the responsibility and comply with whatever they needed in return so that no harm would come to my pack members. I couldn’t fight and I could barely stand.

With a heavy heart, I prayed that the Lycan King would be open to hearing my explanation, but rumors swirled that he was not a man of reason. The cold, hard weight of the silver chain around my neck served as proof of his cruel nature. Despite my innocence, I became a symbol of subjugation. A silver collar made of cold metal links that burned the skin, adorned with a leash that clearly marked me as submissive to his authority. It is a humiliating position to be in, stripped of any sense of control.

I glanced back out over the pack that was lined up to witness my judgment. I could see their sorrow, and some tear-filled eyes. By now, most of them knew of their Alpha’s betrayal and that I was taking the fall to protect them. I didn’t know what would happen. None of us did. Would he order me to be killed without allowing me to speak? Would I be sentenced to work in the underground mines?

“You! Get in line, away from the prisoner!” a large lycan guard yelled, who was adorned in a gold breastplate, showing he was a royal officer. He was yelling at Bastian, who was staying protectively near my side.

“Go, Bastian. Take care of our pack. With the alpha gone and ... no heir ...” I took in a shaky breath as I thought about the painful loss of my pup. “You will need to lead our pack. Don’t let me down.” I gave him a forced smile that didn’t reach my eyes.

Bastian's eyes were filled with a mix of determination and sadness as he reluctantly moved away from my side, joining the rest of our pack in the line. His loyalty was unwavering, and I knew he would do his best to lead them in my absence.

I stood there, head held high, despite the weight of the silver collar pressing down on me; I braced myself for the arrival of the Lycan King. I felt his presence before I saw him. A commanding aura pressed against my weakened body, but I refused to fall. With every ounce of strength I had left, I kept myself upright and chin up. I had done nothing wrong.

The warm, sweet fragrance of cinnamon wafers wafted through the air, awakening my lycan inside. My senses sparked as I recognized the scent of my mate. My heart raced as I frantically searched among the royal guards, trying to pinpoint the source. The tantalizing aroma grew stronger. It was a scent I had never encountered before, but it felt strangely familiar. Almost like my soul knew it.

Then, my eyes landed on the source, his green eyes locking onto mine as he walked directly toward me. His face was taut, and there was an unforgiving look in his eyes. His lips curled up angrily as my lips parted slightly in shock. Oh no, the Lycan King was my mate, and he did not look happy.