"Ouch," she groaned, awakened by the relentless, splitting headache. Natasha slowly rose from the bed, her head wrapped in bandages. Turning to her left, Natasha found William sitting by her bedside."What are you doing here?" Natasha asked, her head still pounding as she spoke."Hey, hey, take it easy," William said."You… you saved me," Natasha stuttered as flashes of the night before began to resurface in her head."Yes, that I did, but there’s no need to thank me. It was my pleasure and duty, as your mate," William replied with a smile, but the idea that he had just referred to her as his mate stung Natasha like a bee.Natasha's demeanor changed in an instant."Your ma… your mate, are you serious?" She asked, to which William replied with a smirk which angered her even more.Natasha scoffed and, like a being possessed by anger and hate, she sprang up from the bed and marched out of the room."Natasha," William called out, but Natasha gave no response. "Where are you going? Where a

In the secluded kingdom of Hayden, nestled within its confines lay one of its most treasured monuments: The Kingdom Royal Art Museum. This day marked its 1005th Exhibition Day, a celebration of the Kingdom’s rich history, open to all. Natasha’s hand intertwined with William’s as they strolled through the hall, their eyes grazing from one art piece to the next. As they moved, every onlooker’s gaze seemed to drift toward them. It was their first public appearance together since the mating night. “You know, it's odd how everyone calls Hayden a Kingdom, yet there's no King in sight,” Natasha remarked, eyeing a glass-framed crown on display. “Well,” William hesitated, trying to formulate an answer. The more he mulled it over, the more he realized she had a point. “That’s because we do have one,” a random voice chimed in, diverting their attention. “And you’re standing right next to him, although he’s not fully with us yet.” “What? How does that make any sense?” Natasha whispered, puzzle

William sat in his study, surrounded by shelves filled with books. He meticulously reviewed the pack's affairs, demonstrating that Lycans were far from mere savagery, contrary to popular belief. As he engrossed himself in his work, a soft knock interrupted his concentration. "Come in," William instructed without lifting his eyes from the documents spread across his desk. Alice, a member of his pack, entered the room. Her presence brought a hint of anticipation to the air. William glanced up briefly before refocusing on his task. "You sent for me," she said, her voice filled with curiosity. "Yes, indeed. I wanted to inform you that I will be attending the Founder's Ball later tonight," William replied, his words laced with a touch of formality. Alice's face lit up with excitement. "Oh, that's wonderful! I shall start preparing and selecting the perfect dress for the occasion," she exclaimed eagerly. William's response, however, was unexpected. "That won't be necessary," he said, h

Natasha and William quickly separated, shifting their focus to the person who interrupted their kiss. It was an elderly stranger. While Natasha saw him merely as an old man, William recognized him instantly. He stood at a distance, illuminated by the ballroom's dim light. It was the only Lycan who commanded more respect than Natasha's grandfather, Lord Leonidas, Head of the Alpha Council, The Grand Alpha. William's voice wavered as he tried to regain composure. "Lord Leonidas, what brings you here at such an inconvenient moment?" he said, coyly, with a slight bow of his head. "Save the pleasantries and tell me this instant, where is my daughter?" Lord Leonidas demanded. "My lord, Lisa is anywhere but here," William replied, still flustered. "I can see that for myself. What I want to know is why you failed to attend the ball with her, as we had arranged," he said, approaching until he was at arm's length. "I wouldn't say 'failed,' my lord," William replied, composed. "You see, your

Natasha slowly blinked open her eyes, greeted by the piercing sunlight flooding through the window. It felt like tiny daggers attacking her head. As she tried to gather her thoughts, a throbbing headache sent waves of pain pulsing through her forehead. Fragments of the previous night flashed through her mind in a chaotic slideshow. Laughter, music, clinking glasses – a whirlwind of unfamiliar faces and blurry images from a crowded ball. It all came back to her. After their time in Hayden's Garden, Natasha and William returned to the closing ball. Most of the dignitaries had left, and just as they were about to depart, another alpha invited them to an "After-Party." It turned out to be a wild event, filled with drinks and dancing. Despite William's initial reluctance, Natasha convinced him to join in, urging them both to seize the moment. They partied carefree, unaware of the consequences that awaited them. Would she have made the same choice, knowing what would happen? Definitely. "W