Georgia's POV

I slowly opened my eyes, my mind foggy as I tried to make sense of my surroundings.

The room was a blur of white, with a hint of disinfectant lingering in the air.

A soft beeping sound from a nearby machine filled the silence, and a persistent ache throbbed in my chest.

"Thank God you're awake!" Zoe exclaimed, her voice trembling with relief. "Can you hear me, Georgia?"

I turned my head, and Zoe's anxious face came into focus. Her eyes were puffy, and her complexion looked drained, as if she hadn't slept in weeks.

"Zoe?" My voice came out raspy and weak. "What... What happened? Am I still alive? I thought I was dead!"

Tears brimmed in Zoe's eyes. "You've been in a coma for three months, Georgia. I thought I'd lost you!"

As I scanned the room, my gaze fell on the IV pole next to my bed, the clear tube running into my arm.

Memories of Benjamin's betrayal flooded back, and I felt a wave of anger wash over me.

"What about Benjamin?" I demanded, my voice shaking with rage. "Please tell me that monster isn't still out there after everything he did!"

Zoe's expression turned somber. "Sadly, he is. He married Julia, his mistress, and the child survived; he only fainted that day."

My eyes narrowed, my mind racing with thoughts of revenge.

But before I could respond, the door swung open, and Theophilus Rylan, the ruthless Lycan king of the Nightshade pack, strode into the room.

His intense gaze met mine, sending a chill racing down my spine. "Georgia," he said, his voice deep and authoritative. "I see you're awake. How are you feeling?"

Zoe immediately lowered her head in respect, which left me bewildered. "Zoe, why are you bowing to him? Why are you showing respect to the enemy?" I demanded, my anger bubbling over.

Zoe's eyes flicked nervously between Theophilus and me before she spoke. "Alpha Theophilus saved your life, Georgia. Benjamin was going to... he was going to burn your body because we all thought you were gone, but— while I was pleading, Alpha Theophilus showed up."

I turned my gaze back to Theophilus Rylan, fury igniting within me.

This man, this monster, was responsible for my parents' deaths. I would never forgive him.

"Listen, you monster!" I shouted, my voice quaking with rage. "I don't care if you saved my life; I want you to leave! Just leave me alone!"

Theophilus Rylan remained calm, yet a spark of mischief danced in his eyes. "You can't chase me away, Georgia. This is my pack, and you are my mate."

I squinted, bewildered. "Mate? What are you saying?"

A voice echoed in my mind, my wolf's voice, bubbling with excitement. "We have our second chance mate! We have our second chance mate! Theophilus is our mate!"

I shook my head, attempting to dispel the confusion. "No, this can't be true. You're a killer. You took my parents' lives. I can't be bonded to you!" I shouted in fury, ripping the IV from my wound, blood seeping from the injury.

Theophilus Rylan's expression hardened. "I am not a killer, Georgia. Your parents broke the law, and they faced the consequences."

I let out a harsh laugh, tinged with bitterness. "You think I'll buy that? You're just trying to rationalize what you did."

Theophilus Rylan's gaze bore into mine, fierce and unwavering. "You don't know the whole story, Georgia. Until you do, reserve your judgment."

I shot him a furious look, my heart racing with rage. "The truth doesn't matter to me. What matters is this: you are not my mate, and I reject—"

But his next words froze me in place. "You bear my mark, Georgia! I'm stronger than you, a Lycan, and as you know, wolves cannot reject Lycans without facing death!"

"No! I hate you! You can't be my mate! This is all wrong! You had no right to mark me without my consent!" I shouted, my voice echoing through the room.

Theophilus Rylan's expression turned calm, his voice dropping to a whisper.

"Just give me one year, Georgia. Be with me for a year, and let me show you that I'm not the person you think I am. If you still don't love me after that, you can reject me then."

I glared at him, my heart seething with anger.

"Let me reject you right now!" I spat, my voice venomous. "Why would I ever fall for you after a year?"

Theophilus Rylan's gaze never wavered. "Because I want to help you get revenge. You don't deserve what Benjamin did to you."

My eyes narrowed, my mind racing with skepticism. "What do you know about Benjamin?"

Theophilus Rylan's voice dropped to a whisper. "I was there in the hospital that day, Georgia—"

"What— are you saying?" I stammered, my breath catching in my throat.

Theophilus Rylan's words sent a shiver down my spine.

"I was in the hospital on the day of your IVF insemination. I had a checkup and overheard Benjamin talking to the doctor."

My heart skipped a beat. "What did you hear?"

Theophilus Rylan's eyes locked onto mine. "To you, Julia is just Benjamin's mistress, but she was also your surrogate."

I felt like I'd been punched in the gut. "W—What do you mean?"

Theophilus Rylan's voice was barely above a whisper. "The child that Julia says is hers—is yours."

Georgia's POV

I stood there, paralyzed, my eyes fixed on the elder's lips as he spoke the words that would determine my destiny.

"Georgia, do you accept Theophilus Rylan as your mate and Alpha, pledging to love and honor him until death?"

Did I really have a choice?

Whether I said yes or no wouldn’t alter the reality that this union was a farce, a snare.

Theophilus had claimed it would be a one-year marriage, but that year loomed ahead like an endless stretch of time.

“Yes, I do,” I replied, and the crowd erupted in cheers. Theophilus beamed, his eyes sparkling with enthusiasm.

Once I exact my revenge on Benjamin, Theophilus would be next for the role he played in my parents' deaths.

I didn’t trust him at all; his motives for aiding me were a mystery, especially since he was supposed to hate me.

I wouldn’t hesitate to take him down before he could turn the tables on me.

“Alpha Theophilus Rylan, do you take Georgia Lector as your mate and Luna, pledging to love and protect her until death?”

“Yes, I do.”

The atmosphere was thick with tension, the fragrance of blooming flowers mingling with the soft murmur of chants, creating an almost dreamlike setting.

I nodded, my heart heavy with the knowledge that I was ensnared.

I felt no affection for Theophilus; in truth, I could barely stand him. But I needed his power and position to fulfill my quest for vengeance.

“With the authority granted to me as the first elder of this pack, I declare you husband and wife. You may now present your rings before the initiations,” the elder announced, and the crowd cheered once more.

Just as we were about to exchange rings, chaos erupted at the edge of the clearing.

Benjamin charged in, his face wild and his hair a disheveled mess.

"Stop! You can't go through with this, Georgia!" he shouted, pushing his way through the throng.

Theophilus growled, rage flashing in his eyes. "Benjamin, do you have any idea whose pack this is? You're ruining my mating ceremony! Guards, seize him!”

Benjamin paid him no mind, his focus solely on me as he fought with the guards.

"Georgia, you need to listen! I know you hate me but please, Theophilus is manipulating you! He's been around for centuries and has made a deal with a demon to prolong his life. You're the key to his survival! He's going to kill you, just like he did your parents!"

A wave of confusion washed over me, my thoughts spiraling with the weight of his words. What was Benjamin saying?

Theophilus snarled, his teeth bared in rage. "You're nothing but a fool! Is this the best you can do? Gosh, I even thought you were smart. So, you really got nerves huh? I'll make you pay, Benjamin, and I'll tear you apart!"

The guards moved in to subdue Benjamin, but he fought against them fiercely.

"Georgia, don't trust him! He's just using you! Use your head! You're his next target, I know you don't want to die, but you'll have to kill him first! Grab the sword of authority from the table and stab him! You've always wanted revenge for what he did to your parents! You don't have time! Do it now before it's too late!”

My heart racing wildly, I seized the sword, feeling its reassuring weight in my grip. Theophilus's gaze was fixed on mine, his demeanor calm and soothing.

"Don't let him get to you, Georgia. He's just trying to mess with your head. How would you believe a man who betrayed you over a man who is trying to save you? He is just exploiting your vulnerability, don't pay him any heed”

But I was already in motion, my wolf's instincts roaring a warning in my mind. I lifted the sword, and with a swift motion, I drove it into Theophilus's chest.

His blood splattered across the pristine fabric of his suit, and he staggered back, gasping for breath. "No...Georgia...why?" Theophilus murmured, his eyes brimming with betrayal.

I stood there, frozen, the sword still embedded in him. "I don't love you," I hissed. "I don't want you. You're a vile monster!"

Suddenly, the pack warriors rushed forward, grabbing my arms and forcing me to the ground. I fought against their grip, but they overpowered me effortlessly.

As the pack members began hurling objects at me for killing their Alpha, Benjamin's voice rang out across the clearing, filled with mockery and triumph.

"Since you decided to show your stupid face in my life again! I manipulated you to take a life with your own hands. Enjoy your time in prison for the rest of your wretched existence for killing a Lycan."

The roar of his car speeding off was the final sound I registered before the guards seized me, tossing me into a cold, shadowy cell.

Georgia's POV

I sank against the frigid, damp wall of my cell, tears welling in my eyes.

How could I have been so foolish?

I thought I had finally discovered a way to exact my revenge, only to realize I was merely a pawn in Benjamin's scheme.

“Benjamin! If I ever get my hands on you, I swear I’ll make you pay! I’ll destroy you for everything you’ve done to me!”

I shouted through my tears, pounding my fists against the wall.

Two weeks had passed in this hell, the worst of my life. I had endured suffering on every level.

From hunger to relentless beatings and grueling labor, was this to be my existence until my last breath?

I buried my face in my hands, sobbing uncontrollably.

"Moon goddess, forgive me," I murmured, my voice trembling with regret.

"I let my thirst for vengeance blind me. Please, grant me another chance to set things right.”

Just as I completed my plea, the sound of footsteps echoed outside my cell.

The guards appeared, their expressions cold and unyielding.

“Get up, prisoner!" one of them barked, seizing my arm and dragging me from the cell.

I stumbled, my bare feet scraping against the floor, my body weak from days of confinement.

"Where are you taking me?" I cried out, but they paid no heed, pulling me through the twisting hallways of the pack's headquarters.

“Please, just let me go! Don’t kill me! Someone, help me!”

We finally reached a grand, ornate door that swung open to reveal a lavish room adorned with luxurious furnishings.

At the far end, a regal woman with striking green eyes and silver hair sat on a throne-like chair, her gaze fixed on me with disdain.

The guards shoved me forward, and I fell to my knees before her.

She raised her hand, and I braced myself for a blow.

Instead, she struck me hard across the face, the force of the slap sending me crashing to the ground.

"You're the fool who attempted to take my son's life," she hissed, her tone dripping with venom.

"You're fortunate he survived, or you'd be facing a fate far worse than death! You absolute moron!”

“Please— I was misled, I beg you— have mercy! If you just let me explain, you'll see that I never intended for this to happen. I was just overwhelmed with anger, I—”

“Silence, you foolish idiot! By the time I’m done with you, you’ll be begging for death! You tried to kill my only son! You turned him into a joke among the lower-ranking Alphas, and worst of all, you caused him immense suffering, all for what? Just because he was trying to be kind to you?”

I shrank back, shielding my head with my hands as her blows fell upon me like a relentless storm.

“Please forgive me— I swear it won’t happen again,” I sobbed.

“Of course it won’t happen again, because today marks your last day on this earth, and soon you’ll be greeting your wretched parents in hell!”

But just as abruptly as it had started, the assault ceased.

I looked up, tears streaming down my cheeks, to find Theophilus standing in the doorway, a bandage wrapped around his midsection.

His gaze locked onto mine, and I felt a surge of shock.

"Mother, don’t you dare touch my mate!” he growled, his voice filled with fury.

His mother’s face flushed with anger.

"Have you lost your mind, Theophilus? She tried to kill you! She claimed she didn’t love you on your wedding day, and now you’re defending her? She’s the reason for your suffering, the reason you nearly died! Let me handle her, please—”

Theophilus’s demeanor remained composed, but his eyes sparked with a warning.

"Don’t concern yourself with me, Mother. I can manage my own affairs. Please, let this be the last time you meddle in my marriage. Excuse me, Mother.”

He turned to me, his expression softening. "Georgia, come with me.”

I managed to get back on my feet, every part of me protesting from the recent ordeal.

Yet, I trailed behind Theophilus, uncertain of what awaited us.

We made our way to his room in silence, the air thick with unspoken words.

Once we reached our destination, I couldn't hold back the flood of tears, emotions crashing over me like waves.

"I'm so sorry, Theophilus," I cried, my voice trembling.

"I was led astray. I never intended to hurt you. That’s not who I am. If it means atonement, I wouldn’t mind if you had to kill me or offer me to your demon. Just please, find it in your heart to forgive me!”

Theophilus's face was serious, but there was no trace of anger in his eyes—only a deep sadness.

"It's alright, Georgia," he replied softly. "We can discuss this later. For now, take a moment to gather yourself. The Omegas will bring you some food; we still have our revenge plan to finalize.”