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.”

Georgia's POV

I was still trying to process the whirlwind of the last few hours.

One moment, I was staring down the barrel of death, and the next, Theophilus was standing up for me against his own mother.

It was all too much to comprehend.

As I struggled to make sense of it, I heard a familiar voice call out from behind me. "Georgia!"

I turned to see my best friend, Zoe, sprinting toward me, her face lit up with a radiant smile.

We embraced tightly, both of us with tears in our eyes.

"I’ve missed you so much," Zoe murmured, pulling back to look at me.

"I was terrified for you. I convinced Theophilus to see the good in you and pleaded for your freedom. He believes you have a good heart. I swear, Benjamin needs to pay for what he did! How dare he think he can hurt you and walk away unscathed!”

I was still expressing my gratitude to Zoe when a guard stepped in.

"The Alpha requests your presence in his meeting room."

We followed the guard to the meeting room, where Theophilus was already waiting for us.

He gestured for us to sit and offered us drinks, but my nerves kept me from touching anything.

The atmosphere was thick with tension, and I couldn’t shake the feeling of uncertainty about what Theophilus had in store. Finally, I broke the silence.

"Why are you being so kind to me?" I asked Theophilus, my voice barely audible.

He smiled, the corners of his eyes crinkling with warmth.

"You're my mate, Georgia. I made a vow to you at the altar, and I intend to honor it. We exchanged our promises, and I’m not one to go back on my word."

His words sent a flutter through my chest, but I quickly pushed it aside. I had too many unanswered questions.

"But why are you helping me? Don’t pretend you don’t understand why I’m asking. I despise dishonesty. You’re not supposed to care for me; I’ve hurt you, taken your kindness for granted—I nearly caused your death, and you survived by mere chance. Why are you doing all this?” I asked, my voice trembling.

"You took my parents from me. We should be enemies!"

Theophilus's demeanor shifted, his gaze becoming serious as he leaned closer.

"Georgia, you have it all wrong. I didn’t kill your parents; they were the ones who harmed my family. Their deaths were the result of a tragic misunderstanding. They were in business with my parents and sent hitmen after my father. I despised them for that."

It felt as if the wind had been knocked out of me. "What? My parents were good people! They would never do something like that!"

Theophilus's tone remained calm and soothing.

"Your parents aimed to eliminate me as well, Georgia. They were after the company documents and would stop at nothing to obtain them. But fate intervened, and the bullet struck your father instead. Your mother... she couldn’t cope with the grief and took her own life."

I was left in shock, unable to find my voice. It was as if my entire world had been built on a lie, directing my anger at Theophilus for something he hadn’t done.

"Is this really true? But— my father's men said your pack sent the assassins," I murmured, tears streaming down my cheeks.

"I feel so naive for hating you all this time. I don’t even know how to process this — why?"

Theophilus's expression softened further, and he gently brushed away my tears.

"There's no need to apologize, Georgia. We can’t alter what’s happened, but we can choose how to move forward. If you want proof, I can show you everything I have about your family; it’s in my study. But honestly, I believe we shouldn’t let our families’ pasts dictate our future. They’ve lived their lives; now it’s our turn to focus on the present and seek revenge on Benjamin."

At that moment, Zoe chimed in, a playful sparkle in her eyes.

"I’ve been looking into Benjamin’s finances, and let’s just say he’s been involved in some shady activities."

My interest piqued, and I leaned in closer, eager to learn more.

Zoe pressed on, "Thanks to my friend who’s employed at the company, I managed to break into Benjamin's account. And you won't believe it—he's been diverting company funds into a joint account with Julia."

My fury erupted, and I pounded my fist on the table. "That monster! He’s been sabotaging everything I’ve worked for! This company is my lifeblood, and Benjamin thinks he can destroy my legacy? I’ll make him pay!”

Theophilus's demeanor shifted to icy resolve as he rose, his eyes blazing with intensity.

"Now is not the moment for finger-pointing, Georgia. It’s time to take action. And that begins right now.”