Losing my child was already unbearable, but Kaid took it a step further by ordering the guards to confine me in an underground cell for three days, denying me food and water as punishment for raising my hands against Lylah.

For those long days, I wept over the betrayal. The two individuals I had trusted most turned on me, showing a level of cruelty I never expected.

On the third day, when he finally let me out, I learned that the news had spread throughout the pack like wildfire: the new Luna was pregnant, expecting an heir.

It became clear that Kaid had been unfaithful with Lylah while we were still together.

Ignoring the bruises on my body and the gnawing pain of hunger, I grabbed my bag and began to pack my belongings.

I was finished with this farce of love. Once I regained my strength as the Alpha of the Moon Stone pack, I would return for my revenge.

Just as I was about to complete my packing, Kaid stormed into the room, his expression shifting to one of fury upon seeing me.

“Where do you think you're going?” he demanded, his voice laced with anger.

“What does it look like? I'm leaving, Kaid! I’m done!” I shot back defiantly.

“You’re not done unless I say so. We are officially mated, and you belong to me!” he retorted, gripping my arm with a force that made my skin ache. Yet, the emotional turmoil I felt far outweighed the physical pain.

Tears streamed down my face as I stood there, feeling his nails dig into my skin.

“Kaid, look at what you've done to me! You've turned me into a joke! I gave everything for you, and what did I receive in return? Betrayal! You chose an ordinary Omega over me—my own maid!”

“You're missing the bigger picture, Astrid. She's a moon wolf and…”

“Save your breath, Kaid. Your intentions are crystal clear, and it's time I made my stance known. I've sacrificed too much for you, but that ends now!”

“What are you saying? You can't just walk away because of Lylah! Just give it two years… two years, and once I get what I need from her, I’ll come back to you,” he said, pulling his hand away from me, revealing the blood that was seeping from the wound.

“You're the most self-centered person I've ever known, Kaid. We lost our child, and you had the audacity to announce Lylah's pregnancy to everyone!”

“Lylah forced my hand! She's Luna now…”

“We're saying the same thing, Kaid,” I cut in sharply.

“You can't have two Lunas, which is why I, Astrid Dawn, Alpha of the Moonstone pack, reject you, Kaid Rylan, as my fated mate and Alpha!”

“No!” he shouted, clutching his chest as the pain of rejection washed over him, his words coming out in desperate gasps.

“What have… you done?” he cried out, and I let out a dark chuckle.

“I’ve done exactly what you did to me, Kaid! I despise you! I hate you so deeply!”

“I still love you, Astrid… d… don’t do this,” he pleaded, and in a fit of rage, I spat on him and stomped my foot on his chest, watching as he coughed up blood.

In those fleeting moments, I harnessed my strength, initiating the rejection and leaving Kaid vulnerable to my wrath.

“This is only the start, Kaid! I will return for revenge, and you will all experience my fury!” I shouted as I stormed out of the pack house, where a taxi was already waiting for me.

***

Twelve hours later, I found myself back in my pack.

As anticipated, my family and friends greeted me with a frosty reception, but I was determined to make things right.

To begin, I used my healing abilities to cast a spell on my father.

I watched as his bones realigned with a painful snap, and he let out a growl before gradually regaining his strength.

My mother attempted to reach out to me afterward, but I had no interest in anyone's sympathy.

I simply asked her for the address of the devil Lycan and set off to his pack, which was only a two-hour drive away.

The devil Lycans are descendants of both vampires and werewolves, making them the most formidable and malevolent of all immortal beings.

There are whispers that King Charles offers his wives as sacrifices to their god, Dracula, in exchange for power after their demise.

I was prepared to face that brutal destiny just to liberate my people from his control and reclaim my title.

But if I were to perish, I would ensure that Lylah and Kaid followed me to the depths of hell for all they had done to me.

As soon as I reached the entrance of the pack, the guards seized me roughly and dragged me directly to the king upon catching my wolf scent.

They thrust me into the throne room, and the moment our eyes locked, my wolf snarled within me.

“Mate,” King Charles growled, and I collapsed.

I woke up with a pounding headache and a dry, scratchy throat.

As I finally opened my eyes, I was startled to find a pair of icy eyes fixed on me, causing me to gasp in shock.

“I thought you’d never wake up. Pleasure to meet you, mate,” he said, a smirk creeping across his face that sent a shiver down my spine, as if he were hinting at my impending doom.

“I know you want me dead, King Charles, but before that happens, I have a request—three requests, actually,” I replied, counting them off on my fingers.

He paused, shaking his head, then turned to me and handed over a glass filled with a foul-smelling concoction.

“It’s my special brew; you’ll feel better in no time,” he assured me, but I wrinkled my nose in disgust. Yet, when he raised his voice, I had no choice but to gulp down the contents.

“So, what were you saying?” he asked, legs crossed, his gaze piercing into me, making me squirm in discomfort.

“I mentioned I have three requests before I meet my end…” The moment the words left my lips, he erupted into laughter. I stared at him, puzzled, unsure what was so amusing.

“You wolves never fail to surprise me. You hear a few whispers and take them as gospel. If I truly wanted you dead, Astrid, I would have done it long before you chose to betray me for someone else!” he shouted, and I swallowed hard, nervously toying with my fingers as his glare bore into me.

On my twenty-first birthday, I had a one night stand with King Charles.

Just as he was about to claim me, I panicked and plunged my dagger into him before fleeing into the night.

I was young and terrified, and the whispers surrounding him only heightened my fears.

The thought of becoming his wife was unimaginable, and I had no idea he was my destined mate

My friends, emboldened by his notorious reputation in bed, dared me to seduce him, pushing me into a situation I wasn't ready for.

“I’m so sorry…I didn’t realize you were my mate. I just ran because I was scared of you,” I confessed, tears streaming down my face as I watched him unleash his fury on the wall.

“You turned me into the monster I am today, Astrid! I searched for you endlessly, only to learn you had run off with someone else! What did I ever do to deserve this, Astrid?”

“I didn’t mean to…”

“Did you just say you’re sorry? We shared a night of passion, and just as I was about to mark you, you stabbed me and left me for dead! I lay in a coma for months, yet you were always on my mind! When I woke up, I searched for you, but finding you was impossible! My anger and frustration turned into a rage I took out on other women!”

"Please forgive me; I was young and foolish. You can take my life, but spare my people and my pack! Don’t let them suffer because of my mistakes. All I ask is for your help to take down my ex-mate—he betrayed me, and I crave revenge!" I spat, fury lacing my words.

"You really think I’ll just let you die!” You belong to me, Astrid!"

He shouted, lunging at me and marking me right then and there.

A scream of pleasure escaped my lips as we shared that moment, lingering together until he finally let me go.

Breathless, I was at a loss for words. I was about to question his motives for marking me when he cut me off, his voice harsh.

"Astrid, where is my son?" he bellowed, and panic surged through me as I frantically searched for a way out.

"I have no idea what you’re talking about!" I replied, my gaze racing around the room as he advanced, gripping my neck in a fit of rage, cutting off my air as he lifted me off the ground.

“Your best friend Miranda was once my mate before her tragic death. In my quest to find you, I uncovered the truth from her. That night we shared resulted in a son—where is he?” He shouted, his eyes shifting in color as I felt my strength fading.

“I don’t know,” I replied, and he let go of me, causing me to collapse, gasping for air.

“What do you mean you don’t know?”

“You murdered my best friend! What could she have possibly done to deserve such a fate at your hands?” I cried, tears streaming down my face.

“She was aware she was marrying a monster, yet she still chose to do it. Now, answer me! Where is my son?”

“I gave him to a couple I met years ago in the woods. They were rogues, and I have no idea if he’s still alive. I’m so sorry!”

It has been four days since I found myself imprisoned by King Charles, four long days since I admitted I had no idea where my son had gone.

He had stormed out that night, not uttering a single word, and locked the door behind him.

I have come to terms with my fate.

If this is the consequence of my own foolishness and a necessary sacrifice to protect my people from his fury, then I will accept it.

In the dim confines of my room, my gaze had been restless, scanning the walls for the past four days, when suddenly the door creaked open.

I jumped to my feet, eager to see who had come to visit, as I had been utterly alone during this time.

To my astonishment, it was the Lycan king.

He strode in with an air of authority, his expression twisted in disdain as he took in my appearance.

In that moment, I felt utterly diminished, and I was unaware of the tears that began to stream down my cheeks.

Just as I opened my mouth to speak, he raised a finger to silence me, and I swallowed hard, anxiety gripping me.

“You are not permitted to speak unless I ask you to. You do not deserve my mercy, for your heart is tainted and cruel. You harbored hatred for me and for your own child?”

“Please, King Charles, forgive me… I was desperate and terrified. My father would have killed me if he found out I was pregnant out of wedlock as an Alpha, so I…”

“Choose to abandon your son to rogues and flee with another man? You brought this suffering upon yourself! I have watched your life unfold while you were with him, and I have long awaited this moment!”

He shouted, his eyes glowing with a fierce red light. I gasped, clutching my chest as a heavy breath escaped my lips.

“It wasn’t my fault!..” I was still trying to explain when he cut me off sharply.

“I don’t want to hear your pathetic excuses anymore! I’m here to present you with a proposition…”

His words made my heart race, and my thoughts spiraled as I tried to grasp what he was about to propose.

There was no room for refusal; the decision was now his to make, and I had to brace myself for whatever he would demand.

“You will become my mate, and you must bear me a son within a year. Additionally, you must agree to merge our packs. If you refuse, your people will be taken captive, and I will end your life. Do you…”

I couldn’t let him finish. “Yes, I agree, I’ll be your mate,” I blurted out.

“Excellent. A driver will be waiting outside to take you back to your pack. Discuss this with your members; our mating ceremony is set for next week.”

A few hours later, I returned home to a warm welcome party organized by my pack.

My father was especially thrilled to see me, having regained his health.

“Father… I’m so sorry. I know I’ve let you down and caused pain to our pack. I promise to make things right.”

“I’m not angry with you, my daughter. I was disappointed, yes, but you are still my child, and I’m just glad you’re back. Now is the time for us to unite and fight against the devil Lycan king.”

His words made my heart sink. If my parents knew the terrible things I had done, they would surely despise me and cast me out once more.

“The devil Lycan king is my mate, Father,” I confessed, lowering my gaze in shame. My father’s eyes widened in disbelief as I continued.

“I accepted his claim.” The words hung heavy in the air, and my mother collapsed, crying out in despair.

“You did what? Do you understand the implications? He will kill you! He has married five women in five years, and he sacrificed them all to the god, Dracula!”

“I regret to inform you, Father, but I have made my decision. I’ve already signed the papers for the pack merger, and our mating ceremony is set for two weeks from now. If this is the price I must pay for my pack, then I will accept it.”

“Astrid, you can’t do this! You’re putting your life at risk! I’ve waited so long to be with you again! You don’t have to go through with this; I would gladly sacrifice my pack for you!”

“I won’t let that happen! I can’t bear the thought of living with that guilt. We’ll merge our pack with his and ensure equal rights. My mind is made up, Father, and there’s nothing you can say to change it. Besides, I have a debt to the king that I must settle.”

“What do you mean?” My father’s face twisted in fear.

“You don’t understand, Father. Just forget it,” I replied, brushing away a solitary tear as I turned to leave, feeling their intense stares bore into my back.

Just as I was about to exit, I heard my mother gasp sharply, her body convulsing. By the time I reached her, her eyes had rolled back, and she lay motionless.

“Father! What’s happening? What’s wrong?” I cried, shaking my mother, desperate for her to awaken, but her body was cold and rigid.

“Your mother couldn’t bear the thought of you falling into the hands of that devilish Lycan. The shock was too much for her!”

“No! She can’t die! I have to do something!” I shouted, summoning my healing energy, but it was futile. I wiped my tears and raced toward his kingdom.

As I approached the turn leading to his realm, I lost control of the brakes and crashed into a tree, surrendering to the darkness as blood trickled down my face.