The gentle breeze ruffled Eirene's long hair as she watered the plants, her cheeks slightly puffed from the lingering fever. The garden had always been her favorite place , a small heaven from the rest of the world.
Suddenly, her body tensed. That familiar scent drifted on the air. Miles, he was nearby. Her heart fluttered uneasily. She wasn't in the right state to face him ,not now. Hastily, she straightened her gown and turned to leave but she wasn't fast enough.
"Eirene… I've been wanting to talk to you," Miles said in a hoarse whisper.
The pained expression on his face sent a strange pang through her. Why does he look so miserable when he was the one who rejected me? Eirene thought bitterly, keeping her gaze on the plants as she continued watering them.
"Are you just going to ignore me?" Miles asked, frustration creeping into his voice. He hadn't expected her to dismiss him so easily. The longer she avoided his gaze, the more impatient he grew.
Not far away, Anne watched the scene with a sneer. Jealousy clawed at her heart. Why does that foolish girl still get his attention? Anne yanked harshly at her gown in frustration. She had always longed for Miles to acknowledge her, to see her. Though she had already found her own mate, she kept it a secret, there was no way she would ever accept a lowly warrior. A twisted smile spread across her face as a wicked idea began to form.
"I have nothing to say to you," Eirene said flatly, her tone expressionless though her large, round eyes shimmered with unspoken emotion. She brushed past Miles, leaving him in frustration.
King Cassius,Eirene's father rubbed his temple, the lines of stress deepening across his brow as he listened to the grim news. Danger was creeping ever closer to his pack. Patrol guards at the pack's border had been slaughtered, their bodies left as a gruesome warning. One of the fallen soldiers had a letter stuffed into his mouth, a chilling message from King Deju. The rogue alpha who had been terrorizing and conquering smaller packs.
Cassius knew the truth no matter how hard he fought, his forces couldn't stand against Deju's army. The man was ruthless and relentless, once Deju set his sights on a pack nothing could stop him.
Around the long wooden table, Cassius's cabinet offered desperate suggestions, but all knew the odds were against them. There was only one hope; one way to survive, to submit to the King of Kings, the mighty Alpha Lucas Harvart.
Just the mention of Lucas's name was enough to inspire dread. His power was unmatched.his presence, feared by all. Rumors swirled that Lucas and Deju were half brothers, Deju had split from Mooncrest Pack after being denied the throne by their father despite being the eldest son. Consumed by bitterness, Deju had formed his own pack and became a vengeful, power-hungry wolf.
Yet even Deju feared only one, his brother Lucas, a wolf so powerful and merciless.Some whispered he was the devil himself. Deju had always been careful to avoid crossing Lucas's path.
Cassius sighed deeply, weighing the decision before him. To call upon Lucas meant surrendering his pack's independence and Lucas would no doubt demand something in return. But what did he, King Cassius, possess that would be of any worth to the King of Kings?
Meanwhile in the grand hall of Mooncrest pack
Lucas sat lazily on his throne, eyes fixed coldly on the trembling offender before him. His expression was unreadable, his power suffocating the room.The young man shivered, the rumors of Lucas's cruelty were not exaggerated.
"What shall we do with you, young man?" Lucas's deep voice echoed through the chamber, a wicked grin curling at his lips.
The council members held their breath. They knew well what was to come.The offender a young rogue caught stealing and masquerading as a Mooncrest pack member. He scanned the room desperately for an escape but there was none.
"Burn him alive," Lucas commanded flatly, waving the matter away with a flick of his wrist. The young man gasped in terror, releasing a strangled cry which was swiftly silenced by a brutal slap from one of the warriors. Moments later, he was dragged away to meet his fate.
Only Theodore, Lucas's beta and closest friend since childhood, dared walk beside him.
"I hear Deju has been stirring more trouble lately," Lucas remarked calmly.
"He's frantically searching for the remaining piece of the map," Theodore replied. "He's even aligned himself with witches now, hoping to seize more power."
Lucas gave a dark chuckle. "Even with their help, he stands no chance."
The great hall of Mooncrest Pack was colder than usual that morning. The sun had barely risen when the heavy doors creaked open.
A lone rider dust-streaked and weary, entered, the royal messenger of King Cassius. His cloak was torn, bloodstains on his tunic. He had ridden through the night to reach the King of Kings.
Theodore stepped forward, sword at his side. "Who seeks audience with the Alpha King?"
The messenger knelt low. "A message from King Cassius of mooncrest park ," he said hoarsely, presenting a sealed scroll. "An urgent plea for aid."
Lucas, seated on his throne took the scroll without a word. Breaking the wax seal, he read swiftly, his expression darkening.
A slow smile tugged at his lips "So… Deju is finally making his move."
Theodore's gaze narrowed. "Will you answer the call?"
Lucas leaned back, fingers steepled. "Perhaps. But first… I must decide what this King Cassius can offer me in return."
Meanwhile, in Mooncrest park
Anne watched from the shadows as Eirene walked alone in the garden, unaware of the jealous eyes that followed her.
Always so innocent… so adored, Anne thought bitterly. Even now, after being rejected by her mate, Eirene still drew sympathy and attention from the pack. Anne's lip curled. "Not for long," she whispered to herself. In her hands, Anne clutched a small bottle, a dark potion she'd secretly bought from a wandering witch. Dangerous magic, the kind no proper wolf should touch. If things went to her plan, soon Eirene would be disgraced, cast out and shamed before all. Then she, Anne would finally be with Miles