Chapter 1 Prologue

We were caught unaware on our own. No one can tell how it happened. All I knew was that I was cuddled into the arms of my husband the Alpha in a deep slumber one night when we were yanked awake by the noise coming from down the packhouse. I was the first to stir due to my high sensibility ability. I listened for a while to make sure it wasn't one of my nightmares that I have been having incessantly for a couple of weeks now but no.

It wasn't.

I rapped Leornard up frantically with fear arched in my eyes. I was looking towards the door as I kept tapping at him. He finally showed a sign of life and growled aloud as he jerked up to meet my worried look. He looked about frantically still trafficating between sleep and awakening.

"They're here" were the only two words I could utter before the door was harshly swung open by the gamma Maxwell

"They finally penetrated Alpha. What should we do? They are eliminating everyone. As I talk, the town has plummeted and half of the pack lying dead. They are merciless. I fear the end is near for us"

"No! That can never happen! I know what Gregory wants" I looked from the Gamma to my husband who has been quiet all the while probably strategizing on what to do. Whenever he is that quiet in a chaotic situation, something was driving through his head. Before it always worked, as in the end, he often comes up with a solution. But this is beyond us and I know why

"He wants me. I know that. So I will do the right thing and accept defeat for my people and my husband"

"What are you saying Amore Mio" Leonards raspy voice rumbled beside me. I swirled around to face him with my tear-streaked face. "I won't let anything happen to you, my love. I would rather die than let Gregory do anything to you like he promised" his eyes were flickering in their orbs in disbelief at me. I saw tears gather but I didn't want to look at them for long hence am drawn into them

I jumped out of the bed and tired my robe about me. The Gamma shifted still in a state of shock. Before I would turn the knob, my husband's arms were secured around me striving to stop me from the decision I had made a long time ago even before this day came.

I have been having this nightmare during all the vampire's trials to penetrate our walls. I didn't want to tell my husband because I knew he would be worried considering the fact that anytime I had a nightmare, it meant doom anchors. I had known right from time that this day would come. That Gregory would make his way through to claim me just as he had sworn to my father.

Before I was married to my husband, Gregory had wanted me for himself which I had vehemently refused because firstly he was a vampire and secondly I never felt any pull towards him. I knew my mate was out there and would claim me one day which was why I told him I was never going to marry him not when I wasn't drawn to him not to mention that he is a brutal and heartless bastard.

On the day of the wedding, after I had met with my mate; Leonard and hadn't seen Gregory since I rejected him. We had done a ceremony which was a traditional rite performed by my father and the most elderly member of our clan during a full moon since Leonard was already an Alpha and was about to be joined to me, his luna.

What I didn't expect was Gregory to appear during the event not to mention him coming to the altar where I was standing with my father and husband with the traditional mediator who was circling the conjugal burnt fleur de rosa which signified peace, long life and blessings during our marriage.

He had stood with his hand in his front with a small parcel folded within, as he listened to the enchantments without a word. My heart was beating frantically because I knew he was a vile man and bore no good tiding.

Just after the priest finished his incantations, he had been the first to clap and cheer us after which he reached out to hand me the parcel in his hand. I took it with a shaky hand from him, all the while hoping he would leave us alone.

My husband was unaware of what was going on, due to I never discussed with him about Gregory whom I thought had left my life for good. Leonard was all smiles and had even exchanged a handshake with the devil after which he congratulated us and told us how he wished us well in our newfound union.

I knew Gregory and knew he never meant any of the words he said. If anything, I knew he meant exactly the opposite of everything flying off his mouth. He didn't take long after that, he had left just the way he came; disappeared into thin air.

I remember my eyes following his every movement prior before he left. I watched him closely my wolf perceiving he had ill up his sleeves but I couldn't read his mind because he was a vampire and I didn't have that ability yet. His eyes were on me too every time I looked at him with an evil smirk plastered on his brows. I knew everything was wrong and it was confirmed later on when I hid in my room to unravel the finely packaged parcel he had gifted me

I remember my hand shaking vigorously when I was opening it with my heart beating in fright and anticipation. I had ripped the last strip of ribbon out and counted one to a hundred before flinging open the cover of the parcel. I froze as my eyes beheld the most gruesome thing, anyone doesn't deserve to behold in their lifetime not to mention on their wedding day.

A human heart. A fresh bloodied human heart.

Then inside was a note which read: 'You won't see me coming'

I was still frozen to the spot that I didn't know Leonard had entered the room until he snatched away the parcel from my hand which drew my attention back. I looked at him to see the same expression I had on his face. He has demanded who sent it and I had told him it was the parcel from the guy that met us at the altar and then I had gone on to tell him everything amidst tears and shivering

"He would never stop coming. I know him. I know how ruthless he can be with his enemies and now that he considers me one, he would surely come for my head. I have done one thing he abhors with fervor__reject him" I had told my husband who's face was dark with resentment and anger for Gregory

We never heard from him ever again, until I started having the nightmares and then the attacks began.

Here we are now

"What do you think you are doing?"

"Let me go, Leonard. I have caused you enough grief already. You heard him clear when he said he won't stop until he had your head on his platter. Run away Leonard I beg you. I would rather die than be a companion to that monster" I cried as he cuddled me from my back. I loved my husband so dearly and I knew he does too. So no matter what happened, I will never allow any harm to come to him. So I did the one thing I knew I could.

I turned slowly to look at him and him thinking I was deflecting on my decision, loosened up his hold on me. I used that as an opportunity to cradle his face and cast a spell of sleep upon him. It was one of my great abilities__To let people into an unfathomable slumber. Just he was about to collapse to the floor, the gamma ran forward to hold him while I used the opportunity to escape.

When I reached the courtyard, there was bloodshed everywhere. I saw most people's heads lying in a corner while others had their intestines wrenched out of them. I jerked up in disgust feeling nauseous. Only a particular breed of vampires could do this__the Northern revolters. They were rumoured to have originated from the bloodline of the originals. They were as fierce as they were ruthless and leaves nothing within their clasps decent.

"Here comes my queen" I heard the very voice of Gregory behind me causing my goosebumps to stand at an edge. I stiffened but didn't turn around. He circled his arms around my body and sniffed my neck like an idiot that he is. I was shaking. My chest was hammering

"What do you want?" I managed to breathe out

"What else my dear Punita" he licked my neck in a revolting manner and I flinched away from him. His hands snaked up my ribcage towards my breast and I did the only thing I could__I elbowed his ribcage with every strength in me and jumped away when he released me and held his side coughing up blood

"I hate you, Gregory. You are nothing but a stupid cry baby who can't accept no for an answer!" I shrieked and made to run away. Before I would throw two steps he had me to his chest and this time, his hands were up my neck strangling the life out of me "You think he is off better than me huh? If you won't marry me then no one will!"

"No! Let her go!" I heard a familiar voice from behind. My chest thumped faster in anger but this time at my husband. How could he do this to me? Why would he renounce the spell and how did he do it in the first place?

Gregory chuckled devilishly before turning us to meet the face of my dear husband "Let her go and take me. Do whatever you want but please don't hurt her" Gregor's face was posed as if he was considering it before he pushed me off to the ground. I ran to my husband and held him crying into his shoulder

"You shouldn't have come here. I told you I will handle this"

"I will never allow anything happen to you my love," he said cradling my red face

"Well, it's already too late. He said one person must die and that person has to be me" his eyes were twitching about not understanding what I was saying. I touched his face one last time trying to memorise every part of it and then before I would change my mind, I raised the dagger I had snuck out of Gregory's sheath and stabbed it into my heart.

"Noooooo" I heard both men shout. I could feel black spot clouding over my eyes as Leonrads face hovered over mine in tears

"I will come back for you my love" were the last words I said before my hands fell off his face darkness saturating my world.