Chapter 2 Zaccai pov

I sat on the bed looking at my reflection. I was half-naked only wearing a trouser, my eyes glued on the mirror, and my dark shoulder length hair was being packed in a bun by Celine, my soon-to-be Luna. We'd been engaged for years, but very soon we'd be mating.

"You look bothered," she said, her voice barely audible, but because of our werewolf ability, I was able to hear it. I grunted and closed my eyes when her hands filled with ointment massaged my shoulder. I needed that massage. Celine was right; something bothered me.

It was the rogues.

I've been hearing complaints about how rogues had been attacking packs and ruining them with nobody left out. Rogues had killed those unlucky packs Alpha and placed their heads in front of the pack's border. They killed some elders, both male and female, and captured the rest of the pack to be taken as their slaves.

Their food stock was stolen; neighboring packs had been worried; they had come to me to join hands with them. Being one of the strongest Alphas, I needed to help the neighboring packs. They've been restless; no one knows who's leading them.

Rumors say they have a leader and that they are increasing in numbers.

"It is good that you are enjoying the massage," Celine said, interrupting my thoughts, but I said nothing. Her work here is to please me, bear my heir, and do all the Luna duty; there is no love lost between us.

She knows that, and she has accepted her fate. Celine is strong, a strong beta, and her dad, being one of the strongest elders, had helped my dad during the coup with my dad's cousin, so that's why she was the better option to be picked as the Luna of Crescent Pack, and I needed someone who wouldn't ask for love.

Her hands raked down my chest; getting closer to my torso, I flung my eyes open, staring at her through the mirror. She had a seductive look on, biting her lips like she expected the same from me. I didn't mind the sex, but couldn't she read the room? I wasn't in the mood.

"Leave!" I growled, Celine flinched, but she didn't move.

"All you need is good sex, my love," she whispered into my ears, and I cringed at her words. She should know seduction doesn't work on me.

'My love!' It sounded irritating to me. I pushed her hands away harshly; she fell on the bed, almost getting to the floor.

A gasp elicited from her lips, now looking scared because of my glare. She quickly adjusted her clothes and dashed out of the room. I hastily put on my robe and entered the bathroom to shower and have a refreshed mind.

The bathroom was so dark and gloomy; it has been like this ever since I'd fought for the throne. My brother, Lucas, whom I had to kill to end the massacre of the innocent. I let myself immerse myself in the bathtub filled with cold water with my eyes closed. I tried to let everything disappear and succumb into darkness where I wouldn't have to think about the chaos in my past.

***

Emerald green eyes appeared in my darkness, and I jolted up, gasping lightly as I wiped off the water on my face. Pulling my hair to the back, I got out of the bathtub. Those eyes-I shouldn't think about it, not even the owner of those eyes. I have no right to do so; it's been long since I've seen those eyes, and that's how it should be.

A price I had to pay to be the Alpha.

'Alpha, you need to see this!' Stefan said through the mindlink that the urgency in his voice was something that I could not take lightly. I pulled over a shirt and trouser and then dashed out of my chambers, not bothered about my wet hair. I walked outside where people were crowded; the crowd made way for me to pass.

My hands clenched to the side when I saw two of my men on their knees; their bodies shivered in fear.

"Why are they on their knees?" I inquired; despite not ozzing my alpha aura or using my dominant tone, my voice still held authority in it.

"Alpha," one of them said while looking up at me. The crowd gasped, and I furrowed my brows when I saw the intricate drawing on his face. I clenched my teeth, my eyes dashing to Stafan.

The intricate looked familiar; there was no way I wouldn't know who did this.

Rogues!

How come?

How did they get to the bother without my men knowing it?

"We were knocked out while patrolling the pack; she did this on my face," the one who spoke earlier, Caleb, said.

"She?" I repeated, to be sure I heard the same thing.

"Yes, sir. It was a she, and she told me that the Alpha's reign is coming to an end." He responded, and the whole crowd gasped once again.

She?

What audacity does she have that makes her think my reign is going to end soon?

I snorted; the arrogance in the unknown lady was infuriating.

"Was she the only one who came?" I questioned, and Caleb nodded in affirmation.

"Yes, sir. She came alone," He replied, and I chuckled. She came alone and went back without being caught.

"Did anyone get hurt?" I asked, moving forward to checking the intricate work she did with her claws.

"No, Alpha," Stefan responded, and I nodded my head. It's clear this was a warning sign from her; I bet she is the one ruling over the rogues.

I never recall any warning signs from the other packs that were attacked; they just came like thieves and then ruined the pack.

I'm intrigued to know what kind of person I'm dealing with. I touched the intricate, anger blazing in my eyes; she came in here and staked her claim.

She thirsts and hungers for fire, and I would be her downfall. No one comes to the lion's den and goes scott-free.