Chapter 4 Chapter 4

Ardan's POV

Derek made no effort to hide the confusion on his face. The Wolf King-the most powerful shapeshifter in existence-intervening over a mere Omega?

I ignored the stunned expressions around me. The only thing I cared about was the she-wolf in my arms.

"Put on your clothes," I ordered, pushing her away.

My gaze shifted to the wolf behind Serena-I remembered him. Joshua.

"And you," I growled lowly, "get out. Now."

Joshua didn't need to be told twice. He scrambled off the bed, terrified and clumsy.

Serena was still in shock, clutching the bedsheet tightly to cover her bare body like a flimsy shield.

Cora let out a contemptuous snort.

"How graceful," she sneered at Serena. "The Wolf King told you to get dressed, and here you are clinging to that sheet like a lost puppy."

I spun toward Cora.

"If you don't want to end up as wall décor like your Beta," I warned, "you'd better learn to hold your tongue."

Cora wisely fell silent and quickly stepped back beside Derek.

Maybe she was his mistress-but we didn't have the proof.

I turned back toward the room, glancing around from above.

"Give her some space," I instructed.

The wolves filed out one by one.

Then I turned to Derek.

"Take me to your council room," I commanded. "I have something to announce."

Derek was clearly bewildered by how I had handled Serena. He nodded numbly.

"Of course, Your Majesty." Then he hesitated and gestured to Serena. "What about her? Will she come with us?"

I didn't answer immediately. My eyes shifted to Serena, still hiding her naked body behind the sheet.

Finally, I met her gaze with disdain.

"She can come," I said. "When she's feeling presentable."

Derek led me to his council room, still clearly trying to make sense of my protective instinct toward Serena.

He hesitated before guiding me to a quiet corner. Once the door closed, he cleared his throat.

"Your Majesty, what is going on?" he finally asked. "You rarely visit my humble grounds-and certainly never interfere in my. personal matters."

"This isn't a personal matter," I said, narrowing my eyes. Derek's widened.

"I want her," I declared.

Derek's jaw nearly hit the floor. He stammered, "Y-Your Majesty. you want her? But she's clearly nothing more than a whore. She's not worth-"

"No one questions my decisions, Derek. Are you challenging me?"

My commanding gaze cut through him like a blade.

He gasped, clearly rattled but still pushed back.

"But Your Majesty," he said desperately, "King Ardan, someone like Serena. she's not suited for you. An Omega-especially one with such. a reputation-would only tarnish your name. Our pack has better females to offer-"

Before I could answer, the door opened again, and a curvaceous she-wolf walked in.

"Ah, Mirabeth," Derek greeted her. "This is the Wolf King, Ardan. Mirabeth is one of my most. treasured gems."

My eyes stayed on Mirabeth as she sauntered toward me boldly.

But the closer she got, the more my wolf resisted. My stomach clenched with disgust, as if I'd been punched from the inside.

"Enough!" I snapped.

Derek immediately sensed my fury and backed off.

"Of course, Your Majesty," he stammered.

I locked eyes with him.

"My word is final. Now, take your. treasure, and leave."

"I have more important matters to deal with. I'm leaving. Now."

Derek's face twisted with anger and humiliation, but wisely, he said nothing more. He gave a small nod and escorted Mirabeth out. The door slammed shut behind them.

Serena's POV

I slipped on a simple dress, fumbling with the buttons.

But my mind was far from the present.

I had no idea where fate was taking me next.

Somehow, my wounds had healed miraculously. It was as if just being near that powerful man-King Ardan-had boosted my healing abilities. Faster than I ever thought possible.

Like magic.

Memories resurfaced all at once-of a woman named Granny Willow.

She was an old she-wolf, a safe haven throughout my cruel childhood.

When the others in the pack beat me, she would treat my wounds with herbs and whisper words of comfort.

She told me my power would one day awaken when I encountered a truly powerful werewolf.

Before she left, she gave me a small wooden box.

She said I was the only one who could open it-but only after I turned twenty.

She believed it held the truth behind the destruction of my parents' pack.

I asked her countless times about what was inside, but she would only shake her head and say, Not yet. You're not ready.

That box had been discovered by Derek. He hid it.

I wasn't worried he would destroy it-Willow once told me no one could.

I tried to find it, over and over. But each time, Derek would catch me and beat me.

Now, I didn't know if I'd ever get another chance.

Now. my fate was in King Ardan's hands.

I still couldn't believe he might be my mate-the mighty Wolf King himself.

Standing before him, I had no more defense. I was nothing but a disgraced, supposedly unfaithful Luna.

I didn't doubt that he would reject me in the end. He would simply do it quietly.

My existence would only tarnish his name.

Just then, Derek entered my room, yanking me back to reality.

"Well," he sneered, "all dressed up to play princess for the Wolf King?"

"What do you mean?" I asked warily.

"You're lucky," he hissed. "The Wolf King's taking you away."

I was stunned.

He's. accepting me?

I'd expected him to reject me right here, in secret.

"Don't get any ideas, Serena," he said with a cruel smirk. "Just because he likes you for now doesn't mean he'll believe a word you said about me."

I wanted to argue-but I swallowed my words.

Now wasn't the time to fight. I couldn't risk provoking him.

"I won't," I lied, my voice barely a whisper.

He chuckled. "Smart choice."

Then his gaze sharpened.

"And don't forget," he added coldly, "Willow's little box? Still in my possession. Say the right things. and maybe it won't get 'misplaced.'"

His threat was not empty.

I wanted to scream-but held it in.

I forced myself to nod in silent surrender.

He seemed pleased by my submission.

Throwing one last venomous glare at me, he turned to the door.

"Don't be late. The King doesn't like to be kept waiting."