Chapter 1 0001

The cold wind whispered through the trees, making them sway in a mournful rhythm. Yet, not a single leaf fell. It was as if nature itself refused to move, sensing the sorrow curling in my chest.

Tonight, my fate would be decided.

Theo, my mate-the man I had loved for years-was about to fight the cruelest Alpha in existence. But shh... I dare not speak against him. Even the slightest whisper of defiance could mean my death.

The entire pack, from the oldest elders to the smallest children, stood gathered outside. Their breath misted in the cold night air, but no one shivered. Excitement burned in their veins. They were eager to witness this fight. A fight that had never happened before in our pack.

The full moon cast a silver glow over us, but it wasn't enough to light the battlefield. Fire surrounded the ring, flames flickering hungrily, a deadly barrier that no one dared cross.

And there he was-my Theo.

He stood at the edge, his brown fur glistening under the moonlight. He let out a deep, sorrowful howl, one that sent a shiver down my spine. A farewell or a warning? I wasn't sure.

I clutched my arms around myself, struggling to breathe. Was this the last time I'd see him? The thought burned through my chest like acid. Theo turned toward me, his gaze soft despite the fear I knew he carried. He smiled-just for me.

But nothing could ease my terror.

Separated from the rest of the pack, I sat on a raised platform, high enough to witness everything. Behind me stood Alpha Luca's men, their presence a silent threat. I wasn't just a spectator. I was a prisoner.

And then-he arrived.

Luca.

He stepped through the fire as if it were nothing. Not a flinch. Not a single sign of hesitation. The flames licked at his skin, but he remained untouched. Cold. Unyielding.

Maybe his heart was so frozen that even fire couldn't burn him.

Luca towered over Theo, twice his size, his aura suffocating. When he howled, it wasn't a cry-it was a declaration. A king's roar. The crowd erupted into cheers, a deafening sound that made bile rise in my throat.

I clenched my fists.

They wanted this. They wanted Theo to die.

Theo wasn't rich. He wasn't powerful. That's why my father had opposed our love, warning me that a poor wolf had no place beside me. But I was stubborn. I chose love.

And now, love had brought us here.

The movement was sudden. Two of Luca's men stepped into the ring.

My breath hitched.

No.

Three against one.

Luca didn't even need them. He was already the strongest, the most ruthless. But his hatred for Theo ran too deep. He wouldn't allow even a sliver of a chance for Theo to win.

The battle began.

Theo fought bravely, but they were relentless. A punch to his ribs. A kick to his side. The crack of bone echoed through the night, each blow sending a dagger through my heart.

And the crowd cheered.

Bastards.

I tried to stand, but a guard shoved me back down.

"Let go of me!" I snarled, my voice shaking with rage. But my struggle was useless.

"Theo, rise up!" I pleaded, my voice barely above a whisper.

He did.

Bruised. Bleeding. But standing.

He turned his face toward me, his eyes locking onto mine. And then... he smiled. A bloody, heartbreaking smile.

And Luca's men didn't even let him breathe.

They rained down another set of blows, knocking him back to the ground. I couldn't sit still any longer. I shoved forward, moving toward the ring.

A guard stepped toward me, but Luca held up a hand, stopping him.

He met me halfway, a slow, cruel smile curling his lips. His dark eyes gleamed with amusement.

"What can I do for you, Zuriel?" His voice was deceptively soft, laced with mockery.

I swallowed down my pride, my dignity-everything.

"Please," I whispered, my voice breaking. "Spare him. I'll be your Luna. Just don't kill him."

The words tasted like poison.

Luca didn't react at first. Then, he laughed. A hollow, merciless sound that made my skin crawl.

"Zuriel," he said, his voice colder than the night air. "Do you think I'm a fool?"

My stomach twisted.

Two of Luca's men lifted Theo's broken body, dragging him toward me.

Luca wanted me to watch.

Theo-my stubborn, beautiful, selfless mate-smiled at me one last time. His brown fur was stained with blood, his body broken, but his spirit? Unshaken.

Luca moved swiftly.

His fist crashed into Theo's face with a sickening crack. A tooth flew from Theo's mouth, landing near my feet.

And then, the dagger.

One. Two. Three. Again. And again.

Blood pooled beneath Theo, staining the dirt.

A scream tore from my throat, raw and broken.

I didn't think. I ran.

I sprinted through the fire, ignoring the flames licking at my skin. I dropped to my knees, catching Theo before his body could hit the ground. His head rested on my lap, his blood soaking into my clothes.

And still-he smiled.

He lifted a trembling hand, brushing away my tears just like he always had.

But this time... it was goodbye.

His fingers curled around mine, slipping something into my palm-a necklace.

I leaned forward, desperate for one last kiss. But hands grabbed me, yanking me back.

"No!" I thrashed, my screams mixing with the roaring fire.

They dragged Theo away.

The men carried him toward the steep, rocky cliff.

One thousand five hundred meters high.

"No, please!" I begged, but my voice was lost in the chaos.

They threw him over.

His body tumbled, crashing against jagged rocks.

The sound of breaking bones echoed long after he disappeared from sight.

Then-one of Luca's men returned.

Holding Theo's severed head.

I couldn't move.

My vision blurred. My body weakened.

And then-darkness swallowed me whole.