Chapter 3 3: Rumors of a Scheme

Chapter 3

It was days before they announced my marriage to the Alpha-almost three years ago-when I was pushed into that lake. It was winter, and the water felt like needles.

I remember her hand-my twin sister's-shoving me backward, with an expression I could never decipher. Anger? Jealousy? Fear? I never knew. But still... I hold no resentment. That moment gave me hope.

The water swallowed me whole. The world went silent and heavy, and I thought I would die there, in the depths.

But before the darkness could take me, I saw him. He dove in without hesitation. His eyes found mine in the void-eyes that seemed to glow even underwater. And when he touched me, there was no pain. No screaming. No burning. Only warmth. And peace.

I felt the bond the instant he touched me, as if something inside me had awakened. Then everything went black. When I woke, the lake was empty. Only the sorcerers who served my family were there.

That was also the day I felt my wolf for the first-and only-time. After that, I remained powerless, voiceless. The useless daughter, hidden away, dreaming of a man whose face I could no longer recall-only the green lights that shimmered along his body, familiar and warm.

I was tired of waiting for the makeup artists. My parents had vanished, and Lana had snuck in disguised so no one would notice our resemblance.

I walked through the corridors to pass the time. My footsteps echoed on the polished marble, and the golden light of the setting sun cast reflections along the walls. The place felt as empty as my home.

That was when I noticed a monumental door, half-open, carved in solid wood with spiral engravings. Curiosity got the better of me.

I approached and, through the crack, glimpsed a luxurious office where three men were talking and laughing.

They were triplets-identical as drops of water-each one devastatingly handsome.

The one closest to the door, with black hair and brown eyes, held a glass of red wine with an air of careless amusement. Beside him, the other two carried the same presence-three times the same sin, cunning and smiling.

"Everything's ready," one of them said with an ironic grin. "When he comes to meet us, we'll give him this and ruin his reputation. He's kept that incorruptible stance for too long, but no one stays untouchable forever. Just one drop of this will do."

He raised a small vial filled with a lilac liquid that shimmered in the light.

"It'd be better if he just died already!" another exclaimed brutally.

"Let's not forget he has divine origins," the third murmured calmly. "Wolves of his lineage don't die easily. The chances of survival are high, so it's wiser to ruin his image. That way, we can end the fear he inspires in everyone."

I stepped back silently, my heart pounding. Conspiracies among the great families were nothing new, but I couldn't get involved. I didn't even want to know who they were talking about. Who could possibly have divine blood?

They'd get themselves in trouble soon enough.

My fate was already sealed. Soon, I would be presented to Alpha Samuel Kan-and that was all I should focus on.

I returned to my room, my heart hammering.

The walls now felt like a prison, their jeweled decorations and perfumed flowers only masking the dread pulsing inside me.

I sat at the edge of the bed and ran my fingers over the golden wedding invitation that lay beside the box. My name, next to his, looked like a sentence. The letters bound two destinies that were never meant to touch.

But my thoughts... were only on the one man who had marked my life.

"I wonder if he's alive... and if he remembers me."

Moments later, an army of people burst in-makeup artists, hairdressers, seamstresses-all working frantically to adjust the dress.

It was dazzling, fit for a grand wedding... or a nightmare.

Two hours later, I was ready. Beautiful. Flawless. And utterly desperate.

Outside, a crowd was gathering. I watched them from the window, trying to ignore the knot in my stomach.

They said Samuel Kan still hadn't arrived.

The ceremony was to begin in minutes-and he simply hadn't shown up.

Every second that passed was torture.

"He didn't keep his word! I want to leave!" I exploded when my parents entered the room. "I won't be a bride abandoned at the altar!"

My mother tried to calm me with a trembling voice, but the look exchanged between her and my father said it all.

Had he changed his mind?

Was this my chance to escape?

"I don't want to get married anymore!" I cried, but no one seemed to hear me.

My parents were blinded by greed.

I tried to run, but my father's strong hand grabbed my arm. Pain shot through me, forcing him to let go quickly-he knew I had to be conscious for the wedding.

The heavy dress tangled around me as he dragged me back and shoved me onto the bed.

"You're not going anywhere!" he roared. "Even if he comes tomorrow, you'll wait!"

"I'm not a toy!" I sobbed, tasting the salt of my tears. "Tell him I won't marry! I don't want to marry someone who's going to kill me!" I shouted, panicking. The calm acceptance I'd clung to for so long shattered in an instant.

The slap came fast-sharp-cutting through the air and through me.

"Just behave and don't ruin everything!" he barked before leaving.

In that moment, I understood. I wasn't a daughter. Not even a person.

I was a transaction.

When they left, I pretended to give in.

But the moment the door closed, I ran to the window.

The garden below was silent. The night was perfect, the rows of pine trees dividing the main entrance-where the guests arrived-from the secluded wing where I was kept.

Everyone must have been busy waiting for the groom.

I climbed onto the ledge, my heart racing. A tall, sturdy pine stood beside the window-my only chance.

I jumped, grabbing a branch. Pain burned through my arms, but I held on.

With effort, I climbed down until I was close enough to drop, landing hard on the wet grass.

My bare feet met the cold ground, and I ran as fast as I could, the dress tearing with every step, the icy air slicing my skin.

The mansion disappeared behind me as I darted between bushes and pines in the darkness. But when I reached the farthest part of the garden, something made me stop.

Among the shrubs, a man lay on the ground.

His breathing was ragged. One hand clutched his chest.

The night hid his face... At first, I thought of running. It was my chance. But he looked like he was dying.

I stepped closer, slowly-and there he was, trembling, his eyes flickering from red to green to black. It was surreal.

"Are you all right?" I asked.

"Stay back... please!" he pleaded, staring at me in panic. But I couldn't read his expression-it was like a beast was looking right through me. Yet something about him... wouldn't let me walk away.

I reached out to touch his forehead-but his hand shot up, gripping my wrist with such speed my eyes widened in shock. And then, with one pull, he yanked me against his body.