Chapter 3 Episode 3

She... she was still breathing!

Raina's eyes gaze the sky as if thanking the moon Goddess..

Mira was still breathing but Raina didn't know how long she can survive the silver blade..

Raina felt her whole body tremble as she cradled Mira in her arms. Though weak, her body was still warm, still alive. Her thick lashes quivered before her eyes slowly opened, revealing a familiar gaze.

"...Raina?"

"Mira!" Tears blurred Raina's vision. She wanted to cry out in relief that her niece was still alive!

Mira soft brows furrowed as she whispered, "You must protect the young Alpha... where is he?"

Raina's throat tightened. How could she tell Mira that the boy she had risked her life for was too afraid to come out?

Instead, she forced a reassuring smile. "Mira, don't talk. I...I'll find someone to help you! Just hold on!"

"No! Raina," Mira gasped. "The palace is in chaos... Lord Darius led his forces in. He's killing everyone. He... he wants to take the throne!"

Raina's heart sank. She had suspected as much, but hearing it confirmed sent ice through her veins.

But she couldn't let her niece die here.

Shrugging off her coat, she carefully wrapped it into a bundle and placed it under Mira's head. "Hold on, Mira. I'll get help. I swear it!"

Mira tried to reach for her, but Raina pulled away. She stood, only to meet Kai's gaze. He had emerged from the flowers, his small frame stiff with emotion. His expression twisted with anger as if he wanted to stop her.

She raised a hand in a silent signal, stay hidden.

Then she turned and ran.

She knew that Kai's survival was the only thing that truly mattered. The future of the pack rested on his shoulders now. But she... she was just a servant. Her life didn't matter.

Fear clawed at her chest, but she couldn't let her niece sacrifice be for nothing.

As she ran out of the Alpha's quarters, she was met with a sight that stopped her dead in her tracks.

The courtyard had been a graveyard.

The entire courtyard was drenched in blood, the once white marble tiles now painted a sickening red. Bodies lay everywhere, too many to count.

She recognized some of them.

The kind aunt from the palace kitchen. The soft spoken maid from the servant's quarters. Little Rhea, who had once held a lantern to guide her through the halls of Kai's residence.

They were all gone. Their vacant eyes stared up at the sky, as if questioning Why?

Raina clenched her fists.

She would not let Kai and Mira become part of this massacre.

The soldier had mentioned that Lord Darius enemy had returned with forces.

If she could reach them, if she could bring them here, they could rescue Kai and Mira before it was too late.

Her decision made, she sprinted toward the north.

The distant sounds of battle rang through the air. Every step brought her closer to danger, but she had no choice. She had to protect them.

She had to-

A sharp whoosh sliced through the air.

An arrow struck the hem of her dress, pinning her to the ground.

Raina froze.

"Stop."

A deep, chilling voice sent a wave of terror through her.

Heart pounding, she sniffed the air and then the scent hit her nose.

And immediately the scent hit her nose her blood ran cold.

She could recognise that scent anywhere!

Tall and powerful, his entire presence exuded raw dominance, different from the wolves of the Shadowfang Pack. His sharp, chiseled features were like a statue carved from stone, but the cunning glint in his eyes always reminded her of a predator, a bloodthirsty, calculating wolf.

A deep scar marred his broad forehead.

The moment Raina saw it, her whole body went rigid.

Her mind spun, dragging her back to that night, two years ago when she had turned sixteen.

She had been alone in the big palace library, sorting through ancient texts by lamplight. It was quiet, almost too quiet.

Then, the scent hit her followed be the sound.

A slow, controlled breathing.

Closer.

Closer.

A cold shiver ran down her spine.

She turned!

A rough hand slammed over her mouth.

The oil lamp fell, shattering on the marble floor, sparks flashing in the darkness.

In that flicker of light, she saw a pair of glowing, gold-tinted eyes.

A deep growl rumbled against her ear.

His scent, smoky leather, powerful, overwhelming, wrapped around her like a trap. He gripped her collar with his free hand, ripping it apart with a single pull.

Her bare skin was suddenly exposed to the cool night air.

For a moment, she was too shocked to react.

Then, the weight of his body pinned her down.

Raina thrashed, muffled screams escaping against his palm. Her nails raked against his arms, her legs kicked, but it was useless, he was stronger. A mountain of solid muscle.

His breath was hot against her neck, his sharp canines grazing her skin. His hands left bruises wherever they touched, claiming her body with every rough movement.

Raina's heart pounded wildly.

No-!

Her desperate gaze landed on the inkstone nearby. Just inches away.

Then, beyond him, she saw movement.

A shadow.

A sudden crack echoed through the library.

The heavy inkstone smashed against the side of the attacker's head. He howled in pain, tumbling off her.

Raina gasped for air.

The boy standing above her was young barely sixteen, but his golden eyes burned with uncontrollable rage.

Kai.

His small hands gripped the inkstone so tightly that his knuckles turned white. But he didn't stop.

Another blow.

Then another.

Blood sprayed across the marble floor.

The attacker, Lord Darius's eldest son, Axel let out a strangled scream. The deep wound on his forehead gushed blood, forming the very scar that still marked his face today.

If Raina hadn't stopped Kai that night, the young heir would have killed Axel in his blind fury.

The incident had been buried. Swept under the rug.

Lord Darius had just returned from the battlefield, his victories too great to allow for scandal. No punishment was ever given.

But not long after, the Alpha suddenly stripped Axel of his inheritance, revoking his title as lord.

From that night on, Raina had never been the same.

She could no longer bear the touch of others especially men.

The only exception had been Kai, the boy who had saved her.

She had avoided Axel ever since. Whenever members of Darius's household visited, she hid away, refusing to cross paths with them.

But now, fate had thrown them together again.

Here.

Now.

Raina stood frozen, her breath shallow.

The pain. The fear. The violation.

It all came rushing back

Axel hadn't even reached her yet, but the moment their eyes met, she felt like a noose had tightened around her throat.

His lips curled into a slow, wolfish grin.

A cold, predatory gleam flickered in his eyes.

Like a hunter who had finally found his prey.

And worst of all,

She was his mate.

From the moment she had first seen him in the library, she had known. And in that instant, she had wanted to reject him.

But he hadn't let her.

Instead, he had nearly forced himself on her.

Now, after all this time, that same hunger burned in his gaze.

And Raina felt the overwhelming urge to run.