Mated To The Wrong Alpha Prince

"Young Alpha, please stop running around!"

The summer heat pressed down heavily, making the air thick and stifling. Raina had just stepped out from behind a cluster of rocks, lifting the hem of her dress to avoid tripping, when a wave of breeze hit her.

A golden blur flashed past her eyes and disappeared into a thicket of wildflowers, shaking the petals and leaves until some fell to the ground.

Something about today felt strange. Normally, these flowers should have wilted by now, but they remained in full bloom, untouched by the heat.

She had overheard the elder omegas in the pack whispering about signs like this unnatural changes in nature often meant something big was coming.

But what kind of change?

The Alpha had been sick ever since Luna passed away years ago, but lately, he had begun to recover. Just last week, he had even walked through the pack's garden with the help of his guards. Those who attended to him had received gifts. Even Raina, the young Alpha's nanny, had been rewarded with a pouch of silver coins.

Whether this was a good or bad omen, it did not concern her. What mattered right now was that the young Alpha-in-training was angry with her.

Standing at the edge of the flowers, she called out, "Come on, young Alpha, stop hiding! It's too hot to be running around like this. You'll make yourself sick."

For a moment, there was silence. Then, a head popped up from between the flowers.

His face was strikingly beautiful-smooth and pale, almost glowing in the sunlight, as if he had never spent a day in the harsh elements. His dark brows were strong and well-shaped, framing a pair of intelligent, slightly upturned eyes. A straight nose and firmly pressed lips completed his handsome face. Though still seventeen, it was clear he would grow into a formidable Alpha one day.

Raina had been by his side for years, yet every time she looked at him, she couldn't help but admire how blessed he was by the Moon Goddess.

This was Kai Thorn, the Alpha's only son.

His expression was stormy as he crossed his arms. "Come on RiRi, tell me the truth, are you really planning to leave the pack without saying goodbyes?"

Being caught off guard by the question, Raina opened her month but she quickly shut them back.

she forced herself to remain calm. "When did I ever say that?"

"I heard the others talking! They said you were getting ready to go!"

He must have overheard her conversation with Mira and the Alpha. She was the only one aware of her leaving.

Mira was her niece but she had been in the packhouse longer than Raina, serving in the Alpha's household since she was a pup. When Raina arrived three years ago, she had been assigned to serve the Luna instead.

She still remembered the day everything changed.

The Alpha and his son had been training, and the young heir had been losing.

His frustration had been obvious, his pride on the verge of breaking. Raina had not been able to stop herself. "Use your left side! Fake an opening and strike!"

Because of her words, he had turned the battle around.

She had feared punishment, but the next day, the Alpha had summoned her. Instead of scolding her, he had made her Kai's tutor and nanny.

It was the Luna who had recommended her. She had been a gentle and graceful woman, the kind of beauty that made the world seem softer just by being in it. She and the Alpha had truly loved each other, and her passing had left a wound that time could not heal.

Before her death, the Luna had called Raina to her bedside. "Raina, my son is stubborn and lonely. He trusts no one but you. Stay by his side. Protect him when he needs it, even if it means sacrificing yourself. This is the only favor I will ever ask of you. Will you do it?"

Raina had nodded without hesitation.

She had been in the pack so long that she barely remembered her own family.

Kai was like a brother, someone she had cared for and guided. But now, after three years, he was nearly of age. And finally, the Alpha had allowed her to leave after his eighteen birthday.

She had not expected Kai to find out. And she had not expected him to be so upset.

Raina had no choice but to soften her voice, trying to calm him down. "Kai, don't make this difficult. Even if I do leave, it's only natural. The Alpha himself"

Kai suddenly tensed, his golden eyes burning with frustration. "So you really wanted to leave without saying goodbyes, huh?"

She sighed. "Kai-"

Before she could finish, her eyes suddenly scanned the garden..

Why us everywhere so quiet?

And were are the guards?

This garden was never this quiet. Even on slow days, warriors would patrol every few minutes. But now, there was nothing, no movement, no distant chatter, not even the familiar sounds of pack members training nearby.

Why was it so silent?

Kai was still upset, completely unaware of Raina's change in expression.

"Raina, if you want to go back to your old pack, I'll bring them here! No! I'll make them part of Thorn territory. You won't have to leave at all!"

Just as he finished speaking, a loud, earth-shaking crash sounded from the south.

Both of them froze. The sound was massive like the heavy wooden gates of the packhouse being forcefully broken down. For a moment, neither of them moved. Then came the shouts, the terrified screams, and the unmistakable clash of steel against flesh.

Kai turned to her, his face pale. "Raina what is happening?"

The distant screams grew louder. A sharp, gut wrenching fear clawed at Raina's chest.

Her instincts screamed at her. "Kai, hide-now!"

"Hide? What?"

Something was wrong. She didn't know how she knew, but deep inside, she felt the danger was connected to him. As if whatever was happening was coming straight for them.

Before she could say more, a piercing scream tore through the air. The scent of blood filled the garden. A young omega, barely older than Kai, staggered through the entrance, his throat slashed open, eyes wide with horror. He collapsed before them, unmoving.

Raina barely had time to think. She lunged forward, wrapping her arms around Kai and dragging him into the thick bushes.

Through the gaps between the leaves and petals, she saw them, the invaders pouring into the garden, their silver swords dripping with fresh blood.

More omegas and young pack members tried to run, but the attackers cut them down without hesitation. The scent of blood grew thicker, hot droplets splattering onto the flowers around them, staining them red.

Raina didn't dare to move. She pressed a hand tightly over her mouth, forcing herself to stay silent, though her body trembled with fear. In her arms, Kai was stiff, his small frame shaking.

The massacre continued, but soon, the sounds of slaughter faded. In the distance, beyond the garden's walls, the horror continued, agonized screams, the brutal sounds of silver blades sinking into flesh, the crackle of fire.

What was happening? Who would dare attack the Alpha's palace like this?

Raina held Kai tighter, her mind racing for answers. But before she could think, another group of intruders entered the garden.

This time, they moved with more purpose. Their leader walked ahead of them, clad in golden-white armor. His entire body was stained with blood, but the tip of his silver sword remained spotless, gleaming under the moonlight.

Kai slowly lifted his head, peeking through the gaps in the bloodstained petals. The moment his gaze landed on the man, his entire body tensed. His breathing stopped.

It was as if he had seen a monster.

Then, a cold, emotionless voice filled the air.

"Have you found him?"

The moment Raina heard that voice, her heart stopped.

She knew that voice.

This wasn't just an attack.

This was a betrayal.

The man standing at the center of the bloodstained garden was none other than Lord Regent Darius Thorn, a powerful warlord and the younger brother of Alpha King Ronan Thorn.

Raina had never met him before. By the time she entered the palace, Darius had already been stationed at the northern borders, commanding the Pack's armies.

Rumors whispered that the two brothers had once been inseparable, but something had changed between them. Now, their relationship was nothing more than cold formality.

Some said Darius had left on his own. Others claimed he had been sent away. Either way, he had remained at the borders for thirteen long years, only returning two years ago, draped in glory and battlefield honors.

And now, here he stood, silver sword in hand, his golden armor gleaming under the moonlight, his icy gaze scanning the carnage before him.

Was this his doing?

Did he return not as the Alpha's right hand, but as a traitor?

The thought sent a chill down Raina's spine. Her pulse pounded in her ears.

No... It can't be...

Then, a voice cut through the stillness.

"Lord Regent, It is done! The Alpha is already-"

Raina's breath hitched.

A pain pressed against her chest, her arms wrapped protectively around Kai's trembling body. She felt him stiffen, his breathing slow and uneven. A wet sensation spread across her fingers.

Tears.

Kai was crying, though he made no sound. His lips were pressed into a firm line, his expression frozen. Only his dark eyes, once filled with mischief, now burned with silent, unbearable grief.

Raina clenched her jaw, her own heart aching for him.

Meanwhile, the questioning continued.

"Where is the young prince?" Darius's voice was unreadable.

"Not yet found, Lord Regent. We're searching everywhere. These servants all served in the prince's wing of the packhouse. We've brought them here."

A group of terrified pack members was forced forward, their hands bound with silver chain, their eyes darting around in sheer terror. Raina recognized some of them, servant she had seen serving in the prince's quarters.

She swallowed hard.

Kai had been alone with her when he ran off. No one knew where he had gone. That meant... these people wouldn't have any answers.

Would Darius believe that?

Or would he simply kill them?

A heavy silence filled the garden, suffocating and thick. Raina could hear her own heartbeat thundering in her ears.

Then, a scream shattered the night.

A young omega wailed in terror as a body hit the ground with a sickening thud.

Darius's voice remained cold, unwavering. "If no one gives me an answer, I will kill one servant every minute until I do. Count the time, and decide how long you wish to live."

The words sent a wave of horror through the prisoners.

The first death was followed by another. And another.

The stench of blood thickened in the air, soaking into the earth, staining the stone path beneath them.

Raina squeezed her eyes shut. Every scream was a dagger to her chest. The headless bodies, the spreading pools of blood, each one carved into her mind like an inescapable nightmare.

Her body trembled with the urge to stand up, to beg Darius to stop this senseless slaughter.

But before she could move, Kai's cold fingers wrapped around her hand.

She looked down.

The boy who had been sobbing in silence now had a face carved from ice, his tears had dried, replaced by something else entirely.

Rage.

Then, a desperate voice rang out.

"Spare my life! I'll talk! I'll talk!"

Raina's heart skipped a beat, the voice belonged to Cathan, a young servant from Kai's quarters!

He crawled forward on his knees, trembling as he begged, "Lord Darius, Raina must know where the young master has gone! After he spoke with Raina, we never saw them again. She must know!"

"Raina?" Darius repeated coldly. His voice was like a blade against Raina's skin, sending a shiver down her spine.

Through the gaps in the bushes, she saw Darius strike Cathan down in one swift motion, his silver sword slicing through flesh as if the boy were nothing more than an insect. Blood splattered onto the ground. Without pause, Darius turned toward Mira, who knelt nearby, her small frame trembling violently.

"Tell me," he ordered. "Where is the boy?"

Mira, Raina's niece who also a servant in the palace, looked pale but kept calm. Her lips trembled, but her voice was steady: "My Lord, I don't know."

Raina's breath almost stopped. Would Darius really kill her?

The overwhelming fear made her want to leap out and stop him, but Kai clutched her hand tightly, as if sensing her thoughts. His grip was cold, his body still as stone.

The silver sword flashed.

A sharp cry tore through the air as Darius drove his blade into Mira's shoulder. She collapsed, blood seeping into the stone beneath her.

Raina froze, eyes wide with horror. Through the swaying bushes, Mira's eyes suddenly met hers.

For a split second, time seemed to stop.

Then, as if nothing had happened, Mira let out another scream and curled into herself, her hands clutching the wound.

"Where is he?" Darius demanded.

"I-I really don't know!" Mira's voice was barely above a whisper. Her body trembled violently before finally going limp.

Tears streamed down Raina's face. Mira had seen her, yet she said nothing. She was protecting them.

And now... she was dying for it.

Suddenly, the sound of rapid footsteps echoed from outside the garden. A soldier rushed in and knelt before Darius.

"My Lord! The enemy forces are storming the north gate. We are being attacked!"

Darius cursed under his breath. "Take these people away and lock them up. The rest of you, follow me now!"

With that, they left, vanishing into the blood stained corridors of the palace.

Silence settled over the garden once more, but it was the silence of death.

Raina gasped for air, shaking off Kai's grip as she scrambled toward Mira but Kai's grasp stopped her..

Raina frowned, "She saw us, Kai! She could have spoken, but she didn't. She was loyal to you, how can we just leave her like this?"

Breaking free from Kai's grasp, she crawled from their hiding place and rushed toward Mira's motionless body.

And at that moment, she noticed something was wrong.

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.