THE ROUGE PRINCESS

CHAPTER ONE

Elara's POV

My heart stopped as I stared at the most handsome man I had ever seen. He was tall, muscular, and had bright blue eyes that made me weak.

"Elara, what's wrong with you?" my best friend Serenity asked, poking my shoulder.

"Huh? Oh, um, nothing," I mumbled, looking away from the man.

Serenity followed my gaze. "Wow, he's hot! But definitely an Alpha. You can tell by his power."

I sighed. "Yeah, you're right. He's probably a jerk like most Alphas."

"But you're dating a future Alpha too, remember?"

I frowned at her. "Tyler is different. He's not like them."

Serenity shrugged. "If you say so. Hey, you should go talk to that guy!"

"What? No way! I have a boyfriend, Serenity."

"I didn't say sleep with him, just flirt a little! Live a little, Elara. You're almost 18."

I watched the handsome stranger walk away, biting my lip. Maybe Serenity was right. It couldn't hurt to explore...

Curiosity got the best of me. I went to check out the other floors, secretly hoping I might run into him. Just as the elevator doors were closing, he dashed inside!

"Sorry about that," he said, grabbing my shoulders to steady himself. Then his eyes met mine and widened. "Well hello there, beautiful. I'm Luke ." He slid an arm around my waist, twirling my red hair with his other hand. I nearly melted.

"I'm Ser - I mean, Elara," I stammered. God, he was even better looking up close. The elevator dinged and I quickly pulled away, dashing down the hall before I did something I'd regret.

I turned a corner and froze. I couldn't believe what I was seeing. My boyfriend Tyler had some girl pinned against the wall, whispering in her ear as she giggled and touched his chest. Rage boiled inside me.

'How dare he cheat on us!' My wolf Davina growled in my mind. 'We're royalty! He'll pay for this!'

I spun around and stomped back to the elevator, my eyes flashing with anger. Luke was there waiting for me.

"Woah, your eyes! What's going on?" He cupped my face in his hand, looking concerned.

I didn't answer. I was too furious and hurt to think straight. Without a word, I grabbed him and kissed him hard on the mouth. He made a noise of surprise before pulling me against him, kissing me back with a hunger that left me breathless.

He pressed me up against the elevator wall, his hands roaming my body as I wrapped my legs around his waist. I could feel how badly he wanted me. At that moment, I wanted him too. I just wanted to forget everything and lose myself in him.

The elevator dinged again and Luke quickly set me down, both of us panting. "Shit, we can't do this here."

Reality came crashing back and I burst into tears, overcome with shame and confusion. What was I doing? I pushed past Luke and ran out of the elevator, ignoring him calling my name.

I didn't stop running until I was far away from the club, finally collapsing against a tree and sobbing. Davina whispered dark thoughts in my mind, urging me to get revenge on Tyler. But I was too overwhelmed to think about that now. All I could do was cry, my heart shattered into pieces.

How could Tyler do this to me? I thought he loved me! And why did I let myself get so carried away with Luke ? Was I no better than Tyler?

I wiped my eyes, taking deep breaths to calm myself. I had to get out of here. I couldn't face Tyler, not now. I'd go stay with Serenity for the night until I figured out what to do.

As if reading my mind, Serenity came bursting out of the club. "Elara! There you are!" She hurried over to me, her face etched with worry. "What happened? Why did you run off?"

"I...I caught Tyler with another girl," I choked out. "He was a-all over her, Serenity." I started crying again.

"That bastard!" She wrapped me in a tight hug. "I'm so sorry, El. You deserve way better than him."

"And I kissed someone else too," I mumbled into her shoulder. "The Alpha guy from before. I feel awful."

She pulled back to look at me. "Woah, really? Damn girl, when you rebound you go big!"

I gave her a look and she quickly backtracked. "I mean, uh, these things happen. Emotions were running high. Don't be too hard on yourself, okay? The important thing is figuring out what you want to do now."

I sighed heavily. She was right. I had a lot to think about. "Can I stay with you tonight? I can't go home right now."

"Of course babe, whatever you need." She took my hand and led me towards her car.

As we walked, I glanced back at the club one last time. For a split second, I thought I saw a flash of bright blue eyes watching me from the entrance. Luke . My heart skipped a beat.

I quickly faced forward again. No, I couldn't think about him right now. I had to focus on myself and what I was going to do about Tyler. My life had turned upside down in one night.

Little did I know, this was only the beginning...

CHAPTER TWO

Elara's POV

"I wish I could shift so badly right now," I cried softly into the dark night.

"Welcome to my life," Davina, my wolf, said in my mind. She sounded annoyed.

Every wolf shifts when they turn 16. But not me. A few months ago, I started hearing a voice in my head. I thought I was going crazy! But it was just my wolf. Something had to be wrong with me. I was a princess, but my life was no fairytale.

I ran in the woods for a long time. Then I stopped at a tree to rest. I didn't know if anyone followed me or where I was. I got scared. What if I ran into bad guy land?

I heard a noise in the trees. I thought a monster bear was after me! I started running again. Then a big brown wolf jumped in front of me!

"Ah!" I screamed. I turned to run the other way.

"Oh no, I'm in trouble," I panted. I knew the wolves chasing me were Rogues. They were mean and evil. They killed for fun and did bad things. They smelled awful too.

Two more wolves blocked my path. I had to stop and run a different way. Three wolves were chasing me now! They liked hunting me. It made them excited. Standing still was bad. But running made them want me more.

The first wolf bit my leg and clawed my shoulder. I screamed as its sharp nails cut my skin. It hurt a lot! But I kept running. I was crying and bleeding. I would heal fast because I was an Alpha. But it still hurt so much.

I ran through the trees. I saw a shadow moving. But shadows don't move! I must be seeing things. I heard water ahead. I hoped it was my pack's land. Rogues can't cross the river. I just had to outrun the wolves! And the weird shadow.

My body was tired but I ran faster. The water got louder. Just before I could jump in the river, the brown wolf hit my leg! I fell in the water. My leg was bleeding bad. I couldn't stand up.

I got scared and mad. The water started moving around me. It had power! I had a secret. I could do magic no other wolf could. I never used it before. But I didn't want to die!

I used all my power on the water. It listened to me. The river rose up like a wall. It protected me from the wolf. My blood mixed with the water. But I felt strong. I closed my eyes and hoped no one saw. The water rose higher. It was going to drown the wolf!

Right before the wolf attacked, a huge black wolf tackled it! The black wolf was very big. It looked like a shadow as it fought. The brown wolf couldn't get free.

They fought until I couldn't see them anymore. I heard the brown wolf cry before it died. I was happy it couldn't hurt anyone now. Even if I didn't like killing.

I tried to hop further into the river on one leg. It was wide. I had to get across. The water was up to my shoulders. My leg really hurt. I stopped to make my wounds better. I couldn't heal all the way. But I could make the pain less. Then I could use magic to move the water and cross.

I focused hard. I felt my hands get warm. The pain got a little better. It was enough. I lifted my hands to push the water apart.

But suddenly I heard growling behind me. I spun around and gasped. The black shadow wolf was back! And it was looking right at me with glowing red eyes.

I held my breath, my heart hammering. What did it want? Was it going to attack me too? I was too hurt to fight.

The wolf stepped closer, its fur blending into the shadows. I trembled as it sniffed me. Then, to my shock, it rubbed its head against my hand. Like it wanted me to pet it!

"Good wolf?" I whispered, slowly stroking its soft fur. It made a rumbling noise. Was it purring?

'Elara, be careful,' Davina warned. 'This is no normal wolf.'

Before I could reply, shouts rang out from the other side of the river. The shadow wolf's head snapped up. With one last look at me, it vanished into the darkness.

"Wait!" I called. But it was gone.

Lights bobbed through the trees. I heard people yelling my name. My pack! They were looking for me.

"Over here!" I tried to shout. But I was so tired. The river swept me off my feet. I tumbled under the water. Everything went black.

When I opened my eyes, I was lying on the riverbank, soaking wet and shivering. Tyler was leaning over me, his face tight with worry.

"Elara! Thank the Moon, you're alive!" He wrapped me in his arms. For a second, I melted into him, so relieved to be safe.

Then I remembered the girl he was with at the club. I pushed him away, anger flaring. "Don't touch me!"

"What? Elara, what's wrong?" He looked confused.

"I saw you with her, Tyler! How could you?" Tears spilled down my cheeks.

"Saw me with who? What are you talking about?"

I glared at him. "Don't play dumb! The girl you had pinned to the wall. Giggling and letting her touch you. I'm not an idiot!"

Tyler paled. "Elara, I swear it's not what you think. Just let me explain--"

"I don't want to hear it!" I cut him off. "We're done. I never want to see you again!"

Ignoring his protests, I turned and stormed off, trying not to limp. Thankfully some other pack members rushed over to help me, shooting Tyler dirty looks.

My mind was reeling as they helped me through the woods. What a crazy night. Tyler cheating. That magnetic pull to the Alpha man, Luke . Kissing him in a moment of desperation. Almost dying at the hands of Rogues. My strange water magic. The shadow wolf who saved me... What did it all mean?

I needed to talk to the one person I could trust. My big brother Elijah. He was next in line to be Alpha. Surely he could help me sort this out.

Little did I know, my problems were just beginning. That shadow wolf would be back. Along with Luke . And my safe, predictable life as a princess was about to be turned upside down...

CHAPTER THREE

Elara's POV

I was lost in my magic when suddenly strong arms wrapped around me.

"Ah!" I gasped, my heart racing at his touch. It was Luke ! He lifted me up like a bride.

"What's wrong with you, little wolf?" he scolded, carrying me across the river.

"Where did you come from? Wait - are you the black wolf?" I stared at him in awe.

He laughed. "Black wolf? Those aren't real."

I hit his arm. "I know what I saw! Don't make fun of me."

"Sorry, you're just cute. I saw you run into the woods so I followed. Heard you scream and thought Rogues got you. Almost left, but couldn't abandon you. Surprised to find you alive, drowning yourself though."

I glared at him. "You're mean. I thought you were my hero. Guess not."

I tried to get out of his arms as the water got shallow. But he grabbed my hurt leg to look.

"This seemed worse before," he said, sounding worried. His fingers made my skin tingle.

"It's just a scratch. I heal fast, werewolf perks." I jumped down fast. He couldn't know about my magic!

"Catch me if you can!" I stuck my tongue out and splashed him. Then I ran to shore.

"Oh, it's on!" He chased me, both of us laughing. For a minute, everything else faded away.

He caught me and threw me back in the water. I came up sputtering. "Worst knight ever, Alpha Luke !"

His eyes went dark hearing his name. So mysterious. "You want to be rescued, little wolf?" He stalked closer, making my heart pound.

I felt a pull to him I couldn't ignore. Davina howled in my mind. 'Let's make him ours!'

When he was close, I reached out to touch his chest. Davina put naughty ideas in my head.

He hissed at my fingers on him. Grabbed my chin to make me look up. Leaned in like he would kiss me. But moved to my ear instead.

"Careful starting things you can't finish," he whispered. "I won't be a gentleman." He bit my neck and I gasped. Pain, then pleasure.

He wanted me, I could tell. But something held him back. He kept kissing my skin, waiting to see if I'd stop him.

I couldn't resist. Pressed myself against him. The contrast of cool water and his heat made me dizzy.

Davina urged me to let go. I listened and kissed Luke hard. He lifted me up, kissing back just as hungry. Like we were meant to be together.

We broke apart to breathe. He said my friend's name, voice rough with want. "Serenity. You make me crazy."

I should correct him but I didn't care. "Then let's be crazy together," I panted.

He growled, the sound making me shiver. "You're playing with fire, little wolf."

"I want to get burned," I dared.

He picked me up, my legs around his waist, and carried me out of the river. Nothing existed but him and the sparks between us. I forgot everything else - Tyler, my magic, the danger. Only Luke mattered now.

But suddenly he froze. Set me down gently. I blinked in confusion. "Luke ? What's wrong?"

He stepped back, conflicting emotions flickering over his face. Desire battled with guilt and something else. Loyalty maybe?

"We can't do this," he said roughly. "I can't."

"What? Why?" Hurt replaced my lust. Was he rejecting me?

He looked away. "There are things you don't know. About me. This...us...it's not right."

Anger flared. How dare he get me worked up then shut me down! "Not right? Seemed plenty right a minute ago!"

"Elara, please. You have to understand..."

"I don't have to understand anything!" I shouted, tears pricking my eyes. "I thought you wanted me!"

"I do! Moon above, I want you so badly it hurts. But we can't..."

"Save it," I cut him off. "I don't know what game you're playing but I'm done. Goodbye Luke ."

I turned to storm off but he caught my arm. "Wait, let me explain!"

I yanked free. "There's nothing to explain. Have a nice life, Alpha."

I ran into the woods, tears blinding me. Davina whined, feeling as heartbroken and confused as I was. One minute Luke was worshipping me, the next casting me aside? What changed?

I sensed him start to follow but a chorus of howls pierced the night. My pack! They must be tracking me. Luke swore and I heard him turn back to the river. Leaving me. Again.

Sobs caught in my throat. How could I face my pack like this? They'd smell Luke all over me, know what we almost did. The shame burned. I was still their princess, supposed to be pure. What would they think of me?

'Find Elijah,' Davina said. 'He'll help.'

She was right. My brother would understand. He always protected me. I headed deeper into our territory, praying I'd reach him before anyone else found me. I had too many secrets tonight - my magic, Luke , everything that happened. I couldn't bear more judgment.

As if my life wasn't already a disaster, now I had an impossible attraction to an Alpha who blew hot and cold. The emotional whiplash left me reeling. And a small, treacherous part of me still yearned for his touch, even as the rest drowned in rejection.

Davina, however, fixated on something else. 'What did he mean, things we don't know? What's he hiding?'

I didn't have an answer, as the questions swirled through my exhausted mind. Luke said he couldn't be with me. But why? What secrets could be so terrible he'd deny something so powerful? And if he didn't want me, why chase me at all? None of it made sense.

All I knew was that in one night, my world had been turned completely upside down. I'd survived a Rogue attack, used magic I barely understood, had my heart broken by Tyler's betrayal, and nearly ruined myself with Luke before he pushed me away. And now I had to somehow piece myself together before facing my brother and pack.

I felt like I was drowning, suffocating under the weight of it all. But I couldn't fall apart now. I had to be strong, lock it down, keep going until I was safe. One paw in front of the other. Conceal, don't feel. The mantra repeated in my head.

But I wasn't naive enough to think this was the end. Something told me Luke and I were far from over, no matter how much he tried to deny it. Fate had tangled our paths and I knew, deep in my bones, we'd collide again.

The only question was...would I survive the impact next time? Or would the secrets and shadows swirling around us finally drag me under, into an abyss I couldn't escape?

Little did I know then how much worse it would get. Because Luke and I? We were a twisted story that was only beginning. One that would redefine everything I thought I knew about love, loyalty, and the dark side of magic.

And it all started...before we knew.