Prologue

Three Years ago,

RUBY.

I never thought I'd see the day my father tore someone's head off, but there I was, watching in horror as he did just that to my mate.

My name is Ruby Donalds, the first daughter of the Lycan King. Life had always been good until I lost my mom to a plague, which had taken her life and some of our pack members. Ever since, my once-loving father withdrew to himself, consumed by politics and pack affairs, thus, slipping from my and my sister's lives.

I had always dreamed of having a mate like every other wolf. A mate who'd sweep me off my feet and tell me how much he had waited to have me in his arms, a mate who would be everything I had imagined. I always yearned to feel those sparks I was told happen between fated mates and hear hummingbirds sing for us. But it never happened for me; I guess I can't have it all in life.

So after my 18th birthday two weeks ago, I had found my mate but it wasn't like I had imagined. My mate was none other than Alpha Rhys Dalton, who happened to be my father's worst enemy. I was both happy and sad when I realized he was mine, knowing my father may not accept him.

But I was wrong. My father didn't say a word about the matter. I thought he had finally accepted him as family, or so I thought, when I invited my mate over to officially introduce him to my father.

Once the clock on my bedside table read 5:30 p.m., I rushed down the stairs to wait for him. Alpha Rhys had promised to be here by 6 p.m. on the dot, so I wanted to be outside waiting for him.

Stumbling past our servants who were busy with their tasks, I nodded my head to their greetings while muttering some words back. I was over excited because finally the bond between both sides would snap into place.

I ran past the guards at the front door, my dark curls tumbling down in wild waves behind me. I stopped running when I saw he had not arrived yet. Darting my eyes around, while breathing in the humid air, my eyes found my sister's slender form. She was sitting on our favorite spot, a love seat we’d both coveted ever since we were young. Pearl was three years younger than me, but our age gap had never mattered in our relationship because I had always seen her as nothing but a friend—my best friend.

As though she could feel me staring, she cocked her head in my direction and waved me over with a smile playing across her lips.

“Quick, come sit with me.”

I returned her smile with a quick nod, then made my way towards her, taking a seat and holding her gaze. “I can't believe it's happening,” I muttered, my voice low and filled with emotion.

Pearl cooed softly, “Awwwn, I'm so happy for you.” She reached out a hand and touched my left cheek, shifting on her seat with a serious expression on her face. “So, will you leave with him once Dad accepts him officially?”

I shrugged, “I'd love to, but I won't when I still haven't said goodbye properly to my best friend.”

Pearl and I talked more on the subject of mates before I heard the honk of a car. Glancing up, my eyes widened as excitement bubbled through me. Pearl nudged me with a smirk, and I giggled before standing to my feet while waiting for him to drive in as the security went to open the gate.

Two minutes passed by, and he was standing before me, dressed in a sharp, charcoal-gray suit, impeccably tailored to match his broad shoulders and trim physique. I gushed silently at his handsome face. He had a high chiseled jawline, piercing green eyes that dazzled as he smiled. His dark brown spiky hair had a sharp contrast to his striking features.

Alpha Rhys–my mate, opened his arms wide for me, and I went flying into them with a squeak tumbling from my mouth.

“I'm glad you came!”

He gave me a pat on the back, chuckling. “Of course, I came!”

His sandalwood scent with grape undertones filled my nostrils, and I took a deep breath, wanting more. “If you didn't, I would have sent my guards after you.” I joked, pulling away and giving him a smile.

I quickly made the introduction between him and Pearl, and I was surprised at how easily they both bonded with each other.

“He will make a great brother-in-law.” Falcon, my lycan, purred.

I agreed with her on this. “Yeah, I'm hoping Dad will bond with him as well… maybe in the future.” I really hoped it was true.

I glanced up at him, my eyes flickering with nerves. “Are you ready for this?”

He raised his eyebrows, amusement dancing in his beautiful green orbs. “I have been ready ever since Serene gave you to me as a mate.” His response brought a cocky grin to my lips, but I couldn't help but find the truth in his words. Before each wolf was born, the moon goddess had already prepared a mate for them, someone who'd remain with them till eternity unless death claimed their lives.

“Good,” I nodded.

I leaned towards him, savoring every moment I spent with him and craving more. This was my first experience of intimacy with the opposite gender, not counting the hugs I shared with my father. As the daughter of a king, many expectations were placed upon me, including avoiding men and waiting for my destined mate.

Just then, an overbearing aura swirled around me, and I knew exactly who it was before they even came into view.

I felt myself being yanked, causing my back to fall against a hard chest. A small yelp escaped my lips as I looked up at my father's cold gaze. He was glaring at my mate, his teeth clenched.

“Stay away from my daughter if you want your head intact!” Dad growled, his obsidian eyes twitching dangerously.

Panic seized me at his words. My eyes instantly fell on my mate, who looked as calm as ever. There was something unnerving in his gaze as he watched my Dad, but it easily disappeared before I could wrap my hands around what it was.

“I want to discuss with you about my intention concerning your daughter.” Alpha Rhys was as calm as ever, if he was angry over my Dad's earlier outburst, he didn't show it.

Dad's hand tightened on my body, before lounging forth and sending a blow to Rhys's chest. “You can never have anything to do with my daughter, bastard!” He snarled.

My heart constricted as pain washed over me. I pushed my Dad off me, stumbling on my feet as different emotions twirled within me. What did Dad just say? Was this… is this his way of disagreeing on my relationship with my mate? Tears stung my eyes and I let them fall shamelessly down my cheeks.

I had already forgotten my sister was present when I felt her affectionately squeeze my shoulders. “Shhhh, don't cry. You don't look good when you do, so please stay calm and let the goddess do her job,” she whispered soothingly. Looking up at her, I saw her smiling down at me. Despite being younger than me, it was a well-known fact how tall she had grown.

I returned her smile even though we both knew it was fake. I sighed, turning my attention back to my mate and Dad. They were both holding each other's gaze, both refusing to cower but eventually Rhys did. Dad's aura was too suppressing even for him. But his alpha's command didn't work on either Pearl or myself because we shared a blood.

“King Alfred, your daughter is my fated mate so why wouldn't I be with her?” His voice was low and daring.

I winced, shaking my head as my dad turned towards me. A low, defiant growl escaped his lips, his hands clenched into tight fists. “You have to reject him, Ruby. Now.”

My eyes widened and my lips parted in shock, “What do you mean Dad? I can't reject my fated mate for you!” I thought he was okay with my mate because he never voiced his thoughts only for him to create a scene here.

“Don't listen to him,” Falcon grumbled.

I swallowed, “Yeah, I won't do that. He obviously doesn't have the power to.”

“Good. I know our mate wouldn't reject us as well. If anything, try to make Dad see reasons why he shouldn't force us to reject our mate.”

“I will try,” I mumbled.

“I won't reject him, Dad.” I said, shaking my head.

Dad pressed his lips in a thin line. “You'll do as I say,” his voice was commanding, but I had no intention of heeding him.

Three guards approached, and I watched in shock as two burly men grabbed me, while the third stood behind Pearl, silently gesturing for her to follow with his gaze. I attempted to wriggle out of their grasp, but it seemed nearly impossible. Despite being a trained fighter, taking on these men was out of the question. There was something about their demeanor that hinted at them being more than ordinary guards.

As soon as the guards dragged us into our sitting room, they left, leaving Pearl and me alone.

My sister's face was etched with worry as she watched me. “I'm sorry things didn't go the way you planned,” her voice was barely a whisper.

I shrugged and ran to the window—pressing into it—where I'd be able to watch the proceedings from outside. Rhys's face held a hint of anger and from Dad's stance, it was visible he was saying something to him. I immediately heightened my hearing ability, one of the perks of being a Lycan, and I almost froze when I heard my Dad's words.

“I'm going to give you two options for you to choose from, and one of them determines whether you'd be able to leave here alive.” My tummy churned, bile rising in my throat, but I suppressed it to avoid any distraction. Dad leaned towards my mate and muttered in his ear, words I couldn’t quite catch.

Fear flickered in my mate's eyes for a moment before it vanished. It felt as though he could sense my gaze, because he looked up and stared directly in the direction of my face. Of course, he couldn't see me; the windows were constructed to prevent it.

“I will reject her,” my mate said, his tone devoid of emotion. It was as if the feelings I had seen in his eyes earlier were false, and a pang of pain struck me uncontrollably.

“Is he really going to reject us?” Falcon groaned, her heavy panting echoing in my mind.

As though to answer her, my lungs caught in my throat as he said those dreadful words. “I, Alpha Rhys Dalton, reject you, Princess Ruby as my mate.”

There was no single pain from my side, but Rhys's face twitched in agony as he doubled over, clutching his chest. With a swift motion like something from a movie, my Dad pulled out a dagger, moving with a speed beyond that of a mere Lycan, and sliced through the air towards Rhys's head. A guttural scream escaped his lips, and my eyes widened in horror as my mate's head came crashing down.

A loud, piercing scream escaped my lips, my heart pounding as my hands instinctively moved to clutch my head. Suddenly, I felt myself falling to the ground, and though I sensed someone shouting something at me, the words failed to register.

The sight of his blood, the sound of the screams, and the smell of fear in the air will forever be etched in my memory. Those were the only thoughts in my mind before I lost consciousness.