Chapter 1

Blythe’s POV

“Have you seen the Alpha?” I inquired, my voice tinged with irritation as an omega servant came from Alpha Vito’s apartments. I had come to advise him that the guests were awaiting him—the welcome address had just began.

The omega bowed deeply before saying, “I have no idea, My Lady.”

I narrowed my eyes. “Then why were you in my husband’s chambers?”

She wasn’t carrying a laundry basket or cleaning goods, so what precisely had she been doing in there?

“I was sent to summon the Alpha to the gathering, so I thought he might be here,” she stated.

I watched her for a while, then dismissed her with a flick of my wrist. She scurried away.

Vito wasn’t in his chambers, the courtroom, or the gathering. Where might he be? A rendezvous with his daughter, Ceres, perhaps?

Today was Ceres’ eighteenth birthday, a milestone she had been anxiously anticipating. Likewise, her father and I. We anticipated her to find her fated mate—I was intrigued to meet my future son-in-law.

“I’ll check Ceres’ chambers first,” I mumbled to myself as I marched away from Vito’s threshold.

As I neared, my feet faltered. Ceres was bringing a young guy into her chamber, her face contorted in wrath.

Then—SLAM!

The door shut with force.

What’s going on?

“Goddess forbid! I denounce it!” she screamed from inside.

The sound of cracking glass followed.

My heart skipped. What in the world has gotten into her?

I was ready to shove open the door when another cry stopped me in place.

“Not in this lifetime! I can’t possibly be mated to you!”

I breathed sharply.

She found her partner.

Who is he?

“How can this be happening?” she shouted, her voice filled with loathing.

Another crash.

Was he really that awful?

“And you dared to open that gutter mouth of yours to call me ‘mate’?!” Ceres’ voice rose again, filled with scorn.

“You thwarted monkey!”

I closed my eyes, sighing.

Ceres had been pampered beyond reason—the product of both Vito’s pampering and my own regretful permissiveness. She rode high on luxury and frequently looked down on others. I had chastised her many times, but Vito always rationalized her actions.

And now… she was speaking to her own partner this way?

“I’m sorry, my Princess.” A masculine voice—gentle, muted.

His tone sparked something in me. Pity.

He was apologizing—for something beyond his control.

“Sorry for yourself! And close your trap!” she snapped, her tantrum escalating.

“What’s the big deal?” I mumbled beneath my breath.

“I prayed for an aristocrat,” she said, hatred in every word. “A Lycan. An Alpha King. And I get… you?!”

The youngster paused before answering. “I didn’t mean for this to happen…”

His voice stayed steady, even while she degraded him.

I put my eye to the doorhole.

Inside, he was kneeling before her.

My heart tightened.

This was the spouse the Moon Goddess had selected for her.

“Don’t say a word!” Ceres scoffed, pacing. “What do I do now?!”

She inhaled hard, then snapped her fingers. “It’s a good thing no one knows yet. I’ll reject you right here and now. And you—” she turned on him, her glare sharp as a blade “—you will say nothing. Do you understand?”

The youngster bowed. Submissive. Resigned. “As you wish, my Princess.”

I frowned. Why was he so obedient?

Ceres straightened her shoulders, her words dripping with determination.

“I, Princess Ceres Vito, reject you…”

Then she paused.

“What’s your name, omega?”

The youngster raised his head slightly. “Xavier Clarence.”

That was all I could take.

I pushed the door open.

“What is going on here, Ceres?”

Ceres spun around, shocked. “Mum!”

She hadn’t anticipated me.

“This omega claims to be my mate,” she remarked, chin high proudly, “and I can’t have anything to do with him. The Moon Goddess must have been intoxicated to pair me with a lowborn. We decided to reject each other.”

I crossed my arms. “Ceres, you can’t reject him just like that. A second-chance partner is rare.”

But she had already made up her mind.

“If Father hears I’m mated to this lowborn, he will execute him and hang his head for all to see.” A slow, malicious grin grew upon her lips. “I’m saving him from that fate.”

She wasn’t lying.

Vito would never allow an omega slave to wed his daughter. His ego wouldn’t tolerate it.

“You’re sure about this?” I asked gently.

Ceres met my gaze, steadfast. “I’ve made up my mind.”

She looked back to the kneeling lad. “You’re nothing but an ostler. You take care of the horses. That’s all you’ll ever be.”

I sighed, shaking my head. My selfish, haughty daughter.

Then my eyes shifted to Xavier.

Still kneeling. Still silence.

I stepped forward. “Are you okay with this?”

His head remained bent.

“Yes, My Lady. Whatever the princess wishes is my command.”

His comments contained no defiance. No resentment. Just obedience.

I breathed slowly. This youngster had been broken long before now.

“Alright then.”

Ceres squared her shoulders.

“I, Ceres Vito, reject you, Xavier Clarence, as my mate!”

I watched his fingers curl on the stone floor.

A sharp breath. A stifled moan.

The sting of rejection was there—but he covered it effectively.

Ceres, on the other hand, remained unharmed.

“I reject every soul tie and emotional bond with you,” she stated, her voice frigid. “An ostler slave should stay in the slave house. A princess belongs in a palace.”

She turned, already going for the door.

“This should never be discussed or reconsidered. And no one should find out, do you understand?”

Xavier bowed. “Understood, my Princess.”

“Good. Now clear this mess and go back to work.”

She stormed away without a backward look.

I watched her depart, appalled.

Then my attention wandered back to Xavier.

Still kneeling. Still silence.

“Rise,” I instructed quietly.

Slowly, he stood.

His head stayed low.

“Look at me,” I said.

Hesitant. Reluctant.

Then, finally—his eyes met mine.

I gasped.

A weird fire unfurled within me.

His eyes were gorgeous. Alluring.

And much too compelling for a youngster who had just been rejected.

Oh, Goddess… what is this feeling?