ARDAN’S POV
Training days with my Beta Thorne, usually excited me. My moves were laser sharp and I’d always won every practice round. But today, my movements were sloppy, sluggish and my focus was scattered.
And because of that, it gave way for Thorne to land a blow on my arm, a feat that wouldn't have been possible on any other day.
Thorne froze, his eyes widening in surprise. "My King, I—"
I held up a hand, silencing him before he could launch into apologies. I was ashamed. "Leave me," I said.
Thorne hesitated for a moment, his brow furrowed in concern. "Are you certain, Your Majesty? Perhaps you should—"
"Alone," I repeated, my voice firmer this time.
With a silent bow, Thorne turned to leave, leaving me alone on the training grounds.
I headed for the bathroom. When I got there, I stripped off my sweat-drenched training clothes. My reflection in the mirror showed a man sculpted for power - broad shoulders, a chiseled jaw, dark hair. Yet, beneath the facade of strength, anxiety had me on edge.
The prophecy echoed in my mind. "Find your mate before your 30th moonrise. For if you remain unmated, your power will wane, and with it, your life."
The words were a constant reminder of the deadline, the curse that threatened not just my power, but potentially, my very existence.
Time was running out. I was 29, only a year left until the prophecy took effect.
Annually, I inspected the major packs to increase my chances of finding a mate. Every interaction, every inspection, were driven by the desperate search for the missing piece, my mate.
Now, with time against me, finding my mate was highly imperative.
A soft knock on the bathroom door startled me from my thoughts. "Enter," I called out.
The door creaked open, and a young Omega woman named Charlize entered. Her eyes widened at the sight of my bare chest, I could see desire within them before she quickly lowered her gaze.
She held out a ceremonial robe, her voice barely a whisper. "Your Majesty, I was instructed to help you prepare for the evening."
I gave her a curt nod.
“What would you like to wear tonight, Your Majesty?" she asked, her voice barely a whisper.
I glanced at the various garments laid out. I wasn’t interested. None of it mattered. Tonight was about finding a solution, not making a fashion statement. "It doesn't matter," I replied curtly.
“Leave it on the bed," I instructed, my voice far from warmth.
I could tell she was disappointed, but she quickly by it with forced smile. "Of course, Your Majesty. Is there anything else I can assist you with?"
I recognized the subtle attempt at seduction. I felt disdain towards her. Omegas – weak, powerless, forever on the fringes of pack hierarchy. They were about as useful as a decorative flower in a battle.
Besides, fulfilling my sexual desires was meaningless right now. It wouldn’t solve my problems. In fact, it might even weaken me further.
"That will be all," I said firmly. Without another word, she bowed and left me to be.
After I had changed into better clothes, I headed for the dinning room to join my parents. The aroma of roasted boar and fresh herbs greeted me as I entered the grand dining hall.
A long table stretched across the room, decorated with candles and assorted meals. My parents, King Edmund and Queen Daisy, sat at the head of the table, their faces etched with worry and anticipation.
"Ardan, there you are," my mother said, her voice laced with relief. "We were beginning to worry."
I pulled out a chair and sat down.
"Ardan," My mother said, her voice laced with worry. "You look troubled. Training take its toll today?"
I forced a smile. "Just a long day, Mother. Nothing to worry about."
Shortly, my father asked. “Is everything alright for tomorrow's inspection?"
I forced a smile again. "Everything is in order, Father. I am prepared to meet Derek and his pack."
"Excellent," my father boomed. "Derek seems like a promising prospect. We've heard good things about his pack, and the ladies there are said to be quite the beauty."
"Derek's leadership is commendable," I agreed, choosing my words carefully, "but what if I’m not compatible with her. What if I don’t like what I see."
My mother's brow furrowed. "Compatibility and true love is important, of course." she said, "But so is your life. "
My mother was right, I was running out of time to be thinking about the perfect mate. It wasn't just any mate I needed; it had to be the one destined by the Moon Goddess. And I can’t reject her.
"Perhaps," I continued, "we shouldn't limit our options solely to Derek's pack. There are other unclaimed females who might also be worthy."
My father let out a frustrated sigh. "Ardan, you've been inspecting packs for a year now. Every promising lead has come to nothing. The prophecy hangs heavy over us all. We can't afford to be picky."
His words cut deep. One year. That's all I had left before the curse took hold, before my power waned.
"I understand, Father," I replied, my voice a low rumble.
The burden of the prophecy was mine to bear alone. Discussing the details, the possibility of failure, felt like inviting defeat.
First thing in the next morning, I took a drive to Alpha Derek’s pack. As I arrived, the welcoming party of Derek's pack gathered before my car.
Derek himself stood at the forefront, a broad grin plastered on his face. His eyes, however, held something akin to nervousness, a stark contrast to the usual arrogance I'd come to expect.
I stepped out of my car, "King Ardan," Derek boomed, extending a hand in greeting. "We are honored by your presence. Please, come in, make yourself comfortable."
I clasped his hand. "Alpha Derek," I responded, my voice polite but firm. "Thank you for your hospitality. I trust your preparations are complete for the inspection."
"Everything is in order, Your Majesty," Derek assured me, his smile disappearing for a second. "May I introduce you to some of our pack members?"
He gestured towards a group of wolves standing behind him, their faces were mixed with curiosity and trepidation. I nodded, engaging in polite conversation, all the while searching for a specific face.
But, when I noticed the girl, the one who held the title of Derek's mate, was absent, I asked.
"Derek, I notice your mate isn't present. Is she indisposed?"
Derek's smile vanished completely, replaced by a grimace. He hesitated for a moment, his eyes darting around as if seeking an escape route.
"I don’t know where she is," he said.
My suspicions flared. Derek wasn't a good liar. The nervous glances exchanged among the pack members only fueled my unease.
A mate was a vital part of an Alpha's power structure. Her absence, especially if unexplained, spoke volumes.
"Derek," I continued, my voice low and firm, "the absence of your mate during an official inspection is… unusual, to say the least. Would you care to elaborate?"
Derek opened his mouth to speak, but no sound came out. He seemed trapped.
"Perhaps," I said, leaning closer, "I can be of assistance. Is there something troubling you regarding your mate’s absence? If there's been an incident, a threat, I want to assure you that the resources of the Lycan King are at your disposal."
Hope shone in Derek's eyes. He hesitated once more, then leaned in. "It's Serena. My mate. My beta told me she doesn’t want to be disturbed."
“Let’s find her then.” I said.
SERENA’S POVA throbbing ache in my neck yanked me awake. I blinked open my eyes, the unfamiliar room coming into focus. Where was was I? I looked around the room before looking down at my body.I began to panic as I realized I was lying naked in a bed – a bed that wasn't mine. What the fuck….Glancing beside me, I found a muscular werewolf still asleep. Taking a deeper look I realized it was Joshua, a young member from Derek's pack who I had seen a few times before.My blood ran cold. If anyone came in I would a walking corpse. But I don’t remember how I ended up here. Had Derek… No, that couldn't be right."Joshua?" I croaked, my voice was hoarse.He bolted upright as if stung and his eyes widened with terror. "Serena! What…what happened?"I narrowed my gaze, my brows were furrowed, “I don’t know you tell me!” I yelled.But before he could offer any further explanation, the door to the room slammed open. Leading the surge was Derek, his face was masked with fake fury.Close behind h
ARDAN’S POVDerek did not fail to hide the confusion on his face. Why would the Lycan King, the most powerful shifter alive, intervene on a mere omega’s behalf? I ignored the stunned faces around me, focusing solely on the face sitting upright on the bed.“Put your clothes on," I commanded.My gaze then shifted to the wolf next to Serena on the bed, Joshua, I recalled. "And you," I said with a low snarl, "get out. Now."Joshua didn't need telling twice. He scrambled off the bed, hastily and fearfully. Still, Serena remained covered in the sheet, using it as a flimsy shield to hide her nakedness.Cora couldn't resist a disdainful snort. "Well, aren't you just the picture of grace," she said to Serena. "The Lycan King himself asks you to put some fucking clothes on, and here you are, clutching a sheet to your bare chest like a lost pup."My head snapped towards Cora. "If you don't want to end up as a decoration on the wall like your beta," I warned, "learn to control your fucking tongue
SERENA’S POVThe door slammed shut behind him, leaving me alone in the silence. Tears welled up in my eyes, I felt utterly powerless, trapped in a cage.I couldn’t let Derek break me. I would survive. And when I turned twenty, when I unlocked the secrets of the box, I would find a way to my freedom. A way to avenge my parents and escape the clutches of this monstrous man.It was a long shot, a desperate hope, but it was all I had. Until then, I would play the part of the meek servant, bide my time, and wait for my chance.I straightened the simple dress one last time, forcing myself to take a deep breath. Tears had left their mark on my cheeks, but I quickly wiped them away.Stepping out of the room, I made my way towards the conference room. My heart pounded as I walked only because I wanted to meet King Ardan with utmost composure.As I entered, my gaze met Ardan. He stood by the window with his back to me. He turned upon hearing the door open, wearing an indifferent look on his fac
“Ardan?” I asked, shock showing on my face.” what are you-”“Do Not speak.” he cut me off, enunciating every word. I shut my mouth quickly and drew back, attempting to close my legs, but he would not let me.He grabbed me by the ankles and pulled me forward until my core was nearly parallel with his nose, and he sniffed.He took long, deep breaths of my core and looked like he was fighting not to leap at it.What was he doing? I could only lay there, shaking in fear and arousal, wondering what he would do next.He finally moved, dragging his tongue across my core in one long, wet path. I gasped, immediately baking up and closing my legs.“We are not doing this, and we are not doing this,” I mumbled, scrambling further backward, but Ardan refused to give me any space, closing the gap as soon as I made one.Eventually, he backed me up against the wall. There was nowhere left to run. He grabbed me by the throat, caressing my neck softly.“Don’t run from this, Serena.” He murmured into my
My wolf seemed to have a better understanding of fate than I did.After comforting myself that I should calm down and allow time to prove that there is more to what appears shallow on the surface, I laid myself to rest in a deep slumber.Every new day comes with its hurdles. I was, and I was prepared for whatever might come my way again.I stepped out to begin my day, but the person I saw was a represented day.Someone was already standing outside the door, a tall brunette with a harsh face.Emma.She was the one who raised Ardan from childhood. “Here comes the wench! Aren't you just shameless?” She announced.Her lousy voice broke my thoughts. She was fond of mocking me like I was her sworn enemy in her past life, and she was determined to humiliate me at every given opportunity.“Wash it clean and have it ironed, too.” She tossed a maid dress to me. I picked it up, and I dare not object to her. “Why are you still standing?” She asked rudely.“I. I thought you wanted me to wash this
Ardan's POV.Gama had come briefly to update me on the Pack's financial statements. I listened intently, at least that was what it looked like on the surface.However, my mind was somewhere else, far away from the present happening. I had drifted back to the explosive night I had with Serena yesterday.I couldn't shake off the feeling, I had never felt that way before. It was a wild experience, I couldn't have felt that way with anyone else.“That was too much, you know right? You wanted to devour our mate in one night” My wolf, Alf, mocked me. He was right though, I just lost control of myself, and the mate bond was irresistible.It was an incredibly perfect experience, I would be crazy to deny the truth.But I haven't changed my stand on the fact that Serena was an Omega and I would not settle for someone as weak as her, she was not better than a piece of furniture, what help could she contribute if there was a need for Luna to take a daring stand in the future?Alf disagreed with m
Serena's POVI had just retired to my cramped room wanting to rest after a long hour. But the door cracked open and the familiar figure scared me as fear overtook my heart.It was Ardan, his arrival made my body vibrate with panic. What has he come to do? It was hard to read his mind, one could predict what his intentions were, no matter how I tried.He was the Lycan King, he didn't care about other people's opinions, and you could never come up with possible ways to defeat him argumentatively even if you tried.For all I know, I was not important to him in any way, I was just a slave he acquired according to him, and he was a cold and cruel king, he could dispose of me whenever he wanted and no one would dare to stand somewhere to question his actions.It was what I had heard about him long before now, and it has even been proven to be true judging by his disdain towards me since my arrival. But it was truly difficult to understand his mind.During midday, he sent Cynthia away just b
Serena's POVWhile I maintained a firm opinion that Arden is cruel and cold, Sally believed otherwise.Maybe because she could connect with his wolf Alf, but I was the one with eyes, the heart, and the flesh that was being tortured, so I could tell for a fact that he was not different from Derek.But Sally insisted that he was different. I did not agree with her, she stood on her opinion too, and we both disagreed with each other's view.In the royal palace, there were maids to do almost everything for the members of the royal family.Everyone had their roles and duties for each day, but I was particularly assigned to the kitchen to carry out a little support by Beta.The next day, I woke up and began my day as I put on my maid dress.“That's the slut” “You don't mean it! How cheap!” “Do you see her walk of shame?” I could hear the intentional whispers that were thrown for me to hear. The other she-wolfs were mocking me.“She just got here and she already managed to seduce the king su
The camp had been unusually quiet that morning, but my thoughts were anything but still. Gilly was stronger now—more alert, more alive than she’d been since her rescue—but I couldn’t help noticing how Dominic avoided looking at her. His usual smirk was absent, and he kept his eyes away from from hers.Gilly seemed to notice, too. She stood a little apart from us, leaning against a tree with her arms crossed and her eyes fixed on Dominic as if she were trying to solve a puzzle.“Gilly,” I said softly, walking over to her. “How are you feeling?”“Better,” she said. “A lot better, actually.” She hesitated as her gaze flickered toward Dominic. “But something’s off with him. He keeps avoiding me.”I followed her eyes, watching Dominic as he checked his weapons with meticulous precision. “That’s just how he is,” I said, though I couldn’t deny the unease creeping into my chest.“Serena,” Gilly said quietly with her voice almost a whisper. “He feels… familiar. I don’t know how to explain it,
The next morning, Zone and Dominic’s bickering had started again before we even broke camp.“You’re leading us into another trap, aren’t you?” Zone growled with his arms crossed as he faced Dominic, who leaned lazily against a tree.Dominic smirked, completely unbothered. “You’ve got trust issues, big guy. Relax. If I wanted to betray you, I’d have done it already.”“You’d say that whether you planned to or not,” Zone shot back with a sharp tone.“Enough,” I snapped, stepping between them. My patience was wearing thin, and I couldn’t afford to let their constant tension derail us. “This isn’t helping. We’re all here for the same reason—to find Ardan. Keep that in mind, or we’re not going to make it.”“No, you, are here to find Ardan. I’m done. I am telling you, Dominic is leading us into some trap I cant trust him.” Zone cried.“I saved you, I saved Gilly and I saved Rachel. I didn’t ask you to come with me. This is my fight and my fight alone. Do you think I trust Dominic?” I asked s
The sun was up as we made our way to the canyon. Dominic led the way. Zone followed close behind with his hand resting on his sword. Rachel and Gilly were at my side. Gilly was leaning on Rachel for support as she regained her strength.The air felt heavier here, every sound was amplified and echoing off the rock.“Something’s not right,” Sally murmured in my mind.“I feel it too,” I replied with my senses sharpening as I scanned the cliffs above. The silence was unnerving.“We should move faster,” Zone said in a low but urgent tone.“Relax,” Dominic called over his shoulder, his tone infuriatingly casual. “This path is clear. I’ve used it dozens of times.”Zone’s growl was barely audible. “And how do we know you’re not leading us into a trap?”Dominic turned, walking backward with a grin. “Like I said, If I wanted you dead, you’d already be dead. Trust me, big guy.”I clenched my fists. “Keep moving. We’re too exposed here.”Dominic smirked but complied, turning forward again.Then a
The walk back to camp was filled with tension. Dominic’s easy smirk didn’t help; if anything, it made Zone’s temper simmer hotter. I could feel the heat of Zone’s eyes boring into Dominic’s back, but I kept my focus on the path ahead. We didn’t have time for petty arguments—not when Ardan was still out there.When we arrived, Rachel was sitting beside Gilly with her hands glowing faintly as she worked to stabilise our friend’s breathing. Gilly lay on a makeshift bed of leaves. Her face was pale but peaceful. Rachel glanced up as we approached. Her brows furrowed when she spotted Dominic.“Who’s this?” Rachel asked in a wary tone.Dominic gave her a lazy wave. “Dominic. Smuggler, information broker, occasional charmer. At your service.”Zone growled. “We don’t need your act. Just tell them why you’re here.”I stepped forward, cutting through the tension. “This is Dominic. He knows the rogue king’s network and might have information about Ardan’s whereabouts.”“Might,” Dominic echoed, l
Dominic’s smirk widened as he crossed his arms, leaning casually against one of the tent poles. He was tall, lean, and radiated this air of arrogance that set my teeth on edge. His sharp green eyes darted between Zone and me, sizing us up like the way predators size their prey.“Ardan,” I said firmly, cutting straight to the point. “You know where he is.”Dominic raised an eyebrow, feigning surprise. “Oh, do I now? And what makes you think I’d share that information with you?”Zone stiffened beside me with his hand twitching toward his blade, but I placed a calming hand on his arm. This was my fight.“Because we both know you don’t work for free,” I replied. “You don’t owe the rogue king loyalty, and I can pay you better than he ever could.”Dominic chuckled, pushing off the post and circling me slowly. “Interesting theory. But what makes you think your cause is worth my time? I mean, look at you—tired, desperate, and woefully out of your depth. You’re chasing a ghost, sweetheart.”I
The forest had become our home and our prison. Days turned into nights without relief. The rogue king’s forces were everywhere, and we were forced to move like ghosts, never lingering in one place for long.Gilly’s condition had improved, but she still wasn’t strong enough to travel far, and Rachel rarely left her side. That left Zone and me to scout ahead, searching for any sign of Ardan or the rogue king’s plans.The frustration was beginning to pile up, and my wolf, Sally, understood my restlessness. “We’re wasting time,” she growled in my mind as we crept through an underbrush. “He’s out there, and we’re stuck chasing the wrong thing.”“You think I don’t know that?” I shot back. “I just don’t know how to prove it.” I continued. He was alive—I was sure of it—but every moment we spent running felt like another moment he slipped further from my reach.Zone crouched beside me with his sharp eyes scanning the road ahead. “Trail’s fresh,” he murmured, pointing to a set of boot prints in
We had finally gotten out of the dungeon and I helped Zone and Gilly to the hidden passage I’d used to enter. Every sound echoed in my ears—the clink of Zone’s chains that we had now gotten rid of, Gilly’s shallow, pained breaths, and my dragged footsteps against the stone floor. I was angry and confused. What I’d seen… it wasn’t possible. It couldn’t be.“That wasn’t Ardan,” I reminded myself, swallowing down the lump in my throat. My wolf, Sally, had already made it clear: this Ardan was an imposter, the rogue king in disguise. But knowing didn’t lessen the pain of seeing my mate’s face twisted into something cruel and unrecognisable.“Serena,” Zone growled behind me in a low tone but he was very much angry. “Are you going to explain now, or do I have to figure this out on my own?”I paused, staring back at him. He was cradling Gilly in his arms. She looked so small and so broken. The sight of her nearly brought me to my knees.“That wasn’t Ardan like I said,” I said softly and with
The night was cold as we quietly and carefully passed through the palace corridors. Gilly, though still unconscious, rested securely in Zone’s arms. Rachel and I moved ahead, scanning for threats while Zone followed close behind.The memory of what I had seen in the dungeon was burned into my mind. I couldn’t shake the image of the imposter Ardan. Yes, my mind has been on it and will continue to be on it until I am able to find my mate. The rogue king had not only stolen my mate’s appearance but had turned the palace—our home—into a place of fear and lies.Meanwhile, the silence between I and Zone was heavy and it was broken only by the faint sound of our footsteps. I knew how Zone felt about his unanswered questions and his simmering anger he was trying to keep at bay. I understood his rage; I felt it too. But now wasn’t the time to lose control.We reached the palace’s outer gardens without any incident. The moon shone bright, making it harder to stay hidden. I motioned for the othe
If the guards’ rumours were true, Zone was in chains for “colliding with a witch,” and I could only imagine what they’d done to Gilly, who was already vulnerable. If there was even a chance they were in the dungeons, I had to find them.“We’ll get them out, Serena,” my wolf promised. Her confidence became mine.Soon, I sighted the thick door to the dungeon, guarded by a lone guard. I timed my movement. I waited for him to shift his attention momentarily and then I moved past him swiftly. His flickering torchlight casted only a slight glimpse of me.I hadn’t been in these dungeons in ages. I remembered how prisoners were brought here under Ardan’s orders, criminals as well who had chosen the wrong side. But this was different. Ardan had always been just. To think of Zone and Gilly down here, locked in these cells, made my blood boil.As I went down the stairs, a tortured howl echoed off the stone walls. The sound was unmistakable. It was Zone. I picked up my pace, sprinting down the na