Chapter 0003

~Grace~

“What-” I started to say before I took a step back. A massive figure loomed over me, blocking out the moonlight, emitting a powerful aura.

He stood proud and tall, his body a mountain of what had to be battle-hardened muscle beneath his jeans and t-shirt that threatened to split at the seams. His hair as dark as a moonless, starless sky fell over his high cheekbones. He was as handsome as he was intimidating.

A growl formed on his full lips, and golden eyes pierced right through me. The eye contact was enough to send shivers racing up and down my spine, threatening to make me collapse to my knees. A vein popped in his corded neck.

“Bold of you to steal my nephew. I hope your greed was worth your life, because you are not leaving here alive,” he growled, voice deep. A shiver ran through me, and I felt blood drain from my face, even though I knew I was innocent.

I steeled myself and swiped at my eyes to clear the tears away, brushing some dirt off of my dress. “You should be thanking me, I just saved that kid’s life from a rogue. You should take better care of your child.” The man raised an eyebrow, clearly stunned. However, I couldn’t tell if it was because of my brazenness or my stupidity.

“What were you doing in the forest this late at night?” He asked in deep voice, folding his arms. Clearly he didn’t believe me.

I was so sick of being disrespected by men.

“You are a grown man and you can’t even protect your own nephew, and now you’re falsely accusing me of stealing him to make yourself feel better! Pathetic.” l hit back.

I turned my back to him, and as I walked away, I felt his glare burning into my back.

Ever since l got home, l had closed myself in the bedroom for days. l had to think of what to do next.

After a long and relaxing bath, l went to my desk and pulled out my journal.

A couple days had passed since I encountered the dark, handsome man at the border. I thought about him and the unconscious child he claimed to be his nephew…, and how peculiar it was that he blamed me for stealing him. What would anyone gain from that?

I lay on my bed, resting my head against the backboard, journal in my lap as I stared at the ceiling, lost in thought. The tip of my pen rested against the page, making careless scribbles as my hand drifted across the page unconsciously.

My door slammed open, and Liam’s furious face emerged. A large, dark line tore across the page as I jumped, startled by the sudden entrance. I quickly composed myself.

“Grace, in the three years we’ve been together, never once have I wronged you.” He stood in front of me, arms crossed and stiff. “And what have you done for me? You openly defy me in front of the pack!”

I stare at him, brows lowered. Sophia had already moved in against my will, so what did it matter that I defied him? He got what he wanted. I’m the one who’s dignity was hurt.

Liam paced back and forth in front of the bed. His eyes were dark, and as angry as I was, my heart hurt. I no longer knew this man.

“Now you can't get pregnant and even give me an heir,” he hissed, and I slammed the journal shut.

“Don’t bring that into this,” I snapped, hands quivering. That insult stung worse more than anything else he could have said. How could he say something so cruel to me？

A long silence passed between us. I stared at the crumpled sheets on the bed, tears blurring my vision, but I blinked them back. I would not cry in front of him.

I heard a soft thud, and I looked at the stack of papers he tossed onto the bed. Divorce papers.

“If you want to continue embarrassing me, just sign those and leave the pack. You wouldn’t want to become a rogue, would you?” Liam said, coldly.

I stared at the agreement. After my parents passed away 2 years ago, my Windsong pack merged with the Nightshade pack. If l signed the papers, l would have nowhere to go. I knew he was threatening me, but it didn’t get under my skin one bit. If he losed his Luna with Alpha blood, his position will be affected. I had hated living with Sophia here, I hated the man Liam had become. He had hurt and ridiculed me enough times.

If he thinks I’ll come crawling back to him crying, he’s a bigger fool than I thought.

I swiftly reached for the papers, pen in hand.

“You-” Liam started, and ripped the papers out of my hand. He looked appalled. Clearly, he hadn’t expected me to actually agree to a divorce and just wanted to hold it over my head to manipulate me.

“You’re just a selfish snob. You’re lucky I married you in the first place, nobody else would have,” Liam growled, and stormed out of the room, leaving the door open behind him.

I heard Sophia’s muffled cooing as he entered another room. I couldn’t stand to live another day like this.

I lay back on the bed, thinking. I had to get out of here and get back at Liam. My pride demanded it.

The issue was that Liam had just secured his position of Alpha King and now ruled over the largest werewolf pack. Nobody would want to help the woman he’d abandoned. I hissed under my breath, annoyed.

There had to be someone out there who would help me…

I turned my mind from friends and connections I knew, to Liam’s enemies.

I've got it！

one person came to mind above the rest. Someone with actual power and influence, and might actually act on my information.

The Lycan King.

Ever since I could remember, he had been Liam’s main antagonist, always opposing him in councils. I always heard Liam swearing a lot about the Lycan king. He had the power and influence to expose Liam’s infidelity and debt scandals, I just had to convince him to do it.

I began to get nervous thinking about it. While this seemed like the best option, it was far-fetched and risky. Although he held a high status on the council, he famously never attended any public events…. " How was I supposed to get to him?

He was ruthless and cold-hearted, and he was notoriously difficult to make deals with, but he was my best option. I had to find him.

I slid into my slippers and pulled on a cardigan, and stepped into the hallway. Liam had to have information on him, if only I could sneak into his office.

I heard the muffled voices of Sophia and Liam behind a closed door, and I took the opportunity to quickly sneak past. His office was just a couple more doors down.

I turned the office door handle, swiftly slipped inside, and looked around. It was a mess, but I knew there had to be something in here somewhere.

Hurriedly, I start scanning papers and documents, listening intently for the sound of a door opening. Careful to set papers back where I found them, but l couldn't find anything about the lycan king. l almost lost my hope when a folded map seized my attention–there! The Black Lycan clan location.

I slipped it into my pocket and exited out of the office, my heart beating fast. It was time to give the Lycan King a visit.