Chapter 02

SCARLETT

I stood before the hall filled with different powerful Alphas of our alliance. They all were waiting for their chance to meet the Alpha King or Rush. I was as insignificant for all of them as the decoration done for this ceremony.

I breathed in. Like the past three years, breathing in front of so many people hurt. These people didn’t care too much about my parents.

My Dad who gave his life to protect the prince and my Mom who followed after him—Both were forgotten right after their funeral the next day by these people.

It was after their death that I found out the people I thought loved me, and cared for me were just suckers wanting to suck up to my Dad so they could influence the Alpha King.

The only real people in my life were Rush, Alpha King, and my childhood friend Valerie.

I looked down at the screen of my cellphone. I had been waiting for Valerie to show up. I had left so many messages and voice notes, informing her about my ceremony but she didn’t respond. This had me worried. I wanted my friend to be here.

“ Sky. ” I heard a soft whisper of my nickname from beside me.

The hair on my neck stood on its ends. I turned to my left. The tears I held back until now pooled in my eyes.

“ Val. ” I stepped forth and hugged the blonde-haired and blue-eyed girl.

Valerie was the one who had helped me get through the rough times besides Rush. She was Alpha Vincent’s daughter and a girl I knew since my childhood. Our bond strengthened when she came to visit me and got me out of the room I had locked myself inside after that horrible day three years ago.

She helped me come back to life, and assured me that I was alive for a reason—and I figured this reason was to kill the Rogue Lycan Alpha and take revenge for my innocent Dad and Mom or to spend my life with Rush.

She stayed with me for three months but then, she had to return to her pack where her Dad was ready to make her an Alpha—the first Alpha woman. 

She now led her own pack of strong wolves—the Night Shield Pack and remained a strong ally to the Alpha King. At the small age of twenty-two, she was even stronger than the Queen.  

“ What took you so long? ” I sighed, closing my eyes.

She hugged me back, a soft sigh escaping her lips. “ The Alpha King suddenly sent me on the hunt for a group of rogues. He is eager to get rid of them all. I am sorry for getting here late. ”

I was glad to know this. After my parent’s death, Alpha King never sat still. He was always after the rogues and Rogue Lycan’s pack members. He was hunting and getting rid of them.

Inhaling a shallow breath, I pulled back. “ it’s fine. ”

“ You look great! ” She paused, her eyes dropping to my dress before a smile pulled at her lips.

“ You look great too! ” I chimed, eyeing her blue strapless dress that matched her eye color.

“ Where is Prince Rush? Did he leave you alone on a day like this? ” She grinned.

My cheeks burned red. “ he-he must be getting ready. ”

She smiled, placing her hands on my shoulders. “ I am happy for you. You will finally get what’s destined for you, Sky. ”

“ The ceremony can begin now. The moon is out. ” The new Royal Beta, Maximus announced.

My heart protested against my ribcages. A lump rose to my throat, clogging my airways. Val shot me a meaningful glance.

“ Tha-Thanks, Val. ” I whispered and turned around to walk toward the center of the hall.

I felt the familiar presence behind me, the scent too strong for me to ignore. He placed his hand over the small of my back. This eased some of my anxiety. Rush was here.

He leaned in, his breath fanning the side of my face.

“ You look perfect. Just what I imagined you to look like in this dress. ” Rush’s voice was as low as a whisper, but I bet everyone could hear him.

Turning around, I took in his face. He looked ethereal. His hair was pushed back with gel, revealing his broad forehead and the warm honey globes. I smiled unconsciously before looking down at the black tux he was wearing. Butterflies erupted in my stomach at the sight of his stretched muscles under the tight shirt.

Turning back around, I slumped into his arms. “ You-You look better than me. ”

He chuckled softly, his chest vibrating against my back.

I placed my hands against my thighs, anxiously smoothing the creases on the dress. I was too nervous to look at anyone because I knew what they were going to witness just now but I wanted to focus on Rush instead.

“ Crown Prince Rush Rivera will lay his claim on Scarlett Visarius and mate with her. We all are here to witness this union today. ” I heard the Alpha King’s deep voice.

Chills ran down my spine. Throwing my head back, I looked at the Alpha King. He was standing on the stage they had prepared in all his glory. He was also wearing a black tux.

His eyes met mine. My heart did a somersault. We were about to become a real family. This warmed my insides.

“ Bestow your blessings upon the new Crown Princess and the Crown Prince, ” he said, in the same authoritative tone.

I smiled gently, and he returned the gesture with a subtle nod before getting down from the stage.

“ Come on, little one. ” Rush nudged at my back as the Alpha King got down from the stage in the corner of the huge hall.

The bed on the stage was in my view, the place where I was supposed to lose my virginity, in front of so many people.

My legs almost gave up on me. I stumbled, and Rush caught me before my knees hit the ground.

“ Hey. ” He whispered.

“ I am fine. ” I didn’t want to show my real anxious self in front of so many people.

“ You are doing great. ” He patted my back.

Bending down, Rush picked me up. I squeezed my eyes shut, refusing to look at anyone.

He walked and carried me to the bed. My eyes opened only when I was lying on the mattress. He was above, his knees supporting him.

When I saw Rush’s face up close, my heart threatened to stop beating. He looked so mesmerizing.

His hands landed on my thighs, riding the dress up. My heart soared to my throat and my hands landed over his.

I turned my head and glanced at all the people. I found them all looking at me. I found Val looking at me.

All of a sudden, a thin curtain opened and fell over the space, hiding our bodies from the crowd.

“ This was what I could do. They can do with only listening. ” He grinned.

I heard people laughing from the other side of the thin curtains. Embarrassment crawled up my spine but this was better than being on display at least. I didn’t want the Alphas to have their own little porno show.

His eyes never left mine. I stared at him, feeling tears filling my eyes.

Rush leaned in, his nose brushing mine. My lips parted, a weak breath leaving my lips.

My body was trembling, my chest tightening with what was coming. This was the first time he was going to kiss me. He had never crossed that line before.

His lips pressed against mine. I mewled, feeling the softness. It was everything I had imagined. Soft, delicate, and careful.

Using his hands, he slid my dress up and felt the skin of my thighs under his gentle fingers. My breath hitched in my throat, my mouth falling open to let his tongue explore.

All of a sudden, the ground shook beneath us. My eyes shot open. Rush pulled away, the same surprise reflecting in his honey globes.

What was happening?

He opened his mouth to say something. The ground split open with a loud noise and sucked the whole bed in.

I shrieked. The bed hit the ground, the wood breaking and piercing my back. Blood poured out of the wounds right away. I could sense it wetting my spine and the back of my thighs.

Rush was on his feet, away from me in an instant. I screamed in pain again, turning to my side to get the splinters out of my flesh.

My eyes fell on the figure standing at some distance, in complete darkness. His hands were folded in front of him, his dark eyes fixed on my figure.

My breath hitched in my throat. Who was he?

He stepped out of the darkness, the sinister face and the black pair of eyes coming into my view. This stole my soul, all my pain.

“ Hello, Darling! ” His lips curled into a very familiar smirk which was enough to send shivers of dread down my back.

He was here again.

I tried to get up, to push myself away but the rapid blood loss and the sudden injury had me pinned on my spot.

Then, I felt a sharp pain inside my head as if someone was clawing at my brain. I screamed, gripping my head from both sides.

“ Sky! ” I heard Rush yelling but the buzzing in my ears was too strong.

For a moment, it suddenly stopped and I heard a single voice inside my head that said, ‘ Mate. ’