4. SECOND CHANCE

~HEAVEN~

“Mate?” I repeated after my wolf and the Lycan king smiled at me.

“It's nice to officially meet you, Elena.” He said and I furrowed my brows.

Elena? Was that her name?

As a slave working at the East Wing of the palace, I never got the chance to get any information about the Royal family but I do know some officials and other ranking members.

“You're safe now, Elena. I'm sorry I wasn't there to protect you during the ambush but the war is over now, and I will definitely keep you safe.” The Lycan King's voice pulled me out of my thoughts and my gaze locked with those mesmerizing grey eyes of his.

I could feel the pull of the Mate Bond but I knew I had to avoid him at all cost. He could be the one who murdered me for all I know.

He was with the enemy, and I knew I shouldn't trust him. I shouldn't trust anyone here until I understood what was going on.

I suddenly grabbed his hand and pulled back his sleeves, taking him by surprise.

“What are you...” He trailed off as he watched me examine his hands.

“No tattoo.” I muttered before releasing his hands.

I clearly remembered seeing a fire tattoo on my killer's hand.

“Elena, are you alright?” His deep alluring voice snapped me out of my thoughts and I took a step back, clearing my throat.

“Thank you for your hospitality, but I must return to my home now.” I said and tried to walk away but he held me back, the feel of his hand on my skin sending sparks through my body and I immediately yanked my hand away.

“Home? This is your home.” He responded and I let out a scoff.

“No, my home is...” I trailed off. I had no idea what Pack the Lycan Queen was from but I knew I had to find a way to get out of here.

Maybe I could even go back to my own Pack. If this was some alternate universe, then maybe my parents were still alive!

“Are you feeling alright, Elena?” I felt my heart skip a beat at the mention of her name... or rather my name now. It has to be the mate bond messing with me but there was something about the way he called that name that made my heart flutter.

And now that I had a closer view of his face, there was something familiar about him but I couldn't wrap my head around it.

He was incredibly handsome, with piercing grey eyes that held a lot of secrets behind them, shoulder-length brown hair, a pointed nose, olive skin, and a chiseled jawline, all complemented by a strong, muscular build.

I was certain I had met him before, but then again, it felt like this wasn't the first time I was meeting him. But it doesn't matter, I won't be seeing him again after now. If this was me getting a second chance at life, then I won't waste it confined to this Palace again.

Maybe the Moon Goddess had given me another chance to fulfill my promise to my people, a life where I was no longer at the mercy of anyone, and so I wasn't going to let anything get in the way of my revenge. And if it meant rejecting my mate, then that was exactly what I would do.

’You can't do that! He's mine!' I flinched on hearing the angry growl of my wolf.

I had actually forgotten about her for a while there, and I could feel her rage. It still felt a bit strange, having that extra voice in my head and emotions that clearly weren't mine, but I finally felt complete.

“As much as I should be delighted that you're my mate, after all, you're the Lycan King. But I have no interest in being with you. So please, let me go.” I said boldly and he tilted his head a bit to the side.

“Are you trying to reject me?” He asked and I looked up at him, meeting his gaze.

‘No she's not!’ My wolf growled. I knew this would hurt her, but I had no other choice.

“I barely know who you are, other than the fact that you're the Lycan king. You may have saved me but that doesn't mean I should trust you just yet.” I responded and he chuckled softly.

“Is that all? Then I guess I should offer a proper introduction. I am Kian Blackwood, son of the Late Alpha Thomas Blackwood.” He said as he stretched his hand out to me but I took a step backwards instead.

“That is not what I meant.” I said and he walked closer, closing the gap between us.

“Then tell me, Elena, what did you mean?” He asked with furrowed brows, his height towering over me, and I kept retreating until my back met with the wall.

“I... I don't know the type of man you are.” I stuttered and a smirk formed at the corner of his pink plum lips.

He placed both hands on the wall, trapping me in, his gaze intent as though he was staring directly into my soul. I could feel my cheeks burning up and the loud thumping sound of my heart reverberated in my ears.

What is wrong with me?!

“Isn't that what our marriage is for?” His question seemed to have snapped me out of my trance and I widened my eyes in shock.

“M-Marriage? We're married?!” I gasped and he frowned slightly.

I truly hoped he was joking or that I had heard him wrongly because being married was the last thing I needed right now. That would automatically tie me down to the Palace and I might not be able to get my answers.

He suddenly placed a hand on my forehead and I held my breath as I watched him in silence, a tingling sensation forming at the area where his hand had touched.

“Are you sure you're feeling okay, Elena? You're acting a bit strange.”

‘That's because I am not Elena!’

I wanted to scream at the top of my lungs but I held it in. I had made the maids think I was crazy before. No one would believe me even if I yell a thousand times that I wasn't Elena.

If we were really married like he said, then that means I won't be able to leave except he rejects me, as that was the tradition of the Lunar Knights Pack.

“Please, just reject me and let me go.” I said and a small frown settled on his devilishly handsome face as his gaze darkened.

His hands that were resting on the wall now made their way to my shoulders as he held me firmly, staring deeply into my eyes.

“Reject you?” Came his hoarse response, his hand snaking up around my neck as he held me possessively.

“Never. You are mine, Elena.”