8. "The Rogue is my Brother-in-Law!"

Etizia’s POV

The first time I experienced love was after I ran away from home.

After leaving Esquar Pack, I had to blend into human society. To support myself, I resorted to selling fruits in the market.

One fateful day, a charming man approached me and confidently said, "You're an Omega, aren't you?"

With just one glance, I could tell he was a werewolf.

"I've been wondering where that delightful scent was coming from. And it's you," the werewolf said, flashing an enticing smile.

Although it was a brief encounter, that's how it all began.

I fell head over heels for the handsome werewolf, who introduced himself as Timothy, a rogue residing in the forest.

I thought I had finally found my happily ever after. However, Timothy eventually left me.

“I found my mate, Etizia. I am sorry. I can’t be with you anymore,” Timothy said, hanging his head in sorrow.

Crying, I held his hand and said, “You told me that you don’t care about the bond. That even if you found your mate, you’ll stay with me! What about that promise?”

Timothy released my hands and gazed deeply into my eyes. "I believed things would stay the same. But I've come to understand that no one can avoid their fate. This is mine, Etizia. And my fate doesn't include you."

With those words, he disappeared.

I never imagined I would encounter the rogue who rejected me down. Honestly, I hoped to never see him again.

But fate is cruel.

Our fate is indeed an art of the devil.

Right now, Timothy was standing right in front of me again. It hit me hard how many lies he had told me in the past.

First off, his hair wasn't black, it was silver. Second, he wasn't a rogue but the older brother of the Alpha King, Nox. And the worst part? He was now my brother-in-law.

I was at a loss for how to react. It felt like the world had stopped, and it was just the two of us.

The pain slowly crept in, heartbreak resurfacing as I watched him stare at me in shock.

Silence enveloped us.

I thought it would last forever until a sweet scent reached my nose and footsteps approached.

"Etizia?" a deep voice called out to me.

A shadow cast a dark veil over me, blocking the warm sunlight from my face. As I gazed upwards, a tall figure emerged, wearing a majestic golden mask.

Recognition dawned on me as I realized it was none other than my husband, the Alpha King, Nox.

Nox's piercing gaze met mine, causing my fingers to twitch and my breath to hitch in my throat.

Timothy is a past lover. But why did I suddenly feel guilty, as if I had committed a grave mistake? Was it the fear of facing the wrath of the Alpha King once he discovered my past with his brother?

However, as I observed closely, I noticed that Nox's icy stare was not directed at me. Instead, his eyes were fixed on my maid.

“I apologize!” at the same time, the maid exclaimed an apology and suddenly went on her knees. “I did a poor job assisting the Luna. Please forgive me, Alpha King,” Hany went on.

Perplexed, I furrowed my brows as I observed Hany. The sight of her apologizing had left me utterly bewildered.

It wasn't until I noticed Nox staring at my feet that I understood the reason behind her apology.

I glanced down at my own feet and let out a gasp of realization.

Ah, yes. I had been running around without any shoes on.

Nox must have been furious with me for behaving so recklessly. Perhaps I should apologize for my foolishness.

However, before I could utter a word of remorse, Nox swiftly snatched my shoes from Hany and positioned himself in front of me.

"I will not tolerate a second mistake," Nox declared sternly. "If you allow my Luna to injure her feet again, there will be consequences, Hany."

Perplexed, I observed as Nox carefully wiped off the dust from my shoes and placed them in front of me. To my surprise, he then pulled out a handkerchief from his pocket.

Unexpectedly, Nox took hold of my foot and began cleaning it with his handkerchief! I couldn't believe it - the Alpha King himself was cleaning my feet?

"No," I protested. "Let me take care of it myself."

I attempted to retrieve my foot, but Nox held onto it firmly, refusing to let go. Slowly, he lifted his gaze.

His mesmerizing crimson eyes locked onto mine. The sunlight cast a radiant glow on his face, and although his golden mask concealed much of his features, I couldn't help but be captivated.

Was it because this was the first time we saw each other again after our wedding night?

“Now tell me, my Luna,” he said, “Why did you run like that without your shoes? Is there something worth seeing in this place?”

That question made me realize what I had forgotten. My gaze instinctively shifted towards Timothy, who was now glaring at us with a cold expression.

Nox continued to inquire, "What made you run like that?" He finished dusting off my feet and placed my shoes back on.

After Nox stood up, his shadow cast over me once again. I tightly gripped the fold of my skirt and looked at him. "I apologize," I said.

"I don't remember asking you to make an apology," he replied. "I wanted an explanation, Etizia."

I tried my hardest not to glance at Timothy and replied, "I noticed that everyone was really busy at your castle. It made me curious. Hany told me that we have some visitors, who happen to be my brother-in-law and his wife. I really wanted to meet them, so I got carried away and ran without my shoes."

"I understand," Nox said. He flashed me a grin and suggested, "You must be feeling a bit suffocated being here without meeting new people. Now that you're here, how about we welcome the guests together?"

The thought of greeting Timothy alongside my husband made my heart race with anxiousness.

Nox then extended his hand towards me and asked, "Shall we?"

I glanced at his outstretched hand, and then my eyes involuntarily shifted towards Timothy.

‘You are now the Luna of all Lunas. What is there to be afraid of? You should show Timothy what he missed out on when he turned you down!' my wolf encouraged, filling me with courage.

With determination, I took hold of my husband's hand and replied, "Sure, let's go meet them."

Hand in hand with the Alpha King, I confidently approached Timothy and his wife.