CHAPTER 1: MISLED

McKenna’s POV

“Tell me the story again, mama!” I begged. “You’ve heard me tell the story a million times, pup,” my mother chuckled. “Please!” I begged. “Okay,” she smiled.

I cozied up on her lap in anticipation of one of my favorite tales of the past. It was my favorite story even if I didn’t completely understand it. The world we lived in seemed quite complicated.

“Settle down, little one,” my mother chuckled. “Sorry, I’m just excited, mama,” I laughed.

In a world where finding your mate was a treasure worth seeking for most werewolves, some cringed at the thought of such a burden. The kingdoms of Valaris, Klaus, Santak, Cassius, Koda, and Tirado were often at odds until they said the moon goddess herself put a halt to their petty disputes. Of the six kingdoms that governed this side of the world, Tirado was the most ruthless.

“Well, the Kingdom of Klaus had been reigned over by the Petraeus family bloodline, whose enemies were the all-powerful Kingdom of Tirado. Klaus continued to grow in numbers, surpassing Tirado who had always been the largest force. The only time these kingdoms would come together would be the Fertility Festival of Mates. Years ago, both kingdoms would hold competitions and festivals just for others to find their better half. If they were unsuccessful, both cruel families basically stole she-wolves' right to wait for their fated mates by having the males choose a mate if they became too impatient,” my mother paused.

Her eyes shifted to mine as if she knew I was preparing a rebuttal. 

“Well, that is barbaric and unfair,” I pouted. “Love is complicated, my dear,” my mother frowned. “Why can’t we just love whomever we want?” I asked. “McKenna, you are right. Let me get you some warm milk to calm you,” she offered. “Noooo, finish the story, mama. Please,” I begged again. "Of course, my dear," she nodded.

I watched her fetch fresh milk and place it in the round steel to warm it. She did not bother asking again if I would like any. My mother settled back down and continued with her recollection of the story from the beginning of time. 

“The war began long ago when the dynamics of a love triangle went awfully wrong. Alpha Queen Lenora of the Kingdom of Klaus and Alpha King Athelstan of Tirado mated. They were madly in love but before they initially encountered one another, the king had a mistress or a prospect if you call the wench that,” my mother scowled. “I don’t remember this part, mama,” I confessed. “Well, his mistress, Donyale Stonebrooke grew terrified of the king’s growing bond with his mate. Word traveled from the tongue fast that the two kingdoms of Tirado and Klaus would merge. Donyale wanted Queen Lenora out of the way but plans quickly diverted when Queen Lenora announced that she was with child. The townspeople were overjoyed while Donyale grew bitter each day. She decided to take destiny into her own claws,” my mother paused. “Come on! What did she do?” I asked biting my lower lip. “She poisoned Queen Lenora over time which led to an act of war and treason. Klaus nearly destroyed the kingdom of Tirado in a battle led by General McArthur Petraeus because they assumed the bond between Athelstan and Lenora was only a ploy to take over the kingdom. After the war, General Petraeus earned his greatest victory. Because Queen Lenora had no known heirs or close family members, General Petraeus reigned until his death,” she sighed.

That explains how the Petraeus family earned their titles, I thought to myself.

“What happened to Althelstan?” I dared to ask. “He pierced his own heart in battle. Some say he suffered from the great loss of his pup, kingdom, and the love of his life, Lenora. No one ever speaks of Donyale. She was never seen again. Some would argue that she birthed a pup for the king but once word traveled that he ended his life because of a broken heart, she fled from one of her own,” my mother shrugged. 

I was in tears by the rest of her explanation. Things were far from perfect but I had no idea that they were not always this way.

“Their ways of course shifted as time moved on. We all prayed for change, but both their bloodlines ran deep between the villages as most Alpha Kings took mistresses. In some cases, the willing and unwilling mistresses gave birth to bastards that soon disappeared only to be hunted down and brought back at the age of thirteen,” she explained. “I don’t like it,” I hissed. “Why do you want me to tell the story if you hate the ending every time?” She laughed. “Because I hope you forgot and it changed,” I replied. “Maybe it will one day change. Queen Lenora Klaus just may have an heir out there who will change things for us forever,” my mother hoped.

This brings you to my family's story of betrayal, survival, and a rejected royal romance. Who says generational curses don’t exist?

A few years later…

My childhood best friend, Antionette was marrying into royalty. If only I had known, it was the first day to the rest of what would become my life.

"Twirl around. Let me see the back, Antionette cooed. "I do not want to get your pretty dresses dirty," I said, giggling in excitement. "Nonsense! Spin faster!" She chanted. "I will surely bump my head if I continue," I giggled, falling into her lap. "See, that wasn't so bad," she smiled. "No, I wish we were kids again sometimes. After you get married, what if we barely see each other?" I pouted, feeling her braiding my hair. "You are coming with me! I'm appalled that you would think I would leave you behind," Antionette replied. "Really?" I excitedly asked. "Why not? I cannot have my best friend out in the fields working when she could be my most trusted handmaiden," Antionette gleefully answered. "Wait until I tell my mama and papa!" I excitedly shouted. "Don't go alone! I shall speak with them first. I feel it is my duty," Antionette said, suddenly seeming nervous. "I can come with you!" I protested. "No! Let me do this for you," she replied with a smile. "Okay, Antionette. You are the very best friend a she-wolf could ever have," I chuckled before trying on more of Antionette's things.

My mother and father were acting weird watching as I packed a few of my things to depart toward my new home, the palace. They kept telling me to be wary of everyone and trust only those that mean me well, whatever that meant. I exchanged goodbyes but promised to visit often. If only I had known that was a lie.

Four years later...

"What are you doing, omega?" Beta Vincent angrily asked. "I-I am simply dropping off the tea requested," I stammered, hating the extremely close proximity of his body to mine. "You're not going to always be under lock and key by the Queen, you know," he stated as his hot breath fanned the side of my ear. "Excuse me," I said hurriedly, heading back to the throne room to greet the Alpha King and Queen.

I could feel his eyes piercing straight through me from behind. He was a high-ranking wolf, but he was a disgusting dog who lacked integrity!

"What an ass!" my wolf, Halo, interjected. "After his little teasing session, he had at my expense last night at dinner, how could he ever think I would lay with him as he does with the other omegas?" I sarcastically asked. "I hate him! Watch out for that bastard. I don't trust him, nor do I trust the Queen," Halo growled. "I know," I sighed, finally making it to the throne room to stand near the other handmaidens, who mostly ignored me.

The events from last night made me reflect on just how much I began to hate it here. Never go around a pack of wolves when they are sloppily intoxicated or close to blacking out drunk. The Beta is one of them. Last night momentarily played in my head.

He was barely lucid when I stopped by the dining hall last night. He scowled at me for simply not giving him the greeting of the day after making a mockery of what I looked like in front of his warriors. Not only did he do that, but he also pulled at my garments, nearly exposing me for all eyes to see in their drunken states. I was so embarrassed, but I couldn't say a thing then, but I did tell my Queen, my friend, or so I thought.

"We will leave one day and meet our mate. I don't feel that he is here," Halo whimpered. "I know, and we will. The Queen has promised..." I started before Halo growled loudly in my head. "You are no fool, human! The Queen is lying! We must go to mate before it is too late," Halo insisted. "What do you suggest we do?" I asked. "We are on two legs, not four paws. Human, this situation is on you! I will lend you my strength as always," Halo said, cutting off our link.

My mind wandered off as I realized just how different things have been for me since working in the palace for the last four years. I knew I didn't fit in from the beginning. I needed my better half, my mate.

"Move it, you ugly beast!" Beta Vincent was clamoring from behind, making everyone look in my direction.

Being five feet eight inches tall and curvy does not go unnoticed in this kingdom, especially not in the palace. Neither does having long chestnut-colored untamed hair that was often loosely coiled in every direction but where it should sit on my head. My dull brown eyes were probably the only thing about me that didn't stand out as my cocoa-colored skin tone shined under the sun, attracting way too much attention from onlookers.

"With all due respect, Beta. I am no beast," I boldly said, bowing my head. "You have some nerve! Do you see anyone else here that looks as you do? No? That makes you a beast to us all then! Watch your back, omega," he growled near my ear.

In their eyes, I'm an anomaly as most she-wolves that worked in the palace were a little shorter, had straight hair, and were usually a little paler than I.

"You're far from being a beast in my eyes," another handmaiden whispered to me. "Thanks," I huffed staring at the owner of those words. "I'm Swan," she said before taking her place near the doorway.

I suddenly appreciated Swan's comment even though she's never really spoken to me before, and she's been here for over two years.

In the village where I spent most of my life working the fields with my family, there was much more of a variety of werewolves. It was as if our Alpha King and Luna Queen had a particular type they invited into their company. It has been this way since I could remember, even as a child when the former King and Queen occupied the palace. They moved to a separate kingdom when their eldest son, Edwin, challenged another Alpha for his throne for himself and won.

My mind drifted for a while until Queen Antoinette interrupted me, immediately grabbing my attention.

"McKenna, I need you to look after the Alpha King while I'm gone," Luna Queen Antoinette ordered. "But I'm your handmaiden, your highness," I stupidly replied. "Do as you're told, McKenna. You're the only one I trust to do right by him. You will service him while I'm away on this diplomatic mission," she explained. "Service him, your highness?" I asked, feeling my heart palpitate at a high rate of speed. "Not in a sexual nature, silly girl. I will take care of that upon my return. Just ensure you help his fill-in squire and other ranked wolves that need assistance," she said, shooing me out of the room. "Yes, Luna," I bowed before exiting the room.

As I rounded the corner, I heard the Queen yell out to me.

"McKenna! Come here a second," she called out. "What can I get for you, your highness?" I asked. "If I hear a breath that you have crossed the line with my mate, you will not see the light of day again. Do you understand?" she asked, watching my body language. "I would never! I actually thought that I could work the fields with my family until you return your highness. They could really use the help. It has been such a long time since I have kid eyes upon them. Would that be okay, Luna?" I nervously asked, only to listen to her laugh at me. "McKenna, we are friends. Are we not?" She asked.

I didn't know how to refer to her. We actually grew up being the best of friends, but the dynamic changed once she met her mate, who's now our king. Antoinette is two years older than a newly made queen in the eyes of the kingdom and me. We still share our moments of fun, and she doesn't give me crappy details like some of the other maidens. She purposely brought me from the fields into the palace because the pay was better. I was ecstatic, but my family was not. They didn't trust her intentions, but we've been friends since we were six years old, even though I was an Omega. I knew all of her secrets and her mine. This is actually the first time she's asked something like this of me. Something must be wrong.

"We are friends, your highness if you say it so. Is something wrong?" I asked. "Well, the king wants me to shadow another Luna Queen so I could carry myself accordingly the next time his parents are in town. Apparently, his mother thought I was below his station even though my father was an Alpha. In my defense, she's a bitch," she scoffed. "You've been at her son's side for the last four years. People love you," I exaggerated. "Apparently not," she rolled her eyes. "How does Alpha King-Lincoln feel about it?" I asked. "He said I am perfect, but he wants me to visit his parents where I will be shadowing his brother's mate, Luna Clara," she replied. "How long will you be gone?" I asked. "A couple of weeks, give or take," she replied, readying herself for bed. "Okay, travel safe, my Queen," I bowed, walking out of her chambers. "McKenna," she called out again. "Yes, your highness?" I asked. "Obey me. You will be here and serve the king. We will talk more about setting a time for you to visit your family upon my return. I know this is mostly about your mate. You'll meet him when the time is right," she said before blowing the candle out on the side of her bed.

My heart fell to my feet. Somehow, I had been away from my family for years. I was nineteen years old and still hadn't found my mate, which we usually claim at sixteen unless you were considered royalty. They usually claimed and mated by the age of eighteen. I was already nearing my twentieth birthday in just a matter of weeks. It saddened me because being in the palace often left me lonely. The other handmaidens only spoke to me when Queen Antoinette was around. Behind her back, they often ignored me. I'm sure it was jealousy because Queen Antoinette considered me an omega, a close friend.