1

Nicole

I should’ve known something was wrong the moment I walked in. The air had an odd, unsettling smell I couldn’t quite place. My fingers tightened around my chest, grounding me as I stepped further into the house. Whatever I was expecting, it wasn’t this.

It felt like I’d stepped onto the set of a horror movie. The place was trashed—bodies everywhere, blood splattered on the walls, and body parts scattered across the floor.

I felt sick. What the hell happened while I was playing? Taking deep breaths, I forced myself to move forward. As much as I wanted to run, I had to find my family.

As I stepped over dead bodies, I wanted to break down. These were the same people I’d spoken to earlier today. Why did this happen? After a few more steps, I found my parents lying next to each other, their throats torn out. My heart shattered. I knelt beside them, holding my mother close as tears welled up in my eyes.

No! This can't be! Who dared to do something so cruel?

A creak from upstairs snapped me out of my sorrow. Someone was up there, rummaging through the rooms.

“Where the hell is she?” a man’s voice boomed, and I instantly flinched.

“Our informant says she lives here,” another voice answered, just as threatening.

“Then where the hell is she?” they shouted in frustration.

Were they looking for me? Panic gripped me, and I started backing away before I even realized it.

In my haste, I bumped into a vase. It toppled over, shattering into pieces. The sound echoed in the silence, and I froze, holding my breath. The voices upstairs went quiet, then I heard footsteps racing down the stairs.

I lunged for the door, yanked it open, and bolted outside just as the footsteps reached the bottom. *Let me out!* my wolf, Mina, screamed inside me, desperate to take control. But I couldn’t shift—not yet. I had to get out of sight first. If they saw me in wolf form, they’d know what I was, and I couldn’t let them have that advantage.

“Stop running, you bitch!” one of them shouted, closer than I expected. I didn’t dare look back. I just ran. I ran from the pack I’d spent my whole life in. I ran down the street I knew like the back of my hand.

“Keep going!” Mina urged. Their footsteps pounded behind me, getting closer. I couldn’t keep this up forever; sooner or later, I’d get tired, and they’d catch up. The thought of what they’d do to me sent a shiver down my spine.

I immediately veered into a secluded area, knowing it wouldn’t hide me for long. What am I going to do next? I’m fucked! So fucked. I looked around for anything that might help. Then I spotted a clothesline. Maybe if I changed my clothes, they wouldn’t recognize me.

Within seconds, I was pulling on a set of men’s clothes, hoping it would be enough. My short hair, barely reaching my jawline, added to the illusion, making it easier to pass as a young man. I tugged a cap low over my eyes to cover any remaining hints of my true identity.

“I think we should go,” one of them said, his tone was final, like he was the leader.

“No, we have to bring her to King Derek, remember? Or King Derek will have our throats,” the other snapped.

The leader grabbed the other’s coat, clearly pissed. “She’s already in Drogomor Palace! She can’t escape now. It’s almost nine. We have to hurry back before the gate locks on us. Alive or dead, she’s not going anywhere.”

They turned and left, and I could hear their footsteps receding. I felt instant relief, but it didn’t last. Whoever this King Derek was, he wanted me dead and my pack destroyed. Why? What had I done to him?

I needed to leave this place. I couldn’t be trapped here. I had to survive.

But then I felt a presence before I saw him—a tension that made my heart race. A tall figure stepped out, accompanied by two men behind him. It was like the world shifted to his will—the wind whispered at his presence, and the trees seemed to bend to let him pass.

My heart pounded. The ground seemed to tremble beneath me. My body shook and my legs wobbled at the sight of him.

He moved closer with quiet confidence, his blue eyes sharp and focused on me like he could see right through me.

This wasn’t just any man; his authority was undeniable. He had to be the Lycan King—King Derek.

His eyes narrowed as he stood in front of me, his presence almost suffocating. “Who are you?” His voice was low and dangerous, making me want to shrink away.

He was the one. I stared at the man who had killed everyone in my pack house, including my family—this cold, intimidating man who was now after my life.

What had I done to make him want me dead? I had never set eyes on him before, and he’d never seen me.

What do I do? I need to act fast.

His gaze bore into me, and I could feel my heart racing faster. I couldn’t afford to slip up now. “I... I...” I stammered.

Should I say I was Nicole? What if he knew my name but not my face?

He growled at my hesitation; he was not a patient man. “Take him and throw him into the dungeon!” he commanded as he began to walk away.

The realization hit me like a punch to the gut. A dungeon? How was I supposed to avenge my pack if I was rotting away in a dungeon? I was screwed. I was so screwed.

But did he just say “him”? They thought I was a man. A thought suddenly occurred to me. Dressed like a man, all I needed was a man’s name.

I immediately groveled in desperation, “I am Nicolas! Please help me, King Derek. I have no home, no pack. Take me into Drogomor Palace, my lord. I can clean, I can work for you.”

He stopped in his tracks. I didn’t know where this confidence had come from. I’d heard stories of him ripping out a man’s heart when he begged to work for him. I’d heard countless tales of his heartlessness.

His eyes narrowed as he turned to look at me. “You say what...?”

“I can work for you, my lord,” I repeated, trying to sound more convincing, even though my heart was beating out of my chest. “I’ll do anything"

He studied me with those cold, calculating eyes, his silence more terrifying than any words. I held my breath, unsure if my plan had worked or if I had just made things worse.

After what felt like an eternity, he spoke. “Anything?”

I nodded quickly, keeping my gaze low but alert. “Yes, anything.”

He took a step closer. “You think I trust so easily, boy?” His voice was a dangerous whisper, and I swallowed hard.

“No, my lord,” I said, barely able to speak. “But I have nowhere else to go. I swear loyalty to you, to Drogomor.”

The two men behind him exchanged glances, clearly surprised by my boldness. Derek seemed to be considering my words, his eyes still fixed on me like a predator deciding whether to strike.

“Ok.” he finally said, a dark smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth. “But betray me once, Nicolas, and you’ll regret it"

I exhaled shakily, feeling like I had just narrowly avoided death. “I understand, my lord.”

“Good,” he said, turning away. “ He’s to be put to work immediately.”

One of the guards grabbed me roughly by the arm and began dragging me toward the road. This wasn’t over. I would survive. And one day, I would make King Derek pay for what he’d done.

******

Three years later

A man’s sharp tone rang out, and I snapped back to reality, gazing at the line ahead of me.

The queue of people was dwindling fast, and soon it would be my turn. I wasn’t supposed to be here.

I clenched the hem of my clothes as the man in front of me was called into the room. A sigh escaped my mouth.

I, Nicole Salvator, was just a low-class Omega discarded by my family and taken by the Lycan King—at least that's what they thought of me. For the past three years, I’ve kept dressing as a boy, and to everyone in the pack house, I was a boy! I would remain a boy for as long as it took to uncover the mystery behind my parents' death.

Today, I had just turned eighteen, and coincidentally, the Lycan King, Derek Sinclair, was hosting a mate-choosing party for his sister, Abigail Sinclair, who had just turned eighteen as well.

I had intended to go to work, but Dean, my new friend, had dragged me here.

I lived in a tattered quarter near the omega's apartment and was brought there without having a say.

The officer who called out to the next person stood close to the doorway as he shouted, "Next!"

I bit my lip. Dean was next in line, I had just stood in replacement of him but he had to attend to something. I saw how he immediately quickened his steps to catch up.

The other man at the back began to mumble, and I felt heat rush to my head as I stared at the officer with a cold face. The man growled at me impatiently, "Next!"

I trembled as I shook my head. I opened my lips to say I wasn't the one, but I couldn’t form the words and had to close my mouth. My eyes shrank back in fear.

"Isn't that Nicolas the Omega boy? What is he doing here?" one of the young men asked. The man who stood behind me chuckled coldly and mocked me.

"What are you, a lowly Omega, doing? Do you also want to try your luck to see if you’re chosen by the King’s sister? Tsk, tsk, I never knew poor people still had such guts!"

Poor people? What impudence! they had basically thought i was an omega because of the clothes i wore. I mean which Alpha will dress in a loose tunic and frayed trousers, with a cap that is hiding my short hair. I bit my lower lip, trying to maintain my composure, this wasn't the first time I had been humiliated. But revealing my true identity will not only jeopardize my plan for vengeance but also put my life at risk.

I couldn't stay here.

"Young boy, are you coming in or not?" the officer hissed at me, and I shook my head as I turned to look at Dean, who was hurrying over. But before I could register anything else, I felt a strong hand grab my arm, and I yelped.

"No, not me... I am not the next....." My words were cut short as the officer pushed me into the room before closing the door behind me.

He glared at the others. "You all better buckle up and not waste time," he bellowed.

Dean made a tight fist as he came closer, his eyes turned truly red. He scoffed afterward in amusement. He couldn’t believe I got in since I told him I wasn't anyway and he made a mental note to make me pay for my actions.

Meanwhile, I quickly bowed to the people who had an amused smile on their faces when they saw my pack's lowly Omega

I couldn’t bring myself to look at them as I rushed my words out. "I'm sorry..… I am not supposed to be here, so I will just leave now." I immediately pushed myself back to the door awkwardly under the watchful gaze of the people sitting on the armchair close to the window.

"Not so fast Omega!" A voice boomed from the other side of the room, making me to stop in my tracks.

I froze, and slowly turned to see who had spoken.

It was Abigail, the king’s sister who was in a blue silk gown and was adorned with gold jewelries.

"I said come closer!" she ordered.

I slowly began to move away from the door of the room to the middle before stopping in my tracks.

Abigail’s eyes locked on me the moment I came closer. She leaned back in her chair with her arms crossed, watching me with curiosity and amusement on her face.

My heart raced, but I forced myself to stay calm as I gripped the hem of my clothes.

Abigail rose from her seat slowly, she moved with a grace that made it seem the room belonged to her, and in a way, maybe it did. She was the King’s sister, after all.

I stood still, unsure of what to do

“You….” she uttered softly, "What’s your name, boy?” she asked dangerously

“Nicolas,”

She smiled, a slow, knowing smile, and tilted her head slightly, as though I had just confirmed something she already knew, "You’re….. alluring,” she uttered, “You are prettier than I, prettier than any boy I’ve ever met…..or girl.”

My breath caught. She had to be toying with me.Her compliment sounded innocent, but it felt like a test. A trap. Prettier than her? Any boy or girl? I’d spent years perfecting this facade, hiding behind a disguise, trying to blend in as nothing more than a servant boy. But she looked at me like I was some rare gem she had just discovered.

“I’ll take that as a compliment,” I replied, though my heart was racing.

Abigail’s eyes widened slightly in surprise before a slow smile spread across her lips. She leaned back as if reassessing me. “Bold,” she murmured, clearly amused.

I guess she was expecting me to lower my eyes, to shrink under her gaze like most would in front of royalty, in front of her. But I didn’t. I held my head high, meeting her eyes with confidence and confirming that I was indeed prettier than her.

She walked around me slowly, “You’re not like the others….I can feel it.”

I swallowed.

Abigail stopped in front of me as she leaned closer to me, just enough for me to hear her expression, “You know what I’m thinking?” she asked in a dangerous whisper, “I think I want you.” Her smile widened with a satisfaction in her eyes. “I think... you should be my mate.”

My breath hitched, and I stared at her in disbelief. Mate? She couldn’t be serious. But the look in her eyes told me otherwise. This wasn’t a game. She wasn’t asking. She was choosing.

I tried to speak, but nothing came out. Abigail moved closer, before whispering to herself, "Yes," she whispered to herself. "You’re mine and I will make the preparation soon"

As I was about to open my mouth to talk, the grand double doors swung open, and an intense silence fell over the room. I barely had time to process Abigail’s words before a strong, presence filled the space. My body tensed as I felt an unfamiliar but compelling energy wash over me, sending a shiver down my spine.

Abigail straightened and turned her attention to the man standing in the doorway. Every eye in the room shifted towards him, recognizing the powerful aura he exuded. His gaze scanned the room briefly before landing on me.

My face grew hot, as the bond made me want to come even closer.

I didn’t know what to call this, but I thought this was… fate.

As my wolf whispered in my head, "We finally meet, mate."

I froze as I couldn’t believe what just happened...I had been paired with my greatest enemy.

No..I fought back against the bond that was pulling me toward him. He can’t be my mate. He was my enemy. The one I was meant to destroy, not the one I was destined to be with.

But the bond didn’t care about logic or revenge. It was primal, undeniable, and it was ripping me apart.

But my thoughts were immediately dismissed when I heard a snort from the person who glared hard at me. His cold eyes startled me.....