Chapter 1: Pick Your Poison

(Alexander)

“The moment you open the door and everyone inside finds out what you are planning, there will be war, alpha. Blood will spill.”

I smirked when I heard the anxiety in my beta’s voice. And I don’t blame him knowing that if things would go as planned, this would be the biggest war our pack would have to face.

I glanced at the castle in front of us. All the lights were on. From where we are, I could hear the loud music playing inside.

My brother’s engagement party was a blast. I would bet all my inheritance that Bradley was currently having the time of his life. He had been walking on sunshine for years now. It was time we switched places.

“Do you know what kept me alive all these years? It’s this moment, this chance to avenge my mate. I can’t let this pass, Jace. I have waited for this for a long time. And if getting even requires blood, then I don’t mind spilling some.” I turned to Jace and patted his shoulder. “Why do you look like that? Are you doubting your alpha? Do you think we will lose against them?”

Jace shook his head. “You’ve never lost in a battle, alpha. But so was your brother.”

“It will be his first time losing then. Look forward to it.”

“The royal family will be in chaos, alpha.”

I shrugged. “They should have expected that. After all, I did promise them that I would return.”

I stepped out of the car and walked towards the gate. My pack followed me including Jace who took a deep breath. The guards immediately blocked our path.

“Excuse me, Sir. Can we please see your invitation card?” one of them asked.

I removed my cloak and stared at the guards. “Why? Do you think I need one?”

Their jaws dropped upon seeing my face. When they recovered, they lowered their weapons and kneeled on the ground while some rushed to open the iron gates.

“Forgive us for failing to recognize you sooner. Greetings, Alpha Alexander. We are delighted to see you again. Please head in.”

A playful smile curled my lips as I fixed the guard’s collar. “Make sure to remember your master’s face next time since we will be seeing each other often from now on.”

The second we stepped inside, all of my warriors except for Jace had shifted and growled to announce our arrival. In an instant, the music from the castle had faded. They certainly heard us. The alarm rang and all the guards had been alerted. They ran towards our direction, ready to attack, but they ended up kneeling as soon as they saw my face.

“Relax. I am not here to fight. I just came here to congratulate my dearest brother,” I told them casually. “This is a very important event for him. I wouldn’t miss it for the world.”

“But Alpha, your pack-“

“Don’t mind them. It’s their way of sending their congratulations. You shouldn’t be surprised. After all, we are from the North. Our customs have always been quite… different from yours.”

Jace cleared his throat. He glared at the guards and in a loud voice, he announced, “Alpha Alexander McCain is back! Make way for the only rightful heir to the throne!”

The guards and the alphas from different packs who arrived had no choice but to give way.

And when I pushed the door open with my pack behind me, all eyes were on us.

“The Northern Beast has returned! This is dangerous!”

“Dangerous? That’s an understatement, Daniel. This is war!”

“I was right. He is back. Only the Northern Beast would do something like this!”

Amid the rumors, I sauntered my way towards the Alpha King and the Luna Queen who both rose from their thrones the instant they saw me. Both of them were stunned. After a while, the King’s face lit up as he walked down the stairs and gave me a tight embrace.

“Why didn’t you tell me you were coming?” he asked. “I would have prepared a feast for you.”

“If I told you, that wouldn’t be a surprise anymore,” I replied and gently patted his back.

“Welcome back, son. We missed you so much! What took you so long?”

“Let’s just say that I was busy preparing for this moment, your majesty.”

His smile had faded. “Son…”

“You were able to stop me years ago. But you can’t stop me now. Not anymore.”

I glanced at the Queen who suddenly seemed pale as if she had seen a ghost. I grinned and said, “Hello, ‘mom’. Did you miss me?”

“Of course! Come here, Xander.”

When she hugged me, I felt her tremble. She linked with me using her mind.

“I know what you came here for.”

“I’m glad you still remembered. It’s time your son pays up, mom. His debt is long overdue. I’m here to collect the payment along with the interest.”

“Alexander, please!”

“Relax, mom. This is a happy occasion. If you tremble like this, others might think that I’m being a bad son.”

When I released her, I grabbed a wine glass from the waiter before I threw a quick glance at the orchestra. “By all means, please continue. I am also here to have some fun.”

The music began again but the tension remained. I scanned the hall. Nothing had changed. Everything was still the same when I left it four years ago. But when my eyes landed onto the painting of Bradley and his fiancée, the hollowness in my chest came back. They looked incredibly happy; both of their eyes were shining.

I was once like that, too. I was just as happy as they were… but that was before somebody ruined it.

Not long after, I saw Bradley, the man whom I hadn’t seen for four years, the man who was not only my stepbrother but also my very best friend… until he betrayed me.

Bradley’s warriors blocked mine. He clenched his jaw. Our betas were now busy sizing up each other, but my pack remained in their wolf forms which had made all the guests edgy. No one, not even the King himself could order them to shift back unless I give them permission.

I went to the balcony and calmly followed Bradley.

“What the hell are you doing here, Alexander?” he asked when it was just the two of us.

I let out a hollow laugh. “And why wouldn’t I be here? The last time I checked, I am still a member of this family. Besides, it’s your engagement party, brother. I came to show my support especially to your beloved mate.”

Bradley gritted his teeth. But before that, I saw how anxiety briefly crossed his eyes. “Katriona is innocent, Alexander. Our problem has nothing to do with her!”

When I couldn’t control my emotions anymore, my wine glass suddenly broke. The shards pierced my palm until it bled, but I didn’t mind. I held Bradley in his collar until my blood smeared his suit.

“My mate was innocent, too, Bradley! But what did you do? The day you did that to her, my life stopped… but yours went on! And you expect me to just move on?”

The anguish and frustration in his voice was evident when he pressed his forehead and said, “But it’s been years! When will this end, Xander?”

“When one of us dies. Until then, it will be an eye for an eye and… a mate for a mate. On second thought, I could just talk to your precious Katriona and tell her your deepest, darkest secret. And then we will let her decide if she still wants to take you in. So, which do you prefer, brother?” I grinned and patted his shoulders when I saw him look rattled for the first time. “Come on. Pick your poison carefully.”

Bradley did not get to respond when we both inhaled a lavender scent which had alerted my senses, including my wolf. Seconds later and we heard footsteps. And when the door towards the balcony opened, I finally got to see her, the woman who could bring any man to his knees with just her face alone.

I knew Katriona Aldana was a gorgeous woman. She was wearing a red long sleeveless gown which emphasized her pale skin and hugged her soft curves. She had beautiful golden locks which framed her small face.

I was familiar with Bradley’s taste. Aside from that, I had already seen her face in photos when I was still in the North, but the photos did not do her justice. That’s why seeing her up close still took me by surprise.

Her face was the most angelic I had ever seen in my whole life. When her gray eyes landed onto mine, I pushed Bradley away. But my temper still flared up. 

So, while I was in hell for the past four years, my brother was here… enjoying heaven with this woman.

Katriona stared at the blood on her lover’s pristine white suit. Her forehead creased.

And in a soft voice, she asked, “What’s going on here?”

“It’s nothing, babe,” Bradley replied as he hurried to his fiancée’s side. “Alexander and I were just having a chat since it’s our first time seeing each other again after four years. Katriona, meet my brother, Alpha Alexander.” Bradley shot me a warning glance. “Xander, this is my fiancée, Katriona Aldana.”

Katriona courteously smiled as she turned to me. “So, you are Bradley’s brother? It’s a pleasure to finally meet you, alpha.”

She extended her hand.

I smirked. “The pleasure is mine, Katriona. Do you want me to teach you how we greet each other in the North?”

“How?” she asked as if she was only indulging me.

“It’s like this.” I grabbed Katriona’s hand and pulled her to my body. And before she could talk, my lips were already on hers. Her eyes widened as I thrust my tongue inside her mouth.

Her pretty little mouth tasted as delectable as it looked.

But the kiss did not last long. Katriona bit my lower lip and slapped me. She was trembling when she looked at me as if I suddenly grew a tail and horns. I rarely felt any emotion until tonight. I could feel blood rushing into my veins. My eyes glowed as I smiled for the first time in four years.

I wiped the blood off my mouth. So, the angel had a ferocious side, too. That bite stung. But this just made things more interesting.

It was too early for both of them to get this furious, though. I haven’t even started yet. From this day onwards, I would make sure that revenge will be served on a sizzling platter.

When Bradley regained his senses, he pulled Katriona back to him. His chest was heaving from fury when he looked at me.

“Damn you, you nasty bastard! I told you to spare her!” he hissed before shifting in his wolf form.

But I just stood there, grinning. My eyes had turned gold and my claws stretched as I waited for my brother’s attack.

All of the warriors who saw Bradley rushed to the balcony. And when he snarled at me, I shifted and roared.