1

ZIA

“ I love you. ” Aiden, my husband said.

The woman in front of him giggled when she heard his confession. My heart was crushed at the sight.

“ I love you too, Aiden. ” Emily replied slyly. And shot me a side glance.

All eyes turned towards me. Today was my husband’s birthday. I, as his Luna and wife of three years was supposed to stand by his side but it was Emily Crusher on the floor, receiving his confession of love in front of the crowd.

“ Luna. ” Tara whispered, squeezing my shoulder sympathetically. “ please gather yourself. The love of Alphas is always fragile like this. It’s nothing new in our world. ”

On the outside, I appeared emotionless. But on the inside, my heart was bleeding. For me, the world was slowly ending, and my husband was oblivious to it.

Aiden paraded Emily around the hall, greeting the Alphas of the neighbor packs. I was a laughingstock among them as they shot me pitiful looks.

“ Aiden, Zia looks mad at me. Maybe I should leave the party now. ” Emily leaned in towards my husband and whispered in his ear.

Instantly, he turned around and shot me a murderous glare. A piercing headache started in my head. He was using his Alpha aura to make it hurt.

‘ Don’t you dare try to scare her. She is just an innocent girl! Why must you hurt her like this? ’ His venomous voice sneered in my head.

I clutched my chest and rushed out of the Hall. The laughter of people followed me. I didn’t know if they were laughing at me or among themselves, but it hurt.

Tears cascaded down my cheeks as I stepped out into the rain. The cold water couldn’t quench the anger burning inside my veins.

Three years ago, my father, the Alpha of the Night Howlers Pack, suggested I marry Aiden Caine. I had to fulfill a prophecy by mating a man from the Caine family or else it was predicted by an oracle that my pack and most of the werewolf packs would perish in a dangerous war.

I hated the idea of getting forced into a mate bond. However, when I met Aiden for the first time, we clicked.

Aiden was understanding, kind, and ambitious. He told me he would care for me my whole life. Together, we would make sure that the promised destruction, if the prophecy was not fulfilled, never came.

Shortly after, we mated with each other and married in an intimate ceremony. Three months after my marriage, my father passed away, leaving me to become the Alpha of the Night Howlers’ Pack.

To take better care of my people, I merged our packs, and let Aiden become the Alpha.

I, as the Luna, helped him with all his tasks. In a short time, we became the most powerful pack in the North region.

But, a month ago, a war broke out between our pack and the Half Moon Pack. Aiden had to lead the war while I stayed behind to manage the pack’s affairs.

When he came back, he brought Emily Crusher with him. She was Alpha Nathan’s slave and according to her, she was abused for years in his pack.

That didn’t faze me as much as the words Aiden spoke did. He said, “ She is my fated mate. I can not reject her but I promise to not reject you either, Zia. You are my Luna and together, we shoulder a great responsibility. I will never risk anything over my mate bond. ”

That turned out to be a lie.

First, Emily gained Aiden’s pity. He gave her a place in our home and disregarded my protests. Then slowly, she climbed into his heart too.

Just like this, my husband who claimed to love me every night, now hated me and loved another woman- - - his fated mate.

“ Luna, how can you leave? She is in your place! You need to fight for your rights or you will lose Alpha forever. ” Tara followed me out.

I wiped my tears and straightened up. I needed to talk with Aiden. He couldn’t keep this up.

I walked back inside the Hall. I was drenched and grabbed everyone’s attention but it didn’t bother me.

“ Alpha Nathan was close to Alpha Rhys of the Nightcrawlers Pack, Alpha Aiden. It’s possible, he will be coming for your pack soon for revenge. ” Another Alpha was standing beside Aiden and Emily, talking about the upcoming threats of war.

“ Don’t worry, Alphas. I am meeting the Alpha King, my Uncle Maximus in a few days. No Alpha can match his power and disobey his orders. ” Aiden spoke proudly about his uncle who was barely a few years older than him but more powerful than any other werewolf in the world.

It was rumored that he was a pure-blooded Lycan but no one dared to talk about this in the open because people feared him. One look from him could freeze someone in their place, and take their breath away.

I heard rumors of his intelligence and masculine charms too, but I never met him or saw him before. For some reason, he never visited our pack or invited us to his pack before.

When I got close, Emily gasped before bursting into mocking giggles. “ Goddess, Zia. Did you fall into the pool? ”

“ Aiden. ” I ignored her and shifted my focus to my husband.

I thought he would show me some consideration after seeing me in this ruined state. But all I saw in his eyes was displeasure.

An invisible hand tightened around my throat. I steeled my nerves and spoke.

“ It’s inappropriate for your mistress to be around when you are talking about Pack matters. It’s disrespectful to other Alphas. And me. ”

Aiden snorted. “ And it’s not disrespectful for my Luna to walk half-naked in a Hall full of men? ”

I stiffened at his remark. My eyes lowered to my dress. I was indeed in a bad state. I looked like a woman who was losing her mind, completely disheveled and damaged.

“ Don’t humiliate me, Zia. Go stay in your room until you regain your sanity. ” Aiden hissed under his breath.

Unable to take it anymore, I walked away from them. I entered our shared bedroom and decided to change and wait for my husband there.

Tonight, I needed to get dressed for him and attract him back to myself. We couldn’t risk the destruction of the werewolf race over Aiden’s pitiful mate bond.

With that thought in mind, I washed up and changed into sexy red lingerie. It was Aiden’s favorite color.

My nerves were jumpy as I waited for him but even until the middle of the night, he didn’t show up. The pattering sound of rain matched the deafening rhythm of my heartbeat.

I wanted to wear my clothes and go after Aiden again. I had to fix things.

But before I could act on my thoughts, a sharp pain started in my stomach and spread to my limbs. In moments, I was screaming.

What was happening?

Tears rolled down my cheeks as I dropped to my knees and writhed in agony. My heart felt like it would explode out of my chest at any moment.

Suddenly, my husband’s voice echoed in my head.

‘ I love you. Gosh Emi, you are so beautiful! I can’t hold back tonight. ’

‘ What about your Luna? ’ Emily’s lewd voice followed.

‘ She doesn’t have a say in it. If I want to sleep with you tonight, I will. She will learn to deal with it. ’ Aiden moaned.

Blinded by pain, I crawled to the bathroom and turned on the shower. Water fell over my head as I sobbed between my palms.

Aiden was having sex with Emily under the same roof as me, and he didn’t even care how it would bring me endless pain.

Because it was the Moon Goddess’ rule. Whenever a mate, chosen or fated, cheated on the other, the partner would feel the pain. It felt like a cruel way to tell me that I was not enough for my mate, for the husband I loved for three years.

I didn’t know how long I cried under that water. Sometime during the night, the pain disappeared but the deep-rooted melancholy settled into my bones. My heart hurt.

When the omegas found me under the running shower in the morning, their eyes screamed how pathetic I had become for them. Everyone seemed to love the meek Emily while they hated their strong-headed Luna.

“ Luna, be strong. This time will pass. Alpha Aiden is momentarily infatuated with Emily because of their mate bond. Soon, he will come back to you. ” Tara rushed to my side as I sat on my bed lifelessly.

All hopes of saving this marriage left me last night. Even if Aiden returned to me, how would I ever forget what he did?

“ I need to talk to him. ” I mumbled in a trance.

“ You can’t, Luna. ” Tara whispered under her breath.

“ Why? ”

“ Alpha has gone out with Emily. ”

My mouth turned sour. “ when will he come back? ”

“ Alpha went to attend the Council Meeting, Luna. He wanted to meet the Alpha King. He might not be back until a week later. ” She revealed reluctantly.

My heart dropped. The Council Meeting was a meeting between 5 allied Alphas of the North region led by the Alpha King himself. It was held whenever there was a threat of war. A Luna was supposed to attend with her husband and greet the Alpha King.

Did it mean Aiden was considering Emily his Luna now and trying to get other Alphas to recognize her as well? 

2

ZIA

For another three days, the pain continued to become worse. I would scream and lose consciousness after hours of enduring it.

Aiden was having sex with Emily every other hour of the day. It was like he was punishing me for bearing his mark.

Now, I stood in front of a mirror, staring at my reflection. I seemed like a ghost of what I used to be. My eyes were sunken, and my cheeks were hollow.

As if on cue, the pain started spreading in my stomach again.

Tears fell from my eyes. I doubled over and threw up everything I ate.

The pain was not all. Every time they did the deed, I would see visions of their intimacy and hear Aiden’s words of affection to Emily.

What broke me the most was the fact that those words were the same that Aiden said to me every night when we made love.

He was repeating our love story, our intimate moments with another woman.

For an hour more, I curled up on the bathroom floor and waited for the pain to pass. When it finally did, I got up on my wobbly legs and marched out.

I made up my mind.

I couldn’t sit here quietly and wait for Aiden to continue torturing me.

“ Tara. ” I breathed in relief as I found her sitting on my bed.

Her head was bowed. “ Luna. ”

“ What’s- - -what’s wrong? ” I couldn’t help but notice her low mood.

“ I don’t like what’s happening to you. ” She whispered and picked her head.

I was surprised to see tears in her eyes. She was the mate of Aiden’s Gamma and the only person who cared about me in this pack. That’s why seeing her cry hurt me.

“ You told me that he is momentarily infatuated with her because of their mate bond, right? I will be fine. ” I tried to cheer her up but my eyes were filling with tears like her.

By now, we both knew it was no momentary infatuation. Even if it was, there was no way Aiden and I could ever mend our relationship now.

“ Emily’s- - -family came here. ” She revealed, her hands fisting in her lap.

“ What? ”

“ Alpha found Emily’s family for her. ” Tara repeated.

“ Oh. ” I didn’t know how I felt about it. “ isn’t it good? Maybe, they will stop her from going after Aiden and make her understand that he is taken. ”

“ Alpha took them in the Pack. ” She sighed. “ They are staying in the old Alpha residence. ”

“ What? ” My brows furrowed.

That was my father’s house.

“ Alpha gave the house to them. From now on, Emily’s father will be serving as an advisor to him. ”

The news felt like a slap in my face. My lips quivered. I couldn’t take my eyes off Tara as I wondered if I was still in a nightmare.

“ He gave his mistress’ family- - -my house? ” My eyes burned.

“ I just got to know and- - - ”

I didn’t wait to hear what she had to say. There was no way they were staying in my house.

After three days, I stepped out of my room and the packhouse. Jack, my Dad’s former Beta, and now, Aiden’s Beta was surprised to see me.

“ Take me to the old Alpha Residence. ” I ordered, taking my spot in the back seat.

“ I am sorry, Luna but the Alpha ordered me to keep you inside the Packhouse. ” He opened the door and leaned in slightly.

“ Jack! ” I hissed. “ You are my Beta. I am your Alpha, not him. ”

Aiden reached a new low. With each passing moment, I lost my affection for him. With it, the respect was also disappearing, leaving behind a growing sense of heartache.

Jack stood there and contemplated for a while. I was shocked at the sudden change in his demeanor.

But to my relief, he nodded and took to the driver’s seat.

“ He didn’t take you to the Council Meeting with him? ” I inquired as he pulled the car out of the driveway.

“ Alpha- - -actually demoted me. ” Jack whispered.

“ He demoted you? ”

“ Yes, Luna. I am not the Beta anymore. I am a Gamma now. ” He added quietly.

I noticed his knuckles turning white and looked away. My mind was racing with thoughts.

“ Who is the Beta now? ” I wondered.

“ James Crusher. ” Jack glanced at me from the front mirror.

I was stunned into silence. The names couldn’t be a coincidence.

“ Is he- - - ”

“ Emily’s brother? Yes, Luna. ” Jack nodded.

Shock rendered me speechless. My wolf, Jessie growled inside my head, asking me to let her rip everyone apart. But I pushed her back.

I couldn’t afford to mess things up. I needed to regain control of my pack and find a way around the prophecy before attempting anything rash.

“ We are here, Luna. ” Jack announced.

I got out of the car on heavy feet and strolled to the main door. My father’s kind face flashed before my eyes, as he told me to be careful and not get hurt.

If he was here today, he would kill Aiden for hurting me like this.

I shook my head and rang the bell. It was awkward, waiting outside my own house.

The door was opened by a girl who seemed to be in her twenties. She wore a flashy pink short dress in the middle of the day and flipped her hair as I looked up.

“ What do you want? ” She snapped.

I blinked, surprised at her hostile tone. Maybe, she didn’t know.

“ I am- - - ”

“ The bitch in my sister’s way? ” She smirked, cutting me off.

My eyes flashed. “ Careful. ”

Instead of being scared, she snickered. “ Or what? Will you hit me? ”

I clenched my hands into fists.

“ But - - - if you hit me, won’t you get kicked out of the Pack? After all, I am the sister of Alpha’s fated mate. ” She took a threatening step towards me and jabbed my shoulder. “ So, I suggest getting lost, Bitch! Go crawl back in your hole and never show up here again. ”

I couldn’t help but let out a laugh of disbelief. “ I assumed Emily’s family would be innocent. ”

“ Of course, we are innocent. You are the third person in our daughter’s relationship with the Alpha! ” An older woman appeared behind the girl and snarled.

“ I am the Luna of this Pack! How dare you run your mouth while standing in my house? ” I hissed.

The insults were enough for my patience. All I wanted to do was to tear them apart, one by one, and show them who they were messing with.

“ Your house? ” The girl cackled. “ Oh, don’t joke, Bitch! The Alpha owns this house and this pack. You are just a nobody clinging to him. ”

“ Yes, so go back to where you came from and leave us alone. ” The other woman yelled and slammed the door shut on my face.

My ears were ringing. I stood there, staring at the closed door. My eyes continued to switch color from green to golden and back to green.

Huffing, I turned and came back to the car. I couldn’t sit quietly anymore. Aiden was taking full control of the Pack and making decisions without involving me. I needed to regain control and let Aiden know that he couldn’t do things this way.

Jack stood beside the car, with his head bowed and his ears turning red.

The sense of embarrassment grew, making it impossible for me to meet his eyes.

“ You made a mistake, Luna. ” Jack mumbled. “ You should have never trusted your husband and given him everything that belonged to you. Now, we are nobodies in this pack because you trusted him. ”

“ Put your trust in me one last time, Jack. I know what to do to get us out of this situation. ” I whispered, nodding to myself.

Jack sighed and opened the door for me. I slipped inside, instantly taking out my phone to call Aiden one last time.

As expected, he didn’t pick up like the multiple times I had called him before. I hung up and glanced at Jack.

“ Jack, it’s time for us to attend the Council Meeting as the Luna and Beta of the Silver Shield Pack. ”

3

ZIA

I took the liberty to wear my best white dress and did my makeup to hide the signs of exhaustion.

After seven hours of driving, we were at the Dark Moon Pack. The warriors stopped us at the border to inquire about our identity and contacted their Beta.

I was ready to intervene if there was any problem, but we were allowed in quickly.

This was my first time in the Alpha King’s Pack. I couldn’t keep my awe contained. The residences in this pack were luxurious and screamed expensive from afar.

Aiden and I did our best to provide our pack members with everything they needed, but it was not as extravagant as this.

Jack drove the car to the packhouse, as directed by the warriors at the gate. Just as the car rolled into the driveway, goosebumps rose on my skin.

I didn’t have the time to look at the gigantic mansion, as I spotted Aiden standing in the driveway, right in front of our car. His glare was burning into my face.

“ Luna. ” Jack called out nervously.

“ It’s fine, Jack. ” I whispered and stepped out of the car.

Instantly, Aiden appeared in front of me and seized my arms. I gasped, looking into his eyes.

There was no affection left in him, just disdain and anger.

“ Why didn’t you pick up my calls? ” He snarled, shaking my body angrily.

I gritted my jaw and hissed. “ I can ask the same. While you were busy with your fated mate, why didn’t you pick up your Luna’s calls? ”

“ Zia! I have had enough. What are you doing here? ” Aiden’s hold tightened over my arms.

I didn’t know what I did to deserve his anger and hatred but I knew I wouldn’t tolerate more.

“ I came to talk to the Alpha King. ” I lifted my chin and told him defiantly.

Immediately, his expression shifted. His eyes widened, then narrowed.

“ About what? ” He asked, still digging his fingers in my flesh. It felt like any more pressure from him would break my bones.

My eyes watered with pain. “ About the situation you have put me in. I know your parents won’t help, that’s why I will talk to the Alpha King and make sure that he- - - ”

My words were cut short. A harsh slap landed on my face, catching me off guard. I fell to the ground, clutching my cheek, while trying to understand what just happened.

“ I overlooked it when you tortured Emily. You paid people to kill her. You ordered warriors to rape her. I turned a blind eye to it all, Zia. I let you be my Luna and you stayed in my pack like a Queen. So, how dare you try to embarrass me in front of my Uncle now? ” Aiden yelled, and it broke my heart.

Was this why he started hating me?

Was this how much he trusted me?

“ Aiden, I- - - ”

“ Shut your mouth, Zia. I am only tolerating you because of the prophecy, or else I would have had you raped and killed just like what you tried to do to my innocent mate. ” He hissed, his eyes reddening with anger.

My heart missed a beat as I met his gaze.

“ How could you- - - ”

“ It was so tiring to pretend to be in love, Zia. But I held up the pretense to make this marriage work. So couldn’t you turn a blind eye to the one person I wanted and loved the most? ” He took a step back, glaring down at me hatefully.

It felt like the sky shattered and fell over my head. My ears started ringing.

“ You were pretending to be in love with me? ” I wondered, finding my voice foreign.

“ What else do you think it was? How could someone love an arrogant woman like you? You didn’t actually believe that I could love you, right? ” Aiden laughed. “ if you did, you are an idiot, Zia. A fool who considers herself too high and mighty when in reality you can never be half the woman Emily is. ”

My body froze. His words echoed in my ears on repeat mode. My wolf howled in pain before I felt her going into a deep slumber to escape.

“ Get the hell back to the pack and wait for me there. ” Aiden commanded, and stormed inside the Packhouse, leaving me on the ground.

If I thought his betrayal crushed my heart, his truth destroyed my whole being. How could I be such a fool to believe that he loved me?

Tears pooled in my eyes. I pressed my lips in a thin line.

The final thread broke. He used me all along and never once loved me.

“ Luna. ” Jack whispered, offering me his hand.

I glanced at his hand, and then his eyes that screamed pity for me. I was not this pathetic before. People couldn’t dare to pity me.

I wiped my cheeks and got to my feet. “ Jack, wait for me here. I need to talk to the Alpha King. ”

“ Luna, you heard the Alpha. We should go back. ” He shifted in his spot uncomfortably.

“ He is not our Alpha anymore. ” I hissed, anger hitting my nerves. “ I am. Listen to me, stay in the car and wait for me there. I am going to ask the Alpha King to split our packs again and return what belongs to me. ”

I marched inside the packhouse. The living area was empty, and there was no sign of Aiden anywhere.

Nibbling on my lower lip, I searched for any servant to lead me towards the Alpha King’s office, but my search was cut short by a familiar voice.

“ You are so thick-skinned, Zia. Still lingering around after the beating you got, huh? ” Emily laughed.

She was standing on the first floor, beside the curved staircase, peering down at me playfully.

“ If my mate had hit me in front of an audience, I would have never shown anyone my face again. ” She snickered, leaning over the railing.

Anger blinded me to the world. I climbed the stairs and stood in front of her.

“ You did a good job. ” I acknowledged. “ Your tricks were top-class, I must admit. ”

“ What tricks? ” She grinned, sliding her hair behind her ears.

“ I tried to get you raped and killed? Did I make life hell for you? ” I lifted my brow.

She clicked her tongue and replied in a fake, meek voice. “ I understand you are jealous, Luna but- - - ”

I raised my hand and slapped her face. She shrieked, her hand coming up to cup her swollen cheek.

“ You Bitch! How dare you slap- - - ”

I grabbed her hair and delivered one slap after another. Her hands hung by her sides lifelessly as she cried out in pain.

She was an omega, no match for an Alpha’s blood like me. That’s why she knew better than to fight back.

I continued to slap her and dragged her towards the wall to bang her head against it.

“ Aiden! Aiden, Zia is trying to kill. Aiden, save me. ” She screamed, struggling to break free.

I kicked her back, slamming her against the wall. “ Let me show you how I try to kill someone. ”

Before I could grab hold of her hair again, a hand closed around my hair and pulled me back. I gasped, my eyes meeting Aiden’s enraged gaze just momentarily.

He slapped me again and pushed me back. My ankle twisted, and I found myself freefalling.

My wide eyes met Aiden who leaped for Emily and hugged her body close while he watched me fall down the stairs.

My head hit the railing before I felt my body hitting the stairs. I rolled down, colliding with several stairs, until my forehead hit the last step and the metallic stench of blood spread in the air.

My vision blurred. Pain shot throughout my body. I tried to get up, but agony kept me down.

Gasping for air, I clenched my fists and looked up to find a man stepping into my blurred vision.

A dominating aura enveloped the area, making my wolf whimper. The dark energy the newcomer radiated turned everything gloomy and cold.

Sparks shot down my battered body, and my back arched. My nose sniffed for his intoxicating, masculine scent over the stench of my blood.

My mouth watered and I tried to whisper the word my wolf was screaming inside my head.

Mate.

I found my fated mate. 

4

ZIA

I was dreaming. The woodsy scent of my mate was so close to me. I couldn’t shake it off or snuggle away.

Electricity sparked in my veins, as his rough fingers ghosted over my skin. It was an intoxicating sensation that made my toes curl.

His spell was so intense that I couldn’t even focus on the pain and eventually, I opened my eyes.

A grey ceiling met my bewildered gaze. What happened?

Before I could ask that question, several memories flashed before my eyes. Aiden hit me for that wench again! He didn’t care if I had twisted my neck and died on the spot.

With that final stroke, Aiden officially made me hate him. There was no going back now.

I scoffed and sat up. My hand went to my head to check the state of my injuries. I was still sore, but it didn’t feel like I was bleeding anywhere.

The scent of wood and whiskey took over my senses once more. My hand dropped by my side. I picked up my head and looked in the direction of the scent to find a striking man sitting on a wingchair in the corner of the room.

Half his face was hidden behind the veil of darkness. I squinted my aching eyes, and my heart jumped in my throat.

He was unbelievably handsome. His chiseled jaw, thick lips, and proud nose hinted at perfection. My gaze rose to his eyes, and I stiffened.

‘ Mate! ’ Jessie wagged her tail, cooing inside my head.

I thought she had fallen into a deep slumber, but one look from my mate revived her broken heart and she was back.

I scanned the rest of his perfectly built body. He was muscular but lean, and I didn’t doubt that he hid his six-pack abs behind the crisp white shirt he wore. My gaze lowered to his black slacks, and I stopped myself from noticing the visible bulge in them.

Still married to a jerk, Zia! Remember that!

“ Interesting. ” The man finally opened his mouth and said hoarsely. His voice was as intoxicating as him. Velvety, deep, and rough.

I swallowed. “ Mate? Do you- - -recognize me? ”

His dominating aura spread in the air. I felt suffocated and oppressed, as my muscles stiffened and my wolf retreated into my subconscious.

“ I recognize you by another title. ” He said, resting one leg over the other.

My palms sweated. “ I know I- - - ”

“ I hear you are my Nephew’s Luna. ” He interrupted.

Color drained from my face. It felt like the world shattered, leaving me in a mess I couldn’t handle.

“ Maximus Caine. ” I whispered his name and my heart missed a beat.

Somewhere behind him, thunder flashed, illuminating his broad shoulders. I found myself staring into his blue, hawk-like eyes.

“ I don’t believe you fancy dying on a visit? ” He mocked, tapping the armrest with his fingers.

“ Are you telling me you might kill me for saying your name? ” My cheeks warmed.

“ Isn’t that a given? ” Maximus lifted his brows.

I flashed him a wide smile. “ Killing a fated mate is a sin Moon Goddess never forgives. ”

He frowned. His fingers ceased tapping the armrests. He tilted his head, his gaze lowering to my body, taking in every inch of me.

Bells rang inside my head. Surprisingly, those were not alarm bells.

Those were celebratory bells!

Hoorah!

I pushed the blankets away and marched straight to him. His eyes followed, distant but at the same time, curious.

I let my instincts guide me to his lap before he could stop me. He was so big, and hard. My mouth dried as his breaths ghosted my lips. Maximus’ arms remained on the armrests, away from my body.

Heat and sparks crept up my spine, making me gasp and lower my gaze to his lips. Without giving it much thought, I captured his mouth and kissed him roughly. His lips tasted like whiskey, and something masculine, like his power. My head spun and the world disappeared behind my closed eyes.

Maximus’ lips twitched against mine, but he didn’t kiss me back. Electricity sizzled in my veins. I moaned in his mouth and tilted my head to deepen the kiss.

Suddenly, Maximus’ hand fisted my hair and pulled our lips apart. I breathed heavily against his moist lips and watched as he touched them with the fingers of his other hand.

Our eyes meet. Heat blazed in his gaze, burning every inch of me. My courage dissolved and flooded my body like liquid arousal.

“ Uncle Maximus, do you want me to call you that? Do you think this is still the appropriate way to address you? ” I murmured, my lips curling into a smile.

“ What are you doing? ” Maximus’ hand closed around my throat but didn’t put pressure.

I gulped and provided innocently. “ I am kissing my mate. ”

Maximus tightened his hand around my throat and rasped. “ Be careful, Little one. They might not find your body later. ”

My face turned red with the lack of oxygen. I was bargaining with the devil, desperately hoping that he wouldn’t kill me and drag me to hell.

“ But you will come visit your mate, won’t you? It will be fine as long as you come every day. ” I grinned playfully.

He searched my watery eyes and then got up. Yelping, I dropped to the floor. Pain shot up my spine, and made me wince and roll on the floor like a child.

“ Why would you do that to your mate? ” I huffed.

“ Nephew’s mate. ” Maximus corrected and strolled to the door.

“ I will reject him right away! I don’t really care about him anymore. ” I offered and shot to my feet before he could leave me.

The room became frosty cold, making me take a step back. Maximus stopped at the door and shot a glance at me from over his shoulder. It felt like a warning and a promise of murder.

“ Stay away. You won’t get lucky the next time. ” Maximus grumbled and slammed the door on his way out.

Instead of feeling fear like I should, I shouted back. “ At least you didn’t kill me today. You are not known for such mercy, Alpha King! Did you fall in love with your mate already? ”

After receiving no reply, I finally glanced at the black nightie I was wearing. My eyes widened, as I noticed my bare legs and my braless hardened nipples.

So embarassing!

But it didn’t matter.

A Caine man! I found a Caine man as my freaking mate! On top of that, Maximus Caine was the Alpha King of the North region.

He was my way out from Aiden and this pathetic prophecy that ensured I remained with a man from the Caine family.

Now, all I needed was to give Aiden a taste of his own medicine.

At the mention of his name in my thoughts, the door to the room flew open with a thunderous noise. I jumped in my spot and looked at Aiden standing in the doorway.

His eyes were switching colors, as his wolf threatened to come out, and his nose flared, hinting at an explosive anger burst.

“ Why do I fucking smell another man on you, Zia? ” He snarled and charged towards me.

It was too late to dodge. So I- - -

5

MAXIMUS

“ Your mate? Aiden’s Luna? ” Aaron, my Beta snickered.

“ This is funny to you? ” I scanned the page of the ancient book before me instead of glancing his way.

“ Am I not supposed to find this funny? Our nephew’s chosen mate is your Luna. ” He chuckled again.

Shaking my head, I focused on the text I was trying to decipher. However, my mind kept drifting to that little- - -mate.

My lips still tingled with her taste and touch. Every cell in my body, and my wolf wanted me to rush back so she could pick up where she left me wanting more of her.

How audacious!

No one ever dared to stand before me, yet she climbed my lap and proceeded to kiss me as if she was staking her claim. That’s not right. I should find this infuriating and punish her.

But the thought of punishment didn’t include dungeons or whips. With her in mind, my thoughts of punishment drifted to a bedroom, to a red ass, and my striking palm.

I caught myself and shook off those indecent thoughts.

“ Do you believe what Aiden said to you? Do you think she slipped and fell down the stairs? ” Aaron sniffled and sat straight when he realized I was not in a good mood.

“ If he is abusing his Luna, I will snap his spine. ” I hissed, and my wolf purred in delight.

I should have done this the moment my eyes fell on her soft body lying in the pool of her blood.

“ If I think about it- - - ” Aaron trailed off.

“ Say it. ”

“ Well, you need a child, Alpha. ” He sighed. “ if Aiden is not treating Zia right, you should get her to reject him. You can have a child with her and get the elders off your back. ”

“ You want me to use her? ” I cocked a brow and shot him a glare. The idea of using that fierce little one made my blood boil.

“ She will be better off with you. You will never hurt her, Max. ” Aaron’s voice softened.

“ I will never hurt her? ” I smiled sarcastically. “ are you forgetting about my curse? ”

He sighed and shifted his gaze towards the wall. He had no answer.

I rolled my eyes and started studying the ancient text again. Years after years of scanning books and information, yet I didn’t find a cure to my curse.

It was like the Moon Goddess wanted me to suffer alone for an eternity. It must be the punishment for the crimes of my ancestors.

Something twisted inside my cold heart when I thought about Zia’s smiling face and the excited offer. She wanted to reject Aiden for me without caring about the consequences. She must have thought she could rely on me, but she was- - -wrong.

“ Tell her about your curse, and what you need from her. She will understand, Max. ” When Aaron spoke after a while, his voice was still soft.

“ No girl deserves a man like me. That’s why she will be happier with Aiden. He can give her everything I can’t. ” I murmured, feeling anger and pain rising in my heart.

Aaron slumped into his chair and glared at me. “ Maybe this information will change your mind. ”

“ What information? ” My ears perked.

Aaron smiled lazily. “ Aiden has a mistress. He brought her with him for the Council meeting instead of Zia. I heard- - -she is his fated mate and he plans on making her his Luna soon. Where do you think Zia will end up then? ”

A low growl rumbled in my chest. “ Does he not remember he is ruling Zia’s pack too? ”

“ Apparently not. He snatched everything from her and now doesn’t care what happens. ” Aaron shrugged nonchalantly.

I slammed the book on the desk. It rattled beneath my grip as I rose and leaned in.

“ Call that bastard here right now. I need to have a word with him. ” While I am at it, I might just break his neck and hide his body in a ditch.

“ Why not? ” Aaron chuckled and rose from his spot.

My nose flared. That idiot was trying to take over another pack illegally, without asking for my permission or Zia’s permission.

As if she heard me thinking about her, the scent of jasmine filled my office. My mouth watered and my muscles tightened just at the idea of having her close to me again.

I could have treated her like a Queen, given her everything she desired in this world if only I was not cursed.

The door to my office opened, and her head poked inside. Our eyes met, and she smiled so brightly that my heart started beating faster.

“ Knock. ” I frowned, masking my reaction to her presence.

Her nose scrunched at the coldness in my voice. She closed the door, knocked-more like pounded at it and then opened it again.

“ Happy, mate? ” She smiled again.

My lips twitched, but I kept my responses under control. My wolf was howling inside my head, desperate to claw out, slam her against the desk, and have his way with her.

But she didn’t deserve that animosity.

“ What do you want? ” I blinked, waiting for her to come closer to me.

She took the cue, closed the door again, and walked towards my desk. My eyes roamed the white dress she was wearing, lingering a little longer on her pale legs and then her lips.

My ears heated when I found myself staring at that luscious mouth.

“ A deal. ” Zia halted on the other side of my desk.

I had this undeniable urge to flip the desk and pull her in my arms but I straightened up to stare into her eyes. “ what deal? ”

“ I heard something interesting. ” She clapped her hands excitedly, making me suspicious of her intentions.

“ Do you not- - - ”

“ I heard the Elders are bothering you for a child. ” Her eyes sparkled like that of an angel but when her words registered, my eyes narrowed.

“ This is the moment where you take the hint and disappear. ” I rasped.

“ But I like you too much to do that. Since I have seen you, I can not think about anyone but you so I am going to- - - ”

I was onto her before I could stop myself. My hand wrapped around her neck, my grip gentle and I found my face nearing her lips again.

“ Don’t mess with me, Little one. ” I whispered, my gaze drawn towards the lick of her pink tongue.

My muscles strained under my shirt.

“ I can give you a child, Alpha King. A child birthed by your mate will be powerful and healthy. ” She breathed, shuddering under my hold.

My head was growing foggy as I felt her pulse under my grip. Her heart was hammering inside her chest.

“ In return, make me your mate, and get me my pack back from Aiden. ” Her hands reached for my shirt.

I released her and stepped back. “ Sounds like a loss to me. You want me to mate with my nephew’s Luna, upset my family, and fight for you in exchange for what? A child? ” The idea was too fucking tempting. I could imagine her under me, in my bed, but I had to push that image away.

She stepped closer and gripped my collar, making my lips twitch again. The audacity of this little girl amused me to no end.

“ I am offering you my loyalty, my devotion, a child and myself. It’s not a loss for you, Maximus. We can even sign a contract if you want. Get everything in the writing so if I don’t give you a child in say, 1 year, you can get rid of me.” She whispered seductively.

“ A contract huh? ” I gripped her waist and tugged her to my chest, “ Why don’t you give me a demo of your offer first? ”

She shocked me with her next move.