Chapter 1

Elena's POV The war with the rogues is finally over. My mate won—and now, I can sense his scent growing stronger, nearing me with every heartbeat. In this very same room last year, I was left alone by my husband on our wedding night, feeling cold and alone. Instead of the cuddles and kisses I was expecting, I received hurried words of goodbye from him, for the King called him to fight in a battle against the Rogues. And for the year that came, I was in charge of all the pack issues as I awaited for his comeback. Standing in front of the empty halls, I stared at the picture of the only family I had left, my husband, the Alpha of Swiftridge Pack – Bryson Renner. Yes, the only family I had… Years ago, my father and six brothers died in an unfortunate attack from the Rogues alongside most of our pack’s significant members. With their absence, my in-laws treated me well. So, when my father-in-law was injured in a war, I didn’t think twice about using every means I had to help the new family I had, the Swiftridge Pack. Though no one asked, I worked to be the best Luna they needed. I would even use my own inheritance to improve the living of their packs and ensure that Bryson’s mother, Courtney, who was sick, was well taken care of. I’ve looked around for the best doctor to check on her and brought every medicine she needed, no matter what the cost. Although I’ve been a full-time housewife who’s very different from the warrior I’ve been brought up to be, I’m still looking forward to my bright future after reuniting with my Alpha husband. I smiled as I admired his photo on the wall. He’s a great warrior on the battlefield, but when he was with me, he was nothing but sweet and gentlemanly. Due to my mother’s last wish, I turned my back from being a warrior and heeded her wishes for me to get married, have children, and lead a peaceful life. And on her last day in the hospital, Bryson came to her bedside and vowed to her that he’d treat me well for the rest of his life. Now, the war had ended, and he won another battle that brought glory to the kingdom. Joyful of his return, I held a grand celebratory event to welcome him back. I was wearing a beautiful midnight blue gown with sparkles on its hem, and I did my makeup and hair. I prepared so well for this, but as I walked toward the hall where the celebration was being held, my in-laws couldn’t even look at me, and the other elders and high-ranking members stared at me with sympathy. What’s happening? I wondered in confusion. My questions were then thrown out of the window the second I saw Bryson coming down the stage. A smile immediately formed on my lips as I watched him walk closer and closer to me. His brown eyes were sparkling with… My eyes narrowed. “Elena, I need to talk to you,” he spoke so earnestly that his baritone voice brought a chill to my spine. "Elena, I've found my fated mate." His words hung in the air after he repeated them, and I saw him smile with a depth of joy I had never seen before. His hazelnut eyes sparkled with unbridled joy, a stark contrast to the storm raging in my heart, as he continued, "…and I am marrying her." My wolf, Ava, whimpered inside of me while I froze in bewilderment. When I opened my lips, ready to refute, he thoughtlessly handed me a letter with the familiar seal of the kingdom. A cold sweat formed on my forehead, and my legs almost became weak at the sight of it. The last time I received that letter was when the kingdom showed their earnest gratitude and apology when my father and six brothers died in war. "W-what's that?" I asked. The last time I received it, I lost the people I love. What would I lose now? As I grabbed the letter and read it, Bryson spoke, "The King, himself, granted a verdict for my marriage with Glenda. She'll be joining our pack." It wasn't a question or a suggestion. It's a statement. Glenda… So, she's his fated mate. How could I not know her? She's, after all, a well-known warrior. Straightening up my back and keeping calm, I asked, "Glenda… She's a respected warrior from the kingdom, looked up to by every woman and valued by the royal family’s safety forces. Will she be willing to marry you without any title?" “Without a title? Of course, she’ll be my legal wife and Luna, just like you. You and her will be equal in everything, standing side by side in handling our pack’s affairs. Legal? Same as me? I sneered in utter disbelief. “The same? Do you really think making things legal won’t change the fact that she’s a mistress?” “Don’t call her that! She’s my fated mate, and we earned this marriage by battling through death in the rogue war. You just have to live with that!” Live with that? That phrase made my ear twitch as it repeatedly echoed in me. The audacity he had to say such a thing right in my face was beyond me. “Are you hearing yourself?” I asked, looking at him with eyes filled with betrayal. “Have you forgotten what you promised me on our marriage a year ago?” He was stunned for a bit. His eyes dimmed as he got lost in thoughts before they glinted with guilt that quickly vanished. A year ago, right after our marriage ceremony, he brought me to the lakeside near the venue where our ceremony was held. The moonlight shone before us, and he pulled me beside him, holding me by my waist while we stared at the moon. He slowly turned his head and whispered his vow right into my ears, which brought butterflies to my belly and warmth to my heart. “Remember this day, my Love. From today onwards, I’d love no one else but you. You’ll be the only woman in my life.” My heart was pumping so wild with happiness. I turned my head and met his gaze. “What if you find your fated mate?” Holding my chin with his thumb and index finger, he lifted my head up and made me stare closer at him. “It won’t change a thing.” I thought I was very lucky then, but it turned out. It was just a blissful dream I was so cruelly woken up from. That same man who promised me a lifetime was now looking at me with indifference as he firmly said, “Forget about that. I was clueless then. I love Glenda, and the moon goddess blessed us. We were meant for each other.” I felt like something in me vanished, and I felt so empty. But despite that, I need answers. Staring at him, I indifferently said, “I want to talk to her.” “Elena!” he growled protectively. He took a threatening step toward me. “Don’t you dare cause any unnecessary trouble! You are still a Luna. As long as you properly serve my family and this pack, I promise to give you a child in the future.” I looked at him in disbelief. I never thought he’d be so arrogant, totally different from the person he was when he asked my mother for my hand in marriage. A child? Serve? What did he take me for, a servant? And since when did a child become a piece of reward? The more he spoke, the more absurd he sounded to me. It’s ridiculous! Raising my head high, I took a deep breath and pursed my lips as I uttered with conviction, “Then, as the current and only Luna of this pack, I am commanding that you bring her to me.”