Before I could say anything, the loud banging on the door made it swing open by itself. It was flimsy, after all—the lock couldn't hold.
The air froze over. She was angry.
My hands trembled. I fell to my knees instantly, bowing, unable to withstand the pressure of her furious pheromones. "What is the meaning of this?" she hissed, her voice a whispering growl.
"I was just here to give her this," Lucian said nonchalantly, his voice completely void of fear or worry. "Don't blame her. She didn't even know I was here—I didn't ask her."
She scoffed. "As if she would have the decency to stop you if you had asked."
She was right. I wouldn't have. I was a horrible person.
"Give that to me and get out," she snapped, and I heard the shuffle of footsteps as I felt him turn and leave, his scent fading with him.
My heart thumped painfully. It felt like I was being pierced by a million shards of glass. Like this was the last time I would hear his voice. And he hadn't even said goodbye.
Only now did it truly feel like... his previous words had all been a lie.
He had once whispered, "You're beautiful."
Then why did I feel so hideous?
The clicking of heels stopped right in front of me. "Get up," she commanded.
I obeyed instantly, standing with my head bowed.
"Turn around," she said.
And so I did, not questioning her.
My fingertips trembled as I felt her loosen the string of my blindfold.
"Keep your eyes shut," she ordered. I remained still as she tied a different fabric around my eyes—a heavier, slightly larger cloth.
I reached up hesitantly, my fingers grazing the fabric. It felt smooth, soft... like the dress. But with little…beads on it I think.
Was this... what Lucian had come to give me?
Was it... a gift?
"Don't get any foolish ideas," she sneered. "This was probably given to Lucian by the head maid. But instead of passing it to me like she asked, he decided to come to you."
Oh. And just like that, she erased any last lingering hopes in my mind.
"Stay here. Don't you dare step outside. You'll be departing soon," she said. I nodded as she turned and left.
I stood there, stiff as a statue, unable to move. I don't know how long I stayed frozen in place.
An hour, maybe?
But then—
Cold metal snapped around my wrist. Panic settled in for the first time in hours as I finally snapped out of my daze.
"W-what is this?" I stammered, my voice trembling.
"They're cuffs, of course. Can't have you scurrying away like a cockroach now can we?" came a slimy voice.
Oh no. Not him. My stomach churned. From all the members of the pack, he was the only person I truly didn't like. Gareth. Unlike the others, he never kept his distance from me. He was one of the few people who didn't hide his disdain for me either. Never masked it with pity or indifference.
I think he was old—around fifty. He had been Alpha Theo's right-hand man for decades, the commander of our troops, and one of the most powerful Alphas in the pack. A man everyone respected.
"I... I won't run away," I shook my head quickly, fear lacing my every word.
"Aw. The little mouse is already shivering." His voice dripped with amusement. "If we hadn't locked her up, she'd be gone by now."
I let out a small whimper as I felt his hand crawl down my back, patting my butt.
My stomach turned. I didn't like this. It felt disgusting.
"Please don't," I pleaded, my voice barely above a whisper.
He grumbled something under his breath before suddenly—the chains jerked. I yelped as I nearly lost my balance. I stumbled, forced to follow as the metal dragged me forward.
We walked for what felt like an eternity but was probably only a couple minutes.
"Watch out. There are stairs," Gareth growled.
I nodded quickly, stepping cautiously—
But suddenly, the chains yanked again.
"Ah!"
My heart pounded painfully as I was thrown off balance. Cold hands caught me just before I fell. A sharp scoff.
"You tell me to 'stop', then fall right into my arms? Are you playing hard to get?"
I shook my head frantically.
"You... you just pulled the chains too hard," I whispered, struggling to keep my voice even.
The scent of tobacco and sweat made my stomach recoil, but I kept my expression neutral.
"Are you saying it's my fault?" His tone darkened.
My chest tightened. I quickly dropped my head and shook it.
"Give her to me." Alpha Theo's voice sounded. Relief flooded my chest. Anyone was better than Gareth.
I heard shuffling, then—without even addressing me—he took the chains and began pulling me forward. After we descended the stairs, I knew we were heading outside.
The festival was still ongoing. I could hear the faint hum of voices, the rustling of tents as wolves started waking up. Most of the pack would sleep outside until the festival ended the following night. So this was normal.
As we walked, hushed whispers followed us.
Alpha Theo suddenly stopped. I almost bumped into him. Then, he spoke.
"Is there someone you would like to say goodbye to?"
I paused. Was there anyone?
One name foolishly came to mind—Lucian. But I clenched my fists.
I shook my head. Even though I knew I wasn't worth much in this pack. Even though I knew these people had done me a favor by letting me stay in their protected territories for years and letting me eat their food.
I still felt a small amount of indignation. Not because they were sacrificing me….I didn't know what it was exactly that made me feel this way.
Maybe it was my almost non-existent self respect? That wanted to do just one last respectful thing and keep my distance from a person who now already had a mate.
Gareth sighed behind me.
"Such a pity," he mused, though I could hear the mockery and amusment in his tone.
"Alright then," Alpha Theo said. "Let's depart."
After a couple seconds, the atmosphere shifted.
I felt a rush of cold air against my skin. The familiar buzzing sound of a teleportation portal filled my ears.
And I knew. This was it. It all happened so fast but this was the last time I would hear the voices of the Moonbane pack wolves.
I should have felt sad. But frankly...
I felt nothing. Just an empty void.
A few minutes passed.
The air grew colder. Staler. The warmth of the sun was gone.
A chill ran through me, slipping beneath my mesh sleeves. It felt like mist was surrounding us.
"We're here," Alpha Theo said. I heard the faint crunch of leaves as we stepped forward. "The Crypt of Alastor."
Alastor? The Lycan King's name was Alastor? Something in my chest tightened. I don't know why. But the name felt... familiar. I had never heard of a wolf with that name before, so then why?
We walked for several more minutes. The soft crunch beneath my feet suddenly changed. Cold stone replaced earth.
"This is as far as we go," Alpha Theo said.
I froze. Already?
It had only been a few hours since Alpha Theo told me to prepare. If I hadn't willingly agreed...
Would they have forced me into this? The answer was obvious. Who else would they send but me?
"What... am I supposed to do?" I whispered. Fear crept into my voice for the first time.
I could feel the Lycan's aura now. His scent was thick in the air—intoxicating, unshakable. Unlike anything I had ever sensed before.
And for some reason… I was strangely drawn to it. That just made me even more afraid. Because it reminded me of siren's that lured unsuspecting pirates in the fairytales.
"Just keep walking," Alpha Theo said, his voice graver now. "Don't turn around. Keep walking inside."
"That's it?" I whispered, my feet rooted in place.
"Well? Don't dawdle," Gareth sneered. Then—a shove.
I stumbled forward. His pheromones pressed against me—thick, heavy, disgusting.
"Afraid now, are we? I don't mind taking you back….such a sultry little Omega….can be used in many different ways," Gareth chuckled.
Nausea overcame me. I swallowed hard, straightened and walked forward. Because despite my fear...
Somehow, I knew. This crypt...
Would be safer—no, better…than going back home.