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Useless Woman

Roana (Rou-Anna)

 "You should take an Omega since she failed to have a child! A real woman is all we need to protect the Alpha bloodline."

 The moment my mother-in-law spat out those cruel words to my husband, Alexander Silverstone, I froze. My eyes darted to him, the Alpha of the Silverstone Wolf Pack, waiting—praying—for him to stop her. To say something. Anything to defend me and protect me from those wild false accusations.

 But he didn’t. He just kept eating his food, as if her venom meant nothing. His eyes were stuck onto the beef like he never ate one before.

 "If she didn’t bring three villages as wedding gifts, I would have never let you marry this thick belly. Look at her. How will she conceive a child when her womb is filled with fat and uselessness?" She spat, her eyes were on my belly,

 Tears stung my eyes. My body trembled with rage and agony. Linda had been getting on my nerves lately. 

But I had been trying to control myself because of Alexander who already supported me like a protective shield. But today, it felt different. He was too quiet as if he didn't even hear her insulting me openly, Infront of everyone.

 My fist slammed against the table, rattling the dishes. I couldn't control myself from defending myself from this constant bullying.

 "Shut your mouth, Linda!" I snapped, my wolf bristling beneath my skin, pressing against my ribs like it wanted to rip out. "We don’t need a child. And even if we did, it’s our life, not yours! Stay out of it!" My voice cracked into a growl that made the servants flinch.

 Her face twisted in outrage. "Wh-what? What did you just say? Son! Is this how you let your wife speak to me? Did she forget that I am her mother-in-law?”

 Finally, Alexander looked up. But not to defend me. No—his blazing blue eyes turned on me, cold, sharp, full of annoyance.

 "Apologize to Mom," he didn't say, he commanded, his tone heavy with authority.

 "Alex?" My chest caved. " Apologize? Did you even hear her? She insulted me. She insulted your Luna!"

 "Enough, Rou!" His growl made the room quake. "No matter what she said, she was concerned. Without a child—"

 "Enough!" I cut him off, my voice cracking, my wolf pacing and snarling inside me. "We both know what’s happening with us. You should stand with me, not force me to swallow her insults! She mocked my body. I may be overweight, but I am not a doormat!"

 My heart bled as his eyes, filled with irritation and disgust, pierced me. Then his next words shattered everything.

 "I don’t have any problems, Rou." He leaned back slowly, his gaze like a blade. "You lied to me. You lied about me being infertile."

 I froze. "I… lied?"

 A cruel smirk curved his lips. He pulled something from his pocket and tossed it on the table. I leaned forward with trembling hands. An ultrasound photo stared back at me.

 My wolf howled in confusion, scratching against my bones. Whose?

 "My child," Alexander declared, voice rich with cruel satisfaction. "My mate is pregnant with my child. A proof that I wasn't as useless as you!"

 The fork clattered from my hand. Did I hear him right? His who?

Linda gasped and laughed with joy. She grabbed the photo from the table and yelped.

I felt my body loosening like all the strength wiped out. 

 Cheated? My husband, the love of my life—He had cheated on me? He had found his mate—long before this moment? And he had a child with her? No, Impossible. The child wasn't his. He might have cheated but it was clear that he didn't have that ability to make other people pregnant. Not even through IVF. 

But the thought of him loving someone and sleeping with another woman had completely crushed my world. Ripped me apart. My wolf wailed in agony.

 "You… you’re lying," I whispered, my jaw trembling.

 He tilted his head, voice laced with venom. "Why would I lie? Look at you, Rou. A woman like you doesn’t deserve truth, let alone me. You’re nothing but weight and shame. And you dared to tell me I was broken? That I was less of a man?" His growl thundered. "Do you think I’m a fool?"

 The slap came before I could breathe. Linda’s palm seared my cheek.

 "You witch!" she spat. "You tried to drag my son into your misery? Make him believe he was useless like you? You disgust me!"

 Her slap barely registered. Because the betrayal cut deeper. 

 Two years of marriage. My father had given three wolf villages as dowry just to marry me off, the unwanted daughter. I was overweight, mocked, ridiculed. No man wanted me. Not even with those villages. After all, they needed skim, picture perfect Luna. Even Omegas were lucky enough to get their attention but me.

 And yet… I had loved Alexander. Loved him like my salvation. He gave me confidence when I had none. For two years, he was everything I dreamed of.

 And now, he tore my world apart with one photograph and one line— nothing but weight and misery.

 Tears fell onto my lap as I stared at him. His face carried only boredom, as though my heartbreak was an inconvenience. Suddenly I realised my emotions were nothing to him and it was enough to make it turn into some cold and numbness uselessness.

 I stood. My wolf snapped inside me, growling for freedom. My hand clenched around my phone.

 "Where are you going?" His icy voice chased me.

 I didn’t answer. My body moved on its own. My favourite heels felt so heavy, hanging onto my feet.

 "Roana!" His tone hardened as he followed. "Don’t walk away. Let’s talk. Leaving like this is cowardly and—"

 My hand struck his face with a sharp slap. His head snapped to the side.

 A gasp rippled through the entire pack house. Then came the silence. It was deafening.

 "Sleeping with another woman, getting her pregnant, and keeping your wife in the dark—that’s cowardly, Alexander." My voice shook with fury and pain. "I’m leaving this Pack. You’ll get divorce papers soon. I made it clear—cheating is the one sin I will never forgive."

 I stormed into the bedroom, my wolf pacing madly, begging me to tear him apart. The servants’ eyes followed, glinting with cruel satisfaction.

 Behind me, Alexander roared, "If you hadn’t lied, I wouldn’t have done this! I had to prove myself!"

 I laughed bitterly, clutching my head. The pain was unbearable. I turned, meeting the man I once begged the Moon Goddess for.

 "Congratulations, Alexander," I whispered, my voice breaking. "You’ve destroyed me better than any enemy ever could. And you proved yourself that you could go down to the filthiest place to prove something you didn't have the ability to prove."

 I dragged a suitcase across the floor. He caught my wrist, desperate, trembling.

 "Stop it, Rou! I’m not choosing her. But the child—our child—she’s only a vessel. Like a surrogate. It’s ours." Suddenly his tone shifted. “ We will be the parents and -!”

 My heart felt nothing. My wolf snapped and growled inside me, wanting to lunge for his throat. I always kept myself away from people so that I wouldn't fall in love with people who wouldn't appreciate me. But I failed to protect myself from the only person I ever loved.

 "Son!" Linda stormed in, her eyes gleaming with triumph. She shoved me back, venom dripping from her voice. "Let her go. Who cares? You finally have an heir. Your mate deserves everything, not this pathetic whale."

 My lips curled into a snarl, but Alexander cut in.

 "Enough! Stay out of this, Mom. I’m not divorcing her. Rou, we’ll adopt the baby and—"

 "I don’t want to!" My voice was raw, broken but fierce. I shoved clothes into the suitcase. " I am not a pathetic woman who will play home with your illegitimate children and a cheater like you."

 "You’re overreacting, Rou!" His voice rose, desperate. "Even after your lies, I forgave you. Now we’ll have a child. Why can’t you see—"

 "Alpha!"

 The word froze the room.

 We turned to the doorway. A woman stood there, her belly swollen, ready to give birth.

 My wolf went still. My heart stopped. I couldn't help but scan the woman like she was some sort of product. Her clothes, her jewelry, and the belly, everything screamed something bitter. Something I didn't want to accept. 

But what hit me the most was the belly! She was so pregnant.

 "So," I whispered, the air trembling in my lungs, "you cheated long before we even discovered our problems." I turned towards Alex who was standing still like a deer caught in headlights. 

 Alexander’s face drained of all color. His lips parted, but no words came.

 "You make me sick," I hissed, my wolf snarling through my voice. "Even the bond feels poisoned now."

“ Stop it, Rou! Why can't you be reasonable? I am the Alpha. I can provide you two without any -!”

Another slap echoed as the back of my hand hit his face. “ Fuck you, Alexander!”

 I gripped the suitcase, but before I could step past him—

 The pregnant woman’s hand moved off her belly. In her palm glimmered a silver mark, glowing faintly.

 The mate mark. The Mark that he refused to gift me. The mark for what my Wolf had been in constant agony and pain.

 So, he marked her and I was living a life with lies and wild fantasy that he would love me forever. How pathetic I am!

Choosing myself

The hooves of my favorite horse drummed against the earth with a steady rhythm, but each step made my body ache.

I left the pack that I had been calling home for the last two years. All I took was the clothes that I bought myself and my dearest horse. No car, no wealth, nothing. Only self-respect and priority.

  By the time River’s Edge Pack House loomed into sight, my chest was heavy, my clothes clinging to me with travel’s wear. I wanted only a moment of quiet—my father’s strong voice, my mother’s presence. Home that always anchored me .

 I wanted to throw myself in their arms and cried out loud. I was betrayed by the person who I loved so dearly. 

 But the moment I reached the gates, I knew something was wrong.

 The servants met me at the door, heads bowed, eyes darting as though I had stepped into a secret they had all been waiting to see unfold. My stomach tightened. I hadn’t told a soul that I was returning.

 “What’s happening here?” I whispered, but no one answered.

 The walls of the Pack House swallowed me whole, familiar yet stifling. I pushed into the living room, and the instant I saw them, my body froze.

 My mother—Luna Milestones—rose to her feet, eyes narrowing at me, disappointment already burning like fire. My father sat stiff, arms folded across his chest, his gaze unreadable but heavy. His imposing authority was there, raw and palpable.

 And there. Standing with that smug curl to his lips—Alexander.

 My husband. He came before me. He might have taken the car to arrive first since I refused to use his vehicle. 

 “Roana!” my mother’s voice cracked like a whip.

 I glared at her, then at Alex. The smirk on his face made my blood boil.

 “What’s going on?” My voice trembled with rage. “ Why is this bastard here?”

 “Roana!” my mother snapped again before I could say more. “Just because you had an argument with your husband doesn’t mean you can abandon your Pack. As Luna, you have a responsibility to fulfill. You can’t run every time things don’t go your way.” She snarled,

 I laughed bitterly, though the sound hurt. “Argument? That’s what you think this is?” I was disappointed. She didn't even care about my side of the story.

 She waved me off. “Don’t exaggerate.”

 But my gaze snapped to him, my voice a snarl. “What are you doing here, Alexander? You dare step into my father’s house to twist the truth?”

 “Luna,” he said smoothly, voice dripping with false sweetness. His eyes shone with false innocence, his lips parting as though every word he spoke was sacred. “I don’t understand this behavior. We are fine. All marriages require adjustment. Everyone adjusts. That doesn't mean you can give up on our marriage, On us?”

 My wolf growled in me, a howl breaking through my chest. “Enough! Get out!”

 But my mother’s hand cut through the air like a blade. “That is enough, Roana! Don’t speak to your husband like that. You should worship him for still caring about someone like you!”

 Someone like me? The room spun. My breath caught. “Worship him? Worship a cheater?”

 They both flinched, but Alexander only tilted his head with a sly smile, letting me dig my grave.

 I spat the words, my voice breaking, “ You didn't tell them about the woman? The woman you crawl into bed with— her belly full with your child. She’s about to give birth, Alexander! Don’t you dare stand there and pretend!”

 The silence that fell was suffocating.

 My father’s jaw flexed, but he did not deny it. He did not turn on Alexander. He turned on me.

 “Even if this is true,” he said, voice steady, cold, “he is still your husband. He has given this Pack what you could not.”

 The words slammed into me like a punch.

 “What—?” I choked, my heart thundering. " I couldn't give him a child?"

 My mother stepped forward, her gaze hard. “You’ve been married for years, Roana. Years. And not a single child. Do you think people haven’t noticed? A Luna who cannot give her Alpha an heir? You’ve failed your most basic duty.”

 Tears blurred my vision, hot trails down my cheeks. “You think this is my fault?”

 “What else should we think?” she snapped. “You’ve never been like the other girls. You carry weight, Look at you, you carry temper, you carry pride—but not a child. Alexander, at least, has proven he can give life to his Pack. That is more than you’ve done.”

 My knees shook. I gripped the edge of the chair to steady myself, my nails biting deep into wood.

 Alexander lowered his gaze, feigning shame, his voice hushed, oh-so-sweet. “I never wanted this, Roana. But what was I to do? I need an heir. The Pack needs one. She… it just happened.”

 “It just happened?” I laughed, a raw, jagged sound. “You betrayed me. You lied to me. You—”

 My father’s voice cut across mine. “Enough, Roana. You will not raise your voice in this house.”

 I looked at him, the Alpha, my father, the man who had taught me loyalty and honor—and found only judgment.

 My mother’s tone softened, but her words pierced sharper than any blade. “Listen to me, child. The baby is innocent. The woman? She will not matter once the child is born. You will take the child as your own. Raise it. Present it to the Pack as the heir of River’s Edge. That is your duty.”

 My breath stuttered. “You… you want me to raise his mistress’s child?”

 My mother nodded firmly. “Yes. You are the Luna. You will act like one. Stop this foolish pride. The Pack doesn’t care how the child comes, only that there is one. This is a blessing, Roana. Don’t turn it into shame.”

 Alexander’s lips curved, just enough for me to see the satisfaction in them. He didn’t even need to fight. My parents were breaking me for him.

 I stumbled back, shaking my head violently. “No. No, I will not raise another woman’s child as mine while he stands here smirking at me. I am not your puppet!”

 My father rose then, towering, his voice thunderous. “You will do as we say, Roana! You will not disgrace this Pack further. Do you want the Pack to laugh at us? At you? At your failure? You don't even have the ability to have a child. And now you think you can just come back to humilate us? I am not approving your return”

 Failure. The word sliced straight through my chest.

 Ugly. Overweight. Childless.

 Their eyes saw only what I lacked. Never what I gave. Never who I was.

 Tears streamed unchecked as my wolf roared inside me, clawing to break free. “You all… you all would see me burn alive if it meant saving his pride.”

 My mother’s lips pressed into a thin line. “We would see you fulfill your duty.”

 And Alexander? He stepped closer, lowering his voice until only I could hear, though his eyes glittered with victory. “Don’t worry, Luna. You’ll grow to love the child. It will even call you mother.”

 My vision blurred, rage and grief tangling until I could barely stand. My parents’ faces, cold and firm. My husband was smirk, cruel and triumphant.

 I had never felt so utterly alone.

 Yet somewhere inside, through the cracks of my breaking, my wolf whispered defiance.

 If they thought I would bow, if they thought I would raise his betrayal as though it were my salvation—they were wrong.

 I turned from them, trembling but standing. “You can force me into silence. But you cannot force me into love. And one day, when the truth burns through all your lies, remember this moment. Remember how you chained me with a child that was never mine.” I took a deep breath and looked straight to my parents, 

 " Now I know why Moon Goddess didn't give you another child. Because she knows, you don't deserve us. Not even me."

 Their gasps silenced the room. My body was shaking at this point.

“ What did you just say?” My mother's eyes glistened with tears, 

“ I said, I am happy that you have no other children and from today onward, Mom and Dad, I refuse to acknowledge you as my parents either. Thank Goddess that she didn't allow you to bring another soul into this family! You are selfish, cruel and terrible parents! I loathe you!”

My parents froze there as I stormed out of the house. They always wanted to have a child but couldn't. Sometimes they blamed each other and it had turned into a sore topic for them.

I didn't want to say those words but today, their words wounded me. I loved them, I trusted them, but not anymore.

 The heavy air of River’s Edge crushed me still, but within my chest, defiance flickered.

 If they would not stand with me, I would stand alone. I was done feeling pathetic just because I was ugly and overweight. If nobody could love me, I would love myself.

 And when the time came, I would not bow. Even if nobody wanted someone like me, a fatty, unattractive and useless woman, I wouldn't let them use me. 

 " What are you going to do with? Roana!" My Wolf purred inside in pain and disappointment. 

 " Divorce and then I will leave this Pack and everyone behind!" I gritted my teeth. " I will live my life with pride!”

Unexpected encounter

I knew that Alexander and my parents wouldn’t leave me alone. They always tried to make me submissive, belittling me in every aspect of my life just because I was overweight.

  But I could no longer let that happen. I knew that woman wasn’t pregnant with Alex’s child. After all, Alexander had already been diagnosed with azoospermia. The best healer of the Werewolf World had confirmed it himself.

  What I didn’t understand was how delusional Alex had to be to believe that woman’s words. And frankly, I didn’t give a damn anymore. I knew I wasn’t attractive, I knew people didn’t find me desirable. But that didn’t mean I would let anyone step all over me or use me as their doormat.

  Right after leaving the Packhouse, I mounted my horse, Candy—a white Arabian stallion gifted to me by my grandpa—and rode straight to the woods.

  It was one of my favorite places to calm my soul. The dry leaves crunched under Candy’s hooves, the wind drummed in my ears like a heartbeat, keeping me both lost and awake.

  I was hungry, exhausted, and mentally drained. I couldn’t believe—my soul didn’t want to believe—that the happiness I’d felt just a few hours ago had suddenly turned into a nightmare.

  After playing with Candy in the woods for another thirty minutes, we arrived at the stream. The water there was as sweet as the water of the spring nearby. People usually went to the spring, but no one ever came here.

  So, it had become my secret hideaway.

  We both sat on the edge of an old oak stump. It was so large that even Candy could lay down without any problem.

  I rested my head on her belly. She was the only one who had never hated me, never discriminated against me for being overweight. She carried me with pride and grace, and I would do anything to protect her.

  As I drifted off into her warm fur, a sharp groan suddenly snapped me awake. I lifted my head, trying to figure out what it was. At first, I thought maybe the sound was from the branches of the trees creaking in the wind, so I shrugged it off.

  But then Candy stirred, purring uneasily, her head turning toward the stream.

  “Is there someone else?” I asked, sitting up. She rubbed her forehead against my arm in response. I couldn’t help but stand up instantly.

  “Let me check! You stay here!” I kissed her forehead and slid down to the riverbank. The groan echoed again, but it wasn’t close by.

  “I can smell it from the banana bush!” my wolf alerted me.

  “Good job!” I whispered back and ran toward the wild banana bush that nobody ever wanted.

  The closer I got, the stronger the scent became. It was woody, musky, and sharp, laced with leather. I could feel my wolf stirring inside me, restless with a familiar discomfort.

  “It can’t be,” she whispered, shuddering under the weight of the scent. Then she growled with certainty, “Mate!”

  My movements froze. I slipped on the ground in shock as she barked inside my head, “Roana! It’s our mate. Mate!” She jumped and rolled in excitement.

  I stared at the muddy ground, my body shaking violently. Mate? I had a mate?

  Who could possibly be that unlucky—to be cursed with a mate like me? Pathetic fate for him.

  As I sat there in disbelief, the groaning came again. This time, my body moved on instinct, like an animal.

  I ran toward the bush without stopping. But the moment I spotted the leg of a werewolf, the sharp scent of blood hit my nostrils.

  “He’s injured!” Rye, my wolf, growled under her breath.

  I stepped closer, cautious. At first, I thought it was just another wolf. But the moment I came fully into view, my entire body shattered.

  I blinked, clutching the dirty hem of my dress. My pulse throbbed, my heart pounded, and the bond inside me came alive—raw, fierce, and painfully active.

  “It’s not a werewolf,” I muttered, unable to believe my own eyes.

  “Our mate is a Lycan? Unbelievable!” Rye’s shock mirrored mine. Our mate could have been anyone—but a Lycan?

  And there was only one Lycan we knew.

  “It’s not possible!” I told myself. “There’s no way the Lycan King is our mate, Rye. Maybe it’s just a delusion!”

  “I can feel him!” Rye pressed. “You can see the faint golden waves connecting to him!”

  I glanced at my wrist, where a crescent mark had faintly appeared. Still, I didn’t want to believe it. I didn’t deserve a Lycan mate.

  “We need to treat him first. Let’s stop being delusional,” I muttered, forcing myself forward.

  It was my first time seeing a Lycan in hybrid form, and I couldn’t deny I was scared.

  As I approached, his eyes flickered open, but he couldn’t lift his head. His growl vibrated through the air, and suddenly the atmosphere around me thickened.

  That was when I felt it—his aura.

  Even half-dead, poisoned, and bleeding, the raw dominance of a Lycan pressed down on me like a crushing weight. My knees almost buckled under the force, my chest tightened as though the air itself belonged to him. It wasn’t just presence—it was command, the kind that bent worlds and made wolves kneel without thought.

  Rye whimpered inside me, torn between submission and the wild thrill of recognition.

  “Stand tall!” I hissed back at her, clenching my fists. I wouldn’t bend. Not to him. Not even if he was the most powerful creature alive.

  Still, every growl from him shook the ground beneath my feet, every flicker of his crimson eyes felt like a command to kneel.

  “Grrr!” He growled again, this time trying to kick me with his other leg, despite the blood loss.

  I forced myself forward, ignoring the suffocating aura. My hand trembled as I stroked his belly, trying to calm both him and myself. “Shh! I won’t hurt you. Relax,” I whispered softly.

  He looked agitated, but the poison had weakened him.

  “I’ll remove the arrow first. Please trust me! I won’t hurt you,” I promised with a small smile. He closed his eyes, though the weight of his aura still lingered, like invisible chains around me.

  Carefully, I wrapped my fingers around the arrow. He growled again, a snarl sharp enough to slice through bone, but I kept my focus.

  One wrong move and I could destroy his nerves. Werewolves and Lycans could heal, yes, but only small cuts and torn muscles. Major wounds were another story entirely.

  I placed my left hand around the undamaged skin and yanked the arrow out with all my strength.

  “You—!” He howled violently, his voice ripping through the forest. His aura flared at the same time, crashing into me like a storm. Blood gushed from his stomach like a river, but I didn’t stop. The poison was spreading. I needed enough blood to leave his body before I could seal the wound.

  He kept growling in agony as I reached for the other arrow. This time, though, his pain turned into frenzy. His fangs sharpened, his claws shot out, and he slashed toward me.

  His aura surged with the attack, a violent, dominant force meant to crush me into the dirt.

  But I dodged easily, panting under the weight of him. I might be overweight, but I was still a Luna.

  “Calm down if you don’t want to die!” I hissed, tearing at my dress. “I won’t hurt you. And even if I did, you don’t have the strength to fight me!” I snapped while ripping the fabric into strips.

  He glared at me with blazing red eyes, his aura still pressing down like a storm. Even weakened, he was terrifyingly dangerous.

  But I stayed calm. This was life or death. One mistake and the poison would reach his heart, killing him instantly.

  I let enough blood flow before pressing the torn fabric to his wound. The moment I touched him, he tried to lash out again. His aura surged with defiance, as if even in weakness he refused to submit.

  “Stop it!” I smacked his head. “Are you a child? The poison hasn’t reached your brain, has it?” I glared at him before standing.

  “Lay down, you crybaby. I’ll grab some herbs. Don’t even think about moving!”

  I was already furious with my parents and husband. And now? Now I had a mate who was not only a Lycan King—but a crybaby one at that. Tsk.

  " I will kill you!" Suddenly a sharp deep, cold voice came in my head. I snapped to him, the half-dead Lycan, staring at me with rage and pain. He had enough strength to link my mind. How fascinating!

  But before I could say anything, he closed his eyes, passing out

Leaving everything behind

I couldn't find many herbs. Since I didn't know what kind of poison he had in his body, I collected the common healing herbs and anti-poison herbs to control the damage.

 Rye was so adamant about collecting more. She was in pain and desperate to protect her mate, despite knowing that she was already married to another. But in our mind, Alexander was already someone we were ready to get rid of from our heart. So I didn't stop her.

 As we returned with the herbs, we noticed him still laying on the floor. But to my surprise, Candy was there, laying next to him.

 The moment she saw me, she ran towards me and started rubbing her forehead on my arms. She nickered at me with excitement.

 "Did you think I disappeared?" I chuckled softly and hugged her. She might have been laying next to the Lycan because of my clothes around him.

 I rubbed her belly while walking towards him. The bleeding had stopped, thankfully. His face was pale, but I couldn't do more since there was no way I could carry him.

 But when Candy groaned on the soft bush, I realized that I could do more than just helping him.

 I turned to Candy, who was munching on the banana leaf. She turned to me and groaned again.

 "I need help, Candy!" I stood up and walked to the enormous Lycan's head. He was still unconscious, thankfully. Otherwise, he would have thrown another childish tantrum.

 "We need to take him to the Healer's residence. Help me lift him!"

 Candy stood up immediately and stood before me. I lifted him barely, Rye lending me her strength to make it possible.

 As I was able to lift half of his body, Candy knelt, making it easier for me to throw his heavy figure onto her back.

 "Thank you, Love! You did a good job!" I kissed Candy's forehead and watched her stand up.

 She neighed excitedly while lowering herself again.

 "I am riding, Love. Just a bit!"

 I grabbed the herbs from the ground and rode her within a few minutes. "Let's go, Candy. We are going to protect a person!"

 She snorted, biting a banana leaf before heading to the clearings.

 Through emerald corridors of tangled shade, she ran like a blur of muscle and sinew, her mane a flowing ribbon in the forest air. Her hooves beat a drum on the damp and mossy ground. She looked like a fairy in the world of green and golden sunlight.

 Rye purred. Her senses were clouded by his presence. His scent, thick and dominant, kept our bond throbbing. She wanted to feel her mate, touch him. But she knew how restricted we were. Not until we were free from Alexander, we couldn't do anything.

 Candy, my sweet baby, arrived at the Pack Healer's residence through the woods, avoiding any members of the Pack. She was as intelligent as ever. She knew how to protect me from bad people.

 "Thank you!" I gave another kiss on her forehead after getting off her back. Then I rushed to the door and started knocking.

 "Healer Oliver! Are you home? It's urgent!"

 I shouted his name. Healer Oliver was a man of words. He would never disclose any information about anyone, and I trusted him like my grandpa when he was alive.

 It took around one minute before the door was unlocked from inside. I stepped away for a few steps.

 "Who is it?" He put his glasses on and looked at me. "Oh Goddess! It's Lady Roana! What brought you here?" he exclaimed and immediately walked out.

 "I need help. I found a patient and—!" I turned to show him the Lycan.

 Oliver froze for a significant moment before he muttered, "Not an average patient!"

 My shoulders dropped. "Can you treat him? I don't think I can stay longer."

 My father would send people to find me soon. After all, it seemed like Alexander was adamant about taking me back. There was no way I would live with a cheater.

 "Yes. I can. Seems like you have done the first aid!"

 "Yeah. I tried. I don't know what's happening with him now!" I chuckled awkwardly. I wasn't into medicine, but I knew a few things to survive.

 "Good job. But I heard that you ran away from home angrily. My wife said the Alpha has sent people to find you already!"

 "What?" I exclaimed, my voice shaking.

 "Yeah. They said you are having some mental issues and can't think straight. Is everything alright?"

 "Do I look like I am losing my mind, Oliver?" I asked, my voice cold.

 He walked towards the Lycan and stared at him. "Nobody can do such a good job at bandaging two wounds like this while losing their mind, My Lady. But I don't think your future is too shiny today."

 He looked at me. "You should run away. I don't think your parents are going to help you with your losing mind."

 I stayed quiet for a second while he inspected the Lycan. Then I asked something, "I need your help!"

 I would divorce Alexander before I left this place. No matter what, Alexander wouldn't be able to control me once I signed the papers. After all, he marked another woman, and according to the law, he had already violated the first rule of marriage. You can't mark someone else while keeping a lawful wife.

 "I will do anything if you need help. But what should I do with this young man? If I am right, he is someone we all know!"

 I knew what he meant by this. The only existing Lycan was the Lycan King. But I couldn't get myself involved with that ruthless Lycan King who would never accept someone like me, an overweight useless wolf.

 "You don't have to worry about him. Just don't tell him that it was me. I am planning to erase myself from everything. So no need to have another string attached to me! All you have to do is receive an envelope and send it to my parents anonymously."

 Oliver stayed quiet and then nodded. After helping him take the Lycan to his house, I rode my horse and went straight to the borderline. I would send the divorce papers to him when I was settled somewhere safe and away from everyone.

 "What about our mate?" Rye purred disappointedly.

 "Do you think a Lycan King like him will accept someone like me, Rye? They all are in our past now. So please stop thinking about it!"

 Rye howled violently in disagreement, but we both knew that we had gone through thousands of rejections because of this. No one wanted to be my partner during prom or assignments in university, just because I wasn't attractive enough.

 So it was an easy conclusion. No matter whoever out there was our mate, the first thing he would do after he woke up was a rejection. He would reject an ugly overweight woman.

 It was better to leave it behind than to watch Rye go through the hellish pain of rejection.

 But at that moment, I thought I had left him in the past. But little did I know that the Lycan King was already chasing my future—like a nightmare I could never outrun.

Cassian Wolfram

Cassian Wolfram,

"Tell me, who is she?" The unsheathed claws wrapped around this small old he-wolf's neck, looking deliciously fragile, ready to snap and break. My claws pressed deeper, reminding him that one twitch of my fingers could end his pitiful life in a heartbeat.

"My– My Lord. I beg you for mercy. I don't know. I don't know who she is. I found you at my doorstep!" This old healer was stubborn. But stupidly stubborn. His trembling didn’t amuse me; it irritated me.

"How dare you lie in the face of the Lycan King! Do you have no love for your life? Tell me who that fucking woman is who saved me. I might not remember her name, but her scent is still lingering here!" I smirked, leaning closer, my breath ghosting against his face as his pulse hammered under my grip.

"Is she that important to you, that you protect her? You foolish!" I gritted my teeth, my grip around his neck hardening, watching his skin redden and veins pop. The sound of his strangled gasp almost tempted me to snap his neck and silence him forever.

His eyes widened, the signs of struggling to breathe appearing on his wrinkled face. "My... My Lord! She... She is the princess of this Pack. But she... she is married to another Alpha!" He finally confessed with quivering lips. But the distinct regret of exposing her identity seemed to have made him weaker.

Those people really liked their princess, didn’t they? They were ready to die to hide her identity. How amusing. Pathetic, but amusing.

"Tsk. Weaklings." I released him with a flick, throwing him across the room like useless debris. His body hit the floor with a thud. I stepped over him without another glance, walking toward the door with the weight of command in each stride. " I won't hurt whoever saves me. So, you should have told me about her. Here." I tossed a stack of coins onto the shoe rack, the metal clinking coldly. " Thank you for saving me. Don’t act like a hero next time. Heroes die first."

I walked out of the small house, leaving that old man on the floor, gasping like a fish desperate for air.

I woke up to find myself lying on a bed. Wrapped in bandages, I immediately recalled yesterday's fight with the King of Rogues. The Dark Rogues—one of the strongest and deadliest Rogues. But what struck my consciousness was the betrayal of my own people, my personal servant who I took with me.

Not only did that ungrateful omega betray me by using a strong amount of wolfsbane, but he also attacked me when I was off guard. His face will be the first I rip apart when the time comes.

That was when reality struck. I lost my trusted people who were ready to sacrifice their lives for the safety of those Packs under my surveillance. He killed them the way he tried to kill me.

All I could do was run, fucking run away like a pathetic loser. Anger burned my body, my heart, and soul. I am no loser. They would pay for everything—every single thing—until their blood decorates the soil.

While running away from the battlefield, I realized that the poison that coursed through me hadn’t been Wolfsbane alone. No, the bastards were clever. Belladonna, twined with Wolfsbane, seeped into my blood, twisting my mind, burning my flesh.

When the Wolfsbane’s fire tore through my body, even my Lycan could not endure it. He plunged us into the river, the icy depths biting, drowning the flames just enough to keep us alive.

By the time I first opened my eyes, I saw her. A woman, standing before me, her hands wrapped around the arrows that my Lycan carried. Panic struck with the thought of being attacked by another rogue.

But I couldn’t do anything but watch her pulling the arrows as if her life depended on it.

I couldn’t see her face; her beautiful red hair covered it. But I saw her body, her scent, and I heard her voice.

I didn’t know how she looked, but I wouldn’t forget that scent—just the scent of jasmine after a rain shower. No other scent. Very unique and comforting.

However, my Lycan was a mess. The belladonna affected our minds and turned us to madness. We felt that bond when she touched us, like a magnetic force towards its opposite pull. But our soul was in rampage, and we wanted to crush her for touching us. The madness craved to destroy her, while something deeper wanted to claim her.

But now, I must find her. I finally found the woman. How could I let her leave without a proper thank you?

Throwing the hood on my head, I decided to meet the Alpha of the River’s Edge Wolf Pack. A small Wolf Pack, blessed with red stone and good soil. This is one of the Packs that supply high-quality vegetables and red stone for construction projects.

Although I never had any chance to visit this small Pack before, I didn’t know who they were until I asked around.

By the time I arrived at the Alpha Packhouse, the air seemed tense. I stood in the corner of two walls, watching servants running around with pale complexions. My presence alone would have silenced them if they knew who I was.

"Head maid, the patrol guards on the east borderline informed that they saw Lady Roana crossing the border with her horse. They tried to stop her, but she took down all the warriors!" One of the guards informed while his breath was shaky.

"How could Lady Roana take down all the warriors? She doesn’t fight, you goddamn it! Her Wolf is as heavy as she is!" The head maid didn’t hide her disgust.

"I am not lying, Head Maid. The surveillance footage is here. You can check. She used her Wolf to fight!"

I leaned against the wall, trying to understand the entire situation. The way she said Lady Roana—the only person I could think of would be the woman who saved me.

But clearly, those people had no respect for her. Their words dripped with disdain, and yet she was stronger than they imagined.

"Enough!" A voice shattered the chaos. The footsteps from behind came with heavy presence. "Rou is stronger than you have ever imagined."

My eyes narrowed when I recognized the person—Alpha Alexander. At the last Alpha summit, he made a mess and embarrassed himself. But come to think of it, he brought a woman with him. Yes, a doll-like woman with red hair and... Was it her?

"If she is headed to the east, then we will go to search for her. We can’t let her go!" Alexander said through gritted teeth.

"But Alexander! What will happen to your mate? She is pregnant with your child. Roana will return once she knows that she is as unwanted as she always was. Nobody likes a woman like her." There they came—Alpha Milestones and Luna Milestones.

But who were they talking about? The woman who protected me—their daughter—or someone else?

I walked toward three female Omegas who were heading toward the gate. "Excuse me." I hid my face.

"Who is Roana?" I asked, my voice calm, but the calm of a storm about to break.

They froze and then glanced at each other. "Lady Roana is the princess of this Pack. Who are you? Sir, you aren’t allowed in the main Packhouse without permission!"

I smirked, leaning closer to them, letting my shadow swallow theirs. "Well, here I am. I don’t need permission."

I turned to look at Alexander, and the Alpha and Luna. So, it was quite clear then. The woman who saved me was Roana, and she was the one who ran away from home.

Well, well. This seemed like it would be fun. A fun game of catching the little rabbit. Let’s see who catches the rabbit first, Alpha Alexander. But even if you do, she’s mine to feast on.

Found Her

Roana,

Five weeks later.

"Miss Roana! Can you cover the evening shift today? Olivia has to attend an event tonight!" My manager rushed toward me, balancing a Mont Blanc dessert on a tray and wearing that same helpless expression I’d seen too many times before. "We’re short staffed again!"

I grinned, handing over the cappuccino I had been serving. "I don’t have plans. But in return, you owe me tomorrow evening off," I bargained, lifting an eyebrow playfully.

He smirked as he placed the cake down for a customer. "A break? For you? What for?"

"A self-date," I shot back, smirking. "I haven’t even watched the new movie yet."

He chuckled and sat briefly at one of the chairs. "I heard you sent divorce papers last week."

I froze mid-step. "Did Olivia tell you that?" I groaned. That girl had no filter—if it was in her head, it came out of her mouth.

"Well, it’s no secret now." He shrugged.

"Fine. Yes. As long as that jerk signs, I’ll finally be free. And if he doesn’t… I couldn’t care less anymore."

"You’re stronger than most, Roana." His tone softened. "Anyway, the shop’s in your care tonight. I won't return tonight"

"Got it, Boss."

He left, the door bell chiming faintly behind him. I watched the drizzle pick up outside the café windows. The place was small but warm, known for its croissants and hot chocolate. For five weeks I had been here, tucked away in this village. I had chosen myself when I walked out of the pack, and I hadn’t regretted it.

Life was simple now. A cheap studio apartment. A steady part-time job. Instant noodles for dinner. Candy—my stubborn little mare—happy with fresh grass in the open fields instead of expensive feed. It wasn’t luxury. But it was freedom.

And freedom tasted sweeter than anything else.

"Here’s your hot chocolate. Please enjoy!" I smiled at a customer, then headed back to the counter. My gaze flicked outside. The clouds had thickened, heavy and dark.

"It’s going to pour again," I muttered.

I didn’t hate the constant rain here, but I didn’t love it either. It simply was. Thankfully I didn't let Candy out.

As the storm gathered strength, I busied myself cleaning. The customers hurried through their meals and rushed out into the rain, leaving the café hollow and echoing. The lights hummed faintly. The air chilled as the temperature dropped.

It felt a bit lonely but I got used to it. The weather was more comforting than an actual therapy.

I took a deep breath when the first roll of thunder rattled the glass.

I stepped outside quickly, pulling in the banner before the storm tore it apart. Slamming the door shut, I frowned. There was no click.

My brows pinched. The door looked closed, snug against the frame. Still…

"Weird," I whispered, trying to shake it off. " Maybe the wind!"

I grabbed the banner and the broom to take them inside the kitchen.

But when I turnes, my heart skipped a beat. I froze, holding my breath.

There it was — A dark silhouette. He was standing at the counter.

A man, tall, broad-shouldered, as if he had always been there. Water trailed down from silver hair that clung to his forehead. His presence filled the space instantly, leaving no room for air, no room for me to breathe.

My eyes widened when I realized that I didn't even notice or smell anything when he entered the café. Perhaps, he was long before here but I didn't notice.

Right now, The storm outside became nothing but a backdrop. While my heart was pounding against my ribcage.

I gripped the tray tighter. "Wh—who are you?" My voice wavered against the heavy silence.

He didn’t answer right away. His gaze was fixed on me, sharp and unblinking. Those eyes were the color of deep crimson wine under the dim café lights.

When he finally spoke, his voice was low, steady, and commanding—like thunder speaking through a man. His tone held that authority to make me feel little.

"Two hot chocolates."

It wasn’t a request. It carried out like a command.

I swallowed hard, forcing my feet forward. "Please wait… I’ll bring them to your table."

But he didn’t move to any table. Instead, he pulled a chair at the counter, the scrape of wood against tile dragging far too long, far too loud. Then he sat, his eyes still on me, as though I were the only thing in this storm-tossed world.

His presence burned against my skin. My hands shook as I reached for the mugs, pretending to focus on pouring.

I could fight if I had to—I wasn’t weak. I told myself that. Over and over. But deep inside, I couldn't deny the fact that not only he looked terrifyingly handsome but also scary. All I wanted was to watch him leave me alone soon

But judging by the weather, It could be a wishful thinking.

But when I tried to sense him—scent, aura, anything—I felt… nothing. Only emptiness, like he wasn’t even human. I couldn't feel his wolf either. Was he blocking his scent?

But why did I feel like his gaze was rubbing me in wrong way?

"Enough! Roana! Nobody likes someone like you. Let alone giving you some stupid attention!" I scolded myself.

The storm pounded harder. A flicker of lightning lit the café, reflecting the tattoo curling down his left arm, black ink alive against pale skin. His fingers drummed once against the counter, slow and deliberate.

I placed the mugs in front of him, careful not to let my hand brush his. His gaze followed the movement, unhurried, calculated.

The silence stretched unbearably. I could say anything like I usually did to my customers. As if his present was blocking my all professionalism.

"It’s raining too much."

The cup nearly slipped from my hand. His tone was calm, almost casual, but it carried a weight that made the tiny hairs on my arms rise.

I forced myself to look up—and met his eyes. He was already staring at me, like he had been waiting all along for me to give in and face him. Those eyes were deep red, piercing, and far too steady. For a heartbeat, I forgot how to breathe.

My lips parted but no words came out. I looked away quickly, desperate to escape from the suffocating intensity of his gaze. I turned, ready to step into the kitchen, ready to put distance between us, when his hand moved.

In the next breath, his fingers closed around my wrist.

I froze.

The contact was instant, unshakable. His grip was not crushing, yet it held me in place with an authority that felt stronger than chains. My body reacted before my mind could catch up. My chest tightened, my knees threatened to buckle. A surge shot through me, like lightning tearing down my veins, leaving a burn in its path.

My pulse hammered beneath his touch. The sound of the storm outside seemed to fade, swallowed by the silence between us.

I tried to pull back, but his hold did not waver. His thumb pressed lightly against my skin, deliberate, sending shivers up my arm. He leaned forward slightly, his eyes lowering to my trembling hand, then dragging back up to my face. The way he looked at me made my skin prickle, as if he could see straight through me.

Inside my head, Rye stirred, restless. The sound of my wolf’s purr startled me. She was not afraid. She was calling to him.

My heart stuttered violently. No. This could not be happening. My knees buckled with dread. The thunderstorm outside added more to make me tremble. 

His head tilted, the corner of his lips tugging in something that was neither a smile nor a smirk, but a recognition I did not want to understand. His voice came low, steady, too sure of itself.

"Recognize me?" The words slid over me like a shadow. He paused, his thumb still brushing against my wrist. "Princess Roana."

Every drop of color drained from my face. My skin burned beneath his hand, as though he had branded me with fire. My chest constricted so tight I could hardly draw air.

Rye whispered again, louder this time, her voice filled with a yearning I wanted to deny. "Mate."

The word sank into me like a blade.

I tore my wrist free with a sharp jerk, stumbling backward. My breath came ragged, my heart pounding so hard it hurt.

Silver hair, Crimson eyes and An aura that felt heavier than the storm itself.

I knew him.

The cruel Lycan King I saved five weeks ago. The one who turned out to be my mate.

He had found me.