AMARA

His beta challenged him to a coup because of me? That's not right. That's fucked up.

Hours ago when the guards had taken me out of the dungeon, I thought it was it. I had begged the goddess for my last wish before I got executed but instead, I was transported to his lavish room and given maids to tend to me.

The one moment I decided to get a glass of water from outside, I hear that the beta challenged Alpha Lucian for the Alpha title?

Why was I so worked up about this? I couldn't even sit still in my bed.

And nobody had come to see me. Not even Alpha Lucian.

I heard two slight knocks on the door and I ran with expectations towards it, pulling it open.

Speak of the devil.

“Alpha Lucian.” I muttered with a smile on my face but his expression was just aloof as he glared at me like someone who had gone mad.

“Freedom looks good on you. Enjoy it while it lasts.” He said in a domineering voice but he wasn't looking at me. He was looking down at my feet.

It was covered with blisters and sore wounds and I let out a nervous chuckle.

I must look like filth to him, he's probably disgusted by my sight.

“If you're wounded, lay in bed till you're healed.” He ordered with an annoyed expression and to my surprise, picked me up in a bridal style and walked towards the bed.

On getting to the bed, he let me down slowly and was about pulling away when I pulled him by the collar.

Now, why did I do that?

Why did I pull this dangerously looking Alpha close to me?

“What are you doing?” He questioned and I just clenched down hard on his lips.

If I told him I was looking at his peculiar set of eye color, I'd seem like a pervert. I absolutely can not tell him that.

“You ordered for me to be released, didn't you? What changed?” I rasp out, eyeing him as he swallows hard “You didn’t believe me.”

“I still don’t.” He replied flatly.

“Then why?”

“I don’t trust you,” he says. “But I trust my instincts. And they’re telling me that something about this doesn’t add up. Either you’re an exceptional liar… or you’re something else entirely. Now can you let go?” He said in a stern voice and I nodded immediately, letting go of his collar.

“Your eyes. They're beautiful.” I finally say and instantly regretted it the moment the words left my mouth. Why? Why did my thoughts have to leave my head at this moment?

Just then I felt a fluttery feeling in my stomach and I saw Isa, my wolf, standing at the back of my head wagging her tail.

Hold on.

What is going on?

And then I hear it, Isa’s howl, strong and undeniable now, echoing through my mind.

“Mate!”

I gasp softly, almost not believing it.

This was what she was trying to say… back in the cell. When he’d first appeared, when her voice had gone quiet right after the whisper.

She knew.

Oh my goodness, this Alpha is my mate. My second chance mate.

I jumped out of bed immediately staring at him in shock.

“I guess your wolf had to recover a bit for you to recognize me.” He said without any expression but that wasn't what I was thinking of.

I didn’t know much about this pack, about their customs or politics, but I knew one thing when an Alpha was challenged, blood was spilled. And sometimes, lives were lost.

And I didn’t know why it shook me so much, but the idea of him being hurt made my stomach twist with something sharp and unwelcome.

“Isa?” I reached out, trying not to let the fear settle too deep.

My wolf stirred, her voice quiet but steady.

“Calm down, Amara. He’ll be fine.”

“How can you be so sure?” I asked, clutching the edge of the blanket tighter around me. “You heard what they said. He was challenged for leadership. Why didn't you tell me sooner that he's my mate? And it turns out, he was challenged because of me.” I totally forget about his presence in the room as I'm pacing, pulling my hair, trying to think of what? A solution?

For his beta to challenge him, then he must be as strong as Lucian. Or maybe stronger.

Oh no.

“Because I can feel it,” Isa replied, her voice clearer now. “Azer isn’t just any wolf, Amara. I don’t know exactly what he is… but I know this, he’s nearly undefeatable.”

Nearly. That wasn't comforting.

“What are you doing?” Lucian's voice finally cut in and I swallow hard as I turned to stare at him with urgency.

“The fight of being challenged is to the death right? You absolutely can not fight your beta. Don't. That's too much risk.” I rasp out and there's an amused expression on his face.

“Are you scared…for me?” He said in a mockinh tone and I just glare at him.

“No. Of course not. Moment ago, you wanted me dead. I'm only scared because if you die and Darren assumes leadership, I loose my mate bond and he would definitely order for me to be killed as well. I fear for me, not you. So you absolutely can not die.”

Did he just give a half smile?

I peer into his face and his usual aloof expression is back. I must have seen it wrong.

“Then you better pray I don't die. The fight starts in some minutes. Samael would be keeping guard over you.” He grunted, pointing to a guy standing at the edge of the room, hold on, I didn't see him enter.

And then, Alpha Lucian walked away without another word.

He's cold.

Why did I have to be mated to this emotionally unable kind of man?

I was still reminiscing, wondering if I should go out and watch the fight or stay in when the door exploded inward.

The sound made me jump, heart in my throat as four men rushed in, masks pulled low over their faces. I don’t need to see their eyes to know what they are.

Rogues.

I freeze for a second, my mind not registering what’s happening fast enough.

Samael shoots to his feet.

“Stay back!” He bellows, his voice deeper now, his presence flaring with power. His eyes glaze over as he mindlinks, probably Lucian, or someone from the council.

But he doesn’t get the words out.

One of the rogues steps forward and slashes a blade across his throat in one clean, horrifying motion.

I scream, my entire body shivering s I stepped back.

Samael stumbles back, clutching his neck, blood pouring between his fingers, his knees giving way as he hits the ground.

My ears are ringing from the sudden chaos, my legs too frozen to move.

Then I hear a howl.

It cuts through the air like a knifesharp, mournful, and full of fury. Isa gasps in my head.

“Azer. He felt it. He knows.”

It’s his grief that echoes through the night like a vow of vengeance.

And I pray to the moon goddess that he sends help soon. But I don’t get to pray for long.

The largest of the rogues lunges toward me, grabs me by the arm, and yanks me off the bed like I weigh nothing. I kick, scream, scratch at his face desperate to break free.

“LET ME GO!”

But he just grunts, pressing a blade to my ribs. “Keep struggling, and you’ll regret it.”

They don’t want to kill me. Why?

Before I can figure it out, another one steps forward and drives his fist into the side of my face.

Pain explodes through my skull, stars bursting in my vision. And then everything goes dark.

The last thing I hear before the blackness swallows me is Isa’s scream echoing in my mind.

“Lucian…”