Chapter 2
To prove his words true, Julian had my hands bound the next morning.
He tied a rope around my wrists, forcing me to jog behind his car for hours. I stumbled and fell countless times, my once-pristine ceremonial gown now tattered and soiled. But Julian never once glanced back at me.
Veronica sat comfortably in the spacious SUV, smirking as she watched my humiliation.
"Your Highness, we're still far from the city. You’ll need to keep up!" she taunted, her voice dripping with mockery.
I let out a soft laugh.
"What are you laughing at?" she snapped.
"I’m laughing at Julian," I replied, my voice steady. "He’s brought you along on such an important mission—a rebellion, no less. Is he so certain of his failure that he’s dragging his mate down with him?"
Veronica’s smile faltered, her face contorting with anger. "Avianna, Julian will succeed! I’ll enjoy watching you beg for mercy at my feet."
"You’ll never see that," I said calmly.
Frustrated by my composure, Veronica’s hatred burned brighter. Just then, Julian’s Gamma, Hunter, approached the car. He shot me a disdainful glance before addressing Veronica with deference.
"Luna, why waste your breath on a prisoner? Everyone knows how the Princess pined after our Beta, but his heart has always been yours."
Veronica’s expression softened at his words. I recognized Hunter—he’d always despised my presence around Julian. I ignored him, my gaze fixed on Julian’s tall figure ahead.
Everyone said I’d clung to Julian because of my status, but no one knew the truth. It was he who’d first expressed his feelings to me.
It was at my Marking Ceremony. Julian had gifted me a necklace he’d crafted himself, engraved with the words:
"Forever Yours."
Later, he was sent to his territory. Before he left, he’d clasped my hand and vowed, "I’ll return to make you my Luna. Wait for me in the city."
I’d waited, but not for the man I’d hoped for. Instead, he’d come to use me as leverage to force my father, Marcellus, to step down as Alpha. It was laughable, tragic.
After hours of travel, we finally reached the city. Exhausted, I collapsed to the ground as soon as the rope was loosened. Julian strode past me without a second glance, heading straight to Veronica. They whispered intimately, their bond evident.
I didn’t look at them, instead staring at the deep red marks on my wrists. At some point, Julian stood before me. His gaze was cold, detached—nothing like the man I’d once known.
"Get up. It’s time to see your beloved father," he said.
Veronica was gone now. I struggled to my feet, meeting his icy stare. "Julian, it’s not too late to turn back."
He scoffed. "Turn back? Avianna, do you know how long I’ve waited for this?"
He leaned in, his breath brushing my ear. "Dear sister, once I’ve taken the pack, perhaps I’ll send you off as a peace offering to another pack. What do you think?"
I replied softly, "I’ve always known I’d be used for alliances."
Suddenly, he snapped, baring his claws and pressing them to my throat. "Enough! Move!"
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