CHAPTER 003

Sienna groaned as she struggled to keep up with the guard's relentless pace. They dragged her into a room where a few maids waited, clutching scissors and a razor. One of the maids was Selene, her expression blank.

What are they going to do with those?

The guard shoved her to the floor, and Sienna shot a glare at him. This particular guard clearly hated her the most. He smirked down at her.

"What are you waiting for?" he asked the maids, who quickly stepped forward. They stripped her naked and tied her arms above her head while the guards watched.

"Let me go," Sienna barely had the strength to fight back, she could barely feel her bones.

Her eyes caught Selene taking the scissors from another maid. Sienna's breath hitched as she cast a pleading gaze at Selene, but the head maid simply walked behind her, expression unchanging.

"Stop! Please, stop!" Sienna cried out, but the grip on her hair remained firm.

Snip. Snip.

The sound of the scissors cutting through her locks echoed in the room, and Sienna shut her eyes tightly, feeling her long, silky strands fall away. Each snip felt like a piece of her identity crumbling, and tears slipped down her cheeks, her heart crashing against her ribcage.

Her fists clenched, tears blurring her vision as she remained still, silent, while the maids severed the last strand of her hair.

It was left jagged and uneven, her head feeling lighter than ever before, the remnants of her once-proud hair now littering the floor.

Next, they began to apply a thick, pungent ointment to her body. Sienna's eyes widened as she recognized the familiar scent - a scent suppressor, a tool her late father had often used before embarking on a hunt to mask their presence.

Cutting her hair and suppressing her scent?

Whoever was behind this wasn't just punishing her. They were trying to erase her identity.

Finally, Selene stepped forward with a bottle of herbs. "Open your mouth," she demanded in a flat voice, her expression blank.

When Sienna gave no response, the other maids stepped forward and forced her mouth open. A bitter taste filled her mouth, she made no reaction.

The herbs was to prevent any pregnancy.

It was as though every sense in her was numb. What exactly had she done to deserve this?

It was too much for her. Too cruel.

The chain was unlocked, Sienna's exhausted body crumpled to the cold concrete floor. Her vision blurry and heavy to keep open

The door closed, its thud echoing the small space. Sienna slowly lifted her head, her gaze settling up on the plate of bread and bottle of water beside it. Her stomach growled at the sight of it...

Tears filled her eyes at her pathetic state.

Definitely, the moon goddess must had hated her.

"You allowed Lady Ashley to inspect the King's rut?" Lucas spoke, casting a glare at the guard, his words more like a question.

"Yes, my Lord," the guard replied with deep respect. "She insisted on taking charge during your absence. She insisted on making sure everything went well..."

"And you couldn't do that instead?" Lucas snapped.

"I can, my Lord, but I had to obey her Grace's command..."

"I gave you the order, Falcon. We've been the ones inspecting the King's feral rut ever since it began, in order to keep it suppressed. And yet, you left your assignment," Lucas questioned, his voice calm, yet cold. "She can visit during the period, but not inspect it."

"I'm sorry, my Lord," the guard bowed.

Lucas returned his gaze to his work. "How many slaves were killed?"

"My apologies, my Lord," Falcon said, bowing again. "I do not have the full details. Lady Ashley ordered the inspection, but she has not shared the specifics of what transpired."

Lucas's eyes narrowed, his aura shifting, making Falcon swallow. "You're telling me you don't know how many slaves were taken by the King?"

"My Lord," Falcon kept his gaze lowered, afraid to meet Lucas's piercing eyes. "Lady Ashley dismissed all but her handpicked maids and guards for the duration of the rut."

Lucas clenched his jaw, his fingers tapping the desk in irritation. "And you let this happen under your watch? Do you understand the danger you allowed?"

Falcon's face paled, and he bowed lower. "I take full responsibility, my Lord. I—"

"Save it," Lucas cut in, his hand reaching for his pen to work. "The King's feral state is not a matter to be entrusted to anyone but those explicitly ordered."

His voice was like ice as he concluded, "You'll take a contingent of guards to inspect the aftermath of the rut. Report directly to me. If you find anything amiss—anything at all—you'll inform me immediately. Understood?"

"Yes, my Lord," Falcon replied, his voice trembling slightly.

"Leave," Lucas said.

As the door closed behind the guard, Lucas's expression darkened. Lady Valkyrie's growing audacity was becoming intolerable.

Coming to the King's chamber to dismiss the guard he had placed was her stepping over the boundary. This wouldn't have happened if it weren't for the rogue issue.

The rogue situation had been dire, and he had no choice but to investigate it himself during the night of the King's rut. With his presence, they discovered that the rogues had a leader—one who was strong. Lucas planned to investigate further, to get to the root of the matter.

Stepping out, he headed toward the King's chamber.

His face weathered, yet handsome. One would think this man never smiles.

As he carried himself with regal grace, his thick armor, which clung to him like a second skin, glittered.

Lucas was a man who commanded respect without a word, not just because he was the right hand of the King of Lunaris Citadel, but because his demeanor commanded power.

Guards and maids bowed at the sight of him.

Stepping in, his eyes met King Duncan seated in an imposing chair crafted from dark stone and blackened wood.

A serious look on his face, his intense gaze poured over the stack of reports laid out before him.

"Your Grace," Lucas greeted with a bow.

"Enough with the formality, Lucas," Duncan said, his voice calm.

Lucas's lips tugged to the side a little. This male was finally back to himself.

He had been on King Duncan's side for centuries, helping him with all sorts; their relationship was a close one.

As Lucas sat, he began delivering every detail of the rogue investigation.

However, King Duncan's mind seemed to slip in and out, distracted momentarily. It had been like this since morning.

The blur memory of a person. Her scent still lingering in his head... His beast momentarily growling at the surface. A touch.

What was it?

Was it the slave?

"You're not really listening," Lucas spoke, drawing out a file to attend to. "Is there something wrong?"

King Duncan paused, letting out a sigh. "Someone touched my face."

Lucas blinked in surprise. Was the King drunk? No, this male was serious. "What?"

"Someone touched my face," King Duncan repeated, his voice deep as fingers beating on his desk. "And surprisingly, I do not hate it."

Blackwood Pack.

It felt like a lie. The entire pack had been deceived by the tale of rivals attacking Sienna's chamber, killing her and trapping her in the fire. Lilah refused to believe it. She never would.

She knew Sienna to be a strong female, inheriting the traits of their late father. Even at a young age, Sienna had handled many official matters. Like their father, she was a perfect leader.

Yet, on her wedding night, a rival had killed her and trapped her in the fire? Lilah would swear that Del and the elders were behind it.

Her sister had died because of them.

Lilah wiped her tears, stood, and grabbed the small dagger Sienna had gifted her. As she walked down the hall, she could hear the chatter and laughter of the elders and their so-called new Alpha.

It fueled her rage, confirming her suspicions that they were all behind Sienna's death.

She slammed the tall door open, her gaze locking onto the group seated around a table, food and drinks laid before them.

They were feasting? After murdering her sister?

She spotted Del smiling with his companions. He certainly didn't look like a man who had just lost his mate.

"Murderer!" she screamed, freezing the room. Her eyes locked onto Del, and she imagined plunging her dagger into his neck.

"Lilah?" one of the elders asked, standing with a calm expression. "Is everything alright?"

"Alright?" Lilah scoffed. "You all killed my sister and lied to the entire pack. You think I'll fall for your deception?"

"Lilah, your Alpha just lost his mate, and we're trying to cheer him up—"

"He is not my Alpha!" she cut in, her gaze fixed on Del. "And he never will be. He doesn't even look like someone who just lost his mate."

"Lilah, show some respect!" another elder spat.

"Leave her," Del spoke this time, his face calm as he stood. Sadness flashed across his features, but Lilah knew it was an act. "I understand your pain, Lilah. Truly, I do. You have no idea how much my heart aches. I nearly lost myself, going berserk, killing those responsible. I hate myself for not being able to save—"

"Oh, cut the crap," Lilah snapped. "Do you take me for a fool? You killed my sister in cold blood."

"I am your Alpha!" Del roared, his eyes flashing with anger. "You will not speak to me that way. Be careful, young lady."

Lilah clenched her fists, refusing to show how his power affected her. She had no wolf yet to retaliate, to give her strength. But she was an Alpha's daughter, after all.

Her eyes remained cold, unyielding. "Watch me. Watch how I expose you—all of you who had a hand in my sister's death. You have no right to sit on my father's throne." With that, she spun and stormed out, slamming the door loud behind her.

Del stared into space, his eyes cold, his aura menacing as anger surged through him.

"Alpha, what should we do with her?" one of the elders asked.

"We need to act fast. I've known Lilah long enough to tell you she's the most stubborn child I've ever seen. Besides, she's Alpha Jamie's daughter. She could be a threat in the future," another elder added.

Del had thought about what to do with Lilah after dealing with Sienna. He had considered exiling her, not wanting the blood of a child on his hands.

But tonight, she had crossed the line.

"We'll kill her," Del replied glancing at, Ryder, the strong guard behind him. Understanding what the Alpha wanted, Ryder drew his sword.

"Give her a quick one, and make no mistake," Del added watching as Ryder bowed and stalked ozut of the hall like a black panther.

Ryders's sword glittered under the dim light of the hallway leading to a particular room. He swung the door open, his dark eyes settling on Lilah's slender figure in the center of the room.

Her back was to him as she gazed outside her window.

Lilah sensed his presence and sighed. "He sent you to kill me, didn't he?"

Ryder stepped forward, his gaze sharp like the edge of a sword. Slowly, he bent one knee and bowed to her.

"My lady," his deep voice echoed in the room, laced with respect.

Lilah glanced over her shoulder, her gaze cold. "You didn't answer my question."

"Yes, he did," he replied. "I suggest you should leave the pack. He'll send another to hunt you."

"I'm not leaving. Not until I teach them a lesson. You have no right to speak to me, Ryder. Since you couldn't protect my sister, you could have at least defended her. You should have killed them all, yet you stood beside them."

"My lady," Ryder called, his voice steady. "I admit my failure in not protecting her, and I will carry the weight of your loss. But killing them will only make things worse..."

Lilah spun around, casting a cold glare at him. "Then you're saying I should sit and watch them celebrate? Those bastards."

"I heard a rumor," Ryder continued cautiously. "One of the guards assigned to Lady Sienna that night... there's talk that he suddenly came into a large fortune. Bought himself a large estate far outside the border."

Lilah's eyes narrowed, interest flashing across her features. "Which guard?"

"His name is Garren. One of the lower-ranked sentinels. A guard who could barely feed his family now owns an estate overnight."

Lilah's eyes narrowed further. "Take me to the guard. We'll be quiet."

The moonlight cast over the park's training ground as two guards sat around the corner drinking and talking. Their voices were hushed and filled with excitement.

"Fuck, I can't believe we made such a fortune and will be out of this shithole soon," Garren laughed lightly.

"Serves her right for being such a bitch," Rokan, the second guard, sneered with a smirk. "She acted bold, fierce, and cowardly just like her father. Who would have thought she was worth so much money?"

Garren let out a low laugh, the sound dark and careless. "I've never seen such an amount of money before. Cheers to the new Alpha. We're rich overnight."

Rokan sighed, leaning back in his chair. "What if she comes back, alive?"

Garren's movement halted, his brow shooting up. "We'd be long gone. Slaves barely survive these days. Now shut the fuck up before someone hears us. I haven't mounted a woman in a while. That'll be the first thing I do once I get out of here."

Their smiles faltered as a cold voice sounded behind them.

"I'm afraid that won't happen."

Their blood ran cold as they turned toward the voice, watching Lilah emerge from the shadows. Her eyes were cold and piercing, brimming with fury.

"So, it was you," her jaw clenched.

Garren and Rokan exchanged looks, both understanding each other's thoughts. The ground was empty, after all, and Lilah had yet to have a wolf. Bloodlust flashed in their gazes as they drew their daggers. But as they stepped forward, another shadow emerged behind Lilah.

Tall, imposing, and frightening. A pair of yellow eyes burned with fury. The strongest warrior, Ryder. They were no match for him.

His menacing presence made their daggers fall.

Ryder stepped forward, and like a vice, he grabbed Rokan's neck. His hideous claws flashed in the air, and in the next second, blood splattered across the walls and floor.

Rokan's head slipped, disconnecting from his body and hitting the floor. The sickening scene made Garren stumble in terror.

Lilah smirked. "You're next. Unless you lead me to where I can find my sister."