Mira's Point of View

—You've already tried everything you can think of, I won't be surprised by what you do now.

He stopped dead in his tracks and spun around to face me, his eyes shooting daggers. I could see his irises shift from their normal brown to the intense red of his wolfish gaze.  

"What did you just say?" she demanded, pressing her lips together in fury. But I didn't flinch. I was fed up with her always using me as bait for no reason. I hadn't done anything to her, and yet she treated me like garbage.

—You heard me correctly, Xavier. You heard me.

He stood motionless, his burning eyes scanning me from head to toe. I was sure I'd driven him crazy. I couldn't understand where it was all coming from, but I didn't care.  

—So, just because we've discovered we're mates, you dare to talk to me like this?

I grunted.  

—I wonder why the Moon Goddess had to pair me with someone as brutal as you.

"You're an ungrateful, filthy slave! Will you shut your fucking mouth?!" he growled, advancing furiously toward me. I stood my ground. I wouldn't let his threats intimidate me.

"You know it's lucky you rejected me, because now I don't have to put up with this arrogance..." I choked as his hands closed tightly around my neck. His grip was brutal; I saw the thick veins bulging from his skin as he tried to pull me to my feet. I began to struggle against his fist.

"Please..." I tried to plead, but I knew I'd already crossed the line. She would never forgive me. Never.

"Today I will end your life, and you will be served as a gift at my coronation," he declared with such brazenness that I surrendered to his words. Perhaps it would be better to die. Perhaps I would finally find peace reuniting with my dead parents in the afterlife.

Suddenly, the door to her chamber burst open and a slave girl rushed in.  

"Sir, the Lycanthrope Prince has just arrived…" He stopped, noticing the tension in the air, and quickly apologized. "I'm so sorry, Prince Xavier. Please forgive me…"

I was still apologizing when I felt Xavier loosen his grip. I collapsed to the floor immediately; my bones hit the hard surface and I let out a groan of pain as tears began to flow violently. I was still trying to swallow the pain when I heard several footsteps entering the room.

"Oh, welcome, Werewolf Prince Perry. It's an honor to have you at my coronation. You must have had a tiring journey; please, have a seat." Xavier's raspy voice suddenly sounded pleasant.

I was forced to raise my head. I saw several guards enter the room, until my eyes narrowed and my gaze fell upon the most imposing figure I had ever seen. My eyes widened in shock as I recognized the Werewolf Prince.

He wore fine linen. He was handsome… no, he was breathtakingly attractive and captivating, but the fierce expression on his face could take anyone's breath away. His ocean-blue eyes shone like the sea, and I couldn't believe I was standing before the most dangerous and bloodthirsty Lycanthrope Prince everyone was talking about. Yes, Prince Perry. He was known as the most audacious prince in the Lycanthrope world: ruthless and manipulative. Looking at him, I didn't need anyone to explain who he was. His gaze was so fierce that I didn't dare meet it.

Meanwhile, Xavier stepped forward to greet him, trying to impress him by acting kindly. So there was someone in this world he could respect. Well, why not? He was the Lycan Prince!

Given the current situation, I knew my presence in the room was no longer necessary. The Lycanthrope Prince had just saved me from death by diverting Xavier's attention, and I knew I had to take advantage of it. I had to be smart. I carefully rose from the floor, dragging my weak body, and tried to slip through the soldiers who had entered with him. Pain shot through my side. I gritted my teeth and pressed on despite the suffering.

Suddenly, a deep, stern voice, which seemed very close, spoke:  

—Stop right there.

My heart skipped a beat. That voice, like thunder on a stormy night, sent shivers down my spine. It certainly wasn't directed at Xavier. Then… who was it?

Curious, I turned to the speaker, and my eyes met the piercing gaze of the Werewolf Prince. His eyes burned intensely; his chiseled features twisted into a scowl. His sharp jaw tightened, radiating anger. His gaze seemed to pierce my soul, exposing my deepest fears. Why did he stop me? Was I so striking?

My legs trembled uncontrollably as he took deliberate, threatening steps toward me. He stopped in front of me; his size and strength made me feel small and vulnerable. Suddenly, absolute silence fell over the room, and I knew everyone was as shocked as I was. The Werewolf Prince's eyes held me captive, immobilized, but in a split second, his gaze softened, and I saw something in it… something that made my heart flutter.

Xavier intervened:  

—And where do you think you're going?

My eyes flew to him and I decided to use the Prince as an excuse.  

"I would like to give you and the Lycanthrope Prince some privacy," I lied, struggling to get the words out of my sore throat.

“Oh!” I heard him murmur, but I kept my head down. Not because of him, but because I was avoiding the Werewolf Prince, who kept staring at me. “It won’t be necessary. Stay.” His smile was sinister, and his suspicious wink sent shivers down my spine. “Prince Perry, I know you must be tired from your journey, and that’s why…”

"Who is she?" interrupted the Lycanthrope Prince.

I maintained my posture even though my trembling legs wouldn't stop shaking. I didn't understand why the Werewolf Prince was interested in me.  

"She's nothing but a worthless slave," Xavier replied, grabbing me and forcing me to my knees. I screamed in pain.

"I want her!" His tone was authoritative and froze me to the spot. I forced myself to lift my head and saw the Prince's cold eyes looking down at me. Disbelief washed over me. What on earth had he just said? Had I heard him right?

"Really?" Xavier's voice sounded calm but astonished. After a moment of silence, he added, "She's a slave, but if you're serious, I'll gladly give her to you."

I felt my entire body go numb. Did this mean Xavier was handing me over to the Lycanthrope Prince? How could he do this to me? Of all people, how dare he give me the most ruthless prince? What had I done to deserve such a terrible punishment?

The Werewolf Prince took a step back, and strong hands grabbed my arm, pulling me to my feet. I regained my voice.  

"No, no! You can't do this," I screamed, but it was no use. They dragged me out of the room.