Serena's POV
SHE'S A STUPID b***h FOR THINKING THAT I'M TRULY IN LOVE WITH HER…
I gulp down another shot of tequila, shuddering at the burn in my throat. I stretch out the shot glass and the bartender fills it up again. The noise in the tavern doesn't do s**t in ridding the voices in my head.
His words are still echoing in my head. The harsh, damning and unbelievable words from the only man I've ever loved and will be getting married to tomorrow.
I COULD NEVER LOVE HER. EVERYTHING SHE STANDS FOR OPPOSES EVERYTHING I AM. SHE'S REPULSING…
He'd talked about me with so much spite and loathe that I still can’t believe it. I was so stunned when I heard those words. I even peeked through the door, just to make sure I wasn't hallucinating. But unfortunately, I wasn't. He really was the one saying all that, and I was shocked down to my wits. I literally froze right outside his door.
It's been six months since we got together. He's never been short of a sweetheart and a gentleman to me. No guy has ever doted on me like he did.
Sure, I grew up with half the guys in the Pack clamoring for my attention. Being the beautiful and radiant daughter of the Alpha earned me so much attention and I basked in it.
But I never gave any of the guys attention. I couldn't bring myself to love any of them. I wasn't charmed or enthralled by them. Until that bonfire night when I met the sexy stray werewolf who wound up in our Pack for shelter.
Him. Jason.
I loved him at first sight, and the moon goddess had been loving enough to make him notice me too. We clicked immediately. Two weeks later I was already fantasizing about having my happily ever after with him.
All my friends warned me that I was going too fast with him, but I tagged them as being jealous of me. I truly believed that was it. But now I regret not listening to them.
I slam the shot glass on the table, and the bartender arches his brows.
“More?”
I nod. He didn't seem like he wanted to indulge my drinking spree anymore so I snatched the bottle from him and filled up my glass.
“You shouldn't drink so much, Ma'am. You have a wedding tomorrow, remember?” the bartender cautions me.
I can't help but scoff. Of course, he knows about my wedding. Everyone knows about it. What they don't know is that it's not just a wedding. It's a death sentence. For all of us. Our beautiful pack will be our hell once my marriage is sealed.
A tear drops from my eyes as I gulp the shot glass again. I drop the glass on the table, massaging my chest. It feels like it's going burst open from the pain I'm harboring.
His words replay again in my head.
AFTER TOMORROW, AFTER THE WEDDING IS FINALIZED, HER WHOLE PACK WILL BELONG TO US. WE'RE FINALLY GONNA GET CONTROL OF THE ENTIRE REGION…
“God, what have I done?” I sob, covering my face with my hands. The impending reality of me and my people is scaring the f**k out of me.
WE'RE ROGUES, DARLING. WE ALWAYS DOMINATE…
Jason isn't just a stray werewolf. He lied. He's a rogue. A rebel. The most dreaded creatures in the world. My Father remains the only Alpha whose pack hasn't been conquered by the rogues. His high walls and strategic security kept them from infiltrating our Pack.
That's why Jason had to disguise. And I stupidly played into his game. I just ruined my father's unbeatable streak by letting myself get played by a rogue. How could I know though? He was so charming. Anyone would have fallen for his game.
And he's not even single. The person on the other end of the phone call sounded like a female. Like his lover. Because he wouldn't stop using endearments and speaking so softly.
Goddess, I got brutally played, I wailed again.
This part of his words was blood-curdling.
IF SHE TRIES TO BACK DOWN FROM THE WEDDING, SHE LEAVES ME NO CHOICE BUT TO KILL EVERYONE HERE. STARTING FROM HER OLD MAN…OUR MEN HAVE ALREADY INFILTRATED THE PACK. THEY'RE JUST WAITING ON MY ORDER TO STRIKE.
That's the most painful part of everything. The fact that I can't do anything to stop this tragedy from befalling is. If I try, my father will be killed. And our people will meet a disastrous fate faster than they should.
The rogues have finally infiltrated our pack, after years of keeping them out. And again, it happened because of me.
Dear goddess, I sob my heart out. I've never felt so worthless and miserable. But right now I can't help but consider plunging a dagger into her heart. I'm better dead than causing ruin to my people.
But then again, my father will grieve me so much he could die too. He needs to be alive. To fight off the rogues. And I need to come up with a plan. Before I walk down the aisle tomorrow…
I make a sudden pause as I inhale a delicious scent. Honey. Tulips. Heaven. I turn to the crowd behind me, hoping to see where the scent is coming from.
Everyone seems lost in their world. Loud laughter and mug thuds with the music fills the air. No one is looking at me. No one seems to own the scent. No one…and I'm just about to focus on my drink, but then my gaze falls on someone.
I gasp lightly, as those pair of hooded eyes seem to have been staring at me longer than I realized.
Why him? I know what the scent means. A mate scent. But it doesn't make sense that it's from him.
He looks twice my age. He looks deadly. But insanely hot, dear goddess. His folded sleeves display the insane tattoos on his arms. He's sitting with such a dark aura, brown hair locks draped to his face in a sensual but unnerving way.
He's smoking a blunt, with a glass of goddess knows what in his other hand. Again, he's staring at me. Too deeply that I've been gulping since my eyes found him.
His black cloak has a hoodie hanging loosely on his face. And I didn't miss the tilt of a dagger strapped into his belt.
He's a terrifying sight. Terrifying but intriguing.
Finally, I take my gaze off him, back to my drink, trying to shake off the heat that seems to be coming from him. I can't help but shudder.
No way is he my mate. And I'm not gonna even wait around to decide if he is or not. I already have enough problems on my own. I should be more concerned about them.
Finishing my drink, I get down the stool and force my way through the crowd. I'm staggering a bit and my head is beginning to pound from the loud music and the amount of liquor I consumed.
Still, I'm struggling to get the hell out of here. But then I shriek when rigid, steel hands wrap around my waist, snagging me up.
“Where do you think you're running off to, mate?”
