FATED TWICE

Chapter 3: A Shape-shifter? Feral Lycan's?

ALPHA QUINN

My heart aches tremendously as I replay the scene of Scarlett in the arms of another man in my mind. I step into the palace and am far from pleased to see my father, seated with a book in his hands.

As our eyes meet, I quickly shift my gaze and am about to head to my room when he suddenly speaks.

“I warn you, but you never listen to me.”

I roll my eyes and respond, evidently unmoved by his words, “That’s what you wished for, and it has come to pass. You can celebrate.”

Strengthened, he rises and pushes further, “Now that you’ve lost disgracefully, what makes you think they won’t revolt?”

I pause in my tracks and reply, “If they revolt, you can handle it. No one’s stopping them anyway. If you’re done rejoicing, you might want to think of better ways to deal with them when they do.”

He bellows angrily, “Don’t push me, Quinn!”

I walk out on him and head to my bedroom. Upon arriving, my heart twists, the moment I lay eyes on my supposed wife.

I swallow hard and wonder why life has to be so cruel to me. She cheerfully rises from the bed and embraces me.

“Quinn, you look so stressed, baby. You should eat and rest.”

I stare into Ava’s eyes and wonder how it would feel if Scarlett were the one welcoming me. Uneasy, I slowly pull myself from her embrace.

“Yes, I should rest. I’ll do just that.”

Ignoring the shocked expression on her face, I recline on the bed. While sleeping, I feel a burning sensation on my skin, causing me to twist, turn, and writhe until I wake to see the sun blazing brightly on me.

Unable to gauge how long I’ve been asleep, I stare blankly into space before eventually dozing off again. There, I find myself in another part of my palace, walking slowly toward the staircase, intending to go to the rooftop.

Thereafter, I climb the stairs and leap until I reach the rooftop. Suddenly, I see Ava, standing still and staring into the void.

I open my mouth to call her, but strangely, I find it impossible to speak. With her eyes fixated on nothing, she stretches her arms and declares,

“Soon, this pack will belong to no one else but me. I’ll be powerful, stronger, and in control of everything and everyone here. I will rule and dominate the elders!”

I lock my gaze on her and clench my fists after hearing her ambitious proclamation. I can’t help but mutter to myself, “I thought I competed with the elders in the council. I had no idea my rival was my own wife.”

Disgusted by the revelation, I decide to find a way to rid myself of her. Just as I turn to go back inside, I’m stopped abruptly by a strange scent lingering in the air.

Suddenly, three of my familiar servants land on the rooftop and approach her. Bowing, they declare in unison, “To Her Majesty, Queen Ava, we owe our loyalty!”

I ask in disbelief, “Queen Ava?”

Just then, she morphs into a large brown cat. My heart nearly stops at the sight. Thereafter, the three servants transform into ferocious, black Lycans.

My jaw drops at the terrifying events unfolding before me. Ava shifts from a cat into an eagle.

At that moment, my chest pounds violently. “A shape-shifter? Lycans? In the Bloody Keepers Pack?”

I swallow hard, bracing for the next shock. The Lycans kneel before her and declare, “Our supreme Queen, the strongest of all! Lycans would not exist freely without you! Our lives are yours! We will serve you till the very end!”

Not stopping there, she flaps her wings and reverts to her human form. “Arise, Lycans! This is the moment we’ve been waiting for—the moment I rule this pack with you at my side. The moment we spill Alpha Quinn’s blood on the throne!”

“Now is the time! All Lycans must prepare, for we are seizing power!”

I stumble backward, trying to process all I’ve seen and heard. In all of this, I have no one else to blame but my father.

“Rejecting Scarlett and choosing solitude brought me so much peace. Everything soured the moment Dad and his foolish elders forced Ava on me.”

Consequently, I turn and wake abruptly. I sit up, rest my head against the headboard, and reflect on the nightmare I’ve just had.

I glance at the other side of the bed and find it empty; it doesn’t seem like she’s anywhere near the room.

Relieved, I sigh and consider the best way to handle the situation. Placing my hands on my head, I regret my choices., and proceeds to create a mind-link.

“Flint? How do I manage this? I need you now more than ever. I’m surrounded by a dangerous shape-shifter and feral Lycans. I’ll treat you better, brother.”

Suddenly, his voice echoes in my mind, “You’re caught in the middle of a deep plot—not just you, but you and Dad. I don’t intend to return, but it would be cruel of me to leave you to your fate. There’s only one person who can fix this.”

I respond anxiously for the first time in my life, “Who? An oracle from another pack? Someone powerful? Send them immediately.”

Flint replies, “You’re only polite when you need something. Other times , your stinky attitude and pride, always stops you from playing cool. I’m doing this because we’re brothers—don’t think everything is resolved between us: I still despise you a lot.”

I close my eyes and answer, “I understand, Flint. Now, who do I need at this point?”

"Scarlett Flynn"