Loving The Wrong Alpha.

The Arranged Marriage.

That's why Griffith was never punished for what we both did.

He's an Alpha, so he got away with it while I was the one who suffered the consequences.

That's why I loathe Griffith so much. He never took responsibility for what we both did. Because of him, I lost my entire childhood while he walked away without a scratch.

I will never forgive him until my last breath.

Ten years passed, and I had become an Omega with long blonde hair instead of white, sitting in a luxurious room inside this tower, locked away by my mother because she feared another Alpha would sleep with me or that I would fall into forbidden love with my brother.

She tortured me because of Griffith. It was all his fault. I heard the door unlock with a loud click.

I quickly stood up, adjusted my gown, rushed to the door, and opened it.

Several guards stood outside alongside my brother, who was holding a bouquet of flowers.

"Good morning, Princess Rowena," he greeted with a bright smile.

Ever since I was locked in this tower, my brother had never once fought to set me free. The only person he ever thought about was himself.

I wonder what happened to us.

Oh, right.

We drifted apart over those ten years until we became nothing more than strangers.

He had changed from the loving brother I once knew into a cold-hearted man. I didn't even know him anymore. No matter how much he smiled, it was nothing but a facade to me.

The only reason he was allowed to visit me whenever he returned from fighting rogues was because the guards permitted it. He was the heir to the throne and the prince of the realms, so they obeyed his every command. Even now, I still don't know why he suddenly started visiting me.

"Good morning, Prince Griffith, Alpha of the Celestial Dragon Pack and the Seven Realms. What brings you to my chambers?" I replied coldly, raising a brow, making it clear we had no business with each other anymore.

I hated him for everything he had put me through. For abandoning me like a piece of s**t.

Just like our parents did.

He handed me the bouquet, and I accepted it.

"You don't have to greet me so formally. We're siblings, after all," he said with a smile.

I wanted to scream at him to get the hell out, but everyone was watching.

"I know that, Alpha Griffith. Thank you for the flowers."

"My pleasure."

I started to close the door, but he stopped it.

"What are you doing?" I asked with an annoyed grimace.

"I just wanted to say... I love you, Rowena."

"Thanks."

I slammed the door in his face and threw the bouquet against the wall.

What did I need his flowers for? Were they going to get me out of this tower?

I didn't need his help.

I just wanted to leave this place as soon as possible. How dare he stand there and tell me he loved me? Who did he think I was?

A fool?

His words filled me with rage.

My only plan was to get married so I'd never have to see his face again.

One of the palace maids informed me that my future husband was an Alpha from one of the strongest packs.

My father, the King, didn't believe in fated mates.

He believed fated mates were for the weak, chosen by the Moon Goddess to chain them down, so he forbade every member of the royal family from accepting one.

That meant my true mate could be somewhere out there...But I would never meet him.

Instead, I would marry someone else.

Rumors spread throughout the realm that I was to marry a forty-year-old Alpha while I was only sixteen.

I heard he had asked my father for my hand, and everyone congratulated him for gaining such a young princess as his wife.

They said he was lucky.

That he could do whatever he wanted with me.

This arranged marriage meant nothing to my father as long as it brought him more wealth and power.

He was finally ready to sell me off like some w***e in exchange for riches.

His word was law.

Still...

I was happy.

At last, I would leave this tower and move to my husband's pack after the wedding.

What did anyone expect from me? I was worthless.

A broken Omega who only needed a roof over her head and a chance to survive before my mother finally killed me.

I couldn't wait to leave this hellhole. It was finally time to go.

I didn't want to stay here with my mother and my monstrous father any longer.

Every evening, I wrote in my diary to keep myself from losing my mind. Writing reminded me that I was still alive.

And how desperately I wanted to leave. I couldn't wait for the wedding day to arrive.

It would be wonderful.

I had never even seen my future husband's face.

But I didn't care.

The only thing that mattered was escaping this place forever.

Suddenly, my bedroom door burst open. I jumped off the bed and turned toward the entrance.

Griffith.

"What are you doing, Rowena?"

I climbed out of bed, staring at him in confusion.

"How can you just barge into my room like that? I don't care if you're my brother. The laws of the realms forbid Alphas from entering a woman's chambers. Unless you want rumors spreading that we're f*****g each other and committing incest.”

What if I had been naked?

“Mother will find out you came in here and punish me instead. Are you out of your sick mind? Why are you here, Griffith?"

"Leave us," he ordered my maid.

"Stay right where you are," I commanded, stopping her from leaving.

Griffith glared at her.

"If you don't leave this room, your head and your husband's head will be served on a platter."

Frightened, my maid excused herself and hurried out of my chambers.

"You have no right to threaten or order her around. She is my maid, not yours."

"I don't give a s**t about that. You're going to explain why you want to marry that old cargo."

"Father arranged the marriage, son of a b***h. How is any of this your concern? Since when did you start involving yourself in my affairs?"

"Since forever, Rowena," he shouted.

"Stop yelling. This isn't your chamber, and I'm not one of your maids, Prince Griffith."

"Father arranged it, but you agreed to it. How could you? I saw your seal on the letter accepting the marriage. What the f**k is wrong with you? Have you gone insane after being locked up for so long?"