Loving The Wrong Alpha.

AUTHOR'S NOTE: This is an 18+ dark werewolf romance containing mature themes that some readers may find disturbing, including violence, trauma, abuse, manipulation, power struggles, hidden agendas, bloodshed, fated mates, and toxic relationships. Reader discretion is advised. “Come catch me, brother!” I laughed as I ran through the palace gardens, the cool breeze rushing past me. My twin brother, Griffith, chased after me while I hid behind a cluster of trees. “Rowena,” he called out with a sly grin. Why was he grinning like that? What was this Alpha planning? Did he think he was clever with that expression? “I’ll find you no matter what.” He inhaled deeply, following my scent with his glowing green eyes. Oh no! He was going to catch me. Before I could take another step, he reached me and pulled me into a tight embrace. Our bodies pressed together, and a strange spark seemed to pass between us. He was surprisingly fast for a hybrid. “Griffith,” I whispered. A pleasant shiver ran through me at his touch. His warmth was so comforting that I didn’t want to pull away. “Rowena.” Still holding me close, he sat down on the grass and settled me on his lap. “Are you alright, Rowena?” “I love your scent, Griffith. It makes me feel strange,” I murmured as warmth spread through my body. “You mean my pheromones make you feel warm?” he asked with a soft laugh. “Yes.” I nodded, smiling brightly as I looked up at him while resting against his chest. He placed a gentle hand on my forehead. “Your fever is gone,” he said quietly. “Yes, it’s gone. I told you I could still play and move around, Griffith,” I replied cheerfully before kissing his cheek. He was the best brother anyone could ever ask for. I couldn’t imagine my life without him by my side. No matter where I went, Griffith was always there, helping me, protecting me, and standing as my shield against the world. He wasn’t just my brother; he was my closest friend. We were identical twins, blessed with striking green eyes, long white hair, soft pink lips, oval-shaped faces, and sharp noses. Griffith was my mirror image, and I was his. Even wolves struggled to tell us apart because our appearances and scents were nearly identical. Griffith could easily pretend to be me if he mimicked my voice well enough, and I could do the same. To avoid confusion, the palace dressed us in different clothing. Even then, things sometimes became so ridiculous that people had to check our bodies to determine whether we were Griffith or Rowena. We were still children, innocent and unaware of much of the world, yet that was how alike we were. The clan adored us for our charm and beauty. Other realms envied our appearance and wished their children could be like us. I was an Omega, while Griffith was an Alpha. Both of us were hybrids, half wolf and half vampire. Because of our mixed heritage, many regarded us as the most powerful young wolves in the realm. We were the first Valaenas ever born. Our younger brother and sister became the second and third Valaenas. The four of us were like quadruplets, though they were both Alphas and pure wolves who inherited our mother's traits. Unlike Griffith and me, they were not identical twins. Griffith and I, despite our different secondary genders and unique abilities, inherited much of our father's bloodline. Our father was the Alpha King of the realms and ruler of The Primordial Pack. Governing two kingdoms and overseeing the union of nearly fifty packs into one vast realm was no small achievement. His strength and authority earned him the fear and respect of everyone around him. Yet beneath that powerful image was a side few dared acknowledge. To me, my father was a serpent disguised as a king, a monster hidden behind a crown. My mother was no different. Behind her graceful appearance lurked someone cruel, manipulative, and frighteningly ruthless. Sometimes I wondered if everyone already knew what my parents were truly like. Perhaps they remained silent because they were terrified of the consequences. Speaking against rulers like them could easily cost someone their life. But regardless of the pain my parents caused, one thing never changed. I loved Griffith. He was my protector, my confidant, and the person who always stood between me and danger. Just as he guarded me, I vowed to guard him. No matter what threats arose or who sought to harm us, I would remain at his side. Always. “I knew you were tougher than that.” He smiled and ruffled my hair. My gaze fell upon the crimson amulet hanging from the leather cord around Griffith's neck. It was about the size of a bird's egg. Its surface looked strangely alive, threaded with faint silver veins beneath a glassy sheen. A pair of sleeping eyelids rested on its face above a tiny nose and softly sealed lips. “Why are you still wearing that creepy little thing?” I asked, pointing at it. “Mom told me never to take it off,” he replied with a shrug. “Then at least hide it. It's ugly,” I said without thinking. “Oh, sorry,” he answered. I had always felt uneasy about that amulet. There was something unsettling about it. Whenever I looked at it, I felt as though it was silently warning me to stay away. My wolf, Zara, disliked it just as much. It gave off a strange, unsettling energy. That was why Griffith usually kept it covered whenever I was around. He knew how much I hated it. I couldn't understand why our mother insisted he wear something so bizarre. Sometimes, I thought she was strange. She claimed the amulet might protect his life, though none of us knew if that was actually true. That was the only reason I never told Griffith to remove it. He always listened to me and did whatever I asked without hesitation. Even so, I couldn't stand the thing. Griffith quickly tucked the amulet beneath his shirt and jacket, hiding it from view. “That should do it,” he said before looking at me. “Can you still see it?”