LOVING THE MADMAN

Dark Knight

*IMPORTANT NOTE TO READERS*

Loving the Madman can be read as a standalone romance, but it is set in the same universe as Bride of Wrath and runs parallel to the events in that story.

For a deeper understanding of the world, important relationships, and tensions between the packs, I highly recommend reading Bride of Wrath first. Some events, such as the annual festival where Athena and Troy first meet, Troy's five-month suspension, and Athena's stay under Alpha Zephyr's protection, originally appear in Bride of Wrath from other characters' points of view. (Zephyr and Lyla's)

In Loving the Madman, you'll experience those moments through Athena and Troy's eyes and witness what truly happened in the background.

There will be time skips and crossovers with scenes you've seen before, only this time, you'll understand what was happening between them… the princess and the madman.

Welcome to their story.

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ATHENA DAVIS

The first time I saw him, he stood at the far end of the central fountain, still as stone, as if the festival's joy couldn't reach him.

While others laughed, danced, and chattered happily with kin, he looked like a blot of darkness threatening to corrupt the light.

I thought to myself how one could appear so cold and menacing and... unfeeling. So unhappy in a place meant for celebration.

And yet, I was drawn to him.

There was something about him I couldn't explain. Something broken and haunted.

Something empty.

It was a loneliness I didn't just feel but recognized. A loneliness I confirmed when he'd looked my way, and I saw his eyes.

Dark black pools. Eyes that held not even an iota of softness.

Eyes that held brutal, depressing experiences.

Troy Ryder.

The Madman.

Head of security and right hand of Zephyrus Wrath—Alpha of the most powerful Lycan pack in Aspen, and a trusted ally of my father.

I'd heard the stories. Talks that painted him as someone with the madness because of his past killings.

And now, I stood beholding him for the very first time, in the flesh.

Except I didn't see a beast. I saw a man who wore his mask of indifference and control so well, it was almost impossible to tell what was underneath.

And I couldn't help the way my heart skipped.

The festival was an annual event hosted by Alpha Zephyrus Wrath.

For years, it had been exclusive to the Wrath pack, but this time was different. Zephyr had opened the gates to five allied families and their smaller packs as an act meant to build camaraderie and deepen the pack bonds across Aspen.

My family was one of those five. Which meant I, Princess Athena Davis of the PaleMoon pack, had no choice but to attend.

Not that I minded. Especially when a certain dark, stoic individual had snagged my attention.

Troy looked away just as Lyla Wrath, the Luna of the Wrath pack, approached him.

Lyla was human, a rare pairing with the most powerful Lycan Alpha in Aspen, but from the look of things, she was coping quite well.

"Princess," a masculine voice said behind me, and I was forced to tear my gaze away from them both.

I turned to find a tall man with dark brown hair and striking gray eyes.

"Henrik," he introduced himself, taking my hand and pressing a soft kiss to it.

"Hello, Henrik," I said, giving him my attention.

"You're just as beautiful as the rumors say," he said, stepping in beside me. "Forgive me, I should probably introduce myself properly. I'm from the Storm Pack."

"The Storm Pack," I repeated, already aware of the name. "Your Alpha is Elvira?"

"Yes, Princess."

"She's a strong one," I remarked casually, tucking a curl of silver hair behind my ear.

Henrik smiled. "She is."

I took a glass of wine from a passing waiter and sipped. "So, Henrik…" I said lightly. "What brings you to me?"

I already knew the answer to my own question. He was here like the rest, seeking a chance to be my mate.

But I wasn't interested.

Henrik's smile widened. "Do I need a reason to speak to the most enchanting woman at the festival?"

"Don't flatter me," I replied, with a graceful smile of my own.

"Flattery implies insincere praise, Princess," he said. "I merely speak the truth."

A blush crept across my cheek, but I said nothing, choosing to enjoy my wine.

"I'll be honest." Henrik continued, crossing his arms behind him. He looked impeccable in a dark blue suit. "I was hoping to steal a moment alone with you… away from all this." He nodded toward the music and the crowd. "It doesn't have to be now. Another time works just as well. Either way, I'd like us to talk... and perhaps more, if the goddess wills it."

"Define 'more,'" I spoke softly.

"A bond between us, Princess. An alliance between both our packs could benefit both sides." His tone was casual, like he was discussing something as basic as his music taste; meanwhile, he was suggesting a union.

I kept my expression neutral, but before I could reply, I felt someone's presence behind me.

"Henrik." My older brother's voice boomed. He was the firstborn and,, by far, the most overprotective.

I turned as Slade came to stand at my side, tall and large, and already looking like he'd murder Henrik.

"Slade," he acknowledged with a nod.

"Is there a reason you're still speaking to my sister?" Slade asked with a frown.

Henrik smiled politely. "Just introducing myself. No harm done."

My brother's glare intensified.

Henrik got the message and cleared his throat before bowing slightly to me. "Princess Athena. It was an honour."

"Likewise," I replied smoothly.

As soon as he walked away, I glanced at Slade. "You didn't need to do that."

"I absolutely did." He took my wine glass and downed the remaining content in one gulp. "He was standing too close. And he smiled too much."

"Oh, I'm sorry. Is that a crime now?" I asked sarcastically.

Slade smirked. "Little sister, it is when you're involved."

"You, Robin, Dorian, and Ares just can't help being overprotective, can you?" I said in a peeved tone. "Slade, you can't keep scaring off all my suitors. It's not fair."

"Not fair?" He raised a brow. "Did you even see your face? Your eyes were screaming for help. You didn't like him."

"Maybe. But I'd still rather do the chasing off myself."

"No."

My second brother, Robin, sauntered into view. "What are you two bickering about this time?"

"Our little sister thinks we're overprotective," Slade replied with a smirk.

Robin let out a guffaw. "Awww," he teased, bending to my level and giving me a mock pout. "Is that so, little T?"

He'd lost his eye three years ago in a wolf fight. Most would've mourned the loss, but not Robin. He wore the eye patch like a badge of honor.

He attempted to nudge my side, but I brushed him off.

"I'm serious," I said, glaring at both of them. "You need to lay off me."

All four of my brothers tended to be overbearing, but when it came to going overboard, Slade and Robin definitely took the crown.

Being the only daughter in the household had its perks, like being pampered and treated like a literal princess, but the downside was the suffocating, unnecessary need to protect me. Even when I wasn't in harm's way.

Robin looked like he was about to respond, but Father called to both of them from across the courtyard.

"See you soon, sis," Slade chirped, toying with a lock of my hair. "Don't wander off."

"Get a life," I muttered after him.

My brothers were only this relaxed and playful around me. With outsiders, they barely smiled.

Sighing, I turned back toward the fountain in search of my dark knight in cargo pants and polished boots.

He was still there. Still and alone. Sometimes I wondered if he was a living statue.

Lyla had left.

A part of me wanted him to walk over, badly. But then I remembered that he was on duty and probably wouldn't be able to leave his position.

So, I summoned up the courage to approach him instead.

I moved through the crowd, returning greetings and warding off admirers politely with a megawatt smile and my head held high, but inside, my nerves were frying.

I didn't know what I would say, or if he'd even acknowledge me. But I had to talk to him.

I had to feel that connection we'd felt not long ago again.

He saw me coming. Those black eyes shifted toward me long before I reached him. But just as quickly, he looked away, returning his gaze forward like I hadn't caught his attention at all.

"Hello," I said softly once I stood before him.

It took him an eternity to respond. But when he did, something lit up in my gut.

"Princess Athena," he said in a deep and scandalously good voice.

It took me a minute to pull myself together.

Up close, he was even more handsome. But it wasn't in the conventional, polished, bad-boy billionaire way. No, his was the kind of face you'd expect to see on a wanted poster.

One could say he had killer looks.

Troy was also taller and broader than I'd imagined.

His jaw was square and sharp. His brows sat in a permanent V, leaving a shadow of hostility over those eyes.

High cheekbones gave his face a look of cruelty, and the buzzcut… gosh, the buzzcut… only made it worse. Or better.

He was the literal definition of rugged.

The complete antithesis of me, in both character and appearance, in every way that mattered.

And still, here I was, like a moth to a flame, foolishly drawn to the darkness that was him. The darkness I should've feared.