Prologue
"Can't you see that I am already engaged with someone? Yet you persist in approaching me," Alucard declared with a stern tone, his eyes piercing through mine. "Leave now, or I shall summon the royal guards to drag you out of the royal palace."
My heart shattered upon hearing that from him. It had never occurred to me that Alucard would treat me this way.
Once, he was a tender-hearted man, my beloved mate, who enveloped me in affection. He made grand promises, vowing to grant me the world.
Him...
Alucard Forest de Carteret.
The Crown Prince of the Sowinski Kingdom.
Unbeknownst to me, I wasn't aware of his position. He showed up one day to my pack as he was being saved from being drowning in the river during the storm. Cloaked in temporary amnesia, he approached me, boldly declaring that I was his destined mate.
"Alucard..." Tears streamed down my cheeks as I pleaded desperately. "Why are you doing this to me? You said... You said you love me..." Despite his passive expression, I sank to my knees before him, confronted by a cold demeanor I had never witnessed before. It emanated from him, glistening in front of me like an icy facade. "I am your mate..." I hiccuped.
I was prepared to be the lowest of the lowest. I loved him. It wasn't because I was aware of his royal status, but rather because I found myself falling for him as he became my unwavering pillar of support during my darkest moments.
And now... he was shunning me away. I discovered that he was betrothed to another person, even as he engaged in an affair with me. I wasn't aware. I did not know.
It hurt to know that fact he was toying with me, but here I was, begging him to choose me over that woman that was betrothed to him.
"A stranger told you that he loved you, and you easily believed him?" There was a disdain smeared on his tone. "I do not like a woman who easily flung herself to a man." He smirked before he roughly removed my hands that were clinging to the hem of his tunic. "I have never loved you, Faustina. Remember that."
His words echoed in my ears, and each one pierced through my heart like a thousand daggers. The pain was unbearable, and I felt my spirit breaking apart. How could he deny our love, our connection? The memories of our stolen moments together, the whispers of affection and promises of a future, all seemed like cruel illusions now.
Summoning all the strength I had left, I slowly rose to my feet, my eyes fixed on his cold gaze. "If that is truly how you feel, then so be it, Alucard. And one day, when you realize the emptiness of a life devoid of love, I hope you remember the pain you inflicted upon me."
Alucard's plump lips pulled a condescending smile. "Fret not. I will never regret what I did. So, shall I reject you now? This mate bond we had is a nuisance to me. I did not want my fiancee to be bothered by it."
I gripped my skirt, trying so hard not to shed a tear again. "O-Of course." My lips were quivering when I caught something flickering in his forest-green orbs. But it vanished in a blink of an eye.
Alucard took a step back, his gaze shifting away from me as if unable to bear the weight of his own actions. The air around us grew heavy with the impending rejection, and my heart sank further with each passing moment.
"Very well, Faustina," he said, his voice devoid of any tenderness. "I, Alucard Forest de Carteret, hereby reject Faustina Kerez and I's mate bond. Let it be severed, never to be acknowledged again."
His words cut through me like a knife, and the bond that had once connected us felt as if it was being ripped apart. A surge of pain radiated from within, but I refused to let him see my weakness any longer.
With a heavy sigh, I nodded and forced a small smile, masking the turmoil inside me. "If that is your decision, then so be it." My voice smeared with nonchalantness. "I, Faustina Kerez, accept Alucard Forest de Carteret's rejection of our mate bond."
His gaze briefly met mine, and in that fleeting moment, I saw a glimmer of regret—a trace of the man I once believed in. But it vanished as quickly as it had appeared, replaced by an icy indifference.
I wanted to say something, to voice the ache in my heart and the injustice of it all, but I held my tongue. There was no use in struggling against a battle that had already been lost. The love I had for Alucard would forever remain a bittersweet memory, a lesson learned in the fragility of trust and the pain of unrequited affection.
Turning away from him, I took a deep breath and steeled myself against the overwhelming sorrow threatening to consume me. I would find a way to heal, to mend the pieces of my shattered heart. The Moon Oriental pack had always been my sanctuary, and I would return to them, seeking solace and support from those who truly cared for me.
As I walked away from Alucard and the royal palace, the weight of his rejection heavy upon my shoulders, I reminded myself of my worth. I was not defined by his rejection or his callous actions. I was a strong and resilient woman, capable of rising above the pain and rebuilding my life.
More tears were clearing my vision as I placed my hand on top of my stomach. "Seems like it'll be just you and me, little one..." I whispered to my stomach, acknowledging the growing life within me.
Chapter 1It was one of a hell stormy night when news arrived that a man was almost drowned in the river and was saved by one of our pack warriors. The said man was not from our pack but a rogue who got lost near the borders.He was isolated and deterred from going out by locking up in one of the rooms reserved for a pack member in the packhouse. His identity was unknown and questionable.It had been a few days since he had arrived, yet the impact of the storm had caused him to be in a vegetative state. The same goes for the state of our pack, destroyed by the harsh rain and wind. Three adept pack warriors, two from the outside and one on the inside, were guarding the room as only authorized personnel could check up on him."Beta Faustina! I have news!"I came to a halt from briefing the pack warriors for their next shift as soon as Rowan had arrived at the borders. He was one of the Gammas in charge of training our drafted pack members."Hold on," I told the pack warriors to wait for
Chapter 2A dreadful day before coming to visit my adoptive father's chamber. I found him sitting and facing a table where he was making some folded flowers."My love, Romir is going to graduate soon. We are going to come," he said, his eyes settling on the empty bed, a huge smile on his lips. "Tina has become a Beta while Jaromir is away. I am so proud of our pups."I pursed my lips into a thin line, feeling my eyes getting teary-eyed. No one was around but him. But Edison still believed the idea that Samantha was still here. He lost his mind when he lost her. I gradually watched how his sanity had taken him away.I felt something caress in my heart since Edison had treated me like his pup. I thanked the Moon Goddess for they fated me to be with this family."I just hope she finds her real parents soon. I know. I can tell. She is missing them."That made me hold my breath. He knew. Even though he was not in his right mind, it seemed like he was still in proper shape."Edison." I knoc
Chapter 3A bottle of wine had become my solace after that ordeal. The cool breeze of the night, the soft hoot of the owl, and the chirping of the crickets became a comforting symphony that blended harmoniously with the mellow notes of the wine. Sitting on the porch, the moon cast a gentle glow on the world, lending an ethereal beauty to the night.Each sip of the wine transported me to a place of tranquility, momentarily shielding me from the complications of my responsibilities. The liquid warmth flowed through my veins, easing the tension in my body and numbing the pain that had consumed me. The complexities of the wine mirrored the complexities of life, and for a brief moment, I found consolation in the depths of its flavors.I got distracted when a presence that I had been feeling from my behind for a while go had come forth to sit beside me. "Does this happen often?" Crown Prince Alucard's soft and tender tone was a departure from his usual mischievous and naughty demeanor, catc
Chapter 4As the first rays of the morning sun kissed the horizon, a surge of anticipation coursed through my veins. Today marked the beginning of our long-awaited harvest festival, an event that held great significance for the Moon Oriental pack. As the Beta, it was my honor to host this grand celebration within the heart of our pack's territory.The harvest festival was a time of joy and unity for the pack, with vibrant decorations, the aroma of freshly baked goods, and an atmosphere filled with laughter and excitement. As pack members gathered, children played and elders shared stories, all united by the strength of their traditions. The festival grounds centered around a mighty oak tree, symbolizing their deep-rooted connection, and a stage stood ready for performances. It was a celebration of abundance and gratitude, where the pack came together to honor their shared heritage and create lasting memories.As the morning sun climbed higher, casting a warm glow upon us all, Alpha Na
Chapter 5 part 1 As Alucard's lips hovered just inches away from mine, time seemed to stand still. The air crackled with an electric tension, and I felt my heart pounding in my chest, the sound reverberating in my ears. Conflicting emotions swirled within me, a mixture of curiosity, desire, and a lingering trace of caution. My instincts urged me to surrender to the moment, to embrace the unknown and explore the connection that seemed to have grown between us. But reason whispered a reminder of our status, not wanting to acknowledge that I was being kissed by him-my mate. It took an ounce of strength to finally push him away, taking a step back, breaking the spell that had enveloped us. "I-I remember that I have things to do," I stammered, my voice barely above a whisper. Confusion flickered in his eyes, mirroring the whirlwind of emotions within me. I did not wait for him to respond as I scurried away, frightened by the fact that this was not supposed to happen. My lips still felt
Chapter 5 part 2 I informed Alpha Navarro about Alucard's wishes. I could have sworn I had never wanted to hide my face that was flushing when he teased me. "I did not know you two have gone closer now, huh?" He wriggled his eyebrows, which made me frown. "Halt it, Alpha. This is nothing but a sort of friendship we established," I lied, gulping this bitterness at the fact Alucard was my mate. "Don't put any meaning into it." This couldn't help me to be defensive, seeing how Alpha Navarro couldn't stop looking at me meaningfully. Alpha Navarro chuckled. "You are relieved from your duty. I am glad that you are taking a break." I left his study room with my head shaking as the way he was adamant with me to always take a break from my duties when I was just performing them that would meet the standards of a Beta. Edison, when he was in his prime, performed his duties well more than I did. As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting hues of orange and purple across the sky, the pack
Chapter 6"Jaromir!" I exclaimed, rushing forward to envelop him in a warm hug the moment he stepped down from the carriage. My delight at his unexpected visit was evident, and I didn't bother hiding my enthusiasm to see my adoptive brother."Oh, Tina! How have you been?" Jaromir inquired with a wide grin, and in response, I giggled as he lifted me off the ground, spinning us around in a playful embrace. After that, he placed his hand on top of my head, blessing me with a gentle wince in my hair. "Father... I am home," he said, looking behind me. I hastily cleared my throat, almost forgetting that Edison wouldn't miss this for this world, as he nodded at Jaromir with a big smile plastered on his lips. "How are you, Romir? Your mother already missed you."Jaromir and I exchanged glances before I nodded at him, indicating that he needed to continue the act. Melancholy served his expression as he tried to fix his composure by having a beaming smile."I shall apologize to Mother for worr
Chapter 7Gasps and murmurs rippled through the banquet hall as all eyes turned toward the royal couple making their entrance. Crown Prince Alucard was as regal as ever, exuding an air of confidence and authority that naturally drew people's attention. His forest-green eyes sparkled with warmth as he exchanged polite nods and smiles with those around him.Beside him... my heart fell to the ground as the professor announced that she was future Crown Princess Charity, who was a vision of elegance, with her flowing midnight black hair cascading down her back and her cerulean eyes exuding both grace and charisma.I felt my heart race as I locked eyes with Alucard. A subtle but unmistakable smile tugged at the corner of his lips when he noticed me amidst the crowd before quickly looking away. I quickly caught my heart when it almost dropped to the ground, not knowing what to do. As the royal couple approached, the room fell into a respectful silence. Alucard was a highly esteemed figure,