Seeing our destination, my heart began to race. The king took me to the prison. He stepped out of the car and took my hand, leading me into the confines of the cell. We continued walking toward the dungeons.

The smell of blood and filth filled my nostrils. Oh, Moon Goddess. Ethan had been in that dark, filthy place for months. How could he survive? I felt my eyes burn, realizing that my life was better than his.

"You have five minutes," Duncan said.

The man released my hand in front of a cell. I turned my head as the guard opened the door. The room was dim, but I could see with my wolf eyes. My chest ached when I saw someone standing sluggishly against the wall with his hands and feet chained.

His distinctive scent filled my nostrils, mingling with the odors of feces, urine, and blood. I bit my lip, holding back tears. The king must not know I was crying. I didn't want to give him the satisfaction of knowing he had made me and my partner suffer.

"Ethan?" I stood before him. "It's me."

The man's breathing was very weak. His heartbeat was barely audible. The king wasn't joking. Ethan was dying. I didn't see any wounds from torture. The smell of blood must have been from his old wounds when he was dragged to prison. I also didn't smell wolfsbane. What happened?

'Cari,' Ethan said through the mind link. 'Can you hear me?'

I furrowed my brow. Was I dreaming? I could hear Ethan's voice in my head. That couldn't be. I tried to speak to him through the mind link, but my husband didn't respond. I must be imagining things.

'Cari,' he repeated.

There was no mistake. I could hear his voice. 'Oh, Ethan!! Yes, I can hear you!' I replied happily.

'Thank you for your service and sacrifice for the Blood River Pack and me. You have paid your debt in full,' he said.

'Ethan, why are you—' I sobbed.

'I forgive you,' Ethan continued. 'Forget the Blood River Pack. They're fine without you. Serve that jerk and make sure he doesn't disturb the peace of my pack again.'

'Why do you sound like you're dumping me?'

'Because that's what I'm doing,' he replied heartlessly. 'I, Ethan Darkwood, Alpha of the Blood River Pack, reject you, Carissa Moss, as my mate and Luna of the Blood River Pack.'

I barely believe my ears. Ethan, my Alpha and true mate, was rejecting me. He chose to die without a mate rather than remember me as his life partner. My whole body trembled as I held back my tears and anger. Was my debt to him that great?

'Don't be silent. Quickly accept my rejection!' Ethan urged.

'No,' I refused.

'Cari, accept my rejection. I refuse to die as your mate. Besides, the Blood River Pack needs an Alpha and Luna after months of struggling on their own. If you want my forgiveness, accept my rejection,' he commanded.

'I don't believe it. After all these years together, you don't love me. What's lacking? What does she have that I don't?'

'Everything,' he replied cruelly.

That answer was like a sharp sword piercing my heart. We had been together for four years after discovering we were true mates. We married and led the herd with great struggle after his father passed away, but he loved another woman.

'You forgive me? Ridiculous. Debt of sin? I'm not guilty. It was not I who chose you as my true mate. The Moon Goddess decreed us as lovers. You can reject me if you love her more.' I glared at him.

'You didn't do that because you needed me as Luna to strengthen your position in our pack. Rejecting me and choosing your lover would only weaken your authority, and your people wouldn't like that. Fine, I don't want a jerk for a mate like you either.'

'Don't act so righteous. I did all that because I was protecting my love. You threatened her with the bonds of destiny. Otherwise, I would have rejected you that night!' Ethan argued.

'I have the right to defend my partner! I am your destined mate, not her!' I protested.

'I don't have much time. Reject me quickly. I'm disgusted to see you in front of me with your new mate, especially since he looks impatient to have fun with you,' he sneered.

'I don't regret marrying you. Our time together was the best time of my life. It's a shame you chose her instead.' I clenched my fists. 'I, Carissa Moss, accept your rejection, Ethan Darkwood, as my mate.'

'Ugh!' Ethan and I grimaced in pain at the same time.

'You must reject me as your Alpha and Blood River as your pack,' he commanded.

I smirked. 'I was born in the Blood River Pack, and I will die as part of that pack, too.'

I felt excruciating pain in my chest. I knelt, unable to bear the pain. My chest felt extremely hot, but I clenched my fists on the floor and bit my other hand. I shouldn't scream or cry.

As if the pain wasn't enough, Ethan's mark on the curve of my neck felt excruciating. I turned to him. Ethan drooped lifelessly before me. My lips trembled violently, and I couldn't hold back my tears. My love, my life, my soul, and my Alpha was gone.

Memories of us playing together run through my mind. It all started with my admiration for Alpha's eldest son. Even though he liked another girl, I prayed to the Moon Goddess to make him my mate.

The Goddess answered my prayer on my twenty-first birthday. I was thrilled, and our wedding was a grand affair. I thought he loved me, too, until I saw him and his ex-girlfriend talking alone in the forest.

I didn't know what happened, but when I opened my eyes, I was in the king's chamber. The pain in my chest confused me. What happened? I turned toward the bright light from the window. Someone was standing there, with their back to me.

"Are you awake?" The brown-haired man turned around.

"What happened?" I asked.

"Ethan will be cremated tonight," he replied.

Hearing that, the events in the dungeon played in my head. My eyes burned. Oh, Goddess. Ethan was gone. He rejected and expelled me from our pack. I couldn't believe he had abandoned me in a foreign place.

How cruel. Ethan didn't care about everything I had done to protect our pack. I had to give my body and humiliate myself for his safety and that of our people. My position in the palace was even lower than that of a servant.

If only Ethan knew how many times I had tried to rebel, but it was all in vain. I couldn't fight the kingdom's powerful and numerous warriors. If only the king weren't interested in me, he and I would have been dead long ago.

Duncan let someone in when there was a knock at the door. "What is it?" he asked.

"Her Majesty the Queen is not in her room. We have searched, but she is nowhere to be found in the palace," the door guard reported.

"Call the servants. Help Carissa get ready and bring her breakfast," the king ordered. He approached me. "I'll be right back."

"I—" I said.

"Don't leave the room." Duncan kissed my lips.

I watched him walk out of the room. After the door closed, I sat down. Since he had called the servants, I couldn't let my emotions get the better of me. The servants would report everything to him.

The women came in carrying many items. They helped me bathe, dress, and put on makeup. I was relieved to be fully clothed. That meant I wouldn't have to serve the king in bed. My clothes were black, the color of death and mourning, to announce that I was a widow.

(Duncan)

I stared at each of the elders' faces. They had come to see me only to discuss an old issue: the heir. Davina and I had been married for fourteen years, and we had no children. I didn't know why, because we were both healthy.

"Our kingdom is at peace, but war could break out at any moment. If you were to die in battle, who would lead the kingdom? You won't stay young forever, and our kingdom needs the assurance of a new king when you are gone," Ewan said.

"The queen has failed to produce an heir. You must immediately choose a healthy woman to give you a son. We hear you have been sleeping with Carissa Moss for the past few months. You'd better find another woman, because she has also failed," the chief elder continued.

"Do you think I'm a manwh*re?" I challenged him.

"Carissa Moss is barren. She has been married for four years and has no children with her husband. Your Majesty, you are thirty-five years old. How much longer must we wait until you assure us that this kingdom will have a leader if you are no longer here?" he argued.

"I won't die that quickly if you pray for my well-being."

"The people are restless, and the warriors are worried. If the situation continues, your reign will weaken because the people no longer trust you. Your brother—" Ewan countered.

"One more word about him, and you're dead," I threatened.

I didn't care that they were people I should respect. Everyone who belittled my position as king had to submit to me. They clenched their fists, bowed their heads, and cried when I unleashed my aura.

"I protect you with my life. You can live in peace because I risk my soul on the battlefield. You eat well, sleep soundly, and can enjoy your retirement, while I cannot enjoy any of that for your welfare," I explained.

"Then, you have the audacity to think my sacrifice is meaningless just because I don't have a son. Is my brother more valuable because he has two sons, even though he doesn't have better leadership skills?

"If you suggest again that I give my throne to him, I won't hesitate to take your lives. Davina and I are healthy. We have regular marital intercourse, even when she is in heat. We are also victims of this situation, not just you and all the people."

I suddenly felt an excruciating pain in my chest. I clenched my fists, trying to endure the agony. Damn it. Why did she do that while I was in a meeting? That shameless woman! I had to settle the score with her!

"I have to get back to work. The kingdom cannot run itself without someone to take care of it. If there is nothing else you want to say, let's end the meeting here," I said.

The elders stood up. The arrogance that had been on their faces had vanished. "Thank you for your wisdom, Your Majesty," they said.

I waited until the last person left, and the guard closed the door. After everyone was gone, I clenched my fists on the table and tried to catch my breath. The pain was getting worse, but I forced myself to stand up.

I walked out of the meeting room toward the stairs. Even though the pain made me angry, I walked calmly, unwilling to attract anyone's attention. Arriving on the fourth floor, I turned left and approached a double door guarded by two soldiers.

Sensing my anger, they spontaneously knelt and put their heads on the floor, bowing before me. They were not at fault. So, I just walked past them and opened the door. A disgusting smell filled my nostrils.

A woman sat on top of a man. I couldn't see her face, but I knew she was enjoying the intercourse. Neither of them wore a single piece of clothing. The man lay on the bed with eyes full of fear, staring at me.

"Your Majesty," the man said with difficulty, trying to fight his passion.

"Relax. He won't hurt you," Davina said casually.

Of course, I wouldn't hurt that ant. I lunged at Davina, grabbed her by the neck, and pushed her onto the bed, her back hitting the mattress. Her bedmate hurried up from the bed, put on some clothes, and left the room.

The pain disappeared in an instant. I regulated my breathing and waited until my heart was beating normally. Davina struggled, but I didn't loosen my grip. Seeing her pale face didn't make me feel sorry for her. She played with fire, so she deserved to get burned.

'Why are you angry?' she protested through the mind link. 'You can sleep with any woman you want. Why can't I do the same?'

'If you give me a child, the elders won't come see me every damn month just to pressure me about an heir.' I tightened my grip. 'You did that when I was with them. I know you wanted to embarrass me!'

'You're the one who embarrassed me by sleeping with another woman!' she snapped.

'Have you forgotten who suggested that dumb idea?'

'I allowed you to sleep with one woman for one month and wait for the results. But you've been sleeping with that whore for months. Do you think I don't know you're in love with her!?' Davina protested.

'I'm not a wh*re who sleeps with every woman just to get them pregnant. Your plan has made me a laughingstock. No, Davina. I won't follow your way. If you want to remain queen, Carissa will give birth to our child,' I stated.

The anger in Davina's eyes faded, and her gaze softened. My wife closed her eyes, hiding her pain from me. That charade wouldn't melt my heart. She used the same card repeatedly, and I had had enough.

'I don't want to be your queen. None of this would have happened if you had let me go.' The woman shed tears.

I loosened my grip before releasing her neck. Davina took a deep breath and covered herself with a blanket. That body had once tempted me and aroused my passion. Even though we were a couple, I had no desire to touch her.

I jumped out of bed and walked over to the window. The smell of their lovemaking made me sick. The afternoon air was cool, even though the sun was shining brightly, because it was autumn. I took a deep breath, trying to forget the scent of that betrayal.

"You and I are descendants of nobility. We cannot marry the people we choose. You should be happy that we are fated mates. I love you and give you everything you want. Why do you still bring up the past?" I muttered.

"You know the reason. Because of you, I lost my love."

"I didn't choose you to be my mate. Blame the Moon Goddess if you object."

Davina scoffed. "You only care about the kingdom and your throne. You didn't want to reject me because you wanted to be the most powerful king in history. Look at the consequences of your selfishness. You and I have no children."

"I forgive you. That is the last time. Don't do it again." I walked towards the door.

"Let me go, Duncan. We've been together for fourteen years. No matter how hard we try, we won't produce children. Find another woman who can give you offspring," the queen said in frustration.

"Go back to your office. Today isn't the weekend. You should be working, not screwing around," I ordered.

"I, Davina Haylor," Davina said, making me stop in my tracks, "Queen of the Moon Night Kingdom, reject you, Duncan Bayhill, as my mate."

Fourteen years of marriage, and I couldn't believe that I was the only one who felt joy and love for the mate that the Moon Goddess had chosen for me. Davina was everything I could have hoped for in a wife and queen. Why didn't she feel the same way?

I gave her everything she wanted. I fulfilled all her needs. There was only one request I refused, and that was to separate. I tried to be a good husband while striving to be a wise leader. But nothing could satisfy her.

A knock on the door broke my reverie. "Come in," I replied.

A guard opened the door. "Your Majesty, Ethan Darkwood won't last much longer," he reported. "The doctor estimates he will die tomorrow morning."

"Has he refused food and drink?" I asked.

"Yes, Your Majesty," he answered.

"Very well. You may return to your post." I changed my mind as I remembered something. "Wait. Have a servant prepare Carissa Moss to serve me tonight."

After trying for ten years and failing, I agreed to my wife's request to have a child with another woman. The royal doctor declared us healthy and without reproductive problems. The Moon Goddess might have other plans for us.

Davina chose every woman who slept with me. She would ask the doctor to check the woman's fertility. I would sleep with her for a week and wait three weeks for the results. If it failed, my wife would choose another woman.

I did all of that as my duty to produce an heir. My kingdom needed the assurance that it would have a leader if I were gone. My love and respect for Davina did not diminish even though I slept with other women.

I had no idea what Carissa had, but I was attracted to her. Perhaps four years of trying had changed my mind about my wife's method. For the first time, I refused Davina's suggestion to choose another woman. I only wanted to sleep with Luna from the Blood River Pack.

"Your Majesty, I bring you Carissa Moss," a servant called from behind the door.

I took a deep breath and only allowed the Luna to enter. I looked at the clothes I was wearing. The servants helped me clean myself up. Carissa would be comfortable with our intercourse when I was clean and smelled good.

The fresh scent of forest roses reached my nose when the guard opened the door. The beautiful woman stood in the doorway, looking at me without fear. Her long blonde hair covered her chest to her waist. Her luscious body almost made me lose control.

"Sit down," I ordered.

I told her about her husband's condition because I would have forgotten about it if I slept with her first. I wasn't surprised by her reaction. Carissa could think about other men when she was with me; I wasn't a romantic man.

There was only one thing I wanted from her: to submit to my authority. I couldn't forget our first wild night together. Carissa resisted me with all her strength, which only aroused me more. Taming her was the best s*xual experience of my life.

Although I liked our first night together, I liked it even more when she obeyed me. Everything was more intimate and satisfying when she wasn't being stubborn. Her quick response to my touch made everything easier. For some reason, she was different from other women, even my wife.

I kissed her hungrily because I hadn't been with her for three weeks. I impatiently opened her coat, wanting to feel her skin. Thankfully, she wasn't wearing anything under her robe. Her body felt perfectly smooth.

"Kiss me," I whispered when she remained motionless.

Feeling her return my kiss, I prepared her body to unite with mine. I couldn't wait to be in the best place in my life and feel the peak of pleasure after a terrible day.

"Your Majesty, I beg you," Carissa pleaded.

"What do you want?" I whispered.

"I want you," she moaned.

"You who?" I teased.

"King Duncan Bayhill."

"When no one's around, call me Duncan."

The doctor assured me that all the women my wife chose were healthy, especially since they had children. I didn't understand what was wrong with my approach that prevented them from getting pregnant. Since sleeping with different women didn't yield results, I decided not to replace the last woman.

I knew why Davina chose Carissa. That woman had been married for four years, but she and her husband had no children. I didn't mind that, because the doctor said she was healthy. I took it as a challenge. Her husband failed, but I would succeed.

My wife knew that the woman I slept with had to have a child as proof that she was fertile. She thought I'd just keep quiet after she chose a woman who didn't meet the criteria. Sleeping with the same woman was my payback for her trickery.

'Today is not the right day to sleep with any woman. Why did you break our agreement!?' Davina shouted through the mind link.

After cutting off communication while I enjoyed Carissa's body, I allowed my wife to speak to me. 'I know her schedule. Next week is her fertile period.'

'I decide the day, Duncan, not you!' she protested.

'You embarrassed me in front of the elders. It was just a small punishment from me. Now you know how it feels when your partner sleeps with someone else,' I replied.

'Don't you want children anymore?' Davina asked.

'What about you? Do you want children with me?' I questioned.

'Of course! I sacrificed myself for you and our kingdom,' she answered.

'Really? What did you sacrifice?' I demanded.

Davina scoffed. 'Do you think I'm happy seeing you sleep with other women? I have to endure the shame because everyone knows I failed to give you a child. They also know you sleep with other women to get an heir. That's my sacrifice.'

'Oh.' That was all I could say.

My wife didn't love me. And she might never have loved me. I knew why she rejected me earlier. Davina was frustrated, and I knew why. I wouldn't let her leave me. Our separation would only weaken my position as king.

Everyone was watching my every move because I had a weakness. That damn heir shouldn't be a problem. I was thirty-five, not seventy. Why were they so impatient about me having children?

Remembering the unfinished business, I took Carissa to the dungeon. I didn't want her to miss her husband's last moments. But I didn't expect Ethan to use that opportunity to reject his partner.

Did Carissa also experience the same marriage problems as I did? We married our true partners, but they loved other people. If that was the case, maybe that was the reason I was attracted to her.

"What should we do with his body, Your Majesty?" the prison guard asked.

"Have Elder Ewan prepare a cremation ceremony for him," I ordered.

"Yes, Your Majesty," he replied obediently.

Even though Ethan Darkwood was the biggest criminal in the kingdom, he was an Alpha. He had the right to die as the leader of his pack. The man was lucky to die honorably in my territory.

I carried Carissa, who had fainted after feeling the pain of being separated from her husband. The man must have been furious because he suffered unbearable pain in his chest for one week every month. After all, I slept with his wife.

I laid the woman on my bed when I arrived in the room. I smoothed her long hair so it didn't cover her beautiful face. The mark on the curve of her neck caught my attention. The bite marks shaped like two small flowers were gone.

I stayed with Carissa until she woke up. I wanted to be the one to tell her about her husband's funeral arrangements. She seemed strong in accepting the information. Unfortunately, some bad news ruined my plan for an intimate breakfast with her.