When the Lycan King Offered Vengeance, This Rejected Mate Accepted

My mate had a peculiar taste—he preferred mated she-wolves, especially those older than him by three years.

In the three years since our mate bond was established, he had seduced nearly every high-ranking mated female in the city. That day, I caught the Luna of the Lycan King straddling his lap, her crimson gown tangled with his black suit.

"She's so dull, your mate," the Luna purred, her voice dripping with mockery. "Always standing there like a lifeless statue."

Ryatt chuckled, his tone dismissive. "Bland and uninteresting. She could never compare to your charm."

"Then let her kneel outside the door," the Luna suggested, her fingers lazily unbuttoning his collar. "We could use a servant to fetch water for us. And tonight, let’s try those silver bells from the West."

Ryatt ordered me to kneel outside the door, forcing me to listen to their shameless whispers and the clinking of those silver bells. When they were done, he demanded I fetch water for them.

Three days later, the Lycan King surrounded our pack territory with his warriors. Ryatt shoved me out the door, his voice desperate. "Take whatever you want. Just leave me alone."

The Lycan King, his face obscured by a black helmet, sat atop his horse, his curved blade tilting my chin upward.

"Oh? He mated my Luna. Should I take his mate in return?"

=======

I stood there for a moment, then nodded.

"That seems fair. When’s the marking ceremony?"

"Three days from now."

"I’ll be there."

Surprised by my immediate agreement, Jack hesitated, but then quickly pulled a bracelet from his pocket.

"A token of our promise," he said, his voice rushed, as if he feared I might change his mind. He mounted his horse clumsily, nearly tripping in his haste.

I couldn’t help but smile at the sight. Behind the cold mask of the Lycan King, there was a hint of… awkwardness.

When I returned to the pack house, I ran into Rayne. She was leaning against the doorframe, her face still flushed, clearly satisfied. She shot me a contemptuous look.

"Are you stupid? Come help me inside."

When I didn’t move, she glared at me before disappearing into Ryatt’s room. My eyes lingered on the discarded lingerie by the door, but Ryatt showed no guilt. Instead, he demanded,

"What did his mate say?"

"Never mind. Whatever he wants, as long as he signs Rayne’s release from her mate bond."

I responded calmly.

"He said he’ll do it in three days."

The same day I would mark with Jack.

Ryatt walked up to me, his tone casual but commanding.

"Make me some tonic. Rayne’s been rather… demanding these past few days. I need to replenish my strength."

He even had the audacity to smile fondly, as if his infidelity were something to be proud of.

I replied indifferently,

"The pack has servants for that. If you’re truly that exhausted, there’s a healer right outside the territory. Send someone to fetch him."

Ryatt frowned at my calm demeanor, his voice growing impatient.

"You’re so jealous. If I hadn’t mated with you, Rayne wouldn’t have been forced to mate that cold-hearted Lycan King, left to suffer in loneliness!"

"This is your fault. Instead of learning how to please your mate, you’re here sulking. Is this the upbringing of the West family?"

When I didn’t react, his tone softened slightly.

"Don’t worry. I’ll just mark her for fun. When I’m done, I’ll demote her and take you back."

His words were meant to sound generous, but they no longer stirred any emotion in me.

My father had only me as his heir. When Ryatt rose through the ranks, my father chose him as my mate. His family was in decline, and they pressured him into the bond. His childhood sweetheart, Rayne, cried and protested, but her family forced her to mate the Lycan King.

Ryatt used my family’s influence to climb higher, but deep down, he resented me. He believed I was the reason Rayne was taken from him. After gaining power, he delayed marking me, turning me into a laughingstock among the packs.

When he said he would mark her, he meant he would reject me and establish a new mate bond with Rayne, fulfilling his childhood obsession. As for what would happen to me after rejection, he never cared.

I didn’t bother arguing.

"If that’s the case, give me my release from the mate bond now. I’ll step aside for the Luna."

Ryatt’s face darkened, his eyes filled with an anger I couldn’t understand. He grabbed my chin roughly.

"What? You used to cling to me like a lost puppy. Now you want to run away?"

I turned my head, avoiding his touch.

"No."

I didn’t understand. When I used to follow him everywhere, he found me annoying. Now that I was letting go, he was furious.

"Don’t worry," he said, his voice cold. "I’ll give it to you before I mark Rayne."

Perfect. On that day, he would mark Rayne, and I would mark Jack.