My heart was beating so fast when Commander Lucretius brought me to a nearby inn. Excitement and nervousness were kicking in with the help of the beverage I had drank earlier. 

Once the door was closed, it felt like my heart was about to explode when his hand took mine and brought it to his lips. "Your hand is cold, my little soldier," he stated huskily, leaving the back of my hand with some kisses. My breath hitched at his actions. "Should I take this that this is your first time?"

My lips parted from his question. How did he come up to that conclusion? Was it because he had bedded so many women that he knew how to read our actions?

I snapped back to reality when he drew closer, closing the gap between us when he snatched my waist and sultrily caressed my cheek with the back of his hand. "I'd appreciate if you are going to be honest with me so I know if I am going to be rough on you or be gentle."

His gaze looked hungry, but his gentle tone ignited something in me. This man knew how to be gentle... That was what I had thought.

Gulping, I stared into his hazel orbs, drowning myself into them. "I don't care if you're going to be rough on me, Commander Lucretius," I replied, avoiding answering him.

Truth to be told, I had never given myself to Redmund even though we were fated mates. He had attempted so many times that we performed the mating ritual without marking each other first, but I politely declined him and told him that it would be better if we were going to get married first.

I believed in celibacy, a practice of the divine priests and priestesses in the Temple of the Moon Goddess. But Redmund never liked my choice, and he would end up being angry at me every time I would deny the kind of intimacy he wanted.

Now, my preaching of celibacy would be broken because of this man, luring me into the depths of pleasure. He was not just any man, he was Redmund's uncle, the person my mate despised the most.

Reason?

It was because his uncle, who hadn't married yet and had an heir, didn't want to pass down the Alpha title to him and wanted to reign the Golden Eclipse Pack.

As far as I know, Commander Lucretius had been an Alpha since he turned 18 after his father passed. He was the firstborn amongst the two siblings, which the younger was Redmund's father.

Redmund hated his uncle as far as I could remember because as the first in line to inherit their pack, Commander Lucretius didn't pass it down when my mate turned 18. Since then, he became his nemesis. Redmund wanted to become the Alpha so he joined the royal military to prove his uncle that he was fit to become one.

"How cold. Just call me by my name, my little soldier." He coerced me to gawk at him. I held my breath when his hot breath was fanning on my face. The scent of whisky and his intoxicating scent mingled that gradually drown me to be hypnotized. "Say it and be a good girl for me."

I mindlessly licked my lips when my eyes darted at his lips before returning my gaze on him. "L-Lucretius..." I mumbled. I couldn't help but felt my body on fire just by mentioning on his name.

No honorifics included. Just his name, calling him in my sultry tone, which I never thought I could ever do to another man.

Lucretius pressed his bulging desire against my hip, making my breath falter. A low growl escaped him, feral and dark, as though my trembling surrender was the very thing he craved most. His lips brushed my ear, his voice husky, "That's it... my little soldier. The way you said my name just now, I'll make sure you never forget how it feels on your tongue."

His mouth claimed mine in a fierce kiss as if he wanted to steal the air from my lungs. His tongue sought entrance to my mouth which I eventually welcomed him until I felt myself being melted into his arms.

I felt my back hit the wall. The cold surface of it contrasted with the fever that was burning between us. His kiss was demanding and dominating, and all I could do was to follow his lead while his hands were everywhere. 

They were tracing my waist, cupping my face, sliding to reach the back of my neck to deepen the kiss, making me tightly close my eyes to feel him more.

I whimpered into his mouth when he gripped my thigh and hooked it around his hip. Then he rubbed his bulge on the apex of my thigh, setting my body on fire.

"You don't look like this is your first time, my little soldier," he whispered to my ear after our mind-blowing kiss as he began sucking on my earlobe, earning me a soft moan. "Are you certain this is your first time?"

I groaned in protest from his question. I wanted to answer him, but because of the moans, I could barely utter a word. 

"Please..." Only one word escaped from my mouth as I shivered in coldness after he undressed me. 

With the help of the moonlight seeping in between the curtains, I was able to catch his primal hunger reflected in his eyes as he eyed me up and down. "Most beautiful body I have ever seen..." he muttered.

His words rolled over me like a dark vow, and the way his eyes devoured me made my skin prickle with heat. The rough pads of his hands explored as though he were committing every curve, every tremble, every shiver of mine to memory.

Oh, dear Moon Goddess, I knew that this was wrong, but it felt so right at the same time. 

A soft gasp escaped from my lips as he undressed himself and showed me his most precious treasure he had been kept behind his pants.

I gulped at his length, feeling fear and excitement at the same time. "Y-You're huge...!" It was too late to take back those words the moment he chuckled darkly.

He lowered his face until our faces were even. "Feel me." He grabbed my hand and guided me to hand his hardened dick, making me gasp in solitude.

At first, he was guiding me how to stroke it until I unconsciously did it on my own, gulping at the gist that almost covered half of him. His breathing hardened at the consecutive stroke I did. His soft groan became music to my ears, silently indicating that I was doing well.

My mouth watered, having the urge to feel his dick on my mouth. But before I could do that, Lucretius roughly pulled my head back and halted my hand, hissing.

"Fuck... Halt right there, my little soldier," he said, his tone sounded like he was about to lose control. "I almost cum even though this is your first time holding one," he whispered and licked the crook of my neck. "And this is my first time meeting a woman who can make me do that..."

I was speechless from his words, didn't have the time to react when he latched one of my nipples. A loud gasp broke out from me. My hand inadvertently clung to his broad shoulders as I arched my back from the pleasure while his other hand was kneading my other breast and tweaked my nipple.

"Lucretius..." His name escaped me again, breathless. I was torn between a moan and a plea.

The way he was sucking each of my twin globes was enough to lose my mind. I could even feel myself getting wet each time passed by.

Dear Moon Goddess... This pleasure was too much for me to handle! It was so fucking good!

"Lucretius..." I moaned his name several times.

He growled low. His lips were tracing down the crook of my neck, leaving some hot wet kisses up to my ear. "Say it again," he commanded against my skin. "Say my name until it's the only word your lips remember."

I gasped when he lifted me and carried me with ease to the bed. He crawled on top of me, his weight pinning me, which should have been frightening. My heart kept hammering inside my chest while my body had ignited something reckless and forbidden inside me.

The scent of whisky lingered on his breath, mingling with the raw, masculine scent of his skin as he hovered over me. "You're trembling," he murmured, thumb brushing over my lips before slipping lower to trail across my collarbone. "Not from fear... from need."

I whimpered when his knees coerced me to spread them for me until they went underneath. My hands covered my face from the embarrassment because I felt exposed and didn't want to see his reaction.

But they were soon removed and pinned on each side of me by Lucretius. His teeth gently teased my lower lip. "Don't," he huskily pleaded. "I want to see your beautiful face when I please you."

I slowly opened my eyes and caught him lowering his upper body. I tried to close my legs, but he left it wide open.

"L-Lucretius...!" I could feel the heat on my cheeks when he placed my legs on top of his shoulders. "W-What are you doing?"

His lips curved up into a smirk. "Exceed your expectations, my little soldier."

Without further ado, he dove to my wetness, causing me to gasp so loud and moan afterwards when I felt his tongue tease my sensitive bud. "Oh...!" I was caught off guard by it and arched my back from the pleasure when he sucked on it. My hand looked like it had a mind of its own, gripping his hair so tightly. "Lucretius... More..." I pleaded. "Please..."

I found myself pushing his face more when I felt pressure growing in between my legs. I felt him smirking before he turned us around. My eyes widened when he was underneath and made me sit back on his face.

"What..." I was dumbfounded at his action.

His grin widened. "Sit on me, my little soldier." He licked his lips. "I want to be suffocated by your sweet essence."

I bit my lower lip, hesitant, before following him. But as soon as his mouth came in contact with my wetness, my hips started to grind on their own when he sucked my sensitive bud.

"More... More... Dear Moon Goddess..." I could feel that pressure building up again and let myself be drowned in it.

Then, it came as I screamed his name, my eyes rolled to the back of my head as the ecstasy of pleasure shot right through me. I collapsed on my stomach, panting, but still he didn't stop from licking me clean before he finally turned me over and positioned himself between my legs.

I bit my thumb, gulping as I questioned if I could take him whole. The nervousness and excitement didn't dissipate; instead, they became intense, wondering how his dick would feel inside me.

"I don't deal with virgins, but I'll make an exception for you, my little soldier," he uttered hoarsely, his head seeking entrance to my wet opening.

"W-Why do you sound like I am special?" I couldn't help but ask. Thanks to my drunkenness, I was brave enough to ask.

He smirked at my question. "Just because."

With that, he finally slid inside me. My face contorted in pain as my nails dug into the sheets, feeling something tearing apart inside me.

Lucretius halted for a moment when I grunted in pain and leaned forward to cup my face. "Ssshh. It's alright, my little soldier." His voice was gentle. But tears were already streaming from my face. "Should I stop?"

I vigorously shook my head and stared at him. "K-Keep going. P-Please." My voice hinted at uncertainty.

His thumb caressed my tears before he claimed my lips. This time, it wasn't rough but pure gentleness and passion as if he was trying to coax me to return the same fervor and intensity, which I did until I was distracted, and Lucretius continued thrusting forward.

At first, the pain was still there, but it gradually subsided and changed into a mind-blowing pleasure that I had never felt before. 

Every thrust felt like my breath had been taken away, making the stretch both intolerable and intoxicating. Desperate to ground myself against the tempest he was releasing within me, my hands clawed at his back.

Oh, good Moon Goddess! 

"Lucretius..." His name from my mouth like a curse and a prayer, punctuated by groans I could no longer contain.

His snarl echoed across my flesh as his teeth scraped my shoulder. "You feel too good, my little soldier. So tight... you'll ruin me." His words were ragged, almost pained, as though my very surrender was undoing the control he was known for.

The pain melted away as every thrust was enough to make me gasp and moans I couldn't control. My body was betraying me by begging for more. I felt bold when I wrapped my legs around his waist, urging him to go deeper and faster until he finally obliged to my plea.

"Yes... Yes!" I cried out from pleasure, my back arching when he placed my leg on his shoulder, striking the sweet spot that made my vision go haywire. "D-Don't stop!" I demanded, gasping. "Please don't stop!"

"Look at you," he said throatily, his eyes locked on mine, even as sweat beaded on his forehead. His thumb sensually touched my lower lip as he slipped past it and played with my tongue when I whispered. "So desperate for me... not your mate, not any man... just me," he emphasized each word with a deep, nonstop thrust that made me call and cry out his name over and over.

"Lucretius!" I screamed when the pressure blasted, my body was trembling involuntarily and violently beneath him. I felt like in the celestial heaven all of a sudden, rendered speechless by it.

However, he didn't stop and snarled at the way I clung to him. Finally, his control snapped. He buried himself completely into me with a final, guttural moan, his body shaking as he let his release, claiming me as if he didn't want to let me go. 

Lucretius collapsed on top of me, his forehead resting on mine. Panting, I felt my eyes getting heavy while I felt him raining me with so many wet kisses on my neck.

"You're mine," he whispered possessively.

But I could barely understand what he said and let myself doze off.

I slowly peeled my eyes open. I was bewildered, wondering where I was and how I was here. But then the memory from last night flashed me.

That husky voice... Those calloused hands... Those wet lips were worshipping my whole body until all I could do was scream his name...

I froze from the realization. Not only that, in my peripheral vision, there was a bulk figure beside me, making my blood drain from my face as soon as I saw the tangle of sheets, the discarded pieces of my clothing on the floor, and him—Commander Lucretius—sleeping beside me.

My body was immobilized as I held my breath. The blood from my face drained completely.

Oh, my dear Moon Goddess! What had I done?!

I instantly got up so fast to the point that the ache between my thighs reminded me of the ecstasy night I experienced. I gripped the sheets, suddenly crossing in my mind his touch.

Shame and regret started to gnaw at my chest, feeling like I was about to pass out.

I was a royal soldier, bound by duty and honor, practicing celibacy until the day I got married to my mate, yet here I was sleeping in the same bed with a man I barely knew.

I could never redo this. My reputation... My beliefs...

I decided to take my clothes, my fingers trembling as I pulled my tunic over my head. Commander Lucretius stirred from his sleep as I halted from dressing up, afraid that I had woken him up.

When I made certain that he didn't wake up, staring intently at his handsome features, I made haste, grabbing my boots hit the floorboards with a soft thud. I didn't even care if that sound would wake him up. I just wanted to leave the place as soon as possible.

But before I could stand up, despite the pain between my legs, my heart flipped out of my ribcage when his hand caught my wrist, shivers running down my spine. As I turned, I softly gasped upon seeing his awakened state, looking so stunning even though he had just woken up.

"Leaving me already, my little soldier?" he asked in a groggy tone.

I hastily yanked my hand away when I felt myself weakened from his touch.

"T-This was a mistake. I-I have to go."

And then I stormed, not waiting for him to say anything. I ignored the pain I felt and ran as fast as I could. My heart was pounding so fast, sprinting more as if that could help me forget the memory of his hands, his voice, the way he made me feel, and the way he pleased me.

This was wrong. I knew this was wrong.

May the Moon Goddess forgive me. I didn't mean to...

I returned to the Starry Shadows Pack, full of guilt and misery from the mistaken night. I couldn't believe that I let myself succumb to another man's touch when Redmund couldn't even do that to me.

"Gamma Euphyllia, I haven't seen you since yesterday. Where have you been?"

I was startled when I came to meet Devika, one of the eldest people here in our pack, as I was on my way to the infirmary. I quickly composed myself and bowed before her. "Madam Devika, greetings." I simply gripped the hem of my tunic. "I have been out to visit a friend that's why I wasn't here," I replied to her question.

I must act like everything was alright since yesterday, even though I had spiral events that until now, I was still processing. I wanted to cry now, but I had a business I need to do in the infirmary before I returned to the pack house.

"I see." Devika nodded and slightly tilted her head. "You look exhausted. You should take some rest."

"I will." Nodding, I watched her leave before I proceeded to the infirmary. I fluttered my eyelids. I wanted to take a bath, too, and remove what had loitered in my body. As soon as I arrived at my destination, I didn't waste any time and approached Doctor Kairos, our pack doctor.

"Oh, Gamma, how may I help you?" he asked, greeting me with a warm smile.

His fatherly tone and gentle question almost broke me. "I am in need of a potion of fertility control, Doctor Kairos."

He was about to write something that was on his clipboard, but halted in mid-air, his eyes looked surprised at my request. "Oh..."

I held my breath. I knew that reaction.

I knew why he was surprised. A royal soldier like me, who was devoted to celibacy before marriage, had come to ask our pack doctor for some fertility control. Not only that, no one knew that I had already met my mate, except for Lilith.

Suddenly thinking of my best friend made my stomach churn upside down.

"Alright," Doctor Kairos said with a smile.

I almost melted from the tension, but I was able to fix myself. "And I need some medicine for a hangover, too," I added, trying to calm myself down.

Don't panic, Euphyllia. Don't panic.

I waited if Doctor Kairos would question the things I asked for, but he just nodded and went to the medicine cabinet. "Grab some breakfast after you take these. Alright?" His lips curved into a gentle smile. "And take a rest and get a lukewarm bath."

The heat on my cheeks highlighted as I took them and nodded. It looked like he knew what I had up to. Or so I thought.

"T-Thank you," I muttered before I scurried out of the infirmary, not even daring to look back at anyone I knew.

I locked myself up in my room as soon as I arrived at the pack house and hastily took the potion for hangover that Doctor Kairos prescribed. And lastly, I stared at the vial of the fertility control in my hand.

I might have been inexperienced when it came to sexual intercourse, but I knew how to prevent pregnancy. I pressed my thighs together, feeling the mixed essence of mine and his. So, I knew that there was a probability I could get pregnant, and only the fertility control would prevent that.

This was a precaution. I nodded to my own thought.

As I drank it, the image of Commander Lucretius's sinful body came to my mind. I shut my eyes and slapped my face, punishing myself before going for a bath.

I scrubbed myself thoroughly to remove his scent that lingered on me. I felt dirty from doing it to another man. I couldn't believe that because of how drunk I was, I had become bolder and challenged a royal commander not in a sparring but in bed.

I could never forgive myself. I could never face Commander Lucretius ever again.

I could never face Redmund, too...

But the mere thought of my mate was enough to make my blood boil. The way he and Lilith betrayed me behind my back felt like something awakened inside me.

Tears cascaded down my cheeks. I couldn't believe that they would do this to me.

"Redmund... Why?" I cried out his name while washing myself.

I had done everything for him to help him become a captain six months ago, while our relationship had to be hidden, yet he would betray me like this. He had used me for his own benefit and never wanted me in the first place.

Now, I could understand that he only harbored power, the same pattern I experienced in my past lives. Sooner or later, he would discard me once he raised another of a higher rank.

As for my best friend, Lilith, I had trusted her. To think that she also harbored feelings for my mate, when Redmund wasn't her mate. I thought that we would grow old having our mates by our side as we promised, but why did she do this to me?

I looked at myself in the mirror that was hanging in the bathroom. I stared at my miserable self, observing my facial structure.

My eyes held a gray hue that shimmered with silver whenever sunlight touched them, a protruding nose, red, rosy lips, and a good, proportional face. In our pack, I was counted among the most beautiful, alongside Lilith. I was also a smart one and had an understanding of military tactical doctrine, even though I was just a tactical keeper.

What was wrong with me that Redmund couldn't be so proud of me to announce to the world about our relationship?

What did Lilith have that I didn't have that he'd rather be intimate with her than me?

Was it because I was in a low military rank position and wasn't one of the privates? Because my role wasn't combat-focused?

Was that it?

If that was it, Redmund should know that even if I didn't carry much in battlefield respect, in considering the difference of Lilith and my rank, my rank was above hers.

We were in the same rank in the pack, too. How come she was noticed while I had to beg him to spend some time with me?

What was I lacking? What else did Redmund want?

Or perhaps, was it because I couldn't give myself to him? That he had been trying to ask me to we should do the mating ritual without marking each other, but I just refused him.

I wanted to confront them, but I was too cowardly to do it, so I chose to turn my back instead. It was hard to digest what I saw, and I even had to pinch myself to see if I was having a nightmare, but the reality slapped me really hard.

I bit my lower lip so hard that I felt the tangy taste of metallic liquid in my tongue. I even had to wipe my tears that won't stop falling until my eyes focused on the loofah.

Commander Lucretius crossed in my mind, and our rendezvous night of ecstasy. Even though the alcohol influenced me, I could vividly remember what we did. I remember deciding that I wanted to forget.

Rage filled my blood from the realization. Perhaps, sleeping with Commander Lucretius wasn't so bad at all. If Redmund would betray me, then I could do the same thing to him. He wasn't the only one who could be another person who wasn't even their mate.

This might be a retaliation for the betrayal I witnessed, yet it felt so wrong and right at the same time. Perhaps, I must thank Commander Lucretius, but a simpleton like me would be hardly noticed by him.

"What do I do now?" I asked myself, feeling empty and exhausted from everything. 

It felt like I lost everything I had since yesterday. There were so many things that happened yesterday that I had a hard time processing.

Not only that, I still had mysteries I wanted to resolve.

My past lives...

The reality of reincarnation... 

I wanted to know why I had memories of them. Why did it trigger as soon as I saw the betrayal of my mate and my best friend? Why did I experience the same pain even in my past lives? 

Was the Moon Goddess trying to send me a message? Could this be a blessing or a curse? 

"Ah!" I screamed in agony as my face was buried in my pillow. "What should I do now, Moon Goddess?" My voice muffled, drowning in my own misery.

The next morning, I busied myself by doing my duties as the Gamma in the training ground. I was greeted by the sound of steel clashing, and warriors sparring filled the air while others were preparing for the training by rock climbing. Then, I helped to adjust the strap of the harness of one of my fellow pack warriors and taught them how to do it better.

Since I was still on my vacation and couldn't decide what I was going to do for the next few days, I had decided to help with the training. Not only that, but this was to distract me.

It was hard to forget about what I witnessed with Redmund and Lilith. Until now, I still felt the bitterness gnawing inside me, including how I slept with Commander Lucretius.

In my peripheral vision, Alpha Derrick stood near the training grounds, his arms folded as he observed the warriors' progress. His presence was calm yet commanding. He was one of the people I respected the most.

If it weren't for him approving some of the women here to join the royal military, I wouldn't be in this position. He also admired Commander Rachelle Simon for her bravery, which led him to finally promote a few of the women to be Gammas as well.

When I approached him, he turned to me, his sharp eyes softening with recognition. "Greetings, Alpha," I greeted with a bow.

"Euphyllia." He nodded, acknowledging me.

"What brings you here, Alpha?" I asked politely. As far as I know, he was handling some business in town with our Beta.

Not to judge why he came here to the training ground, but I had a feeling that he wouldn't come here for a reason. I noticed that Beta Rocco wasn't with him. Perhaps, he had an errand to do that made Alpha come here.

He studied me for a moment before speaking. "Two matters. First, patrols found fresh rogue tracks near the eastern ridge. I'd like your assessment. You've always had a keen eye for these things."

I straightened, feeling honored at what he said. "I'll look into it immediately. If they're close, we can't risk them circling back."

I knew that I was feeling down lately, but with Alpha Derrick asking for insight, I felt energized and was quick to make a response. Being a tactical keeper was such a good investment.

Alpha Derrick nodded, satisfied with my answer, but then his expression changed. This time, it looked heavier and cautious. "The second matter is... less simple." He fished out of his breast pocket and pulled out a sealed letter. When he bestowed it on me, my breath caught in my throat upon seeing the stamped with the crimson insignia of the royal military. "This arrived by messenger hawk this morning. It's addressed to you."

Staring at it, my heart was pounding so fast. I was in the middle of my vacation leave, and the fact that I was receiving a letter from the royal military, could this mean that something had happened?

I paused, not wanting to jump to a conclusion, touching the parchment before breaking the seal quickly.

'To all enlisted soldiers under the Royal Military Order:

You are hereby summoned back to the capital at once. Your leave is suspended. Attendance is mandatory.'

My throat tightened. I knew it. A sudden summon meant only one thing... There could be a war. Or perhaps, worse.

Was the issue about the rogue faction that had been causing these past few months as to why we were summoned back?

I folded the letter slowly, trying my best to keep my composure as I met Alpha Derrick's gaze.

I coerced a smile. "I am being summoned back to the royal military as soon as possible, Alpha," I told him the truth. "I might have to leave tomorrow."

With this kind of summoning letter, leaving tomorrow was the best solution.

He nodded. "I understand. And I always support the path you chose, Euphyllia," he said, placing a hand on my shoulder. "Go and make our pack proud."

My chest tightened at his words. I could also feel my eyes getting misty. Alpha Derrick was always supportive of women pursuing different paths, not just staying at home and doing chores. Because he also supported our Luna, Olivia, who had established her own business. He wasn't feeling ashamed about it. That was why my pack members and I love our beloved Alpha and Luna of the Starry Shadows Pack.

I tucked the letter into my satchel and squared up. "I'll handle the rogues at the northern ridge before I leave, Alpha," I promised. "I owe my pack that much."

Alpha Derrick gave a small, approving nod as a small smile plastered on his lips. "Spoken like a true Gamma right there."

I inclined my head before him as a sign of respect for him, even though something was bothering me about the events for today.

Why did it feel like I had lived this before? Why did it feel like they didn't look new to me, but nuisance?

Perhaps, I really should tend to it for closure... Or that was the thing I should call it.

That night, I had prepared myself for the mission Alpha Derrick entrusted to me. I strapped on my gear, tying my hair back as I went to the northern border for the ridge patrol. The memory of Redmund's lips on Lilith's crossed in my mind, and my wolf howled in pain, but I forced it down to forget.

Duty came first, Euphyllia. We must not let this betrayal be a burden!

I dispatched two pack warriors to scout the northern forest. "Circle wide and flank from opposite ends. If you sense anything unusual, don't engage. Report back. Understand?"

They nodded. "Yes, Gamma Euphyllia." With that, they disappeared into the shadows.

I heaved out a sigh, feeling a little better that I got to execute being a gamma here. My fellow Gammas weren't here as they had their own function. I was the only one available at the moment, as to why Alpha Derrick asked me to take care of it.

Minutes passed, and the faint hoot of the owls and the soft breeze from the forest became the music to our ears. I was alerted by our border guards when someone was approaching, and my guy twisted upon seeing only one scout, who was in his wolf form, emerge from the treeline, breathing heavily when he returned to his human form.

Alone.

"Where is Rivan, Ives?" I demanded, maintaining my calm and composure.

Back in my training days as both a Gamma-in-the-making and a soldier of the royal military before choosing the path as a tactical keeper, one lesson was drilled into us above all. It was to maintain composure, understand the situation, and assess it carefully.

Ives shook his head, panic registering in his eyes. "H-He never made it to the checkpoint, Gamma. We separated at the ride, but... but I didn't hear a fight. I-It was like he vanished."

I cussed under my breath. "Stay here." I tapped his shoulder. "If I don't return in thirty minutes, alert Alpha Derrick immediately," I commanded. "That's an order, Ives," I emphasized and glared at him when he was about to protest.

I transformed into my wolf form, my bones starting to crack with no hint of pain as my four paws hit the ground. I reclined my head so my snout could smell the scent of my fellow pack member before I began running through the forest.

As I evaded the trees, the moonlight became my guide as I looked up, seeing how it was shining beautifully. And it was like it was leading me to where my fellow pack warrior was.

That was how I found Rivan leaning against a tree trunk, not far from the ridge. My heart dropped as I rushed to him. "Rivan!" I immediately placed my hand on his wrist, pressing the pulse while my other hand was on his nose to feel the breathing.

"He's unconscious," I mumbled under my breath, sighing in relief. "Thank the Moon Goddess. He's alright."

Then, I checked if he had any signs of wounds or struggle because I found it suspicious. But then, I came to see a familiar rich pink petals, realizing it was a chrysanthemum peeking at his breast pocket.

As I gently pulled, my brows furrowed upon seeing a small rolled parchment tied in the stem. My pulsation hammered as I unfolded.

For one second, I held my breath as I read the words written beautifully.

'It's good that I finally caught your attention. You're even more beautiful up close than only watch you from afar, Lady Euphyllia. But don't worry. I'm a patient person. I'll wait till you're prepared to meet me. And until then, I'll be watching.'

A chill rushed down my spine, making me freeze in my tracks. "What... What the hell is this?" I muttered in disbelief.