INDY

The people here really hated me! I was able to leave my room easily without getting caught because they were too busy gossiping about what I had done a while ago. Leaning against the walls of the gates, I heard two maids talking with a guard.  

"The house has really been unpleasant ever since Lucinda was engaged to the Alpha Prince. It's only been three months, but it already feels like a lifetime," one of the maids said.  

"Shh," the guard silenced her. "She wants all servants to call her by her full name, remember? Lucindabella only. We'll get tormented if she hears us."  

The other maid scoffed. "It's not like she'll hear us."  

Well, I was here. Not that it mattered, though. I wasn't offended by their words. I, too, knew how evil Lucindabella truly was.  

"She's probably up in her room thinking of another plan to lure Alpha Rome. However, she will never succeed. Clara is far better than her. I wish she would just leave this house."  

"I will," I whispered to myself. I was already thinking of all the other places I had written into this book. My mom's province-Bellarium-was especially beautiful. There were also other provinces that felt like a joy to live in as an introverted person.  

"Should I just poison her food?"  

I pursed my lips. Well, I guess I'd have to be more careful with my meals from now on.  

With that, I sneaked out of the gates without any trouble, still making sure to be careful because they were wolves with keen hearing. Once I ensured an adequate distance, I began moving around more freely. I whistled a happy tune and breathed in the fresh air. 

However, I suddenly felt my chest ache. A whimper echoed in my ears, and I reckoned it was my wolf. In this universe, one's inner wolf would manifest through instinctive utterances and reactions; but human forms cannot communicate with their wolf forms through words. Still, without such communication, I could feel my wolf longing for Rome.  

Mate. Mate. Mate.  

She must be feeling like this because I was leaving the house after staying here for months.  

"There, there," I muttered, patting my chest. "Your mate doesn't love you. You'll get used to it someday."  

I felt another ache but ignored it, looking around the surroundings instead.  

"I really did make a beautiful world."  

It wasn't perfect at all, but after getting used to the four corners of my small apartment, this felt like heaven. I paused for a while when I remembered Larissa, though. I would truly miss her presence and aggressive pieces of advice. However, she always wanted me to live for myself. With that, I was even more determined to break off this engagement.  

That was why I sneaked out in the first place.  

The very first person I needed to convince was none other than my father.  

Gideon Pendragon, the eldest son of Dragon Pendragon, a.k.a. Lucinda's worst nightmare.  

Well, in the book, Lucinda loved her father a lot-mostly because he was the only parent she had left. Her mother died after giving birth to her, so her family always held an unspoken grudge against her. When she manifested as a Beta at the age of 5, it was another demerit to her character. From that point on, she always tried to prove herself in the worst ways possible. Back then, I wanted to show the readers that Lucinda wasn't a villain by heart but a villain built by her trauma. However, it was never accepted well when I tried to introduce her backstory, so I never bothered.  

The Pendragon household wasn't too far from the Windsor mansion. In fact, it was only two miles away. Another two miles and the Court of Justice would be found.  

I recognized the estate even from afar. It was far from the other houses and undoubtedly the largest in the subdivision-not as big as the Windsor's but definitely still far too large.  

I arrived at the gates, and the guards were immediately startled the moment they saw me. "Lady Lucindabella," they bowed.  

I bowed to them as well and greeted, "A pleasant evening."  

They lifted their heads slightly and appeared confused. I didn't waste any time then and went inside. They were about to escort me, but I held out a hand.  

"It's fine," I smiled. "Just take care of your posts."  

Again, they looked perplexed.  

"Oh, and call me Indy from now on. My name is far too long."  

Despite not seeing their reactions, I could sense how stunned they were from behind me. I giggled to myself and shook my head. However, the moment I entered the house, I felt a chill run down my spine, causing the small smile playing on my lips to drop.  

I heard the sound of utensils clanging elegantly against plates, paired with the scent of meat and vegetables. My stomach grumbled. I realized then that I still hadn't eaten since I came into this world.  

I walked slowly until I reached the dining area. I didn't even have to make myself known before four pairs of eyes snapped toward me.  

Genevieve, the eldest daughter. Archibald, the literally balding twin of Genevieve. Tristan, the sibling who openly hated me. At the head of the table was my father, surprised by my appearance.  

"Lucindabella, what are you doing here? You didn't inform us of your visit."  

I looked down at the spread and saw the scrumptious-looking food. However, there wasn't a spot for me, and I definitely couldn't eat properly with all of their stares, so I decided to proceed with my plan and leave.  

"I just came to inform you about something," I started off.  

Genevieve sighed, shaking her head. "You could have just asked the messenger to send a message."  

Genevieve has always been the one closest to my mother as she was the eldest, so I knew she was the one who hated me the most. She just didn't make it obvious like Tristan did.  

"This is an important one," I said.  

That captured their attention.  

"What is it?" Archibald asked. "Is it the wedding? Father has already set a date for it."  

"It's about the wedding," I affirmed. 

My father's face slightly lit up with the mention of my marriage. A small smile appeared on his lips with the thought of marrying me to the most powerful household. I knew his objective after all. He plans to merge the Court of Justice and the royal family to govern over all the packs. That way, he would have more power as the Lord Justiciar.  

So, this marriage was really important to him.  

Well, sorry Dad. I was going to ruin your dream.  

"I don't want to get married to Alpha Rome anymore."

INDY  

The reaction that followed right after was... phenomenal, to say the least.  

From a young age, they always thought of me as obsessed with Rome. My father didn't even have to force me to marry him. I was the one who brought it up in the first place.  

So, hearing this confession must have shocked them to the brim.  

My father stood from his seat, narrowing his eyes to see if this was one of my tricks to elicit a reaction from him. However, he must have sensed the sincerity behind my eyes because a disbelieving smile appeared on his lips.  

"Did you do something?" he asked.  

"I think the right question is-did you hurt your head?" Tristan asked. "What's gotten into you?"  

"I've done a lot of things," I said. "And I'm completely fine. I just had an epiphany that forcing a man who does not want to marry me into a marriage isn't something I want to live with for the rest of my life."  

"I know the preparations are already underway, and I sincerely apologize for all the trouble I've put you in. However, I ask this of you-please break off the engagement."  

It was silent for a couple of seconds before a shattering sound broke through the stillness. I jumped back, startled, and saw that Genevieve's wine glass had fallen to the floor. No, she threw it on purpose.  

"Are you joking right now?" she asked.  

"I am not," I answered seriously.  

"You spent your entire life pining after Alpha Rome. You gave father the reassurance that you can be of use to this family. We were happy that you weren't here because the Windsors have housed you."  

Somehow, her words didn't hurt me at all. I knew they were all deranged, so I listened with one ear, only for it to come out of the other ear.  

"Hearts change."  

"Yes," she smirked. "But you don't. You talked big about getting to marry him. Now, you have to prove yourself at all costs." 

My father walked to me and held onto my shoulders. It wasn't a friendly gesture at all. It started with a gentle squeeze before it turned into a painful hold. Still, I held his gaze, making him narrow his eyes. 

"Your gaze is different," he muttered. "You're being serious." 

"I wouldn't have come here if I wasn't." 

I looked him in the eyes for a few seconds before turning to my siblings. "This is my last request of you, so I hope you listen to it." 

Genevieve strode toward where I was, making me face her. She then lifted her hand and brought it straight to my cheek. The impact caused my head to rotate to the side, and a sharp sting followed before a drop of blood dripped onto the spotless white floor. 

"Useless," she muttered. "If this is one of your phases again, Lucinda, I suggest you snap out of it. You already know that our family will become more powerful if we merge with the Windsors. You are going to marry Alpha Romanov whether you like it or not." 

This wasn't part of the story. In fact, I should have never left the Windsor mansion and should have asserted my power even more by digging up dirt on the youngest Windsor as blackmail. However, even with that, it seemed the story was hell-bent on following the true script. 

It wanted me to marry Rome. 

Yet that marriage would oppress more people and ruin more lives. 

I stepped back and composed myself, not wanting to curse at these characters just yet. "Like I said, I will stop this marriage at all costs." 

I looked them dead in the eyes. "Watch me." 

With that, I turned around and walked out of the household. Genevieve's footsteps followed right after, making me hasten my movements; however, she halted when Tristan spoke. 

"Let her be. She'll come back to her senses soon. She must just want some attention." 

I heard her sigh before cursing under her breath. Meanwhile, my gaze hardened, but I didn't bother turning around. No one was taking me seriously! 

I walked out of the gates and wondered where I could go. I didn't want to go back to the Windsor mansion just yet. It was suffocating there. 

"So, you're really here." 

My brows raised when I heard the familiar voice of Rome. He was leaning against the wall of the gates, looking at me with a subtle glare. 

I stepped back. "What are you doing here?" 

He crossed his arms in front of his chest. "Shouldn't I be the one telling you that?" 

"You always come here when you've done something wrong. I'm sure you'll try to bury what you did to Clara and do something to flip the script around. I'm just making sure you won't do any of that." 

"Don't worry," I muttered. "I told you. I'm trying to break off the engagement." 

"You still expect me to believe that?" 

"Yes," I said, looking into his eyes. "I'm really being serious." 

He held my gaze before his eyes flicked to my cheek, probably where Genevieve hit me. I still hadn't seen the damage, but I was guessing it was pretty bad. It felt like I was hit by a meteor after all. Genevieve was an Alpha, so she was damn strong. 

I quickly turned to the side, but he caught my jaw before I could fully turn away. 

"What is this?" he asked. 

The sparks that went flying through my skin, making my heart race, felt annoying at this point. Every time we touched, it felt so right. However, I knew better than anyone to hold onto these sensations. 

Pushing his hand away, I let my hair cover the side of my face. "It's nothing," I said. "Just a big old insect bite."

It seemed he wasn't convinced, but fortunately, he let it go. "Why am I even asking?" he muttered. "You're probably doing this to get my pity again." 

I sighed and shook my head. "I'm telling you-" 

"Alpha Rome, you're here." 

Our conversation was interrupted when Genevieve's voice cut through. 

Rome turned to her and bowed his head. I watched as Genevieve smiled widely at him. I knew that look. Genevieve, at 32 years old, wanted Rome, too. However, she was already mated to a Beta. Her disdain for me increased even more when she found out I was fated to the Wolf Prince himself. 

I could give him up for her if she wanted; although, I doubted they would believe that. 

"Is my sister still giving you a hard time?" she asked. 

Rome didn't answer and instead just bowed his head slightly. 

She sighed and turned to me with a look of pity, one I knew was fake. "She's just being difficult like always. However, do not worry. These are just one of her episodes." 

She smiled even wider and placed her hand on his shoulder. "In fact, she must be doing this to get your attention even more." 

With that, Rome's expression hardened. Meanwhile, I opened my mouth to protest; however, Genevieve beat me to it. 

"That's just how my sister is. Please bear with her since you are mates. The wedding is bound to happen in two months after all."

INDY  

The car ride was completely silent, and I felt myself suffocating with how thick the air was. I knew I didn't do anything wrong, but why did it feel like I did? A shiver ran down my spine because of how cold Rome's glare was.  

"Umm, Mr. Gerald," I muttered, startling the driver. He turned to me with wide eyes.  

"Yes, Miss Lucindabella?"  

I flinched slightly when he used my full name. "You may call me Indy from now on," I said, startling him further. "Can you turn up the temperature a bit?"  

"Don't," Rome said right away. "I'm hot."  

I pursed my lips and turned to the side. Gerald was going to listen to him, of course. The old man has been working with Windsors since the Queen was still a teen. With that, I sighed and crossed my arms in front of my chest.  

"I knew it," he muttered.  

I turned to him again, raising one brow. "What now?"  

He shook his head. "You're doing all of this to get my attention."  

"I am not," I said exasperatedly. I felt someone's gaze on us, so I looked at the rearview mirror and saw Mr. Gerald listening intently to our conversation. However, he quickly averted his gaze when our eyes met through the mirror.  

"I shouldn't have believed in you-not even for a second. You've harmed everyone around me to push through with this marriage, and now you want to call it off?"  

"Is that so hard to believe?" I asked, turning to him completely. He turned to me and looked me in the eyes. I put on the sincerest expression possible; however, I got distracted by the color of his eyes. There were some specks of gold in them, too.  

He clicked his tongue and turned to the side. I snapped out of it and also looked away, wringing my arms. There wasn't anything wrong with admiring my mate, right? That was all there was to it.  

"Anyway, you should convince my father to break off the engagement."  

With those words, the car came to a halt. The two of us jolted forward and I felt a strong arm right against my chest.  

Mr. Gerald must have been startled by my words. He bowed at us apologetically. "Pardon me for that, Lady and Alpha. It seems I'm out of my mind."  

Alpha sighed. "Take us back safely, Rome."  

"Yes, Alpha," he said with reverence.  

He began driving just as smoothly as before. However, Rome's arm was still pinning me to the foam seat. I turned to him and it seemed he hadn't snapped out of it yet. Being an Alpha, he was naturally protective of those under him. He was doing this out of pure instinct.  

"You can let go now," I muttered.  

He quickly retreated his arm away. I was right. He wasn't aware of his actions.  

"I didn't do it because-"  

"You didn't do it because you wanted to," I finished for him. "I get it. You don't have to explain anything to me."  

"We're here, Alpha," Mr. Gerald said, cutting our conversation short.  

Rome clicked his tongue and got out of the car at record speed. I watched as he stormed inside their mansion. Meanwhile, I was about to head back too, when Mr. Gerald suddenly cleared his throat.  

My hand hovered above the car handle. "Do you need anything, Mr. Gerald?"  

"Sorry, Lady Lucindabella," he muttered. "Again, I must be out of my mind. You may head back to the mansion."  

I smiled at him, making him appear as pale as a ghost. "Thank you for driving us back, Mr. Gerald. Oh, and you might be saying my full name out of habit, but I would really appreciate it if you would call me Indy from now on."  

With that, I opened the door. "And tell your other friends, too."  

I finally left the car and made my way back to the mansion, where Rome's and King Osiris' voices immediately bombarded my senses.  

"The Lord Justiciar contacted me just now. He was apologizing for any of Lucinda's wrongdoings," the King uttered.  

I stood unmoving in my spot as I listened in on their conversation.  

"It seemed you also raised an investigation to be conducted for what happened this afternoon."  

"Lucinda nearly killed Clara," Rome said.  

"Clara is fine now, I heard from the doctors," King Osiris said, sounding stressed.  

I pursed my lips. I really did bring a lot of problems to this family.  

"She needs to recover for a week at most before she can come back. Fortunately, her injuries are only superficial."  

"Fortunately?"  

Rome's voice didn't raise, but it sent a shiver down my spine.  

"Do you want me to throw you off the fucking staircase then, Dad?"  

Osiris sighed. "I know that what she has done is beyond the line; however, she is the daughter of the Lord Justiciar."  

"You know what will happen if we proceed with this investigation. This family isn't perfect, especially your youngest brother. I have asked the Lord Justiciar to forgo some of his wrongdoings. Moreover, hiding these details about his youngest daughter would be an advantage to us in the future."  

"The Court of Justice isn't our friend, Rome. We do not have authority over them. They keep the royals and other leaders in check. They also have a reputation for investigating the smallest things when you get on their bad side."  

I knew that breaking off the engagement wouldn't be easy, but I didn't think it would be this complicated. If only I was reborn in this world when Lucinda was still a teen-maybe then, it would have been much easier.  

Just then, the sound of familiar footsteps filled the house.  

"Crap," I cursed, looking at the staircase and preparing to bolt. However, I knew he would be able to catch me before I could make it to my room.  

I didn't want him to see that I had been listening in on their conversation.  

With that, I hid behind the huge plant serving as decoration near the front door. I held my breath as Rome emerged from the living room, massaging the bridge of his nose.  

He stopped for a while, making me close my eyes and cover my mouth to prevent myself from making the slightest sound. By the time I opened my eyes, he was no longer there. I was about to sigh in relief when I suddenly felt a sharp tug on my wrist.  

My eyes widened as I was brought face to face with Rome, his eyes filled with anger.  

"You're not satisfied with what you had done, and now you're eavesdropping on my conversations, too?"