I woke up with a pounding headache and a dry, scratchy throat.
As I finally opened my eyes, I was startled to find a pair of icy eyes fixed on me, causing me to gasp in shock.
“I thought you’d never wake up. Pleasure to meet you, mate,” he said, a smirk creeping across his face that sent a shiver down my spine, as if he were hinting at my impending doom.
“I know you want me dead, King Charles, but before that happens, I have a request—three requests, actually,” I replied, counting them off on my fingers.
He paused, shaking his head, then turned to me and handed over a glass filled with a foul-smelling concoction.
“It’s my special brew; you’ll feel better in no time,” he assured me, but I wrinkled my nose in disgust. Yet, when he raised his voice, I had no choice but to gulp down the contents.
“So, what were you saying?” he asked, legs crossed, his gaze piercing into me, making me squirm in discomfort.
“I mentioned I have three requests before I meet my end…” The moment the words left my lips, he erupted into laughter. I stared at him, puzzled, unsure what was so amusing.
“You wolves never fail to surprise me. You hear a few whispers and take them as gospel. If I truly wanted you dead, Astrid, I would have done it long before you chose to betray me for someone else!” he shouted, and I swallowed hard, nervously toying with my fingers as his glare bore into me.
On my twenty-first birthday, I had a one night stand with King Charles.
Just as he was about to claim me, I panicked and plunged my dagger into him before fleeing into the night.
I was young and terrified, and the whispers surrounding him only heightened my fears.
The thought of becoming his wife was unimaginable, and I had no idea he was my destined mate
My friends, emboldened by his notorious reputation in bed, dared me to seduce him, pushing me into a situation I wasn't ready for.
“I’m so sorry…I didn’t realize you were my mate. I just ran because I was scared of you,” I confessed, tears streaming down my face as I watched him unleash his fury on the wall.
“You turned me into the monster I am today, Astrid! I searched for you endlessly, only to learn you had run off with someone else! What did I ever do to deserve this, Astrid?”
“I didn’t mean to…”
“Did you just say you’re sorry? We shared a night of passion, and just as I was about to mark you, you stabbed me and left me for dead! I lay in a coma for months, yet you were always on my mind! When I woke up, I searched for you, but finding you was impossible! My anger and frustration turned into a rage I took out on other women!”
"Please forgive me; I was young and foolish. You can take my life, but spare my people and my pack! Don’t let them suffer because of my mistakes. All I ask is for your help to take down my ex-mate—he betrayed me, and I crave revenge!" I spat, fury lacing my words.
"You really think I’ll just let you die!” You belong to me, Astrid!"
He shouted, lunging at me and marking me right then and there.
A scream of pleasure escaped my lips as we shared that moment, lingering together until he finally let me go.
Breathless, I was at a loss for words. I was about to question his motives for marking me when he cut me off, his voice harsh.
"Astrid, where is my son?" he bellowed, and panic surged through me as I frantically searched for a way out.
"I have no idea what you’re talking about!" I replied, my gaze racing around the room as he advanced, gripping my neck in a fit of rage, cutting off my air as he lifted me off the ground.
“Your best friend Miranda was once my mate before her tragic death. In my quest to find you, I uncovered the truth from her. That night we shared resulted in a son—where is he?” He shouted, his eyes shifting in color as I felt my strength fading.
“I don’t know,” I replied, and he let go of me, causing me to collapse, gasping for air.
“What do you mean you don’t know?”
“You murdered my best friend! What could she have possibly done to deserve such a fate at your hands?” I cried, tears streaming down my face.
“She was aware she was marrying a monster, yet she still chose to do it. Now, answer me! Where is my son?”
“I gave him to a couple I met years ago in the woods. They were rogues, and I have no idea if he’s still alive. I’m so sorry!”
