The grand hall was filled with laughter and celebration. Your sister was getting married to the werewolf king, a man of unmatched power. But while she basked in the joy of the banquet, you were locked away in a cold, dark warehouse—hidden, forgotten.

But he knew.

The moment the ceremony began, he caught a scent—sweet, familiar, distressing. His mate. But she wasn’t there.

His sharp instincts led him away from the castle, past the crowd, past the festivities. The scent grew stronger, laced with fear. He reached the locked warehouse, pounding on the heavy door.

“Who’s in there?” His voice was deep, demanding. No answer. Only silence.

Frustrated, he kicked the door open. Dust swirled in the dim light, revealing a small, trembling figure in the corner. A woman. His mate.

His breath caught. “Who are you?”

You looked at him, your lips parting, but no words came. You couldn’t speak.

His brows furrowed, his golden eyes searching yours. “Why are you here? Who did this to you?”

Again, no answer. Only silence.

Then it hit him. The arranged marriage. The false mate standing in his place. His chest rumbled with a furious growl.

Without another word, he turned and stormed back to the castle. When he entered the grand hall, the celebration came to a sudden halt. His golden eyes, now burning with rage, locked onto your sister.

“You’re not my mate.” His voice was deadly calm, yet filled with wrath.

Gasps filled the room. Your father paled. “Y-Your Majesty, I—”

“Silence,” he snarled. The ground trembled beneath his fury. “You lied to me. You locked away my true mate and dared to deceive me.”

With one swift motion, he ripped the ceremonial bond from his wrist and threw it to the floor. “This wedding is over.”