CHAPTER 63: CHAPTER 63: ONE YEAR LATER

One Year Later~

The night smelled of smoke and rain. Somewhere beyond the narrow streets, music pounded, heavy and relentless, from a pub that glittered like a lighthouse in the dark. Inside, laughter rose and fell in waves, drunken shouts clashing with the humming of loud music, which was enough to deafen any sane person.

At a small table near the back, a girl sat with one leg crossed over the other, swirling the amber liquid in her glass without drinking it.

She wore a dress the color of midnight, one shoulder bare, silver chains glinting faintly against her pale collarbone. Her hair fell like a river of ink down her back, but the dim light caught hints of something almost alluring in the strands.

She looked harmless, even pretty.

Which was exactly why the arrogant heir thought she was his for the taking.

"Well," a deep, smug voice sounded through the music. "Look at you, baby. Alone in a place like this? That’s dangerous."

The Alpha heir stepped into her space like he owned it; he was tall and broad, with the kind of cocky smirk that had probably worked on a hundred other women. His friends, lounging nearby, were already grinning, sensing a show.

"Come with us," he drawled, leaning close enough that his expensive cologne curled into her senses. "We’ll show you a real good time."

The girl tilted her head and smiled like she was flattered by his words. "My Alpha..." she murmured, voice curling with something sweet enough to rot. "Don’t you think this place is too crowded? I’m... shy." Her lashes lowered, a faint flush of pink blooming on her cheeks. "Let’s go somewhere else."

The crowd near the bar erupted in low whistles and cheers, egging the Alpha on. His ego swelled, pride gleaming in his eyes. "That’s my girl," he chuckled, motioning for his friends to stay put. "Just us, baby."

He followed her like a wolf tracking prey, too confident to notice that he was being led.

She slipped through the haze of the crowd, her hips swaying just enough to keep his gaze locked. Then, without warning, she veered toward the back hall.

The Alpha frowned. "Why are we going this way? The back door leads to the alley."

She looked over her shoulder, that smile still sugar-sweet. "Alpha... I like doing things in forbidden places."

His chest swelled with anticipation. "You’re trouble, aren’t you?" he said with a cocky smirk, already anticipating something thrilling.

"Mm," she hummed, pushing the door open and stepping into the cool night air.

The door hadn’t even swung shut before a blur of movement crashed into him; a heavy kick slammed into his ribs with enough force to send him sprawling to the ground. Air exploded from his lungs, his skull ringing from the impact on the wet cobblestones.

"The fuck—?" he wheezed, clutching his side.

A shadow stepped forward, lean and hooded, boot planted firmly on the ground where he had just been standing.

The Alpha’s rage flared. "Bitch! Do you have any idea who I—"

Another kick snapped his head sideways, silencing the rest of his sentence. Blood filled his mouth, metallic and hot. His pride flared sharper than the pain; he was an Alpha, and he was being beaten by someone barely reaching his shoulder.

The girl from the pub giggled behind the hooded figure, the sound light and almost delighted. "He was flirting with me," she said, feigning outrage as she twirled a strand of her hair. "Do you think this Sara is someone you can just lay your filthy hands on?"

The Alpha snarled, trying to push himself up only for pain to explode between his legs as a third kick landed with surgical precision. His breath shattered into a strangled gasp, eyes rolling white for a heartbeat.

"You... you—" he choked, voice trembling.

A cold voice cut him off. "Filthy mutts."

Something sharp and burning pierced his neck. His body seized for a second, then went limp as darkness rushed in...the last thing he saw was the faint glint of a syringe being withdrawn.

The hooded figure straightened, pocketing the syringe.

Sara beamed, clapping her hands once. "Wow, Selene, you’re always so cool! Make me your girlfriend already. I am willing to serve you with all my heart."

The figure pulled back her hood, revealing a pale face almost too beautiful for the dim alley. Striking silver hair spilled over her shoulders, catching the faint glow from the streetlight. Her eyes were colder than the steel she carried.

Selene rolled her eyes. "Drag him before his friends come looking. We don’t have much time."

Sara saluted playfully. "Yes, ma’am."

Sara was half-dragging, half-hauling the Alpha’s limp body toward the mouth of the alley when Selene’s head snapped toward the pub’s back door.

Heavy footsteps were rushing towards them.

Selene’s lips curved, but there was no warmth in the expression—only the sharp edge of a blade. "Tch... the mutt’s already mind-linked his friends."

Her eyes went cold enough to freeze bone.

Sara glanced back, nervous. "Then what do we..."

"Take him to the car," Selene cut her off, voice flat as winter steel. "It’s parked two streets over. I’ll deal with the rest."

"But—"

Selene stepped past her, placing herself between Sara and the growing thud of boots on stone. "Sara," she said, and the way she spoke the name made the air heavy. "Move. Now."

Sara swallowed hard, then nodded, hauling the unconscious Alpha toward the shadows.

Selene stood alone in the alley, her breath steady despite the pounding approach. Her hands curled into loose fists, knuckles flexing like she was loosening a bowstring.

"Rotten mutts," she murmured under her breath, almost like it was a curse. "Always thinking the world owes you something just because you can bare your fangs."

The first figure burst through the door, nostrils flaring as he scented the air. Another followed. Then two more.

Selene tilted her head, a smile slicing across her face, not sweet this time, but sharp enough to twist their stomach.

Selene stepped forward, tilting her head. "Look at you," she said with a cold smile. "Goddess’s little lapdogs, coming when called."

One of them snarled, "Where’s Kellan?"

"Sleeping," Selene said. "Like a good bitch should be."

Their growls deepened.

One lunged a step closer. "Watch your mouth, whore."

Selene smirked. "Whore? Coming from a mutt who’d hump a tree if it smelled right."

This word from her successfully enraged them, every wolf’s rage rising to the fullest.

Selene’s smile sharpened. "Come on, doggies. Let’s see how loud you howl when I break your bones."