Marked by fate

Rose's Pov I thought I would be dead by now. Honestly, that would have been better, at least then, I would be with my parents. What was the point of living after everything I had been through? Was the Moon Goddess playing some cruel joke on me? My life was already a mess. I tried to open my eyes, but my temples throbbed relentlessly. I lifted a shaky hand to rub at them, wincing at the pain. Everything was quiet, too quiet. "Rhea? Rhea?" I called out through the mindlink. No response. Maybe she was still recovering... or resting. After what we went through, I wouldn't blame her. The trauma had been unbearable. When my eyes finally fluttered open, two He-wolves were staring down at me. Panic spiked through me like a jolt of electricity. Had I been kidnapped again? Or worse, Sold off? Why were they looking at me like that? Was this how I was going to die? My chest tightened as fear wrapped its cold fingers around my ribs. "What... what am I doing here?" I asked in a hoarse whisper. One of them stepped forward. "You almost died." Yeah. I knew that already, and if I had, maybe it would've been a mercy. But that wasn't the answer I needed. Then I noticed the other one. The one who hadn't said a word but kept staring. I hadn't seen him clearly at first, my vision had been too blurry, but now... How could someone look like that? He was... stunning. He was tall and muscular. His brown hair had that effortlessly tousled, classic look. But it was his eyes that held me still, dark, radiant, intense. And that nose, sharp and sculpted, like the Moon Goddess herself carved it with a delicate blade. My gaze dropped to his lips, parted slightly as if he wanted to say something but couldn't. They looked. . . enticing. That was the only word I could think of. He didn't look real. He looked like he was crafted by divine hands, flawless, powerful. Even just by standing there, I could tell, he commanded the room. The other man had to be his subordinate. I couldn't stop staring. Butterflies churned in my stomach. Goddess, he was gorgeous. Perfect, for any woman. No. No. I needed to stop this. Snap out of it, Rose. You're not that girl. Love was never meant for you... Still, I wanted to say something. To break the awkward silence. "Hello..." I said softly. But he didn't respond. Just kept gaping at me like I was some ancient artifact he couldn't believe was real. It was... awkward. Pushing through the throbbing in my skull, I forced myself to sit up. "What am I doing here? And who are you? Why are you even here?" My voice came out louder than I intended, shaky, and defensive. The sharp movement sent a fresh wave of pain lancing through my head. I winced. The beautiful stranger flinched like I had struck him. "Oh... oh." He blinked rapidly, lifting his hands in surrender. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to" "It's fine," I cut him off, narrowing my eyes. I didn't trust this. Any of it. The second man finally stepped in, clearing his throat. "We saw you passed out," he explained. "So... we saved you." Remembering what happened, my heart shattered all over again. Diva had almost killed me. She had accused me of seducing Alpha Jackson, an accusation I was completely innocent of. But that hadn't stopped her. She had made me suffer in ways I never imagined. She had truly gone the extra mile to see me destroyed. If it hadn't been for these two men, I would be dead. Even a living rat would have been in better shape than I was. "Thank you so much for saving my life," I whispered, my voice trembling as tears rolled silently down my cheeks. "You don't have to cry, okay?" the handsome one said gently, using his palm to brush away my tears. The moment his skin touched mine, a strange surge rushed through me, like adrenaline, but deeper, right into my bones. His touch was so tender, so sincere, it startled something in me I thought had long died. "I'm just grateful we got there in time," he added, his voice low. "I was honestly scared you wouldn't make it." This was the first time in so long, maybe ever, that someone had shown me real kindness. Okay, except for Dorothy. But even with her, I'd always believed good people were a myth, especially for someone like me. I never imagined I'd meet someone like him. Handsome... and caring? That combination felt unreal. Before I could say anything, he reached beside him and brought over a cup of water. "Here," he said, handing it to me. "You must be dehydrated." I didn't argue. I took the cup with both hands and drank it all at once, the cool liquid soothing my throat and sending a tingle all the way to my ears. He smiled faintly as I finished, and said, "You can call me Aiden." He extended his hand toward me. I hesitated for a second, then reached out. "Rose," I replied softly. The moment our palms touched, I froze. His hand was... soft. Much softer than mine. And I knew why my palms had been hardened by the constant struggle for survival. For a moment, I wondered if he noticed the difference. I pressed my lips together, embarrassed. "I'm sorry for whatever you've been through these past few weeks," he said sincerely. Wait. "Weeks?" I blinked, turning to him. "How long have I been here?" The two men exchanged a look. "About two weeks and a few days," the other one finally answered. My eyes widened. Two whole weeks?! "Oh my goddess... I need to go," I muttered, already adjusting my dress as I swung my legs over the edge of the bed, ignoring the ache that rippled through my body. I was still weak, but I didn't care. I needed to get to the Palace. Thank the Moon Goddess for my wolf's ability to heal quickly, most of my wounds had already sealed. Still, I couldn't waste another second. The Coronation of Alpha Jackson and Diva was supposed to take place this week. The Palace would be buzzing with preparations. And if I wasn't there... if they found out I had gone missing... I would be dead meat for real. But just as I stood, Aiden stepped forward sharply. "No, you can't!" he said, his voice suddenly firmer, almost commanding. The chill in his tone sent a shiver crawling up my spine. "You're not fully recovered. Please," he pleaded, softening his voice again. "You can't go yet. You need rest." Why did he care so much? Why was he so concerned about someone like me? I shouldn't enjoy his concern, but something inside me melted at his words. No one had ever cared whether I stayed or left. Not really. Still, I couldn't stay. "I'm sorry," I whispered, pressing my palms together. "I can't stay. But thank you again, for everything." Before he could respond, I turned and walked out. Only when I stepped outside did I realize I had been holding my breath. I exhaled deeply, letting the cool evening air wrap around me. My legs felt shaky, but I pushed on. After a while of walking, guided by nothing but instinct, I began to hear it. The distant hum of music. Laughter, voices and celebration.  The Coronation Ceremony had already begun.   Of all the people to bump into, it had to be the imbecile I never wanted to see again, Alpha Jackson. "Are you stalking me?" he growled, glaring at me like I had no right to breathe the same air. "Ew. Stalk you?" I recoiled, curling my lip in disgust. "I'd never stoop so low." His face twisted. "How dare you?" he snarled. "You should be begging me to accept you as my mistress." Mistress? Was this man insane? The audacity, no, the delusion, he wore like a crown was unbearable. He needed to be put in his place. Right now. I met his eyes, rage bubbling through my chest. "You know what?" I spat, voice shaking but fierce. "I'd rather be mateless for the rest of my life than be tied to someone like you." I could feel power rising in me, like the Moon Goddess herself was guiding my tongue. "I, Rose Miller of the Black moon Pack, accept your rejection." The words left me with a strange kind of freedom. I didn't know where the courage came from, but I had never felt lighter. Jackson froze. His arrogant smirk faltered. His eyes widened slightly. His mouth parted like he wanted to speak but couldn't find the words. "You... uh-" he stuttered. Then, just as quickly, his shock turned to a sneer. "You better say your last prayers," he said coldly, his voice lowering to a dangerous tone. "Because the Lycan Prince is arriving today. And I'm handing you over to him." He turned to leave but stopped just long enough to throw one final dagger: "You know what that means..." Then he was gone, leaving his venom to soak into my thoughts. The Lycan Prince? If Jackson was cruel and ruthless... the Lycan Prince was ten times worse. The stories I had heard about him were the kind that haunted you in your sleep. He murdered countless people, some say with no remorse. He sexually abused she-wolves, even elders. There were rumors that he had even killed his own sister. I had never once prayed to meet him. And now... Jackson was giving me to him? Was this the end? I stumbled into the Coronation Hall, Jackson's words still echoing in my head like a death sentence. My legs felt heavy, and dread coiled tight in my chest. Every step reminded me that I was walking toward something I might never return from. Then I saw her. Diva. The demon in a woman's skin. She wore a blood-red, curve-hugging gown with a slit that crept high up her thigh. Her hair cascaded down her back like black silk, and her lips painted a bold red stood out like a warning sign. I won't lie. She looked stunning. Jackson stood beside her, his hand curled possessively around her waist as they walked to the center of the hall. The crowd clapped and cheered like they were royalty. "To begin the ceremony," Jackson announced with a smug glance in my direction, "let's rise and welcome the Lycan Prince of Exousia." Trumpets sounded. Guards formed two perfect columns, creating a path down the center of the hall. My breath hitched. My heart began pounding in my chest, hard and fast, like a drum of doom. The air in the hall grew cold, but sweat beaded on my forehead. My palms trembled uncontrollably. I couldn't explain it, but my body knew before my mind did. Then he entered. A man in a pristine white suit, tailored to perfection, every inch of him exuding command. He wore sleek black sunglasses, the kind that made him look untouchable. The crowd erupted in cheers, a few she-wolves gasping in awe. Some even fainted. He moved with grace, power, and control. And something else. Familiarity. I frowned. Why did he seem so... familiar? He reached the center of the hall. Then, slowly, he removed his sunglasses. The moment his eyes met mine, I froze. My knees nearly gave out and my heart slammed hard against my ribs, and all the air left my lungs. "It's him. . ." I whispered. "It's Aiden."