ALYSSA (SHORT POV)
Just then, I woke up from my dream sweating profusely. "What sort of a dream is this?" I was worried for Ethan. I couldn't bear to see any harm come to him. I hoped that the dream was just a dream and not a sign or warning as some dreams usually turn out to be.
MARCUS'S POV
I woke up to the sound of the forest around me. The leaves rustled gently in the wind, and the birds chirped merrily in the trees. But my mind was far from peaceful. I couldn't get Alyssa out of my head, no matter how hard I tried.
It had been months since I had rejected her in public for another woman. I had been foolish and blind, thinking that the grass was greener on the other side. But now I knew that I had made a terrible mistake. I had tried to reach out to Alyssa, to apologize and ask for her forgiveness. But she had refused to take me back, and I couldn't blame her. I had hurt her deeply, and it would take more than a few words to make things right.
Lost in thought, I didn't hear the approaching footsteps until it was too late. Marietta had come to find me, her eyes blazing with anger and resentment.
"What do you think you're doing, Marcus?" she snarled, her claws extending from her fingertips. "Trying to reconcile with that outcast of a werewolf?" I recoiled at her words, feeling a surge of anger and guilt rise within me.
"Alyssa is not pathetic," I growled, taking a step forward. "And I'm not trying to reconcile with her. I just want to make things right."
Marietta laughed coldly, her eyes flashing with malice. "You're wasting your time, Marcus," she spat. "Alyssa will never forgive you. And even if she did, it wouldn't matter. You're mine now, and you always will be." I felt a chill run down my spine at her words, realizing too late that I had made a terrible mistake. This woman before me was not just any woman. She was a powerful woman. The daughter of Lordson Al.
Lordson Al is the alpha of the red hill pack and a friend of my father. They fought off the enemies from Northfork Pack together and ever since their friendship had blossomed. Lordson is a very influential alpha who is known and feared by many packs across this region. He is also a great politician and always has his way with words which explains his success in politics.
My father on the other hand is the alpha of the North Moon Pack. A great man and a good leader. Loved by his pack members but is also an ambitious man. He would do anything to get what he wants. He is a man of calculation and he always had a plan. When he first confronted me with the issue of mating with Marietta, I knew I was in for some deep shit. He is a man who wouldn't take no for an answer. There was no need to tell him about Alyssa because he we well aware that she was the one chosen for me by the moon goddess but like I said he is a man who knows what he wants and how to get it
I was raised to choose family first no matter what and that was the tactic he used to persuade me into agreeing to mate with Marietta. He made me believe it was for the good of our pack. What I failed to realize was that it was more for his political gain than it was for the pack. Marietta also played her role quite well. She used Alyssa's background to manipulate me into believing she was a more worthy mate and I had foolishly allowed myself to fall under her spell.
But the way of the heart is not the way of the brain. It was Alyssa I was in love with and my heart could not bear to be with someone else. No wonder the moon goddess chose her. I would have stood my ground. I would have rejected my father's proposal no matter the consequence, all this drama would have been avoided but it was too late to cry.
Marietta is a strong-willed woman and one thing was certain, she wasn't going to let me go without a fight. But I wasn't worried about myself. I was more worried about Alyssa. Poor Alyssa. She has already been through a lot in life. She does not deserve the things life is throwing at her. She is soft-hearted and beautiful.
A woman like that should be worshiped like a princess and not treated with disdain as was her case right now. What worried me more is how every member of my pack held her with contempt. I know my father was responsible. He always has his way with words and so the day I took the bold step to inform everyone that I was not interested in Marietta and was going to reconcile with Alyssa, I was not surprised at the silent treatment. They didn't voice it out, they dared not but their facial expression was clear enough.
"I can't believe this. Did she use a spell on you? A strong prince like you will stoop so low? And for someone as lowly as an outcast who has no pack to call her own" she growled her eyes visible with anger.
"This is an insult to my statute and this insult will not go unatoned for, you know that right? You know my father must not hear of this" I stared at her as she threatened me.
"I'm not the kind of woman you can mess with. If you think you can get rid of me so easily you are mistaken. "I will make you pay for your foolishness". She walked around me staring at me with a wicked smile on her face.
"By the time I'm done with you, Alyssa will not be able to recognize you. " As for Alyssa," she smirked, "Let's just say she is about to have a taste of what misery truly is" she threatened. I felt a surge of anger rushes through me at the mention of my beloved Alyssa. How dare she threaten the woman I love.
"What did you say? I asked, my anger visible.
"You dare threaten Alyssa before me? Do you not know who I am? You seem to have forgotten that I am Marcus, the feared prince of the North Moon Pack. " I said boastfully.
"Your father may be a strong man but so am I. I haven't done anything wrong. I was never interested in you and you knew it." I snarled
"My father manipulated me into accepting you even when he knew I was with Alyssa. He even made me do it publicly. That was the height of wickedness" I said angrily, feeling so ashamed of myself for what I did to her.
" I regret choosing you over her, I was foolish once but never again. Now I know what I want and what I want is what I must fight to get" I said with finality
"If you dare lay a finger on Alyssa, I will make you regret it."
She looked at me with shock visible on her face. She probably never thought I could threaten her like that.
"First, you turned me into a laughing stock among my pack and now, you dare to threaten me? The daughter of an alpha? All because of that mateless outcast?"
"She is not mateless" I interrupted and now that she has me, she will soon rise from being an outcast to a dignified member of my pack. I will restore her dignity and no one can stop me". I said
She stood for a while with her eyes transfixed on mine before she finally said "The battle line has been drawn, I hope you are prepared for what's coming?" And with that, she turned around and left.