***Alice***

“I hate you!” The words escaped from my throat before I could swallow them back. For a moment, time stopped. The air between us thickened, my chest thudding as the echo of my voice bounced off the walls. I had never—never—raised my voice at my father before.

His face hardened, but I saw the tremor in his hands. “Can’t you see, Alice? I’m doing this to protect you.” His voice carried the weight of iron, but it cracked at the edges, as if the words cost him something.

A bitter laugh escaped out of my guts. “The same way you protected Mom?” The room tilted, my pulse slamming against my chest. I couldn’t take it anymore—this constant prison of fear he wrapped around me. “I’m not missing this funfair. Not this time.” The last words slipped out like a vow I whispered to myself.

I sank into the chair, legs weak, rage buzzing under my skin like hornets. “I’m so sick of this,” I muttered, my voice resentful. If he hadn’t led that cursed coup, if he hadn’t painted a target on our family, maybe I wouldn’t be living half a life in the shadows.

He said nothing. Just stared. That silence was worse than shouting. It pressed down on me until my fists shook.

“Babygirl!” Diacam’s voice drifted through the window, bright and sweet.

“Shit,” I hissed under my breath, pushing up from the chair.

“Go without me!” I called back, guilt burning through me. If I saw her face now—her excitement—paired with the storm brewing inside me, I’d break.

I grabbed my bag and slipped into the bathroom. “You’re not ruining this for me,” I whispered as I washed my face, covering the redness around my eyes with powder, slicking a smile back onto my lips.

By the time I was ready, the sky was black, the pale moon behind drifting clouds. Still, my feet itched to move forward, not back. Tonight mattered. Tonight Xander was going to make us public.

The path through the forest whispered with shadows. Crickets chirped. My shoes crunched leaves, each step quickening my heartbeat. The quiet air wrapped around me, cold but almost comforting, and for a moment I thought maybe I could breathe again.

Then the fair came into view—lights blazing, drums pounding, voices rising in song. Fireworks crackled above, scattering colors across the night. My breath caught. “I would’ve hated myself if I missed this,” I whispered, smiling as I pushed into the crowd.

I searched, making my way past dancers and stalls.

And then—

I froze.

My eyes widened, my heart thundering so loud it drowned the drums in my ears. There, in the glow of lanterns, Xander’s lips pressed hungrily against Diacam’s.

“What the fuck are you doing?”

My voice broke, trembling. A hot tear slid down my cheek. “Xander!”

They didn’t stop. Didn’t even notice me at first. His hands tangled in her hair, her fingers clutching his shirt as though the world belonged only to them.

Finally, he pulled away, just long enough to glance at me with a smirk that carved me open. “Calm down, babygirl.”

My vision blurred, disbelief flooding me. Was this real? My best friend—my boyfriend—kissing like it was a performance for everyone to see.

“So even a wolfless bitch thought she could score an Alpha,” Diacam sneered, her laughter sharp as glass. They doubled over, mockery ringing in my ears.

Wolfless. The word sliced deeper than claws.

“Baby, kiss me,” she moaned, dragging his mouth back to hers. Their passion turned vicious, a weapon meant only to break me.

I stumbled back, choking on sobs. My father had been right. I never should have come.

I ran, the fair’s lights blurring into streaks of color behind me. The forest swallowed me whole, cool air brushing my wet cheeks. My chest ached, each breath shortened as crickets chirped, mocking the silence in my soul.

Then—snap.

The sound cut through the night like a sharp knife.

I froze, every hair on my neck prickling. “Who’s there?” My voice quivered. Nothing answered—just the whisper of leaves shifting in the breeze.

I forced my feet forward, quickening my pace, but the sound followed. Soft. Deliberate. Closer.

My breath stopped for a moment. Cold sweat slid down my spine.

And then I saw them. Eyes. Glowing amber, sharp with hunger. A wolf stepped from the shadows, its jaw dripping with saliva, muscles bunching beneath its fur.

“No,” I whispered, knees weakened. “No, not tonight.”

It pounced.

The impact slammed me into the earth, claws raking fire down my neck. My scream ripped the air apart, but there was no one to save me. Pain blazed white-hot, fear swallowing everything else. My world narrowed to blood, teeth, and darkness.

And then—nothing.

When I stirred again, the world was softer, blurred. Light flickered beneath my vision, warm and steady. My body trembled as I forced my eyes open.

“You’re awake?”

The voice was low, steady, almost soothing. My gaze sharpened—and I froze again, but for a different reason. Golden eyes, bright as sunlight, stared down at me. Hair, silky and blond, framed a face so striking my heart stuttered.

I had never cared for looks. But this man—he was made from something different.

“What… happened yesterday?” My thoughts tangled as memory stabbed back into me. The wolf. The claws. The blood. My hand flew to my neck—smooth skin. My clawed neck was already healed into a scar.

“How… how am I alive, and how is the wound healed?"

“You’re safe now,” he said, his gaze steady. “I found you bleeding. I helped.” But something in his tone wavered. He was hiding something

“My name is Lancelot,” He said while reaching out for me with his hands stretched out. I took his hands and responded,

“Alice.”

I swallowed, panic clawing up my throat. Dad.

“Shit!” I sank the heels of my hands into my knees to stand upright, ignoring the dizziness. He would be worried sick.

I muttered a quick “thank you” and bolted.

The path home was long, but familiar. My legs carried me fast, though my mind whirled with too many questions. Behind me, footsteps echoed. I glanced back—the same golden-eyed man. He said nothing, only followed. My cheeks burned despite the chill. Was he… watching over me or is he just a stalker?

I almost smiled, despite myself. Almost.

Until I reached home.

The sight knocked the breath from me. Doors broken apart. Chairs overturned. Blood smeared the floor.

“Fuck, fuck, fuck!” My chest seized.

My father was gone.

Captured.