Chapter 3 3.

GROAR!!

The sound was deep and... terrifying.

Then the Lycan sniffed Gwendoline's hair and neck. Then, he growled again, this time deeply, not a threatening growl, but a growl of recognition.

His beautiful blue eyes lit up, now seeming to show relief and ownership.

"Fated mate," muttered the Lycan, his voice deep and heavy, "As soon as I smelled your scent... I knew. The Moon Goddess has chosen you for me."

Gwen was stunned. Soulmate? At first, Ethan and she were bound by the Moon Goddess, by destiny. Perhaps because Ethan had broken his bond of destiny, he found a new mate.

"He is our true mate, Gwen. He is the Beast, a pure descendant of the wolfmen. That's why he can transform at any time, without having to wait for the full moon."

Yes, the man in front of her was a Lycan, not a werewolf like Ethan. He was a large Lycan, handsome and powerful. His voice was strong and his aura was very dominant.

The Lycan slowly transformed back into his human form. He was a handsome man with black hair, captivating blue eyes, and a muscular body.

He was none other than Charlie 'the Beast' Night, the Lycan King of NightShade who ruled the entire region, even Ethan's territory.

"My name is Charlie 'the Beast' Night, Lycan King. And you are my mate."

Gwendoline couldn't process all of this. Last night, she was rejected, accused of murder, hunted, and now she met the Lycan King who claimed her as his mate. She felt like crying, she didn't know what to do.

"You're hurt," said Charlie, his eyes fixed on the scars on Gwendoline's arms and legs. Without warning, he touched the wounds, and instantly the pain disappeared, as if by magic.

"How...?"

Charlie just smiled.

"Our mate bond heals you. Don't be afraid, I won't let anyone hurt you again. Especially that stupid Alpha who threw away a diamond for a speck of dust."

Gwendoline was silent. Those words, spoken by a stranger, somehow felt more convincing than all the promises Ethan had ever made.

She could only stare into Charlie's blue eyes, eyes full of determination. In those eyes, she saw no doubt, only pure ownership. She saw no guilt, only unshakable strength.

She knew one thing: her life had just changed. And she was no longer alone.

***

The howling of wolves continued to echo through the forest, freezing the air around them. It was a howl full of rage and murderous intent. However, Ethan Black did not move from his spot.

His sharp eyes stared blankly at the river, where Gwendoline's trail had disappeared. Ethan, now empty without Darren's presence, clenched his fists tightly.

His order to capture Gwendoline still echoed in the soldiers' ears. He knew the hunt would be difficult, but he would not give up. In his mind, Gwen was a dangerous figure who had to be eliminated. She was a murderer who had poisoned his Beta.

"Damn it! Send more wolves! Find her, root her out," Ethan growled, his anger boiling over.

Marian, who had been silent until then, now approached and hugged him from behind. "Calm down, Ethan. She can't run forever. She has nowhere to go. All the packs will know she's a killer."

Ethan nodded, trying to calm himself. "You're right. I've spread the word. She's no longer Luna of the Black Pack. I've rejected the bond of destiny between us."

"Good," Marian whispered. She touched Ethan's neck, giving him a sensual touch that Ethan used to enjoy very much. "I just don't want you to feel sorry for him later and set him free."

"No! I'm not weak. I am a fair pack leader. He will receive his punishment," Ethan said firmly, convincing Marian and himself.

Marian smiled contentedly. "Our child will be proud of his father."

"Of course, dear!" Ethan replied with confidence.

However, deep down, something felt wrong. It was a feeling he couldn't define. This feeling arose when he saw Gwen's eyes, when the accusation was uttered. Was she really innocent?

"We mustn't feel sorry for Gwen, Ethan! This isn't a signal of anything!" Max, Ethan's wolf, echoed in the man's mind.

Ethan felt the same way as Max, a feeling that tended not to believe that Gwen had killed Darren.

Was she really guilty? Unfortunately, Darren was already dead, so he could no longer ask the man. He also couldn't hear the advice of his wise Beta.

Darren, who always reminded him not to be reckless and to act fairly, was now gone. Darren was the only one who dared to oppose Ethan, even when Ethan was depressed, Darren was the one who strengthened Ethan the most after his father.

"I'm going back to headquarters. I'll spread this news to all the packs in this area," said Ethan, walking away from Marian.

"Of course, dear! I'll wait for you. Don't come back too late."

Ethan didn't reply. He was preoccupied with his own thoughts. He quickened his pace, feeling restless. Had he done the right thing?

He didn't know. But one thing he was certain of was that he couldn't let a murderer live. He had to show everyone that he was a strong and wise Alpha. He had to hunt down and punish Gwen.

"Gwen... why did you do this?" Ethan whispered to himself.

He wanted to know her reason. He wanted to know why the woman he trusted with his life, whom he had allowed into his life, could be so cruel.

"Was it because I rejected you? But you could have been angry at me, not killed Darren!"

However, he could only guess, because he couldn't trust a woman who was even capable of killing her own right-hand man.

Inside the pack house, several Betas from other packs who had heard the news of Darren's death had gathered. Ethan entered with a cold and tense expression. He told them to sit in the meeting room.

"Friends, I have bad news. My Beta, Darren, has been killed."

The room fell silent. Several Betas were shocked.

"And the one who killed him was..." Ethan paused for a moment, his cold eyes staring at every Beta there.

"...Gwendoline Moore. Former Luna Black Pack."

Suddenly, all the Betas in the room whispered, not expecting that the woman they had known as a warm and wise figure could do such a cruel thing.

"No way, Alpha! Luna Gwen is a very good woman," one of the Betas dared to speak up, expressing his disbelief.

"Of course she's fine, in front of you! But she's a dangerous woman, she poisoned Darren with wolfsbane!"

Ethan explained firmly. He even showed the evidence in his hands.

"I saw her at the scene. She was next to Darren, who was already dead, with a bottle of wolfsbane in her hand."

"Then where is Luna Gwen now, Alpha?"

"She ran away, but don't worry, I've mobilized all the Pack's soldiers. I won't let a murderer roam free. I will punish her, in the name of justice."

The Betas nodded, agreeing with Ethan, unaware that they had only heard part of the story.

Ethan hid the fact that he had rejected Gwen on their third wedding anniversary because Marian had returned. He only presented a story that would make him look like a hero, a leader grieving the loss of his confidant.

Ethan knew that by spreading this news, Gwen would not be able to ask for help from any pack. She would become a fugitive wanted throughout the region. No one would believe Gwendoline. And that, according to Ethan, was a fitting punishment.