Ivy's world shatters when she uncovers her mate's betrayal. But when he is accused of a horrific crime and abandons her to face the consequences, Ivy takes the ultimate step to protect her pack-she turns herself in to the infamous Lycan King. King Cassian is a ruler known for his unforgiving nature and ruthless rule. Yet when their paths cross, Ivy feels an undeniable pull toward him, only to discover that he is her fated mate. Can she find compassion in the heart of the merciless king, or will she be condemned by his unrelenting judgment?
Chapter 1 1
Ivy POV
I stood frozen, the truth of my mate's betrayal sinking into my bones like a deadly poison. My breath came in short, shallow gasps, but I couldn't tear my eyes away from the scene unfolding before me.
There he was- Dorian, my mate- locked in an embrace with another woman. His lips were pressed to hers with a hunger that I had once thought belonged to me. His hands caressed her body with a tenderness I had only ever known in the privacy of our shared moments. The woman, with her long dark hair cascading down her back, seemed to melt into his touch as if they had always belonged together.
The sharp pang in my chest mirrored the sting of betrayal. My mate. The man I had trusted. The man I had given my heart to without question, without hesitation. But this... this was unforgivable.
I stumbled backward, my heart hammering in my chest as my legs threatened to give way beneath me. How long had it been going on? How long had he been lying to me?
"Ivy," a voice called from behind me, pulling me from my thoughts.
I didn't need to turn around to know who it was. My closest friend, Serena, had been with me from the beginning. Her presence, a steady comfort, should have made me feel safer. Instead, it only deepened the ache inside me.
She moved quickly to my side, concern etched into her features as she studied me. "You saw, didn't you?"
I nodded, not trusting my voice. My emotions swirled in a chaotic whirlwind. Anger, betrayal, hurt-all of them mingling together to form a storm I wasn't sure I could control.
"We need to go," Serena said, her voice low and urgent. "Before anyone notices you here."
But I didn't move. I couldn't. Every part of me was paralyzed by the shock of it all. The man I had once believed would protect me had shattered that illusion in the most painful way imaginable. How could I have been so blind?
"I never thought he would do this..." My voice was barely above a whisper, the weight of my words pressing heavily on my chest. "He was my mate."
Serena placed a hand on my shoulder, her touch grounding me as the reality of what had just happened settled in. "I know, Ivy. I know."
The images of Dorian with her-touching her, kissing her-flashed in my mind again. The betrayal cut deeper with every second that passed.
But then, something shifted. A presence. A coldness that seeped into the air like a tangible force. My heart skipped a beat, and I turned to find the source of that unnerving energy.
Standing at the edge of the clearing, his eyes locked on me with an intensity that made my breath catch, was King Cassian.
The Lycan King.
His presence alone seemed to freeze the world around us. The very air seemed to grow heavier, as if the forest itself was holding its breath.
Ivy.
His deep voice rang in my mind like a warning, sharp and commanding, yet oddly familiar. My heart skipped again, but this time, it wasn't from fear. It was something else-something darker.
"Your presence is required," he said, his tone unwavering, his gaze never leaving mine.
Serena stiffened beside me. "We need to leave, Ivy. The king..." She trailed off, uncertainty filling her voice.
The king took a step forward, his gaze unwavering. He was the embodiment of power, the ruler of all Lycans, and he could destroy me with a mere word.
I turned toward Serena, my voice barely a whisper. "I have to go."
Before she could protest, I began walking toward him. The distance between us felt like an eternity, but every step was drawn by an invisible pull, one I couldn't resist.
King Cassian stood tall, his dark, regal cloak sweeping behind him like a shadow. His piercing gaze remained fixed on me as if he were waiting for something, his expression unreadable. I couldn't tell if he was here to judge me or to offer mercy.
"Your mate's actions have caught the attention of many," he said, his voice cutting through the night air like a blade. "You'll need to come with me, Ivy."
I hesitated, my feet rooted to the ground. A thousand thoughts raced through my mind. Why was he here? Why now? And why was he looking at me like that?
Serena's voice broke through my swirling thoughts. "Ivy, you don't have to go with him. We can fight this."
But I knew better. The Lycan King was not a man who could be defied without consequences. And if Dorian's betrayal had already drawn the king's ire, then there was little hope for me.
"I'll go," I said softly, my voice trembling with the weight of my decision.
Serena's eyes widened in shock. "No, Ivy! Don't-"
"I have to," I interrupted, my heart heavy with the responsibility of it all. "I have to protect the pack."
And with that, I turned and followed King Cassian into the shadows, unsure of what awaited me, but knowing I had no other choice.
---
King Cassian's POV
The forest was quiet, the only sounds the soft rustle of the leaves in the wind and the distant calls of nocturnal creatures. Yet even amidst this serenity, I could feel the weight of the situation pressing in. Ivy, the woman I had been sent for, stood before me. Her heart, already torn by betrayal, was now caught in a whirlwind of confusion and fear.
It was no surprise that she would come willingly. I had seen it in her eyes when she looked at me. The bond. The undeniable pull of the mate bond that connected us across distance and time. She might not have known it yet, but she was mine. And I would make sure she understood that soon enough.
"I did not come to harm you," I said, my voice softer than I intended. The last thing I wanted was to make her think I was like the others who ruled with fear and cruelty. "But you are in danger. There are forces at work beyond your understanding, Ivy."
Her gaze flickered to me, hesitant, but there was something else in her eyes too-curiosity, perhaps, or a quiet resignation. I wasn't sure yet.
"You'll have to trust me," I continued. "Your mate's betrayal has set off a chain of events that cannot be undone. You are no longer safe here."
She clenched her fists at her sides, her expression a mix of anger and disbelief. "I don't need your protection," she spat, her voice trembling with emotion. "I need answers. What do you want from me, King Cassian?"
I could feel the power of her emotions as they surged through the bond. She was strong-stronger than she realized. That much, I could sense. But she was also broken, and I would be the one to either fix her or shatter her further.
"I don't want anything from you," I said, my voice firm. "I'm here to ensure that you survive this. That's all."
She eyed me, clearly skeptical. I could see her weighing her options, weighing the truth of my words against the chaos in her heart.
Chapter 1 1
19/01/2025
Chapter 2 2
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Chapter 3 3
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Chapter 4 4
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Chapter 5 5
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Chapter 6 6
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Chapter 7 7
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Chapter 8 8
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Chapter 9 9
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Chapter 10 10
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Chapter 11 11
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Chapter 12 12
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Chapter 13 13
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Chapter 14 14
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