Chapter 1
LIANA
"You won't be so lucky next time."
The guard shoved me through the gates, I stumbled forward barely catching myself.
I bit the inside of my cheek and forced back the tears stinging at the back of my eyes.
My entire body ached as I walked down the pathway lined with gravel.
Rain dropped down from the sky, the gloomy sky and flashing lightning making my stomach tighten.
For three days, I had been locked behind silver bars, treated as a criminal while everyone scorned me for something I hadn't done.
"Liana."
My head shot up, blurry gaze landing on him.
My mate.
He was standing beside a black SUV, dressed in white with a black coat draped over his shoulders.
His left hand held a black umbrella, blocking the rain from touching him.
"Lucien." My lips trembled, the tears I had been trying to hold back now falling in torrents mixing together with the rain.
"You came for me." I stumbled forward, my fingers reached for him.
He took a step back, brows furrowed. "Have you thought about what you've done?"
"What?" My body shook.
His lips tightened into a grim line. "You poisoned Vivian."
"I didn't." I protested, shaking my head. "I will never."
"Liana! I am so disappointed in you. I can't believe the moon goddess made someone as vile as you my mate."
Mate.
My wolf whimpered inside my head. I wanted her to stop reminding me that this man is our fated pair.
"I-I" my voice choked up.
"Get in." He shoved me into the car.
My head bumped into the metal on the left door but he didn't care, he slammed the door shut and got into the driver's seat.
The drive back to the pack house was quiet, except for the soft sobs coming from me.
"Noisy." He growled as soon as we pulled to a halt in front of the large grey mansion.
A soft whimper escaped from my lips as I climbed down the car with trembling legs.
Lucien was already walking into the pack house, body taut.
"Lucien." I hurried after him but he didn't stop.
Once I was within reach, my thin pale fingers grabbed his black coat. "Please we need to talk."
"There's nothing to talk about, Liana. You are disgusting." My mate spat at me then walked in.
I stood rooted at a spot, eyes glazed with tears as I watched his retreating back.
A hollow feeling gnawed on my chest.
"You are an omega and all omegas are blessed with mates that love them."
My mother's words echoed in my head.
A bitter smile made its way to my lips.
Love?
Mine wanted absolutely nothing to do with me.
No. We have to believe in our mate.
My wolf whimpered again but I ignored her.
Mind numb, I walked into the pack house, trembling from the cold.
"I am so scared Luc"
I paused at the door, rooted to the spot.
"What if she hurts me again?"
My gaze locked onto the couple embracing each other in front of me.
My mate had another woman in his arms, cradling her carefully.
"I made sure she was taken care of in the dungeon. I am sure she won't try anything else on you." He assured, eyes tender with adoration.
My heart clenched at his words and at the sight.
Quietly, I walked forward, hoping to sneak to my room before any of them could see me.
"Liana." Vivian suddenly disengaged from Lucien, her face pale.
"It's not what it looks like, Luc was just..."
"It's fine." I forced a bitter smile. "Act like I am not here." The cold from my wet clothes bit into my skin, making my hands tremble involuntarily.
Lucien's frown deepened. He was probably angry that I interrupted his moment with his sweetheart.
Vivian rushed towards me, tears gathering in her eyes as she took my hand.
"Please don't get mad at Luc because of me. I know that he is your mate." She lowered her head, shoulders shaking.
"It's just that I-I was so frightened."
I stared at her. She looked so fragile and innocent, like a dodder flower that wouldn't be able to survive without protection.
But this same dodder flower was actually a carnivorous plant and if you weren't careful, she would sink her claws into your heart and drain you dry.
My stomach churned in disgust. "Stop being hypocritical." I slapped her hands off, taking a step back.
"Liana!" Lucien growled, rushing forward.
He took her into his arms. "How dare you?"
My shoulders squared up, eyes on Vivian. "He is my mate. Yet you hug and kiss him. Have you no shame?"
"Liana. You are going too far." Lucien snapped.
Vivian trembled. "I am sorry, it was just a mistake..." She rushed towards me, tears still rolling down my cheeks.
Why was she acting so sad?
I should be the sad one here.
My own fated mate believed another woman over me, locked me up because of her and was even in love with her.
So how dare she?
Vivian's warm palms clasped over mine, her eyes glistening. "I am sorry, I will give Luc back to you."
Her palms tightened over my hands, something sharp digging into my skin. "I will leave and go faraway so that you two can have your happy ending."
A soft hiss escaped from my lips as something sharp pierced into my flesh.
I pushed Vivian away, pain blurring my vision as I cradled my bleeding palm.
Vivian staggered and fell to the floor with a loud scream.
"Liana!" Lucien rushed towards Vivian who was on the floor weeping.
"How vile can you be? Hurting her over and over again."
My ears automatically blocked his words, body trembling at the pain as I looked down at my bleeding hands.
"Luc, don't blame her. Lia probably didn't mean to push me. She's just angry because she saw us together." Vivian pleaded, throwing herself into Lucien's arms.
Lucien sneered, his eyes blazing. "Seems you haven't learned your lesson yet."
He walked towards me, gripping onto my arms.
"Let go of me." I protested but his hand still remained clamped around mine.
The wound sent sharp pain shooting through my body.
Outside, the rain had worsened, the sky occasionally flashing with lightning.
"Please Lucien. I am hurting." My voice trembled.
He shoved me away and I fell to the floor, my injured palm striking against the marble.
"Stay here and think about what you have done!"
Tears blurred my vision as I watched his retreating back.
Second time today.
My body shook. "Lucien." But all I was greeted with was the sound of the door slamming shut.
Foolish Liana. So foolish. What were you thinking?
That he will choose you?
Love you?
With trembling hands, I reached for the small flip phone that had been secretly tucked away into my pocket.
Wet fingers pressed on the buttons.
At the first ring, the line went through.
It was noisy on the other side, then suddenly , it went quiet.
"Does your offer still stand?"
There was a sharp hiss, then a deep chuckle before his voice reverberated through the phone. "Why? Changed your mind?”
I took a deep breath, gaze locking onto the closed mahogany door as I felt the rain pour down on me.
"Yes. So I ask once again. Karl Blackwood, Does your offer still stand?"