Chapter 2

2 I was already beyond annoyed. The thought of him tricking me last time, then stabbing me in the back… It made my skin crawl.

I didn’t have time for this crap. I just snapped, “Believe whatever the hell you want.”

Then I brushed past him and walked away, fast.

Ava was bristling, ready to fight.

“Your Grace, Darian is such an asshole! You’re always sending him gifts, and he takes them all.

"You show him you like him, and he doesn't turn you down, gives you just enough to keep you interested."

“Then he suddenly says he’s got someone else? He’s just playing you!”

I scoffed. Yeah, Darian had a million chances to turn me down.

I wasn’t exactly the clingy type. If he had someone else, I would have walked.

But he wanted my siren powers, wanted my singing to calm his pack on the full moon.

And he didn’t want to upset his little Finny.

The best part? He was the one who needed me, but he acted like he was doing me a favor.

The werewolves weren’t exactly one big happy family. The new leader up north, from the Snowfang pack, was a badass. Darian’s people were getting their asses kicked.

And every full moon, all the wolves turned into raging, mindless beasts.

Darian used my singing to keep his pack calm, so they could ambush the Snowfangs and unite all the werewolves.

The second he won, he didn’t even thank me.

He just murdered me to avenge his little sweetheart.

This time, I’d watch him burn. I wanted to see how he would win without my help.

I was lost in thought when some chick blocked my path.

She looked stubborn, eyes red. “Your Grace, Darian and I love each other. Please, don’t try to tear us apart.”

I had to stop. The palace road was packed with people. They all stopped to stare, whispering.

“What’s going on? Is the Saintess stealing someone’s man?”

“I always said the Saintess was a spoiled brat. Now we see the truth!"

Finny looked pleased when she heard the whispers. She choked back a sob.

“Your Grace, I saw Darian asking you to call off the engagement. Why did you refuse?”

“You can’t just use your status to bully people and ruin their relationships!”

I almost laughed. These two were determined to piss me off at every turn.

Last time, I never actually met Finny. I was always curious about the girl Darian loved so much.

Turns out, she was just a whiny bitch, perfect for that backstabbing bastard.

I took a deep breath to swallow the rage.

“I told you, I’m not marrying Darian. You can have that garbage. No one’s fighting you for him.”

Finny, like Darian, didn’t believe a word.

“Don’t lie to yourself, Your Grace. Everyone saw how you were chasing after Darian a few months ago."

“You’re just pissed that he chose me. You’re jealous!”

There was no talking to an idiot. I shoved her aside to leave.

I barely touched her, and she went down like she’d been shot.

Her arm scraped against the gravel, drawing blood.

I instinctively reached for her, but then Darian came charging over, kicking me away.

I landed hard, his voice a furious roar in my ears.

“You bitch! You’re supposed to be a saintess? Is bullying the weak how you treat people?”

I curled up on the ground, trying to breathe. Darian was already cradling Finny in his arms.

“What are you doing out here, you idiot? You’re so fragile. Now you're hurt."

Ava helped me up. I glared at him, mocking.

“Fragile? I’ve never seen a werewolf who falls over from a light touch."

“You’re so weak, you might as well crawl back into the womb.”

Darian rolled his eyes. “Bella, get over yourself. Don’t think bullying Finny will make me marry you. It just makes me hate you more!”

I laughed. “Then hate me more.”

Darian froze, about to say something, but I cut him off.

I opened my mouth and started to sing, soft and low.

Instantly, Darian and Finny went pale, sweating bullets.

As a siren, I was the strongest in my clan.

My voice was a weapon. It could mess with your mind, inflict pain.

Finny lasted a few seconds before she was soaked in sweat, kneeling on the ground, begging for mercy.

Darian wasn’t doing any better. He was gritting his teeth, barely holding on.

“Bella, stop it now. Apologize to Finny, and I'll forget this ever happened.”

I stared at him, cold. The song got louder.

It sounded like someone else was begging for forgiveness.

Darian’s jaw was clenched so tight I thought his teeth would shatter. His fists were shaking.

Finally, he buckled. He went down on his knees in front of me.

I stopped, satisfied. I looked down at them.

“You dare try to cross me on my own turf? You should know your place.”