Chapter 3

3 I turned away, disgusted, and marched back to my chambers. Curled up in bed, I still didn't feel much better.

I touched my throat, relieved it was still in one piece.

Last time, I'd wandered into the werewolf pack, surrounded by a bunch of wild wolves. I was about to become lunch meat.

Darian showed up and saved me, then walked me home.

He was the leader of the Greymane pack, strong, handsome. I fell for him, hard.

After the wedding, he was a little distant, but I thought that was just his personality.

Never occurred to me that he was using me.

And I had no idea he was this obsessed with his little childhood sweetheart.

I shook my head. No use dwelling on the past. I had a second chance.

This time, I wouldn’t make the same mistakes.

The next morning, I went to the palace to see the king.

I heard voices in the garden, and I recognized the voices immediately.

“Darian, did I do something wrong? Is that why the Saintess is so angry?”

I peeked through the bushes. Darian was holding Finny close.

“She's just an entitled bitch. Just bear with it. Once she leaves siren territory, I'll drag her to you and you can do whatever you want with her.”

I clenched my fists, fighting down the fury.

Finny looked delighted, then she played her little act.

“But the Snowfangs are about to attack. What if we piss off the Saintess? What if she helps them fight us?”

She started to cry.

“It's all my fault! You wouldn't have to be at odds with the Saintess if it wasn't for me."

“Maybe you should marry her. Compared to uniting the packs, I don’t mind suffering.”

Darian wiped away her tears, desperate.

“Finny, what are you talking about? I was reborn so I could marry you. Nothing is more important!”

Finny blinked, and Darian started to explain.

He smirked. “Relax. Bella is so in love with me, she’ll do anything. You wouldn’t believe how she sang all night to calm my people on a full moon.”

“The next day, when I got back from kicking the Snowfangs' asses, she came to congratulate me. Her voice was hoarse and raspy, sounded so gross!"

“So, I slit her throat. Avenged you too.”

Finny giggled. “Too bad I didn't see her face."

I bit my lip, hard. My eyes burned.

Last time, I sang until my throat was raw, like needles stabbing me.

I was in agony, but I was happy I'd helped Darian.

I ran to greet him, full of joy, and he rewarded me like this.

Darian kept bragging. “So when Bella says she isn’t going to choose me, don’t believe it.”

“She was probably just jealous, lashing out. She'll probably regret it all night."

“When I need her, I just have to snap my fingers, and she’ll come running like a puppy."

“Once I unite the werewolves, she’ll be useless. I’ll throw her to my pack, then marry you in style.”