Kai's POV

I hissed in anger as I drove out of the mansion, cursing under my breath.

At that moment, I instantly regretted why I had decided to visit my Beta before I left.

It brought back alarming and terrible memories which left me lost and heartbroken.

I drove furiously, not minding the cops as I cursed.

Why now? I know I did the right thing, but the pain was unbearable. The pack needed what I didn't want.

They needed a Luna, and I scrap to have a Luna all thanks to my detestation for shewolves.

I felt satisfied and comfortable detesting she-wolves, it was like justice for my dad. But the weight was excessively heavy on me.

~

I am Kai, the lycan Prince of the Dark Heart pack, the most dominant pack in the region.

I'm a thirty–two–year–old man known for my cruel behavior.

I received an invitation to the state dinner hosted by Alpha Dylan of the crescent moon pack.

I was aware that I would find my mate there, and she happened to be the only daughter of Alpha Dylan.

I was greeted warmly and welcomed into their magnificent mansion.

During dinner, while chatting cheerfully, a scent of whispering jasmine caught my attention and I turned towards the source and laid my eyes on her.

She was my mate, emanating that captivating scent, and she was staring back at me with a wide smile on her face.

As she approached, I watched her intently. She took a seat beside me, dressed provocatively in white, tight-fitting pants that accentuated her alluring figure. Her cropped–shaped dress revealed her midriff and cleavage.

No words were exchanged, we simply stared at each other and she maintained a lingering smile on her lips.

"Hello," she greeted, waving her hand slightly.

I nodded in acknowledgment, averting my eyes to my meal. The food seemed to warn me against what I had in mind, but I disregarded it and took a spoonful.

Just as I told my Beta, I didn't have the slightest urge of wanting to mate with her, despite her provocative outfits.

To me, she was just like every other she-wolves. I couldn't see her as anything more than that.

While chewing, I stole glances at her. I noticed that she, too, was observing me, so I looked away.

~ ~

After we finished eating, the other dinner guests departed, but I remained in the dining hall with Alpha Dylan, discussing pack matters.

Before my mate left, I could feel her gaze lingering on me. However, noticing how engrossed I was in a conversation with her father, she left.

"Lord Alpha Kai, would you mind spending the night? You traveled quite a distance to be here," Alpha Dylan offered, but I declined with a shake of my head.

"Thank you for your hospitality, Mr. Dylan, but I think I should take my leave now before it gets too late," I said, rising from my seat.

Alpha Dylan stood as well, extending his hand for a shake, which I accepted. We bid farewell, and I left the dining hall.

Walking through the hallways, my eyes focused on my phone. The royal maids greeted me, but I ignored them.

Every passing guard bowed, and I acknowledged with a slight nod.

Finally, I exited the grand mansion. While heading towards my car parked in the garage, I heard hurried footsteps behind me. I turned to find her walking towards me with a suitcase in hand.

I leaned against my car, hands still in my pocket, waiting for her to approach.

"Lord Alpha Kai," she called nervously, standing beside me.

"Are you traveling?" I asked, my eyes fixed on my phone. Although I already knew the answer, I decided to play it cool before getting straight to the point.

"I'll be traveling with you," she replied, a smile still on her face. She was beautiful, but not in my case.

"You'll be traveling with me," I repeated absentmindedly, nodding as I continued chatting with my Beta who was overseeing the pack in my absence.

I spent some time communicating with my pack elders. When the call ended, I suddenly remembered she was waiting for me. I had completely forgotten about her.

"My apologies," I said, my face expressionless as I walked towards her and stood in front of her.

"What's your name?" I asked, twirling strands of her hair and forming them into knots.

"It's Skylar," she replied, curiosity laced in her voice. She should be curious about what was coming next.

"Skylar… what a beautiful name for a beautiful lady," I commented, and blush colored her cheeks as she smiled brightly.

"Thank you. That's what everyone tells me," she said with a grin.

I acknowledged her words with a nod, and then my face turned serious, and it seemed like she noticed it, making her smile immediately vanish.

"Skylar of the crescent moon pack, I, Kai, a Royal lycan of the dark heart pack reject you as a mate. As a Lord Alpha, I forbid you from asking me the reasons for my rejection," I said coldly and turned to leave.

Tears welled up in her eyes as she stared at me, but I felt no pity.

I took two strides away but stopped when I felt her grip on my sleeve.

She obeyed my instructions and didn't dare ask me any questions.

However, she seemed to forget that holding a royal-blooded lycan without his permission was a crime.

With a frown on my face, I turned to her, my face as cold as ever.

"Do you want to get beheaded?" I asked, my voice resonating in the air, devoid of sympathy.

She shook her head.

"Then let go of my sleeve," I spoke calmly, but my disgust towards her was evident.

She immediately released her hold, and with a silent scoff, I glanced down at her tears–stained form before turning and walking toward the other side of my sleek black car.

With one swift pull, the door flew open, and I settled into the driver's seat, igniting the engine.

The car roared to life, intensifying the sound of Skylar's cries, but I ignored them and drove out of the mansion's compound.