“Where do you think you're going?” Leo said while chasing the horse.

Raya noticed he was swift. Even with Silver’s speed, he was close. Silver didn’t see the fallen branch in front of them. Raya flew off, hitting her head hard on the cold forest floor.

“You poor thing,” Vera said, mockingly as she stared down at Raya.

“Let’s get out of here before someone sees us,” Leo suggested with his hands already on Silver’s rope.

“And leave her lying here?”

Leo’s eyebrows came together at his sister’s question.

“That is exactly why we should leave now. I'm surprised that you, of all people, would want this dead weight. She's a weak and natural prey.”

“I agree with you,” Vera started. “Look at her clothes. She's not just any weakling, she's the rich kind. Maybe we could get a ransom off her head. Now, can you pick her up, and place her on the horse?”

“You always have the best plans,” Leo said as he picked her up and placed her on the horse.

“All set.”

“Good! Let’s head back to camp, everyone must be waiting for us.”

Raya could feel her pulse at the temples of her head. She lay on the cold floor in what felt like a dungeon. She opened her eyes to pitch black. Her instincts were to get up immediately, but her body said otherwise.

The whole scene from earlier played back in her head.

“Silver.” The word barely came out. Those thieves earlier must have stolen him and locked her up in this smelly place. She could only hope that he was alright. That horse was all she had now.

Raya got up gently, pacing the room, clearly looking for an exit. The metal door that served as the entrance did not look promising. She bet she knew a few wolves who would pull down this door in an instant back at the pack.

The realization of why she was in this mess in the first place flashed in her mind. Tears rolled down her cheeks at the memory of everything that had played out earlier that day. She swore in the back of her mind to never forgive Arian.

If she wanted to grab any attention, there was only one thing she could do.

“Help! Help!” she screamed at the top of her lungs.

She was at it for about what felt like an hour, and there was no response. For all she knew, they must have left her in the middle of nowhere to die. And the plan was working, especially given how weak and thirsty she was.

Raya’s knees dropped to the ground, her face buried between them.

“Help me, please!” she managed to let out between sobs.

The sound of footsteps approaching the door caught her attention.

“You brought a prisoner? How many times have I told you not to let outsiders into camp?”

A female voice said from outside the door.

“It was Vera’s idea, Grandma,” Leo said, shifting the blame to his sister.

Raya stared at the door, waiting patiently. On the other side was an elderly woman and one of the forest thieves from earlier.

“Oh dear. You poor thing,” the woman said.

“Water…”

That was the last thing Raya said before she passed out on the dungeon floor.

***

“She dared to lie in front of everyone, friends, family, guests, that I am the father of the bastard in her womb,” Arian was raging, throwing things from one end of the room to another.

“It's okay, Arian, she’s gone.” Queen Laura said.

“She's gone? He let out a psychotic laugh.

“I blame Father, for getting me married to that low-life omega in the first place. All this could have been avoided.”

“Do not talk like that about the king Arian. Do not blame your father.”

“You are right, mother. I blame you too.” His eyes were filled with tears now. Arian was a strong Alpha prince. He had never felt so vulnerable in his life. It was as if all the emotions he had bottled up came back in a thousand folds.

“Father didn't even let me grieve Lana before he got me married to her sister on the same day.”

“It was for the good of the family,” Laura defended.

“What good did it do for me?” Arian said as tears rolled down his cheeks.

Luna Laura just stood there, unable to defend herself.

“At least come and have dinner. You haven’t eaten anything since morning.”

“I'm not hungry. You may leave my room.”

One look at Arian, and Laura knew he was hurt. She quietly left without saying a word.

Arian lay on the bed quietly, sobbing. The smell of the feather pillow filled his nostrils. He got up in a heartbeat. He shouldn’t be lying on this bed. Raya’s scent was everywhere in the entire room. From her clothes in the closet to the furniture.

Angrily, he called out to the servants, but instead, Edward heard him and came rushing.

“Prince Arian, do you need something?”

“Yes, Edward. I want this room thoroughly cleaned, and all that Omega’s things burnt.”

“Alright, my Prince, I will see to it that all the things are moved out of your chamber.”

“Didn’t you hear what I just said? I order you to burn every single thing that opportunist has touched.”

“I will do exactly as you say.” Those were Edwards's last words before he wandered off to get help.

Arian had no business sleeping in this room ever again. If only he could get rid of everything Raya had touched in the house, he would.

Edward returned with a good number of servants, matching with the clothes, including the furniture. Arian stood outside and monitored everything. He watched them burn every single piece to the ground with a satisfied look on his face.

He dreads the day he got married to her. That closed the chapter of his fated mate in his life. He dared anyone to mention the name Raya in his presence.