Chapter 2

I had barely stepped out of the council hall when someone blocked my path.

Grant.

At his side stood Faye, her fragile Omega frame trembling like a startled fawn. Her eyes shimmered with tears, on the verge of collapse.

Grant’s voice was gentle, but carried the weight of command.

“Nina, Faye’s health is delicate. Your hot spring villa sits empty most of the time. Let her stay there for a few days.”

In my previous life, I would have hesitated. I would have softened.

But this time, my voice was cold.

“Impossible.”

Grant’s gaze darkened instantly.

“She’s my cousin—your future family. Can’t you make an exception?”

I laughed, sharp and mocking, and released the full force of my Alpha aura. Faye’s breath hitched as the pressure crushed her chest.

“Who said I ever intended to become family with you?”

Faye collapsed to her knees, sobbing pitifully.

“It’s my fault… I shouldn’t have hoped for kindness. The princess has never seen me as one of her own…”

I didn’t even bother to look at her. I turned and walked away.

But soon after, my phone rang.

“Princess! Grant and Faye forced their way into the hot spring villa! The Warriors are obeying his orders!”

In my past life, this was the moment I was outmaneuvered and humiliated.

Not this time.

I drove straight to the villa.

“Beta Grant ordered that no one is to—”

A Warrior reached out to block me.

Smack! My palm cracked across his face. My voice was a blade.

“I am the owner of this villa. You eat my food, yet you follow another’s command? Get out!”

I shoved the doors open. Steam from the hot spring curled into the air.

Faye lounged at the pool’s edge, her cheeks flushed with a sickly, delicate red.

“Grant, I feel faint…” she whispered. A moment later, she “slipped” into the water.

Grant leapt in instantly, lifting her into his arms. Water streamed down his jaw, dripping onto her pale shoulders.

The scene was staged, rehearsed to perfection.

“You’re not welcome here,” I said, my tone frigid.

Grant’s anger flared.

“Nina, do you have no compassion at all?”

Suddenly, Faye dropped to her knees before me. She smashed her forehead against the ground until blood streaked her face.

“It’s all my fault… Please, don’t hate me…”

Before the words even faded, she hurled herself back into the pool, shrieking—

“Help me!”

Grant caught her again, whirling on me with fury.

“Nina, you’ve gone too far!”

He shoved me hard.

I crashed into the pool, icy water cutting like knives. My arm slammed against the stone edge, searing pain shooting through me.

“If you hurt Faye again, I won’t marry you!”

Dripping wet, I clawed my way back out, my wolf eyes blazing. I turned to my aide, voice sharp as steel.

“Every last one of those who let them in—fire them.”

After changing into dry clothes, my aide burst into the room, breathless.

“Princess! We’ve found traces of Paul!”

My heart clenched tight.

That night, I drove alone toward the Red Belt border.

Rain lashed down in sheets, the mountain roads slick and treacherous. Headlights could barely cut through the suffocating dark.

Just as I stepped into the shadow of the border town, a pair of strong, calloused hands seized me—dragging me into a pitch-black alley.

A rough, burning palm clamped over my mouth.