In a world where werewolves reign supreme, 18-year-old Madeleine has always been taught to fear and despise them. But when she discovers that she is the long-awaited mate of Alpha King Vlad, a notorious and powerful leader feared by all, her entire world is turned upside down. As she tries to resist his possessive and obsessive nature, Madeleine finds herself drawn to Vlad's dark and mysterious aura. But as she delves deeper into his world, she realizes that there are dangerous secrets lurking beneath the surface, and her life may be in more danger than she ever imagined. Caught in a deadly game of power and politics, Madeleine must navigate the treacherous waters of the werewolf kingdom, facing deadly enemies and impossible choices. Will she be able to break free from Vlad's hold and reclaim her independence, or will she succumb to the intoxicating power of his love?
Chapter 1 1
Year 3050
I couldn't believe it. I was standing outside the grand castle, the palace of Alpha Vladimir, the ruthless king of werewolves. And I was there because I had to attend his mate-finding party. I didn't want to be there, but I had no choice. Every year, all the girls above eighteen had to come to the party, and the king would choose his mate from one of them.
I had never seen Alpha Vladimir before, but I had heard enough about him. He was notorious for his unimaginable power, his ruthlessness, and his crimes against humans. The world was mostly ruled by werewolves now, and Alpha Vladimir was the king of all werewolves.
I couldn't understand why I had to be there. I passionately hated the werewolf king for his injustice to humans, and I wanted nothing to do with him or his party. But my parents had insisted that I attend. They thought that it would be an honor to be chosen as the mate of the king. They were wrong. It was a nightmare.
The air was chilly, but my red dress was enough to keep me warm. It was the only dress I had that was remotely formal, and it had been a gift from my aunt last Christmas.
The dress hugged my curves in all the right places, and the high heels gave me an extra boost of confidence. But I still felt out of place, like a lamb walking into a den of wolves.
As I walked towards the entrance of the grand hall, I couldn't help but overhear some conversations from the other girls who were attending the party.
"I heard Alpha Vladimir likes his women to be submissive," one girl whispered to her friend.
"Ugh, I don't want to be his mate. I heard he's so old and wrinkly," another girl said with a disgusted look on her face.
I rolled my eyes at their words. I had no intention of becoming anyone's mate, let alone a werewolf's.
I stepped inside the hall, and my eyes widened at the grandeur of it all. The room was filled with chandeliers, and the walls were lined with portraits of previous Alphas. The air was thick with the smell of musk, and I knew that the werewolves were nearby.
As I made my way towards the crowd, I noticed a man standing in the corner, watching me with an amused expression. He was tall, with broad shoulders and a muscular build. His dark hair was styled neatly, and his piercing blue eyes were focused on me.
He wore a black suit that hugged his frame, and his sharp jawline was covered with a light stubble. He had a dangerous aura about him, and I couldn't help but feel drawn to him.
I shook my head, trying to push away the strange feeling. I had no time for a man, let alone a werewolf.
As I made my way through the crowd, I talked to some of the other guests, trying to keep my nerves at bay. I didn't want to be there, but I knew I had to make an appearance.
Suddenly, I felt a tap on my shoulder, and I turned to see the man from earlier standing behind me.
"Hello there," he said in a deep, assertive voice. "I don't think we've met yet. I'm Alexander."
I couldn't help but notice his scent, it was musky and woodsy, like a forest after the rain.
"Madeleine," I replied, trying to keep my voice steady.
He smirked at me, and I felt my cheeks flush. "You look lovely tonight, Madeleine. That dress suits you."
I looked down at my dress, suddenly feeling self-conscious. "Thank you," I murmured.
He looked at me for a moment, his blue eyes boring into mine. "You're different from the other girls here. I like that."
I raised an eyebrow at him, suddenly feeling wary. "What do you mean?"
He chuckled, a low and deep sound that made my stomach flip. "You're not afraid to speak your mind. That's rare around here."
I opened my mouth to reply, but suddenly, a loud noise interrupted us. Alpha Vladimir had entered the room.
The crowd around us shifted, and I couldn't see the Alpha, but I could feel his presence. It was like a storm cloud had descended on the room.
Suddenly, I felt a hand on my waist, and I turned to see Alexander standing beside me, a sly smile on his lips.
"Shall we go greet the Alpha?" he asked, his eyes glittering with mischief.
I didn't want to, but I knew I had no choice. I nodded, and he led me towards the center of the room where Alpha Vladimir was standing, surrounded by his pack.
As we approached him, I couldn't help but feel a sense of awe. He was tall, even taller than Alexander, with broad shoulders and a muscular build. His hair was a deep shade of black, and his piercing green eyes scanned the room, as if searching for something.
He wore a dark suit that fitted him perfectly, and his sharp jawline was covered with a well-groomed beard. He had an air of confidence about him, like he knew he was the most powerful being in the room.
Alexander bowed his head as we reached the Alpha. "Your Majesty, may I introduce you to Madeleine?"
As he looked at me, his eyes seemed to turn even darker, and I could feel his gaze piercing through me. Suddenly, the whole room grew silent, and I could feel the tension in the air.
I glanced around, and everyone in the ballroom was stiff, their eyes glued to the Alpha. They all knew what was happening, but no one dared to speak a word.
I felt a chill run down my spine, and I couldn't understand what was going on. Why was everyone so afraid of him? And why did his gaze make me feel so uneasy?
"Hello, Madeleine," he said in a deep, velvety voice. "It's a pleasure to finally meet you."
I forced a smile, trying to hide the fear that was creeping up inside of me. "Likewise, Your Majesty."
Alpha Vladimir seemed to notice my discomfort, and he tilted his head slightly. "Is everything alright, Madeleine?" he asked in a low voice.
I swallowed hard, trying to steady my nerves. "Y-yes, Your Majesty. Everything is fine."
He nodded slowly, and the tension in the room seemed to ease slightly. "Good," he said, his voice deep and commanding. "Enjoy the party."
The Alpha's gaze lingered on me for a moment longer before he turned his attention back to Alexander. "Thank you for introducing us, Alexander. I hope you're enjoying the party?"
"Of course, Your Majesty. It's always a pleasure to attend your gatherings," Alexander replied with a polite smile.
The Alpha nodded, and his eyes flickered back to me. "I'll be sure to catch up with you later, Alexander. I have some business to attend to."
With that, he turned and strode away, his pack following him like obedient dogs.
As he turned away from me, I could feel my heart pounding in my chest. I didn't understand what had just happened, but I knew one thing for sure - there was something different about Alpha Vladimir, and I had a feeling that it would change my life forever.