Obsessed With The Wrong Bride

PROLOGUE ~Grimhowl Pack ~ Twenty Years Ago. Queen Luna Amara didn't look back as she ran. The night was dark and cold, but she didn't let it deter her. She needed to get there quickly. She needed to save her baby. While her feet rustled through the woods quickly, she clutched at the tiny baby in her arms, whilst still sore between her legs from the morning's birth. She had no care in the world that her hair was in disarray as she crossed the familiar gates of the Beta's residence until she got to the door. Heaving a deep sigh of temporal relief and without bothering to knock, she pushed the door open. They were the only ones who could save her now. The only ones with whom she could guarantee her child's safety. After all, Denise, the Beta's wife, and her very good friend had also put to bed...or should have. She'd gotten into labor at the same time the queen did. The familiar face of the Beta appeared in front of her as she stepped into the dimly lit room. From the look in his face, she could tell he was beyond shocked to see her there. "Q.... Queen Amara? What are you doing here?" The Beta asked as he peered beside her out the door in concern. The queen whipped her head back and quickly shut the door behind her with one hand. "I do not have much time." Her voice was desperate: "He would be here any minute." She said, clutching the child to her chest. Her gaze drifted to Denise, who, surprisingly, was still sitting on the mattress on the floor, and she could sense something was wrong immediately. Her tongue felt tied as her gaze shifted from her to the child swaddled beside her. Oh. Thank goodness. She did put to bed. "We lost her." The Beta's voice sounded from behind her, and she literally froze. "W...what?" Denise was openly sobbing. Now that she looked at her, she could see how swollen her cheeks were, and her eyes were all red. Oh no.... Queen Amara fell on her knees instantly, feeling her chest tighten at the scenario. She knew just how much they'd both anticipated this day. How much they'd looked forward to meeting their babies. Especially Denise, who'd been trying for years. The plan was simple. Queen Amara knew it was only a matter of time until her husband, the king, caught up with her. She intended to give the child to her friend, Denise, and then run into the woods. After all, no one knew if she delivered twins or not. The King could kill her for all she cared—having committed a treacherous "offense." Come what may, it wasn't her fault that she'd given in to her desires with another. She could still recall the day she saw 'him' for the first time. She'd known instantly. She was thrilled. But she was already married. The Grimhowl's Queen to King Conrad. But no one knew she was merely his chosen mate. She, especially, never expected a fated mate. Only that he was a Sangrith. An abomination to the werewolves. A union between them has never been heard of. Never happened. But even if it did, and worse, a child is born out of it, it's considered treason, and death is the ultimate punishment. What more from the queen herself? She knew the King would never let this go the moment he found out. She'd betrayed him, the pack. Ready to pay the price, but she'd be damned if she let anything happen to her child. Queen Amara forced her gaze back to her friend, the words of the Beta echoing in her ears. They lost the child? "I... I'm so sorry. I had no idea...how did this happen?" Denise couldn't speak; her shoulders shook rapidly as she fought to contain her sobs. "We had no idea. She just stopped breathing. There was nothing we could do." The Beta explained. It... was a girl, too. "Oh, dear..." The Beta finally crouched down and gently took the dead child from his wife, placing it on the bed beside them. And that was when she heard it. The sounds of the King's warriors approaching. No, no, no.... Her heart hammered in her chest, and her eyes widened in utter fear. They weren't supposed to find her here. Not now, at least. "Listen, Denise," her voice trembled, "I know this is bad timing. And I am extremely sorry for your loss. If I had known...I wouldn't have come here. But...right now you have to help me. Because I won't be living for much longer." Denise's sobs quieted, and she stared at the queen. The distraught look in her eyes was immediately replaced with newfound fear and worry. "The King will be here anytime soon," Queen Amara continued, her voice cracking as she held her child tightly. "I do not regret bringing her to the world. But I'd regret not letting her grow to be the woman she's meant to be." Denise's eyes widened. "W...what are you talking about--?" "Promise me, Denise. Promise you would take care of her. Keep her safe." With trembling hands, and after placing a kiss on her baby's forehead with tears dripping down her cheeks, she placed the child in Denise's arms. "Q...queen Amara, what are you doing? What is going on?" The Beta asked. "She's yours now. She'd have grown with a lovely sister by her side. But I believe the goddess has a reason for everything." Denise looked stunned, unable to form a coherent word, as she simply stared at the child in her arms in bewilderment. A thundering sound made them all flinch. They could hear the quick, determined footsteps of the king's guards almost out the door. She stood shakily, clutching the dead child in her arms, tears streaking down her face. Her body moved on instinct. With trembling fingers, she untucked the swaddling cloth from her daughter and carefully exchanged it with the one wrapped around the lifeless newborn. Her heart bled with guilt, but she forced herself to move quickly and gently. The child in her arms was gone... and it broke her. But her own daughter might still live—if she played this right. Just as she finished, heavy boots thundered right out the door. They were here. Her breath caught as the door slammed open. She clutched the swaddled bundle tightly to her chest and stared, heart pounding, as King Conrad strode in like a storm. His presence consumed the room. The fury in his eyes, the betrayal on his face—it was everything she dreaded. She could barely keep her legs from buckling, but she held firm. Behind her, she sensed the Beta and Denise stiffen, but her eyes never left the King’s. His gaze swept past them all, cold and assessing, and landed on her. "Please..." Her voice cracked, hoarse with panic. "You can do whatever you want with me, but... she’s not breathing. I need a healer." For a breath, there was silence. Then his lip curled. "That abomination doesn’t deserve to live," he spat. Amara's heart shattered. She stepped back as his guards entered behind him. One handed him a sword without a word, as if this had all been rehearsed. She clutched the child tighter, shielding her even now, though she was already gone. Her knees nearly gave out. "Please," she whispered again, eyes pleading. Her gaze flicked toward Denise in a silent plea. Please… keep her safe. Don’t let this be in vain. "I’m sorry, my child," she whispered, holding the dead child tight as she pressed a lingering kiss on its cold forehead, "Forgive me..." And then— In a flash and before anyone could register, the sword sliced through the air. The queen's head hit the ground with a thud before her body followed, blood splattering across the floor. The child tumbled from her arms. The Beta's wife screamed, almost lunging forward, but her husband caught her just in time. "Take care of that bastard, Beta Callan. Burn them if you must. I do not want any remnant of this abomination in my land." With that, he stepped out of the house, his guards in tow. Leaving behind the metallic scent of blood.