Prologue

Prologue

As I gazed up at the sky, a smile formed on my lips upon noticing its beauty. Clad in my black cloak and holding onto the reins of my royal horse, I was prepared to depart from the kingdom where I had resided. I took great care to silently escape the palace and left a note to alleviate my brother's worries.

Although I knew he would find a way to locate me, being the Alpha King of our kingdom meant he would be preoccupied, and I intended to use that to my advantage. "Let's go now, Betty," I said to my horse, caressing her forehead. With a smile, I mounted Betty, and ahead of me lay hills and mountains, indicating that I had distanced myself from the Kingdom of Urzua.

"Yah!" I commanded Betty, and she swiftly galloped off. The wind blew forcefully as I savored the feeling of freedom. While the outcome of my departure held no certainties, it was what I desired for the time being – to distance myself from the kingdom I had left behind. I yearned to explore another world, the world of humans, specifically the city of Tyreese, which had always piqued my curiosity. You see, my world differed greatly from the realm of humans; I am not just an ordinary werewolf, but the younger sister of the Alpha King and a princess in the Urzua Kingdom.

I belonged to the royal family of werewolves, and because I was rebellious by nature, I utilized this to my advantage. Freedom was what I always craved, but my parents never allowed me to experience it, continuously confining me within our palace walls. That is why I became so defiant, a brat, a nuisance.

All I desired was freedom, yet they neglected my wishes. However, everything changed when my parents were killed by a neighboring kingdom. Regret washed over me for not treating them kindly while they were still alive, and from that moment, I harbored hatred for my own world. I no longer wished to be part of the werewolf community or live in such a forsaken world. I failed to comprehend why kingdoms needed to wage war against each other solely to gain power.

I couldn't fathom why my parents had to die in pursuit of this power. This entire system disgusted me, which further fueled my determination to carry out my plans and seek freedom away from the werewolves and my world. One of the motives behind my escape was my brother's insistence on finding my mate, the one destined for me by the Moon Goddess. He even arranged a marriage between me and the Alpha King of North Snow Kingdom, knowing that his previous wife had recently passed away. But I detested the idea; I did not want to be bound to something I wasn't ready for.

Though I have reached the appropriate age, I refused to be wedded without true love, merely due to some divine destiny. Upon reaching the border between the Tyreese and Werewolves Kingdom, marked by a massive river with a hanging bridge as the sole passage, I halted Betty. From this point onward, I was required to leave her behind. I knew my brother would inevitably find her, yet I was content with leaving her there. Disembarking from Betty, I stared at the daunting hanging bridge. It filled me with trepidation as if a strong gust of wind could send it toppling into the depths below.

Nonetheless, I needed to attempt crossing it before my brother discovered me in this place. I turned to Betty, tying her to a tree and leaving her some straw to eat, ensuring she would remain hidden from my brother's eyes. I secured her near a small pond, certain she would survive until he found her. I gently patted her head and kissed her cheek.

"I'm sorry, but I have to leave you here," I uttered sorrowfully. She looked at me, emitting a sound in response. I smiled and kissed her one final time before mustering the courage to face the hanging bridge and slowly making my way towards it. My heart raced as the wind blew, instilling fear within me. Damn! A single misstep could lead to a perilous fall into the vast river.

"You can do this, Elisaria. Show them you're more than just a pretty face," I encouraged myself. Taking a deep breath, I continued my journey, relieved when I finally reached the other side of the bridge. It felt like an eternity! I gazed at the expansive forest ahead, knowing that beyond it lay the bustling city of Tyreese, thanks to the knowledge acquired from old textbooks in our library. Glancing back at the hanging bridge, I caught sight of the distant tower of the Urzua Kingdom's palace.

"I apologize... but I must do this, Brother..." I whispered to myself. I am aware that my brother will be furious about my actions. I understand that he will tirelessly search for me, but my decision is final. I no longer want to reside in the Kingdom. I no longer want to exist in that world. If given the choice now... I would not have chosen to be a werewolf. I yearn to be human. The werewolf world suffocates me, while the human world offers salvation. With determination, I ventured into the forest.

Tyreese's forest, in comparison to Urzua's, felt darker and denser. Nervousness gripped me as I navigated through the unfamiliar territory. I constantly feared an attack, despite possessing fighting skills and the ability to call upon my wolf. However, I am not an expert, and I would surely perish if confronted in this place! Oh, how I wished one of my personal bodyguards from home accompanied me! After walking for nearly an hour, I realized I was nearing the edge, as peculiar sounds grew louder.

Hastening my pace, I failed to notice a trap laid on the ground. Terror filled me as a net ensnared and lifted me into the air. "What?!" I screamed, the sound echoing throughout the forest and startling the birds into flight. My heart raced as I surveyed my precarious situation. Looking down, I winced at the height from which I would fall if I managed to escape the net. It never occurred to me that this would happen!

Who could have placed this trap here? Did they not consider the danger it posed? I needed to devise a plan. While transforming into my wolf form would facilitate escape, it would be disastrous if a human discovered me in such a state. Therefore, shouting for help like a regular human became my only option.

"Can anyone hear me?! Please, help!" I shouted desperately, scanning my surroundings. Unfortunately, no one seemed to be present. Nevertheless, I was certain that someone inhabited this area.

Undoubtedly, the person responsible for this wretched trap was nearby! "Help! I'm stuck here!" I continued to shout in agony. Damn, my throat burned with pain! I had never screamed like this before in my life! My bodyguards were always ready to rescue me whenever I faced danger! However, I halted mid-sentence when I heard footsteps approaching.

My gaze darted around, searching for the source, until it rested upon a man. I blinked twice, questioning whether he was real or simply a figment of my imagination. Was this man truly standing before me, or was I hallucinating due to my perpetual lonesomeness?

He tilted his head, gazing up at me, and my heart quickened its pace as his pinkish lips transformed into a smirk. The wind tousled his blonde hair, and his eyes... oh, his eyes were green like the forest. Fuck... he was shirtless, revealing his well-defined muscles and glistening abs.

"Seems like I've caught something new today, huh?" he remarked, as I continued to process the existence of this breathtaking man who had appeared before me.