Mated to My Fiancé’s Alpha King Brother

< 77 Chapter 77

77 Chapter 77

Valerie's POV 13

The rogues draggedthrough the forest for what felt like hours, their claws digging into my arms whenever |

stumbled on the uneven ground. My designer heels had been abandoned somewhere in the first

mile, leaving my feet bloody and torn by roots and stones. The silk dress that had cost more than most

people made in a month was now little more than tattered rags clinging to my shivering frame.

But | was alive. That had to count for something.

The camp, when we finally reached it, was exactly what I'd expected from a pack of exiled criminals-a

collection of ramshackle shelters built from salvaged materials, scattered around a central fire pit where

something that might once have been an animal roasted on a makeshift spit. The smell of unwashed bodies

and rotting meat hung heavy in the air, making my stomach churn.

Dozens of yellow eyes watched our approach from the shadows. These weren't the civilized wolves of proper

pack society-these were predators in the truest sense, reduced to their most basic instincts by years of exile

and violence. Sstill wore the remnants of human clothing, while others had abandoned pretense entirely,

their bodies more beast than man.

At the center of it all, seated on what could generously be called a throne made from welded car parts and

animal bones, sat the Alpha.

He was massive—easily the largest wolf I'd ever seen, with shoulders broad enough to snap a normal man in

half. His dark hair was streaked with premature silver, and scars crisscrossed his chest and arms like a

roadmap of violence. But it was his eyes that truly marked him as dangerous-not the flat yellow of his

subordinates, but a deep amber that held an intelligence that was somehow more terrifying than mere animal

cunning.

When he smiled at my approach, revealing teeth filed to sharp points, my wolf whimpered and tried to retreat

deeper into my consciousness.

“So, he rumbled, his voice carrying easily across the camp and causing conversations to die mid-sentence. “This

is the little princess who claims to know the Alpha King’s secrets.”

The scarred rogue who'd capturedshovedforward, sendingstumbling to my knees in the dirt

15:49 @

<

77 Chapter 77

before the throne. “Found her at the border, Boss. Says she’s got information about Nightshadow that might

be useful.”

| struggled to my knees, acutely aware of how pathetic | must look-hair tangled, makeup smeared, clothes torn

and dirty. But I'd learned long ago that sometimes appearing weak was the key to getting what you

wanted from men.

“I know Damien Nightshadow,” | said, letting my voice tremble just the right amount. “I know his weaknesses.

| can help you.”

The rogue king laughed, a sound like steel scraping stone. “Attachments? The Alpha King cares for nothing

but power.”

“You're wrong,” | said, forcing myself to meet those terrifying black eyes. “He has a mate now. A little omega

bitch named Seraphina Knight.”

Something shifted in the rogue king's expression. | saw interest flicker in those dead eyes, and my pulse

quickened with hope.

Now | had his full attention. He leaned back on his throne, consideringwith the calculating look of a

predator sizing up prey.

“And what exactly do you propose to do with this... information?”

This was it. My moment. | forced myself to stand despite the pain in my knees, and took a step closer to his

throne. Several of the other rogues growled warningly, but their king held up a hand to stop them.

“I propose we help each other,” | said, letting a sultry note creep into my voice despite my fear. “You want to

bring down the Alpha King. | want revenge on the little bitch who ruined my life. We both have something the

other needs.”

He studiedfor a long moment, then suddenly stood. The sheer size of him was overwhelming-I barely came

up to his chest, and the raw power radiating from him made my wolf cower deep inside me.

“You think you can bargain with me, little princess?” he asked, circlingslowly like a predator toying with

wounded prey.

Before | could answer, his hand shot out and gripped my throat. Not hard enough to cut off my air, but firm

enough to make my helplessness crystal clear,

274

<

77 Chapter 77

“Letshow you exactly where you stand in my territory.”

What followed was the most humiliating hour of my life. He madekneel in the dirt while he and his pack

jeered at my attempts to maintain dignity. Madebeg for water like a common cur.

Finally, when the sun had nearly set and | was shaking with exhaustion and suppressed tears, he hauledto

my feet.

“Strip,” he commanded.

My blood turned to ice water. “What?”

“You heard me. If you want to be part of my pack, you need to prove your loyalty. And your... usefulness.”

| stared at him in horror. This wasn’t supposed to happen. | was supposed to be the one in control, using my

feminine wiles to manipulate him. But looking around at the circle of leering rogues, | realized how naive that

plan had been.

Still, | had nowhere else to go. Damien would huntdown if | tried to hide in civilized territory. This hellish

place was my only option.

With trembling fingers, | began to unbutton my torn blouse.

“Slower,” the rogue king commanded, settling back on his throne with obvious anticipation. “And make it...

entertaining.”

It took every ounce of willpower | possessed to force my body to move seductively instead of collapsing in tears.

But as | shed each piece of clothing, | reminded myself why | was doing this. Seraphina Knight had

taken everything from me-my status, my security, my future. If degrading myself was the price of revenge,

so be it.

When | stood naked before him, he beckonedcloser with one clawed finger,

“Now,” he said, his voice dropping to a dangerous whisper, “showexactly how badly you want my

protection.”

| closed my eyes and did what | had to do.

Hours later, as | lay bruised and trembling in the corner of his den, he spoke again.

15.49 0

374

<

77 Chapter 77

“You've got spirit, little princess. | like that in my women.” He ran a possessive hand down my spine, making