Betrayed By My Mate, Claimed By His Lycan King Uncle
Chapter 107: Crest moon pack.

Chapter 107: Crest moon pack.

A young man lay on the grassy riverbank, the cool water brushing gently against his bare feet. He was dressed in a simple white shirt and trousers, both slightly damp, as if he had been washed ashore. Three young women stood around him, their eyes filled with curiosity and amusement. One had flowing blonde hair, another possessed a head of vivid red curls, and the third had long, sleek raven-black locks. Warm smiles were plastered on all three of their faces as they gazed down at the unconscious stranger.

"Oh! He’s starting to wake up," the red-haired woman whispered excitedly, her eyes widening the moment the young man stirred. "How could he have ended up here? He has the scent of a werewolf on him, which means he is a werewolf."

"He’s going to be mine, though," the raven-haired woman declared possessively, crossing her arms under her chest. "You two are already married, so it’s only fair that this handsome man becomes my husband."

The blonde-haired woman giggled, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "And since when do we need to marry just one man? Even if he isn’t officially my husband, making him my concubine would be more than enough."

A groan escaped the young man’s lips as his eyes fluttered open. "Arrrgh..." he muttered, squinting against the sunlight. His expression quickly turned from discomfort to alarm as he sat up abruptly, clutching his aching head.

"Hi, handsome," the red-haired woman cooed flirtatiously, crouching down beside him. "You’re finally awake."

His gaze darted around in confusion before settling on her. "Who are you?" he asked, voice laced with fear. "Who... who am I?"

"I’m Nyla," the red-haired woman said with a warm smile, brushing a lock of hair behind her ear.

"And I’m Olivia," the raven-haired woman added, reaching out to gently touch his cheek. "You have a lovely face, you know."

"I’m Juliet," the blonde introduced herself brightly. "We’ve been waiting for you to wake up. What brought you here, though?"

The young man remained silent, staring at them blankly. Slowly, he began to push himself off the ground, wobbling slightly as he stood. His eyes scanned his surroundings, noting the distant sounds of traders calling out prices and sailors shouting across the river docks.

"Where... where am I?" he asked quietly, his voice trembling.

The three women rose as well, Juliet stepping forward to grab his right hand, while Olivia took his left without hesitation.

"You’re in the Crest Moon Pack," Juliet explained, her tone gentle but firm. "A land ruled by women, where men are expected to obey."

"Who are you, though?" Olivia asked, peering into his eyes as if trying to read his soul. "And what brought you to our shores?"

"I... I don’t know who I am," the young man whispered, bewildered. "I don’t remember anything."

"What?!" the three women cried in unison, their expressions shifting from curiosity to concern.

"Are you suffering from memory loss or something?" Juliet asked with a frown, releasing his hand. "Who doesn’t know their own name?"

Rhys....though he couldn’t yet recall that was his name groaned again, his right hand pressing firmly against his forehead as if trying to force the answers out. But instead of memories, all he felt was a sharp, pulsing pain that made him stumble.

"This is serious," Juliet muttered, the flirtation gone from her tone, replaced with genuine alarm. "We need to take him to the female leader immediately."

"To the leader?" Olivia repeated, her voice rising in panic. "Are you insane?! You know what she does to handsome men! She snatches them. Even if they’re married—she doesn’t care!"

Juliet scoffed. "We don’t even know who he is. What if he’s a criminal? You want to marry a man who doesn’t even know his own name? If the leader finds out we kept him from her, we’ll be punished...harshly."

Olivia hesitated, biting her lip, her possessiveness battling with reason.

Nyla, who had been quiet, finally spoke up. Her voice was soft, but her eyes were filled with reluctant acceptance. "She’s right. We can’t risk it. As much as I... want him... we don’t know anything about him. It’s better to take him to the leader and let her decide."

"Let’s go!" Olivia declared sharply, and without warning, she seized Rhys’s right hand. What had once been a soft, warm grip transformed into something akin to an iron clasp, sending a jolt of pain shooting up Rhys’s arm.

"Hey....!" Rhys tried to pull back, but before he could react, Nyla grabbed his left hand, her usually gentle touch replaced with a grip just as firm and unyielding.

"I said I’m not going anywhere!" Rhys shouted, twisting his body in protest. Panic surged through him as he struggled against their hold, but his words, like leaves in the wind, were completely ignored.

---

Meanwhile, far away in the heart of Lupien empire, Dimitri and Sorayah had returned to the Imperial Palace under the cover of twilight. They had deliberately chosen to return late, allowing Sorayah one final night of peace before the looming confrontation with Lupien.

The next morning, tension simmered in the air like a storm waiting to break.

Whispers had already begun circulating among the courtiers and guards....that Lupien had dispatched his most trusted secret guards to search for an insignificant slave girl. Just a rumor, perhaps. But in a place like the Imperial Palace, rumors had the power to evolve into truths, especially once they spread unchecked. If enough people believed them, it wouldn’t matter whether they were fact or fiction. The damage would be done.

If the rumors continued to fester, Lupien might not suffer much beyond mockery....but Sorayah? She would be executed, her death used to silence the gossip and preserve the emperor’s pride.

Now she stood before Lupien, head bowed low in submission, her heart hammering in her chest. She had been standing there for what felt like an eternity, and Lupien...silent for a while....had begun asking the same question again and again. Each time, his voice rose in frustration, and yet Sorayah remained guarded.

"Just why can’t you tell me the truth, Sorayah?!" Lupien’s voice cracked with anger, his tone laced with desperation. His piercing gaze bore into her as if trying to rip the truth from her soul. "Do you really think I wouldn’t punish the ones responsible?!"

Sorayah finally looked up, her expression calm but firm.

"What I don’t understand, Your Highness," she said quietly, "are the rumors being whispered across the palace."

Lupien narrowed his eyes. "What rumors?"

"Rumors that you’ve released your secret guards to search for a lowly maid like me," Sorayah said. "You claim you wanted to protect me, but such an act brings the opposite result. It only draws attention. If protection was truly your goal, why do something so reckless? Or... was your intention something else entirely? To harm me?"

Her words cut like a blade. The air went still.

Even Lupien’s personal eunuch, Mike, blanched at the accusation. His shock quickly turned to outrage.

"How dare you!" Mike bellowed, stepping forward with a raised hand. "How dare a mere maid speak to the Alpha Emperor in such a tone?! Are you tired of living....?!"

"That’s enough, Eunuch Mike," Lupien interrupted coldly, raising one hand to halt him mid-slap.

Lupien turned his attention back to Sorayah, his eyes shadowed with something between guilt and sorrow. "Yes... I was dumb, Sorayah. Foolish," he admitted, his voice quieter now, burdened. "When I heard of your disappearance, I panicked. I thought I was about to lose you the same way I lost Pearl... your twin sister. That fear clouded my judgment. I didn’t think of the consequences. I didn’t realize my actions might do more harm than good."

He let out a humorless chuckle, filled with bitter self-mockery. "So go on. Scold me, if you want. I deserve it."

Sorayah’s breath hitched slightly, but she didn’t let it show. Swallowing hard, she lifted her chin and met his gaze head-on.

"There’s no need," she said. "I’ve handled worse. I escaped from my captors on my own. I survived. You don’t have to worry about me, Your Highness."

"You don’t want me involved at all?" Lupien asked, narrowing his eyes slightly.

"No," she answered. "Not if your involvement endangers me further."

Her calm defiance stunned the room. Even Mike had no response.

Lupien sat back in his throne, a small, intrigued smirk playing at the corner of his lips. "Very well then. How do you plan to deal with those who tried to harm you? I would love to hear this brilliant strategy of yours."

He leaned forward slightly, resting his chin on his fist. "And just so you know, your answer will determine whether I allow you to join me on the upcoming Full Moon Hunt. The Beta Lords usually skip it, but since you’re now one of my servants now, you’ll be expected to attend. It’s tradition. I slay beasts... you watch. It’ll be fun."

Sorayah’s heart sank. The last thing she wanted was to parade through the hunting grounds like a trophy or a curious spectator.

"I haven’t come up with a plan yet," she admitted after a pause. "But that doesn’t mean I’m incapable of defending myself. I’m still standing. I made it back. That should count for something."

She hesitated, then added with quiet defiance, "But I’ll pass on the hunting excursion, Your Highness. I’d rather remain here in the palace and think of a plan to capture my kidnappers."

The amused smile vanished from Lupien’s face.

"Then it seems you still have much to learn, Sorayah," he said, voice suddenly sharp, commanding. "You are coming with me to the hunt. If you want me to believe you can take care of yourself, then show me. Out there. In the wild."

Search the lightnovelworld.cc website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.