Betrayed By My Mate, Claimed By His Lycan King Uncle
Chapter 109: You are a walking disaster.

Chapter 109: You are a walking disaster.

The half-moon hung high in the sky, casting its pale silver glow across the vast training field of Dimitri’s manor. The silence of the night was broken only by the rustle of leaves, chirping of birds and the distant howl of wolves echoing from the forest. All the servants had long since retired to their quarters, leaving only Dimitri and Sorayah alone.

Sorayah crossed her arms, seated on the cool grass, her golden hair fell down over her shoulders as she let out a long, tired yawn. Her limbs ached from the day’s trials, and the chilly air did little to soothe her exhaustion.

"Just why are we here, Your Highness?" she asked, her voice tinged with irritation and fatigue. "I had a long, grueling day at the Alpha Emperor’s manor. I believe I’ve earned at least one night of proper rest before I’m summoned back there again tomorrow."

She glanced up at him, brows furrowed. "What is it that you need to say that cannot wait until morning?"

Dimitri didn’t respond right away. Instead, he continued arranging a variety of bows and arrows, his movements calm.

’Just what is wrong with him?’

"The Full Moon Hunt," he said at last, his voice low and deliberate, "is exactly three nights from now."

Of course I know that you bastard! Sorayah cursed inwardly as she let out a heavy sigh.

"Yes, I’ve heard," she muttered, rubbing her temples. "The entire manor’s buzzing with anticipation. Influential werewolves from all over will be attending....males and females alike. They’ll be hunting, obviously. Animals, perhaps even feral wolves. I overheard some servants whispering about it. Everyone seems rather excited."

She yawned again, louder this time, as if to make a point. "Is that what we’re out here to discuss?"

"There’s more to it than that," Dimitri replied, his lips curling into a faint smirk as he finally turned to face her. He walked over, his boots silent on the grass, and crouched before her until they locked gaze. "They hunt something else."

Sorayah’s expression remained indifferent, though she did tilt her head slightly in curiosity.

"And what else do they hunt?" she asked, raising a brow.

Dimitri leaned in just a fraction, his emerald eyes gleaming with unsettling amusement. "Humans," he said quietly.

The word hit her like a slap. Sorayah’s spine stiffened, and her breath caught in her throat. She stared at him, stunned, trying to determine whether this was some cruel joke.

"There are certain humans selected....men, women, even children," he continued calmly. "They’re released into the wild, where vicious beasts and feral wolves dwell. Influential families....noble, wealthy, powerful are given the honor of hunting them. It’s considered the most prestigious part of the Full Moon Hunt."

Sorayah’s mouth opened, but no words came out. Horror flashed across her face.

"The family that brings down the most animals receives gold and riches from the Alpha Emperor," Dimitri added. "But those who manage to kill even one human during the hunt are granted a rare privilege...they may make any request of the Emperor, and he is bound to grant it."

Her hands clenched at her sides.

Dimitri’s smirk widened slightly, though his eyes never left hers.

"While some servants are to be hunted." he went on. "Some servants are given a so-called chance to earn their freedom. They’re allowed to hunt as well....wild animals. But none of them ever make it out. They always die. Torn apart. Forgotten."

His voice dropped, dangerously soft.

"So tell me, Sorayah," he murmured, "how do you still sleep so peacefully at night, knowing you only have three days left before you’re tossed into that same wild forest?"

"What?" she whispered, startled. Her heart began to pound.

"You heard me," Dimitri said, standing tall once more. "You’ll be among those sent into the wild to hunt. To fight for your freedom since it’s not like you belonged to the palace from the onset or being paid to work there rather you’re under purnishment and could be free if you come out victorious from the wild."

Sorayah swallowed hard as she was short of words.

"You’re the twin sister of the Alpha Emperor’s beloved," Dimitri continued, tilting his head. "Or so you claim. Perhaps the Alpha Emperor has indeed arranged for guards to protect you from harm. But those same guards won’t let you hunt. They’ll keep you alive...yes....but useless. You won’t be able to catch a single thing. You’ll fail to win your freedom, and you’ll be forced to participate again next month... and the month after that."

"Fine it might not be the wish of the Alpha emperor to send you into the wild but who doesn’t know the rules. All those officials who were there when you refused to be the alpha emperor concubine because you’re carrying my child saw that you’re purnished. They know the stages of purnishment and also that you’ll be given a chance. If you don’t appear at the hunt, they’ll begin to talk again and that might actually lead to your death so the alpha emperor have no choice than to let you participate in the hunt. To prove if he made a mistake in punishing you, the purnishment given to you is too simple hence your death will confirm that or perhaps he shouldn’t have purnished you at all."Dimitri said with a bitter laugh.

"And let us not forget....the Luna Empress. You’ve earned her hatred already, haven’t you? Do you think she won’t have her own guards waiting in the wild? Ready to strike when no one is watching? If the Emperor’s men won’t kill you, hers surely will."

His eyes narrowed, growing darker.

"You are a walking disaster."

"What?! Walking disaster?!" Sorayah burst out, her voice ringing with offense and disbelief.

Dimitri didn’t flinch at her outburst. His gaze remained cool.

"You heard me. And just so you know, the full moon hunt is not just a grand tradition. It’s a stage....one drenched in blood and veiled in ritual. During that hunt, many use the opportunity to settle old grudges and eliminate threats under the guise of ceremony."

His voice dropped slightly, edged with warning.

"Traps are being set, Sorayah....not just for you, but for others who have enemies. And though security has supposedly improved, let me tell you the truth: assassins still roam freely, masked as nobles, warriors, or servants. If someone dies out there, it won’t be called murder. It will be labeled fate...the will of the Moon Goddess. "Those who die will be honored as sacrifices, and no one will question it."

Sorayah’s eyes widened slightly, but she remained silent as he continued.

"And these assassins?" Dimitri’s gaze sharpened. "They’re not fools. They’re trained, precise, and they leave no trace....no blood, no weapon, no clue. Only an idiot who’s desperate to die....and be accused of plotting against the emperor would hire a clumsy assassin who gets caught and names their employer."

Sorayah blinked at him. "This is crazy."

Dimitri gave a humorless chuckle. "Exactly. Which is why I’m saying this: you can’t rely on anyone’s protection. Not even me if you’re not willing to help yourself as I won’t even be present. Remember what happened in the forest when you were kidnapped under the Luna Empress’s orders?"

His jaw tensed, voice growing lower, darker.

"If I hadn’t arrived when I did, you’d be dead by now. Where are the lessons I gave you? The ones I drilled into you on the riverbank during the war? You had the potential, Sorayah. But you couldn’t take on even a hundred assassins alone."

"As if you defeated them either," Sorayah scoffed, rolling her eyes. "Didn’t we run away afterward?"

Dimitri raised a brow, a smirk slowly spreading across his face. "That run? It was planned." He tilted his head arrogantly. "If I wanted to kill them all, I would have. But I had other priorities. Liam....my right-hand man....handled them after we left. I allowed us to fall off that cliff and vanish for a while because I needed time with you. Time to talk, strategize, realign your focus."

He leaned forward, flicking her forehead with a sharp snap.

"Ow!" Sorayah winced, rubbing the sore spot. Her cheeks flushed, not from embarrassment....but fury.

"Don’t compare yourself to me," Dimitri said coolly, his emerald eyes glittering.

Straightening to his full height, he turned his back to her briefly before facing her again. His voice now carried the chill of command.

"Get up."

Sorayah stood reluctantly, her eyes narrowed into a glare, one hand still cradling her throbbing forehead.

"You’re lacking," Dimitri continued. "I’ll have to imbue you with some of my magical essence again....power strong enough to take on multiple assassins at once. You need it. If you go into the full moon hunt like this, you won’t make it back alive."

He then picked up a bow and arrow and threw it towards Sorayah.

Sorayah caught them mid-air with reflexes born of both training and instinct.

Dimitri’s lips curled into a faint smirk as he stepped back.

"Let’s see what you’ve got, Sorayah. "And don’t think of going to bed without knowing everything I’ll be teaching you tonight."