FOREVER TIED TO THE LYCAN I LOVED TO HATE

Georgia's POV

I stood frozen, my eyes fixed on the black lace panty in my hand.

Benjamin's suit jacket lay on the bed and I had been arranging it for our anniversary dinner but now, my world was crumbling, I just stood in shock as tears streamed down my eyes.

I just found another woman's pants in my husband's pocket on our anniversary dinner.

"Benjamin! What is a woman's thong doing in your suit pocket?" I demanded, my voice trembling.

Benjamin stepped out of the bathroom, a towel wrapped around his waist. "What’s wrong, love? I heard you scream."

I held up the panty. "This! How did it get in your suit pocket? So you've been cheating on me, Benjamin! Six years of loyalty, and this is what I get ? Infidelity? Why would you do this to me?”

Benjamin's face turned calm. "Oh, that? It must have been a mixup from the laundry service."

I narrowed my eyes. "A mixup? Do I look like a fool to you? How can you call this a mistake? Benjamin, your suit smells like a woman's cologne!"

Benjamin shrugged. "These things happen. If you think I'm lying, go ahead and call the laundry company to file a complaint. How can you accuse me of cheating, you don’t even trust me? I'm disappointed in you, Georgia!”

"Benjamin, that's not what—" but he slammed the door in my face, leaving me bewildered.

At the Alpha's ball, I couldn't shake the feeling of dread. My best friend, Zoe, picked up on my unease.

"What's wrong? You've been acting strange, and everyone is starting to notice," she said, pulling me into a corner of the hall.

I leaned closer, whispering, "I found a woman's panty in Benjamin's suit pocket. He says it was just a laundry mixup."

Zoe's eyes went wide, but before she could say anything, a woman entered the hall, holding a young boy's hand. She approached Benjamin on stage and snatched the microphone from him.

What is happening? I was about to call the beta to deal with the disrespect and have her thrown out when she began to speak.

"Hello, everyone," Julia said, her voice steady. "I'm Julia Henchet, Alpha Benjamin's secret wife. We have a child together, and I'm done hiding."

Benjamin's face flushed with anger. He tried to take the mic back from Julia, but she held on firmly.

"Let me finish!" Julia shouted, her voice resonating throughout the hall.

"Benjamin and I have been together for four years. He told me he was tired of his wife, that she was disgusting and couldn't give him children. He promised to leave her for me, but it's been four years now, and I'm exhausted. I'm here to claim my place as Luna."

The room erupted into chaos. I felt as if I had been punched in the stomach; this had to be a nightmare. Someone, please wake me up!

My wolf growled with jealousy, and without thinking, I kicked off my shoes and charged at Benjamin, tears streaming down my face.

"How could you, Benjamin? How could you do this to me?"

I slapped him, and he pleaded for forgiveness. I grabbed his shirt, ripping it apart.

"You're cheating on me? After everything I've done for you? I picked you from the gutters, you foolish rogue, made you Alpha, even gave you my kidney when you were sick. And this is how you repay me?"

Benjamin's face contorted with rage. “I need a mate who can provide me with an heir, not a barren wife!”

I repeated his words over and over until I picked up the knife from the table, ready to strike. But Julia stepped in, shoving me away.

“Don’t you dare touch my man! I’m a very possessive shewolf, and he belongs to me now!”

We clashed, fighting and screaming. The little boy cried, begging me to leave his mom alone. “Leave my mommy! Stop pulling mommy’s hair, daddy do something!”

Hearing the child call my mate "daddy" and knowing I would never have children of my own again fueled my rage, and I began to hit her harder and harder.

“So you think you can just waltz in here and take my mate from me, huh?”

Punch.

“Do you have any idea of the sacrifices I've made for him?”

Punch.

“By the time I'm finished with you, you won't even recognize your own face.”

Punch.

But tragically, the last punch struck the child’s head. He fell, hitting his head on the floor, and then he stopped breathing.

I trembled as I scrambled off Julia's body, desperate to explain. "I didn't mean to... I'm so sorry."

But Benjamin turned away from me, his eyes filled with disgust.

"You're a murderer, Georgia! You killed my son! Your jealousy and rage has consumed you! You're a monster Georgia, I hate you so much! I reject you, Georgia Phillips, as my mate and Luna!”

Julia picked up the knife, her eyes blazing with fury, and before I could react, she plunged the knife into my chest, stabbing me repeatedly.

I felt my body growing cold, my heart slowing as Julia's knife continued to pierce my skin again and again.

The sound of my own laboured breathing was the last thing I heard before everything went dark.

Georgia's POV

I slowly opened my eyes, my mind foggy as I tried to make sense of my surroundings.

The room was a blur of white, with a hint of disinfectant lingering in the air.

A soft beeping sound from a nearby machine filled the silence, and a persistent ache throbbed in my chest.

"Thank God you're awake!" Zoe exclaimed, her voice trembling with relief. "Can you hear me, Georgia?"

I turned my head, and Zoe's anxious face came into focus. Her eyes were puffy, and her complexion looked drained, as if she hadn't slept in weeks.

"Zoe?" My voice came out raspy and weak. "What... What happened? Am I still alive? I thought I was dead!"

Tears brimmed in Zoe's eyes. "You've been in a coma for three months, Georgia. I thought I'd lost you!"

As I scanned the room, my gaze fell on the IV pole next to my bed, the clear tube running into my arm.

Memories of Benjamin's betrayal flooded back, and I felt a wave of anger wash over me.

"What about Benjamin?" I demanded, my voice shaking with rage. "Please tell me that monster isn't still out there after everything he did!"

Zoe's expression turned somber. "Sadly, he is. He married Julia, his mistress, and the child survived; he only fainted that day."

My eyes narrowed, my mind racing with thoughts of revenge.

But before I could respond, the door swung open, and Theophilus Rylan, the ruthless Lycan king of the Nightshade pack, strode into the room.

His intense gaze met mine, sending a chill racing down my spine. "Georgia," he said, his voice deep and authoritative. "I see you're awake. How are you feeling?"

Zoe immediately lowered her head in respect, which left me bewildered. "Zoe, why are you bowing to him? Why are you showing respect to the enemy?" I demanded, my anger bubbling over.

Zoe's eyes flicked nervously between Theophilus and me before she spoke. "Alpha Theophilus saved your life, Georgia. Benjamin was going to... he was going to burn your body because we all thought you were gone, but— while I was pleading, Alpha Theophilus showed up."

I turned my gaze back to Theophilus Rylan, fury igniting within me.

This man, this monster, was responsible for my parents' deaths. I would never forgive him.

"Listen, you monster!" I shouted, my voice quaking with rage. "I don't care if you saved my life; I want you to leave! Just leave me alone!"

Theophilus Rylan remained calm, yet a spark of mischief danced in his eyes. "You can't chase me away, Georgia. This is my pack, and you are my mate."

I squinted, bewildered. "Mate? What are you saying?"

A voice echoed in my mind, my wolf's voice, bubbling with excitement. "We have our second chance mate! We have our second chance mate! Theophilus is our mate!"

I shook my head, attempting to dispel the confusion. "No, this can't be true. You're a killer. You took my parents' lives. I can't be bonded to you!" I shouted in fury, ripping the IV from my wound, blood seeping from the injury.

Theophilus Rylan's expression hardened. "I am not a killer, Georgia. Your parents broke the law, and they faced the consequences."

I let out a harsh laugh, tinged with bitterness. "You think I'll buy that? You're just trying to rationalize what you did."

Theophilus Rylan's gaze bore into mine, fierce and unwavering. "You don't know the whole story, Georgia. Until you do, reserve your judgment."

I shot him a furious look, my heart racing with rage. "The truth doesn't matter to me. What matters is this: you are not my mate, and I reject—"

But his next words froze me in place. "You bear my mark, Georgia! I'm stronger than you, a Lycan, and as you know, wolves cannot reject Lycans without facing death!"

"No! I hate you! You can't be my mate! This is all wrong! You had no right to mark me without my consent!" I shouted, my voice echoing through the room.

Theophilus Rylan's expression turned calm, his voice dropping to a whisper.

"Just give me one year, Georgia. Be with me for a year, and let me show you that I'm not the person you think I am. If you still don't love me after that, you can reject me then."

I glared at him, my heart seething with anger.

"Let me reject you right now!" I spat, my voice venomous. "Why would I ever fall for you after a year?"

Theophilus Rylan's gaze never wavered. "Because I want to help you get revenge. You don't deserve what Benjamin did to you."

My eyes narrowed, my mind racing with skepticism. "What do you know about Benjamin?"

Theophilus Rylan's voice dropped to a whisper. "I was there in the hospital that day, Georgia—"

"What— are you saying?" I stammered, my breath catching in my throat.

Theophilus Rylan's words sent a shiver down my spine.

"I was in the hospital on the day of your IVF insemination. I had a checkup and overheard Benjamin talking to the doctor."

My heart skipped a beat. "What did you hear?"

Theophilus Rylan's eyes locked onto mine. "To you, Julia is just Benjamin's mistress, but she was also your surrogate."

I felt like I'd been punched in the gut. "W—What do you mean?"

Theophilus Rylan's voice was barely above a whisper. "The child that Julia says is hers—is yours."

Georgia's POV

I stood there, paralyzed, my eyes fixed on the elder's lips as he spoke the words that would determine my destiny.

"Georgia, do you accept Theophilus Rylan as your mate and Alpha, pledging to love and honor him until death?"

Did I really have a choice?

Whether I said yes or no wouldn’t alter the reality that this union was a farce, a snare.

Theophilus had claimed it would be a oneyear marriage, but that year loomed ahead like an endless stretch of time.

“Yes, I do,” I replied, and the crowd erupted in cheers. Theophilus beamed, his eyes sparkling with enthusiasm.

Once I exact my revenge on Benjamin, Theophilus would be next for the role he played in my parents' deaths.

I didn’t trust him at all; his motives for aiding me were a mystery, especially since he was supposed to hate me.

I wouldn’t hesitate to take him down before he could turn the tables on me.

“Alpha Theophilus Rylan, do you take Georgia Lector as your mate and Luna, pledging to love and protect her until death?”

“Yes, I do.”

The atmosphere was thick with tension, the fragrance of blooming flowers mingling with the soft murmur of chants, creating an almost dreamlike setting.

I nodded, my heart heavy with the knowledge that I was ensnared.

I felt no affection for Theophilus; in truth, I could barely stand him. But I needed his power and position to fulfill my quest for vengeance.

“With the authority granted to me as the first elder of this pack, I declare you husband and wife. You may now present your rings before the initiations,” the elder announced, and the crowd cheered once more.

Just as we were about to exchange rings, chaos erupted at the edge of the clearing.

Benjamin charged in, his face wild and his hair a disheveled mess.

"Stop! You can't go through with this, Georgia!" he shouted, pushing his way through the throng.

Theophilus growled, rage flashing in his eyes. "Benjamin, do you have any idea whose pack this is? You're ruining my mating ceremony! Guards, seize him!”

Benjamin paid him no mind, his focus solely on me as he fought with the guards.

"Georgia, you need to listen! I know you hate me but please, Theophilus is manipulating you! He's been around for centuries and has made a deal with a demon to prolong his life. You're the key to his survival! He's going to kill you, just like he did your parents!"

A wave of confusion washed over me, my thoughts spiraling with the weight of his words. What was Benjamin saying?

Theophilus snarled, his teeth bared in rage. "You're nothing but a fool! Is this the best you can do? Gosh, I even thought you were smart. So, you really got nerves huh? I'll make you pay, Benjamin, and I'll tear you apart!"

The guards moved in to subdue Benjamin, but he fought against them fiercely.

"Georgia, don't trust him! He's just using you! Use your head! You're his next target, I know you don't want to die, but you'll have to kill him first! Grab the sword of authority from the table and stab him! You've always wanted revenge for what he did to your parents! You don't have time! Do it now before it's too late!”

My heart racing wildly, I seized the sword, feeling its reassuring weight in my grip. Theophilus's gaze was fixed on mine, his demeanor calm and soothing.

"Don't let him get to you, Georgia. He's just trying to mess with your head. How would you believe a man who betrayed you over a man who is trying to save you? He is just exploiting your vulnerability, don't pay him any heed”

But I was already in motion, my wolf's instincts roaring a warning in my mind. I lifted the sword, and with a swift motion, I drove it into Theophilus's chest.

His blood splattered across the pristine fabric of his suit, and he staggered back, gasping for breath. "No...Georgia...why?" Theophilus murmured, his eyes brimming with betrayal.

I stood there, frozen, the sword still embedded in him. "I don't love you," I hissed. "I don't want you. You're a vile monster!"

Suddenly, the pack warriors rushed forward, grabbing my arms and forcing me to the ground. I fought against their grip, but they overpowered me effortlessly.

As the pack members began hurling objects at me for killing their Alpha, Benjamin's voice rang out across the clearing, filled with mockery and triumph.

"Since you decided to show your stupid face in my life again! I manipulated you to take a life with your own hands. Enjoy your time in prison for the rest of your wretched existence for killing a Lycan."

The roar of his car speeding off was the final sound I registered before the guards seized me, tossing me into a cold, shadowy cell.

Georgia's POV

I sank against the frigid, damp wall of my cell, tears welling in my eyes.

How could I have been so foolish?

I thought I had finally discovered a way to exact my revenge, only to realize I was merely a pawn in Benjamin's scheme.

“Benjamin! If I ever get my hands on you, I swear I’ll make you pay! I’ll destroy you for everything you’ve done to me!”

I shouted through my tears, pounding my fists against the wall.

Two weeks had passed in this hell, the worst of my life. I had endured suffering on every level.

From hunger to relentless beatings and grueling labor, was this to be my existence until my last breath?

I buried my face in my hands, sobbing uncontrollably.

"Moon goddess, forgive me," I murmured, my voice trembling with regret.

"I let my thirst for vengeance blind me. Please, grant me another chance to set things right.”

Just as I completed my plea, the sound of footsteps echoed outside my cell.

The guards appeared, their expressions cold and unyielding.

“Get up, prisoner!" one of them barked, seizing my arm and dragging me from the cell.

I stumbled, my bare feet scraping against the floor, my body weak from days of confinement.

"Where are you taking me?" I cried out, but they paid no heed, pulling me through the twisting hallways of the pack's headquarters.

“Please, just let me go! Don’t kill me! Someone, help me!”

We finally reached a grand, ornate door that swung open to reveal a lavish room adorned with luxurious furnishings.

At the far end, a regal woman with striking green eyes and silver hair sat on a thronelike chair, her gaze fixed on me with disdain.

The guards shoved me forward, and I fell to my knees before her.

She raised her hand, and I braced myself for a blow.

Instead, she struck me hard across the face, the force of the slap sending me crashing to the ground.

"You're the fool who attempted to take my son's life," she hissed, her tone dripping with venom.

"You're fortunate he survived, or you'd be facing a fate far worse than death! You absolute moron!”

“Please— I was misled, I beg you— have mercy! If you just let me explain, you'll see that I never intended for this to happen. I was just overwhelmed with anger, I—”

“Silence, you foolish idiot! By the time I’m done with you, you’ll be begging for death! You tried to kill my only son! You turned him into a joke among the lowerranking Alphas, and worst of all, you caused him immense suffering, all for what? Just because he was trying to be kind to you?”

I shrank back, shielding my head with my hands as her blows fell upon me like a relentless storm.

“Please forgive me— I swear it won’t happen again,” I sobbed.

“Of course it won’t happen again, because today marks your last day on this earth, and soon you’ll be greeting your wretched parents in hell!”

But just as abruptly as it had started, the assault ceased.

I looked up, tears streaming down my cheeks, to find Theophilus standing in the doorway, a bandage wrapped around his midsection.

His gaze locked onto mine, and I felt a surge of shock.

"Mother, don’t you dare touch my mate!” he growled, his voice filled with fury.

His mother’s face flushed with anger.

"Have you lost your mind, Theophilus? She tried to kill you! She claimed she didn’t love you on your wedding day, and now you’re defending her? She’s the reason for your suffering, the reason you nearly died! Let me handle her, please—”

Theophilus’s demeanor remained composed, but his eyes sparked with a warning.

"Don’t concern yourself with me, Mother. I can manage my own affairs. Please, let this be the last time you meddle in my marriage. Excuse me, Mother.”

He turned to me, his expression softening. "Georgia, come with me.”

I managed to get back on my feet, every part of me protesting from the recent ordeal.

Yet, I trailed behind Theophilus, uncertain of what awaited us.

We made our way to his room in silence, the air thick with unspoken words.

Once we reached our destination, I couldn't hold back the flood of tears, emotions crashing over me like waves.

"I'm so sorry, Theophilus," I cried, my voice trembling.

"I was led astray. I never intended to hurt you. That’s not who I am. If it means atonement, I wouldn’t mind if you had to kill me or offer me to your demon. Just please, find it in your heart to forgive me!”

Theophilus's face was serious, but there was no trace of anger in his eyes—only a deep sadness.

"It's alright, Georgia," he replied softly. "We can discuss this later. For now, take a moment to gather yourself. The Omegas will bring you some food; we still have our revenge plan to finalize.”

Georgia's POV

I was still trying to process the whirlwind of the last few hours.

One moment, I was staring down the barrel of death, and the next, Theophilus was standing up for me against his own mother.

It was all too much to comprehend.

As I struggled to make sense of it, I heard a familiar voice call out from behind me. "Georgia!"

I turned to see my best friend, Zoe, sprinting toward me, her face lit up with a radiant smile.

We embraced tightly, both of us with tears in our eyes.

"I’ve missed you so much," Zoe murmured, pulling back to look at me.

"I was terrified for you. I convinced Theophilus to see the good in you and pleaded for your freedom. He believes you have a good heart. I swear, Benjamin needs to pay for what he did! How dare he think he can hurt you and walk away unscathed!”

I was still expressing my gratitude to Zoe when a guard stepped in.

"The Alpha requests your presence in his meeting room."

We followed the guard to the meeting room, where Theophilus was already waiting for us.

He gestured for us to sit and offered us drinks, but my nerves kept me from touching anything.

The atmosphere was thick with tension, and I couldn’t shake the feeling of uncertainty about what Theophilus had in store. Finally, I broke the silence.

"Why are you being so kind to me?" I asked Theophilus, my voice barely audible.

He smiled, the corners of his eyes crinkling with warmth.

"You're my mate, Georgia. I made a vow to you at the altar, and I intend to honor it. We exchanged our promises, and I’m not one to go back on my word."

His words sent a flutter through my chest, but I quickly pushed it aside. I had too many unanswered questions.

"But why are you helping me? Don’t pretend you don’t understand why I’m asking. I despise dishonesty. You’re not supposed to care for me; I’ve hurt you, taken your kindness for granted—I nearly caused your death, and you survived by mere chance. Why are you doing all this?” I asked, my voice trembling.

"You took my parents from me. We should be enemies!"

Theophilus's demeanor shifted, his gaze becoming serious as he leaned closer.

"Georgia, you have it all wrong. I didn’t kill your parents; they were the ones who harmed my family. Their deaths were the result of a tragic misunderstanding. They were in business with my parents and sent hitmen after my father. I despised them for that."

It felt as if the wind had been knocked out of me. "What? My parents were good people! They would never do something like that!"

Theophilus's tone remained calm and soothing.

"Your parents aimed to eliminate me as well, Georgia. They were after the company documents and would stop at nothing to obtain them. But fate intervened, and the bullet struck your father instead. Your mother... she couldn’t cope with the grief and took her own life."

I was left in shock, unable to find my voice. It was as if my entire world had been built on a lie, directing my anger at Theophilus for something he hadn’t done.

"Is this really true? But— my father's men said your pack sent the assassins," I murmured, tears streaming down my cheeks.

"I feel so naive for hating you all this time. I don’t even know how to process this — why?"

Theophilus's expression softened further, and he gently brushed away my tears.

"There's no need to apologize, Georgia. We can’t alter what’s happened, but we can choose how to move forward. If you want proof, I can show you everything I have about your family; it’s in my study. But honestly, I believe we shouldn’t let our families’ pasts dictate our future. They’ve lived their lives; now it’s our turn to focus on the present and seek revenge on Benjamin."

At that moment, Zoe chimed in, a playful sparkle in her eyes.

"I’ve been looking into Benjamin’s finances, and let’s just say he’s been involved in some shady activities."

My interest piqued, and I leaned in closer, eager to learn more.

Zoe pressed on, "Thanks to my friend who’s employed at the company, I managed to break into Benjamin's account. And you won't believe it—he's been diverting company funds into a joint account with Julia."

My fury erupted, and I pounded my fist on the table. "That monster! He’s been sabotaging everything I’ve worked for! This company is my lifeblood, and Benjamin thinks he can destroy my legacy? I’ll make him pay!”

Theophilus's demeanor shifted to icy resolve as he rose, his eyes blazing with intensity.

"Now is not the moment for fingerpointing, Georgia. It’s time to take action. And that begins right now.”