Chapter 13 Vivian's POV Get 5 > Menu We order food and talk about all sorts of things . Alpha Thorne is genuinely fun to be around , and I notice he's two years younger than Alpha Orion . As we get ready to leave , he promises he'll come to visit within the week . Alder smiles and tells him he'll be more than happy to receive him , and with that , we part ways . During the ride back , Alder breaks the silence , his voice cautious . " Don't let people know Alpha hasn't consummated the marriage , " he warns , and my temper flares instantly . Why the hell should I lie about getting some ? " Or else what ? " I snap , frustration tightening every word . " Alpha Thorne likes you , and there's some chemistry between you two , " he continues , calm but serious . " Alpha Orion won't like it , and he'll act mean toward you . He won't be able to trust you . Plus , the two families have unresolved issues . They're friends , sure , but trust ? Barely any . " I wonder what he means exactly , but knowing Alder , he won't volunteer extra information . I bite my tongue . " Mean ? " I ask , tone sharp , annoyed . " Do enlighten me - what's your definition of mean ? " Silence stretches between us for a moment . " I don't think Alpha Orion could be meaner than he already is , " I explode , voice shaking . " Forcing me into this marriage , humiliating me from the start , ordering me into celibacy , threatening me with death if I ran ... When I thought we were moving forward , he leaves without a word . No goodbye . Then he calls just to warn me not to mess things up and hangs up without a proper word . Today , we haven't spoken at all , and I'm sure he doesn't give a fuck . " My voice cracks , and I realize tears are slipping down my cheeks . Alder immediately pulls the jeep over . " It's okay , Viv , " he says gently , wrapping his arms around me . " It's not , Alder , " I sob , burying my face into his chest . " I can't handle this shit . It was so much easier when I didn't care about him . Why give me hope only to crush me like this ? " " Alpha Thorne is a good guy , " I continue , sniffing and crying , " and I want kindness , maybe even love . Marriage is hard , Alder , but this one is worse . Alpha Orion isn't my mate , and as it stands , I'll never have one . I'll never know the bond , the connection - but he has it . Isn't that cruel ? How am I supposed to live with this man under these conditions ? My wedding - supposed to be one of the best days of my life - was a disaster . My wedding night was hell . And now ... now my life just fucking sucks . I should be with my mate , living and loving , but instead I'm trapped here . Soon I'll be twenty , and I'm completely 14:35 5.49 % < Chapter 13 Get 5 > = Menu alone . My hormones are raging , and the asshole orders me into celibacy . It's too damn high a price to pay for a crime I never committed . " I cry harder into his chest . " Viv , please , " Alder pleads , holding me tighter . " He's your Alpha ; you'll always be on his side , " I mutter bitterly , pulling slightly back . " Please , Alder , " I demand , raising my head to look him in the eye . " Answer me honestly . Would you give the same advice if I were your sister or your child ? " He remains silent , and the weight of that pause presses on me . ' Alpha Orion is a great guy , ' he finally says , and I nod , swallowing hard . I pull away fully and wipe my tears . Alder waits a few moments before starting the jeep again . When we get back to the packhouse , I race to my room , curl up on the bed , and allow the tears to fall freely . My phone buzzes , and I leap at the sound , hoping desperately it's Alpha Orion . I unlock it , only to see a message from Thorne : " It was good to see you , beautiful . Will come and see you tomorrow . I'll try to talk to Alpha Orion to give you some freedom . An avid admirer of yours ; Thorne . " I frown , confused . How did this guy get my number ? I'm not exactly thrilled about his visit . I want a man , sure , but my needs have changed : I don't want just any man . I want Alpha Orion . At dawn , I head out on a hunt with Kova . We race through the forest , running until the sun rises . On the way back , I stumble across a dead wolf . My heart drops , and I sprint back to the packhouse to fetch Alder so he can help identify the body . Sadly , it's a pack member - Lucian , a kappa who had been on patrol . " Who would have done this ? " I ask Alder , horror tightening my chest . " Begrudged rogue wolves , " he replies , grim . I frown , confused . Why would rogue wolves target the settlement ? First me , now Lucian ... and surely there have been others before . " Why ? " I press again . " Not every pack loses gracefully like yours , " he explains . " That's why Alpha Orion began wiping out entire packs after defeating them . In the past , he usually spared them , but rogue attacks kept escalating . Most of the attackers came from defeated packs , so he started eliminating entire packs . Your pack was spared after defeat because of your father . He surrendered instead of trying to take over the pack . It touched Alpha Orion - an Alpha breed showing restraint instead of domination . " The conversation feels bitter and hollow . What counts as victory to them is a defeat to me - the very start of my problems . 14:35 5.43 % < Chapter 13 Get 5 Menu " By the way , I didn't see you during the clash . Where were you ? " Alder asks , and I hesitate , embarrassed . My instinct wants to lie , but I know it won't help . " My father forced me to hide , " I admit softly . Remembering that day , my chest tightens . It was the saddest day of my life . I look at Lucian's body , anger and sorrow mixing . He died because of Alpha Orion's cruelty . Wiping out packs just for disagreement is barbaric . Innocent wolves died . Families shattered . My freedom was stripped away . Remembering all of this , I feel foolish for letting any part of my heart wander toward a monster like Alpha Orion . I order them to bury Lucian properly . Then Alder and I scour the territory , searching for rogue scents that aren't native to the pack . The forest is thick with foreign markers , overwhelming my senses . I d on't know whether to stop the wolves from patrolling or double their strength . As a last resort , I decide to patrol at night with the kappas . I am no Alpha , but my strength comes close . 14:35 Title: Crown of Vengeance In "Crown of Vengeance" by CrushReel, delve into a gripping tale of betrayal and redemption. Unravel the intricate web of deceit as a woman's life is shattered by family secrets and a tragic twist of fate. Amid themes of revenge, family dynamics, and dark revelations, this ongoing drama unfolds within the walls of a mysterious mansion where past wrongs resurface to haunt the present. Discover the depths of human emotion as our protagonist navigates a world filled with deception and hidden agendas. What sets "Crown of Vengeance" apart is its nuanced exploration of complex relationships and the quest for justice in the face of overwhelming odds. Available to read at CrushReel, this story promises a riveting journey through the shadows of the past towards a future where truth may ultimately prevail.