The Rejected Bride of the Alpha Prince.

The night was dense in Neuschwanstein, Bavaria, Germany, and the wind whispered through the dark trees as if telling ancient secrets, while Serenity watched from the window, waiting for the right moment to act.

The mansion she lived in was imposing and gothic, rising like a fortress on the hills. It had been the Emberfall residence for many generations. The moonlight shone faintly on the windows, revealing only parts of what lay hidden in that ancestral manor, steeped in shadows.

Every cold breeze that blew sent a shiver down Serenity's spine. She was a fearless noblewoman preparing for another of her nightly incursions. Her heart longed to help the less fortunate, so almost every night, she prepared a bag with essential supplies to take to those in need. The ticking of the clock sounded like a countdown, making her hairs stand on end with the fear of being discovered.

As a noble-born werewolf, she wasn't supposed to mix with the commoners, let alone distribute supplies to them, those whom the king oppressed. Despite being a noble, Serenity carried the weight of her conscience and a burning desire for justice. The yoke of the oppressive monarchy loomed over the less fortunate like a shadow. King Percival had ruled the kingdom with an iron fist since the death of his brother and sister-in-law in an ambush. Only his nephew, Prince Atticus, remained, a young man forever scarred by the loss and rendered nearly useless due to the injuries he sustained in the incident. While the nobility was bound by obligation to follow the laws, Serenity couldn't ignore the relentless changes imposed by the current king, who oppressed the weak and humble.

Her noble heart disagreed with the injustice she witnessed. Each tyrannical decree from the monarch resonated as a challenge to her sense of duty and compassion. The mansion, which should have been a symbol of prestige, became the stage for an internal conflict among the nobility.

Driven by an intrepid desire for change, Serenity became a discreet voice, whispering discontent in the shadows of the opulent halls. Even though the nobility was often blind to their own privilege, in Serenity, they found someone who defied conventions, seeking true justice and a monarchy that served the people.

After yet another party at the Emberfall mansion, the kitchen was full of food that would be thrown away the next day. Serenity couldn't let that happen, knowing there were many out there who craved any kind of food.

Determined, she waited for everyone to fall asleep and then descended the stairs as slowly as she could, making no noise to avoid drawing anyone's attention.

In the darkness of the night, she became a benevolent shadow, moving through the mansion's corridors while everyone slept. Her heart pounded as she carried out her secret mission, working in the mansion's kitchen at night.

The silent corridors echoed her footsteps from one place to another. It was a difficult mission, given her noble status. If caught, she could be condemned to death, but her desire to help others was greater. Each step was like a dangerous dance between peril and Serenity's strong will to do what was right.

While the other nobles slept, Serenity continued her forays. Each night was like a performance, where she defied people's expectations of someone of her class, showing that her heart desired to do what was right. However, the distressing encounter from the previous night with her father still echoed in her mind; she had almost been caught red-handed, and this time she wouldn't be able to come up with another excuse. She narrowly avoided being confined to her room for months. Trying to make as little noise as possible, she approached the kitchen. Every slight noise seemed like a threatening whisper, and then a familiar voice surprised her amidst the shadows.

"I knew I'd find you here," said the feminine voice.

Serenity jumped, her hand flying to her chest as she breathed rapidly.

"Surely you're planning another audacious escapade?" Seraphina, Serenity's sister, remained still with an apple in hand and a mischievous smile on her lips.

Serenity's eyes widened in shock. "Don't startle me like that, Seraphina. I thought it was father," she murmured, trying to control her rapid breathing.

Seraphina chuckled sarcastically. “Maybe next time you won't be so lucky.” She turned. “I'd love to see our father catch you red-handed again,” she said as she walked away towards the living room.

Serenity leaned against the counter, still with one hand on her rising and falling chest, her thoughts racing as she considered whether her sister would betray her to their father.

On tiptoes, she gathered everything she could into a bag and tried to cross the room without attracting anyone's attention, but something made her freeze. She heard one of the maids urgently calling her father in his study. Wondering why he was still awake so late, Serenity bit her lower lip, squinting with fear of being caught again.

But the maid informed him that a royal messenger awaited him in the entrance hall to deliver a message from King Percival.

Serenity crept back on tiptoe and hid in the anteroom, closing her eyes in fear of being seen, until the maid walked straight to the servants' quarters and her father headed towards his study with the messenger, looking visibly apprehensive.

As soon as Orion entered the study, Serenity hurried away; she needed to leave before anyone else appeared, but instinctively she peeked through the crack in the slightly open door and saw her father shudder and bring his hands to his forehead, his nervousness apparent.

Orion tried to be as diplomatic as possible, but the man didn't care; he simply gestured for him to sit down and began. “I'm here on behalf of King Percival Moonshade,” he said, handing over a letter. “You know we live by rules and customs, and it's time to fulfill your part.”

Serenity swallowed hard. She knew that if a messenger of the King was in her home, it meant matters concerning the crown, and that was never good news. Her heart raced in her chest; what could possibly be happening this time? She needed to find out the purpose of this visit, even though she knew she should leave while her father was occupied. But the urge to know paralyzed her where she stood.

Orion nodded, loosening his collar as he stood upright. "Yes, please tell me how I may serve my king!"

"The King has been informed that your eldest daughter, Seraphina Emberfall, has yet to find her predestined companion. As your family owes a debt to the king, the time has come to repay it."

Orion cleared his throat, wiping sweat from his brow. "Yes, I understand." He ran a hand over his face. "It is always my desire to please Your Majesty."

The man continued. "According to the Kingdom's rules, the king has chosen your daughter to have the honor of being the prince's w