Lycan Prince Matteo

The loss of his title in the challenge weighed heavily on him, like an anchor dragging him into the depths of despair. He felt as though Marco had stripped him of his identity and purpose by usurping his once-proud position as the legitimate heir. It wasn’t just the throne he lost; it was the prestige, the honor, and the legacy that came with it.

But the most unbearable part of it all was the knowledge that Marco had marked his mate immediately upon taking the throne. The cruel twist of fate had now tainted the bond they once shared, ruining it forever. How could he stand idly by, knowing that the one person he cherished above all else was now bound to his adversary?

The rage and frustration that welled up within him were difficult to contain. His heart yearned to reclaim what was rightfully his-to rescue his mate from the clutches of the usurper-but he found himself isolated, bereft of allies. The palace, once a place of comfort and security, had become a hostile environment where loyalty shifted like quicksand.

In the days that followed, he attempted to forge alliances within the palace, seeking support from those who might have shared his grievances. However, his efforts were met with resistance and suspicion. Marco had skillfully manipulated the court, securing their loyalty within weeks. It wasn’t because they admired Marco; it was simply because he wasn’t the firstborn. It was a bitter pill to swallow, knowing that even those who despised Marco still stood by him out of loyalty to the royal lineage.

Frustrated and growing increasingly paranoid for his safety, he made a difficult decision: to bide his time and leave the palace. In doing so, he became a rogue, a lone wolf in a world of shifting alliances and treacherous politics. Despite his solitude, he exuded an aura of strength that made even potential adversaries think twice before challenging him.

His anger served as a driving force, pushing him to seek alliances beyond the palace walls. It was during this period that he made a significant breakthrough-the successful placement of a spy within the palace’s inner circle. The spy’s role was to provide him with crucial information about the palace’s inner workings, offering him a lifeline to understanding the shifting dynamics.

What he hadn’t expected was the genuine support he received from this spy, a loyalty that defied explanation. It was a glimmer of hope in the darkness that had enveloped his life. He couldn’t help but feel grateful for this unexpected ally, someone who had chosen to stand by him when others had abandoned him.

But perhaps the most important discovery of all was yet to come. Through the spy’s intel, he stumbled upon a name that would dominate his thoughts and reshape his destiny: Matteo. The mere mention of that name sent a jolt of electricity through his veins. He didn’t know why Matteo had become such a fixation for him, but he felt an undeniable pull, an unexplainable connection.

He was determined to execute his plan to reach Matteo and ensure that their paths crossed. He believed that Matteo held the key to unraveling the mysteries that surrounded his life-the truths that had been concealed from him for far too long.

“Thank you for siding with me,” he said, expressing his gratitude to Rapha, the ally who had been with him through thick and thin.

Rapha’s response revealed the depth of his commitment. “The previous queen assigned me this mission. She endured so much with Marco, and this is the only way I can repay her,” he explained. “Just ensure that your actions benefit the palace as well. I will protect Matteo and his future mate at all costs.”

Time passed-eight long years filled with uncertainty and secrecy. Through it all, Rapha remained steadfast in his dedication. Despite the risks and the toll it took on his family, Rapha continued to look after Marco, unwavering in his mission to protect the palace from internal threats.

Now, with Matteo finally present with his mate, the opportunity to set things right has arrived. He knew that Matteo deserved to know the truth, to see through the web of deceptions that Marco had spun. He couldn’t allow Matteo to blindly accept everything he had been told.

Two days later, Caleb returned with a report that Ronaldo, his once-loyal confidant who had turned against him, had been captured and was now locked in a cell. The cell, while not a traditional dungeon, served as a secure location to hold captives or enemies who stood in his way. It was a place where he could confront Ronaldo and extract the answers he sought.

“How are you, Ronaldo?” he asked, facing his captive with an air of authority.

Ronaldo, caught off guard by his sudden reappearance, stammered in shock, struggling to process the reality before him. “Y-y-you!” he finally managed to utter, his astonishment evident in his trembling voice.

“Why are you so shocked, Ronaldo? Did you truly believe I would remain silent forever, considering what my father and Marco did to me?” he demanded, his voice carrying a mixture of anger and frustration. Ronaldo, gradually recovering from his initial shock, responded with a mocking laugh, attempting to downplay the significance of his return.

“Are you telling me you’re back just to reclaim the throne?” Ronaldo taunted, his tone dripping with sarcasm. He seemed uninterested in the power struggle that had ensnared them all. What concerned him most was how Ronaldo had cunningly used his name to sow discord within the palace, exploiting his absence to further Marco’s agenda.

“My cause goes beyond what you might think,” he countered, his resolve unwavering. “You’re just another greedy individual who overestimates himself, thinking you’ll gain more by becoming king, or rather, by having your daughter become queen.”Nôvel(D)rama.Org's content.

Ronaldo’s eyes widened in disbelief upon hearing this unexpected revelation. It was a revelation that shattered the facade of control that Ronaldo had maintained. He had never imagined that his secrets would be exposed so boldly.

“Do you think I’m unaware of what you’ve done and will continue to do?” he pressed on, seizing the moment to confront Ronaldo. “I’ve had my eyes on you from the very beginning, monitoring your actions and gathering the evidence I needed. Be thankful that I was occupied with another matter when you attacked the Howler’s Pack. Otherwise, both you and your daughter would have faced the consequences long ago.”

Ronaldo, struggling to maintain a facade of bravery, attempted to deflect the accusations. “What can you possibly do? You have no power, no allies, nothing.”

“The fact that I have you here suggests that I am not as powerless as you believe,” he retorted, emphasizing his upper hand. Turning to Caleb, he inquired about the progress regarding Ronaldo’s daughter.

“Yes, my Lord. We’ve already located her, and they are on their way here,” he reported dutifully.

Ronaldo, increasingly concerned for his daughter’s fate, sought answers. “What are you going to do with my daughter?”

In a while, his warrior came with Eunice, who was shouting and yelling for them to let her go. However, he chose to address a more pressing matter first. “I wanted to tell you that what you and this man were planning won’t succeed,” he began, sidestepping Ronaldo’s question for the time being. “Because I won’t allow it. After all these years, you should have realized that by now.”

He continued, his voice resolute, “Now, for the main event, I want you to understand that Ronaldo is not your father, and his mate is not your mother.”

This revelation astounded both Ronaldo and his daughter, Eunice. Their worlds crumbled as the ground beneath their feet shifted unexpectedly. Ronaldo, who had maintained a facade of control, was now struggling to comprehend the situation.

“What are you talking about? She’s my daughter with my mate,” Ronaldo protested vehemently, his voice trembling with disbelief.

He raised a pointed question, challenging Ronaldo’s claim, “If she truly is, why isn’t she a witch?”

Ronaldo, feeling cornered, clung to his narrative. “Because she takes after me,” he asserted, grasping for any explanation he could muster.

But he wasn’t ready to accept such excuses. “That’s implausible. You know that regardless of the circumstances, she should have some witch blood in her, considering that your mate is a pure- blooded witch.”

Ronaldo’s explanations faltered as he sought to justify the inexplicable. “No, it’s because my wife is frail, and-”

“Stop making excuses,” he interjected firmly. “You’re aware that your mate possesses significant strength. She was responsible for the previous queen’s demise due to her insatiable greed. She isn’t even your mate; she merely made you believe so. She manipulated you to murder the previous queen, who was my mate, all to ensure that Marco, the one who helped him ascend to the throne, would accept her as his queen.”

As the revelations continued to unfold, Ronaldo was left speechless, his carefully constructed world crashing down around him.

“But my younger brother always coveted my mate, desiring what was rightfully mine,” he continued, not sparing any details. “He had no intention of claiming her because Marco wanted my mate for himself.”

Eunice, Ronaldo’s daughter, was unable to contain her emotions any longer. “No! That’s not true!” she shouted, her voice filled with denial and defiance.

He responded with indifference, dismissing their protests. “Believe whatever you wish. I couldn’t care less.”

With that, he left the cell, leaving behind Ronaldo and Eunice, who were now confronted with a reality they could not deny. While he had little emotional investment in their fate, he understood the danger they posed if allowed to roam free. The threat they represented to Matteo and Freya could not be ignored.

“Hello?” he answered a call on his phone, shifting his focus to the task that lay ahead.

“Matteo will be coming to you. I managed to halt their attacks on you and will arrive to discuss matters,” Rapha informed him.

“Thank you very much,” he expressed his gratitude, his mind already racing with thoughts of how to approach Matteo.

“Do whatever it takes to make him believe. I’m uncertain if I can do it myself, which is why I’ve chosen to bring him to you and present your side. You already know the truth about him, so ensure you handle it correctly,” Rapha advised before ending the call.

He knew that he needed to prepare for Matteo’s arrival and for the crucial conversation that would shape their future. The weight of his decisions and revelations pressed upon him, but he was determined to see it through to the end.

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