FLASH FORWARDLUXURIA'S POVThe chill wind whipped through the stone archways of the Ash Mountain pack, filtering into the large chamber where I sat.The chilling wind was nothing compared to the icy dread in my heart.Outside, in the courtyard, the ceremony was prepared. Not a marriage ceremony, as my lineage demanded, but a mating ceremony.I would be the first in my lineage to be mated without a proper marriage ceremony.Tonight was the night of the full moon.Tonight, I am to be joined, not to a man of my choosing. Not to the man I have always loved. Not even to the man close to my dream man. But to the beast who ruled the neighboring lands with an iron paw. The Alpha Of The North.I clutched the silver locket at my throat. A gift that had been given to me by the man I would do anything to spend the rest of my life with, the Beta of my father's pack, Beta Kahel. He was my secret lover. But fate was so cruel to have torn us apart.Kahel had vowed to challenge the Alpha of the North,
LUXURIA'S POV.The smell of dew made my eyes flutter open. I stirred lazily on whatever surface I was lying on.I blinked, disoriented, as my eyes adjusted to the dim light filtering through the misty woods.Then, everything snapped into focus.I bolted upright, my breath catching in my throat as I took in my surroundings.My eyes darted around the misty woods before resting on the figure lying beside me - naked.My heart pounded wildly as fragments of the previous night came crashing back into my mind.I gasped, pressing a trembling hand to my mouth as I realized what had happened. "Oh, Goddess. What did I do?" I whispered, my voice shaking as I stared at him - the monster lay peacefully beside me. The man I had feared, and yet...Is he really a monster?No. He lay there, still as death, but there was nothing monstrous about him now. His features were sharp, chiseled, and devastatingly handsome.His short, black hair fell over his forehead, covering a part of the scar at the right sid
LUXURIA'S POVIt's been five days now, and I have been living a normal life... Or, so I had forced myself to believe.Although the memories of the monstrous Alpha kept plaguing me. His touch, his scent, the overwhelming intensity with which he made love to me—it all made my core quake with a terrifying mixture of dread and desire each time I thought about it. Just like now.My center still ached sorely after my encounter with him. He wasn't exactly the kind I'd pick for a girl like me who was still a virgin.I had been using some herbs to help me heal, but I still felt sore. I could hardly walk properly.Even though the whole night was almost a blur, I still remember fragments of it.As I scrubbed the floor of the fortress for the second time today, a task my stepmother seemed to find endlessly amusing to assign me, I bit my bottom lip to stifle the moan that threatened to escape at the mere memory of him.My stepmother had made sure I never had a moment of rest. I never knew what rest
ALPHA PARTHE'S POVI stared at the disturbing sight before me. That dimwit was standing close to my mate.The nerves.But I'd let it slide. I'll count it as ignorance on his part.If he had known whose possession he was in close proximity, he wouldn't have dared to stand even a breath close to her.I never expected to have a mate. I am thirty-one already, without a mate. Not that any sane woman would agree to be mated to me. Who would want to be mated to a death god?The idea of being mated to Luxuria didn't particularly thrill me. I had seen a lot of women. She doesn't come close to what I'd like to have, but that didn't change the fact that whatever is mine is mine. It doesn't matter what I think about it... Her.I had imagined what use she would be in my pack. The Wild Wolf pack wasn't known to have idle members. Even the women who have been gifted me by numerous Alphas who sought favor had their duties aside pleasing me.Luxuria was overly beautiful, and I couldn't deny that. And s
LUXURIA'S POVThe chill wind whipped through the stone archways of the Ash Mountain pack, filtering into the large chamber where I sat.The chilling wind was nothing compared to the icy dread in my heart.Outside, in the courtyard, the ceremony was prepared. Not a marriage ceremony, as my lineage demanded, but a mating ceremony, as requested by Alpha Parthe.I would be the first in my lineage to be mated without a proper marriage ceremony. That is how ashamed my people were of me.Tonight, I am to be joined, not to a man of my choosing. Not to the man I have always loved. Not even to the man close to my dream man. But to the beast who ruled the neighboring lands with an iron paw.The Alpha Of The North.Tonight was the night of the full moon. The day Alpha Parthe had picked.Didn't they say the full moon was when his demons were unleashed? What is his plan?Although the full moon isn't until a few more hours, I hope, above everything earthly, that the ceremony will be concluded before
ALPHA PARTHE'S POVMy gaze remained fixed on the entrance to the large hall where a few people gathered. I'm not offended. I am not one who appreciates crowds.The Ash Mountain pack isn't particularly excited about sending their daughter off with me. I understand that perfectly, also.I didn't care about all that. One can call me selfish.The hall was quiet. Everyone eating and drinking as quietly as possible. Who cares? I'm a sadist, after all.I was losing my patience. What's taking so long? It was almost time for the full moon. I had only come with my Beta, Tarven, and three trained warriors.I didn't need a crowd to escort my new mate to our territory.I had come out with just a few people who could handle whatever came up if the full moon arose before we reached the Wild Wolf pack.To the best of her ability, Shita made sure we had partial control of the situation. I did not like straining my powers for such trivial matters. I reserved them for more pressing issues. So, I let her
LUXURIA'S POV.I never imagined a mating ceremony could be over in the blink of an eye. It ended so fast that I barely had time to catch my breath, let alone my thoughts.We were already halfway across the Ash Mountain borders. Realization slowly crept in. I was leaving everything behind. Including Kahel.A tear trickled down my cheek, but I wiped it off.The ride was quiet. I straddled a beautiful white horse. As if that was meant to make me feel any special.It was so close to the full moon already. Why weren't they in a hurry? Why didn't they straddle faster? Was I the only one worried about it? Or, were the rumors about the Wild Wolf pack lies? Or does his AshBlood powers help keep him in check?This fact is something I also dread. Not only is this man cursed. He is one of the most deadly kinds of dark witch ever to live.What did I ever do to the goddess to deserve such cruelty?Alpha Parthe remained silent, not a word spared for his men, and I knew better than to speak first. Hi
ALPHA PARTHE.The searing pain hit me like a storm, an electric shock that coursed through every muscle, every bone, twisting them, breaking them, reforming them.The moon's silver light felt like daggers on my skin, sharp and unforgiving. I could hear the curse whispering, slithering through my mind like a venomous snake, taking control piece by piece.Shita was beside me, chanting her incantations in a desperate attempt to subdue the beast rising inside me.The herbs she had laid around me, their sharp scent of crushed sage and rosemary, did nothing to quell the fire that roared beneath my skin."It's not working," I growled, my voice distorted, barely recognizable, as though it came from a place deeper than my own chest. The beast was taking over.Shita didn't flinch. She moved quickly, laying her hands on my chest, speaking words I couldn't understand, her magic weaving around us like a shield.Sweat poured down her face, but her brow still furrowed in concentration. She had stopp
LUXURIA.I watched the Alpha leave the spot where he stood and walk forward. I was terrified. It seemed like he was walking towards me. But thankfully, I was wrong.I watched, barely breathing, as Parthe circled the bodies on the floor, studying them intently before crouching beside them."Step aside," Parthe said to Tervan, who hesitated before sluggishly pulling away.Alpha Parthe placed his hand on the side of Lorel's head, his fingers resting on her temple.He closed his eyes and muttered some inaudible words for a moment.A chill seeped down my spine. What if he finds out that I was the one who did it?Suddenly, I felt a presence beside me. A familiar one."Luxuria?" The familiar voice whispered, and my head snapped in the direction of the voice."Ro... Rorden?" I whispered, looking back at where Parthe had his eyes closed. I shouldn't be seen standing close to him. "What are you...""Did you do it?" He asked before I could finish my words."What?" I asked, my brain slow to proce
RORDEN.This changes everything.I had wished everyday that somehow, it was all wrong and that she was never a daughter of Calandus. But, fuck!I slammed my fist against the huge tree one more time, watching the blood coat my knuckles. But I cared less. It would heal up. The pain on my knuckles was nothing compared to the one in my heart.I loved her. I couldn't tell how I got to this point, but I knew I loved her. I had hoped that one day, I'd be able to make her mine. I was so certain that Parthe would fail her. He always did. He was never capable of loving someone.But seeing his mark on her today changes things even more.It hurts. And I know it would hurt even more when everything starts falling apart but I guess I just have to move on.Hurting Luxuria had never been my intention. It was never my intention.***LUXURIA.I ran a hot bath for Parthe. He had just returned. He noticed my mood and asked what was wrong but I told him I wasn't feeling so well.He blamed himself for lett
LUXURIA."What? I... I don't..." The words stuck to my throat."You were never my child. You were the curse who made me lose my mate! A woman I had grown to love and cherish!" His eyes shot daggers at me as his jaws clenched.I was scared. He looked like he was going to murder me with his bare hands."Father... What are you saying?" I asked in a breathy whisper."Don't you dare call me father. I am no father of yours!" He thundered, rising to his feet, "You are a product of your mother's infidelity." He narrowed his gaze on me."But you... You said..." I sniffed, my whole body trembling, "You said my mother was one of your mistresses. She wasn't... She wasn't your mate."I didn't want to believe that the very little I thought I knew about my mother were all lies. My poor heart was aching terribly."That was a lie I had to tell everyone, just to cover up my shame," He took his seat, seeming calm now, as he rested his elbows on the table before him, facing me, "Your mother never listene
LUXURIA."Alpha?" I called when he kissed me to wake up. I didn't realize I had slept so late into the night."Call me Parthe," He said in response, stroking my hair and my cheeks heated up."Okay... Parthe..." I replied and he seems pleased."Did you sleep well?" He asked."Yes... Sorry for disrupting your day. I didn't..." I was saying but he kissed my lips, stopping me mid-sentence."It was worth every second." He stroke my cheek tenderly, "You want to say something?"I hesitated, not knowing if he'd be pleased with what I was about to say."I've told you, Luxuria, you don't have to be scared of me anymore. Feel free around me. You can do or say whatever you want to me, and it'll be fine. I promise." He reassured and I lifted my head from his chest where I lay, looking into his black eyes, and I saw assurance and sincerity in them.I smiled, "Okay," I said, resting my head back on his chest, "I wouid like to go to my father's pack..." I began, expecting a reaction but got none. But
LUXURIA.I stepped out of the bathroom, feeling fresh and energized. It's been a long night, and the most part of today had been far spent, too.Parthe almost didn't want to leave my side all day. We had made love all through the night until this morning, even before he stepped out.It felt... Perfect... I found myself falling for him even more. I liked this side of him when he wasn't being cruel or brutal or cold and all that.For the first time since I met him, I truly felt a connection between us. A connection that went deeper than sex and the mate bond. This connection was more intimate and exciting.The only worry I had now was the fact that he had marked me. I had stopped him too many times without a proper reason. I guess he was tired of waiting. I was his mate, after all. But Amelia's words kept haunting me. What if I was truly from the lineage of Calandus?Although the possibility of it seemed very slim, but what if...?Right now, all I could do was to hope not."What's my li
ALPHA PARTHE.Nothing ever prepared me for the surprise that awaited me. I didn't know what came over her but I was thankful it did.She seemed different.She teased me in ways my body couldn't bear. It took all the self-control in me not to snap that flimsy silk off my wrists, pin her to the bed and fuck her until she could no longer breathe."I am ready to love you, Parthe."Those words were all it took to snap the tiny thread holding my restraints. I'd waited so long to hear her say those words. I thought she'd never say them. I thought she'd never be able to love me ever again.But I was wrong."Unbind me, Luxuria!" I said, baring my teeth. I wanted to show her exactly what those words meant to me."Parthe..." She called nervously at my command and for a moment, the bravery she had put up slowly faded away."Scared?" I asked, arching a brow, "would you rather I break free myself?" Even I couldn't recognize my voice. Fuck, I was lost in her spell.I felt the nervous thrill that ran
LUXURIA.I waited nervously for his return. My heart drummed in my chest but I occasionally took in deep breaths to calm it down.I wanted to thank him for saving my life. I just didn't know how.The door finally swung open and he walked in, tired and sweaty."Luxuria?" He called when he saw me still awake, "Why are you still up?"I ignored his question, rising to meet him, "Welcome back. How was the meeting?" I asked, helping him undress.I had already prepared a very hot bath for him. As if I knew he'd return stressed, I had added some relaxing herbs and oils into the hot water."It went well. You still haven't..." He was about saying when I interrupted him."I prepared a hot bath for you. Come here," I said, pulling him into the bathroom.I didn't miss the surprise in his eyes. He looked at me as if I had been possessed by someone else.I guided him into the bath tub filled with hot water.He sat, letting out a long, relieving breath."Relieving, right?" I asked, managing a smile.
LUXURIA.It was hard to believe that Zendaya was the one who almost had me killed. She was the first friend I made when I arrived here. And despite everything, I wouldn't deny the fact that her death touched me.I wonder how her mother would feel. Nevada loved her so much.As the days passed, I felt stronger. The effect of the trauma I was exposed to in my unconscious state was beginning to wear off.It had been three days since I woke up, and Alpha Parthe had hardly left my side since. I wouldn’t deny the warmth his presence brought, though I didn’t fully understand why it comforted me so much. Perhaps I was beginning to get used to being around him."I can't believe you are back to us, Luxuria," Dashi said for the hundredth time in three days. She has been so overwhelmed with joy.“How many times do I have to hear that?” I teased, rolling my eyes, though a small smile tugged at my lips.“Until the day after forever!” She sat beside me, her laughter filling the room. Then her express
LUXURIA.It was all too sudden. I fell hard, right back into the darkness I was afraid of. It felt like a force had ripped me off the light and pushed me back into the darkness.I was terrified. My eyes were slowly shutting, tempting me to give in to the sweet sleep that threatened to claim me. I'd never felt so sleepy all my life, and this time, it was too difficult to resist. I was so tired. So unbearably tired. Maybe this was it—maybe surrendering to the darkness would be my salvation. What was the point in fighting it any longer?I allowed my heavy eyes to succumb to the pull, but suddenly, I heard it again.His voice."Luxuria..."My eyes slowly open. And this time, his voice held more power and desperation than the first time."Find me," his voice urged, "Come back to me, Luxuria. I know I don't deserve you. I've pushed you away… I've hurt you. But I need you to listen now. You're stronger than this darkness. Stronger than anything that's tried to take you from me."I wanted to