LUXURIA.I drew my shawl tighter around my shoulders, shivering against the bite of the cold that seeped into our chamber. Parthe hadn't returned since that argument with his Beta.That clash had rattled something deep within him. It was quite intense, and I felt terrible for the Alpha. He's being judged by so many people, even those who are meant to be the closest to him. They all misunderstood him—their perception, their resentments were shallow judgments against a man burdened with far more than anyone knew.I had to see Rorden. I didn't feel like myself, either. A strange weight pressed down on me, an aching emptiness that seemed to twist through my bones, unsettling and exhausting. It was almost as if I was living the life of someone else.My entire body ached, and my emotions have been unstable for no reason.I felt anger, frustration, hurt, depression, just name it. And I have no reason to feel that way.I also craved to see the Alpha like he is an addiction. I felt an insatiab
LUXURIA.I didn't know how and when I left Rorden's chamber, but I found myself walking straight into the woods.It was already dark, thankfully.I changed into my wolf and ran a great distance, trying to clear my head. I had to think but couldn't. My brain refused to process a single thought.What do I do?I was doomed.Amelia was the only one who had answers to my questions. She was the only solution I had.By the time I returned to the fortress, it was really late. I didn't know how I had made it back. My mind was a fog of grief, memories and thoughts swirling.I barely even noticed Parthe as I entered the room, his pacing form a blur until he stopped and strode toward me. "Luxuria. Are you alright?" He asked, his eyes scanning my body as if checking to see if I was hurt.I didn't meet his gaze. "I'm fine, Alpha," I replied, walking past him, but he gently pulled me back."Wait," he murmured, "I… I shouldn't have spoken to you that way earlier. I know I was… too harsh. That wasn't
ALPHA PARTHE.We walked into the fortress gate. Everyone with me was as quiet as they ought to be. My men and I had to put Alpha Jalar in his place. He was already beginning to bite more than he could handle.Urik was with me. I could feel the tension between us, but I did not pay any attention to him. Whatever was making him angry was no concern to me.I should be the one angry here. I was so close to ending Jalar's miserable life, but Urik stopped me.This was one of the reasons I wished Tervan was done mourning his mate. If he was there with me, he would have gladly allowed me to kill that slob."Alpha?" Urik called, coming to a halt just as we entered the fortress.Here we go. The short-tempered Urik was about to spit out his displeasure.I sincerely hoped he wouldn't anger me while at it."What is it, Urik?" I replied, turning to face him. "What was that back there? You acted too rashly, and it's becoming too frequent lately. Should we be worried?" He said, and I only arched a b
LUXURIA."I'll be going to see Tarin tonight," Dashi whispered like a happy teenager into my ears as we made our way out of the garden.Since I started keeping the Alpha busy, she had been able to make time to sneak out to see Tarin, the love of her life from her former pack. I was happy for her. She seemed happier these days."That's fine. I hope you have fun," I teased and she squealed."Thank you for being a true friend to me. I never believed I'd find true friendship here in this pack. Everyone is all about themselves, always. But you...?" She placed a hand on my shoulder, "You are different, Luxuria."I smiled back at her, "Thank you for also being more than a friend to me. I will never forget that."We hurriedly left the garden. The Alpha would be waiting for me by now. It had taken longer than anticipated. Being with Dashi is always like this. We always had something to talk about... Always."I'll see you later. I have to go to the local market. There are things I need to get,"
LUXURIA.I was terrified. My hands trembled. Tears flooded my vision.How do I explain this? What did I just do? Oh, Selene!“What have you done, Luxuria?!” I heard the familiar voice ask with terror from behind me.I turned around immediately, my heart drumming in my chest. I took a step forward, but she took three frightened steps backward, her body trembling with terror.“I… I can explain. Please,” I choked.“No! Stay back! Stay away from me!” Dashi cried, placing her palm over her mouth as she took in the gory sight before her. “Kensa…” She whispered.“Please, Dashi, hear me out,” I pleaded desperately.“What in Selene’s name are you? Why did you… What did she do to deserve this?” She asked as more tears flooded her vision.She made to run, but I ran after her, blocking her path. “Please, Dashi. You have to listen to me. I am still that friend you think I am. Nothing has changed.”“No. You are not. And you are nothing like us. You are not our kind. You are a monster!” She spat wit
ALPHA PARTHE."I saw my old friend, Thaddeus. Remember him?" Elder Geth asked, sinking into the chair across from me, a small sigh escaping his lips.I barely glanced up from the parchment in my hand. "The name rings a bell," I replied, keeping my tone flat, uninterested. I had other pressing issues to handle at the moment."The one who told me about Eldora and Alpha Odren. I had mentioned him during our last conversation," He explained, leaning back slightly.The mention of Eldora caught my attention. I set the parchment down, meeting his gaze. "Ah, yes. I recall. What about him?""He’s a refugee in our pack. Imagine my shock when I saw him among the others today."That caught my full interest. I leaned forward, resting my elbows on the edge of the table. "And? What did he say? Did you ask him about Eldora? About the child?""I didn't have the time to do so. They were being taken out by the warriors for their daily tasks. But I told him I had something crucial to talk to him about, a
LUXURIAI couldn’t breathe. It felt like I was drowning underwater.I’d been indoors almost all day, the thought of the little distance between me and my mate for the past few days troubling my peace.I thought about ways I could make things better and decided the first step to take was to visit him in his courtroom, and probably spend some quality, alone time there with him while creating some memories we could laugh about whenever we were bored.I had taken a hot bath, worn the scent he once said he loved, the one that made him bury his face in my neck and whisper things that left me breathless.I even wore something I knew he’d like, and my hair cascaded down my back in soft curls—just the way he liked, the way he would grab it when things turned… intimate.I imagined everything naughty and nasty going down between me and him in his courtroom. But nothing—nothing—could have prepared me for the heartbreak I had just experienced.I knew he had a lot of women. But he promised. Didn’t
LUXURIA."What the fuck is going on here?" I heard him from behind us, and just as I expected, Shikta didn't fail to put on a show. She crumbled into a heap of theatrics, sobbing so hard I feared her tears might drown us all.I took a step back, with no remorse whatsoever for what I had done. If given the chance, I'll do it over again.I braced myself, expecting what Parthe would do to me for hitting his pregnant mistress."Parthe! I didn't... I just wanted to talk to her, and she hit me..." Shikta managed through hard sobs, and I couldn't help but roll my eyes with a scoff.Parthe was silent as if waiting for me to defend myself, but I wasn't prepared to say a word.He put out his hand toward Shikta, helping her stand to her feet. She did, wiping the tears off her face."You may leave," he said in a calm tone.My head snapped in his direction in surprise. Did he just dismiss Shikta?"What? I should..." Shikta paused, staring between me and the Alpha. "She just hit me. Won't you say s
LUXURIA.I'd been restless all day. No matter how hard I tried, I felt uneasy and I knew it wasn't because of the coronation which was happening in a few hours. It was something else... Something else I just couldn't place.I had a bad feeling... Almost as if something bad was going to happen.I put on my cloak, ready to go and see Dashi. Parthe told me he'd spoken with her, and she now believes I didn't spill her secret. But who did?It was biting cold outside and quiet, too. Almost everyone had retired to bed. Tomorrow is the grand event.I reached her door and hesitated, the unease prickling at the back of my neck. I raised my hand to knock when a voice startled me."Greetings, Luna," I heard a voice from behind me just as I was about to knock, and when I turned, it was Kara, one of the pack's midwives.Her warm smile and deep bow momentarily eased my nerves."Greetings, Kara. How are you faring?" I smiled at her."Very well, Luna. Congratulations on your coronation tomorrow. We ar
LUXURIA.I barged into our chamber, ready to confront Parthe. He had crossed the line this time. I felt lost. Empty. Confused.I wasn't myself. It was as if I had lost a piece of myself last night because I woke up feeling incomplete this morning.Losing a friend wasn't something I'd like to endure right now. I needed Dashi now more than ever. I couldn't afford to lose her.His head snapped up at the intrusion, his coal-black eyes narrowing."What the fuck?" He muttered at the force at which I had flung the door open."How could you?" I spat, my voice trembling with fury and something else I couldn't quite name—grief, maybe, or betrayal. My chest heaved, my breaths coming in short, ragged bursts as I charged toward him, stopping just short of his towering figure.My chest heaved, and my breaths came out in short rasps."What are you talking about?" He raised a brow, looking at me as if he truly didn't know what I was talking about."Don't lie to me, Parthe!" My fists clenched at my si
LUXURIA.I made my way to Rorden's chamber as fast as I could. Thankfully, it was quiet and empty as usual. Everyone had gone out to their daily activities.I knocked urgently in panic. It took a little while before he opened the door, revealing his disheveled figure. He was still asleep. That was very unlike Rorden."Luxuria," he said, his voice rough with fatigue. His gaze swept over me, his brow furrowing. "What are you doing here so early?"I couldn't answer immediately. My thoughts were jumbled, my emotions a storm I couldn't contain. Instead of replying, I stepped inside without waiting for an invitation, pacing the length of his chamber.He closed the door behind him with a sigh, moving toward his table and gathering the scattered scrolls and notes that littered its surface.I couldn't care less to see what they were. He'd been working on those for so long now."Luxuria," he said again, his tone firmer this time, "what's wrong?"I stopped pacing and turned to face him. My hands
My body felt unnaturally heavy as if I carried the weight of stones beneath my skin. Every inch of me ached—My limbs, head, joints, and... the sharp soreness between my thighs.I snapped my eyes open, heart hammering against my ribs. The room around me swam into view: deep, shadowed corners bathed in faint candlelight, the rich mahogany of furniture I knew all too well, and the unmistakable scent of him—smoke, cedarwood, and something darker, uniquely Parthe.I was in Parthe's chamber - our chamber. How did I get here?Fragments of memory floated just out of reach. The last thing I remembered was the heated argument with Parthe. I had stormed off to find Dashi, who had reminded me—again—that she was going to see Tarin and made me promise her, as usual, that I would keep it between us. I always kept her secret.And then… nothing.Oh, Selene. My memory loss was getting out of hand, and it scared me to death.The fear coiled tight in my chest, threatening to choke me.I shifted on the be
NOTE!!! This chapter contains contents that might be sensitive to some readers. If you aren't into non-con, kindly skip it.RORDEN.I am losing my mind. My focus. My control.The fire within me burned hotter with each passing day like a relentless inferno that refused to be extinguished.This wasn't just mere desire—it was need, raw and maddening, that clawed at the edges of my sanity.She consumed my thoughts. Always her.I never intended to fall in love with my cousin's mate. But right now, I could do just anything to make her mine.It's becoming an obsession and eating deep into my soul.I had tried so many ways to get her off my mind, but all to no avail. I've slept with a lot of women, but I still hunger for her. I've traveled far away, trying to keep my distance, but it didn't help quench my burning hunger.The hunger I felt for her was not one I could cage.Fuck. I needed a taste of her. A feel of her. I wanted to touch her. I wanted to claim her in ways that no other man, not
ALPHA PARTHE.As I stepped through the arched doorway, my eyes scanned the room, noting the seated elders whose faces were twisted in a frown.My gaze stopped on Shikta. She was seated to the side, her hands folded over her stomach.She looked up at me with a carefully crafted expression of hurt, her lips trembling just enough to sway any observer."Bloody fools," I muttered under my breath."Parthe," the First Elder began as I took my seat, "we'll get straight to the point. Why do you insist on crowning Luxuria as Luna when Shikta carries your child?""Because Luxuria is my mate," I said coldly.Shikta flinched, her lips parting as if she were about to object, but she held back. The elders exchanged uneasy glances before the Second Elder spoke."This decision will divide the pack, Alpha. It undermines tradition. The child Shikta bears—your child—will secure the future of this pack's bloodline. That child is your first and can't be treated like an outcast. Shikta must be Luna.”"I did
LUXURIA.I swung the training blade hard, the dull thud of its impact against the tree satisfying but not enough to quell the restless fire burning inside me. Sweat trickled down my temples, dampening the loose strands of my hair that clung to my face. The woods were quiet, save for the rhythmic sound of my strikes and the occasional chirp of a bird overhead."I truly am sorry, Luxuria," Rorden's voice broke the stillness again. He stood a few paces behind me, "I already apologized for making you angry."I didn't respond. My focus remained on the training post I'd fashioned from a sturdy tree, my strikes coming faster, harder, as if I could drive the memory of his actions out of my mind.I decided to train in the woods today. Since the death of Vixtin, I hadn't gotten a new trainer yet to take over from where he stopped. I'd been doing it all by myself.He stepped closer, his boots crunching against the forest floor. "Are you even listening to me?""No," I muttered, raising the blade
PARTHE.My cock still felt sore from pushing it above it's limit. It made me wonder how my mate was faring.She had fallen into a deep sleep for hours, and all I could do was watch her sleep. She looked so beautiful when she slept."Are you certain I should go with you?" She asked from my side as we walked out of my chamber to the next - Shikta's chamber."It was bad. The least you could do is apologize," I said with a smile.We had talked when she woke up. I had been able to convince her that all Shikta had told her were lies. Thankfully, she believed me, and we were fine.I pushed the door open without knocking, pulling Luxuria in behind me.Shikta was perched on the edge of her bed, a blanket draped over her legs. A servant stood beside her, spooning hot soup to her lips. Her gaze snapped to us the moment we entered, her expression souring as she registered the sight of our intertwined hands."Well," she sneered, pushing the servant's hand away. "Are you two done fucking and distur
LUXURIA.My body trembled with rage as I glared at him, my heart pounding so fiercely that I thought it might shatter. His words, his excuses—they only stoked the fire burning within me.How dare he? How dare he stand there, acting as if his lies could soothe the storm in my chest?"Stop with the lies! And get out of my way!" I snarled, trying to push past him. His hand shot out, grabbing my arm and pulling me back with a force that only reminded me of how trapped I was."Luxuria, stop this madness!" he growled, his voice a mixture of anger and desperation. "You don't understand—"My fingers brushed against the cool steel hidden in the folds of my gown, and without hesitation, I drew the dagger.My skin burned where his hand had been, and I stepped back, putting as much space between us as I could. My breath came in ragged gasps, my chest heaving as the sting of his betrayal pierced me harder.I wouldn't let him touch me again. Not after everything I had just discovered."Don't touch