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.My head spun even with my eyes closed, a dull ache throbbing at the back of my skull. I tried to move, but my muscles were stiff, unresponsive. A sharp, throbbing pain traveled down my arms, and my throat felt raw as though I'd screamed endlessly into the void.The cold seeped through whatever surface I lay on, making my skin prickle with discomfort. I tried to move, to shift my body just a little, but a sharp pain lanced through my shoulder, forcing a low groan from my lips.My breathing hitched, shallow, and uneven, as the events of the previous night replayed in fragments. That figure—the black cloak, the sound of their boots on the ground, their hands gripping me like iron—and then nothing. Just darkness.A loud thud shattered the fragile silence, the force of it rattling through the room and piercing my groggy haze. My eyes snapped open immediately as the sound of a door slamming against the wall followed. My vision swam, blurry at first, but I blinked rapidly, forcing c
LUXURIA.I was allowed to dress up before being taken outside in shame. I felt Parthe's pain. He was in pain. I had never felt such pain from him since I started mirroring his feelings.The crowd outside confirmed the news of Dashi's death. My heart aches painfully. This was all a bad dream, and I hoped to wake up from it soon.The crowd looked at me with hatred, disgust, anger... All the respect I had gained from them over time vanished within the blink of an eye. They cried and wailed, calling Dashi's name as if that would somehow bring her back to life, and I wish it would; I would have called out to her until I lost my voice.But I still didn't want to believe that she was dead. She had become a vital part of my life.Parthe, Urik, and Shikta were already standing at the forefront of the crowd while the guards led me.I saw Tervan coming out of the fortress with an expression that made my stomach drop. He had a smug look on his face that spoke of one who was proud of whatever it w
SHIKTA.It was everything I had dreamed of, everything I had fought for, prayed for and schemed to achieve. Now, it was finally mine.Sitting in my chamber, surrounded by maids, their trembling hands fussing over the most exquisite dress I had ever laid eyes on—ironically, one chosen by Luxuria herself—I could almost taste victory.Guests from near and far were already pouring into the fortress. Even Alpha Modred had arrived!I closed my eyes, savoring the moment.Oh, Selene! Now I could look Rashina in the eyes and tell her I finally won... I'd tell her I said so. Alpha Parthe has finally become mine, and I, his Luna."What color would you want?" The lowlife of a maid asked me, and it was all I could do not to hit her. She was so small and pathetic.I turned sharply, fixing her with a glare so cold it made her flinch. "How dare you refer to me so casually and without respect?" I hissed, my voice like ice.The poor creature's face drained of color. She immediately bowed, her hands cla
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
SHIKTA.It was everything I had dreamed of, everything I had fought for, prayed for and schemed to achieve. Now, it was finally mine.Sitting in my chamber, surrounded by maids, their trembling hands fussing over the most exquisite dress I had ever laid eyes on—ironically, one chosen by Luxuria herself—I could almost taste victory.Guests from near and far were already pouring into the fortress. Even Alpha Modred had arrived!I closed my eyes, savoring the moment.Oh, Selene! Now I could look Rashina in the eyes and tell her I finally won... I'd tell her I said so. Alpha Parthe has finally become mine, and I, his Luna."What color would you want?" The lowlife of a maid asked me, and it was all I could do not to hit her. She was so small and pathetic.I turned sharply, fixing her with a glare so cold it made her flinch. "How dare you refer to me so casually and without respect?" I hissed, my voice like ice.The poor creature's face drained of color. She immediately bowed, her hands cla
LUXURIA.I was allowed to dress up before being taken outside in shame. I felt Parthe's pain. He was in pain. I had never felt such pain from him since I started mirroring his feelings.The crowd outside confirmed the news of Dashi's death. My heart aches painfully. This was all a bad dream, and I hoped to wake up from it soon.The crowd looked at me with hatred, disgust, anger... All the respect I had gained from them over time vanished within the blink of an eye. They cried and wailed, calling Dashi's name as if that would somehow bring her back to life, and I wish it would; I would have called out to her until I lost my voice.But I still didn't want to believe that she was dead. She had become a vital part of my life.Parthe, Urik, and Shikta were already standing at the forefront of the crowd while the guards led me.I saw Tervan coming out of the fortress with an expression that made my stomach drop. He had a smug look on his face that spoke of one who was proud of whatever it w
LUXURIA.My head spun even with my eyes closed, a dull ache throbbing at the back of my skull. I tried to move, but my muscles were stiff, unresponsive. A sharp, throbbing pain traveled down my arms, and my throat felt raw as though I'd screamed endlessly into the void.The cold seeped through whatever surface I lay on, making my skin prickle with discomfort. I tried to move, to shift my body just a little, but a sharp pain lanced through my shoulder, forcing a low groan from my lips.My breathing hitched, shallow, and uneven, as the events of the previous night replayed in fragments. That figure—the black cloak, the sound of their boots on the ground, their hands gripping me like iron—and then nothing. Just darkness.A loud thud shattered the fragile silence, the force of it rattling through the room and piercing my groggy haze. My eyes snapped open immediately as the sound of a door slamming against the wall followed. My vision swam, blurry at first, but I blinked rapidly, forcing c
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