FLASH FORWARD
LUXURIA'S POV
The 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 her life with, the Beta of my pack, Beta Kahel. He was my secret lover. But fate was so cruel to have tore us apart.
Kahel had vowed to challenge the Alpha of the North, Alpha Parthe, to fight for our love... but what if the darkness of this enemy, Alpha Parthe, had already seeped into my very soul, contaminating my innocence?
A knock at the chamber door made my jump. It was Rella, my step-sister.
"My lady," she purred, eyes glittering with a malice far deeper than mere jealousy, her voice dripping with mockery, "He has arrived. The Cursed Alpha."
The joy in Rella's voice. The satisfaction on her face. Sending me off to my death. They all couldn't wait to get rid of me. My father, stepmother, siblings, pack members. Everyone.
They all saw me as a curse. Finding out that I was mated to Alpha Parthe, they confirmed that I was truly cursed and deserve to be mated to someone as cursed as I was.
No woman has ever been mated to an Alpha from the lineage of the Wild Wolf pack ever lived more than a year. They all disappear mysteriously.
I saw my own reflection in the mirror. My warm blue eyes suddenly gleamed with a dull shade of red but it disappeared as quickly as it had appeared. Quick enough for Rella not to have noticed it.
This was a secret no one knew about. A secret I tried to run away from after the forbidden night with the cursed Alpha. A night I regret.
I had fled from him as soon as it was dawn, even before he woke up from his slumber, but fate drew the perfect map and led him straight to my father's doorstep two days ago, coming to lay claims on his mate.
HOW IT ALL STARTED.
***
Chapter 1
LUXURIA'S POV
I ran as fast as my legs could carry me through the woods. It was close to winter; the days were quite cold, and the nights were numbly freezing.
The ground was covered in an ocean of stones, and the thimbleweed concealed the sharp twigs that lay underneath; therefore, I had no idea that the twigs and sharp stones were hoping for an unfortunate guest.
The trees around the forests were stunted and thin; there was no hiding place. The night sky was clear without any tears in it. Clear. Bright.
Tonight was supposed to be different—special even. My 21st birthday. A night where I could have at least hoped for a shred of affection from Alpha Odren, the man who called himself my father. Instead, he had chosen this night to punish me again, to remind me that I was nothing but a stain on his legacy.
The humiliation had been worse than usual. In front of the entire pack, he had accused me of being a curse, a blight on our family's honor. The words still echoed in my mind, tearing at my already fragile heart.
I couldn't stand it any longer—the insults, the cold stares, the constant reminders that I was unwanted. Tonight, something inside me had snapped, and I had run.
My bare feet pounded against the uneven ground, the sharp twigs and stones hidden beneath the thimbleweed slicing into my skin. Pain flared with each step, but I welcomed it, using it to drown out the memories of my father's cruel words and the hateful sneers of my step-siblings.
I immediately shifted into my beautiful white wolf and ran deeper into the thick forest, not scared of the quietness of the night.
I had crossed the line, the stream that separated the South from the feared North.
It had been whispered that a monster from the North had always terrorized the borders of the South, East, and West. But right now, I care less. It is better I am attacked by the monster of the night than endure more cruelty from my father and step-siblings.
I wondered why my father, Alpha Odren, hated me with so much passion. Sometimes, I feel jealous of my siblings. They were loved. Cherished. Treated like queens. But I am treated like an outcast.
I wish every single day that my mother was here with me. They said she left as soon as she had me. Some said it was because she was too scared to raise a cursed child, while others said she couldn't stand my father's cruelty.
As I sprinted through the North, something in the air changed. A scent, musky and powerful, hit me like a wall. My wolf's instincts flared, a mix of fear and something else—something far more dangerous. I slowed, ears pricked, scanning the darkness for any sign of movement.
And then, I heard it—a low, guttural growl, the sound vibrating through the ground beneath my paws.
Being the daring young girl I am, I find my legs taking me towards the sound instead of away from the sound.
I shifted back to my human form as I approached a clearing, my breath catching in my throat. My naked body was bathed in moonlight, but I barely noticed the cold now; all my senses focused on the source of that growl. I moved forward, tiptoeing through the underbrush, until I saw it—him.
The beast that has been whispered amongst wolves and other supernatural beings. Until this moment, I had thought they were just bedtime stories told to scare disobedient children.
And today, I feel like the most disobedient child to ever live because I wasn't only hearing about the story but witnessing it firsthand.
I froze on the spot. A massive brown wolf, twice the size of any I had ever seen, crouched beside a lifeless body. His eyes glowed a blinding red, the color of blood and fire, as he surveyed his kill with grim satisfaction.
My heart slammed against my ribs as I realized this was no ordinary wolf. This was the monster from the North—the creature that had haunted the nightmares of so many.
I covered her mouth, holding back the whimper that threatened to escape my lips as I stood frozen behind it.
Just before I could tiptoe backward, the monster turned its head, its gaze locking onto me, causing a wave of terror to wash over me.
I wanted to scream, to run, but my limbs refused to obey. My heart pounded erratically, not just from fear but something far more dangerous—an inexplicable pull towards the very creature I should have been fleeing from.
With a bone-chilling crack, the monstrous wolf transformed into its human form. The night was so dark that I couldn't see his features properly, but his sheer size and presence made my breath hitch. The power radiating from him was suffocating, a dark force that seemed to wrap around my soul, drawing me closer even as my mind screamed to escape.
"Well, well," his voice rumbled, low and dangerous, "What have we here?" he faced me, taking slow, predatory steps towards me, not minding his naked form.
Was this how it would end? Torn apart by the beast of the North, just like the countless others who had wandered too close to his territory?
Tears blurred my vision as he approached, but beneath my terror, something else stirred—an unsettling warmth, a traitorous heat that spread through my veins, rooting me to the spot.
Is he going to kill me? I felt utterly vulnerable and helpless.
"Going somewhere, little mate?" The voice was deep and gravelly, sending a chill all over my bare skin.
What did he just call me? Mate? Did I hear him correctly?
I had been too frightened to even notice my wolf leaping with joy in the recesses of my mind. I was too scared to have noticed the strange pull I had felt as soon as I saw him.
Is the universe playing a bad trick on me? How can I be mated to the monster from the North?
I willed myself to flee from him, but a strange force rooted me to the spot. I watched, wide-eyed, as this monster slowly closed the gap between us.
His unclothed form surprisingly tempted me to have a better look, but I was too frightened to even blink an eye.
"Please... Please don't kill me. I am sorry. I..." I choked, still unable to take a step. I felt hot tears tracing paths down my cheeks.
"Hurt? Why should I hurt my own mate?" He asked with a devilish smirk. His words sounded a bit assuring, but the look in his eyes said otherwise.
His pitch-black eyes raked over my small frame, making me realize I was equally naked. I had been running around in my wolf form.
Now I am double scared. The monster's wolf seemed to enjoy what he saw.
"Please, I'll just... Go and... And never..." I stuttered, gulping in his strong scent. It was almost as if he had intentionally released more of his scent into the atmosphere.
He was surely an Alpha. His aura was so potent that it made one lose their entire will to him. His eyes were like death itself.
His hand traced slow paths along my cheek, down to my neck, finally resting on my belly button. "I never knew I'd be blessed with such a beauty for a mate." His rich, masculine voice said, holding a possessive edge to it.
He closed the small gap between us so that we could both feel the heat radiating off our bodies, his warm breath caressing the skin of my forehead.
He stood at 6'1 feet while I was just a 5'4.
Perfect for him. Just as he liked. His eyes said it all.
His finger tilted my chin to meet his burning gaze. "I guess the Moon Goddess has so much planned out for us for the night. Don't you think?" His voice grew thick and heavy as I felt his bulge poking at my stomach.
Shouldn't I put a distance between us? I should, but it was impossible.
I shivered, not just from the cold but from the strange, intoxicating power he exuded. I should run, I should fight, but instead, I found myself swaying closer, drawn to the darkness I knew would consume me.
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.Memories of the previous night came flooding my head. 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
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. 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 think 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
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 have 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 is overly beautiful, and I can't deny that. And she
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 felt as if my body had been drained of every ounce of strength. Even the simple act of fluttering my eyes open felt like a huge task. My joints ached, and my head spun.My joints ached, each movement sending a jolt of pain through my limbs. My head spun, making it difficult to focus. I blinked, trying to make sense of my surroundings.The cold, hard surface beneath me didn't feel right. I sluggishly opened my eyes and saw the familiar walls of my new chamber. But something was horribly wrong.I wasn't in my bed.I was on the floor.Naked.I scrambled to my feet, confusion building a web around me.Panic swelled inside me, my heart racing. I scrambled to my feet, my body trembling, confusion threading through my mind like a thick fog.How had I ended up here? I had fallen asleep on the bed—of that, I was sure. So why was I on the cold stone floor, stripped bare? I wrapped my arms around myself, my heart thundering in my chest.And then, I saw it.My hands.They were covered