He lay casually beside me, his hand lifting, the backs of his fingers brushing along my collarbone, trailing lower, just grazing the skin of my chest.His hand slid downward further, ghosting over my hips and my thighs, but he never lingered long enough to satisfy the growing ache that his touch had ignited inside me."You're mine," he whispered, "Your body is mine to command."He drifted lower, his fingers tracing the line of my hip, sliding to the sensitive flesh of my inner thigh.He slid further, daring close to the pool of wetness that had gathered in my center. I squeezed my quaking core in and tried to control the sensation I was feeling.But then, just when I thought I couldn't take it anymore, he pulled away. The absence of his touch was maddening, leaving me burning, aching, and desperate for more."You're weak," he murmured, his lips grazing the shell of my ear. "Look at you... trembling. And yet... you want this, don't you? You need it."I bit my lip, refusing to answer, b
LUXURIA.It's been two days now after his cruel torture and I hadn't set eyes on him since then. It was almost deliberate. We never crossed paths.Although he was out of the pack for a regional meeting yesterday, but that didn't make me feel any better.A sick part of me craved to see him. I know I should hate him for the humiliation he made me face, but I couldn't get the picture of him off my head.I craved intimacy with him, and he was intentionally starving me of it. It was killing me.I picked up a small basket from my chamber, ready to head to the garden. I had finally found something I'd like to try out as a remedy for my illness.The missing page from the book I was reading that day still bothered me. And I have been trying to do all I can to find it.I hurried out of the fortress, my eyes darting around. A fraction of me wished to bump into the Alpha, but instead, I bumped into someone else.A woman who I've never seen since I set foot into this pack. I wouldn't blame myself.
LUXURIA.As I met Alpha Parthe's eyes, my heart sank. His cold, emotionless stare bore into me, and I could feel his anger simmering.My mouth went dry; words stuck in my throat. Shikta stood to the side, clutching her cheek, her eyes filled with a mix of satisfaction and triumph, as though she knew what was about to happen.He didn't speak immediately. The silence was more terrifying than any words could have been.I wanted to explain, but Alpha Parthe wasn't a man who entertained explanations."Alpha... She hit me," Shikta's deceptive voice announced as if the Alpha was blind."Yes, Alpha Parthe. I saw it all happen. She slapped Shikta." Nevada said, adding to my confusion as to her intentional hatred toward me.His heavy boots echoed in the stillness as he moved toward me, his eyes never leaving mine.I could feel my pulse thundering in my ears, and a cold sweat broke out along my spine."You’ve broken a rule,” he said, his voice low and dangerously calm.I felt a tremor run throug
LUXURIA.He's the storm I should fear, but I find myself walking into its eyes willingly.I found myself getting increasingly interested in anything that concerned Parthe. I had no control over it anymore. I guess I'm just curious to know more about my mate. Nothing else."You'll get to know him better in due time. For now, just do as he says. Meanwhile, what happened to you the other night was never meant to happen. Why did you leave your chamber?" Dashi asked me, and I rolled my eyes."I'm tired of chanting the same mantra to everyone, Dashi," I sighed sadly, "I promise you, I didn't step out of my chamber that night."She creased her brows and looked at me as if I was lying to her."Believe me. I went to bed as instructed but found myself on the floor the next day. I am equally curious. Why was I asked never to leave my chamber in the first place?" I asked, turning fully to face her.She hesitated."Please, Dashi. Tell me. I am scared and curious. No one cares about what happened t
LUXURIA.The herbs lay neatly crushed and blended in the small bowl before me, their scent earthy and bitter as I carefully poured the final mixture into a glass vial. It was dark already, and I felt the illness taking a new height.I had to hurry up.My hands trembled as I worked, though I wasn't sure why—anxiety had crept into my bones since earlier today after speaking with Dashi.This potion was supposed to help me. Supposed to give me strength. Whatever was brewing inside me, this would fix it.I sat down in front of the small mirror in the dimly lit room with the vial in my trembling hand.I took a deep breath, my reflection staring back at me. Then, without thinking further, I tipped the vial back and swallowed it.For a moment, nothing happened. The taste was bitter, burning as it slid down my throat. I watched myself in the mirror, half-expecting to see something... Maybe a physical reaction that would make me know it was going to work.My eyes brightened, an eerie blinding,
ALPHA PARTHE.I scanned through the reports on my table, but my attention was divided.I'd need these reports for the upcoming regional meeting, which is in a few days, and I have to get my head straight. But not with Luxuria constantly plaguing my thoughts.I was still mad at her for letting another man touch her. The feeling was maddening. I lost every ounce of control I ever had.She hadn't even come to apologize to me yet. She surely was the stubborn type.I craved her presence like an addiction, but I couldn't bring myself to go to her. Whenever I think about her, all I see is that filthy rat kissing her.It got to me more than I will ever be willing to admit.I had intentionally stayed away from her for a lot of reasons, anger and caution taking the lead.It was still very early in the morning, and I already felt the need to see her.Fuck.A knock on the door brought me out of my thoughts. "Come in," I said, knowing who was at the door.Nevada walked in, closing the door behind
LUXURIA.I felt extremely weak.A dull ache coursed through my body, my limbs heavy as though I'd been drained of every ounce of strength. I blinked slowly, the dim light of the room swimming before my eyes. The knock echoed again, sharp and impatient, pulling me from my haze.Groaning softly, I attempted to push myself up. That's when I felt it—slick warmth across my skin. My eyes darted down to my hands, and I froze. Blood. Crimson stained my palms, smeared over my arms, and streaked across my bare skin.A chill raced down my spine as I quickly scanned my body, searching for any cuts or wounds. But there were none. Not even a scratch.My heart pounded against my ribs as panic surged within me. How did this happen? How did I end up on the floor, naked, bathed in blood that wasn't mine?The last thing I remembered was taking the potion I had prepared and feeling restless and uneasy. Every other thing went blank after that. I had slid into unconsciousness.So... What was happening?My
LUXURIA.It's all happening so fast. My friendship with Dashi. She had come to take me to the local market, as promised.I wasn't comfortable since I was still trying to figure out what my life was turning into.She had come just minutes after I had taken my bath and cleaned up every trace of blood from the floor.I tried to recall anything... Just something to help me understand what was going on. But I was in the dark. There was a blank void in my head that I couldn't fill.I was going crazy. The kind of craze that would make you want to confide in the closest person to you, even though that person is an enemy.I needed someone to talk to.Dashi was still admiring all we got from the market. She had good taste, I just say. She had gone to buy more clothes for herself.Although she intended to buy more fancy underwear like the Alpha liked, but she respected the fact that I was his mate. She bought them for me instead.I was touched by her actions. She seemed really nice."Can I confi
ALPHA PARTHE."How do you feel?" I asked my wolf, but he was too weak to reply.We had been bound to the beast for so long that, in many ways, we had become one. And now, with that darkness torn from us, the absence felt unsettling.I exhaled slowly, feeling the exhaustion settle into my bones. I felt uncharacteristically weak. My limbs were heavier than I had ever known them to be, my mind sluggish, but I couldn't linger in weakness. I had to see this through. Luxuria's ritual was meant to happen immediately.There was no time. Mine had taken up to half an hour.I raised my hand to stop the cheering crowd."Bring him," I said to Urik who stood beside me and he bowed slightly before walking toward the dungeon.I watched him go, a strange emotion settling in my chest.I'd been thinking of ways to thank him but none seemed enough to show how thankful I truly am to have him by my side.Apart from Luxuria, Urik was the one person I doubted a lot for years. I always picked Tervan's side ov
ALPHA PARTHE."Let's begin," Kalaril said before leading the way to the large chamber that had been prepared for the rituals.The chamber was a vast, dimly lit expanse with air so thick with the scent of burning herbs and potent ancient power.The witches stood in a circle, their dark robes pooling around them like ink seeping into the floor. They hummed low chants that resonated through the chamber, carrying a tide of old magic.Kalaril stood in the middle of the circle, and for the first time since I had known him, he looked entirely in his element—an AshBlood wizard in his full, terrifying glory.The crowd waited outside.They weren't meant to witness what was about to happen. This moment belonged to the witches, to Kalaril, to Luxuria, to Sibile—and to me.Sibile lay on the cold altar, barely breathing, her face waxy and drenched in sweat. The gaping wound on her neck had turned an ugly shade, the blood flowing sluggishly. Her body was losing its battle against time.Too much time
LUXURIA.I ran breathlessly into our chamber and couldn't hold back the torrent of emotions threatening to consume me.He was still the same selfish man I had known. The same ruthless creature who saw lives as mere tools for his own survival.Why should I trust all he had said to me earlier? He only thinks about himself and no one else.I clawed at my arms as if trying to hold myself together, but the anger, the grief, and the sheer disbelief were too much.How could he even consider this?Why would he even think of using the poor girl for this purpose?Sibile had lived her entire life running, fighting to survive, and carrying a burden she never asked for. And now, at the very end, she was to be nothing more than a sacrifice?A broken sob burned my throat, but I forced it down. My hands trembled as I wiped at the tears that streaked my cheeks, furious at myself for even shedding them.Then the door creaked open behind me.I stiffened, knowing exactly who it was before I even turned.
LUXURIA.I woke up feeling better than I felt when I regained consciousness yesterday.I had woken to warmth. A steady, familiar heat pressed against my back, the feel of a strong arm draped over my waist, holding me close. The scent of cinnamon and musk surrounded me—Parthe.For a moment, I simply breathed him in, relishing the security of his embrace. It felt surreal, almost fragile, as if one wrong move would shatter the moment like delicate glass. But this was real. He was real.A soft clatter had drawn my attention to the bedside table. A tray of steaming food awaited me, the rich aroma wafting through the air. My stomach twisted with the overwhelming realization of how much had changed within the last few hours.I was here. Safe.But not everyone had been so fortunate.My heart ached for Rorden, I must say... The good side of Rorden.He was my friend and confidant at one of the most crucial points in my life. And I couldn't take that for granted.A single tear slipped down my ch
LUXURIA.The world felt unsteady. My head was light, my body weightless, as though I were drifting between reality and something far less tangible.My eyes fluttered open, struggling to adjust to the soft glow of the room. Everything around me was familiar—the scent of embers and musk, the dark tapestries, the heavy warmth of the space.Parthe's chamber.Our chamber.A tremor ran through my chest. I was home.And if the figure sitting in front of me was truly who I thought he was…My throat tightened, my vision blurring as I stared at him.My heart leaped, but not out of fear. I was finally safe. Away from Rorden. Because, if this was truly Parthe sitting in front of me, it meant one thing – He had saved me from Rorden.I couldn't remember anything about how I ended up in Parthe's pack or chamber, but I was grateful I did."Luxuria..." Parthe called in that voice I had been longing to hear for so long now.It seemed like a dream to me.A sob slipped past my lips. My chest ached with t
ALPHA PARTHE.I stood over her, afraid to breathe. Afraid to even move.Luxuria lay motionless on the bed, her body so still that for a terrifying moment, I thought I had already lost her. The weak rise and fall of her chest was the only thing tethering her to this world.It felt as though the air had been sucked from the room. As if the gods themselves were holding their breath, waiting for me to break.It seemed like the life she was holding onto would slip away if I even as much as shifted.Gods. How did I ever let myself be this blinded by the ones around me?The people I had called my confidants—the ones I had believed would never betray me—had been the very ones who tormented her. And I had let them.I had believed their lies over the truth that was in front of me.I had doubted her every single time.And now, she was caught in some silent battle between life and death while I could do nothing but watch.I clenched my fists, my nails biting into my palm.Fuck.I didn't deserve L
ALPHA PARTHE.Rorden's body trembled around my claws, his life ebbing from him in slow, uneven breaths. His blood coated my hand, and it was slick and hot, its coppery scent filling my nostrils.His trembling fingers still clung to my wrist as if he wanted to hold on.His lips parted, with the blood pooling there, spilling over, trailing down his chin in dark rivulets."Parthe…" His voice was weak and fractured. His body convulsed against mine, the last vestiges of strength slipping from him. But his eyes… his eyes burned, filled with something I had never seen in him before. Something… broken.I clenched my jaw, willing myself to finish this and end it. But my fingers hesitated around the fragile organ still beating weakly in my palm."Say it," I rasped, my voice thick and my jaw locked. "Say you regret it."A faint, blood-tinged smile touched his lips. "I don't," he whispered. "I never… regretted… trying to take back… what should have been mine."I exhaled sharply, my grip tightenin
ALPHA PARTHE.I snarled and took a step forward, but he stepped back, pressing the sword even harder on her delicate throat."You fucking coward," I growled, a scoff escaping my lips."We both know I am not a coward, Parthe. I am more of a man than you'd ever be. Everything I have had to endure only made me stronger and carved me into the man I am now," he said.The girl made a choked noise, but Rorden didn't react.He wasn't really here.His mind—his soul—was somewhere else."Do you even know what it's like, Parthe? To survive on your own like a real man should?""To be the unwanted son?" His voice cracked. "To know that no matter what you do, no matter how hard you fight—your own father will never fucking look at you the way you want him to?"I clenched my fists, my claws biting into my palms. "Our father was..." I was saying when he cut me off."No." His smile was thin. "Your father. Not mine. Never mine."His grip on the girl tightened."You were the golden child, Parthe. The heir
ALPHA PARTHE.Rorden's men fell. Like dead flies, their bodies littered my land, soaking the earth with their blood.And there was nothing more satisfying than that.Rorden was bleeding from every wound I had given him.So was I.But mine were worse. Especially the cuts my mate had inflicted on me. I wasn't healing.I had lost too much blood. And the only remedy I had was deep inside my chamber. I couldn't leave the war zone to go get it.I had to hold on a little longer."You're losing, brother," I taunted, my voice rough with exhaustion.Rorden barely had time to react before my fist collided with his jaw.Bone cracked. His head snapped to the side.And still, the bastard grinned."Never learned to give up?" I asked, driving my fist into his face in yet another punch. The impact sent blood flying from his lips. But he only laughed before spitting a mouthful of red onto the ground."Today is the day you'd breathe your last, Rorden," I recited a spell under my breath. My fingers burne