ALPHA PARTHE.I have been having this nagging feeling since Luxuria left my chamber this morning. Something tells me she wants to sneak out of the pack deliberately. Perhaps to see Kahel.The mere thought of it made me mad with rage. What was she thinking?"You are overreacting," Ravorn, my wolf, said with a hiss."Not now, Ravorn." I dismissed him.He's been this way ever since our passionate encounter with our mate. He was upset that we didn't get to mark her. I had my reasons for not marking her just yet. I'll do that when the time is right."If you had just marked her, you wouldn't be this insecure, you know?" He mocked me."What is your point, Rav?" I asked frustratedly."You are already falling in love with her. Why hide it?" He asked."You know the answer to that already. She doesn't feel the same way for us. Her heart still belongs to someone else," I replied."You are wrong. I feel it. She feels something for you, but she is scared. You've always wanted this... A fated mate.
LUXURIA.What would he think of me? He'd think I was truly up to no good in the pack. He always had that notion. And now, seeing me getting into a heated argument with Nevada would surely prove him right."Is there a problem here?" Tervan's voice was calm but laced with authority.I took a step back, my chest heaving with tense breaths.I opened my mouth to speak, but the words caught in my throat. All eyes were on me now.Why did they stare at me as if I was the problem? Hadn't they witnessed what Nevada did to me?The accusation in their gaze made my heart drop further."Beta Tervan..." Nevada called ever so calmly, a sly smile creeping onto her face. "It seems the Alpha's mate breeds trouble wherever she goes. This would be the second time she is trying so hard to get me into trouble with the Alpha." She said.I narrowed my brows to her words, disbelief coursing through me. "That’s not true—”“Just last week, she barged into the kitchen unannounced, yelling at the other maids, dema
ALPHA PARTHE.I decided to pay Alpha Jalar a visit. Today seemed like a fine day for that. I arrived at the edges of his territory, and I could barely contain my rage.My patience had worn thin, and today would be the last time I allowed this to fester. Tervan, Griff, and Urik flanked me silently.Alpha Jalar wasn't one to be underestimated. He was in his early fifties but still possessed the rugged strength of a much younger man.His face was marked by a deep scar running across his jawline, and sometimes, I sincerely wish I was the one who had left that scar on his face. He had his scanty black hair tied in a ponytail.Jalar stood waiting outside his pack house; his arms crossed over his chest as if this confrontation was little more than a bothersome chore.I had no intention of drawing this out."Alpha Parthe," Jalar greeted, his tone condescending, as if we were old friends catching up rather than enemies standing on contested ground. "What brings you all the way out here? Surely
LUXURIA.I have been waiting all afternoon to see the Alpha. I heard he went out of the pack. My heart raced. This was what I wanted, but the idea of Shikta threatening me with the wrong impression she got from last night unnerved me.I had informed Rorden about Shikta's threats. Although he wasn't bothered about it, he encouraged me to give the Alpha an excuse, saying I was doing this for our own benefit and not because of Shikta's threats.It was already sundown, and I was certain the Alpha was back. It wouldn't hurt to go and check.Just as I prepared to leave my chamber, a knock startled me.No. Not now. This wasn't time for an interruption. I couldn't let anyone in.I made sure I was ready to leave, so as soon as I opened the door, I'd dismiss whoever was there.When I opened it, I was surprised to see Gamma Urik standing there. He had a serious expression on his face that made me uncomfortable.We've never really spoken since I came into the pack. He seemed like a reserved perso
He leaned down slightly, his breath hot against my ear as he whispered, "You don't want to disappoint me, do you, Luxuria?"I shook my head, my voice lost somewhere between my dry throat and the tightening knot of anticipation inside me. His thumb brushed over my trembling lips, parting them slightly, his touch rough yet deliberate. The heat from his skin seared me, making my pulse race faster."Good," he murmured, his tone softer but no less commanding. "Now, open your mouth for me."I hesitated for a fraction of a second, but the pressure of his grip on my hair reminded me that this wasn't an option—it was a command. Slowly, I parted my lips, my heart thudding loudly in my chest as I forced myself to relax.He guided his cock toward my mouth, pressing the tip against my lips. His salty, musky taste filled my senses as he pushed forward, sliding past my parted lips. I gagged slightly at the intrusion, but his hold on me tightened, preventing any retreat."Take it all," he ordered, hi
LUXURIA.I had to come up with something. For whatever reason, the Alpha had decided to leave me behind. I was grateful, but keeping me confined to his chambers wouldn't help with my plans.Rorden would be waiting for me right now. And I hoped Shikta was able to go with the Alpha in my stead because, as it stands, I could boldly say I kept to my words."What do we do?" I asked my wolf, Xurie."I don't know. Maybe we could get help from someone on the outside," She replied, "but... I don't feel right about this. If the Alpha finds out...""He won't find out. We'll be quick about it." I retorted.Suddenly, an idea popped in.I opened the door and spoke to the guard again, "I need to see Dashi." I said, hoping they'd let me through."Forgive me, but we have strict instructions not to let you leave." One of the guards explained again."But we can bring her to you." The second guard said, and it was a bit relieving."Okay. Please bring her to me."Shortly after I went back into the room, t
LUXURIA.I was overly weak but kept moving. My body still ached, and I felt sore all over.Rorden knew all the nooks and crannies of the pack, and somehow, we were able to sneak past the guards. And even when we encountered two guards at the pack's Eastern exit, Rorden was able to go past them.They seemed very familiar with each other. Plus, I wasn't entirely popular among the Wild Wolf pack. So it was easy telling them a lie or two about me, and they let us pass.The sun was almost up, and I couldn't say I wasn't nervous. I willed for the horses to go faster than how they moved, but it was only a wish.The Wild Wolf pack was very enormous. To get to each border, one had to be intentional about it. The borders were quite far from the pack, especially the Eastern border.Rorden's men were more specific about where Amelia was spotted around the Eastern side of our border. She was somewhere around the Dolcanian mountains. Quite the hideout.It was a quiet trip. Rorden barely said a word
LUXURIA.My entire body stiffened, and for a split second, I didn't dare move. I could hear my heart pounding in my ears. I felt my pulse thudding against my throat.I couldn't bring myself to turn around. I stood there, my back still turned to him, my body betraying every ounce of composure I tried to hold onto.He was a good distance away from the entrance to the fortress, but he had managed to see my unmistakable figure despite the cloak and hoodie I was wearing.Although he called my name with uncertainty, I knew a greater part of him knew I was the one he had just seen.I felt his footsteps drawing closer.I panicked. Every muscle in my body locked."Luxuria?" He called, and I contemplated running off. For my life. Because he'd kill me for disobeying him.A cruel Alpha like Parthe didn't need to raise his voice or his hand to break someone; his mere presence was enough to rip a soul apart.His steps quickened, the sound of boots crunching against the gravel-like ground sending sh
LUXURIA."I told you the time will come faster than you even imagine..." Rorden traced a lazy path along my cheek, "The time when you'd stand by my side as mine... The time is already upon us, dear Luxuria."My restrained hands twitched, aching to curl into fists, to drive my knuckles into his jaw and watch his smug mouth spill blood.Instead, I did the only thing I could. I spat in his face."You will never succeed in this evil you plan," I hissed, watching as the glob of spit trailed down his cheek. "The goddess will never accept the abomination you just committed in the name of rituals."Rorden didn't flinch. He simply exhaled through his nose, dragging a thumb across his cheek, wiping the spit away with an infuriating calmness.I scoffed, shaking my head. "How could you even harness such thoughts against your own brother?"My eyes scanned the large field, taking in the fearful-looking men who were being fortified with Rorden's blood mixed with some kind of powerful herbs and subst
ALPHA PARTHE."It took you long enough, Urik," I said when I saw him striding into my courtroom like a man walking towards his own execution. "Finally got some nerves to face me?"Bharon and Kefas had the perfect look of displeasure on their faces as their gazes rested on Urik.Like everyone else, they had been disappointed—furious—with the way things had turned out two days ago, and Urik made sure to stay away from everyone's eyes. I hadn't seen him since the day of the false alarm.He had vanished the moment things went south, leaving me to clean up his mess.Coward.Tervan kept on asking me what really happened and how we got the information about an attack that never happened. He was also curious as to what pack was going to attack us and all, but I never gave him any reasonable explanation.Because what was I supposed to say? That I had suspected my own right-hand man of treason? And that we had gone to such lengths to actually catch him in the act... In an act that he was never
ALPHA PARTHE."Fifty men to the East entrance!" Kefas commanded.The warriors moved, their armor glinting under the early light, boots thudding against the earth as they marched to their positions. Some carried shields, others had double-bladed axes, and a few had bows slung over their backs.The entire camp was a storm of movement.Blacksmiths pounded metal against metal, forging last-minute weapons. Stable hands hurried to saddle warhorses, the beasts stamping their hooves impatiently. Runners darted between squadrons, delivering orders.Over three thousand men. Positioned strategically. Ready for war.And yet, I stood there, watching, my gut twisted into knots.What if we were wrong? This would all seem and feel stupid. But there was no time to second-guess. I had already given the command."Parthe?" A familiar voice called me, and I stilled.Tervan.I turned slowly, my face betraying nothing, though my insides recoiled. He was covered in dust, his tunic streaked with sweat. He had
ALPHA PARTHE."The warriors await your orders, Alpha,"Kefas's voice barely registered. My mind was elsewhere.Once again, I was thinking about Luxuria. No matter how hard I tried to push her from my mind, she always found a way back in.I tried offering sacrifices to the goddess, but it seemed she had also forsaken me. I didn't want to believe Urik's theory, as well as the theories of others who thought she had run away with Rorden.Rorden was always good at hiding. Whenever he left the pack back in those days, no one ever found him until he was ready to be found or until he returned to the pack. Maybe he had taken her to one of those hideouts of his, and they were probably living their best lives."Alpha?" Bharon called, and I lifted my gaze to meet their curious ones. But before I'd say a word to them, the doors to my courtroom banged open, and Urik strode in with urgency on his face."Alpha, I have gotten her to tell me everything she knows. We have to act fast. They are coming. I
LUXURIA'S POV.Nevada stilled at the sight of the monster standing before us. His aura had become ten times darker and more terrifying than before that was certain I didn't want to be in the same space with him.His eyes held promises that scared me... I wasn't safe with him... My pups aren't safe either. What if he tries to get rid of them again?"Alpha?" She greeted with a nervous how before hurrying out of the chamber, leaving me at his mercy.He barely even acknowledged her.His eyes rested on the scroll in my hands before trailing up to meet my tearfilled gaze. He moved without sound, his robes flowing around him like liquid darkness, swallowing every trace of warmth from the room. The door groaned as he pushed it shut, making me jolt in fear.A slow smirk tugged at the corner of his lips as he took slow steps forward."My little Luxuria," he murmured with amusement. "Why are you holding my scroll?"I took a step back instinctively, my heart slamming against my ribs. My hands tre
LUXURIA.I paced the room, my nails scraping against my lips as I chewed on them anxiously, my heart hammering against my ribs. Fear coiled tight in my stomach, but at least my babies were safe. For now.I was able to learn from Nevada that Rorden had gone for some kind of fortification or ritual of some sort, but she refused to tell me why. And that bothered me. Deep in my bones, something felt off. Something was definitely wrong.Rorden had instructed that I'd be taken to his chamber after recovering yesterday. The entire place reeked of him, and my stomach churned with disgust. I didn't want to be anywhere near him, let alone trapped in a space that belonged to him.My mind wandered in Parthe's direction again, and as usual, I was helpless... I couldn't stop myself from thinking about him and Shikta.Shikta's dreams would have come true... Her dreams of becoming Luna.Parthe must have moved on with his life. I knew that... Otherwise, he should have been looking for me already. Rord
PARTHE.Did I care that I lost a child?Not really.Did that make me a bad person? Maybe.But who cared?I exhaled, stretching my fingers before curling them into fists again, feeling the sharp sting of my own strength pressing into my palms.I should have cared. I should have felt something other than this quiet, creeping satisfaction that coiled inside me.But I didn't.A twisted, irrational sense of relief seeped into my bones at the thought of Shikta losing that child. I couldn't even explain why. Perhaps it was because I never wanted a child from her. Perhaps because I never wanted anything to bind me to her in the first place.Or maybe it was because fate had already taken everything from me. My mate. My peace. My patience. And now, it had stripped away something I was supposed to mourn—but couldn't.I had always wanted my heir to come from a woman I love... My mate... But fate ruined everything and is still ruining my efforts!I slammed my fist on the wooden table before me in
SHIKTA.I jolted upright, my breath ragged, my heart hammering so hard I thought it might tear through my ribs. My hands clutched at the sheets, damp with sweat, as my frantic gaze darted around the dimly lit chamber.Where was I?For a brief, foolish moment, I hoped I had woken up at the very moment the darkness swallowed me whole and that I hadn't blacked out for too long. Or that it had all been a nightmare, nothing more. But it was only a wish.A splitting headache welcomed me, as well as a terrifying dizziness that almost sent me back to the bed I had just woken up from.I swayed, barely able to keep myself upright, my stomach churning like a stormy sea."You need to rest, Shikta." I heard the Alpha's voice from somewhere around the room.I looked around immediately to see him standing in a dark corner of the room."Parthe... Parthe..." I called, too in a hurry to stand up, meet him, and explain all that Tervan tried to do, that I didn't notice the sharp pain that was plaguing my
SHIKTA."What took you so long, you pathetic little thing? How long does it take to get a simple tea done?" I snapped at the lazy maid whose thin shoulders were shivering before me.I watched her struggle to form a response, her lips quivering as she opened her mouth—only to fail miserably.How utterly pathetic.She looked far too weak, too fragile, and it was satisfying.I leaned back in my chair, allowing myself the pleasure of her misery.When I became Luna, I had turned most of Parthe's former mistresses into my slaves. He had no problem with that, and I was thankful for it. And this one—this wretched, simpering girl—had once warmed my Alpha's bed.The very thought of it filled me with rage that I wanted to maltreat the life out of her!If it weren't for the child growing inside me, I might have thrown something at her just for the satisfaction of seeing her cower."When I ask for tea, I expect it before my patience runs out," I said slowly, letting the words slither into her bone