LUXURIA.I woke up feeling better this morning. Rorden had been with me until very late into the night, ensuring I was doing fine before he left.I couldn't help but appreciate his efforts. I know it's been barely up to two weeks since we met, but I can't deny that he'd been more of the friend I never had. Of course, aside from Niksha. I still think about her every day. I missed her so much.Niksha had been the only friend I had in the Ash Mountain pack. If not for her and Kahel, I wouldn't have known what the warmth of friendship or love meant."Zendaya..." I called after the silence between us stretched for so long while I ate the meal she brought me.She insisted on staying with me until I was done eating. Typical Zendaya. "Why didn't you tell me?""Tell you what?" She asked, relieved that I finally spoke to her."That you are one of the Alpha's mistresses," I said, watching her expression.She shifted uncomfortably. "I... I didn't want you to... You know..." She swallowed a dry lu
LUXURIA.Before anyone could react, an arrow whistled through the air, coming from the thick underbrush. Time slowed. I saw the gleam of the arrowhead as it sliced through the fog, heading straight for me.My breath caught in my throat, and I froze, unable to move. The world around me went silent; every muscle in my body locked in fear. I couldn't scream, couldn't cry out—just watched helplessly as death flew toward me.In an instant, Urik was moving. He lunged toward my horse with the speed of lightning, pushing it down just in time for the arrow to narrowly fly past me. I fell harshly to the ground but didn't feel the impact. I was too terrified to feel pain right now.The sharp twang of the string still echoed behind me when it found its mark—not me, but one of the warriors behind me.The man let out a sharp cry before slumping over in his saddle, blood blooming from his chest.Chaos erupted."Protect Luxuria!" Tervan shouted at the top of his voice, and warriors shouted in respons
ALPHA PARTHE.I haven't been able to concentrate on anything since they left. I trusted Tervan to protect Luxuria, but I felt it wasn't enough. Maybe I should have gone with them.I only go for inspection once in a long while, but today, I wish I had broken my protocols and gone with them.I eagerly awaited their return, even though I kept having the nagging feeling that something wasn't right.Suddenly, from a distance, I heard a familiar voice yell with urgency, "Clear the way! Call the healers! Where is the Alpha!"No.It was Tervan.The moment I heard Tervan's voice, my heart—usually cold, unfeeling—lurched in my chest. I had been restless all day, but this…this was something more.Why were they back already?A deep fear coursed through me as the words registered in my mind.'Call the healers…Where is the Alpha?'Luxuria.Without thinking, I jolted off my seat, leaping to my feet, my pulse pounding in my ears as the scrolls I had been reviewing fell off my hands and scattered ever
ALPHA PARTHE.The healers have been able to bring her out of danger while they prepare for the actual procedure needed to ensure the poison stops spreading.I asked them to make sure the potion was the most potent they could ever make. They said it was possible but they needed my blood for it - that's how much power I possess.No one can begin to imagine all the things my blood could do.I had given them more than enough. If they needed more, I'd drain the entire blood in my veins just for her. I'd bleed myself dry if it meant saving her.The potion should be ready before dawn.The assistant head witch, Dalia, was seeing to it since Shikta had been nowhere to be found all day.I stood over Luxuria, watching the gentle rise and fall of her chest, my hands resting at my sides as if I could steady the world around her by my sheer will alone.Watching her pale body lay almost lifeless on my bed made me feel something I hadn't felt in a long time - fear.The pale moonlight filtered through
ALPHA PARTHE.I jolted awake, gasping for breath, drenched in cold sweat. My heart pounded in my chest. I rubbed my face with trembling hands, struggling to shake off the nightmare, but it clung to me, suffocating me as always. The same guilt, the same horror.I gripped the edges of the stool, trying to ground myself in the present. My breaths were shallow, ragged, as if I'd run through the woods all over again.My muscles burned, and the bitter taste of bile clung to the back of my throat.I looked up, my gaze drawn to the bed where Luxuria lay. I saw the steady rise and fall of her chest, which reassured me that she was still breathing.But my heart clenched with a new kind of fear.The way Luxuria had started to make me feel scared me. It was a danger to her.I know she didn't love me yet. And at this point, I think she shouldn't.I was letting myself love and care for her, forgetting the danger I could be to the ones I love and care about.I had to make it stop.If I allowed her to
LUXURIA.My body didn't feel like mine. Every part of me ached, heavy and foreign, as if the weight of the world itself had collapsed onto my chest. I groaned softly, my eyelids fluttering open, barely able to adjust to the pale light filtering through the room. My vision blurred for a moment, and then slowly, shapes began to take form.Where was I?My breathing was shallow, each breath feeling like a burden. As the room came into focus, I recognized the familiar surroundings of my chamber.How did I end up here? What happened? I wondered.Then it hit me.The rogues. The chaos. The Blood.The sharp, ice-cold tendrils of fear wrapped around my chest as the memory surged back.I thought I was going to die. How was I alive?I tried to sit up, my mind swirling with a thousand questions, but my body betrayed me. Weakness clung to my limbs like chains, preventing me from even lifting a finger. I let out a frustrated breath, the sound more pitiful than I intended."You’re awake,” a voice sai
ALPHA PARTHE.I was eager to hear what Tervan had to say. I hadn't slept a wink all night. I put all my self-control to use. Otherwise, I'd have barged into Luxuria's chamber just to make sure she was fine.My wolf wasn't speaking to me anymore. He was pissed, but I hoped he understood that this was for the best."She is recovering well, Alpha," Tervan said when he sat on the seat across from me."And...?" I asked, hoping to hear more. There was nothing in particular I wanted to hear, but I just wished he had more to say."That's it. She is recovering. She was able to speak with us. Although she's still very weak, she'd live." He reported so casually, and it grated on my nerves."I expected a more detailed report, Tervan," I said, leaning back on my seat, my eyes closed and my left hand massaging my left temple.Tervan scoffed, "A more detailed report like how she stirred lazily before her eyes fluttered open? Or the entire conversation that had taken place?"He was pissed. I know. I
ALPHA PARTHE.Did I hear correctly? Me? A coward? My entire body went rigid, muscles tensing as I clenched my fists at my sides. The blood pounded in my ears, and a wildfire of anger ignited in my veins."Geth..." I growled his name through gritted teeth, barely containing the rage surging through me."Parthe, no matter what has happened in the past, we are still family," he continued, unbothered by my fury, his calm voice somehow more infuriating. "Your mother would curse me from the grave if I kept a solution from you. It doesn't matter if you don't like what I have to say." He added, almost as if he hadn't just called me a coward."Sit." He said, but I didn't make a move. "Sit down, Parthe!" His tone shifted from casual to commanding.I hesitated for a moment before dropping into the seat behind me, every nerve in my body still seething with anger."You are one of the greatest Alphas to ever live from your lineage. It would be a waste to let that legacy slip away out of foolishness
ALPHA PARTHE.Two thousand warriors drew their swords for a battle they knew they'd lose either way.Fools. Lesser men always are so foolish.The battleground was charged with the kind of energy I liked. Fear. Panic. Terror. It poured from Lucius's men like a pungent stench, feeding the darker corners of my soul.Even though Lucius was too much of a coward to admit his wrong and decided to keep up with his pride, his men were obviously aware of what they were up against.I watched them with detached emotion. They looked pathetic.The image of my sleeping mate kept replaying in my head. She was so beautiful when she slept. Especially when in a deep slumber like the one I had just put her in.She'd thought I'd abandon this war? She thought wrong. I had to use my powers to put her in a slumber to be able to leave."You're sure about this?" I heard Urik ask from beside me."What? You think you need to leave?" I asked in a menacing tone without even looking at him.Urik had been against th
LUXURIA.Parthe has been too adamant about this war, and I have a bad feeling about it. That's why I did what I had to do."The men are ready, Alpha," Vixtin said, adjusting his armor. His pregnant mate was almost due for delivery. Why would Parthe put him in harm's way just at the peak of his life?"Tell the warriors securing the entrances of the pack to get more weapons if need be. We wouldn't want any surprises while we are out there," Parthe said, not lifting his head from the map he was studying.I gathered the courage I needed and entered his courtroom, "Parthe?" I called while approaching him."How much longer did you intend to stand there?" He asked so casually.Of course, what did I expect? He'd smelt me from where I was hiding and contemplating if I should talk to him or not.I cleared my throat, "Please don't go for this war. I have a bad feeling about it and... And..." I trailed off, my voice choking with restrained sobs.Even though we've both not been the best of mates,
LUXURIA.Of all people, I never thought I’d ever do anything to save the one woman who had always been my greatest problem in life. I was done sulking and feeling dejected when I decided to take an evening stroll—something I rarely do. I had gone to see Rorden but he was nowhere to be found. Just as I was making my way back to my chamber, I saw the commotion unfolding right in front of me. I didn’t hesitate to think twice before swinging into action and knocking the intruder off of Shikta. This might not be for Shikta. This might be for the greater good. I just want to believe so. Otherwise, this was a perfect opportunity to get rid of one of my problems on a platter of gold. “Speak!” The Beta’s fist collided with the man’s already bleeding jaw.The man knelt in the center of the dimly lit chamber, blood dripping from his nose, his face swollen and battered.He wasn’t healing. He’d been beaten with wolf’s bane long enough to weaken his healing ability.“Who sent you? What were yo
SHIKTA.I lay back on the bed, my hands resting on the swell of my belly, but the ache in my lower back made it impossible to find a comfortable position. Every shift of my body brought a sharp, jabbing pain, and my feet throbbed from swelling.I wanted to cry, but tears wouldn’t solve anything.I tried to talk with Parthe but he was enraged for reasons best known to him. I also went to spend some time with Tervan but he pushed me away. His words played over in my mind, his usual excuse for keeping me at arm’s length. “I need more time.” Time for what? I wasn’t asking him to love me. I wasn’t even asking for much—just his presence, his support, someone to lean on. I wasn’t the one who decided this pup would exist, yet here I was, facing the brunt of it alone.A lot of times, I need the father of my pup around… Or, at least, a man around. But I was mostly alone. The troubles of pregnancy weren’t something I ever envisaged bearing alone.It was a cool night, and taking my usual walk
LUXURIA.All eyes were on me expectantly. Every gaze felt like a weight pressing down on me, and the intensity of their expectations made my throat tighten.The hall was quiet. So quiet that the footsteps of a tiptoeing ant would be heard if there was any around.I swallowed hard, feeling the tremble in my hands. “I…” I began, my voice shaking slightly. My palms were damp against the smooth wood of the podium. My eyes darted to Parthe, his jaw clenched tight, his gaze like coal-black fire boring into me. I could feel his displeasure.Urik was disgusted. Tervan had a neutral expression.My eyes stung with tears. What’s going on? The last thing I remembered was standing outside with Rorden, wondering if I had actually seen Sibille or if it was just a figment of my imagination. How did I get on the stage? The speech I had diligently prepared and rehearsed for hours, all jumbled up in my head. I couldn’t even remember a line from it. “What is going on?” Parthe asked through the mind
LUXURIA.I was already coming to a decision. I had to. As painful as it seemed, I had to start accepting my fate—the cruel fate Selene had subjected me to.Perhaps I could swallow my pain and hatred and seek refuge with my father, Nelfas. Would he cast me away? I wouldn’t be surprised if he did. He never cared about my birth mother until she died at the hands of Odren. Odren’s pack was never an option. I’ll be more of a laughingstock now than ever. And Rella? She’d make sure to make my life hell than she used to, now that she finally had the one thing she could kill me for. Although the last time Niksha visited me, she told me Rella and Kahel’s union wasn’t as blossoming as it should be, but that they were getting better by the day and Kahel was learning to love and accept Rella really fast. My heart ached. Rella was finally having the last laugh. I thought I would find peace with my mate, instead, I lost the man I loved with my life, and now, my mate too. I wiped the tear that sl
ALPHA PARTHE“She needs you around, Alpha. It is a critical time for her. She’s weak and the unborn pup needs its father close always,” Dalia explained.She had found out. She fucking had.I wanted this to be a secret until I could figure out what to do but right now, more people were getting to know about it.I looked at Shikta’s almost unconscious form and I didn’t know what to feel—anger, hate, disgust?“Dalia. Not a word about this to anyone. Not even a soul,” I said and I saw the look of surprise that crossed her face.“As you wish, Alpha.” She bowed, “But she could grow weaker by the day and the pup is at risk of being unhealthy without the presence of its father. Please, make time out of your very busy schedule and spend around her. It will be beneficial to you both in the future.” She added.I only nodded casually and walked out without saying another word.I stood in front of Luxuria’s chamber, unsure if she’d want to see me. The realization of how I had spoken to her in the
ALPHA PARTHE."Search everywhere! Send spies to every other pack. She couldn't have vanished from the face of the earth without any trace!" I yelled at my warriors who had returned with nothing but bad news.I'd put in every effort necessary to find Eldora but all to no avail. It was eating me up rapidly. I needed closure. I needed to know if Zendaya was truly the one.A part of me refused to believe that I had ruined my chances of living with my own hands. I just... I just needed something... Anything! Fuck it! I just needed to see Eldora!Nelfas' daughter was out of the question. She was underage and without her wolf. I couldn't even take her as a substitute. There has to be another way!I slammed my fist on the table before me, shattering it to pieces. My rage has been almost out of control lately.My body trembled and I needed a release. I needed to take out this anger. Perhaps, I could go for a hunt tonight.The full moon was just yesterday and the hunt was less satisfying. It w
LUXURIA.I tried to steady the tremors in my hands and the rapid beating of my heart as I washed off the dirt on my body.I felt better after having a warm bath.I had been training with Vixtin all morning, and it was a great way of letting out some of the anxiety that was constantly plaguing me for no reason.Sometimes, when I let out some steam in the training process, it keeps me sane and tames the chaos that the voices in my head keep whispering to me.On several occasions, I've had to fight the urge to rip Vixtin into pieces for no reason. The urge to hurt people around me was becoming unbearable, but I didn't intend to give in to it.Not now. I wouldn't want to be executed.Last night was the night of the full moon, and I barely found any prey, save for a young rogue whom I regretted killing.The more I killed, the more I wanted to kill. It was intoxicating and it bothered me.I almost didn't need the full moon to crave blood anymore. I am totally scared because anyone could be