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.I stiffened, my blood running cold as I slowly turned. Dashi stood there, her gaze locked onto mine, her brow furrowed in confusion.She had seen me peering into my mate's window like some lovesick fool. I could feel the heat of embarrassment creeping up my neck.For a moment, we stared at each other in silence. I could almost hear the questions forming in her mind, but she was too scared to ask.I knew she felt uncomfortable under my deathly glare.I glared at her as though she was the one invading my privacy and not me invading someone else's privacy.She cleared her throat and spoke, trembling slightly with confusion and panic, "I... I came to spend the night with her to make sure she's not alone and... And just in case she might need anything through the night." She paused, her eyes darting around, unable to meet my glare, "but I'll just head back to my chamber..." She said, turning to leave, but I stopped her with just one word."Stay."Then, without another word, I
LUXURIA.Dashi made sure not to leave me in the confines of my chamber. She had spent the night with me, and I was thankful. But I needed some more time alone.I felt better than yesterday. But I couldn't help the lingering weakness I felt... The weakness I had been feeling for some time now, even before the rogue attack. I couldn't tell what it was, but I had to talk to Rorden about it.He still wasn't back yet, and I worried. Had he left the pack again, just like before? I felt a slight pang of sadness at that thought.He wouldn't leave without saying a word to me. Not the Rorden I know.It was still very early in the morning, and just a few people were going about their duties. Dashi had insisted I go with her to her chamber to get ready for breakfast. Today, she was determined to drag me to breakfast with the rest of the pack, much to my dismay. She was tired of me keeping to myself."You can't keep on staying locked away," she scolded, though there was no real bite to her tone.I
LUXURIA.It's the night of the full moon. My breaths were shallow, each one laced with the anxiety creeping through my veins.My condition has worsened in the past few days. Rorden was still nowhere to be found. No one has seen nor heard a word about him yet.No Rorden, no potions.My potions stopped being effective, no matter how many times I tried to improve them.I grew from being worried to being angry. Why would he leave me at a point like this when I needed someone to talk to? Someone who really knows and understands my plight?He promised. He had promised to be by my side today.I trembled. It was getting dark, and soon, the full moon would appear in the sky.I had been avoiding Dashi since the symptoms returned. She got tired of my excuses and thought I was tired of her friendship. She was hurt, and it hurt me.Dashi has been nothing short of a good friend to me. But she wouldn't understand. It was for the best. I'll make things right as soon as I pass through this phase.I pe
ALPHA PARTHE.Shikta's new potion still did nothing to help with the effect. I had accepted my fate. Besides, I had less than two more years to deal with it.Before the curse finally took over, my thoughts drifted to Luxuria. I hoped she was fine and safe. I had told Leisha to make sure of that.As I charged out of my pack and into the woods, I headed straight for the border. I knew where I always caught worthy prey to feast on.As I ran, I heard a loud roar in the thick forest. I halted, trying to make out where the sound was coming from. My senses were on acute alert.If there was any unfortunate wolf around my territory at this crucial time, then I wouldn't be held responsible for their deaths.I moved forward, running in my gigantic wolf form, when suddenly, from a great distance from me, my eyes caught something... A movement. Fast and urgent.I snared, my nose flaring, trying to pick up any strange scent, but I couldn't.Perhaps I won't have to go hunting outside the pack today.
LUXURIA.We had successfully snuck into the pack and into my chamber. My emotions were all messed up. I was grateful for Rorden's timely intervention, but at the same time, I was still angry at him."Where have you been, Rorden? You just left without a word." I asked, trying not to sound upset."I am sorry. I got word from some of my spies about Amelia. I couldn't wait for you to return from the inspection with Tervan. I had to leave." He explained.I narrowed my brows. I never told him about the inspection. How did he know?"How did you know I went for inspection?" I sat up from my lying position, curious.He shrugged, "I saw you leaving with Tervan and Urik. I knew what it meant. I'm not a stranger to the pack, remember?" He answered so casually, but I wasn't satisfied with his response. "My grandfather told me what happened to you. How are you faring now?"I hesitated for a moment, my brain still processing his excuse. "I am better now," I replied simply."My men spotted Amelia aro
ALPHA PARTHE.I felt an ache in my heart when I saw her. She looked disappointed seeing Shikta on my bed. It took all the willpower in me not to hold her close and explain to her that it wasn't what she thought.Shikta had come to apply some ointment to my aching muscles after last night. It's a usual routine every time the curse takes over. I thought she'd be gone before Luxuria arrived, but Luxuria came faster than I expected.I couldn't look her in the eyes, not because I didn't want to, but because I couldn't bear to see the hurt in her eyes.Shikta, as valuable and as thoughtful as always, had suggested that I engage Luxuria in the pack's day-to-day affairs, starting with this trade.I saw a lot of sense in it. Since Luxuria set foot in the pack, she hasn't participated in anything productive. If I ever want to make her my Luna, she has to get familiar with the dealings of the pack.I hope she does this right. It's a simple task, though. I just hope she doesn't disappoint me. A t
LUXURIA.It wasn't an easy task, but surprisingly, I was almost done. Just a few more bags and the supplies would be ready to leave.My father's farms had always yielded too little to feed his entire pack. He always sourced food from other packs. Who would have thought that one day, I'd be in charge of sending out supplies to my cruel father?I was satisfied with my achievements so far. I made sure to work all day without a rest. A part of me wanted the Alpha to be proud of me that I didn't let him down. Now, he'd see that I was not just a liability to his pack. I could be useful.I can't wait to see the look on his face when he hears that I was able to sort out over eight thousand bags of grains in one day.Pride colored my cheeks. It felt so good to be useful.Just as I watched the laborers load the final batch of supplies, I saw Rorden approaching me."Rorden!" I could barely hide the excitement in my voice. Finally, one friendly face appears!"Luxuria," He smiled back, looking aro
ALPHA PARTHE.Nothing ever prepared me for the surprise that awaited me. I didn't know what came over her but I was thankful it did.She seemed different.She teased me in ways my body couldn't bear. It took all the self-control in me not to snap that flimsy silk off my wrists, pin her to the bed and fuck her until she could no longer breathe."I am ready to love you, Parthe."Those words were all it took to snap the tiny thread holding my restraints. I'd waited so long to hear her say those words. I thought she'd never say them. I thought she'd never be able to love me ever again.But I was wrong."Unbind me, Luxuria!" I said, baring my teeth. I wanted to show her exactly what those words meant to me."Parthe..." She called nervously at my command and for a moment, the bravery she had put up slowly faded away."Scared?" I asked, arching a brow, "would you rather I break free myself?" Even I couldn't recognize my voice. Fuck, I was lost in her spell.I felt the nervous thrill that ran
LUXURIA.I waited nervously for his return. My heart drummed in my chest but I occasionally took in deep breaths to calm it down.I wanted to thank him for saving my life. I just didn't know how.The door finally swung open and he walked in, tired and sweaty."Luxuria?" He called when he saw me still awake, "Why are you still up?"I ignored his question, rising to meet him, "Welcome back. How was the meeting?" I asked, helping him undress.I had already prepared a very hot bath for him. As if I knew he'd return stressed, I had added some relaxing herbs and oils into the hot water."It went well. You still haven't..." He was about saying when I interrupted him."I prepared a hot bath for you. Come here," I said, pulling him into the bathroom.I didn't miss the surprise in his eyes. He looked at me as if I had been possessed by someone else.I guided him into the bath tub filled with hot water.He sat, letting out a long, relieving breath."Relieving, right?" I asked, managing a smile.
LUXURIA.It was hard to believe that Zendaya was the one who almost had me killed. She was the first friend I made when I arrived here. And despite everything, I wouldn't deny the fact that her death touched me.I wonder how her mother would feel. Nevada loved her so much.As the days passed, I felt stronger. The effect of the trauma I was exposed to in my unconscious state was beginning to wear off.It had been three days since I woke up, and Alpha Parthe had hardly left my side since. I wouldn’t deny the warmth his presence brought, though I didn’t fully understand why it comforted me so much. Perhaps I was beginning to get used to being around him."I can't believe you are back to us, Luxuria," Dashi said for the hundredth time in three days. She has been so overwhelmed with joy.“How many times do I have to hear that?” I teased, rolling my eyes, though a small smile tugged at my lips.“Until the day after forever!” She sat beside me, her laughter filling the room. Then her express
LUXURIA.It was all too sudden. I fell hard, right back into the darkness I was afraid of. It felt like a force had ripped me off the light and pushed me back into the darkness.I was terrified. My eyes were slowly shutting, tempting me to give in to the sweet sleep that threatened to claim me. I'd never felt so sleepy all my life, and this time, it was too difficult to resist. I was so tired. So unbearably tired. Maybe this was it—maybe surrendering to the darkness would be my salvation. What was the point in fighting it any longer?I allowed my heavy eyes to succumb to the pull, but suddenly, I heard it again.His voice."Luxuria..."My eyes slowly open. And this time, his voice held more power and desperation than the first time."Find me," his voice urged, "Come back to me, Luxuria. I know I don't deserve you. I've pushed you away… I've hurt you. But I need you to listen now. You're stronger than this darkness. Stronger than anything that's tried to take you from me."I wanted to
ALPHA PARTHE."Fuck! Lorita! What's happening?" My voice trembled. Sweat covered my bare body. I was wearing nothing but a doublet as I held onto Luxuria's almost iced-cold hands.I had her. I felt her. Although from a distance but at least she was there.She was scared. I felt her fear so much that I felt desperate and helpless at the same time. I was consumed by the need to pull her out of that maze at once.But what's happening? Why am I loosing her?"You need to stay calm and focus, Alpha. You are too desperate and it's ruining everything," I heard Lorita's voice from a distance in the background. My eyes were tightly shut as I was standing at the very edge of whatever world Luxuria was trapped in. That was the farthest I could go.I took in deep breaths, trying to calm myself down. I couldn't let my desperation ruin this.“Luxuria…” I called out again, forcing my voice to steady, but the tremble was still there. I couldn’t help it. Fuck, I couldn’t lose her.I heard her shaky voi
ALPHA PARTHE.I looked down at the blood splattered across the floor. My blood. Its dark red pools glistened in the dim candlelight, snaking along the intricate lines of the symbols etched into the stone beneath my feet.The ritual was at its final stage, and there was no turning back. Not that I'd want to turn back at any point. If this was what it would take to save her, then I was willing to do it without a second thought.The ancient words rolled off my tongue, as I could feel my powers which have been dormant for years stirring beneath the surface.I had almost forgotten what this felt like—this raw, untamed energy. It coiled through my veins like molten iron, heating every fiber of my being.“Are you ready?” Lorita asked but I didn't answer. The look in my eyes said it all.I dipped my fingers into the pool of blood before me, set for the final step of the ritual.With a deep breath, I smeared the blood over the jagged scar across my chest. The scar from the day I had locked my
TERVAN'S POV."Fuck it, Shikta! What happened? This wasn't meant to happen! How is she not dead?" I asked, pacing the dark, quiet woods."I don't know, Tervan! How am I supposed to know?" She replied, worry also lacing her tone."You're asking how you were supposed to know? You made the damn poison, remember? You said it was potent! You said..." I was still speaking when she rudely interrupted me."I know I did!" She half-yelled. I could feel the frustration radiating off of her. "I am as confused as you are. She wasn't meant to be this way.""Then what do we do now? This changes everything," I asked, rubbing my face with my palm. Everything seemed to be falling apart. Everything!"For now, there is nothing we can do about it. We can't kill her now. Not when we do not even as much as understand where and how she is trapped. We just have to pray she either dies or comes back to life for us to kill her again!" She said in a hurry through clenched jaws.There was silence. I was seething.
ALPHA PARTHE.My sense of reasoning screeched to a stop as I wasn't thinking anymore. All I wanted was to kill someone. And unfortunately, Zendaya might be that unlucky person."Where is she? Where is your traitorous daughter!" I sneered at Nevada as soon as I saw her among the concerned crowd gathered outside my chamber.Her eyes held total confusion as she looked at me. "She... Alpha? What has she done to be called a traitor?" Nevada asked with a trembling voice.I could already smell her fear. I knew just how much she loved her daughter, and the look on my face told her that she might be losing her precious daughter at any moment.She fell to her knees with her hands clasped in front of her, "Please, Alpha Parthe, what has Zendaya done? She can never be a traitor. She can't betray you. She practically grew up under you... You know her... There must be a misunderstanding somewhere," She tried to defend something she didn't even know.All she was saying sounded very distant as my rea
ALPHA PARTHE.I held onto her body, my senses going numb as I totally lost touch with reality. My eyes were wide open, but I was staring at nothing in particular.What had happened? This looked natural. She wasn't strangled or stabbed. She wasn't hit... Nothing of that sort. It just felt like she was fast asleep and then passed from there.I wish... I wished a lot of things at that point.I wish this was done by someone... I needed someone to suffer for this. I wanted to kill someone so slowly that they'd wish the death would come faster, but it wouldn't.I wish..."Alpha!" My Beta thundered beside me in a powerful tone that pulled me out of whatever hole I was sliding into.I hadn't even realized my chamber was almost crowded with concerned people - my Beta, Gamma, Shikta, Vixen, Lorita... I couldn't take note of them all. They didn't matter."Allow the healers to take a look at her," Tervan said, but I wasn't willing to. I didn't want to leave her side even for a second. I held onto