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.What did I expect? Of course, I expected nothing less.Not only did she spend her time smiling foolishly at another man, ignoring the task I had given her, but she also betrayed my trust in her.She was going to pay dearly for this.I was enraged, not just by the betrayal I felt but also by the fact that she was still close to Rorden despite my warnings.I stood in my courtroom with Tervan, Shikta, Tarik, and two other laborers who had worked with her.I heard the door open, and I turned sharply in her direction. I took long strides toward her, closing the gap between us as I circled my palm around her slender neck, slamming her back against the nearest wall.Her round, sapphire eyes widened in shock, but I didn't care. All I cared about was the burning rage that blinded me. And no one dared to come close to me.I tightened my grip on her neck, making it difficult for her to breathe.Her feeble hands struggled against my firm grip, but it was futile."How dare you?" I gr
LUXURIA.I'd been weeping all night. I couldn't sleep. It was already dawn, and my heart raced. No one had come to visit. No food. No water. I was weak on the inside and on the outside.I clutched my knees to my chest, burying my face as more tears welled up.The fear of the unknown was the worst fear ever. I didn't know for how long I'd have to be locked up in here, neither did I know what punishment would be served to me.I hated my father with a passion. Why would I want to steal for him? I replayed yesterday's event repeatedly in my head, but I can't seem to recall making such a mistake.I had done my task diligently, desperate to please the Alpha, hoping he would be proud of me, but this is what I got.A sad smile played on my lips.The door to the dungeon creaked open, and I jerked my head up, my heart skipping a beat.Two guards stepped inside, their faces expressionless as they unlocked my cell door. For a brief second, I thought I was free to go. My chest swelled with a tiny
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