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
LUXURIA.Dashi tended to me. I winced as her gentle hands applied another cool layer of ointment to my wounds.I wasn't healing fast enough, which was a bit of a concern to me. Although the whip was dipped in Wolfsbane, it's been two days already, and there should be some signs of healing."I am concerned," Dashi murmured as she stepped back to examine my injuries. "I'll beg the Alpha to let the healers tend to you. You can't continue like this."I shook my head weakly, my voice coming out in a hoarse whisper, "No. It's all part of the punishment, isn't it? Anyone punished for stealing doesn't get the opportunity to be treated by the pack healers. Let me serve my punishment, Dashi." My words came with difficulty.Her eyes filled with something that looked like pity, and I hated it. I hated being looked at as if I was broken, as if I was something that needed to be fixed. The way she stared at the wounds told me they weren't healing well, and the dread in her expression only deepened t
UNKNOWN POV.I glanced at her as she paced back and forth, her fingers knotting into her hair in frustration. The tension in the room was thick enough to choke on.I had seen her like this before—when things didn't go according to plan. Her fury was like a storm, unpredictable and dangerous, but it wasn't my problem to contain it. She needed to calm down and listen."It's all useless! Can't you see?" Shikta yelled into my ears, and her constant nagging grates on my skin each time. I wonder how I'd have to deal with her by the time we finally win and take over the pack as planned."What do you mean, Shikta?" I asked, heaving a frustrated sigh."Koro says it's an infertility potion. The Alpha has been taking this for so long now. What if he is already permanently infertile?" She whirled around, her eyes wide with desperation, her fingers now tugging hard at her dress as if it could somehow unravel her frustration. "How am I meant to proceed with our plan if I can't get pregnant by him?"
LUXURIA."Alpha?" I called when he kissed me to wake up. I didn't realize I had slept so late into the night."Call me Parthe," He said in response, stroking my hair and my cheeks heated up."Okay... Parthe..." I replied and he seems pleased."Did you sleep well?" He asked."Yes... Sorry for disrupting your day. I didn't..." I was saying but he kissed my lips, stopping me mid-sentence."It was worth every second." He stroke my cheek tenderly, "You want to say something?"I hesitated, not knowing if he'd be pleased with what I was about to say."I've told you, Luxuria, you don't have to be scared of me anymore. Feel free around me. You can do or say whatever you want to me, and it'll be fine. I promise." He reassured and I lifted my head from his chest where I lay, looking into his black eyes, and I saw assurance and sincerity in them.I smiled, "Okay," I said, resting my head back on his chest, "I wouid like to go to my father's pack..." I began, expecting a reaction but got none. But
LUXURIA.I stepped out of the bathroom, feeling fresh and energized. It's been a long night, and the most part of today had been far spent, too.Parthe almost didn't want to leave my side all day. We had made love all through the night until this morning, even before he stepped out.It felt... Perfect... I found myself falling for him even more. I liked this side of him when he wasn't being cruel or brutal or cold and all that.For the first time since I met him, I truly felt a connection between us. A connection that went deeper than sex and the mate bond. This connection was more intimate and exciting.The only worry I had now was the fact that he had marked me. I had stopped him too many times without a proper reason. I guess he was tired of waiting. I was his mate, after all. But Amelia's words kept haunting me. What if I was truly from the lineage of Calandus?Although the possibility of it seemed very slim, but what if...?Right now, all I could do was to hope not."What's my li
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.