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?"
ALPHA PARTHE.My eyes snapped open. Sweat dripped from my forehead. I panted, my gaze darting around the familiar space of my chamber.I just had a nightmare. Not the usual one that always tormented me. This was different. It felt so real that I feared it was my reality.I saw seven battle horses surrounding the seven gates of my pack. There was chaos everywhere. And right in front of that chaos was one of my own, someone I trusted so much, betraying me and standing with the enemy. But I couldn't make out a face.This meant something... Although I am not a seer, I don't need anyone to tell me my enemies are brewing something against me... Could this be linked to the intruder I had seen in the woods the other night?I had a lot of enemies, no doubt, but I can't tell where or who this is coming from. But whatever or whoever it is, nothing takes me by surprise.I have to limit the number of allies I trust. The person who betrayed me in my dream was certainly an ally. It can never be anyo
ALPHA PARTHE.Her lips parted, trembling, as though she wanted to say something, but the pressure of my hand against her throat silenced her. Her chest heaved, and I could feel the frantic pulse beating beneath my fingers.I leaned closer, inhaling the scent of her, the sweet, intoxicating mix of lavender and something uniquely hers.She was so small. So fragile. I was loosing every shred of control I had come in here with.My thumb brushed over her pulse, feeling the erratic rhythm beneath her skin, the fear coursing through her, feeding the dark hunger in me. My gaze dropped lower, drinking in the sight of her bare skin, the way her body trembled under my touch.“You want someone else to see this?” I hissed, my voice a harsh whisper against her ear. “You want someone else to lay eyes on what is mine? Is that what you want, Luxuria?”Her body stiffened, her nails digging harder into my wrist, but she remained silent, her breaths coming in short, desperate gasps.The thought of anyone
LUXURIA.I wiped my palms against my dress, trying to calm the nervous tremor in my hands. I was on edge, heart racing with anticipation. It was time. Rorden should be waiting for me already by the stream.We had planned this for days, careful not to loose this opportunity we've finally gotten. Tonight was everything.I could feel it... I was so close to uncovering the mystery behind my predicament.I rehearsed the words in my mind, over and over. I would appeal to Sibille’s heart, explain how much I had suffered under this curse. Maybe she would listen, maybe she would understand and tell me where to find Amelia. I had to believe she would. There was no other option,Rorden had been the one keeping me sane with his potions. Although he had refused to tell me how he came about the recipe for his own potions, but... Who cares? As long as it served it's purpose.I reached for my black cloak, pulling it tightly around my shoulders, when I heard the soft creak of the door. The sound was f
LUXURIA.I looked pathetic. My legs trembled beneath me, and my body ached from the cruelty I had to endure from the Alpha for hours.My center burned, throbbing with an agony I couldn't fully describe. I could barely walk properly. It was almost dawn. It took that long for the Alpha to get his fill. When he was done, he left without saying another word to me.I walked as fast as my legs could carry me toward Rorden's chamber. I knew he would be angry to have waited without seeing me.Reaching his chamber, I didn't think to knock, driven by desperation. The door swung open as I shoved it with more force than I intended. My breath hitched at the sight that greeted me.Rorden, bare-chested, his muscular back glistening with sweat, was harshly thrusting into a young woman. Her cries of pain mixed with pleas for him to stop, but he ignored her, holding her by the hips, forcing her down onto his cock with an unmatched fury.His movements were harsh, his grip merciless, as though he were pu
ALPHA PARTHE.The hall was vast, with tall stone pillars stretching high. Lavish tapestries hung between the pillars, and the scent of rich spiced meats and wine filled the air. It was a grand ceremony, one the Ash Mountain pack had prepared for with meticulous care.I love such gatherings. It gives me the opportunity to read through every pretentious Alpha who might want to feign alliance with me for their own selfish reasons.The Ash Mountain pack had done well for themselves. They had grown in number and influence over the years. A few years back, I wouldn't have attended a ceremony hosted by them. But here I am today..."I uhm... I'd like to look for my friend, Niksha. I haven't seen her in a long time," the voice of my obsession pulled me out of my social thoughts.She was standing beside me in the crowded hall, a little bit nervous. She was a vision in deep crimson. Her dress clung to her like a second skin, flowing around her ankles in soft waves of fabric that gleamed in the t
LUXURIA.The cold night air clung to my skin as I paced the secluded veranda, waiting for Niksha to return. She promised to return soon. She only left to get something from her chamber.The growing weakness I felt was becoming a concern to me. At first, I thought it was the curse, but now it seemed there was more to it, and it bothered me.My wolf was becoming too weak, and sometimes, I could barely feel her.My mind kept drifting back to the hall, to Alpha Parthe, and the countless ways he would make me pay for slipping out of his sight. I wonder all that would be running through his mind if he didn't see me in the hall.But standing here, away from the prying eyes, away from Parthe, I felt a small flicker of freedom. Still, it wouldn't last. He would notice I was gone.Parthe's suffocating control was something I had to learn to endure. I was bound to him for life by fate.Just as my thoughts were starting to turn with worry, I saw a figure approaching, the soft sound of footsteps pu
LUXURIA.We had returned from the ceremony. Surprisingly, the Alpha never asked where I went and why I left him in the hall.His silence troubled me. But not as much as Rella's words. They haunted me. I came back feeling worse than ever - Rella's pregnancy, finally losing Kahel to her, her insinuations about the Alpha, and worst of it all, the fact that I hadn't been claimed by my mate just yet.It was a punch to my guts. Why was the Alpha keeping me if he didn't need me? I lived like a stranger in his pack.I scoffed. 'Selene, tell me why I shouldn't harbor feelings for another man?'Sometimes, I wished another man would just claim me so I could find the peace I truly desired. Another man like...No. Stop it, Luxuria.And as if the universe was against me, a knock sounded on my door. I was just about tucking myself to sleep.Could it be Zendaya? She hadn't served me food for some days, and I wondered why. Perhaps it could be Dashi.I froze when I pulled the door open and saw the figu
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