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
AUTHOR'S POV.Zendaya busied herself with the chore her mother had given to her. She was lost in her own thoughts. For some days now, she had been feeling a little guilty about slowly killing Luxuria.The last time she was in Luxuria's chamber to serve her food, Luxuria had complained about the unexplainable weakness she had been feeling. It had been a concern to Zendaya since then. But she couldn't go against Shikta."Zendaya?" Nevada's voice jolted her out of her thoughts."Mother..." She replied with a sigh. "You startled me.""You seemed lost in your thoughts. Is everything alright?" Nevada asked, approaching her daughter and examining her closely."You worry too much, mother. I am fine." Zendaya replied."But you don't look fine. What's on your mind?" Nevada insisted, leading them to the bedside where they sat."I've been thinking about something, mother... It's about Luxuria..." Zendaya began and she saw the switch in her mother's demeanor."What about her? Did she do anything t
LUXURIA.I glanced out the window again, my breath shallow, my heart racing faster than it had all day. Everything was clear now. It was time.Dashi had spent most of the day with me, and though I was relieved that we had reconciled, I couldn't shake the nervous energy thrumming beneath my skin. I had been so afraid she wouldn't leave before nightfall. But I didn't let it show. I stayed calm, forced smiles, and nodded at all the right moments. And when she finally left on her own, a quiet prayer of thanks escaped my lips.Nothing could hinder the plan tonight.I hurriedly pulled my black cloak around me, the fabric cool against my skin as it swirled around my legs. My fingers trembled as I reached for the door, and my heart pounded so loudly in my ears that I was sure someone would hear it. I paused for a moment, taking in a deep breath, willing my nerves to calm down. It's going to be fine, I told myself. You've come this far. There's no turning back now.With one last glance down th
ALPHA PARTHE.It was the hardest thing to do. Pretending to care when, in the real sense, I don't. Even though I had no mate anymore, I still felt like I was betraying the bond that I once had with my mate by allowing this woman to lay on my bed... The bed which I had promised my mate never to let any other woman lay on.I stared down at the woman in my arms, who was sleeping like she didn't have any care in the world.It looked like she was actually in need of this attention so much that as soon as I held her in my arms, it only took a few pats on her back to get her to fall into a deep slumber."Shikta?" I called softly, but her soft mumble was incoherent, a slurred response from a mind far too deep in slumber to process my call. I glanced at her face, slack and unguarded in sleep. The vulnerability of it—the complete lack of awareness—was almost laughable. This woman, who so boldly challenged my patience earlier, now rested in my arms as though she belonged there.But she didn't.I
ALPHA PARTHE."You should count yourself lucky we've come a long way, Urik," I growled, my anger simmering, barely contained, as I stared him down. "You've disappointed me more than I thought possible. I feel like I've betrayed my friend because of your paranoia."Urik stood before me, his lips parted, but no sound came out at first. He was scrambling for an argument, something to redeem himself.Finally, he found his voice. "You need to look beyond all this, Alpha," he urged, "What if he knew you were following him? What if he diverted his path just to throw you off?"He wasn't going to give up on this, was he?My glare darkened, and I ran my fingers through my hair in frustration, shaking my head in disbelief as I tried to shake off the obvious doubt his words stirred. "I was as careful as a hunter stalking prey, Urik. You should know better than anyone—there's no chance he saw me."There was silence. He knew the truth of my words. I was the shadow in the dark, the predator no one h
ALPHA PARTHE.Urik's words had refused to fade away since I had that triggering conversation with him. I wanted to dismiss it, but I couldn't.Just as much as I know he and Tervan hated each other, I never thought Urik would stoop so low as to make up such stories about Tervan.How could he ever suggest that Tervan might be up to something fishy against the pack? He also suggested, although without proof or enough conviction, that Tervan might know Luxuria's whereabouts.It made me laugh so hard, even though a tiny part of me was trying to betray the friendship I had shared with Tervan to believe what Urik was trying to say.Wearing this black cloak on this cold night, preparing to secretly follow Tervan, my trusted friend and Beta, to see if he was trying to betray me, seemed like a betrayal in itself. But Urik had insisted, and in order to prove him and a part of myself wrong, I agreed to trail Tervan tonight."Alpha, he's on the move." Urik mind-linked me, and I straightened up imm
LUXURIA.I had lost count of how long I'd been in this lonely hell. I hated myself. I felt like ending it all.Rorden had made me remember every single thing he made me forget, including the two times he made me betray my mate.I had cried out my eyes each time the memories came crawling in... The way he made me comply without a choice while he fucked me the way he pleased... It all made me hate myself even more for ever trusting him.All through my stay in his pack, he had refused to give me potions to take. In his words, he said, "I am preparing you for the big day ahead."What big day was he talking about? And why did I need to stay away from the potions that should help me feel better?The curse was coming back in full swing - the red flashes, the ache in my head, the uncontrollable anger, the hunger for blood and chaos... It was becoming overwhelming."Oh, Selene, please save me," I whispered as I curled myself on the bed, trying to shield myself from the pain I was feeling.My d
ALPHA PARTHE.Urik finally got my attention. Any topic that had to do with my mate was a welcomed one.He insisted on speaking with me alone, even after I told him to speak freely with Tervan here.I reluctantly dismissed Tervan, promising to see him as soon as I was done with Urik.The feud between these two keeps piling up, and I can't tell what is happening between them. I knew they were never best of friends, but I never expected it to turn into a full-blown hatred for each other.These were my Beta and Gamma, for Selene's sake!"This had better be good," I said, gesturing for him to sit, but he declined."I prefer to stand, Alpha. You aren't sitting either," He said with a small shrug."So. What about her? You finally have information about her whereabouts?" I asked, resting both my hands on the edge of the table. The tension in my muscles was becoming unbearable. I needed something to hold on to."Before I begin, please secure the place. I want your ears to be the only ones that'
ALPHA PARTHE.I was losing my mind. It's been two days now, and my warriors still haven't found a clue as to where my mate - Luxuria - has gone.Rorden was also nowhere to be found.Right from childhood, Rorden always left the pack and came back at will. I never saw the need to find out where he'd been going or where he had made his second home. It was never my concern.But right now, I wish I had paid attention to those details.Perhaps she had gone to be with Rorden to continue their forbidden love story.Fuck!I punched the wall behind me, and it cracked, bringing out dust and stone particles.My heart felt so empty, even though I had rejected her, and she was no longer a part of me.A knock sounded on my door, and it took everything in me not to yell at whoever was at the door, "Who is it?""It is I, Alpha," I heard Shikta from the other side of the door."What do you want?" I asked but didn't let her respond, "Leave. I'm busy," I said.It went still for a while, but I knew she ha
LUXURIA."I'll never be yours, Rorden! Not even in your wildest dream!" I summoned up the courage and spat in his face, "You are despicable. You made me trust you and ended up stabbing me in the back. How do you feel? Didn't you feel even a shred of guilt while at it?""No. I never felt guilty. I knew all I was doing was for the greater good." He turned around and walked toward the throne, "And, sorry, I killed your father. I know you won't think much about it because he was a coward, but just so you know... I was the one who killed him." He added before sitting.I stood with my fists clenched by my sides. I had stopped sobbing. All I felt for the man sitting in front of me was pure hatred. I felt like strangling him to death.Yes, I didn't think much about my father's death. I could say he deserved whatever death came his way, but Rorden? Why was it he who had to kill Odren?I took slow, cautious steps toward him, my fists still clenched tightly by my side.Suddenly, the door opened u
LUXURIA.The world was spinning, tilting on an axis I no longer recognized. I stared at him—at Rorden—my mind grappling with the truth I didn't want to believe."So it was all you? All along?" I didn't even know the right question to ask. I was confused, speechless, hurt... Scared. I was all alone with him. He had dismissed the girls who had brought me in, and I was now at his mercy. It's not like the girls would have been able to do anything to help me should they be here, and he tried to harm me."Yes," He replied, "All along."I shook my head, trying to piece together the shattered fragments of my thoughts, "Why, Rorden? Why would you do this? Why would you…?" My words faltered, tangled in the knot of emotions choking me.He closed the distance between us and gave me a dark smile."How...? Explain this—explain you! Why are you called the Blood Alpha? You're a wizard, Rorden!" I demanded as the questions kept coming in scattered bits.He smiled at me so tenderly that I would have be
LUXURIA.I had been walking for what felt like an eternity. My body ached. I also felt a slight pain in my lower abdomen. But... It wasn't that time of the month yet. Why was I...?My thoughts spiraled on their own, and the memories of all that had happened earlier came flooding in - Dashi's death, waking up in Rorden's chamber, the humiliation, and above all, my mate's rejection. I still felt the pain so fresh in my heart.I wished to pass from sleep to death, but Selene, in her infinite cruelty, refused to grant me that mercy. I guess she wasn't done punishing me yet. She didn't let death take me in my sleep.Wait.I had slept off on the wet ground somewhere in the woods. I was cold and shaking but had no choice after walking until sundown.But how was it possible that I was lying on something so soft and impossibly warm now?My eyes snapped open immediately, and every grogginess I felt dissipated immediately, replaced by a surge of confusion and wariness.This wasn't the wet ground