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
LUXURIA.As soon as Rorden made that statement, we couldn't deny the change in her demeanor. At first, she was unwilling to speak about it. The hurt in her eyes made us understand her plight. But we had no time. I had to return to the pack before the Alpha found out that I wasn't there.Rorden explained my predicament to her when she was finally calm enough to listen to us. She'd been quiet since then, but thankfully, she was about to speak."It is not possible, child. You have to be from the lineage of Calandus for the curse to have an effect on you." Amelia said, gesturing for me to come closer to her.She took my hand in her palms and studied me intently, almost as if she was seeing something we could not."Did you say your father is Alpha Odren?" Amelia asked and I nodded in agreement. "Who is your mother?"Amelia asked the one question I always wished no one would ever ask me. How could I tell people that I didn't know my mother? Not even by her name? Wasn't it a disgraceful thin
ALPHA PARTHE.My guards at the border informed me that they had caught an intruder snooping around the pack in a very suspicious manner.I had been roused from a restless sleep, already agitated from the day's pressures. I needed an outlet. And this intruder, whoever they were, would provide just that.I jerked up from my bed and instructed them to bring the intruder to the fortress. I thought I had finally caught the intruder from the other night... a spy, perhaps, from one of the neighboring territories. Another attempt to test me. My blood roared with anticipation, already coursing through my veins like fire as I imagined the many ways I could make them suffer.Imagine my surprise when I saw who the intruder was. It was none other but my mate's former lover, Kahel.I felt something shift inside me, a storm brewing in my chest. The rage didn't leave me, but it twisted into something darker, more dangerous. I had expected an enemy, someone I could crush without hesitation. But Kahel?
LUXURIA.I was confused. Nothing was making sense.Kahel, beaten and battered.Alpha Parthe, accusing me of something I couldn't even understand...Oh, Selene!When I saw Parthe charging toward me, I made to run away because I saw the rage in his eyes. I was terrified. I sensed trouble even though I didn't know why they were all there and what Kahel was doing there.Trapped with the monster alone in his chamber, it made me white with dread. He was no longer the Alpha I used to know. It was almost as if something else was taking over him.His eyes shone a blinding shade of red... Almost identical to the one I was experiencing, but his was brighter, deadlier, scarier.It wasn't mere anger; it was madness. A deep rage rippled through him, his broad shoulders tensed as though he were struggling to keep something inside, something dark and uncontrollable, trying all he could to hold back from hurting me. But I do not know for how long he would be able to contain his fury. And I was scared.
ALPHA PARTHE.I didn't sleep a wink through the night. When I left my chamber, I headed straight for my private courtroom where I sat all night, pondering over a lot of things.I had almost hurt Luxuria. I almost let my demons take over. I didn't understand what came over me but I was thankful she was able to talk me out of it.I've never hated her. Not even when she openly refused me in front of her father and his people. No matter how hard she tried, I had never been able to hate her.I loved her. Gods. I really do and I wish there was a way I could show her the depths of my love for her.I am not a man of love. I've never been this in love before. I grew up without love and warmth. I don't know what it means to love. But I know when I am in love... And right now, I am so in love to the point that it's beginning to turn into an obsession.I couldn't bear the thought of another man being around her. It would kill me. That's why she has to be under my watch. I won't let her out of my
LUXURIA.I stirred lazily, enjoying the warmth I felt beneath my skin. It was so warm and comforting that I cursed myself for waking up, although my eyes were still closed.The strong scent of musk and warm cinnamon wafted into my nostrils, and my eyes snapped open immediately.I looked around frantically when I realized I was no longer on the cold floor where I had lay last night. I was on Parthe's bed.How did I get here? He'd kill me for this. To the best of my knowledge, no one touches his bed without his permission.I jolted up and was about to rush out of his bed when I heard his voice from where he sat on his study table."Easy now," He said, turning his attention towards me.I froze, biting my lip as my eyes dropped along with my heart. I couldn't bear to look him in the eyes. He terrified me. Especially after last night.He stood up slowly walking toward me.My heart drummed violently as fear flooded my veins. Thousands of thoughts flooded my head within a second. How would I
TERVAN'S POV."We could do this all day, and you'd still not be satisfied, you know that," I teased softly, watching my mate as she trailed her fingers lovingly over her round belly. Her lips pouted as she looked up at me, her eyes full of that innocent, needy look she always wore when I was about to leave."I know, Tervan, but we need you. The baby needs you more," she murmured, her hand stilling on her stomach as if to emphasize her words. Her voice was sweet, pleading, and full of love—the same love that had made me fall harder for her every day since we first met.I sighed softly, reaching out to tuck a loose strand of her dark hair behind her ear. "I promise I'll be back as soon as I'm done at the camp. Just take care of yourself and the little one, and when I return, I'll give you a massage and sing you to sleep. How does that sound?"My mate. My world.I pulled back, strapping my sword in its sheath, ready to step out.She was so young and beautiful, innocent and naive. I bless
LUXURIA."I told you the time will come faster than you even imagine..." Rorden traced a lazy path along my cheek, "The time when you'd stand by my side as mine... The time is already upon us, dear Luxuria."My restrained hands twitched, aching to curl into fists, to drive my knuckles into his jaw and watch his smug mouth spill blood.Instead, I did the only thing I could. I spat in his face."You will never succeed in this evil you plan," I hissed, watching as the glob of spit trailed down his cheek. "The goddess will never accept the abomination you just committed in the name of rituals."Rorden didn't flinch. He simply exhaled through his nose, dragging a thumb across his cheek, wiping the spit away with an infuriating calmness.I scoffed, shaking my head. "How could you even harness such thoughts against your own brother?"My eyes scanned the large field, taking in the fearful-looking men who were being fortified with Rorden's blood mixed with some kind of powerful herbs and subst
ALPHA PARTHE."It took you long enough, Urik," I said when I saw him striding into my courtroom like a man walking towards his own execution. "Finally got some nerves to face me?"Bharon and Kefas had the perfect look of displeasure on their faces as their gazes rested on Urik.Like everyone else, they had been disappointed—furious—with the way things had turned out two days ago, and Urik made sure to stay away from everyone's eyes. I hadn't seen him since the day of the false alarm.He had vanished the moment things went south, leaving me to clean up his mess.Coward.Tervan kept on asking me what really happened and how we got the information about an attack that never happened. He was also curious as to what pack was going to attack us and all, but I never gave him any reasonable explanation.Because what was I supposed to say? That I had suspected my own right-hand man of treason? And that we had gone to such lengths to actually catch him in the act... In an act that he was never
ALPHA PARTHE."Fifty men to the East entrance!" Kefas commanded.The warriors moved, their armor glinting under the early light, boots thudding against the earth as they marched to their positions. Some carried shields, others had double-bladed axes, and a few had bows slung over their backs.The entire camp was a storm of movement.Blacksmiths pounded metal against metal, forging last-minute weapons. Stable hands hurried to saddle warhorses, the beasts stamping their hooves impatiently. Runners darted between squadrons, delivering orders.Over three thousand men. Positioned strategically. Ready for war.And yet, I stood there, watching, my gut twisted into knots.What if we were wrong? This would all seem and feel stupid. But there was no time to second-guess. I had already given the command."Parthe?" A familiar voice called me, and I stilled.Tervan.I turned slowly, my face betraying nothing, though my insides recoiled. He was covered in dust, his tunic streaked with sweat. He had
ALPHA PARTHE."The warriors await your orders, Alpha,"Kefas's voice barely registered. My mind was elsewhere.Once again, I was thinking about Luxuria. No matter how hard I tried to push her from my mind, she always found a way back in.I tried offering sacrifices to the goddess, but it seemed she had also forsaken me. I didn't want to believe Urik's theory, as well as the theories of others who thought she had run away with Rorden.Rorden was always good at hiding. Whenever he left the pack back in those days, no one ever found him until he was ready to be found or until he returned to the pack. Maybe he had taken her to one of those hideouts of his, and they were probably living their best lives."Alpha?" Bharon called, and I lifted my gaze to meet their curious ones. But before I'd say a word to them, the doors to my courtroom banged open, and Urik strode in with urgency on his face."Alpha, I have gotten her to tell me everything she knows. We have to act fast. They are coming. I
LUXURIA'S POV.Nevada stilled at the sight of the monster standing before us. His aura had become ten times darker and more terrifying than before that was certain I didn't want to be in the same space with him.His eyes held promises that scared me... I wasn't safe with him... My pups aren't safe either. What if he tries to get rid of them again?"Alpha?" She greeted with a nervous how before hurrying out of the chamber, leaving me at his mercy.He barely even acknowledged her.His eyes rested on the scroll in my hands before trailing up to meet my tearfilled gaze. He moved without sound, his robes flowing around him like liquid darkness, swallowing every trace of warmth from the room. The door groaned as he pushed it shut, making me jolt in fear.A slow smirk tugged at the corner of his lips as he took slow steps forward."My little Luxuria," he murmured with amusement. "Why are you holding my scroll?"I took a step back instinctively, my heart slamming against my ribs. My hands tre
LUXURIA.I paced the room, my nails scraping against my lips as I chewed on them anxiously, my heart hammering against my ribs. Fear coiled tight in my stomach, but at least my babies were safe. For now.I was able to learn from Nevada that Rorden had gone for some kind of fortification or ritual of some sort, but she refused to tell me why. And that bothered me. Deep in my bones, something felt off. Something was definitely wrong.Rorden had instructed that I'd be taken to his chamber after recovering yesterday. The entire place reeked of him, and my stomach churned with disgust. I didn't want to be anywhere near him, let alone trapped in a space that belonged to him.My mind wandered in Parthe's direction again, and as usual, I was helpless... I couldn't stop myself from thinking about him and Shikta.Shikta's dreams would have come true... Her dreams of becoming Luna.Parthe must have moved on with his life. I knew that... Otherwise, he should have been looking for me already. Rord
PARTHE.Did I care that I lost a child?Not really.Did that make me a bad person? Maybe.But who cared?I exhaled, stretching my fingers before curling them into fists again, feeling the sharp sting of my own strength pressing into my palms.I should have cared. I should have felt something other than this quiet, creeping satisfaction that coiled inside me.But I didn't.A twisted, irrational sense of relief seeped into my bones at the thought of Shikta losing that child. I couldn't even explain why. Perhaps it was because I never wanted a child from her. Perhaps because I never wanted anything to bind me to her in the first place.Or maybe it was because fate had already taken everything from me. My mate. My peace. My patience. And now, it had stripped away something I was supposed to mourn—but couldn't.I had always wanted my heir to come from a woman I love... My mate... But fate ruined everything and is still ruining my efforts!I slammed my fist on the wooden table before me in
SHIKTA.I jolted upright, my breath ragged, my heart hammering so hard I thought it might tear through my ribs. My hands clutched at the sheets, damp with sweat, as my frantic gaze darted around the dimly lit chamber.Where was I?For a brief, foolish moment, I hoped I had woken up at the very moment the darkness swallowed me whole and that I hadn't blacked out for too long. Or that it had all been a nightmare, nothing more. But it was only a wish.A splitting headache welcomed me, as well as a terrifying dizziness that almost sent me back to the bed I had just woken up from.I swayed, barely able to keep myself upright, my stomach churning like a stormy sea."You need to rest, Shikta." I heard the Alpha's voice from somewhere around the room.I looked around immediately to see him standing in a dark corner of the room."Parthe... Parthe..." I called, too in a hurry to stand up, meet him, and explain all that Tervan tried to do, that I didn't notice the sharp pain that was plaguing my
SHIKTA."What took you so long, you pathetic little thing? How long does it take to get a simple tea done?" I snapped at the lazy maid whose thin shoulders were shivering before me.I watched her struggle to form a response, her lips quivering as she opened her mouth—only to fail miserably.How utterly pathetic.She looked far too weak, too fragile, and it was satisfying.I leaned back in my chair, allowing myself the pleasure of her misery.When I became Luna, I had turned most of Parthe's former mistresses into my slaves. He had no problem with that, and I was thankful for it. And this one—this wretched, simpering girl—had once warmed my Alpha's bed.The very thought of it filled me with rage that I wanted to maltreat the life out of her!If it weren't for the child growing inside me, I might have thrown something at her just for the satisfaction of seeing her cower."When I ask for tea, I expect it before my patience runs out," I said slowly, letting the words slither into her bone