Leah's POV
"No, Lucas. Don't..." I shouted, trying to push him away.
"Leah, my love. You're so naughty today." Lucas said as he ripped my skirt off. "You like it rough today, don't you? I feel like playing it rough today. Let's play it rough."
I could feel his hot breath on the nape of my neck, his hands gripping my hips with a force that made me gasp.
I tried to push him away, but his strength was too much for me.
I could feel his hardness pressing against me, and I knew what he wanted. But I just didn't want to give it to him.
Not now. Not like this.
I wanted to use my Lycan force, but when I opened my mouth, my voice was gone.
I tried to push Lucas away, but my arms and legs became noodles.
In despair, I closed my eyes.
"Leah, stop protesting. This is your destiny." A voice appeared in my mind.
It was the same voice I heard when I was floating in the ocean.
"Moon Goddess. Are you there? Why'
Leah's POVI didn't know how long I had been running on that day.I was running across busy streets, running over bridges and rivers, running past forests and hills.A Lycan had great stamina, but on that day, I completely lost control. I used every single dash of my stamina until I became absolutely exhausted until there was nothing left.Lying in a clearing in the forest, I looked at the sky above me. The everchanging cloud was silently cruising in the sapphire background of the sky. I wondered if I could float in the sky like a piece of cloud. When I felt tired, I could just melt and become rain, dropping to the ground.The contrast between the lightness of my dream and the gravity of reality was suffocating.I hate Lucas. I thought to myself. I hate Jalin. I hate Finn. I hate Darren. I hate Troy. I hate every man that I have ever appeared in my life except my Father and brothers."Leah." The voice in my head appeared again.
Leah's POVThe Moon Goddess Temple was located in a hidden valley.From outside, it looked like an abandoned mining ground.My Father purchased this land and hid it away from human beings, just to provide a secluded area for the worship of the Moon Goddess.As I limped into the grand temple, my breath came in ragged gasps and my heart pounded with fury.My eyes blazed with anger as I approached the ornate altar of the Moon Goddess, feeling as though the very walls of the temple were closing in around me.The temple was a marvel of grandeur and sophistication. Its walls were adorned with intricate patterns of gold and silver, while the ceiling was a shimmering expanse of stars and constellations. The air was heavy with the scent of incense and the soft glow of flickering candles cast dancing shadows across the room.But I paid little attention to the splendor around me.My attention was focused solely on the statue o
Darren's POVAs I walked into the dark alley behind an abandoned factory, I smelt it.The smell of a mixture of cheap perfume, vomit, dead mouse, sperm, and cigarettes.This place was known as Dark Market in Mediland, where rogues, outlaws, and drunkards dwelled like cockroaches at every corner of the alley.My brother used to tell me that people should live with a purpose. If a person loses their purpose in life, they usually end up staying in places like this.The disgusting drench of low lives. The rock bottom in this world by any standard."Hey, handsome biker. Do you want to come inside? I'll show you a good time and let you ride me." A woman with messy make-up and hair slurred at me. Several of her teeth were gone and there was a big scar on her face."I'm looking for a woman," I said to her."I'm a woman," she said. Then, she bent over and lifted her short skirt. She wasn't wearing anything underneath, so she was basical
Darren's POVI looked around. This place looked like a shit hole.The bar was dimly-lit with the pungent odor of stale beer and unwashed bodies. The smell plainly hit me like a freight train.The patrons were a motley crew of disheveled characters, their faces twisted in various stages of drunkenness and rage. The cheap, disgusting alcohol flowed freely, fueling the chaos that swirled around me. The air was thick with cigarette smoke, and the walls were coated in a layer of grime that seemed to have accumulated over many years. The tables and chairs were mismatched and worn, some missing legs or arms, others so rickety that they threatened to collapse at any moment.I couldn't help but notice the poor souls slumped over their drinks, their eyes glazed and unfocused. A group of men in the corner were arguing loudly, their voices slurred and angry."Fuck you, Billy!" a man shouted. "You're possessed by that fucking brunette at Damian's fu
Leah's POVAs I walked into the Green Point Inn, everyone's head was turning at me.I ignored the whistles and lewd talks, walking directly to the bar."I need Green Rabbit Old Ale," I told the bar attender."You don't belong here, young lady. Go back to where you belong." The bar attendant said without lifting his head. "We've got enough trouble for tonight.""I'm not looking for trouble," I said. "I'm Uma and Damian's friend. I was at their funeral earlier this morning."The bar attendant raised his eyebrows to look at me.He was in his sixties. His face was etched with deep wrinkles that spoke of years of experience and wisdom. Despite his age, his eyes still sparkled with a keen intelligence that hinted at a life well-lived. His crisp white shirt was neatly tucked into a pair of dark slacks, and his polished leather shoes gleamed in the dim light."They died because of me. I have to do something," I held the edge of t
Leah's POVJust as the headless zombie was about to knock us down, I heard another gunshot.Almost at the same time, the zombie dropped to the floor like a defalted doll.Darren stepped forward and kicked it away. It rolled on the floor for a few seconds until it was stopped by a man's boot.I looked up and saw a tall, tanned man standing right in front of me.He was tilting his head, checking on the dead corpse, holding a shotgun in his hands.As I looked at his dark tanned skin, I couldn't help but be drawn to his rugged, masculine features. His chiseled jawline was accented by a hint of stubble, and his piercing eyes are a deep shade of brown that seem to hold a hint of mystery. His muscular physique was nothing short of impressive - each bulging muscle seemed to ripple under his skin as he moved. His broad shoulders tapered down to a lean waist, highlighting his powerful chest and abs. His arms, thick with sinew and veins, lo
Leah's POVOK, great. As I expected, Darren abandoned me for another woman. And now he risked his life for this woman again without even considering my safety."Does this woman have a name?" I folded my arms and asked."Leah, please..." Darren whispered to me. "This doesn't concern you. It's my own business. I shouldn't have got you involved.""Darren, you've heard me. What is this woman's name?" I said."Her name is Josephine Solis," Diego replied.I opened my mouth and closed it again.I was completely shocked.Josephine?! The Josephine who had abused me in the past five years?! The love of Lucas' life and the apple of his eye?!Josephine?!Didn't Lucas banish her?!Why would she come back and haunt me like a ghost in my life?And why Darren was trying to save her instead of me?!I felt so confused and shocked at the same time that I couldn't even say a word.At that time,
Leah's POVJust as my mind was racing fast, I heard Josephine's quirky voice -"Leah Lewyn, did someone send you here to pry on what we're doing?"I stared into her eyes and said, "I've got no idea what you're talking about. I'm here to ask for your assistance in protecting innocent people's lives. I didn't expect that you guys wanted to create chaos, which would result in thousands of people in Mediland losing their lives."Then, I turned to Darren and asked, "Are you in this as well?"Darren looked shocked and hurt at the same time."Leah, after all this time, I can't believe that you would have such a low opinion of me." He said in a low voice. "I just wanted to come and take Josephine away. She's completely consumed by her anger.""And then, what?" I asked.Darren clenched his fists and lowered his head, "I'm planning to hide her away from the public for a while.""Hiding...?! Are you kidding me, Darren?!
Lucas' POVThe Green Point bar stank of sweat and spilled whiskey. I watched the girl's throat work as she gulped the beer, amber liquid dripping down her chin like stolen honey. Her knuckles whitened around the glass. Thirsty little thing. Starving in ways I couldn't name."Did you...enjoy the beer?" I asked."It tastes like piss, but I'm thirsty," she wiped her mouth with the back of her hand."And did you enjoy today?" The question tasted rusty. Leah's ghost perched on the barstool between us, her hollow socket accusing me.The girl's shoulders hitched first. Silent sobs shook her frame, tears plinking into her empty glass. My chest tightened - that old reflex, that ancient guilt."What's going on? Did I do something wrong?" I held her hand and asked."It's just..." Her voice cracked like autumn leaves underboot. "Feels like the first real day. Like I've been sleepwalking till now. I've never been out for a proper date like this wi
Finn's POVThe studio gates loomed like iron teeth. I stepped through, the scent of fake blood and sweat slapping me harder than the California heat. Outside, the Hills smoldered, ash staining the sky. Inside, they’d built a pantomime of apocalypse - extras in matted fur howling at a green screen, their plastic fangs glinting under klieg lights.A director barked into a headset. "Action!"A truck flipped, screeching on cables. A blonde actress spilled out, naked and screaming. From the rafters, a man in denim descended, Gatling gun roaring blanks. Extras dropped, melodramatic, as he scooped her up. Their kiss was all teeth, a parody of passion."Cut!" The director rubbed his temples.Complaints about the heat erupted - especially from the actress, who snatched a robe and cursed the air conditioner's death."Lycidas, could you try to use your tounge this time?" the director shouted.The cowboy - Lycidas - flashed a grin, all wolf
Lucas' POVThe girl looked nervous as I hauled her into the Mediland's golden throat. The mall's fluorescence carved the girl into something spectral. She hovered between racks of silk and chiffon, fingers brushing fabric like she expected it to bite. The salesgirls' laughter hung sharp in the air - hyenas circling a limping doe.To my surprise, my hearing was back. I could clearly hear what they were mumbling behind the racks. "Look at her. Poor little rat. How could someone like her end up with Alpha Lucas?" a girl whispered."Gold digger. Social climber. Boot licker...""And cock sucker!"They giggled.I silently sighed and ignored them.I looked at the girl. She looked overwhelmed. I knew she must have heard what they'd said. She lowered her head and stood there, looking lost.I walked to her."Pick something," I said."I don't need anything..." the girl looked horrified at the price tags. "Could
Lucas' POVThe girl's boots dragged against the restaurant's marble steps, scuffing gloss into dust. Her coat hung loose, threadbare at the elbows—a thrift-store relic in a kingdom of gold trim and crystal. I didn't blame the hostess for curling her lip.This is the human quarter of Mediland. A high-end steakhouse in the human world is supposed to be stunk of judgment."No reservations?"The hostess flicked her gaze over the girl's messy cropped hair, the grease and blood clots crusted on her hem. Her voice was polished ice. "We're full. Try the soup kitchen down the block."The girl didn't flinch. Just stared at the chandelier, jaw working like she was chewing the light itself. I leaned against the podium, leather gloves creaking. "Tell Danny I'm here.""The manager?" A laugh, sharp as broken stemware. "I'm sorry, Sir. You look like a decent gentleman, but he doesn't entertain strays."Then the doors swung open, and the scent hit me -
Leah's POVThe moment I crossed Alpha Finn’s threshold, his pets slithered in behind me. Annet and Donna - branded vipers with just enough leash to sink fangs into weaker girls.The door clicked like a trapspring. I kept scrubbing, gouging filth from floorboards until my knuckles split. Soapwater turned pink. They circled, lacquered claws glinting. Donna’s stiletto cracked across my hand."Lookit this guttermouse playing vixen," Annet crooned. "Sneaking into Alpha Lucas' chambers all night - think we're blind?" "Maybe she's graduated to bootlicker," Donna trilled. Her heel ground deeper. "C'mon, whore. Demonstrate your special talents." Blood bloomed beneath her stiletto. I bit through my lip - iron tang kept the scream caged. "Cat got your tongue?" Annet's slap snapped my head sideways. "You yowled plenty for Lucas. Think Finn’ll enjoy hearing how you serviced his brother?" "Alpha Lucas wasn't—" "Liar!" The backhand left my ears ringing. I spat crimson, kept scouring wo
Lucas' POVThe girl's hands danced. Apron strings became a lover's knot at her waist. Eggs cracked one-handed, yolks bobbing like liquid suns. I watched, transfected, as she transformed slaughter into sacrament—French toast glazed in maple, coffee dark as a sinner's heart."How did you do it?" I gestured at the golden crust.She flipped a pancake. "Alpha Finn liked his girls versatile."The first bite dissolved on my tongue—cinnamon, nutmeg, vengeance."Why do you rub your neck like that?" the girl asked."I don't know. I slept on the couch and woke up like this..."Before I finished, she circled behind me, palms hovering above my neck."May I?""Well..." I mumbled.Her touch was wildfire. Knuckles pressed the base of my skull, thumbs working knots from muscle. I groaned."Quiet," she chided, but her fingers lingered. "You're worse than dogs."I lifted up my head and howled to the ceiling
Lucas' POVDim light bled through the cracks in the door, striping the girl's face as she scrambled backward, her boots kicking over jars of pickled things that rolled like severed heads. Her eyes were wild - a rabbit's stare, all whites and panic."Don't," I hissed, slamming the door shut behind us. The lock clicked, too loud.She lunged for a rusted shovel leaning against the wall. "Stay back!" The blade trembled in her grip, but her voice didn't. "Alpha Finn's already got me cleaning piss-pots. You think I'll let his whore add to the list?"The word stung, though it shouldn't have. I'd been called worse."I'm not here to hurt you," I said, edging closer. The room was a cage, shelves cluttered with burlap sacks and broken tools. A single bulb swung above, casting jagged shadows."Right. You dragged me in here to chat?" Her gaze dropped to my chest. "Take off your shirt. I want to see your branding."I froze. I didn't have any brandi
Lucas' POVThe following day brought no respite from the chaos swirling in my mind.More slaves were sent back by Finn. No one really knew what kind of shithole he pulled them out from and no one bothered to ask. The slaves were screaming and crying in at least 20 different languages. Soldiers were mad and barking at everything. Some knuckleheads got into a fight after drinking. No one tried to stop them, but everyone was naturally betting on who the winner was. Things went south and everyone lost, which led to more rows, more fist fights, and more bets. Besides, the Huffner Bridge was, again, paralyzed because some kids set it on fire by last night's fireworks. The Commisioner of Transportation and Domestic Affairs of the Court called in one after another and pressed me if I was intentionally sabotaging the connection between the Kingdom and Mediland, which was still "hanging on a thread". Then, more slaves came in, followed by more screaming, crying, and barking.
Lucas' POVLeo's work had been meticulous, his notes filled with promises of strength and clarity. If I could find him, if I could convince him to perform the procedure, maybe—just maybe—I could reclaim what I'd lost... The connection between me and my precious Leah.But how? Finn had control over everyone, including Leo. The thought of reaching out to him felt impossible, a bridge too far.Yet, the Moon Goddess' words echoed in my mind. What you already have. What did I have? Nothing, it seemed. Except for this gnawing determination to save Leah, to protect her no matter the cost.The next morning, I found myself drawn to the Grove, the section of Mediland where Finn's maids lived. It was an unusual impulse, one that surprised even me. As I approached the small house nestled among the trees, memories flickered at the edges of my consciousness—fragments of a life I couldn't quite grasp.Through the window, I spotted the girl I met