Lucas' POV
The 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
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
Leah's POV"You can't do anything right. How many times have I told you that you should fold these napkins diagonally? Is that really that hard or are you just trying to intentionally piss me off?"My mother-in-law, Rosalie, with her arms crossed, stood in front of me, looking like a queen.She leered at me, her omega daughter-in-law, who was sitting on the floor, trying to cover my bruised cheek with trembling hands."Sorry, Ma'am. But I folded them diagonally. I really did.." My voice was lower than a whisper."Are you kidding me?! Do you think I'm stupid?! You imbecile omega! Do you think that getting married to my son gives you the right to challenge and diminish me?!" Rosalie threw the napkin case at me.I didn't dare to dodge, so the iron case hit me on the side of my forehead. Blood started falling down, blurring my sight.I tried to wipe the blood off my face and said, "Sorry, Ma'am. I wouldn't dare to do things like that. I remember that I folded those napkins yesterday accord
Leah's POVI felt the butterfly in my stomach, the lump in my throat, and the burning sensation in every inch of my skin. My heart was pounding so fast that I wouldn't be surprised if it suddenly stopped functioning.Lucas stroked my hair behind my ear. As his fingers flicked across my ear, my whole body started shivering.Then, he drew himself closer to me. For a brief moment, I thought he was about to kiss me.I bit my lips so that I didn't make any awkward moaning sound.I looked into his eyes. He was so close, yet so far away from me.Then, I realized that he was just checking out the scar on my forehead.He looked a bit surprised because the scar was almost healed.He cleared his voice and said, "Your blood is precious to Josephine. Your blood is the only cure to stabilize her condition. You need to be more careful."The moment he let go of me, I felt that someone was peeling off my skin.The excruciating pain made me curl up in a ball of fear.Josephine wrapped her hands around L
Lucas' POVDid this woman just... reject me? Is she trying to get my attention by angering me? Apparently sometimes women do that. But Leah doesn't come across as needy as Josephine. She has never ever bothered me up till now. So, what's that all about? I was bewildered. To be honest, I had never really paid attention to this woman in the past five years of our marriage. Our marriage was nothing but a simple piece of contract, on which everything was arranged -As my mate, Leah will basically do whatever I ask her to do, including giving blood donations to Josephine on a regular basis. The thing is, Jo was diagnosed with an unknown blood disease five years ago and she needs a specific type of blood to sustain her life. Fortunately, Leah's blood is the right match.In return for donating her blood to Jo, Leah will get my gratitude and thanks, which is realized by a substantial amount of allowance every month. At the same time, since the Luna position has to be filled by my mate, we
Leah's POVThere was a reason that werewolves didn't want to reject their mates -It was too painful. Every single part of my body was in excruciating pain. I had been branded before, but this was yet the most painful thing that had ever happened to me. As much as I was tortured, there was a teeny tiny bit of me secretly wishing that he wouldn't accept my rejection. I wished he would smirk at me and call me an idiot, telling me that there was no way for him to let go of me. I wished that he would press me on the floor, taking me roughly, forcing me to say his name and beg him to give it to him...I knew it was wrong to still have impossible faith in this train-wrecked relationship between us, but I knew with a simple apology, or a slight nod from him, I would go back to his arms. What can I say? Werewolves are very complicated creatures. We would do everything to stay with our mates.But Lucas didn't show me any signals. He just stood there, frozen in shock. I couldn't tell what wa
Leah's POV"Leah, what do you think you're doing?" Lucas stared at me as if he was gripped by anger and shock. I wasn't surprised that he took Leah's side. But it didn't mean that my heart wasn't hurt. "I'm just taking back what belongs to me," I replied.Josephine's face was distorted in pain. She looked up at Lucas and said, "Luke, I really didn't send her any pictures. I don't know what she's talking about. I don't know why you rejected her, but if it had something to do with me and the blood transfer, I could apologize to both you and her. Anyway, you've been taking good care of me since Basil passed away. It's all my fault. I'm too soft and hopeless. I really can't cope without an elder brother figure in my life." "You don't have to apologize for anything, Jo. I know you haven't done anything." Lucas leaned in close to Josephine. His eyes fixed on hers with a deep, unwavering gaze. His voice was a gentle murmur, low and soothing, yet charged with emotion. Every word he spoke wa
Lucas' POV"Does Josephine need blood transfer?" I stared at Josephine's private physician and asked. Doctor Eliant Jafar was in his mid-50s. He used to be my father's physician, and I trusted his expertise wholeheartedly. Doctor Jafar replied patiently, "Alpha, you have to understand. The diagnosis of a certain disease is a long, hard process. In Miss Solis' case, it's like a relationship.""What are you insinuating, doctor?" I frowned. I don't like it when someone refuses to give me a straightforward answer. Especially when this person is a doctor. Doctor Jafar adjusted himself in the chair, but he still looked very uncomfortable. "A relationship isn't a contract, Alpha. It's more like a negotiation. You need to make a lot of compromises. So is Miss Solis' diagnosis." I started to get more puzzled. "Are you trying to teach me something, doctor? Can I have a simple answer? Is Josephine sick or not?" "The simple answer is no. She isn't sick.""She doesn't need any blood transf
Leah's POV"Miss Leah, welcome back." A silver-haired butler, dressed up in a sleek black suit, bowed toward me. "Mr. Carson. I'm so glad to see you again!" I stretched out my arms toward my father's butler. Growing up, he was like a kind, caring uncle to me.Mr. Carson took my hands and held me up in the air, giving me a twirl. I almost cried out in happy tears, because it made me feel that I was still that little girl, flapping my arms up and down with excitement and thrill. "Alpha is waiting for you. Do you need some refreshment, Miss Lewyn? You've lost so much weight. What have they done to you in the White Walkers Pack? Where's the other half of you?" Mr. Carson wiped the tears from his eyes. "I've already notified the kitchen to prepare your favorite meal. Do you still like cheese macaroni?" "She's no longer five, Carson. Tell the kitchen to cook her some real food. I'm thinking of lots of steaks, maybe a whole turkey." Lucian said. "Yes, Young Master Lucian. Steaks and tur
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
Lucas' POV"No," I replied, feeling confused. "Why?""She's a rogue," Dr. Jafar stated flatly. "Found by soldiers in the garbage dump. No name, no memory. Just… nothing. Alpha Finn wanted me to restore her memory, but it's so damaged that it's beyond repair. And to be honest, for girls like her, sometimes it's just better off being broken than mended."I closed my eyes briefly. Of course. Another lost soul in this forsaken place."Why does he abuse her?" I asked, though I already knew the answer.Jafar shrugged, his expression distant. "In Mediland, kindness requires a reason. Cruelty doesn't. He abuses her simply because he feels like doing it."His words hung in the air like a curse. I thought of all the times I'd been beaten and degraded by Jalin in the prison. And now the girl was enduring the same fate."She's just a child," I whispered.Jafar's gaze softened slightly, though it was fleeting. "We all have our ordeal
Lucas' POV"I'm just cleaning," she replied, her voice steady despite the fear in her eyes.Finn's lips curled into a cruel smile. "Cleaning? Is that right?" He stepped closer, took off his watch and put it on the table. "So why this fucking place is still a mess?"As his voice died, he slapped the girl across her cheek. The slap echoed through the room, reverberating in my ears even though I was hidden in the closet. The girl crumpled to the floor, her cheek reddened by Finn's blow. But she didn't cry out, didn't beg for mercy. She simply sat there, her eyes fixed on the ground, as if accepting her fate.Finn circled around her like a predator stalking its prey. "You're lucky I'm not in the mood of fucking you right now," he sneered. "Think of something to lighten my mood?" His voice dropped to a whisper, filled with sadistic glee.The girl bit her lips, crawling all the way to the wall and took off a whip hanging on the wall.My stomach ch
Lucas' POVThe air was thick with anticipation as I approached Finn's study. The faint hum of voices drifted through the closed door, a symphony of secrets and sins. I paused, my hand hovering over the doorknob, the weight of curiosity pulling me in. The scent of polished wood and faint cologne lingered, a stark contrast to the turmoil brewing within.Inside, the sounds intensified—a chorus of moans and screams that sent a chill down my spine. My heart pounded in my chest as I realized the depravity unfolding behind those walls. I didn't need to see it to know what was happening. Finn's study had become a haven for vice, a place where power and pleasure intertwined in the most grotesque ways.I stayed in the shadows, my breath shallow, as Finn emerged from the study, his face etched with anger. His eyes blazed with fury, a storm of emotions swirling behind them. He was on the phone, his voice low and venomous, a dagger aimed at the heart of someone far awa
Lucas' POVI frowned as we stepped into the ballroom, my senses assaulted by the cacophony of voices and the overwhelming scent of alcohol and perfume. The room was filled with men and women dressed in their finest attire - suits tailored to perfection, gowns that shimmered under the chandeliers. But their faces told a different story. Some wore masks of polite indifference, others openly leered at the women who moved through the crowd with practiced grace."What happened to the decent ones in the Packs?" I asked Finn as we made our way through the crowd, my voice low but sharp."They're all gone," Finn said sadly, his gaze sweeping over the room as though he were cataloging every face. "They either surrounded the South or got out of the Kingdom altogether. I don't blame them—it's not exactly a place for decent folk anymore."I turned to him sharply. "And what about us? Are we decent?"Finn hesi