Zone's POVThe Lycan King, Arden, was my cousin, the one I admired most. My father's clan was not powerful, but my mother, Ardan's father's sister, happily accepted her mate who was an alpha from a small pack when she found out.My father was content with his circumstances, easily satisfied, but this was a deadly danger in a wolf pack. Lycans took pride in occupying more territory than others. My little sis passed away in a rogue attack due to my father's weakness. So I trained rigorously from a young age. I would not allow the same tragedy to happen again!I was grateful that my abilities were noticed by all the packs, allowing me the opportunity to train in the palace, a plan proposed by Ardan himself.I was delighted to see him again, as he embodied who I aspired to become. However, I did not expect to fall for an omega, and it seemed something had occurred between her and Ardan.Her name was Serena and she was an Omega. The situation was not so pretty. And Arden somehow found us t
Arden's POVI had no idea if it was because Serena was my mate. Sex with her feels great and exciting. I was filled with excitement and warmth after Serena left the room. I could not get over the wild night we had together.“That was great! It's the absolute best!” Alf was excited too, and the experience was still lingering in him. I couldn't have had a better experience with someone else. I could not get over the feeling all night. She was addictive, she had me wanting more and more of her.“I wish you would accept her as the queen during the bonding ceremony, though” Alf whined. “Don't say that again, please. You don't know that she is of no use to us? She is weak, and her status is far behind, so how can such a person become the queen?” I argued with Alf.Everyone knows that being an Omega is already a defect for anyone, and as such, they are not so relevant In the wolf's society because of their low status.If she becomes the queen, I would automatically shoulder the responsibilit
Serena's POVIt hurts deeper when you are hit with the reality of knowing that there is no place for you.It's even more painful when the one who was meant to protect you is the cause of your broken heart.After the wild night Arden and I had, my body was no longer mine, I was left weak and sore.And to make matters worse, I stood outside in the cold since the door was locked.If Arden had truly cared about me, he would not allow me to go out in the cold, he would even take care of my body too.But since I meant to him and I was just a thing he used to satisfy his sexual desire whenever he liked, there was no point in checking if I was all right or not.The last flash I had before I passed out was not clear to me. But I was grateful the person showed up at the right time.I woke up feeling light like I had been asleep for hours, all the pain from my wounds had reduced, and my sore private area had healed too.The pain down there was too much for me to take in because of how rough Arde
Serena's POVSerena's POVThere is probably nothing more embarrassing than falling to the ground in an event, one that is packed with people of high status in society.Especially when you are way below them, you become nothing but a subject of ridicule and rumor.Everybody's irritated eyes were fixed on me, and I felt like they should open and I should hide inside it, I wanted to disappear. I felt so pathetic like I was just a joke.It was as though the spirit of shame hovered around me and followed me everywhere I went.I bit myself. Maybe I shouldn't have come here at all, maybe I should have remained in the room where Zone left me peacefully.Maybe I shouldn't have come out to witness my mate announcing another she-wolf as his future queen.The shame and embarrassment dug deep into my flesh, but the pain my heart felt caused my entire being to shake like a quake.Was I cursed? Why was I even asking again when the obvious truth was not far from my mind?Then I remember that I begged
Serena's POVThe way fate plays games with everyone is unpredictable. What you thought would be might even be far from reality. And the one you least expected might be what the universe has in store for you. The sad thing is that you keep feeling like a curse. Just like I felt every time something negative happened around me. Even though I had given up mentally on the hope that Arden would see me for who I was and learn to appreciate my being somewhere in my heart, I still wished it was not valid. I thought he was punishing me, and he didn't want Sylvia or any other she-wolfs but me.But looking, he already announced publicly that Sylvia would be his queen. There was nothing to hope for anymore. My faith died instantly.Arden had told Alpha Zone's parents he wouldn't let me leave the palace. That means there would be no way out for me again. I gave up dignity and accepted defeat. “I am sorry, Alphas. I apologize for my behavior; I do not mean to cause disruption intentionally,” I plea
Serena's POV Although Arden had sexually forced himself on me several times, which my body adjusted to as time went on because he was my mate, I never thought it would get to a place where he would get physical with me. Although my eyes went blur immediately I was slapped, the pain I felt was nothing compared to the shock that took charge of my being. I never expected him to hit me. I fell to the ground immediately, holding my cheek with my hands. I could not look up at him for a while, although they knew what happened, the maids were making fun of me as everyone started laughing. I guess there was no end to my humiliation in that palace. “How dare you? You filthy slut! Do you dare lay your dirty hands on my future queen? You are in trouble!” Arden's thunderous voice echoed across the living room and there was total silence. “I promise, I didn't do anything” I explained with a shaky voice, my eyes fixed on the floor as I was too afraid to look up at him. “Goodness, your audacious ch
Arden's POVAlthough something doesn't feel right about my decision to punish Serena, I still proceeded to inform Emma about it.Somehow, I felt Sylvia had lied against her, but I had to do what I thought was the right thing to do. It was just to save face before Sylvia.However, instead of putting Serena in the general prison, I ordered them to put her in a private room.If she was gone for a while, by the time she returns everything would have calm down. And I had intended to keep her of everyone's focus for the time being.The prison seemed like the only safe place for her to be. That way, she doesn't get bullied by anyone, and she would not provoke me, and I could keep her off Zone's sight.I had specifically asked that they treat her well and must not join other prisoners to do any hard labor.The whole family was already waiting for me at the dinning room. The aroma of whatever the chef had prepared was splashed in the atmosphere.I could not wait to see what it was. Just when I
Serena's POVEveryone is a saint until their secret is exposed to the world. Just because we haven't seen a flaw with someone does not mean they are with no blame.I have faced continuous humiliation both in Derek's pack and here in the place all because of the false image Derek and Cora painted about me.I have been asking myself that would things be different between Arden and If he had not walked in on me in that state? Would he treat me with respect?It is not so regular for a King to pay attention to a mere maid. So I understood why everyone would think that I seduced Arden. But he brought me here, not just as a maid, but I was his mate.I did not understand why he refused to take responsibility for his actions. If he did the right things, other werewolves in the palace would not misunderstand me, and I won't be falsely accused.It was not a game of blame, I just thought as a responsible adult, one needs to be accountable for certain things.“Here is your room for the time being.
Author PoVThe woods was dark as Marcus and Luca passed through the underbrush in silence. Marcus’s heart thudded against his ribs, with a steady caution. He glanced toward Luca, who had graduated from one stern face of determination to intent.They had been trudging through the woods for hours on nothing more than scraps of intelligence and the stubborn pull of hope. Ryan's rogues had pointed them in the right direction but were ultimately not adventurous enough to try to approach the Red Blood Moon pack directly. After all, Odessa's territory was a death trap of sorts. Even the most adventurous rogues knew better than to cross her borders without sufficient cause.The moonlight was just enough to see the outlines of makeshift tents and some shadows on watch. Marcus motioned for Luca to keep it low and crouched behind some ferns to take in the camp."Do you see her?" Luca whispered in a voice so faint it was almost a sigh."Not yet," Marcus ground out, struggling to make each breath
Serena’s PoVTears stung my eyes, and I woke up in a start with broken breath as the persistence of the dream clung to me. In this muted room, shadows danced upon the wall; for a second, I was hardly certain of where I stood. The dream had borne the reality—Odessa, her eyes bright with evil gleam, standing atop a heap of bones. Her army, a roar of growling rogues and defiled creatures spread out to the last sight. And then there was Evelyn... Evelyn was there, firmly standing by the side of Odessa, the empty look on her face an undercover of madness.I put my trembling hand over my forehead, it was sweating. This dream wasn't just a figment of imagination; it was a warning.I pushed aside the thick furs, stood, and went to the unbarred window. The pack grounds lay quiet, a deceitful calm before a storm. My instincts screeched like a mother's intuition that something far worse than what we had imagined was in the making.If only I could make Ardan see it too.But Ardan... he was no lon
Evelyn’s PoVThe dagger felt heavy and cold in my palm. Odessa’s cold demand rang in my ears. Kill Callum. Bring me his head. This wasn’t a test or ,twisted game to see how far I would go to prove my loyalties. I just had to do it. I knew I had to do it.If I turned it down, she would turn against me. If I carried out her order, I would lose the only ally I had managed to win over. Either way, she would win.Not this time.Finian walked beside me as we traveled through the thick forest. His expression was a mixture of concern and determination. He had not questioned me for warning Callum. He had not hollered when I insisted we needed to fake a death, to give like a disguise for the purpose of tricking Odessa into believing I had done my job. Instead, he nodded, affirming my sense of loyalty."Are you sure it will work?" he asked softly."It must." I responded. "If Odessa realises we lied to her, we would be dead."
Evelyn PoVThe air in Odessa's camp grew thicker with every step I took, like the very ground beneath my feet was crying out in warning for me to turn back. I walked in with a smile that forced itself on my face, burying the reality under layers of lies. I had to put on a show-pretend that the mission had gone as expertly as planned, that Callum's blood was still warm on my blade.Every rogue I passed seemed to look right through me. I couldn't tell whether it was suspicion, or merely the paranoia that clawed at my insides. Odessa's camp had always had a place of hard edges and cold shadows, but now it felt, knowing I was living a lie in a den of wolves, as if I were walking on a frozen lake, with every step about to crack the surface and plunge me into darkness.Odessa was seated at the main fire with her figure surrounded by flames. She didn't move when I approached, but I knew she'd sensed me from long before I closed in. One could call her a predator. Her in
Author PoVLuca ached with every breath he took. The iron shackles had rubbed a nasty patch on his wrist. Every single muscle in his body was screaming at him to stop moving, but push through he would. Not when he could see freedom close enough to touch.The plan hardly had a chance from the word go. For days, he and his fellow inmate, a fierce, rogue girl, Lyra, whispered between the bars of their cells, keeping a close eye on the guards and drawing up a mental picture of their movements. Though men of Odessa had hardly shown much compassion, they had also been very much arrogant-they thought the prisoners were broken and quite incapable of fighting back, which was a mistake they would regret.Tonight was their only chance.The moment the guard opened the door to bring their rations, Lyra lunged, yanking the guard towards her. With her rusty chain, she started to choke him. Luca did not register the pain biting all over his limbs as he withdrew the dagger hanging on the fallen guard'
Evelyn’s PoVThe moon sank in the sky and bathed Odessa's encampment with a relatively eerie light. I felt my hands curl into fists as I stood before her, listening to her outline yet another command: a mission to wipe out a rogue faction that would not swear allegiance to her. Another pointless war; yet another bloodbath to stoke her insatiable thirst for power."This is your chance to show me what you're made of," Odessa said in what might be described as a thick mocking tone, leaning her back against the large wooden table in her tent. "I have been very lenient with you, Evelyn; but this is where I expect your commitment."It was a lie, of course. It was not proving myself. It was about her control. She hoped that I would become a weapon, which she could point at her enemies and let them have it without hesitation.I gritted my teeth. "What if I refuse?"Odessa's eyes became dark. "You won't."A grin from her caused my body to tremble from head to toe.She was right: my survival an
Author PoVThe chains that bound Luca were terribly heavy, and every time he moved, they cut into his skin. Bruised and battered, he was stuck in this dank underground prison which reeked of rot and spoilage. He had lost track of time-and that felt like an eternity-or days, possibly weeks. Each moment in the dimly-lit cell felt endless; every second was a reminder of how he had failed.He had been so sure it was going to work.So sure he would finish off Evelyn and make her pay for what she had done.Yet now, as he sat in the filth of Odessa's prison, he was sure of nothing anymore.A soft chuckle traveled from the adjacent cell soon afterward, pulling him out of his thoughts.“Well, well," drawled the voice. "Looks like you're still kicking."Luca turned his head toward the voice. A girl was sitting with her back against the wall of the cell bide the one he occupied, both knees drawn to her chest. Her eyes were alive and sharp, glistening blue in the torchlight. A ragged smear of dir
Evelyn PoVThe cold steel glinted in my grip, heavy as never before. My heart sounded in my ears almost mythically, nonetheless my hands were steady. The silence stretched itself unbearably long, choking me as all eyes fixed on me.In one swift motion, I brought the knife down.A gasp went up from the crowd. A sharp wave of blood rushed into the air. I could hear Odessa approach slowly, her breath almost audibly eager against the still of the night.Yet Luca was still on his feet.Breaths ragged, around all that pain in his bones; he was alive. I had not touched him.It was my blood that trickled onto the ground and pooled at my feet, which I had crudely sliced. My fingers were stiff with pain as I raised my chin.Murmurs went through the gathered rogues. They were not expecting this. None of them were."Evelyn," Odessa cried out, calm together with a fright. "What are you trying to do?"I swallowed the burn in my throat and met her gaze head-on. "You wanted a sacrifice," I said with
Evelyn PoV“One, two, three, four…. Fifty, sixty-nine, a hundred…. No, no, no…” I breathed.I had stopped counting how many lives I had taken.At first, I would wave it off with justifications such as "they're all enemies, threats to my survival", or "I'm doing what I had to, to stay alive." But the excuses had become stale.Now, in the stark silence of my cell, their faces haunted me.There was the young warrior who had drawn his blade just as I struck him down. His eyes had been filled with terror, pleading, as though he had something to live for. I hadn't hesitated.There was the woman with that desperate look in her eyes, hands bloody and reaching for my clothes in an appeal for mercy. I had felt a flicker of hesitation that night. But Odessa had been watching, satisfaction shining in her golden eyes. I couldn't allow weakness.So, I had done what was expected of me.With each kill, I felt t