**POV Cassandra**"Put everything in place, quickly, you useless girls! The Alpha King doesn’t want to see anything out of order, and Luna Katy is far too anxious for this day!" The sharp voice of the head maid echoed through the palace halls, making all the other girls shrink under the pressure. She was impatient, her expression severe, as she watched us with critical eyes, searching for any slightest mistake.I took a deep breath, trying to stay focused on the work while wiping the sweat that ran down my forehead. The day was already exhausting, and the heat inside the castle, combined with the physical effort, made my body feel heavy, as if every movement was a battle against fatigue. Luna Katy, in a rare gesture of "generosity," had excused me from my direct services with her so that I could help the other maids with the palace's preparations. The reason was simple: many girls had died recently, and the reduced number of staff was forcing each of us to take on more responsibilitie
**Cassandra's POV**That’s when something unexpected happened. Adrian’s crying became so loud and desperate that it caught everyone’s attention. The guards hesitated, exchanging uncertain glances, until they released Caroline, as if the weight of the scene was too much to bear.Caroline fell to her knees beside her son, trying to comfort him as he sobbed, sitting on the floor. The sound of his sadness echoed through the hallway, creating a painful contrast with the cold and rigid atmosphere of the palace."Oh, darling... I’m so sorry," Caroline said, her voice shaky as she ran her hand across her son’s face, trying to wipe away his tears. "I know you wanted to see your father. I did too..." She swallowed hard, fighting against the truth she had to hide. The pain in her eyes was almost palpable, and I knew she was doing everything she could to keep little Adrian from noticing how much it hurt her. "But he’s busy with pack matters, you know. He’s the Alpha King now... he has many respon
Here’s the revised version without the dashes:---**POV Cassandra**I was startled and almost fell backward when I felt a pair of strong hands wrap around my waist, firm enough to stop me from hitting the ground. "Don’t tell anyone!" he whispered in my ear, his low, husky voice sending shivers down my spine. I could feel his warm breath, and the closeness between us was suffocating.I swallowed hard, nodding, embarrassed. We were so close that I could feel the heat rising to my face, my cheeks burning with embarrassment. He must have noticed because he abruptly let go, stepping back. I took a deep breath, trying to compose myself. I walked over to the well, attempting to divert my focus. I grabbed the bucket attached to the rope and began pulling it up, trying to find some distraction in the task."Why are you doing this?" he asked, raising an eyebrow, his expression hard with suspicion. "You’re my mother’s maid. This isn’t supposed to be your job."The rope slipped from my hands for
**Pov Cassandra**We went to the local market and bought plenty of candles, fruits, and flowers. The atmosphere was heavy, and despite the apparent calm, I felt the tension between us. Afterward, he rented a room in a modest hotel, close to the funeral home where people brought flowers and made small memorials for their loved ones."If you tell anyone I did this, I’ll throw you in the dungeon for a week," he said with cutting coldness, his eyes watching me closely. "No food or water. You’ll have to survive on the rats living down there."I swallowed hard but smiled softly, not wanting to show fear. "Don’t worry, I won’t tell anyone," I replied, as I finished placing the decorations and flowers around the area. The lit candles illuminated the space with a soft, respectful glow.Afterward, I cooked some vegetables and prepared a small meal for the two of us. He was dressed in black, a sign of mourning, while I wore a simple gray dress, stained with dust. We sat in front of the two woode
**Cassandra’s POV**“You stupid girl! I warned you to stay away from the alpha king and his mother, and you defied me!” Ursula shouted angrily, throwing her cane in my direction.Luckily, I dodged in time. She was almost completely blind, and without the agility she once had, her blow missed by a long shot. Still, the scare made my heart race. My knees were still aching, reminding me of the hours I had spent punished, kneeling on grains of corn. But the worst was over, and thanks to that suffering, I had been given at least three days off by Luna Katy. What I didn’t expect was that the ceremony to name the new harem girls would arrive so quickly.“The guard has prepared everything for tonight,” Ursula continued, her voice more controlled but still full of tension. “I bribed him. Pay attention! A maid will replace you at midnight. By then, everyone will be too drunk and distracted to notice the switch. Besides, you’ll be wearing a mask as part of the theme Luna Katy chose for the party
**Cassandra's POV**I trembled with every step as I approached Luna Katy's bedroom door. The air felt heavy around me, as if the palace itself was aware of the tension consuming me. As soon as my hands touched the metal doorknob, I felt a coldness that spread throughout my body, sending chills across my skin. The cold didn’t come just from the touch, but from the anticipation of what might happen next."Enter!" Luna Katy's voice echoed in my mind through the mental link. I took a deep breath, trying to control the nervousness that made my heart race.As I opened the door and entered the room, I found Luna Katy with her back to me, gazing out the window. The soft evening light illuminated the room, giving the scene an almost surreal beauty. My eyes quickly noticed the luxurious dresses and jewelry laid out on the bed. Maybe she needed help getting ready for the ceremony, but something about the loaded silence in the room put me on edge.She slowly turned, a gentle smile on her lips. "C
**Xavier’s POV**I sent one of my men to deliver the note to Cassandra. I wanted her to know that I wouldn’t give up on her, that no matter where she was, I would find her. Now, I was in a discreet inn near the Alpha King’s palace, going over the plan for the thousandth time with my beta, Josh. Everything had to go perfectly."Are you sure you really want to do this?" Josh asked me, his voice filled with apprehension.I shrugged, unfazed by his concern. "You already know the answer. Don’t try to stop me." I took a sip of the whiskey on the table, letting the liquid burn down my throat but keeping my eyes firmly on the map in front of us.Josh sighed, troubled. "Alright then... where do we start?" He looked at the large map of the palace’s underground tunnels, his eyes scanning the blurred markings and worn-out pages.It was an old map, with torn edges and time-worn stains, but it was the key to our plan. No one knew about those tunnels, built long before the current Alpha King was bor
**Cassandra’s POV****A few hours earlier…**My heart was racing as I entered the grand hall. I could feel each beat echoing in my chest, my breathing short and uneven, as if the air was heavier inside. I tried not to draw attention, but it was useless. As soon as my feet crossed the threshold, all eyes turned toward me, as if I were an unexpected presence in that space. Every step I took made my golden dress shimmer in the candlelight, making me stand out even more among the guests."Who is she? She’s not even that pretty," I heard one of the girls whisper to another, her voice dripping with disdain. I tried to ignore it, keeping my gaze fixed ahead as I walked around the central courtyard, fighting not to let insecurity take over.In the distance, on the second floor, I spotted Ursula watching the ceremony from above. She stood with her cane, leaning on it firmly, wearing a black glittering dress that sparkled in the room’s light. Her stiff posture made me uneasy. I wore a sparkling
Pov cassandraThe walls of the dungeon were cold and damp, and the smell of mold filled the air, mingling with the bitter taste of despair that refused to leave me. I sat in the dark corner of the cell, arms wrapped around myself, trying to suppress the trembling that overtook me. The chains on my wrists were heavy, but not as heavy as the weight of the accusations hanging over me.The echo of firm footsteps interrupted the oppressive silence. I lifted my head, quickly wiping away the tears that had fallen without my permission. I couldn’t appear weak, not in front of him. And there he was, Alpha Damon, standing outside the bars, wearing that cold, mocking smile that made me want to scream."What do you want here?" I asked, my voice firmer than I had expected.He entered the cell with the confidence of someone who knew they were in control. "You know why I’m here, Cassandra," he began, his tone calm but laced with venom. "I want you to take responsibility for the deaths."My hands cle
**Xavier's POV**Days had passed since the dust of war had settled, and I was finally crowned king. A grand ceremony took place, filled with ancient rituals and solemn words, but for me, the most significant moment was when Cassandra, by my side, received the crown of Luna. As the weight of gold was placed upon her head, I knew that, despite everything, she was my anchor, the reason why all of this was worth it.I looked at her, admiring her strength, even after all she had endured. There was an undeniable sadness in her eyes, but also a determination that made me believe that together we could overcome anything.After the coronation, my focus shifted to rebuilding the pack. The palace, devastated by the conflicts, began to be restored. The wounded soldiers received care, and the people returned to their homes. I made it a point to visit the families who had lost loved ones, offering help and ensuring that the future would be different. I promised myself that my leadership would be ma
The pain of childbirth had been excruciating, but nothing could compare to the wave of love that washed over me when I heard that fragile, delicate cry for the first time. My baby was here, in my arms, so small, so perfect.He was a boy. A beautiful, healthy boy, with eyes that, although newly opened, seemed to gaze directly at me. His skin, still red from the effort of entering the world, glowed under the flickering light of the flames illuminating the sky in the distance."My love... my boy..." I whispered, tears streaming down my face as I cradled him to my chest. Even with my body still aching from the pains of childbirth, I couldn’t take my eyes off him. I kissed his small forehead, feeling the warmth of his skin, and silently thanked the goddess of the moon for giving us this moment, even amid the chaos.But the moment of peace was brutally interrupted.The door was smashed open with a crash, and a group of men entered, their faces dirty and filled with hatred. I instinctively h
**Alpha Xavier's POV**The smell of gunpowder and blood filled the air as we led the attack on the central hall. I could hear the echoes of our wolves' howls mixed with the cries of resistance from Alpha Valetim's guards. Everything was going according to plan — we were surrounding the palace, closing off all escape routes.Ahead of me, one of Valetim's army commanders trembled, his eyes darting quickly over the men surrounding him. His breathing was heavy, and I could see the sweat dripping down his face."You’re surrounded," I said firmly, my deep voice cutting through the air. "It’s no use resisting. This isn’t just a battle, it’s the revolt of the people. Your tyranny, and that of King Valetim, is over. There’s no way out for you. Surrender and open the gates."He hesitated, gripping his sword with trembling hands. I could see the conflict in his eyes — a mix of fear and desperate loyalty. Before he could respond, one of my men advanced, pressing the sharp point of a blade against
*POV Cassandra*As I followed the servant through the dark corridors, we heard the unmistakable sound of Alpha Valetim’s voice echoing nearby. He was coming toward us. My heart nearly stopped, and for a moment, I froze.“It’s him...” I whispered, instinctively placing my hand on my belly.The eunuch glanced at me, alarmed, but remained calm.“We need to leave now! If he finds you here, Alpha Xavier’s plan will be ruined,” he said urgently, trying to pull me toward the exit.I looked in the direction of Valetim’s voice and felt a wave of despair. I knew he suspected something. If he realized I was trying to escape, not only would he imprison me again, but he would destroy all of Xavier’s efforts to save us.“Wait,” I whispered, gripping the servant’s arm firmly. “I need to throw him off track.”“That’s madness! Alpha Xavier wants you safe. You have to come with me now!” he whispered, almost desperate.“Trust me. I’ll delay him. Go to the meeting point and wait for me. I promise I’ll co
**Cassandra's POV**The months dragged on like centuries since Xavier disappeared. The last thing I heard was from some servants who claimed to have seen him working as a simple carpenter in a humble house nearby. They mocked him, calling him "The Crippled Alpha." The title had spread, and the rumors of his disability made him the subject of ridicule.His pack had abandoned him. When Valentim brought his punishment to everyone, most ran to save their own skins, including Jennie. From time to time, I would hear of hunts, captures, and the executions that followed. Valentim thought all of it was a big joke.Worse than the rumors were the photos. He sent them to me like slow poison, depicting Xavier limping, leaning on a cane, his exhausted face. Each image came with a messenger carrying gifts that piled up high in my room. They were never opened. I didn’t need to look to know they contained more insults than sincere intentions.That day, a servant entered, carrying a new batch."Luna, K
POV ALPHA XAVIERI was dragged through the dark, damp corridors of the dungeon like an animal about to be slaughtered. My wrists were bound by iron shackles that dug into my skin, causing constant pain. Two guards shoved me with every hesitation, their eyes filled with contempt. Finally, they stopped in front of a cell that smelled of urine, decay, and despair. Without ceremony, they threw me inside, and I stumbled, falling to the filthy floor.The sound of the iron door closing echoed through the dark space. I struggled to get up, wiping the blood from the corner of my lips, only to notice that the floor was infested with rats scurrying back and forth, fighting over pieces of spoiled food."Enjoy the hospitality, Cursed Alpha," one of the guards mocked. He held a plate with what looked like moldy bread and a bowl of sour broth. He pushed the food through the small opening in the cell and smiled maliciously. "This is your only meal of the day. Better save it."I didn't respond. I simp
**Cassandra's POV**The hall plunged into chaos the moment Valentim drew the knife. My heart stopped as he approached Xavier, his gaze overflowing with hatred."Valentim, don’t do this!" I screamed desperately, but he seemed to not hear.Xavier raised his arms defensively, trying to deescalate the situation."There’s no need for this, Valentim! Leave Cassandra and our child out of this. Deal with me, but not like this!"Valentim didn’t respond. With a swift movement, he grabbed Xavier's arm, pulling him close, and before I could even scream, the knife glinted under the light of the hall before plunging into the side of Xavier’s abdomen, just below his ribs. A muffled sound of torn flesh echoed through the hall, followed by Xavier’s scream of pain."Traitor!" Valentim roared, pointing the bloodstained knife at the guards around us. "The Cursed Alpha tried to kill me! He conspires against the kingdom, and for that, his whole pack will be condemned!""NO!" My scream ripped through the ai
POV ALPHA XAVIER"Another victim of the Alpha King," I heard someone comment."Was that an execution, or a horror show?" someone else replied.My body froze. Everything inside me was about to explode. The sight of my beta, my friend, dead before me was more than I could bear.Cassandra shrank beside me, sobbing quietly, yet she gripped my hand tightly, trying to hold me back, as if she knew what I was about to do.But nothing could stop me."Josh..." My voice was a low growl, full of pain and rage. My wolf howled in response, slamming against the barriers I had put up to control it.I knew that from that moment on, everything would change.The Alpha King's palace was dark at night, its oppressive architecture reflecting the chaos that reigned in the mind of the man who inhabited it. The doors slammed open as I entered, the sound echoing through the vast halls like thunder. My chest burned with anger and pain, my wolf growled impatiently within me, while my eyes found Valentim sitting