*POV Alpha Xavier*This wasn't part of my plan. I never imagined that King Alpha Valentim would propose a fight in front of everyone. The tension in the hall was palpable, and the weight of the decision I had made seemed heavier with every step I took."Go ahead, it’s the second door on the right," the guard pointed out, gesturing toward a dimly lit corridor.I walked in silence, the heavy armor in my arms, feeling the pressure of what was to come. When I reached the designated room, I closed the door behind me. The first thing I did was take off the jacket and that uncomfortable suit that had been irritating me since I arrived at the damned party. This wasn’t my environment.I put on the shoulder guards, adjusting the weight of the metal on my shoulders. Then I put on the steel vest that covered my torso, a solid piece that protected my heart and my fury. I was about to put on the helmet when I heard the doorknob turn. Before I could react, Cassandra rushed in."Are you insane?" Her
**Pov Cassandra**The kiss with Alpha Xavier was intense, as if the world around us had ceased to exist. His strong hands held my waist, pulling me closer, while his fingers delicately trailed up my neck, tugging at my hair. His touch sent waves of adrenaline through my body, making me gasp involuntarily.When we finally parted, breathless, Alpha Xavier pressed a soft kiss on the top of my head, his hands still caressing my flushed cheeks, as if the contact was something he didn’t want to lose.“You are mine, Cassandra,” he whispered in my ear, his voice deep and intense. “Stop fighting it.”My entire body shivered at those words, the heat of his presence enveloping me completely. When he took a step back, the look in his eyes was determined, but also filled with a possessiveness I still couldn’t comprehend. Even so, he knew he couldn’t stay.“I have to go,” he said, his voice firm. “Wait for me, Cassandra. This will be over soon.”Then he left, heading towards the arena where he woul
*POV Alpha Xavier*I entered the arena with my metal armor fitted to my body, each step echoing against the walls like a war drum. Alpha Valentim was already waiting for me at the center, his golden armor shining under the light. The symbols of royalty carved into his torso were proudly displayed. He adjusted his helmet, and the sound of metal grinding echoed as he pointed his sword at me, his eyes burning with hatred.“Ready, Cursed Alpha?” Valentim growled, baring his sharp teeth. “Let’s see how ugly you are after I rip off that ridiculous mask!”The sound of his voice carried anger and contempt, and I could feel his wolf thirsting for blood, ready to emerge. But I didn’t back down.With a firm rotation, I drew my sword, the cold steel reflecting the arena’s glow. The man in the center blew the horn, signaling the start of the fight. Valentim moved first, his sword slashing through the air in a brutal swing. I dodged to the side, feeling the blade pass just inches from my face. I qu
**POV Cassandra**“How sweet… the lovebirds…” I heard a deep voice echo from the other side of the arena. I quickly turned around and saw that King Alpha Valentim had finally stood up. A team of medics was by his side, tending to the cuts and bruises scattered across his body, while Alpha Xavier remained firm, holding my hand tightly.“You promised that if I won, the girl could come with me.” Xavier said firmly, his voice filled with authority.King Alpha let out a low growl, as if holding back his fury, before murmuring something incomprehensible. He used the rest of his strength to remove his armor and stand tall. His heavy footsteps echoed through the arena as he walked towards us. His gaze was fixed on us, filled with barely contained rage, his eyes burning with hatred as he got within inches of Xavier.“I am a man of my word,” Valentim growled, his voice dripping with scorn. “You won the duel, Cursed Alpha. It seems the legends about you aren’t just stories. Everything they say
**Cassandra’s POV**I approached the large, heavy wooden desk in the office, the dimly lit room illuminated only by the faint light from outside. The Alpha King stood with his back to me, staring out the window, a glass of whiskey in his hand. The silence was suffocating, the soft sound of the drink swirling in the glass the only thing breaking the tension of the moment. My heart was racing, every muscle in my body tense with anticipation of what was to come.Suddenly, we heard the sound of the door closing behind me, making my body flinch slightly."You came in so quietly, without a sound," he said without turning, a slight sarcastic laugh escaping his lips. "I almost didn’t notice you were here."I remained silent, unsure of how to react or what he expected from me. The Alpha King finally turned around, his eyes locking onto mine with an overwhelming intensity. He placed the glass of whiskey on the desk and began walking slowly toward me, the sound of his footsteps echoing in the si
**Alpha Xavier's POV**I walked silently through the dark corridors of the palace, my hood pulled low over my face, trying to avoid the eyes of the patrolling guards. It was late at night, and the castle seemed peaceful, but I had received an urgent call from my men who were staying near the palace. The message was clear, and at least three people had come to my room tonight, telling me that I needed to meet them in the forest at midnight.My footsteps were light, almost inaudible, as I approached the secret exit at the back, where the walls began to merge with the shadows of the forest.Sneaking past security without being noticed was no easy task. I avoided the guards and slipped through the gates until I finally reached the edge of the forest. The air there was dense, filled with the scent of trees, wet earth, and the faint smell of wild animals. My eyes quickly spotted the glow of a campfire in the distance. My Beta, Josh, was gathered with three of our best men. They spoke in hus
**POV Cassandra**"Cassandra!" I heard that deep, familiar voice echo in my ears, and my entire body trembled. I immediately turned towards the door, my heart racing."Luna Katy..." I whispered, scared, when I saw her enter the room unannounced. She smiled gently, as always, but there was something unsettling in her gaze. She walked over to the bed, where my wedding dress was carefully laid out, and sat beside it, observing the accessories with a thoughtful look. It was impossible to tell what she was thinking at that moment.She ran her hand over the fabric of the dress, analyzing every detail, before finally speaking:"I'm sorry, Cassandra. My son... he's unpredictable," she said with a sigh, still looking at the dress. "He's forcing you to marry that monster, all because of a whim. But... I'm sure he doesn't really want that."My body shrank into the water as she spoke. I tried to stay calm, but the fear I felt was uncontrollable. My mind was spinning, trying to process everything.
**Alpha Xavier’s POV**I walked down the dark hallway, the absolute silence of the early morning allowing me to hear every step I took on the cold stone floor. It was one in the morning, and everything around me felt empty and quiet. That's when I saw Luna Katy leaving Cassandra’s room, her imposing figure wrapped in an impeccable dress, shimmering in the dim candlelight.There was something strange about her. A slight, cynical smile played on her lips, and the black onyx necklace adorning her neck reflected a dark aura. When she saw me, she immediately stopped, her expression hardening, as if she had been preparing for this moment. She walked toward me with firm steps, her gaze fixed and piercing."Cursed Alpha," Luna Katy began, her voice cold and dripping with disdain. "I imagine you're here to see your bride..." She cast a dismissive glance toward Cassandra's room before turning her eyes back to me. "But as you know, the rules are clear. The bride and groom must not meet in the 24
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