POV CassandraThey locked me in the room, even after I had accepted the Alpha King's proposal. I was thinking of a way to escape, but after he decreed my sentence to servitude, that could worsen things, and I would become a fugitive criminal. I thought about going back to the cursed Alpha, but I didn’t want to bring trouble to him and his pack. Xavier had been kind to me, and all I did was treat him like someone hostile and insignificant. But Ursula's words wouldn’t leave my mind."I can’t undo the spell, maybe it’s better this way. You need to stay away from the cursed Alpha."I didn’t know any other witch besides Ursula. The truth is, they were rare and were almost wiped out with the Salem witch hunt. If I remember correctly, the humans hunted them as if they were animals, just for being different and possessing powers and knowledge that most didn’t have.I remember that many of them managed to save themselves by aligning with the packs; the Alphas provided them protection in exchan
**POV Cassandra***Flashback off*“Hurry up, you fool! Scrub that floor properly! The Alpha King does not tolerate dirt. He is strict about cleanliness and wants the floors he walks on to be so shiny that he can see his own reflection!” The head maid yelled in my direction, her gaze sharp as a blade. Her tone was like a whip that constantly reminded me of my place here.I swallowed hard, sweat dripping down my forehead. My hands trembled with exhaustion as I scrubbed the filthy floor with all the strength I had left. But the old, worn-out rag they gave me barely worked, leaving streaks and dirt wherever I passed.Suddenly, a girl approached and crouched beside me. “Here, use this. It’s better than that yellow sponge. If you keep going like that, you’ll end up with blisters on your hands, and it will take all day to finish this task.” She handed me a bucket with a much better brush than the rag I had been struggling with. I nodded, surprised by her unexpectedly kind gesture amid the ch
Alpha Xavier POVI entered the palace, wearing a mask, staying in the back because my beta convinced me not to draw attention.The men I had infiltrated into the royal guard were supposed to bring Cassandra to me during the night.I was anxious, pacing back and forth, wearing a black cloak, hiding in the shadows like a coward. I hate this. I hate hiding. I’d rather face them all and kill everyone, but that would ruin all the plans I’ve made over the years."They've located her. Cassandra is in the east wing of the palace," my beta communicated with me through the mental link. "They said the head maid is keeping an eye on her, and she'll only have a break during the night!" My beta said, while I continued observing my men entering the palace disguised as guards to infiltrate the troops."Why are they treating her like a servant?" I asked, confused."That was the Alpha King's sentence. Our men took longer to locate Cassandra because she lied, saying she didn’t have a pack and that her n
POV ALPHA XAVIER**Flashback**"Mom... does Dad not come here anymore because of me?" I asked, seeing my mother gazing out the window with a sad expression on her face."No, dear... he must be busy, you know your father is a busy man, he must have many things to resolve in the pack," she said, wiping her tears so I wouldn't notice she was crying."I don't understand, why can't we go to the pack and live with Dad? Why do we have to live isolated and far from all the other wolves?" I asked for the tenth time.This was something I could never understand. I couldn't have friends or interact with people from the pack. The last time we went out to beg for food, my father almost beat my mother with so many slaps that she never dared to go out again. He would send a basket with bread once a month, which was barely enough to eat. We were forced to eat only one meal a day."It's complicated, dear... but believe me, your father is doing this to protect us," she said, smiling slightly and approac
**POV Cassandra**I could hardly believe it. He was there, right in front of me, like a ghost from the past I thought I had lost forever."Xavier… is it really you?" My eyes widened in surprise as the man in the black cloak approached, touching my hands with a tenderness that contrasted with the hostile environment around us."Cassandra, are you alright?" His voice, deep and filled with concern, resonated in my ears. His intense eyes scanned my body, frantically searching for any sign of injury, bruise, or pain I might be hiding. "Did that bastard do anything to you?" He growled through clenched teeth, and I could feel the wolf inside him roaring with rage, the beastly fury gleaming in his eyes.Before he lost control, I pulled him into a dark corner where no one could see us. The guards kept their watch from a safe distance, but even so, every word we exchanged felt too risky. It was like walking on thin ice."Don’t speak so loudly!" I whispered, my lips inches from his, the tension
POV Alpha Xavier I left that cursed place trembling with rage, my blood boiling in my veins. My mind was in turmoil, a whirlwind of emotions I couldn't contain. Cassandra's words echoed in my head like poison, each lie, each cruel word eating away at me from the inside. Before I knew it, my body began to change. The anger was too much to hold back, and my wolf emerged from within me with brutal force, tearing my clothes apart like paper.Black fur began to sprout from my skin, spreading rapidly. My muscles expanded, my chest heaving with each deep breath, while my nose elongated into a fierce snout, filled with sharp teeth ready to tear apart anything in my way. I transformed completely, and all that was left was the wild instinct and the need to destroy something—or someone.Without thinking, I ran into the forest, my feet turning into enormous paws that crushed the ground with unstoppable fury. The trees passed by as blurs, and the wind whipped my body, but nothing could lessen the
*POV Cassandra*"Believe me, girl, it’s better this way," Ursula’s voice echoed through the room as I buried my face in the pillow, trying to hold back the tears that insisted on escaping. My body was exhausted, but my mind was in turmoil, replaying every cruel word I had said to Xavier.The sun was beginning to set; it must have been around six in the evening. The workday had ended earlier, a rare relief, because the alpha king had gone to visit a neighboring city. My hands and feet throbbed with pain. Seven days of incessant work, and this was my first break. I didn’t know how much longer I could endure working twelve-hour days, sleeping only three hours a night. My body felt like it was about to collapse."Take the day to rest, Cassandra. You’re exhausted," Ursula said as she bandaged my knees, always red and swollen from the hours I spent kneeling, scrubbing that damned stone floor.I could barely speak, the words stuck in my throat, mixed with guilt. "The worst part, Ursula..." I
POV CASSANDRA"I... my name is Cassie, the new maid of the palace. I just wanted to know if you need anything else..."** — My words came out in stutters, laden with nervousness, as my heart raced so loudly that I could almost hear it.Luna Katy's eyes narrowed, scanning my body with sharp precision, as if she were uncovering every secret I tried to hide. Her expression remained cold and impenetrable for a few seconds before she slightly furrowed her brow. She picked up the towel beside her and, unhurriedly, began to dry her body, each movement elegant and controlled.With a slow, deliberate gesture, she donned the robe hanging on the hook, adjusting it over her still damp skin. When she turned to face me, a small smile appeared on her lips, but there was something sinister in her gaze, something that sent a chill down my spine."Cassie, right?" Her voice was smooth, almost sweet, but laden with something indecipherable. She raised an eyebrow and looked intrigued as she analyzed me. "
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