The cell door creaked open for the second time that day.
Lena glanced up, expecting another tormentor, but instead, a young girl stood there, holding a tray of food. A cuff encircled the girl’s ankle—a slave.
"Take it back. I refuse to eat," Lena spat, her voice hoarse but firm.
The girl set the tray down and crouched before her, meeting Lena’s defiant gaze.
“Luna.”
"I am not your Luna," Lena snapped, her voice rising.
The girl only sighed. “You don’t understand, do you? The longer you refuse, the worse my punishment will be. I’m responsible for you now, Luna. I am your personal maid. My name is Milicent.”
Lena finally lifted her head, properly looking at her. The girl’s eyes were pleading, desperate.
Lena’s expression softened.
She knew what it was like to be in her shoes—to fear the wrath of a head maid, to be denied food as punishment.
Memories of her past as a servant in the Crimson Moon Pack surfaced, stinging like old wounds. If she were still there, at least she wouldn’t have endured the agony of last night.
That pain… it was beyond anything she had ever known. Inhuman.
Without another word, she dragged the tray closer and began to eat.
Silence stretched between them.
"When you're done, I’ll run you a bath and show you your room," Milicent murmured.
Lena froze.
“My… room?” she whispered, her voice barely above a breath.
She had never had a room of her own.
Before Milicent could answer, a sharp voice cut through the moment.
“That won’t be necessary.”
Cedric entered the cell, his presence filling the space with authority. Milicent immediately knelt, her head bowed.
"What is your name?"
"Milicent, my lord," she answered obediently.
"Your mistress will be coming with me to the healer,” Cedric stated. “She clearly needs care.”
Milicent hesitated before glancing back at Lena.
Her swollen eyes. Her puffy cheeks. The raw, unhealed cut on her wrist.
She looked like the walking dead.
“…As you wish, my lord,” Milicent whispered, bowing her head.
---
The road to the healer stretched before them. As they left the Alpha's castle, Lena finally took in the beauty of the kingdom.
Milicent trailed behind her while Cedric walked beside her in silence.
Beyond the castle walls, the pack’s territory was breathtaking. It stretched far and wide, a testament to wealth and power. Each street was lined with elegant homes, far grander than anything she had seen in the Crimson Moon Pack. Even the houses on the outskirts gleamed with expert craftsmanship, their intricate designs making them look more like noble estates than mere dwellings.
They came to a stop in front of a large building, the sign above its entrance reading in bold letters: The Healer’s House.
Without a word, they stepped inside.
The scent of herbs and incense filled the air. A beautiful woman, busy attending to a customer, lifted her head as they entered.
The moment Lena saw her, a cold shiver ran down her spine.
That witch.
The same woman who had sealed her fate with Alpha Darius the night before.
The healer’s expression remained unreadable as she bowed slightly.
“What brings the Luna to my humble home?” she asked, her voice smooth and calm.
Lena swallowed hard.
“She needs a check-up,” Cedric answered.
Lena slowly pulled back her hood.
A heavy silence fell over the room.
The air shifted.
Every eye in the healer’s house turned toward her, burning with hate.
The healer barely reacted. Instead, she turned away and began walking toward the stairs.
“Come with me,” she said.
They followed her.
The healer led them inside. The room was dim. The air reeked of dried herbs and strong oils.
A small bed sat in the center. Clean sheets. Wooden shelves filled with vials, scrolls, and strange-looking plants.
“Sit,” the healer ordered.
Lena hesitated. Cedric shot her a look. She had no choice. She moved forward and lowered herself onto the bed. Every muscle screamed in pain.
The healer stepped closer. Her sharp eyes scanned Lena’s face. Then her arms.
She grabbed Lena’s wrist. Turned it over. The deep cut was still fresh.
Milicent gasped.
The healer ran a cold finger over the wound. “This should have healed by now.” A pause. “How strange.”
Lena snatched her hand back. “There’s nothing strange about it,” she spat. “I told him—I’m not a werewolf.”
The healer smirked. Like she knew something Lena didn’t.
“Oh, I know exactly what you did.”
Lena stiffened.
The woman turned away. She scanned the shelves, fingers moving over different bottles. She picked one. A vial filled with deep red liquid.
“You were prepared for this, weren’t you?” She swirled the vial. “Your mother made sure of it. The Moon Mark of Restraint… cruel, yet effective.”
Lena’s stomach twisted.
She had no idea what the hell that meant.
The healer turned back to her. Sharp eyes. Calculating.
“Tell me, girl. Do you really think sealing your wolf will save you?”
Lena clenched her fists. “I don’t know what you’re talking about, witch!”
The healer’s eyes flickered. “Witch?” A dry chuckle. “I am no witch, girl. I am a healer. And you, as a wolf before, should know exactly what that means.”
Lena didn’t respond.
The healer moved closer. “Where does it hurt?”
Lena’s throat tightened. She hesitated. Then, in a low voice—
“Last night. My lungs… they were ripping. My heart… tearing into shreds.” Her hand clutched her chest. “My head. It felt like it would explode.”
The healer sighed. She knew exactly what that meant. But she said nothing.
She uncorked the vial.
“Drink.”
Lena scowled. “I don’t trust anything that comes from you.”
The healer smirked. “Suit yourself. But if you want to live in this pack, you’ll need strength. This will help with the pain.”
Lena hesitated.
Every inch of her body ached. Her wrist burned. Her limbs felt like lead.
Maybe just a sip.
She took the vial. Fingers trembling. She brought it to her lips.
The moment the liquid touched her tongue—
Fire.
A searing heat shot through her veins.
Lena gasped. Her back arched. The pain was unbearable.
Milicent rushed forward. “Luna?”
The healer just watched. Unbothered.
Lena’s vision blurred. Her breath came in ragged pants.
What was happening to her?
Darkness crept in.
And then—
Everything went black.
"Alpha. An important scroll has arrived from the Dark Towers," Cedric said as Darius stepped into the castle."Important scroll?" Darius muttered, snatching it from his hands.His eyes scanned the parchment. The more he read, the darker his expression grew.Without a second thought, he shoved the scroll against Cedric’s chest. "Deny it."Cedric kept pace beside him. "This is the third time you've rejected the park leaders. They’re determined to hold the ritual here this year.""Deny the fucking scroll!" Darius snarled. His voice echoed through the hall. "I don't want those heartless beings in my kingdom!"He stormed upstairs. Servants cowered in fear, stepping out of his path.Only one dared to follow him.Lady Miriam."I don’t want to hear it, Miriam," he snapped, not bothering to turn around."If you keep denying them, they'll sanction you," she warned. "You don’t want the wrath of all the clans against you, do you?""Let them come." He whirled to face her, his eyes blazing. "I’m re
"I'm telling you, Alpha. She purposely struck me!" Scarlet complained bitterly, her hand still pressed against her cheek.Darius barely glanced up from the parchments on his desk. "What did you do to her, Scarlet?""I didn’t do anything! I just wanted to see her, but she refused and slapped me across the cheek!" she lied, her voice laced with indignation.Then it hit him.A sharp pull deep in his chest.His hands clenched. His breath hitched.His vision blurred as his heart pounded erratically.Something was wrong.Before Scarlet could blink, Darius was gone.He moved with inhuman speed, his body twisting as he lunged out of the window. Mid-air, bones snapped, muscles expanded, and in a heartbeat, his wolf emerged.A beast of dark fur and lethal speed.By the time Scarlet realized what had happened, he was already a blur disappearing into the woods.---Lena barely had time to scream.The rogues lunged.Then, out of nowhere, a massive black wolf crashed into the clearing.It moved wit
The Next MorningDylia, the healer, worked diligently on Lena’s legs, the cool touch of medicinal herbs stirring her awake. A sharp sting shot through her as the salve seeped into her wounds, making her wince.Flashes of the previous night returned—the relentless run through the forest, the wolf carrying her, branches scraping against her skin.She exhaled deeply and sat up.Dylia immediately noticed. "You're finally awake." She offered a small smile, sitting on a stool beside the bed. "How do you feel?""Like I barely survived." Lena muttered, earning an amused chuckle from the healer."You're exaggerating. You'll be fine in no time."Lena hesitated before asking, "Whose wolf brought me back yesterday?"Silence filled the room.Dylia’s smile faltered. "Brought you back?""Yes," Lena said firmly. "A wolf saved me from those rogues in the forest. It carried me back here."Dylia sighed. "You must have imagined it, Luna. The Alpha said he found you just outside his study window and brough
The festival was fast approaching, and the entire pack buzzed with anticipation. Maidens flocked to their favorite dress shops, selecting the finest fabrics and embroidery for the grand occasion. The town square was alive with excitement, the scent of fresh flowers and baked goods filling the air as preparations continued in full swing.In the heart of the bustling town, a group of women gathered inside an elegant dress shop, their fingers tracing the delicate fabrics as they whispered amongst themselves."Whose dress will be the most stunning this year?" one of them mused aloud."If Lady Ravena doesn't return home this year, then it's definitely Lady Scarlet," another replied confidently.A few nodded in agreement, their eyes sparkling with excitement. But their chatter quickly took a darker turn."I heard Lydia Voss is returning to the territory for the first time in years," a young woman interjected.The mood shifted instantly. Faces hardened, and an air of resentment settled over
Long ago, before the rise of packs and Alphas, the Lycans ruled. Beasts of unmatched strength, they were neither mere werewolves nor any lesser creature that walked the earth. They were power itself—immortal, indomitable, divine. Hidden from the world, they lived in peace, thriving in their secluded kingdom.But peace never lasts when jealousy takes root.The werewolves envied them and resented their power. They saw the Lycans as a threat, an insult to their existence. And so, for the first time in history, the scattered werewolf clans united under a single cause: to bring down the Lycans.Even against an entire species, the Lycans stood unshaken. They were stronger, faster, and smarter. Victory should have been theirs.But power is never just about brute strength.Desperate, the werewolves turned to an ancient force, the Twelve Blood Witches. A deal was struck, and a truce was made. In exchange for sparing the witches' kind from future wars, the witches agreed to weave a spell of dar
"Do you like this one?""No, I prefer this one."Lena swallowed hard outside the dining hall, bracing herself. Kara's friends were troublemakers. They always had something to say when she was in front of them.With careful steps, she pushed open the doors and entered, balancing a tray of honeyed figs, spiced almonds, and goblets of dark wine.Laughter died the moment she stepped inside.Lena kept her gaze down as she moved toward the long table, the tray steady in her hands. The girls lounged in their cushioned seats, silk gowns pooling around them like liquid luxury. Their eyes followed her every move, sharp with something Lena had long learned to recognize. Jealousy."Honestly, it’s ridiculous," Valeria muttered, toying with her goblet. "Why does a mere servant have such a face?"Lena’s grip on the tray tightened."Right?" Selena drawled, a smirk curling her lips. "With a face like that, you’d think she was someone important. Not some pathetic little slave.""Such a waste," Valeria
The guards held Lena in front of a heavy wooden door, their grip firm and unyielding. The head slave emerged, her expression impassive."The bath is ready," she announced.Without hesitation, one of the guards spun Lena around as if she were nothing more than a lifeless doll. The sharp clink of metal echoed in the dim corridor as they crouched before her, unlocking the chains that had bound her for nearly a decade.The weight disappeared from her ankle, and for a moment, Lena could only stare.They had never removed it before. Not in all the years she had been paraded as a slave.That cufflink was more than just a restraint—it was a brand, a mark of ownership. It was what kept slaves from running. The iron was impossibly heavy, designed to slow any escape attempt until a werewolf could hunt them down with ease.Yet now, they had discarded it like it was nothing.Before she could fully process the shift in her fate, rough hands shoved her forward into the room.Inside, the scent of lav
"Lena, run!" her mother screamed."No, Mother! I can get you out of here! I can take you with me!" Lena sobbed, desperately reaching for her hand."You can't save me!" her mother gasped, her voice strained with pain. "The only thing you must promise me is to survive. Do you hear me? Survive at all costs!"A burning log crashed down, slamming into her mother’s back.The fire roared around them, consuming everything in its path. Her mother’s screams echoed through the inferno.Young Lena’s shriek tore through the night."Take her!" a deep voice commanded behind her.Terror gripped her as she turned, her tear-filled eyes locking onto a man standing in the flames. A golden mask covered half his face, one eye a chilling blue, the other a blood-red ember.A cruel laugh jolted Lena awake.Her head ached, the jostling of the carriage making her realize she’d been dreaming."What do you think will happen to her when we reach the pack house?" one of the men outside sneered."They won’t go easy
The festival was fast approaching, and the entire pack buzzed with anticipation. Maidens flocked to their favorite dress shops, selecting the finest fabrics and embroidery for the grand occasion. The town square was alive with excitement, the scent of fresh flowers and baked goods filling the air as preparations continued in full swing.In the heart of the bustling town, a group of women gathered inside an elegant dress shop, their fingers tracing the delicate fabrics as they whispered amongst themselves."Whose dress will be the most stunning this year?" one of them mused aloud."If Lady Ravena doesn't return home this year, then it's definitely Lady Scarlet," another replied confidently.A few nodded in agreement, their eyes sparkling with excitement. But their chatter quickly took a darker turn."I heard Lydia Voss is returning to the territory for the first time in years," a young woman interjected.The mood shifted instantly. Faces hardened, and an air of resentment settled over
The Next MorningDylia, the healer, worked diligently on Lena’s legs, the cool touch of medicinal herbs stirring her awake. A sharp sting shot through her as the salve seeped into her wounds, making her wince.Flashes of the previous night returned—the relentless run through the forest, the wolf carrying her, branches scraping against her skin.She exhaled deeply and sat up.Dylia immediately noticed. "You're finally awake." She offered a small smile, sitting on a stool beside the bed. "How do you feel?""Like I barely survived." Lena muttered, earning an amused chuckle from the healer."You're exaggerating. You'll be fine in no time."Lena hesitated before asking, "Whose wolf brought me back yesterday?"Silence filled the room.Dylia’s smile faltered. "Brought you back?""Yes," Lena said firmly. "A wolf saved me from those rogues in the forest. It carried me back here."Dylia sighed. "You must have imagined it, Luna. The Alpha said he found you just outside his study window and brough
"I'm telling you, Alpha. She purposely struck me!" Scarlet complained bitterly, her hand still pressed against her cheek.Darius barely glanced up from the parchments on his desk. "What did you do to her, Scarlet?""I didn’t do anything! I just wanted to see her, but she refused and slapped me across the cheek!" she lied, her voice laced with indignation.Then it hit him.A sharp pull deep in his chest.His hands clenched. His breath hitched.His vision blurred as his heart pounded erratically.Something was wrong.Before Scarlet could blink, Darius was gone.He moved with inhuman speed, his body twisting as he lunged out of the window. Mid-air, bones snapped, muscles expanded, and in a heartbeat, his wolf emerged.A beast of dark fur and lethal speed.By the time Scarlet realized what had happened, he was already a blur disappearing into the woods.---Lena barely had time to scream.The rogues lunged.Then, out of nowhere, a massive black wolf crashed into the clearing.It moved wit
"Alpha. An important scroll has arrived from the Dark Towers," Cedric said as Darius stepped into the castle."Important scroll?" Darius muttered, snatching it from his hands.His eyes scanned the parchment. The more he read, the darker his expression grew.Without a second thought, he shoved the scroll against Cedric’s chest. "Deny it."Cedric kept pace beside him. "This is the third time you've rejected the park leaders. They’re determined to hold the ritual here this year.""Deny the fucking scroll!" Darius snarled. His voice echoed through the hall. "I don't want those heartless beings in my kingdom!"He stormed upstairs. Servants cowered in fear, stepping out of his path.Only one dared to follow him.Lady Miriam."I don’t want to hear it, Miriam," he snapped, not bothering to turn around."If you keep denying them, they'll sanction you," she warned. "You don’t want the wrath of all the clans against you, do you?""Let them come." He whirled to face her, his eyes blazing. "I’m re
The cell door creaked open for the second time that day.Lena glanced up, expecting another tormentor, but instead, a young girl stood there, holding a tray of food. A cuff encircled the girl’s ankle—a slave."Take it back. I refuse to eat," Lena spat, her voice hoarse but firm.The girl set the tray down and crouched before her, meeting Lena’s defiant gaze.“Luna.”"I am not your Luna," Lena snapped, her voice rising.The girl only sighed. “You don’t understand, do you? The longer you refuse, the worse my punishment will be. I’m responsible for you now, Luna. I am your personal maid. My name is Milicent.”Lena finally lifted her head, properly looking at her. The girl’s eyes were pleading, desperate.Lena’s expression softened.She knew what it was like to be in her shoes—to fear the wrath of a head maid, to be denied food as punishment.Memories of her past as a servant in the Crimson Moon Pack surfaced, stinging like old wounds. If she were still there, at least she wouldn’t have e
The next morning, Lena’s eyes fluttered open. Pain rippled through her body as she tried to move, but her limbs felt like lead. Every inch of her ached, her muscles stiff from the torment of last night. She felt numb. Empty.The cold stone beneath her sent a sharp reminder—she wasn’t safe. She wasn’t free.The heavy sound of boots echoed in the corridor."Where is she?"Darius.Lena barely had the strength to lift her head, but she heard the metallic clank of chains unlocking. Only then did she fully register where she was. A cell. A prison.The iron door groaned open.Darius stepped inside, his presence filling the cramped space like a dark storm cloud.He crouched before her, his mismatched eyes studying her with something unreadable.Lena flinched and tried to shrink away from his reach.His lips curled. "No, wife. That is not how you greet your husband."Her breath hitched. "Stay away from me!"He ignored her protest. "Kara," he murmured, tilting his head. "Don’t you know why you’
Lena’s body trembled as they dragged her forward.Her feet scraped against the rough stone, her arms wrenched in a bruising grip.The metallic taste of blood clung to her tongue, thick and bitter.No matter how much she swallowed, it wouldn’t leave.The night air was sharp against her skin when they stepped outside.The ritual ground stretched before her—an eerie, open expanse surrounded by towering black stone pillars.The pillars loomed like sentinels, their surfaces carved with ancient runes that pulsed with an unnatural glow.Fires blazed in massive iron braziers, their flames licking the air, casting long, flickering shadows across the space.The scent of burnt herbs filled the air, thick and suffocating.But beneath it, something fouler lingered.Blood.The pack stood in a wide circle, their faces twisted in anticipation.Hatred.Cruel delight.Lena’s stomach knotted.At the center of it all, the altar waited.A massive slab of dark stone, worn smooth by time, but forever marked
"Lena, run!" her mother screamed."No, Mother! I can get you out of here! I can take you with me!" Lena sobbed, desperately reaching for her hand."You can't save me!" her mother gasped, her voice strained with pain. "The only thing you must promise me is to survive. Do you hear me? Survive at all costs!"A burning log crashed down, slamming into her mother’s back.The fire roared around them, consuming everything in its path. Her mother’s screams echoed through the inferno.Young Lena’s shriek tore through the night."Take her!" a deep voice commanded behind her.Terror gripped her as she turned, her tear-filled eyes locking onto a man standing in the flames. A golden mask covered half his face, one eye a chilling blue, the other a blood-red ember.A cruel laugh jolted Lena awake.Her head ached, the jostling of the carriage making her realize she’d been dreaming."What do you think will happen to her when we reach the pack house?" one of the men outside sneered."They won’t go easy
The guards held Lena in front of a heavy wooden door, their grip firm and unyielding. The head slave emerged, her expression impassive."The bath is ready," she announced.Without hesitation, one of the guards spun Lena around as if she were nothing more than a lifeless doll. The sharp clink of metal echoed in the dim corridor as they crouched before her, unlocking the chains that had bound her for nearly a decade.The weight disappeared from her ankle, and for a moment, Lena could only stare.They had never removed it before. Not in all the years she had been paraded as a slave.That cufflink was more than just a restraint—it was a brand, a mark of ownership. It was what kept slaves from running. The iron was impossibly heavy, designed to slow any escape attempt until a werewolf could hunt them down with ease.Yet now, they had discarded it like it was nothing.Before she could fully process the shift in her fate, rough hands shoved her forward into the room.Inside, the scent of lav