“The daughter, specifically!” Lambert gritted his teeth as he spoke. “I am an alpha and a flawed father; I deserved my fate.”“You do,” I agreed with a slight, sinister smile. “However, your daughter does not share that view. Tell me about the paths of purgatory we must follow.”“This is one, cursed Alpha; we were immersed in the sin of wrath… Hence, the incessant hunts and severe punishment!” He explained. “We needed to cross the Reapers to reach the next tower.”“What aren't you telling me?” I glanced sideways, noting his reactions. “Is there a guardian?”“Of course there is. Generally, those who free themselves from this sin can pass without a fight. But if you intended to get me out of here, King Lycan, you had to understand that I was not free from my sins.” The black wolf explained“I don't care. What should I expect from the guardian?” I growled, shrugging.“Such arrogance and conceit.” Lambert cast a lascivious look. “A supernatural wolf guards the exit gate, something you may
“Unfortunately, we'll have to face this guardian, whose hunger is insatiable… She is the very embodiment of gluttony!” He spoke. “Lycan, I'll blindfold my eyes and cover my ears; I need you to guide me in this tower so that I don't succumb to lust.”“Now, do you trust me?” I replied ironically.“I want to see Sophie one last time.” He whispered in confession, lowering his head. “You won't harm me more than this place. I have nothing to lose, and you need me to get out of here.”“So be it!” I snarled irritably. It didn't take long for the paw to heal, although the area still hurt.“The pain here is constant, never ceasing. With every wound, even if healed, the excruciating pain remains as a reminder!” Lambert observed me before blindfolding himself with a piece of clothing.“I saw what the Reapers did to you. Are you telling me you still feel the pain of your skin being torn off?” I analyzed the black wolf in front of me.“I feel every pain ever inflicted on me here, every day, every m
I opened my eyes, realizing I was standing still in front of the gate, holding Lambert, who was trying to free himself while still blindfolded.“King Lycan? King Lycan?” Lambert called me.I squeezed his hand firmly, dragging him out of that purgatory gate. Around us, screams of terror echoed, and I felt the beast return to my being. I looked back and saw the Succubus in her true form, standing by the gate, all cut and bloodied, with astonished eyes.“This won't end here, Beast. Your fate is in purgatory. We will have our revenge!” The Guardian proclaimed it with a thunderous threat.I freed Lambert's eyes from the improvised blindfold. He laughed as he measured me.“Even the cursed fall into temptation, don't they, King Lycan?” Laughing playfully, the black wolf turned forward. “I hope you have enough energy left to face gluttony!”I looked down, sensing the pulsating excitement within me. Snarling in irritation, I walked ahead of the fallen alpha with firm steps.“To Sophie, I hope
He nodded, rising from the ground with determination.“So let's go, we're at the last gate out of this terrible place,” I growled.“It feels like a dream to leave here,” Lambert commented. “What will happen to my soul?”“The Goddess will decide whether to absolve it or if it will be a wandering soul,” I explained.“I wish I had more time on earth to be with my daughters,” Lambert said excitedly, and then I realized what he didn't know. I looked at him over my shoulders, pondering whether to tell him, but I chose to ignore it.As we approached the gate, a thunderous and empowered roar echoed in the surroundings. In front of us, my late father, Walker, emerged from the midst of the sparkling golden dust.“The prodigal son returns,” he snarled sarcastically. “Did you miss me, pup?”“This is your…” Lambert began, but I interrupted.“My father!” I shouted angrily, even the beast within me stirred. “How did you end up here? And how did you become a guardian?”“I am a powerful king, stupid p
POV: SOPHIE“The Lycan King can handle himself; you know the power he possesses and are aware of the strength of his beast,” Elara replied, glancing around. “I just hope his return won't take too long.”“Time inside is different from ours.” The moon elegantly commented in her drawn-out speech. “Probably seconds have passed in purgatory, while we have been waiting here for more than a day since the cursed one's departure.”“Time dilation… I read about it in a book of magic from the witches' clan!” I widened my eyes when a logical thought struck me. “Of course, time in purgatory is slower; it prolongs the suffering.”As I lowered my head, a feeling of sadness enveloped me. I thought about everything my father and, at this moment, the Alpha were facing in that hell.“Goddess, could it be…” I began to speak, but the goddess's piercing gaze made Elara approach, placing her hands over my lips.“No, hybrid, I cannot and will not accelerate time in purgatory so that they suffer less.” The int
Whistling, Harry chuckled hastily as he approached me with a challenging look.“Look at you, so full of courage. But we know your Alpha isn't; we sniffed out your diminished magic!” Harry said arrogantly, moving slowly due to the gust of wind from the storm. “We don't fear your she-wolf!”“You should. You have no idea of her strength. Ask Agatha!” I proclaimed, puffing out my chest proudly and staring at my sister's spirit on the beta's back.“Agatha?” Henry asked curiously, approaching the shield. “You're Agatha.”“Am I?” I smiled arrogantly. “Wolves are truly weak for not noticing the difference.”Both sniffed in my direction; their eyes darkened, highlighting the predatory line. The brothers glanced at each other, growling loudly in anger.“CURSED ONE, you're the cursed twin!” shouted the Blood Moon Alpha. “How did you manage to be exact?”“Magic, foolish wolf!” I shrugged, widening my smile even more. “And that was just a fraction of my power.”“Stop provoking them,” Elara said ov
Despite my inner beast protesting, there was no choice. We were alone, and we would die there if I didn't use the remaining power I had, even if it was forbidden, to free us.“Let's kill her, avoid her claws,” ordered Henry, the Alpha.“Leave her to me!” Harry shouted in fury. “It's what you always wanted, Beta.” I taunted him.Harry lunged toward me, skillfully avoiding my claws by biting into my belly and upper back. I groaned in pain, gasping, realizing the cost of forbidden magic—my life force was being drained!“I won't die here!” I roared, shaking my head and calling to my inner wolf. “We won't die!”Roaring in my mind, I felt her fiercer. Our strength seemed to have increased, along with the magic—both walking hand in hand. I felt tremors throughout my body until my fangs became more prominent.“Look who's irritated the little wolf...” Harry mocked.“Hurry up with this; the hurricane is close!” Henry warned, looking toward the approaching storm.“With pleasure!” Harry's menacin
When darkness enveloped my eyes, a sinister presence seized my legs with sharp claws, dragging me into an endless abyss. I desperately tried to grasp what seemed to be the ground, but in vain; the force pulling me was overwhelming.A single drop of blood resonated upon touching the ground, transforming the floor into a red sea of blood, where my disfigured reflection revealed the battle wounds against the wolves. I was startled to notice a malicious smile hovering over my shoulders, a hand resting and caressing with sinister satisfaction.“Finally, you approach perfection for us!” proclaimed the malevolent being, addressing my reflection.Instinctively, I threw myself backward, crawling away in terror, observing my surroundings.“Who, or what, are you?” I asked amidst the void, without spotting anyone.The entity emerged from the pool of blood, emanating a terrifying presence and an unknown odor, causing intense shivers. My hand seemed to shrink in the face of its manifestation.“I am