_Astrid’s POV_I watched as guards trooped into the bedroom and bowed before Valerian. His gaze remained unreadable as he ordered, “Take this bitch and punish her in the worst way ever." He paused, his gaze darkening as he added, “She dared to spit on my face." Without a second thought, the guards rushed towards me and yanked me from the bed while I winced in pain.The bandages that were used to wrap my wounds were forcefully ripped open, leaving the cold air hitting my wounds.“Please…” I begged as one of the guards pulled me by my hair and dragged me out of the room. It was extremely difficult to match his pace as I clutched his arm on my hair, trying to peel his finger's grip away.I knew without a doubt that he would end up pulling a few strands off. They pulled me directly to what seemed to be the dungeon. I could tell it was a dungeon because this part of the mansion was dark and reeked of something disgusting. Probably blood or rotten meat.I was pushed to the ground, hard,
The moment their feet crossed into The Crimson Dusk Pack, the only thing Zarek wanted to do at that moment was burn the place to the ground.The air was filled with the smell of lies. This disgusting pack. The guards who stood at the pack’s entrance all went pale at the sight of not just them but Cassia. They all knew who she was and where she came from. The Lycan’s King Lucian's sister was the only reason they never attacked Zarek, Zade, and Gideon on sight.One of the guards scrambled inside and towards the packhouse, to report that the Alphas of Obsidian Fang Pack had arrived with someone who made them untouchable. “Alpha, the Alphas of The Obsidian Fang Pack are here." The guard informed Valerian, who sat lazily in his chair as he listened to the other men in the meeting room.The moment the words registered in his mind, a small smile curled at the sides of his lips.“Really?" He chuckled. “Took them long enough. What are you all waiting for then?" He asked, petting his disfigu
Zarek's arms were soaked in blood. Astrid's blood. Her body was limp, her skin pale, and every shallow breath she took made something tighten in his chest, and that of his brother. They hadn't even known her for long—but the sight of her broken like this made their vision burn red. To think that Zade was even affected when he was also the same person to protest against Astrid's entry into their lives. He had told Zarek that he shouldn't have bought her off at the auction because she was human. And now, he was looking disheveled because of that same human. Zade stalked behind Zarek, his fist clenched and his jaw locked as they made their way through the halls of Crimson Dusk Packhouse. The moment they arrived at the living room, Zade moved fast before anyone could predict his movement, he grabbed Valerian by his shirt collar and slammed him on the wall again, just the way Zarek did. Valerian was tired of the both of them at this point. "Didn't you say she was safe?" Zade growled l
_Astrid’s POV_The air was filled with the smell of sweat, smoke, and fear.I stood barefooted on the cold, marble stage, arms bound in front of me, my wrists raw from the rough rope that tied tyen together. A single spotlight bore down on me, blinding me, as faceless figures in the audience murmured, their voices low and expectant. The auction house reeked of wealth and sin, the kind of place where men bought flesh with the snap of their fingers, where lives were measured in gold and power rather than worth.The auctioneer, a man in an expensive suit, lifted his hand. "Lot 43," he announced, his voice spreading across the big room. "Twenty years old. Untouched. A rare find. We’ll start the bidding at twenty thousand!"A shiver ran down my spine, but I clenched my jaw, refusing to let them see me break. My heart pounded in my chest, each beat coming as a drum of my impending doom. I wanted to scream, to run, but there was nowhere to go. I was trapped.My father had already pulled me
_Astrid’s POV_I woke up to the sound of the heavy iron doors creaking open. My head was pounding, and my wrists were sore from the rope binding them.The place smelled of damp stone and something metallic—smell of blood. I had barely adjusted to my surroundings when a set of heavy boots echoed through the room, making my breath hitch.What now?"Get up," a rough voice commanded.I hesitated for only a moment before I was yanked to my feet. The auction was over, and now I belonged to someone—someone dangerous. My mind was still reeling from the shock of last night. Sold like an object to a man who watched me with those piercing eyes, unreadable yet filled with something dark.The man who bought me.I swallowed hard, trying to steel myself. I refused to crumble, no matter what was ahead.Two men stood in front of me now. One I recognized instantly—Zarek, the twin who had claimed me. His cold dark eyes bore into me, assessing me like I was nothing more than a mere possession. But the
_Astrid’s POV_I glanced at the door which had been closed shut before me, feeling perplexed. What now?I had blatantly rejected that dress just now and if that maid hated me to her bones, she would definitely tell a lie to the Alpha about me. I bit my lower lip and moved to take a seat on the squeaky bed, letting out a sigh of exhaustion.“Goddess, what’s going to happen to me now? Please protect me." I begged, palm cupped in an apologetic way. If only she would help me get out of this place, I would do anything she requested of me.Taking in the sight of the room, I felt mortified and somewhat comical, who would have thought that I would ever make it to a bedroom without leaking roofs?“The irony." I murmured and released a small smile. The house I lived in with my stepfather was owned by my mother. She had given it to him a few years before she died and requested that he pass on the house and trust fund she had left behind for me.Eventually, when it was time to give it up, he co
_Astrid’s POV_When I got dressed for the party, I made my way out of the room and straight downstairs towards the ballroom. The moment I stepped in, I wanted the earth to swallow me in an instant. The room came alive with the laughter, soft mucis and clinking of expensive glasses. The rich and powerful werewolf world filled every corner, and their presence was suffocating.I forced myself to stay calm as I moved forward, my head held high even though I could feel the stares of the dozens of people in the room.I was the only human here, it was normal to stare.Also, the dress was the worst part. Thin, barely covering anything, and way too tight. The red fabric clung to my skin painfully, the hem equally stopping at the upper thighs, making every step feel like a battle to stay decent. I found a corner to hide myself in, but before I could make my way towards the place, I caught sight of Zarek and Zade. They were both seated at a round table not so far from the stage as they shar
_Astrid’s POV_ The door shut behind Zade with a firm click after he placed me on my bed and left me alone. Alone, humiliated, and still feeling the lingering heat that refused to leave my body all because of the drink Zarek made me consume. I collapsed onto the cold floor, pressing my cheek against the wooden surface in hopes that it would cool my burning skin. It didn’t. My heart still pounded in my chest, my emotions swirling between frustration, humiliation, and something dangerously close to despair. I couldn’t stay here. Not for another hour. Not for another minute. I didn’t care if this Packhouse was filled with powerful werewolves who could probably sniff out a mosquito at twenty paces. I didn’t care if the person who “bought”—ugh, the word made me sick—was an Alpha who thought he owned me now. I wasn’t staying. I wasn’t going to be some pet they dragged around at their convenience. I pushed myself up and took in my room—a pathetic excuse for a guest chambe
Zarek's arms were soaked in blood. Astrid's blood. Her body was limp, her skin pale, and every shallow breath she took made something tighten in his chest, and that of his brother. They hadn't even known her for long—but the sight of her broken like this made their vision burn red. To think that Zade was even affected when he was also the same person to protest against Astrid's entry into their lives. He had told Zarek that he shouldn't have bought her off at the auction because she was human. And now, he was looking disheveled because of that same human. Zade stalked behind Zarek, his fist clenched and his jaw locked as they made their way through the halls of Crimson Dusk Packhouse. The moment they arrived at the living room, Zade moved fast before anyone could predict his movement, he grabbed Valerian by his shirt collar and slammed him on the wall again, just the way Zarek did. Valerian was tired of the both of them at this point. "Didn't you say she was safe?" Zade growled l
The moment their feet crossed into The Crimson Dusk Pack, the only thing Zarek wanted to do at that moment was burn the place to the ground.The air was filled with the smell of lies. This disgusting pack. The guards who stood at the pack’s entrance all went pale at the sight of not just them but Cassia. They all knew who she was and where she came from. The Lycan’s King Lucian's sister was the only reason they never attacked Zarek, Zade, and Gideon on sight.One of the guards scrambled inside and towards the packhouse, to report that the Alphas of Obsidian Fang Pack had arrived with someone who made them untouchable. “Alpha, the Alphas of The Obsidian Fang Pack are here." The guard informed Valerian, who sat lazily in his chair as he listened to the other men in the meeting room.The moment the words registered in his mind, a small smile curled at the sides of his lips.“Really?" He chuckled. “Took them long enough. What are you all waiting for then?" He asked, petting his disfigu
_Astrid’s POV_I watched as guards trooped into the bedroom and bowed before Valerian. His gaze remained unreadable as he ordered, “Take this bitch and punish her in the worst way ever." He paused, his gaze darkening as he added, “She dared to spit on my face." Without a second thought, the guards rushed towards me and yanked me from the bed while I winced in pain.The bandages that were used to wrap my wounds were forcefully ripped open, leaving the cold air hitting my wounds.“Please…” I begged as one of the guards pulled me by my hair and dragged me out of the room. It was extremely difficult to match his pace as I clutched his arm on my hair, trying to peel his finger's grip away.I knew without a doubt that he would end up pulling a few strands off. They pulled me directly to what seemed to be the dungeon. I could tell it was a dungeon because this part of the mansion was dark and reeked of something disgusting. Probably blood or rotten meat.I was pushed to the ground, hard,
The atmosphere in the office was suffocating. Cassia sat in the leather chair, one leg crossed over the other, eyes sharp as daggers as she studied the twins. “So, let me get this straight—you need my help to take down Valerian or make peace with Valerian, not just to protect your pack, but because you have someone to rescue?”Zarek remained silent, arms crossed, his expression impassive. Zade, however, let out a sharp exhale, already irritated. “That’s what we said, isn’t it?”Cassia tilted her head, lips curving into a smirk. “Who is it?”Zade’s jaw clenched. Zarek didn’t even blink.Her smirk widened seeing the indifference. “You wouldn’t go this far for just anyone. So who is it?”Silence.Then Gideon, standing off to the side, answered with a bored drawl, “Their favorite servant.”Cassia’s smirk vanished. Her fingers tightened on the armrest as she repeated, her voice laced with disbelief, “You’re doing all this… for a servant?”Zarek’s gaze darkened. “We’re doing it for the pac
“I swear to the name of the goddess, I didn't hand her over to Valerian,” Gideon explained for the one-millionth time to Zarek and Zade.This time, Zarek had stopped pacing, and in his place was Zade. Gideon didn't know Zade also had a thing for Astrid considering his nonchalant behavior towards her. Seeing him all worked up now, he realized he had gone and made a big mistake. The twins cared for Astrid, and it was shocking. They had never cared for anyone, ever. Not even when Cassia had been abducted back when they were together with her. They cared, but not to the extent of getting all worked up like this.“Then explain how the hell Valerian has her and why!” Zade snapped, rage burning like lava in his dark eyes.Zarek had his fist clenched as he glared intensely at Gideon.“Fucking hell! I just took her close to the highway and told her to leave, she ran off on her own without looking back. How would I have known that she would run into Valerian?" Gideon yelled back, frustrated.
The clock on the office wall ticked steadily, but with every passing second, Alpha Zarek’s patience thinned. He drummed his fingers against the desk, his gaze flickering to the door. Still nothing.Gideon had been gone for a very long time already.At first, neither he nor Zade had thought much of it. Gideon was always handling something, maybe he was looking for a way out of this mess, one that didn't involve Cassia. But this time, something felt very off.Zade, sitting across from him, leaned back in his chair, arms crossed. “Where the hell is he?” His tone was sharp, irritated. “He should’ve been back by now. He possibly can't stay angry forever.”Zarek exhaled slowly, a hint of frustration creeping into his voice. “He’ll come. The spawn always does.”But even as he said it, a nagging feeling settled in his gut.Then, a knock at the door.Before either of them could respond, the door swung open, and a pack guard stepped in. His face was pale, his breathing uneven—like he had debate
_Astrid’s POV_Something wasn't right, I knew it deep in my bones.Beta Gideon, as I had come to know from the way the maids gawked at him and talked about him, had been glaring at me with such resentment that left me wondering what I had done to him. He had been distant, and never saying a word to me. Unlike Alpha Zarek and Alpha Zade, who controlled everything around here and the things I did, Gideon seemed angry about my presence at the packhouse.And now out of nowhere, he was telling me to follow him?Every instinct screamed at me to say no.And yet, I found myself skipping into the car when he instructed me to, my hands gripping the seatbelt tightly as he started the car.He drove off from the packhouse and I wanted to ask again where he was taking me. But I went against the idea when I saw the way his hands clenched around the steering wheel.If he wrapped through hands around my neck, he would never hesitate to snap my neck on the spot and kill me off.But what exactly did I d
After the news from Gideon had been successfully delivered to Zarek and Zade, they all decided to head back to the packhouse.Zarek already knew it would come to this, he knew Valerian wouldn't let things go easily. In their office back at the packhouse, Zade carefully moved to sit on a chair, arms crossed, but frustration was clear on his face, while Zarek began to pace the room like a caged beast.His mind raced as he searched for ways to come out of this mess with Valerian.Gideon, who was standing by the door just stared at him with an angry look. “Pacing won't fix this." He chided, already tired of watching Zarek move from one place to another.“Well, at least it helps me think. So shut the hell up and let me." Zarek snapped in return and resumed pacing.A heavy silence descended for a while before Zarek finally exhaled.He turned to Zade, who just sat there quietly, his gaze fixed outside the window. Without being told, he knew his brother was also thinking of a way out. “What
When the black SUV rolled to a stop at the luxurious golf course, all eyes turned toward it, already knowing who had arrived.The moment Zarek and Zade stepped out, the murmurs began. Whispers filled the air and they were all of respect, curiosity, and even fear. But the real murmurs began when Astrid followed.A human.The silence that settled immediately they caught sight of her was suffocating. Stares bore into her, some shocked, others amused. Astrid knew why. In this part of the world, humans didn’t belong, not in the presence of Lycans, Alphas, and the highest ranks of werewolf society. And yet, here she was, stepping onto their sacred grounds as if she had a right to exist among them.Her heart pounded, but she forced herself to walk with her gaze lowered. If she was going to survive in this world, she had to act respectful because this people couple snap her neck in one go, ending her miserable life anytime they wanted.She didn't even care if the Alphas were with her. They