Sleep with five men!

EMMA

It’s been two months since Elijah and I shared our secret moments away from everyone’s watchful eyes. I know what we’re doing is wrong, but when I’m with him, I feel complete in a way I’ve never felt before. His touch ignites a fire within me, and kissing him takes me to a place of unimaginable pleasure and ecstasy. My feelings for Elijah are consuming me, and I know it all began because I wanted to learn about my mother, but now, I realize I want Elijah for myself. But to him, I am just someone to satisfy his desires.

We’ve never had sex. I keep making excuses, mostly because I’m a virgin and afraid of the unknown. Elijah has played with my body and teased me, but he’s never gone further. Every moment spent with him feels real—he worships my body like a lover, and his touch makes me forget everything else. Not a single day passes without me thinking of Elijah. Yet, whenever I see him with Violet, jealousy gnaws at me. I want him all to myself, but I know I can never have him.

I snap out of my thoughts when there’s a knock on the door. “Come in,” I say. It’s Lily. “Ma’am, Carlos is calling you for dinner.” Her voice is soft but persistent. “I’m not in the mood to eat,” I reply, my heart heavy from the sight of Elijah and Violet together. My feelings are a confusing mess.

“You must go, ma’am. Carlos might get angry if you refuse,” she says, and I reluctantly agree with a nod. I put on my jacket and head toward Carlos’s room. I’m familiar with the pack house by now, and I know Carlos arrived this morning, though I’m not sure what he wants with me.

I reach his door and knock. Carlos invites me in, and I notice Elijah sitting beside him, looking troubled. "Come, little Emma," Carlos gestures to the seat beside him. I glance at Elijah, who seems lost in thought. "I’ve been gone for two months, searching for a way to break the curse your mother placed on you," Carlos says, and I’m all ears.

"What’s the cure?" I ask, eager to know more.

Elijah interrupts, his tone defensive. "Dad, I don’t think she should be involved in this."

Carlos ignores him and continues, “To break the curse, you must sleep with five men over five nights. Afterward, you’ll be considered impure, and all your purity will be transferred to your sister, since you two are blood-related.”

I can hardly believe what I’m hearing. “What kind of ridiculous curse is this? I don’t believe in any of this, and I’m not spending a single night with anyone,” I say, slamming my hands on the table in disbelief.

“It’s not ridiculous,” Carlos insists. “I’ve met your ancestors, and this is the only way. They told me that you were born to be sacrificed because your mother brought shame to the community.”

The accusation about my mother stings, and my heart feels like it’s shattering into pieces

"Screw you and your ancestors. I’m a modern woman, and I don’t give a damn about this ridiculous curse," I said, meeting his dangerous gaze head-on as I stood up from my seat. I had only taken two steps when I heard Elijah’s voice.

"Sit down, Emma. Don’t disrespect my father," Elijah ordered, and I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. He was staring straight into my eyes, and I could see it clearly now—there was no emotional attachment from him. And here I was, stupidly harboring feelings for him.

"I’m going home," I challenged him, but as I took another step, Elijah, with his wolf speed, was suddenly in front of me. His red eyes bore into mine, and I froze.

"Don’t make me do something you’ll regret," he threatened, his voice dripping with menace. How could he even consider agreeing to let me sleep with another man? He was a complete asshole, and it was my fault for letting my feelings get in the way. Everything about this was wrong from the start.

"Easy, Elijah. She’s important to us," Carlos intervened, and I hated the sound of his voice.

"To hell with both of you," I snapped, trying to leave the room, but Elijah twisted my arm, sending a jolt of pain through my body. I screamed.

"I told you, don’t provoke me," he growled, and the beast I hadn’t seen in two months was back in full force. The passionate night we’d shared meant nothing to him.

Tears sprang to my eyes, not from the physical pain, but from the emotional ache in my heart. He shoved me, and I hit the floor hard.

"You will do what my father says," Elijah demanded, his tone cold and unrecognizable.

Carlos’s voice dripped with condescension. "Emma, sweetie, we can do this the hard way, but we don’t want to hurt you. So go to your room like a good girl and think about it."

With great effort, I pushed myself up from the floor and glared at the two of them, monsters in front of me. I left the room, knowing they would hurt me if I fought back.

Back in my room, I looked at the bruise on my arm. How could Elijah do this to me? Why does he even care about me? I’m nothing more than a tool to him, a body to satisfy his needs. Tears of frustration poured from my eyes. I was so stupid, letting him use me like this, all while failing to get any real answers about my mother.

I decided I was done. I would escape—once and for all. I didn’t care about this cursed fate or Violet’s life. If she couldn’t bear children without my sacrifice, that was her problem. I wasn’t going to destroy myself for anyone’s happiness. This was my life, and no one, especially not Elijah, was going to control it.

I waited until midnight, hoping the security would be lax. As I crept through the halls, I felt a mixture of relief and resolve. Nothing was going to stop me. I was almost there, only a few more steps to freedom.

"I miss you, Elijah," I thought, my heart aching. You’ve shown me pleasures I never knew existed, but it’s also true that I can’t have you—you’re Violet’s mate. I wish things were different, but I can’t sacrifice myself for anyone’s happiness, not even for you.

I reached for the door when I heard a voice I didn’t want to hear. "Where do you think you’re going, sweetheart?"

Carlos’s cold gaze locked onto mine, and I froze

"I won’t sacrifice myself," I said with unwavering determination, refusing to give in under any circumstances.

"You’re making a grave mistake," he growled, his voice thick with anger as he took a step toward me.

"Father, stop. I’ll handle her," Elijah’s voice broke through, and I turned to look at him. He walked toward me with the arrogance of a king, pulling me toward him. "Why is it so hard for you to understand that you can’t leave this pack until your purpose is fulfilled?" His voice was cold and emotionless.

"Please, let me go. I won’t sleep with any man," I begged, my voice shaky, and I could feel the deadly aura surrounding him.

Carlos sneered, "Let me deal with this brat. A little punishment, and she’ll understand," he said as he moved toward me. How could he be so vile? I instinctively grabbed Elijah's shirt tightly.

"Father, stop!" Elijah said, stepping in front of me, his body shielding me. "I am the alpha of this pack. I’ll make the final decision."

Carlos looked at us with suspicion. "Am I missing something here?" he asked, his eyes narrowing. "What happened to the son who was hungry for power, ruthless and merciless?"

Elijah smirked, "I’m still the same. Just let me handle things my way."

Carlos sneered again, his gaze now fixed on me. "Does Violet know you’re fucking her mate?"

"We’re not fucking. She means nothing to me," Elijah said, his voice devoid of warmth. "And she’ll do whatever it takes to break the curse."

With that, he shoved me to the floor with a brutal force. This was the second time he had degraded me like that.

Carlos nodded in approval. "Good. Always remember that Violet is your mate, and only she will bear your child. This girl is nothing but a sacrifice."

"Don’t ever forget that," he added, his voice chilling, "If I see you with her again, you’ll see the worst of me."

I lowered my head, the weight of his words crushing me. Had I completely ruined my life? Was Elijah’s affection for me nothing more than a lie?