LUXURIA.As I met Alpha Parthe's eyes, my heart sank. His cold, emotionless stare bore into me, and I could feel his anger simmering.My mouth went dry; words stuck in my throat. Shikta stood to the side, clutching her cheek, her eyes filled with a mix of satisfaction and triumph, as though she knew what was about to happen.He didn't speak immediately. The silence was more terrifying than any words could have been.I wanted to explain, but Alpha Parthe wasn't a man who entertained explanations."Alpha... She hit me," Shikta's deceptive voice announced as if the Alpha was blind."Yes, Alpha Parthe. I saw it all happen. She slapped Shikta." Nevada said, adding to my confusion as to her intentional hatred toward me.His heavy boots echoed in the stillness as he moved toward me, his eyes never leaving mine.I could feel my pulse thundering in my ears, and a cold sweat broke out along my spine."You’ve broken a rule,” he said, his voice low and dangerously calm.I felt a tremor run throug
LUXURIA.He's the storm I should fear, but I find myself walking into its eyes willingly.I found myself getting increasingly interested in anything that concerned Parthe. I had no control over it anymore. I guess I'm just curious to know more about my mate. Nothing else."You'll get to know him better in due time. For now, just do as he says. Meanwhile, what happened to you the other night was never meant to happen. Why did you leave your chamber?" Dashi asked me, and I rolled my eyes."I'm tired of chanting the same mantra to everyone, Dashi," I sighed sadly, "I promise you, I didn't step out of my chamber that night."She creased her brows and looked at me as if I was lying to her."Believe me. I went to bed as instructed but found myself on the floor the next day. I am equally curious. Why was I asked never to leave my chamber in the first place?" I asked, turning fully to face her.She hesitated."Please, Dashi. Tell me. I am scared and curious. No one cares about what happened t
LUXURIA.The herbs lay neatly crushed and blended in the small bowl before me, their scent earthy and bitter as I carefully poured the final mixture into a glass vial. It was dark already, and I felt the illness taking a new height.I had to hurry up.My hands trembled as I worked, though I wasn't sure why—anxiety had crept into my bones since earlier today after speaking with Dashi.This potion was supposed to help me. Supposed to give me strength. Whatever was brewing inside me, this would fix it.I sat down in front of the small mirror in the dimly lit room with the vial in my trembling hand.I took a deep breath, my reflection staring back at me. Then, without thinking further, I tipped the vial back and swallowed it.For a moment, nothing happened. The taste was bitter, burning as it slid down my throat. I watched myself in the mirror, half-expecting to see something... Maybe a physical reaction that would make me know it was going to work.My eyes brightened, an eerie blinding,
ALPHA PARTHE.I scanned through the reports on my table, but my attention was divided.I'd need these reports for the upcoming regional meeting, which is in a few days, and I have to get my head straight. But not with Luxuria constantly plaguing my thoughts.I was still mad at her for letting another man touch her. The feeling was maddening. I lost every ounce of control I ever had.She hadn't even come to apologize to me yet. She surely was the stubborn type.I craved her presence like an addiction, but I couldn't bring myself to go to her. Whenever I think about her, all I see is that filthy rat kissing her.It got to me more than I will ever be willing to admit.I had intentionally stayed away from her for a lot of reasons, anger and caution taking the lead.It was still very early in the morning, and I already felt the need to see her.Fuck.A knock on the door brought me out of my thoughts. "Come in," I said, knowing who was at the door.Nevada walked in, closing the door behind
LUXURIA.I felt extremely weak.A dull ache coursed through my body, my limbs heavy as though I'd been drained of every ounce of strength. I blinked slowly, the dim light of the room swimming before my eyes. The knock echoed again, sharp and impatient, pulling me from my haze.Groaning softly, I attempted to push myself up. That's when I felt it—slick warmth across my skin. My eyes darted down to my hands, and I froze. Blood. Crimson stained my palms, smeared over my arms, and streaked across my bare skin.A chill raced down my spine as I quickly scanned my body, searching for any cuts or wounds. But there were none. Not even a scratch.My heart pounded against my ribs as panic surged within me. How did this happen? How did I end up on the floor, naked, bathed in blood that wasn't mine?The last thing I remembered was taking the potion I had prepared and feeling restless and uneasy. Every other thing went blank after that. I had slid into unconsciousness.So... What was happening?My
LUXURIA.It's all happening so fast. My friendship with Dashi. She had come to take me to the local market, as promised.I wasn't comfortable since I was still trying to figure out what my life was turning into.She had come just minutes after I had taken my bath and cleaned up every trace of blood from the floor.I tried to recall anything... Just something to help me understand what was going on. But I was in the dark. There was a blank void in my head that I couldn't fill.I was going crazy. The kind of craze that would make you want to confide in the closest person to you, even though that person is an enemy.I needed someone to talk to.Dashi was still admiring all we got from the market. She had good taste, I just say. She had gone to buy more clothes for herself.Although she intended to buy more fancy underwear like the Alpha liked, but she respected the fact that I was his mate. She bought them for me instead.I was touched by her actions. She seemed really nice."Can I confi
ALPHA PARTHE.The silence stretched for so long. I stared at their faces. They were all curious and nervous as they waited for me to speak.I hated being summoned. I detested it. But when it had to do with the council, I didn't have much of a choice."I haven't made a decision yet," I spoke, hoping the meeting ends soon. They were prying into my personal life, and I didn't like it."You don't have much of a choice here, Parthe," A voice sounded, and I turned to see who it was.Only one person had the right to speak to me in that manner. Elder Geth. My late mother's father… My grandfather.Funny how people might think we'd be so close since he was my grandfather, but no. We had our grievances against each other. Some hatchets just can't be buried easily. Especially not when those hatchets had a lot to do with his son, Rorden."Why would you say that, Elder Geth?" I asked with every ounce of respect I could muster."You have found your fated mate. What else do you want? You haven't reje
LUXURIA.I halted when the strange man spoke to me. I had never seen him in the pack before, and I knew I had to be careful.He was young, probably in his late twenties.I should have kept walking, but his striking resemblance to Alpha Parthe stopped me in my tracks. There was something almost familiar about him—something I couldn't quite place. His sharp jawline, the intensity in his eyes. But the resemblance only went so far. His energy was different.He was gorgeous, I must say. But that shouldn't concern me. All that was important to me was getting to the garden and getting the new recipe I just came across from my research."How are you doing, beautiful?" he asked, adjusting his short brown locks that fell loosely around his eyes. I couldn't help but smile, though something about the way he spoke set me on edge.I felt the warmth of his compliment, though I wasn't used to being approached so boldly. There was something about him that drew me in—his confidence, the easy way he spo
ALPHA PARTHE.A whimper caught my attention, and I shifted my gaze to Luxuria.She was pale. Too pale.The sight of her, so fragile and bound, weakened by their cruelty, made something in me twist. For a moment—just a moment—I faltered. The need to rip her away from these bastards ate at my insides like a beast clawing to get free."Luxuria..." I was only able to take two steps forward before the rope around her tightened, violently yanking her backward.She stumbled, her breath hitching, before crashing against the chest of that halfwit, Alpha Jalar. His thick, dirty fingers dug into her shoulder as he held her in place. His grip was both possessive and triumphant."Aha..." He exhaled, amusement curling at the edges of his voice. "Not that fast, Monster."My muscles coiled, every inch of my body screaming to lunge at him, to carve the satisfaction from his bones.He smirked, tightening his hold on her. "I told you, didn't I? That one day, I'd take her from you?" His lips curled wider
ALPHA PARTHE.The atmosphere was thick with smoke and the scent of blood—metallic, raw, suffocating. It clung to my tongue, burned in my throat, and stung my eyes.Agonizing screams could be heard through the battlefield, mixed with the clash of steel and the snarls of shifting wolves.But I had no time to process all of that. They'd only distract me because those were my people being slaughtered.I lifted my eyes and saw Kira and the other witches running into the heart of battle. They were barely even up to thirty in total. The rest of them had gone to Valor Shield for the war.I was a bit more fucked than I ever wanted to admit.Men rushed toward me in a frenzied charge with their weapons glinting under the flames that burned through my very own pack. Their faces were twisted in a blind rage, but I saw no honor in their fight. No cause. Just slaughter.I didn't wait. I lunged while I made my way toward Rorden.I wanted to talk to him. Wanted to ask him questions...Questions like,
ALPHA PARTHE.I moved quickly through the corridors, my boots slamming against the floor as I made my way back to my chamber. Chaos reigned outside—screams, war cries, the crackling of flames eating through wood and stone. The scent of blood was thick in the atmosphere, mingling with the acrid burn of smoke.As I entered my chamber, my gaze landed on the weapon mounted on the wall.A black-handled axe, the blade forged from dark steel, its edges still gleaming with the polish I had given it weeks ago.It was my father's axe, which was passed down to me. It was a weapon that had tasted war, that had been passed down through generations of Wild Wolf Alphas.I reached for it, my fingers curling tightly around the worn grip. The second it was in my hand, a strange sense of steadiness settled in my chest.But who the fuck was attacking us? And for what reason? We weren't weak. We had made no foolish moves that would warrant such an invasion. So why—My thoughts cut short as I turned toward
LUXURIA.It all happened like a bad dream.The kind where you're paralyzed, screaming with no sound, running but never moving—trapped in a nightmare that only tightens its grip the more you struggle.But this wasn't a dream. This was real.And I was forced to watch it unfold.The scent of blood clung to my tongue, my skin, my very soul.I saw those I once called my people being slaughtered like animals.Screams filled my ears from all sides as we took the Wild Wolf pack warriors guarding the gates by surprise. They never stood a chance against these vile men.A sharp pulse tore through my veins, curling up my spine like a searing brand.I sucked in a breath, my fingers twitching against the restraints as the sensation slithered through my blood.No. No, not now.The chaos was awakening something dangerous in me - my curse.The beast in me seemed to enjoy the sight before us, but I fought it back.For the past few days, Xurie had gone totally silent. I couldn't tell if it was because s
LUXURIA."I told you the time will come faster than you even imagine..." Rorden traced a lazy path along my cheek, "The time when you'd stand by my side as mine... The time is already upon us, dear Luxuria."My restrained hands twitched, aching to curl into fists, to drive my knuckles into his jaw and watch his smug mouth spill blood.Instead, I did the only thing I could. I spat in his face."You will never succeed in this evil you plan," I hissed, watching as the glob of spit trailed down his cheek. "The goddess will never accept the abomination you just committed in the name of rituals."Rorden didn't flinch. He simply exhaled through his nose, dragging a thumb across his cheek, wiping the spit away with an infuriating calmness.I scoffed, shaking my head. "How could you even harness such thoughts against your own brother?"My eyes scanned the large field, taking in the fearful-looking men who were being fortified with Rorden's blood mixed with some kind of powerful herbs and subst
ALPHA PARTHE."It took you long enough, Urik," I said when I saw him striding into my courtroom like a man walking towards his own execution. "Finally got some nerves to face me?"Bharon and Kefas had the perfect look of displeasure on their faces as their gazes rested on Urik.Like everyone else, they had been disappointed—furious—with the way things had turned out two days ago, and Urik made sure to stay away from everyone's eyes. I hadn't seen him since the day of the false alarm.He had vanished the moment things went south, leaving me to clean up his mess.Coward.Tervan kept on asking me what really happened and how we got the information about an attack that never happened. He was also curious as to what pack was going to attack us and all, but I never gave him any reasonable explanation.Because what was I supposed to say? That I had suspected my own right-hand man of treason? And that we had gone to such lengths to actually catch him in the act... In an act that he was never
ALPHA PARTHE."Fifty men to the East entrance!" Kefas commanded.The warriors moved, their armor glinting under the early light, boots thudding against the earth as they marched to their positions. Some carried shields, others had double-bladed axes, and a few had bows slung over their backs.The entire camp was a storm of movement.Blacksmiths pounded metal against metal, forging last-minute weapons. Stable hands hurried to saddle warhorses, the beasts stamping their hooves impatiently. Runners darted between squadrons, delivering orders.Over three thousand men. Positioned strategically. Ready for war.And yet, I stood there, watching, my gut twisted into knots.What if we were wrong? This would all seem and feel stupid. But there was no time to second-guess. I had already given the command."Parthe?" A familiar voice called me, and I stilled.Tervan.I turned slowly, my face betraying nothing, though my insides recoiled. He was covered in dust, his tunic streaked with sweat. He had
ALPHA PARTHE."The warriors await your orders, Alpha,"Kefas's voice barely registered. My mind was elsewhere.Once again, I was thinking about Luxuria. No matter how hard I tried to push her from my mind, she always found a way back in.I tried offering sacrifices to the goddess, but it seemed she had also forsaken me. I didn't want to believe Urik's theory, as well as the theories of others who thought she had run away with Rorden.Rorden was always good at hiding. Whenever he left the pack back in those days, no one ever found him until he was ready to be found or until he returned to the pack. Maybe he had taken her to one of those hideouts of his, and they were probably living their best lives."Alpha?" Bharon called, and I lifted my gaze to meet their curious ones. But before I'd say a word to them, the doors to my courtroom banged open, and Urik strode in with urgency on his face."Alpha, I have gotten her to tell me everything she knows. We have to act fast. They are coming. I
LUXURIA'S POV.Nevada stilled at the sight of the monster standing before us. His aura had become ten times darker and more terrifying than before that was certain I didn't want to be in the same space with him.His eyes held promises that scared me... I wasn't safe with him... My pups aren't safe either. What if he tries to get rid of them again?"Alpha?" She greeted with a nervous how before hurrying out of the chamber, leaving me at his mercy.He barely even acknowledged her.His eyes rested on the scroll in my hands before trailing up to meet my tearfilled gaze. He moved without sound, his robes flowing around him like liquid darkness, swallowing every trace of warmth from the room. The door groaned as he pushed it shut, making me jolt in fear.A slow smirk tugged at the corner of his lips as he took slow steps forward."My little Luxuria," he murmured with amusement. "Why are you holding my scroll?"I took a step back instinctively, my heart slamming against my ribs. My hands tre