Four

Summer's POV 

I woke up with a start from another nightmare, the same one that had haunted me for years, every single day. A nightmare where I woke up to find my father's blood-covered dead body.

"Where am I?" I got out of bed, looked around, and was very sure I wasn't in Rhys's place.

The last thing I could recall was that strikingly handsome man with a scarred forehead, gray eyes, and a delightful mess of caramelized brown hair. He had promised to save me, and everything had faded to darkness.

I headed to the door, trying to figure out how to get out of the room and find someone to tell me where I was. But I stopped when I saw my reflection in the mirror. Last night, I'd been wearing a white dress covered in blood, but now I was in a red silk nightgown. Someone must have redressed me, I thought.

For a brief moment, I scrutinized my face and felt relieved to find all the bruises had totally gone. 

Since for the past two days, Rhys had made my face battered.

"Thanks, Moon Goddess," I hissed to myself.

The sudden knock startled me. Someone was coming; I knew it.

"Wh-who?" I stammered, but no one replied. Instead, in the next second, the door swung open, and a striking figure—a fine man in an unbuttoned white shirt revealing a muscled chest—emerged.

"Finally, you are awake." His sharp, ash-colored eyes pierced at me with a mysterious allure. I blinked rapidly, struggling to regain my composure in the presence of this captivating stranger.

"How are you feeling?" he asked in a deep tone with a calm demeanor, but it still made me nervous. His aura was intimidating but had a deadly charm at the same time.

"Where am I? And who are you?"

"I am Luxian Alderon, and you are in my pack, Blackcrown Shadow Pack."

"And... Is it you who changed my clothes?" I was unsure, but the question just slipped from my lips.

He didn't reply; he sauntered toward me with a smirk. For a second, I was stunned as I scanned his masculine features, those heavy brows, gray eyes, and freshly shaved beard that framed his chiseled jaw so perfectly.

"You better get ready," his tone firm and commanding.

"Ready for?" I wondered what he was trying to say.

"We're getting married tonight," he declared casually, gesturing toward a beautiful wedding dress in the closet. "Servants will come here to help you," he continued.

My eyes widened, shock washing over me. "Married?"

"I don't think I can, I..."

"I'm still tied to Rhys," I reasoned.

"No worries, I've made him reject you," he chuckled.

"Wh-what?!" I was quite shocked.

"Isn't this what you wanted? Don't you want to get away from them? Or... Do you prefer to spend your life suffering?" He knitted his brows.

"I mean... I am not ready to have another marriage."

I didn't know if I was ready for it since the pain of Rhys's betrayal had traumatized me and my wolf.

"There's not much time left, neither time to think," Luxian said coldly.

"I saved you, and now you have to repay me." He bent down, stroking my cheek in slow motion, his face mere inches from mine. It was so close that I could feel his warm breath brushing against my flesh.

"Repay you? H-how?" I managed to breathe out, my heart thumping in my chest. He stood back up and deftly buttoned his shirt while glancing at me.

"Marry me," Luxian's hand reached and brushed my chin gently. His eyes locked into mine with a softness I didn't expect as he pushed back a few strands behind my ear.

"And take this damned curse away from me..." he said firmly.

"Wh-what curse?" I hissed, holding my breath. I could feel my body shiver at his touch, and the feeling of his skin coming against mine sent a thrill down my spine.

Gradually, Luxian leaned over.

"The curse that made all my mates die..."

"If you don't get pregnant before 100 days, the curse will end your life too, just like the rest of them..."

I swallowed my saliva with difficulty.

Pregnant?

Not an easy thing for me. During my time with Rhys, I had suffered many miscarriages. I realized my percentage to break the curse that befell Luxian was only ten percent. Because the doctor had told me that I didn't have many eggs left.

"I am not sure about that, my doctor said I... I... only had a few eggs left. I'm not the right person to be your curse breaker. So, please let me go... Alpha," I pleaded.

Luxian chuckled, "Let go of you? After what I went through to get you?"

"You... you can find another wolf to break your curse, why should I?" I pleaded.

"You are my fated mate, and I have no choice, but trying my best to fuck and get you pregnant!"

"Fated mate? You must be lying, right? I don't feel anything for you, I can't even smell your scent!" I snapped.

"So, you refuse to return the favor?"

"Yes, I refuse," I was blunt.

Luxian sighed, smiled slightly, and said, "Okay then, I'll return you to Rhys. And let's see if you have a choice."

"Is that a threat?" I shouted.

"You can take it as a threat or an offer. It's up to you."

"You have a choice. You can either choose to die from this curse or die of Rhys's torment." He smirked before leaving, abandoning me alone in that room.