MasukMy heart was beating so violently in my chest, my hands clenched tightly beside me, my palms clammy with sweat.
I told myself I was going to be strong, but my anxiety was getting the best of me. You couldn't blame me. It felt like I was being taken for execution. I followed quietly behind the mistress, eyes scanning the dark hallway like I expected something to jump out and attack or something. The place was so damn quiet, it felt like even the walls were holding their breath—like even the air had suddenly stopped. The sound of our footsteps echoed, making my heart beat even faster. I was being led to the King's chamber, a place I might likely never return from. But I refuse to let that be my fate. I refuse to be one of the many women who won't make it out of his bed. One way or the other I was going to make it out alive. I didn't have a plan. I didn't know what I was going to say or do for the King not to want to touch me. But I had to figure out something. I couldn't die, I had a whole world ahead of me. I had a lot of things to achieve and none of them would be possible if I die tonight. I released a breath through my mouth to ease the anxiety curling deep inside me. Rosella said he’d be too disgusted to touch me because of how ugly I looked. Of all the times I’ve been called ugly, this is the one time I hope it’s true. I hope the king looks at me and feels nothing but disgust—enough to send me away. And then maybe… maybe I’ll finally have a chance to escape this place. I couldn't surrender to this fate. I couldn't surrender to death. The mistress took another turn entering a different hallway and I followed. There were several guards lined up, and I knew we were getting closer to the king’s room—closer to my fate. The guards' faces were expressionless, looking so cold like they killed for fun and I bet they did. We were still walking when I heard the sound of approaching footsteps. A tall man with brown hair was walking towards us and if I thought the guards face looked cold his was another story entirely. He looked like the only thing that made him smile was the beating of his enemy's heart in his hand. But he was one of the most handsome men I'd ever seen. He was muscular, with arms that look like he'd break your neck without breaking a sweat. The way he walked was majestic, like even the ground was scared of him. He screamed power and authority. The mistress stopped and I did the same. Does this mean she doesn't continue from here? Does this mean they'll take me from here to the Alpha King? He stopped in front of us and the mistress bowed. I didn't need anyone to tell me I had to do the same. “Beta Lucien," she greeted, Oh, he must be the King's second in command. The man who is also rumored to be just as cold and merciless as the King. The man didn't respond, his eyes just narrowed to me as he studied me like he was looking for something. I clenched my hands tightly to avoid them from shaking, because of the intensity of his gaze. “She came with the new set of omegas, I was just bringing her to the king's room." The mistress explained, “There will be no need for that," Did I hear him correctly? Does this mean I won't be taken to the King? I blinked in confusion and I couldn't help myself when I looked up at him and our eyes met briefly and I quickly looked down. We were warned not to make eye contact and I just broke that rule. Will he kill me now? “What do you mean, Beta Lucien?” The mistress asked in confusion. “The King has commanded that he doesn't want to see any other woman in his room…” he paused and I could feel his gaze cut through me. "Or he might kill her before his bed does.” Without another word, the man turned and walked away. There was silence for a moment and I just stood there waiting for the mistress's order. “Well, I must say you're lucky. But well, the inevitable will still happen." She said like she has done this a thousand times. “Come with me," she commanded and I followed her back the same way we came. Does this mean that I wouldn't see the King tonight? The realization of what just happened finally dawned on me. I was supposed to see the king tonight but then he said he didn't want to see any other woman tonight. This could be a sign. This could mean that I could find a way to escape. I don't know when they'd take me to see him again but I survived tonight. The mistress stopped in front of a door and pushed it open and then she looked at me. “This is the quarters you'll be staying with the others. You'll be told what to do until the day the King decides he wants to see another woman, then you'll be called.” I nodded and then she gave me a look I didn't quite understand before walking away. I took a deep breath before stepping into the room. There were several women, I recognized some from my pack and others I didn't but I knew they were from other packs. The room was big, there were several bunk beds. A nice bed to sleep till you wait for your turn to die. I thought to myself. I quietly walked to an empty bed in the lower bunker and climbed on it. My eyes found a girl in the corner of the room who was visibly shaking because we all knew what we were brought here for. To die or heal the King's curse. I backed away from everyone as I brought the blanket to my chin. I just had to wait for everyone to fall asleep. I didn't survive tonight to wait to be a sacrifice tomorrow. I had to escape and I had to do it— Tonight.ADELE’S POVThe kindergarten room was alive with the kind of pure, unfiltered joy that only kids could create. Sunlight streamed through the tall windows, casting golden patches on the colorful mats scattered across the floor. Toys were everywhere—blocks stacked in wobbly towers, crayons rolling under tables, and in the center of it all, a group of about a dozen little ones giggling as we played handball. It wasn't some fancy game; just a soft, bouncy ball we tossed around in a loose circle, no rules except to have fun and cheer each other on.I caught the ball from little Lia, her chubby hands barely able to grip it properly, and tossed it gently to Timmy, who beamed like he'd won a medal. "Nice catch!" I called out, my voice light and easy. These kids were my escape lately—their innocence a balm against the storm brewing in my life. Ever since Naomi dropped her bomb about Andrea being Lucien's son, I'd been walking a tightrope of emotions. Hurt, anger, fear. But here, with them, I
LUCIEN’S POVMy ears rang. My chest felt tight, like someone had wrapped iron bands around my ribs and was slowly cranking them tighter.I didn’t even hear what Maximus said to the doctor. I just stood there, frozen, staring at that envelope like it was a live grenade with the pin half-pulled. My hands started shaking before I even realized it. Small tremors at first, then worse, until I could barely keep my arms crossed.I don’t remember moving to the couch. One second I was standing by the desk, the next I was sinking down onto the soft leather, elbows on my knees, staring at the floor. The envelope sat on my thigh now…my fingers curled around it, but I couldn’t make them open it. Couldn’t make myself look.The door clicked shut behind the doctor. The sound felt final. Like the last second before a storm hits.“Everything will be fine,” Emilia said softly from beside me.I didn’t answer. Couldn’t. My throat was too tight. My mind was screaming, replaying every second of that day on
LUCIEN’S POVThe air in Maximus's office felt like it had turned to stone—heavy, unyielding, pressing down on all of us. I stood there, arms still crossed, my back against the wall, watching the chaos unfold like a storm I couldn't stop. Damien's face was flushed red, his eyes wide with disbelief as he stared at Emilia. Hell, I was staring too. "Let them come"? What kind of madness was that? We'd just spent the last ten minutes laying out how these humans—Scarlett and her greedy Salvatore company—were sniffing around our sacred Crescent Moon territory like vultures circling a fresh kill. And now our queen was suggesting we roll out the welcome mat?Damien exploded first, his voice cutting through the silence like a whip. "What are you saying, Emilia? Letting humans anywhere near our lands is putting our secret in danger!"I shifted my weight, my wolf stirring restlessly inside me. He was right. The Crescent Moon wasn't just dirt and trees; it was our history, etched into every rock a
ROSE’S POV The gym was dead silent after my scream. Every pair of eyes locked on me—wide, shocked, confused. The ball rolled to a stop somewhere near the baseline. Even the coach’s whistle hung forgotten in her hand. “Did you see that?” someone whispered from the back. “Her ankle—it twisted all the way around.” “How is that possible?” another voice said, louder this time. “That was like… broken. I heard the snap.” “That’s insane,” Mia muttered beside me, kneeling fast. “Rose, your ankle—” I couldn’t let them keep staring. Couldn’t let them keep talking. Panic clawed up my throat. My wolf had healed me too fast—too perfectly. The pain was gone. The bone was straight. The swelling never even had time to start. I was fine. Completely fine. But they’d seen. They’d heard. And they were already whispering. This was one of the things Damien was scared of and didn't want me going to a human college.I forced myself to wince. Hard. I grabbed my ankle like it still hurt, letting
ROSE’S POV I wiped the sweat from my forehead with the back of my arm, breathing hard as the whistle blew. The gym echoed with squeaking sneakers and bouncing balls—my first college PE class, and it was basketball. The coach—a tall, no-nonsense woman with a clipboard—divided us into teams. I ended up on the blue side, pulling on a mesh jersey that smelled like old sweat. Most of the girls seemed nice enough, chatting and laughing as we warmed up. But one caught my eye right away. She was tall, athletic build, with short blonde hair and a glare that could cut glass. Every time our eyes met during stretches, she looked away fast—like she had a problem with me already. I didn’t recognize her from any other classes. What was her deal? “Alright, ladies! Let’s play!” the coach yelled, tossing the ball up for the tip-off. The game started fast. I wasn’t the best at basketball—growing up in the kingdom, we played more…primal games—but I was quick. Agile. My wolf gave me an edge I ha
DAMIEN’S POV The palace gates loomed ahead as I pushed the car harder down the winding road. Trees blurred past, but my mind was sharper than ever—Scarlett’s voice echoing in my head like a bad dream that wouldn’t end. “We’re going to get our hands on that property. Real soon.” My knuckles whitened on the wheel. The Crescent Moon territory wasn’t just land. It was sacred. Hidden trails where our ancestors shifted under the full moon. Burial grounds. A place where packs gathered for rituals no human eye had ever seen. If they built a resort there—tourists, workers, cameras—it would be the end. Exposure. War. I slammed on the brakes at the guard post. The guards recognized me instantly, dipping their heads in respect as the gates swung open. No time for greetings. I parked roughly and strode through the grand halls, boots echoing on the marble floors. Guards nodded, but I barely saw them. My wolf paced inside me, claws scraping for a fight. Maximus’s office door was cracked







