An epitome of sin

NYMERA POV

Their voices echoed in my head...

"Why was she even born? Lady Clarisse was one of the strongest females of the Creek bloodline.”

"How can a werewolf only in name dare to claim the title of the Luna?"

I jerked up, my breath hitched. My pillows soaked with sweat.

Sighing deeply, I pulled my legs up and placed my chin on my knees as my eyes scanned my new room, unfit to be called a chamber.

Dorian had ordered that I move to this abandoned room. It hadn't been occupied for decades.

Rumour had it that this was the Lycan king's grandmother - Lady Nana.

The werewolf who lost her powers when the Lycan king was born and was branded a curse.

Dorian's words in the grand hall replayed in my head.

"I was willing to put up with you, for I had high hopes that you'd be the long-awaited glory to be bestowed on the Caspian lineage as foretold, 2000 years ago, but it's not you," he taunted.

The knock on the door disrupted my train of thought.

"Come in," I said, and a maid walked in wearing a half mask.

"You've been summoned by Consort Ophelia of Voss."

I opened my mouth to talk, but the words refused to come out.

"The earlier you head over there, the better, Your Grace."

Your Grace? This is the first time she flashed me a small smile through the mask.

It felt warm and calm. This would be the first time someone would genuinely smile at me in a long time.

But why would a friendly person approach me after everything has been stripped off me?

A few minutes later, I and Fiona stood before Ophelia, but she paid us no heed and she kept on barking orders.

After an hour of standing, my legs began to hurt, but Fiona seemed alright, like she was accustomed to it.

Finally, Ophelia's eyes darted to us and a malicious glint in her eyes, as she looked at Fiona.

I thought I was the only person she despised that much. What's their relationship?

Ophelia hissed and looked at me. She raised a finger and gestured for me to come forward, and I walked slowly toward her.

Whatever the hell she plans to put me through, I must endure to the very end. At least, until I find a way to save my mother.

"Wash my feet," she ordered with a smirk and diverted her gaze.

"Be careful not to spill, for you're not worth as much as it is," she taunted

This is just the beginning, Nymera, suck it up.

I gave her a curt nod and knelt before her. I took the jar of fresh milk and began washing her feet with it.

"The Alpha's uncle - the king will be arriving tomorrow, and the Alpha plans to host a grand feast to welcome him. So I must represent the family well," Ophelia said to no one in particular.

"Fiona, go get me the diamond jewelry the Alpha gifted me," she ordered, and Fiona bowed in courtesy.

Just as Fiona was about to leave, she spoke up, "If anything goes missing, I'll feed your head to the birds!" She sneered.

Without a word, Fiona nodded and walked out.

They indeed share a history. Is Fiona really genuine toward me, or she was just one of Ophelia's schemes?

Hours later, darkness overshadowed the light as night drew nearer. The pack house has been busy all day in preparation for the feast.

I slumped on my bed and let out a loud groan, hitting my stiffened shoulders to reduce the pressure.

Ophelia had literally turned me into her lady-in-waiting. Just yesterday the pack members addressed me as Luna, but this is my reality.

Apparently, no one in the pack house dared speak about it, but they saw it all.

My stomach grumbled, and I sighed heavily. I was able to eat lunch today because Fiona sneaked in dry bread and soup.

With Fiona, I have mixed feelings. I really need one sincere person to rely on, but is she that person?

I shook my head and headed to the bathroom to take a shower.

A few minutes later, I stepped out with a towel wrapped around my body as I detangled my hair with my fingers.

I stopped dead in my tracks, my heartbeat quickened, my jaw dropped.

Dorian sat on my bed, dressed in his night robe. He shifted uncomfortably on the bed. Of course, he'd rather be somewhere else than here.

"Greetings, Alpha... Alpha Dorian," I stuttered and bowed slightly, as my hold on the edge of my towel tightened.

"Get on the bed," he commanded.

I furrowed my brow. What is he talking about?

He raked his hair backward with his fingers and let out a frustrated sigh.

At the speed of light, he pulled and pushed me on the bed.

Wait, his smell... My eyes widened, my heart pounded. I gazed outside, and it was a full moon. He is in heat.

I know Dorian has issues whenever he is in heat and must let off steam. But why did he come to me instead of Ophelia?

I bit my tongue at the roughness. He stripped without shame, and my best guess - he was doing everything under compulsion.

Roughly, he pulled me closer and ripped the towel, and I shrieked. My arms covered my sensitive parts.

But he removed my hands.

My heart raced when he placed his member at my entrance and without warning thrusted in.

Tears rolled down my face at the invasion and lack of respect. Dorian is about to find out about my secret.

"Stop pretending to be good. It's what you've always wanted, so take it," he growled but stopped almost immediately.

He knows! I closed my eyes tightly. He suddenly got off me like he had been burnt.

The air was tensed. "You.. you've had sexual relations with a man who is not me?" He growled, his voice laced with raw anger and accusation.

Through blurry eyes, I looked at him as I covered up, and scurried to the far end of the bed.

"How dare you disrespect me, Nymera!" he roared as he paced back and forth.

A dark chuckle escaped my lips. "But you've constantly had sex with another woman... Isn't that disrespectful?" I choked out, confused at his anger.

He grabbed my throat and tightened his hand, his blazing eyes bored into mine, his breath ragged.

"It is different, and don't you dare compare yourself to my dear Ophelia. She's not a slut!" he spat.

He let go angrily, threw on his robe and stormed out.

I sobbed harder as I hit my chest. What would become of me now? Dorian would definitely expose and humiliate me.

Unable to breathe, I wore a dress and ran out and headed towards the beach. I need to clear my head.

Just as I got to the gate, I saw Ophelia running out in a frenzy. Something was wrong.

I soon got to the beach. I closed my eyes as the chilly breeze grazed my skin.

Why was Dorian upset? I thought he didn't care.

I sat on the sand. The sound of the waves accompanied me.

A moment later, a figure emerged from the water. I got up hurriedly and moved back.

He was surprisingly good looking. He was the most beautiful man I've ever seen, but his aura was intimidating.

He locked eyes with me and strode towards me. I should run for an unknown man who could be a killer was approaching me.

Instead, I stood still. Soon he towered over me, a knowing smirk plastered on his face, and that stirred something in me.

A small whisper in my head.

"Told you that your body would recognize me," he said in a deep but low voice.

That statement... My legs wobbled at the realization. He was the mysterious man who marked me.