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I ran through the dense forest as Alpha Kade’s men chased me. They were determined to take me to him, but I wasn’t going to allow myself to become his next victim.

Stories of his mates dying mysteriously right after mating had spread everywhere. They were even used to scare little children whenever they acted rebellious. I was to be his sixth mate, chosen by him.

I rushed behind a tree, panting. As the sound of boots drew closer, I looked behind me. It was a dead end. But I had already made my decision—being with him was a death sentence. I’d rather kill myself.

Just as I prepared to jump, a hand grabbed me from behind and pulled me into the trees. We hid in the shadows until the soldiers passed. I turned to see who had saved me.

Linda. The most feared, rogue witch.

“Why are they after you?” she asked, her voice soft, old, and frail.

“I don’t know,” I lied.

She laughed. “I can see your thoughts, child. No one lies to Linda. I see both your past and present.”

Her words sent a chill down my spine.

“I can’t be his Luna,” I muttered.

“Alpha Kade is a spoiled brat. Always gets what he wants. I’m sure his soldiers aren’t having an easy time because of you,” she said knowingly.

“I don’t care if he burns the whole city. I want nothing to do with him,” I snapped.

“I’ll show you something,” she said, grabbing my hands. In a blink, we were standing in my village—burning. People screamed, running to save their lives, but Kade’s men had surrounded the village.

“This is what will happen if the Alpha doesn’t see you before daybreak,” she warned.

Tears rolled down my cheeks. “What can I do?”

“Cheat death,” she said immediately.

We were back in the forest in an instant.

“What do you mean?” I asked, confused.

“You’re still a young child, my dear. The Alpha’s curse stems from his father’s actions. Death doesn’t come for you—it comes for him,” she explained.

“But you must redirect death, or it will come for you,” she added, handing me a potion.

“When you feel death looming, whisper these words in silence: Qartesh lun’val. Ka’reth monai. I return what death seeks,” she instructed in a low tone as the men approached.

“Qartesh lun’val. Ka’reth monai. I return what death seeks,” I repeated.

She quickly covered my mouth.

“Don’t play with those words, child. These are your redemption codes. The first time, it will take your power. The second time, it will demand the life of someone close to you. The third time… it will kill you.”

And then she vanished, just as the soldiers appeared.

I didn’t fight. I let them take me, still searching for Linda—but she was nowhere to be found.

We reached the village, and just as Linda had said, the Alpha stood there with a lit torch. His presence terrified me. But it was his black eyes that truly froze me—I couldn’t tell if he could even see.

He walked in my direction. Clearly, he could see just fine.

My parents were already held hostage in a cage. My mother cried—not for herself, but for me. My fate was sealed.

He lifted me gently, allowing his wolf to take over. It was dark, terrifying. The rumors didn’t do him justice—he was worse.

He didn’t stop until we reached his chambers. Shifting back to his human form, his aura still choked the air around me. I backed away until I hit the wall, but he only watched me... then left. The room was elegant and I wished the owner had the elegant behavior of the room.

Now I was trapped. Linda’s words echoed in my head. But using the code would still consume me. I had to find another way to escape.

When the sun rose, I realized I’d slept on the floor all night. My confusion was interrupted when a woman entered.

Her presence was fierce, and nothing about her felt safe, despite her elegant dress.

“Maybe you’re the chosen one,” she said, eyeing me.

I stood silently, too afraid to speak.

“The mating ceremony will commence tonight. I suggest you get ready. Every she-wolf dreams of marrying the Alpha. As a half-breed, you must be thrilled he picked you,” she said arrogantly.

But the weight of my fate left me speechless.

She turned and left.

I began planning my escape during the ceremony. Guards were posted everywhere, but as a cunning half-breed, I was willing to take the risk.

I got ready, sat on the bed, and refused to eat or drink—my silent rebellion.

When night fell, I set my plan in motion. I crept from the room, slipping past distracted guards. My eyes locked on the Alpha’s gates.

“You don’t want to do that. Trust me.”

The voice chilled me. Alpha Kade.

I slowly turned to see him holding a glass of wine.

“It’s not what you think… I… I…” I stammered, too afraid to come up with an excuse.

“I thought you’d try this. You should know by now—I track all my Lunas’ movements.” Of course he did. After five mates, he’d become an expert.

“Bring them out!” he ordered.

My parents were dragged into view. How could I have forgotten about them?

“No one disrespects me,” Kade said, dropping his glass without care.

He strolled to my father and casually pressed his claws to his neck. Blood spilled.

“Please, I’m begging you,” I cried, tears streaming down my face.

“The next time you try something stupid like this, even your pleas won’t save anyone,” he warned, then let his men handle my father.

“Come, my Luna,” he said.

I had no choice but to approach him. His grip was firm, protective. I could feel his pulse—his wolf close to the surface.

“We have a mating to seal.”