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With Kael gone, I could no longer control my curiosity. I went outside to meet Kade, who looked sad but still confused.

“What truth am I supposed to know?” I asked quietly.

“Nothing. Get ready for a party tonight,” he dismissed me, walking in the opposite direction. But I wasn't a quitter. I rushed to block his path.

“I guess we're talking about my life, and I want to know exactly what kind of game you forced me to play!” I demanded, shocking even myself with the audacity.

“I said there's nothing to say!” he snapped, staring at me through his blindfold like he could actually see me. I turned to walk away.

“Let me guess—you’re going to use my blood to cleanse yourself!” I said, sounding like a wounded warrior.

“I might be cursed, but I’m not doomed to be a vampire!” he responded without looking back.

“Then what sacrifice are you all talking about?” I asked, my voice nearly failing me.

“Are you really sure you want to know?” he asked, turning and walking straight toward me with a pace that made me tremble.

“Yes,” I whimpered.

“You are the sacrifice,” he leaned in and whispered, leaving me shocked and chilled all over before he continued.

“No one is sacrificing you. But you're the only one who can help me get rid of this curse,” he added, his eyes blinking deliberately behind the blindfold.

“I just want to survive,” I whispered.

“I know. And I’ll be here with you,” he said, his anger dissolving.

“So did you choose me as your Luna because of the curse... or because of love?” I asked, hoping he felt the same way I did.

“I’m a Lycan. I don’t love. I only choose those who interest me,” he said, leaving me with even more questions.

Why do I have to fight a battle I didn’t even know existed? No one could answer me, and the room echoed back only the sound of my breathing.

Suddenly, my thoughts turned to my parents. I hadn’t seen them. It was nighttime now, and even if it was forbidden, I had to know what they were doing. I sneaked out, watching Kade speak with the party organizers.

When I walked to the stables, I couldn’t see them. My mind grew restless. I knew the kind of man I was dealing with—he could be dangerous. And even when he was sweet, he was dangerously sweet. I couldn’t trust him.

“What are you searching for, little Luna?” A familiar voice spoke behind me.

“Linda!” I sighed in relief, recognizing the woman standing beside me.

“Flesh and blood, dear. Your parents are completely safe,” she said, as if she could read my mind.

“Thank you for saving my life,” I said, going in to hug her—but she disappeared and reappeared on the other side.

“I did help you. But now... you have a deal with death,” she said with a deadly smirk.

“Who are you really? And what do you mean by a deal with death?” I asked.

“My little Luna, you cannot cheat a death not meant for you. It left because it wasn’t your time. But now you have two chances left. Then death will stop pursuing the right one... and turn its face toward you,” she said, her voice fading.

“But this isn’t my destiny! I don’t want this kind of life!” I said, tears nearly falling.

“You don’t choose your path. It chooses you,” she said. And I knew she was right.

“Who are you, really?” I asked.

“I’m the answer to your questions,” she replied, leaving me more confused.

“What do you mean? Why are you people always hiding things from me, always speaking in parables?” I asked, but she vanished.

“Run along, child, and get ready for the party!” her voice echoed around me.

I quickly ran back to the main house, and one of Kade’s men looked at me strangely, but I didn’t care. I had too much to uncover.

I entered the room just as Kade walked straight into the shower. I tried to hide, but I tripped and fell straight into him—my hands accidentally touching the snake tattoo on his hip.

Visions flashed: me crying with a dead pup in my arms... strangers lying dead around me. Not one, not two—but a whole bunch of bodies.

“Where have you been?” he asked, his eyes staring directly at me.

“I went to check on my parents,” I said, the vision still replaying in my head.

“You’re not allowed to search for them ever again,” he commanded, gripping me.

“They’re my parents,” I said defiantly, rising from his hold.

“And I am your Alpha. I own you, Azren,” he said possessively. I didn’t know whether to take that as love or a threat.

“Get ready now. You’re the spotlight of the party tonight,” he said, ignoring me.

I finished my shower, and when I stepped out, he was gone. Instead, a group of maids stood before me, each holding clothes I could only imagine cost a fortune—elegant and exquisite.

“We are here to prepare you, Luna,” they said. I nodded. Fighting was useless.

For the first time, I felt like a queen—though a queen of a cursed kingdom. To match the Alpha, they covered my eyes with a sheer white cloth.

“Is she ready?” one of Kade’s men asked.

“Yes,” the maid replied.

He entered and led me straight to the party. Everything was fine... until I saw Kade flirting with another woman. She was everything I wasn’t—beautiful, elegant, with glowing caramel skin, stylish—and from Kade’s smile, she was funny too.

My presence went unnoticed... until Kael came to greet me.

“Who is that woman with the Alpha?” I asked.

“She’s the second mate of the Alpha,” he replied, shocking me.

“I thought they all died?” I asked again, stunned.

“They didn’t have a mating ceremony. The Alpha found it best to send her out of the pack for her own safety,” Kael answered, leaving me speechless.

Kade walked toward me, wearing a smile I could never seem to draw from him.

“I want you to meet someone,” he said, holding my hand. The woman stood right beside him.

“Azren, meet Tasha,” he said.

The woman smiled and shook my hand. But I didn’t smile back. I knew—

My biggest challenge had just arrived.