PROLOGUE – THE CURSE

THE illumination of the Lunar Trifecta’s full moon gave a calm vibe to everyone in the Banxi Mountain Alps—where the three powerful packs resided. The infamous Nacht territory where the sun never shines, and everyone called it the Wolf Nation.

The Wolf Nation was an autonomous region in Gwiazda. This small domain was ruled by a tyrant Alpha King known as Fang. The ruthless head from the Sabre pack. He’d do everything to amass great power. And now, he ordered to kill a lowly servant who mated to his son.

On the border of Dilim City near the Great Sea, Una wasted no time when the wolf army was mobilized. She ran for her life as howls reverberated in the dark forest.

She wore her black wedding dress, waiting for her mate to celebrate their union. But because of the sudden commotion, she forgot to put on her boots as she had enjoyed splashing water with her feet on the stream earlier.

Una sensed great danger. She had anticipated the situation might turn like this and hoped everything would fall into place. She didn’t mind being barefoot when she hastily ascended the path of the rocky terrain of the highest mountain in the long stretch of the alps. It was convenient coming from the hut she stayed in. Changing her course might help to hide her scent.

Run, Una… run!

She had enough courage in spite of her bleeding feet. Una repeatedly stumbled upon those sharp rocks and other deadly vegetation. The rare silk covering her lower part was torn and continued to rip apart every time she lost her balance.

She was hyperventilating but wouldn’t stop sprinting fast. The black wolves were chasing her. They were known as the elite army of the pack. Worse, Una could not shapeshift because even her wolf form was weak. If she forced herself to transform, it would consume all her remaining mana, and she’d die in an instant.

I might die soon, but I’ll make sure not tonight.

Una was determined to flee despite knowing that only in a matter of time, they’d find her. She prayed to her deity and pleaded for help.

The howling around went stronger. Una’s heart pounded rapidly. But it seemed all the deities refused to hear her.

Hevian… where are you? She tried to call for his mate for rescue. Una was sure he’d received it in their mind communication link, but there was no response.

Una continued to hide while escaping her inevitable death. Had she known the wedding would be cursed. She would not push this through, notwithstanding her deep affection for Hevian. It was her fault for being gullible. She believed Fang had finally accepted her, but it was a trap.

The three families chose to sacrifice her on the night of a super blue blood moon to strengthen the shapeshifting power of the Lycans. They believed the Moon Goddess would bestow them with this rare gift.

The Lycans were the small portions of immortals given an opportunity to reside in the new world created by the deities after the Great Fae War.

Lycans were the native residents of the Empire of Muhler, but their current Alpha had asked the help of King Airoh to seek refuge in the new haven called Erganiv—it had four vast territories governed by royal faeries. And now they were living in peace in the mountainous region of Gwiazda—a faerie domain in charge of the night and stars.

I refused to be sacrificed!

Una was adamant. She realized this was the sole reason the Alpha King let his son claim her as his mate.

Did Hevian lie to her, too?

She had trusted him for the past three years, and they had a lot of fun and challenges together. Their love story was a match made in Zurga—the Heaven Realm.

The black wolves are approaching fast. Hevian… please… help me! She called again in their mind-link, but it led to futility.

Una halted running when she reached the first peak of Mount Esco near its crater. The boundless, dark crevice seemed to wait for her to fall. She could not run any further because her lungs were nearly collapsing. The high altitude made her head light, and her nose started to bleed. From her location, she could hear the icy blast from the snowy peaks and the loud crashing waves of the sea below.

No… Una tried to switch trails, but the black wolves had finally found her.

There were seven of them. Una recognized them from the elite black army under the command of Hevian. Somehow, she felt relieved.

“Did… you come here to rescue me?” Una clasped the dagger from the hilt mounted on her legs under her long-tattered skirt. Her long wavy black hair was completely disheveled, the flower crown in her head almost withering, and her innocent pale face had several cuts that wouldn’t regenerate.

The wolves shapeshifted back to their human form. One of them was General Balek, his onyx-colored warrior uniform with the Sabre Pack crest embroidered on the chest, stained with blood. He looked intently at her, with his emerald eyes flickered, strengthening his resolve.

“Una, you can’t run for long. Please come with us to fulfill your destiny.” The general was calm, trying to persuade her.

“My destiny? The Alpha had murdered my family… and now he wants to kill me on my wedding night!” Una was shivering.

“If you don’t sacrifice yourself, our kind will be eradicated from existence!” There was a warning in General Balek’s voice.

Una laughed hysterically. “Hypocrites! Fang dreams of being the Lord of Gwiazda, but he is a lowly creature. He is ambitious yet powerless compared to the royal faeries governing this domain.”

The seven shapeshifters drew their swords to Una, but she wasn’t bothered. The situation was hopeless. She’d only have a chance to escape if Hevian found her. Una loathed these shifters, and she was stupid, thinking they were on her side.

“General, please let me go….” Una swallowed hard because she knew they wouldn’t let her. Her dull blue eyes appealed to their conscience.

“I’m afraid we’ll use force if you refuse.” General Balek strolled closer.

Una stepped back, being extra careful not to fall. With one wrong move, the deepest chasms of the mountain would feed on her.

The warriors seemed calculating as they came near. But before they could lunge an attack, a deafening roar echoed around them.

The general and his men quickly arched their heads down and gave way to a majestic gray wolf approaching Una. It growled, and its bright golden eyes glared at everyone except her.

Una was relieved. Her lips curved up and formed a smile. She knew he’d come. Her mate, her only love.

“Hevian…” she murmured.

The wolf howled again under the blood moon, and soon after, he shapeshifted back to his original form—a young man with long gray hair and distinct bright golden eyes. Just like her, he still wore his black suit and red cloak that he used in their wedding ceremony. But it was severely torn, revealing a few deep scars on his body despite his regeneration ability. Perhaps he had just finished a bloody fight.

“Una… listen, you have to trust me.” Hevian walked closer. She jumped up to cling to his neck.

“I thought you won’t find me. I’m so happy you’re here now.” Tears cascaded down her cheeks.

Hevian clasped the dagger from her hand. He motioned his eyes as if telling General Balek and his men to leave them alone.

The general nodded and moved back a few meters away from the two.

Hevian cupped Una’s bruised face and wiped her tears. “I promise… we’ll see each other again. I’m left with no choice, Una….”

“W-what do you mean?” her eyes were questioning.

“Our clan needs your blood—”

“No!” Una was horrified and immediately shoved Hevian away. “You are one of them! I can’t believe it. You promised to protect me since I’m your mate. And now you want me to die?”

Hevian looked at the moon. “Forgive me for being powerless, Una….”

Tears continued to fall from her eyes. She had lost everything! Her family… friends… and now even the sacred bond with Hevian. Una couldn’t believe her mate would betray her, too.

“I will never forgive you,” her heart filled with resentment. Una tried to flee, but Hevian’s reflexes were quick. She again found herself in his arms, facing the unfathomable crevice below them. He tightened his hug behind her.

“This is the only thing I can do to give you peace, my love. I’m sorry that you mated to a weak shapeshifter like me. I couldn’t even fight for our love… I couldn’t give you the freedom you dreamed of.” Hevian said, barely audible in Una’s ear. She couldn’t see the tears forming in his eyes as he continued, “But I swear under the radiance of the Lunar Trifecta, I’m willing to pay the price of this choice… I promise to gain the power to be worthy of you….”

Without warning, the golden dagger was plunged into Una’s heart. It was so swift that she noticed it too late. Una stared down at her mate’s trembling hands as her blood slowly spilled.

“I… hate you.” Una smiled sadly through her pierced heart. The physical pain was nothing compared to Hevian’s treachery. Who would have thought she’d die in his hands?

“I’m sorry, my love.” Hevian made her turn so he could see her face, and before she could utter another word, he removed the dagger from her chest and pushed her to the cliff.

Una’s eyes were already blurred as she gradually fell, but her mind was still clear. She was consumed with rage.

Lord Luxus, I refused to die like this! Please help me! I’ll offer everything I have… She pleaded to the cursed deity from Elduri. The Demon Realm.

Lord Luxus…

She must be unlucky that even the Demon King refused to hear her plea. Una closed her eyes with tears still falling as soon as her heartbeat stopped.