And a long night indeed, it was. Contrary to what I thought— that Angus would immediately take me, ploughing mercilessly into my shaking body— there was something he had to do first. There was a small party he had to attend somewhere inside the twists and turns of the caves. It was only then I realized why the maids had dressed me up in a sheer and soft white satin gown. I was far too delirious to think straight then. But now, I understood. Angus wanted me to follow him to this party before he “devoured” me. I was instantly relieved when he took me forcefully by the arm, saying that he would firstly show me off at this party— a new, priceless toy he was soon going to ruin— and then get to the ruin part. Everything he told me went over my head. I was only concerned about one thing: there would be people from outside the pack there. Maybe, I would get help. Just maybe. So I let Angus drag me away, through the many tents and through more passages than I could count. It was
TW: Implied SAAt first, I actually thought I was dreaming, seeing the green eyed man here. It was when he spoke again, voice low, tone cold, that I realized.This wasn't a dream. Suddenly, a bout of rage developed within me. I was sure he had heard it by now— the accusation on my head that I had killed the bear Alpha, Fred. I was sure he knew and yet he had kept silent, disappearing into thin air when he could have cleared my name. My anger bubbles over even more when I realize again that he was dining with these people— knowing very well he had killed Fred.Seeing my violent reaction, his eyes sparkled; it was as though he was mocking me. I gripped the slippery satin of my dress, trying to stifle my anger and helplessness. Angus grunted in response to Masked man's question from earlier. He gripped my behind firmly and my mind went blank with disgust.“Yes, I believe we should discuss what we came here for. But before that, can you explain why you're here today, Serpent? You rare
It took me a moment before I could process what was going on. The bear shifter was on the ground, eyes rolled back and body spasming. My eyes were red from crying, I was half naked and in total disarray. Serpent was here, with his cold gaze and heartless words. He was proposing to kill the bear— another prominent member of the bear shifter clan.My heart plummeted at that moment and it felt like bile was climbing up my throat.“No!” I sprung up from the hard bed. My voice was hoarse; I was still struggling to breathe. My hand flew up to push the masked man by the chest. His body was as hard as stone; I took my palms off him when he did not react.“Y-you…you will do no such thing! The last time you intervened…the last—” My breath was catching in my throat, ears ringing from fear. The world began to spin and my body gave out at that moment. The stranger caught me before I could fall to the ground. He held me up with one arm while the other traced my face gently. “You're safe now,
I did not answer his question at first, choosing to stare at him in utter disbelief. Did this mad man even know what he was requesting of me? I was an omega, even though I bore the title of Luna. I was basically a wolfless, worthless creature who had gotten lucky.“Y-you…are you…are you serious now? How do you expect me of all people to kill Damien?! Sure, he might not be as strong as his father, but he is an alpha regardless! You would stand a far better chance than I would! Kill him yourself!”I was seething, ignoring how my hairs stood on end in his presence. “Kill him myself? That would be far too suspicious, Luna.”He sounded like he was grinning— like this was all funny for some reason.“I will not put my own life at stake, mister,” I told him, placing my hands on his chest and pushing him away: or at least attempting to. Serpent pushed against me, getting so close that the only thing keeping us apart was my hands between us.“Oh dear Lady, your life is at stake already.”I s
It wasn't until he left did I notice that my clothes were in shreds and I was half naked. There wasn’t much time to think about this as the day was already starting to break.I pulled what was left of my clothes around me and tried to find a way to enter the palace without going through the main gates.After about thirty minutes of searching, I found a deserted overpass entry. It was overgrown with weeds and looked like it had been abandoned for years.Grunting, I tried through— only to stop halfway.In a distance, not too far away and over a small, algae filled pond, was my mate.Damien.He was not alone; Lily was with him. I wanted to pretend like it did not sting, like I did not care one bit.But the mate bond which I had not yet destroyed tugged violently at me. My almost inexistent wolf seemed to growl within, stirring— angry.“Alpha…Alpha we should not be here. It is not right of us. You know that.” Lily's voice was as still and gentle as the water body beneath her.From where I
“Are you sure you cannot remember, Luna?” The healer asked, eyes looking at me with pity. I forged an innocent frown. “I-I cannot remember much, truly.” From the corner of my eyes, I could see my mate's eyes twinkle with excitement and relief. He grabbed me, made me turn to him. “What do you remember last? Tell me.” I take my time to answer, blinking rapidly and shifting uncomfortably. “Uh…it was the coronation party. That is all I can remember, Damien. Is…Is something wrong?” He shook his head, feigning a calm look. Deep down though, I knew how elated he was. To him, I had lost all memories of his misbehavior with me by selling me out to the bears. To him, I had not seen anything happen in that abandoned garden. Damien thought all was well; that I was still that sweet mate of his who could be manipulated easily. And that's how I wanted it to be. I took a deep breath and snuggled into his arms. That night, Damien let me sleep in his chambers. Time passed and soon, it was
I was so stunned that I stood there with my mouth open for a while. Damien's mother looked from her son to me and clucked her tongue again.“Son, I really do not care who you fuck. What I care for though, is your position. An heir from your true mate is always the strongest. We need a strong heir. Only after that can you get rid of her.”My beating heart seemed to stop and the world around me hushed.My mate laughed. “And what makes you think she will.keep her mouth shut, mother? Why don't we kill her now?” His question made chills run up and down my spine.He did not kill me by mistake last time; he thought it out. He was well aware of everything he was doing.And that brings me a semblance of mad comfort— at least, I'd be justified in what I would do to him.My plans to defame Damien were now wrecked due to this old witch. And now, somehow, I'd found myself in a situation where I had to bear him a child.“Talk? But who would believe her now? I was here with you— all three of us we
When Damien's lips met mine, I almost threw up from how disgusted I felt with myself. The truth is— I liked it— or rather, my wolf did.This was what she longed for; and despite Damien crossing us many times, she couldn't resist her innate pull. And that stressed me out. Damien roamed his hands all over me, breathing heavily and trying to engulf me with everything in him. He whispered sweet nothings into my ear, caressed my skin with so much neediness and kept tugging on my hair.“I know you have missed this, my Luna,” he hoarsely cooed, breaking away from me for a moment.My eyes connected with his hungry ones, drifting to his lips. If one looked close enough, they might just see the greenish tint to it.My body aroused with the fire of payback and my wolf roared within.This was going to take a long time; and the process was frankly a chore— but I enjoyed it. I enjoyed how stupid Damien looked now, with all that pride on his face that despite cheating on me, I was welcoming him wi
Or maybe, he was dying. Almost in the grave.A painful feeling like claws sinking into my chest and ripping out my heart expanded until my vision clouded. I couldn't remember what I did first, but I knew I was screaming—deep and painful guttural screams that shook my body. I pressed my hand to my chest, clutching my throat desperately, with fingers that appeared hazy in my vision. What was happening to me? I wasn't sure of it, but I knew something terrible was happening to my mate, and that was why I was in so much pain. It seemed that without Damien rejecting me, I could still feel somewhat of his emotions—or his impending death. From a distance, I could hear Runa screaming in panic, her hands reaching for me to soothe me, but I pushed her away. I rushed up and ran towards my bedroom doors, more desperate to get out, and—and what? Help him? The same monster who had killed me, but
A day passed—a full twenty four hours, and I knew because I was being fed three meals a day. Which meant I'd gotten three meals by now—but I hadn't stepped a foot out of my room yet. I knew I should be worried about the prospects of being locked up in my room throughout Lily's pregnancy, but that seemed like a faraway thought.At least compared to the task I had at hand—feeding the poison to Damien. With the only person coming and leaving my room being Runa, who brought me my meals, the chances of giving Damien the poison were dwindling before my eyes. My mate wasn't even looking at, more or less kissing me. And as much as I hated Damien, I desperately wished he would come see me. The Serpent never told me what would happen if I didn't manage to dispell the poison out of me in record time, but I had an inkling of what would befall me. The poison inside me needed an out—something to destroy—anything at all, and
"What? What do you mean by that?" I croaked, hating the desperation that was seeping into my tone. He couldn't mean that, right? Lily wasted no time in getting up, and leaning into my mate, who all but melted into her. "Alpha, I want her punished for it." She said the words softly, like a caress, but Damien's eyes were still on me. There was such vicious hate in them, that I wondered if this man and I could possibly have any ties to each other, if my existence was just an uncomfortable reminder to him that I was his mate. Maybe they would have still killed me even if I hadn't caught them in my past life—merely because they hated me. Why did I think I could relive a life with a man who hated me so much? Did I forget the look in his eyes before he took my life in the past? "No need. The maid disrespected me by coming into my room without my permission, I will deal with her." Horror filled me, and I gasped. "She didn't come in. She didn't see anything. I swear on it. If you want
The voice wasn't my mate's voice, so I ignored it and stepped further into the room. Runa came running behind me, barely stepping a foot in before her eyes widened. Shame burnt like an avalanche crashing on me when I realized just what she was seeing. My mate—his limbs all tangled up in Lily's, as she pressed her soft skin to his, practically cooing in pleasure. I wanted to rip her away from him, and throw her out of his arms—his room—this palace. I wanted to drag her hair and stomp on her until—until all the violent emotions I was feeling were appeased. But one look at Damien and I knew he would have my dead instantly if I touched his mistress. So, I curbed all these very rational anger induced thoughts, and flashed Runa who was behind me, a bright smile. Even the smile hurt my face, but I struggled to maintain it. Just a little while. Damien would be dead, and I would throw his shameless mistress out of my life for good. She would regret not even trying to maintain a false
The pale look on my lady in waiting's face spelled of doom, even before those words leave her lips. I could feel my lips parting to tell her that I was fine, but I couldn't really hear myself. "My lady, are you alright? You don't look soo good. You're frightfully pale." She inched closer, pressing soft fingers to my cheeks. I flinched unconsciously, still a little rattled from the attack, despite my survival. Shaking my head, I mustered a smile I hoped reached my eyes. "I'm fine. Did you say there's been an issue?" I repeated her words to her. That was more important than the state I was in, so I probed further. A frown married her face, and she took a step back, keeping some distance between us, as was customary of lady's in waiting. "My lady, it seems miss Lily has done something scandalous." She sounded frightful and restless, but she seemed to watch her words. Did she think I wasn't aware of the rumors? Almost everyone in the kingdom was aware that I had lost favor in my
My mouth fell open in surprise when more of the green fluid poured from my attackers mouth. Before I could blink, he slumped forward and landed on my body, causing me to shiver in disgust. For a moment, I just closed my eyes—panting and trying to take deep breaths in. I have just been attacked by some kind of poison induced corpse. This was the main reason Damien's father wanted us to move to the north, and it had already gotten so bad. It's not until someone cleared their throat that my eyes met his. They widened. What is he doing here? I peered behind him, hoping no one else could see him, even though my life had just been in danger. "I see you're going to the north." His deep and familiar voice rumbled through the air. My skin prickled with heated awareness like it always did whenever he was close by. I hated it. Struggling to get to my feet, I took a step closer to him, half wondering if he was just foolish enough to be seen in broad day light. But why would he care?
My breathing hitched in my throat, and my limbs suddenly felt too heavy to move, despite my brain urging them. Move. Run. Get away. All these commands seemed to fade away when my eyes met the monster's in front of me. I wished it was Axel, the Serpent. It wasn't. This was much worse, because I couldn't tell who it was—what it was. The figure took another step closer to me, his eyes hard and set on mine—his skin a pale green shade that appeared sunken the closer he came. Sunlight from the blinds reflected on him, but it didn't deter him for a moment. I placed a hand on my throat, as if by some unforeseen miracle that could calm my raging pulse. It didn't. There was only one thing I could do—one thing I needed to do, and I knew what it was. I had to do it. Run. This time my brain didn't ignore the command, but it was already too late. The moment my feet tried to lift off the ground, the figure approaching me knew it. He tilted his head to the side, his gaze hollow and pi
My eyes widened, and met Susan's, but she wasn't even looking at me—but at Lily's body sagged against Damien's. Something akin to disgust flashed in her eyes, before she looked away, as if considering herself above such emotions. Wasn't she the one who said she didn't care who her son slept with? It felt good to know that she might be regretting those words right about now, but why was she helping me? Or maybe she wasn't helping me at all. Maybe this was just another ploy to not look like she had given in to her son's demands. The poison in my veins seemed to thrum at the direction my thought had taken. Whatever her intentions were, they would serve to my favor. All I had to do was hope Damien wasn't too much in the mood to continue going against his mother. But from the way his shoulder's sagged, and the tired look in his eyes, I had a feeling he wouldn't be doing that. There was just so much a person could fight off, and Damien had already done more than I expecte
Damien was gritting his teeth, his eyes flashed with annoyance, but he held his tongue. I opened my mouth to speak. "Mother—" "Don't speak without being spoken to, Madeline." Susan's sharp voice cut me off. My mouth fell open, and I could only stare at her blank expression in belligerent wonder. What was my mother in law playing at? If she didn't want Lily to go with Damien, then didn't we have somewhat of the same goal? Except I was underestimating just how devious Susan was. She wasn't the one desperate to save her life. No, everything she wanted to go well for her had already gone well. I was the one who faced death in the face and came back to life. Only I could understand and accomplish my own intentions, even if it seemed like they were headed in the same direction as Susan's. Lily smiled fully when she saw the way Susan had quickly dismissed me, but I didn't pay her any mind. Her plans to take Damien from me would be ruined if Susan had her way, and it was increasing