All Chapters of Mooncursed: Fated to the Alphas: Chapter 21 - Chapter 30

Draven’s warning lingered like smoke in the air, the crowd around us frozen in silence. Darius’s chest still heaved, his jaw tight as if he were holding himself back by a thread. Daemon’s smirk only deepened, wicked and unrepentant, feeding off the chaos. And then Draven moved. Without another word, he reached past Darius and took my wrist, firm. His touch wasn’t gentle, but it wasn’t cruel either. It was final, absolute. “She’s done here,” Draven said, his voice low but carrying enough command that the other warriors lowered their gazes immediately. “Don’t you dare—” Darius started, his voice cracking like a growl. “Stand down, brother.” Draven’s tone cut through him, a blade in the dark. For a moment, their eyes locked, Darius’s blazing fury against Draven’s cold authority. It was a silent battle, but I knew who would win. Draven tugged me closer until I stumbled against his chest. Heat rolled off him, his heartbeat steady against my cheek while mine thundered like a tra

Breakfast had always been awkward in this house since I arrived , even the servants all had stiff smiles and fake laughter but this morning it felt worse.Maybe because I barely slept. Maybe because every time I closed my eyes, I could still feel Daemon’s breath against my skin.I’d hoped the morning chatter would drown my thoughts, but it didn’t. The dining hall was alive with noise , the clink of silver, laughter that didn’t quite reach the eyes, the rustle of silks brushing against chairs.Maris leaned close and whispered, “You look tired. Couldn’t sleep?”I forced a smile. “Something like that.”The smell of roasted meat and honey bread turned my stomach. I focused instead on my cup, swirling the tea just to have something to do with my hands.Everything was… normal. Almost peaceful. Until Selene’s voice cut through the room like a blade.“Well,” she began, her tone loud enough for every she-wolf and Luna at the table to hear, “sleeping with your host isn’t something you should be

I finally settled with a light blue gown with a diamond-plaited skirt that shimmered faintly under the lantern light. It was lighter than I usually wore, airy almost, the kind of gown that belonged to someone sure of her place. The bodice hugged my waist perfectly, the neckline sweeping just above my collarbone, leaving my shoulders bare. Against it, my pale hair, loose and unbraided looked almost silver. Maris clasped her hands together, a bright grin breaking over her face. “You look ethereal,” she said, circling me as if inspecting her own handiwork. “The kind of beauty even the goddess herself would envy.” I tried to laugh, though nerves fluttered beneath my ribs. “You really think so?” “I know so,” she said, her tone light, teasing. “Just wait till the moonlight hits you. Everyone will see.” That, more than anything, made me tense. I didn’t want to be seen. I didn’t want eyes tracing me like a secret to be uncovered. All I wanted was to blend in to make it through the night w

The last note lingered in the air, trembling through the chandeliers before fading into silence. For a heartbeat, no one moved. No one dared to.Draven’s hand still rested on my hip. Darius’s fingers brushed the back of my neck in a possessive, grounding touch. My skin burned where they’d held me—where their warmth still clung to me like invisible chains.Then someone clapped. Another followed. The hall erupted into polite applause. The moment shattered.I stepped back quickly, breath caught somewhere between my ribs. “I—I need air,” I whispered, though I wasn’t sure anyone heard me. Maybe I said it only to myself.Before either of them could speak, I turned and slipped away.The crowd blurred as I moved through it—the bright gowns, jeweled laughter, the scent of wine and perfume mixing in dizzying waves. My chest was tight, my legs weak, the cool marble floor the only thing keeping me from floating away entirely.By the time I pushed through the side doors and into the open night, I

The relief didn’t last long. As soon as the first pair lunged at each other, the air filled with snarls and the sickening crunch of bone against flesh. Claws raked skin, teeth snapped, and the once elegant training ground turned into a blood-stained frenzy.I watched, horrified, as one she-wolf slammed another into the ground, her growl vibrating through the floor beneath my feet. Around them, the crowd of mates and warriors cheered them on as though this was some glorious sport, not a test of survival.My stomach twisted violently. I stumbled back, one hand over my mouth before I doubled over and emptied the contents of my breakfast onto the dirt.“Maris…” I gasped, wiping my mouth, my voice trembling. “Is it always this brutal?”Beside me, Maris winced, eyes glued to the chaos. “Pretty much,” she said, her voice low, as if not wanting anyone to overhear her hesitation. “It’s tradition, Rain. They say it proves strength and worth. Some even say the Goddess favors the fiercest ones.”