Chapter 7

LUXURIA'S POV.

I never imagined a mating ceremony could be over in the blink of an eye. It ended so fast that I barely had time to catch my breath, let alone my thoughts.

We were already halfway across the Ash Mountain borders. Realization slowly crept in. I was leaving everything behind. Including Kahel.

A tear trickled down my cheek, but I wiped it off.

The ride was quiet. I straddled a beautiful white horse. As if that was meant to make me feel any special.

It was so close to the full moon already. Why weren't they in a hurry? Why didn't they straddle faster? Was I the only one worried about it? Or, were the rumors about the Wild Wolf pack lies? Or does his AshBlood powers help keep him in check?

This fact is something I also dread. Not only is this man cursed. He is one of the most deadly kinds of dark witch ever to live.

What did I ever do to the goddess to deserve such cruelty?

Alpha Parthe remained silent, not a word spared for his men, and I knew better than to speak first. His silence felt like a command on its own.

After what felt like an eternity, we entered the Wild Wolf territory, and soon enough, we rode into the packhouse.

It was lifeless. No sounds, no movement, no one in sight, as though the entire place had been abandoned by living creatures. I swallowed hard, the stillness gnawing at my nerves. "Where is everyone?" I managed to ask, but I only got silence from them as they dismounted.

Beta Tervan looked as stoic as his Alpha. The Alpha sure rubbed off on all his men. They were all sadists in this pack, I guess.

Finally, some living things approached - a woman, just a little older than me, beautiful to a fault, carrying herself with all the grace in the world, approached us.

Three other women followed behind her. From the way she carried herself, she seemed like an important member of the pack.

Could it be his sister? I pondered, but the question was answered by the woman's gesture, which made my heart skip.

"Alpha Parthe," The woman's silvery voice called out in the most tender tone ever. She closed the distance between them and wrapped her arms around him like she was trying to make a statement.

"Who is she?" I asked even before I stopped myself from asking.

I detested the Alpha. Yes. I do. But he was my mate, and it was only normal for me to feel a tiny shred of something when I saw another woman around him.

But it seemed my question didn't sit well with Alpha Parthe.

He turned to face me, glaring dangerously at me.

"First rule of surviving in my pack - stick your nose only where it belongs." He said in a deathly tone, his icy eyes now held disdain for me.

The woman only looked at me over her shoulder and returned to wrapping her arms around him, "I have something special for you. Let's go," she smiled.

Why did her smile strike a nerve in me? Was her smile that beautiful?

Parthe followed her without even looking at me.

"What about me? Am I meant to stand out here and wait while your..." I paused, swallowing the jealous rage threatening to consume me, "While she takes you in?" I sounded like a stupid teenager.

Parthe didn't even stop for a second. He was out of sight.

The three ladies who had come with that woman stayed behind, and I wondered why.

"We'll be attending to you. Follow us." One of them said, and I obeyed instantly. Beta Tervan and the other men made their way into the fortress.

I was led into the far end of the fortress. I didn't know why, but it was fine with me. I didn't want to be anywhere close to Alpha Parthe, after all.

"Thank you," I greeted the girls, who bowed as if it was a pleasure attending to me. "Where is everyone? Why are there no people in the pack houses?" I couldn't stop my inquisitive self from asking.

"You have become a part of the pack. You will know in due time. Meanwhile," The one who seemed like the leader among them began, handing me a vial, "Apply this all over your body and stay indoors. You must not step out of your door all night."

My curiosity piqued. "Why?"

"Follow the instructions. The Alpha said so. And he hates disobedience." She said politely.

I already like her. She seems nice. "What's your name?" I asked, letting my questions die down. I had no plans of stepping out either way.

"Leisha." She replied.

"Leisha," I repeated. "I like you. You have been helpful today," I say to her, and she blushes. Her plump face turned red instantly.

"Thank you," She greeted before signaling for the others to leave. "I'll see you tomorrow. No matter what happens, do not open your door. Do not step out."

She seemed really nice. She did not look like an actual maid. But she didn't seem like one who holds a rank in the pack either. I wonder who she actually was.

***

ALPHA PARTHE.

Her inquisitive eyes haunted me. I suddenly became disinterested in all Shita was saying and doing to me.

She brought me to see her new recipe. She had been working on it for a long time now, and she had been able to make progress.

She says this one is more potent and will suppress the curse's effect than the Negula herbs.

Shita, my pack's head physician and lead witch, is a blessing words can't quite capture. Her talent with herbs is unmatched, but it's her mastery in other... more pleasurable arts that makes her truly invaluable.

I wouldn't trade her for anything.

Of all my mistresses, she has a special place in my heart.

The full moon had already hung fully in the sky, and the curse was already beginning to take effect. I had dealt with this Curse since I was eleven. I am used to it. The pain and torture it brings. Little wonder, pain was nothing to me anymore.

Shita was the only one who could be in close proximity with me in times like this. Her restraining ritual was second to none.

Thanks to her, I do not lose control often. And even when I do, my pack members are always safe. Thanks to the Lin'car ointment that every Wild Wolf pack member uses to mask and shield themselves on every full moon.

The ointment masked their natural scent, making them smell like the earth itself—like damp moss, fresh soil, and crushed pine needles. So far, these are the scents that calm this beast.

Scents that calmed the beast within me. It made them disappear, cloaked in the very essence of the wild, undetectable and untouchable.

Despite it all, Luxuria still found a way to slither into my thoughts, curling around every corner of my mind and poisoning every second.

"Are you listening?" Shita asked, studying me.

"It has begun. It has..." Before I could finish my words, a loud, deafening roar left my throat, shaking the very foundation of the pack.

The curse's full effect had just taken over.