Maria’s POV
The leather straps around my wrists bit into my skin, throbbing with pain. With each heartbeat, a wave of betrayal, resentment, and a new bitterness pulsed through me.
I pulled against the restraints but quickly gave up, retreating into the darkness.
The door creaked open, and she entered with an air of confidence and elegance, as if she owned both the room and him.
Her chin held high, her hair cascading down like silk, her lips slightly parted—she looked like she’d already claimed victory. My chest tightened, every breath becoming harder.
She hadn’t noticed me yet. Her gaze was fixed on him with a reverence that made him seem almost divine, someone worthy. In a hushed tone, she murmured,
"My lord," bowing her head just slightly, her voice trembling as if she understood her place in this twisted ceremony.
I couldn’t tear my eyes away, even though everything inside me screamed to look elsewhere. They were so close.
Slowly, she let her dress slip down, the lace clinging to her form, and my stomach churned.
He barely glanced at her, his expression unreadable, emotionless.
"Move closer," he ordered, his voice calm yet cold, sending a chill up my spine.
She approached him as if summoned by an ancient force.
She moved nearer, exposing herself to him, and he didn’t even react. And I was forced to watch, trapped, bearing witness to this act.
It felt like a violation—of me and of something sacred. A bond I had foolishly believed in.
I was supposed to be his mate, his chosen one. But here I was, bound and powerless, watching him take another as if I meant nothing. No—less than nothing.
She lay on the bed, her face showing hints of uncertainty, her brow furrowed as he leaned over her.
He undressed with an agonizing slowness, like he was creating a piece of art. But there was nothing delicate about it—it was brutal.
Then he claimed her.
I felt my own wolf, Mar, thrashing inside, desperate, her cries echoing through my mind, tearing me apart as I watched, helpless.
The air grew thick, suffocating with every sound, every cry she made echoing in the dim room.
"Please, stop him, Maria," Mar whimpered, her voice haunting. "He’s hurting me. He’s killing me."
I bit down hard, tasting blood as I held back a scream.
I couldn’t let them see me break—not him, not her.
But inside, I was falling apart. Each movement, each touch shattered a piece of me until I felt completely hollow.
Then, he hesitated, slowing down, as though he sensed something—a crack in the facade.
For an instant, his eyes wandered, distant, searching.
Was he looking for me? Did he feel Mar’s pain? But just as quickly, he looked away, pouring his betrayal into her.
As he pulled away, something inside me snapped—a cold, firm determination. He was no mate.
He was a monster, unworthy of his title or the control he held over me.
No remorse.
He turned from her without a word, dismissing her like she was nothing.
"Get dressed," he ordered. "You can go, Britney."
She obeyed, gathering her dress with her head down, as if feeling a shame that couldn’t be erased.
She didn’t look at me, didn’t dare meet my gaze, though I was burning with all the hatred I had left.
Then he finally looked at me, acknowledging my presence with a gaze empty of regret, as if nothing had happened.
"Take her to the dungeon," he commanded.
Adel, who had been nearby, glanced at him with disapproval and regret.
"I’m disappointed in you," he muttered as he led me away.
It was barely a whisper, but it pierced my heart like a blade. Adel, once his friend, caught between loyalty and disgust.
They dragged me down to the cold, damp dungeon, locking me in the darkness.
Hours slipped by as I sat alone in the silence, crushed by the weight of it all.
But I didn’t cry. I let the anger grow, filling the void he’d left behind.
As midnight approached, a quiet strength rose within me, the ancient power of my bloodline beating like a heartbeat.
My mother had gifted me powers—gifts that would save me now.
I reached deep, calling on her strength and Mar’s will until the chains broke. I slipped free, my heart racing with resolve.
I would escape, but I would return.
And I would make him pay.
He would regret every action.
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Part B
The lingering fragments of the dream—or vision, nightmare, whatever it was—still clung to me.
My hands, clenched and damp, tightened further as I heard her voice in my mind, accusing, condemning.
"Noleen," she seethed, her gaze sharp as glass. "Why did you mistreat your own Luna, your mate? You drove her away. Broke her heart."
The Moon Goddess’s face was fierce, her eyes blazing with reproach.
I wanted to respond, to silence her accusations, but my voice betrayed me, rough and broken.
"Melissa… her mother killed my parents."
Her gaze cut into me, a mix of pity and disgust.
"That gives you no right to reject her, to betray her, to lead her to ruin," she thundered. "She is not her mother."
My reply came out with more bitterness than conviction.
"Why shouldn’t she pay for it? She’s Melissa’s daughter. Blood carries the sins. She deserves it."
I thought I saw a flicker of sorrow in her expression, almost pity, before she turned cold again.
"No, Noleen," she whispered. "You’ve surrendered to hatred."
A sliver of doubt crept through me, tightening my chest.
But I wouldn’t let her see it, wouldn’t let her know the truth twisting inside. I hardened my gaze, meeting her eyes in silence.
"What do I do?" I whispered, my pride breaking despite my resolve.
"It’s too late, Noleen." She shook her head slowly, as if I were something beyond saving.
"You’ve destroyed her wolf, broken her spirit when you chose another—a vampire, no less."
Each word felt like a stone, burying me further.
"Your kingdom will fall into ruin. This is the beginning of your doom."
With that, she vanished, leaving a silence sharper than any blade.
I gasped awake, my chest heaving. My hands shook, but I forced them to steady, pulling in a deep breath.
"Just a nightmare," I muttered, desperate to shake off the image.
A knock broke the quiet. "Come in," I barked, eager for the distraction.
Mark, one of my oldest betas, entered, pale and tense. He lowered his head, his voice tight.
"Alpha—Maria is missing."
A sick realization churned inside me, a chill spreading down my spine.
"What do you mean, ‘missing’? How?"
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Part C:
Maria's POV
I clutched the railing of my small balcony, staring out over the twinkling lights of the city below.
The air was thick, alive with energy, but all I felt was the heavy presence of memories I’d tried to bury here in Callaway City. Four months. Four months since I escaped Alpha Noleen, leaving behind the bruises, betrayals, and that sordid brothel—a place that had caged and cursed me.
Freedom had sounded so sweet, but in reality, it felt… fragile.
The life I’d pieced together in this bustling, noisy city was delicate, as insubstantial as gossamer. I was living for myself now, no longer bending to someone else’s twisted demands.
My happiness came first. My life, my choices.
My fingers brushed the cold metal of the railing, grounding me.
Behind me, the room was still, but the city roared just beyond. I took a deep breath, feeling the city’s pulse sync with my own. I had built a routine here, a shaky sense of purpose. I’d left the wilderness, the pack, and everything I knew behind.
Humans were different, but in many ways, not as different as I’d hoped.
Suddenly, Seline burst in, breaking my thoughts. “Girl! Are you serious? Ignoring your phone?”
I flinched, snapping out of my daze.
“Didn’t hear it. Left it somewhere,” I muttered, rubbing my neck.
Seline crossed her arms, hands on her hips.
“And you’re not even dressed? Planning to be the only bartender not in the club tonight?”
“Give me a second.” I dashed toward the bathroom, catching her exaggerated eye-roll in the mirror as I splashed water on my face.
Seline was my one constant here, always urging me forward, even when I wanted to disappear into the shadows.
“You know what happens if we’re late,” she called, half-joking.
“Mm-hmm,” I replied, my voice laced with sass, as I pulled on my shoes.
When I emerged, she was tapping her foot, but a smile tugged at her lips.
“Ready.” I grabbed my bag, and we headed for her beat-up car.
The drive was fast, a bit reckless. Seline smirked as I clung to my seat.
“You know DJ Courtney Paul’s spinning tonight. It’s gonna be epic.”
Her tone was teasing, but her eyes stayed focused, daring me to relax,almost hitting the vehicle in front of us
I shot her a wary look as she almost tapped the car ahead. “Watch it, Seline!”
“Relax, I’ve got this,” she said, smirking.
I couldn’t help but grin. She lived wildly, unapologetically. I envied that, the way she didn’t seem haunted by anything.
Soon, we were parked in front of the club, late as usual.
The bass inside vibrated through the pavement, the music pulsing as people lined up, laughing and chatting.
“Late again,” muttered Nickky, our manager, arms folded like a disappointed dad.
But before he could scold us, Seline stepped in, all charm.
“Traffic was a nightmare,” she breezed, flashing him a smile. He rolled his eyes, waving us off, his irritation already fading.
We took our places behind the bar as the crowd grew by the minute.
Seline was already in her element, moving to the beat, flashing winks here and there. I focused on the work, keeping my hands busy, my eyes on the glass in front of me.
“Just another night,” I told myself, letting the rhythm keep me grounded.
Seline leaned over, grinning slyly. “Did you see the DJ? He’s hot.”
I chuckled. “You say that about every DJ we get.”
She shrugged, handing a drink to a guy who watched her like she was part of the show.
“This one’s different, Maria. I can feel it.” She tossed her hair back, grinning as he invited her to dance, and she let him lead her out from behind the bar.
Seline loved clubbing, and that’s why she became a bartender. It’s one of the things I admire about her—she’s unapologetically herself.
“You look sexy,” a customer teased her, taking his whiskey.
“Thanks, handsome. How about a dance?” she replied, grinning.
He agreed, taking her hand and leading her onto the floor.
“Bye, babe,” she whispered to me, winking.
“Enjoy!” I shouted after her, laughing.
Alone, I focused on my work, blending into the rhythm of the crowd. Here, surrounded by strangers, I could lose myself. To them, I was just another face, another server.
I was pouring a drink when I felt a familiar touch on my shoulder.
“Got plans after your shift?” Jude asked, his voice soft.
“Not really,” I replied, smiling despite myself. I knew I shouldn’t get attached.
“Room 26, then? I’ll wait for you.” He pressed a quick kiss to my cheek, sending a warm flicker through me.
I nodded, a small thrill running through me as he disappeared into the crowd.
Hours blurred by as I poured drink after drink, the faces blending together until they were all strangers.
Then, an icy shiver ran down my spine. It was like cold trickling through my veins, making my pulse stutter.
I glanced up, just to shake it off, but what I saw froze me in place.
A man, wearing a dark shirt and hat, his face hidden in shadow, lounged in the upper gallery.
His gaze was steady, unwavering, even as strippers laughed and hung on him.
His presence was undeniable. My heart stopped, then thundered against my ribs. Alpha Noleen.
“No,” I whispered, yet there he was, his eyes locked on me. He was shrouded in darkness, strippers pressed against him, but his gaze cut through it all, piercing me. I could almost hear his voice, chilling and intimate.
“Long time, mate.”
I stopped breathing, every instinct telling me to run, to hide, but I couldn’t move.
How could he be here? I’d escaped, disappeared—he shouldn’t be able to find me.
I clenched my fists, forcing my breaths to steady, my chest heaving as I stared at him. He didn’t move, but his presence suffocated me, filling the air with dread.
Why was he here? Had he come to reclaim me after everything he’d done? Anger sparked in my veins, searing through the fear.
He thought he could just appear, as if I still belonged to him. After all the scars he’d left, he still had the audacity?
Rage surged, defiance I hadn’t felt in years bubbling to the surface.
No, it couldn’t be him.
My heart thundered, matching the bass as blood roared in my ears. I forced myself to look away.
No, it couldn’t be. He had no place here, not in this life I’d rebuilt so carefully away from him.
My blood ran cold, my hands shook as I gripped the bar. I felt sick, fear twisting in my gut.
He didn’t know the life I’d escaped, the reason my hands shook, why I felt trapped now. He knew nothing, and I intended to keep it that way.
But if Noleen had found me… if he knew about Jude…
Without realizing, I was halfway down the hall. Jude, my boyfriend, was waiting in one of the rooms—he’d promised safety, simplicity.
I pulled off my apron, my breath unsteady as I bolted the bar behind.