Even those who pitied me refused to get involved.
The consequences of crossing the future alpha weren’t worth the risk.
My cries lasted for hours, continuing even after he finally left my room. The silent tears that followed seemed endless.
Time passed.
Today marked the ceremony where Alpha Sterling would step down, passing leadership of the Obsidian Claw pack to Kevin.
At a young age, he was young for an alpha, but Sterling was too old to continue, and Kevin had proven his capability to lead.
“Bloodmoon suits you,” he drawled lazily, wiping blood from my lips where he’d bitten too hard.
I flinched when he stroked my cheek, then kissed my forehead before climbing out of bed.
Time as Kevin’s toy had shattered my spirit completely. I barely spoke anymore. He’d kept his word. He’d broken me.
“Bring breakfast to my room. I want to eat before the ceremony.” He gripped my chin, forcing me to meet his eyes. “Answer when I speak to you.”
“Yes, alpha.”
“Good girl.” He leaned down and kissed me gently this time, his tongue sliding over the cut on my lip.
Then he left my bedroom to get ready. Today was huge for him, and last night’s rough session with me had clearly improved his mood.
***
Perry’s POV
Important guests filled the ceremony grounds, including the werewolf king himself.
When packs changed leadership, the king attended to legitimize the new alpha’s claim.
Today followed tradition.
I sat on my throne at a young age, having claimed it years ago through bloodshed. I’d killed brothers who’d challenged me for the crown.
Beyond that, I’d eliminated my father’s supporters who opposed me. My early years as ruler were soaked in blood. Countless people died by my hands.
Weekly, the palace reeked of burning flesh as I executed anyone who even breathed wrong in my presence.
This earned me the title of Mad King.
People whispered it was karma – that my cruelty cost me a destined mate.
Still, nobody dared make a sound around me. Every event I attended became subdued and tense.
My electric blue eyes were mesmerizing, but no one held my gaze longer than a heartbeat.
Currently, I sat with my royal warriors, positioned above the forty-two alphas from across the continent.
The ceremony proceeded without incident…
Until mid-speech, when something made me stop talking entirely. A woman in omega uniform caught my attention, her brown hair pinned up.
She stared right back at me.
Phoebe’s POV
Restlessness had consumed me since dawn. My heart hammered against my ribs with painful intensity, though I couldn’t pinpoint why. The thought of seeking out a healer crossed my mind, but I quickly dismissed it.
Today held too much significance. Everyone scrambled to prepare for the new alpha’s initiation ceremony. Omegas darted through the halls, frantically following orders from their superiors to ensure perfection.
The king’s attendance only heightened the pressure – no one dared slack off.
Seeking medical attention would only invite trouble. They’d brand me lazy, another excuse to torment me further. I’d endured enough of their cruelty already.
“What are you gawking at?! Move!” Miss Kira’s vicious bark cut through my thoughts. Her glare burned into me, her round face and full lips permanently twisted into a scowl. As the senior omega overseeing pack house operations, she wielded fear like a weapon.
Everyone cowered before her, but I remained her favorite target – I never fought back, never gave her the satisfaction of a reaction.
Emptiness had hollowed me out long ago. Pain no longer registered. Food turned to ash in my mouth, every meal flavorless and bland. I’d grown numb to it all.
Once, I’d tried ending the misery with a blade, but Kevin discovered me before I could bleed out. He’d chained me to his bed for weeks, ensuring I couldn’t harm myself again. The helplessness of being restrained, unable to move – I’d rather die than endure that torture again.
Now I simply existed, going through the motions.
“Move!” Kira shrieked directly in my face.
Despite the ache spreading through my chest, I continued my duties. My body begged for rest after Kevin had used me until morning, but I pushed through the exhaustion.
Sleep eluded me anyway. I despised every moment spent with him, though struggling only fueled his sick pleasure. I refused to give him that satisfaction.
My luck soured when I stumbled upon Reginald tangled with an omega in one of the guest rooms I was meant to clean. Of course I’d find the most disgusting trash here.
“What are you staring at? Get out!” Reginald’s savage snarl filled the room when he spotted me.
Without a word, I turned and left. My expression remained unchanged – no surprise, no emotion. My indifference clearly infuriated him.
The ceremony wouldn’t begin for two hours. Plenty of time for Reginald to prepare, no need to rush.
“Where are you going?” the omega whined as Reginald pulled away, leaving her naked and wanting as he climbed from the bed.
He threw on his clothes and stormed after me, catching up just as I rounded the corridor corner.
His hand clamped around my elbow, slamming me against the wall.
“Don’t you dare ignore me!” Reginald’s fingers wrapped around my throat. “Such a waste you turned into a runt.”
My eighteenth birthday had broken something inside me – I still couldn’t shift into wolf form. Everyone assumed I’d become a runt, a shifter who couldn’t shift. Bad luck personified, a rejected soul.
Now people touched their ears when they passed me, warding off my supposed curse.
Such superstitions didn’t stop Kevin from taking his pleasure from me nearly every night. Nothing discouraged his twisted obsession.
“You told me to leave. I left,” I stated flatly, meeting my stepbrother’s rage with empty eyes.
“Don’t talk back to me!”
On any other day, I might have laughed at his contradiction – demanding I acknowledge him while exploding when I spoke. But amusement had died in me long ago.
“Careful. The alpha will be pissed if you mark me,” I said in the same monotone that always enraged him further.
We weren’t close anymore. Reginald wanted his share of me, but Kevin was possessive of his toys. He didn’t share.
Reginald could have me when Kevin grew bored, when he was finished. But a year had passed, and his infatuation remained strong.
I was supposed to be his mate. No matter how many women he bedded, he always returned to me. We weren’t the same as his casual flings.
More Kickass Werewolf Reads
Dive into our collection of free werewolf romance novels—where fierce Alphas, daring heroines, and heart-stopping twists await. Every story burns with forbidden desire, loyalty, and destiny. Don’t wait—here’s a world where love bites hard and nothing is stronger than the call of the mate.
Leave a Reply