I stood there as they kissed like nothing else in the world existed. Owen finally pulled away, but his gaze slid past Cynthia to land on me. The torchlight from the corridor left dancing shadows on his face, making his expression even more sinister.

"Why?" My fingers now wrapped around the metal bars trembled as I whispered the word. The bars were the only thing keeping me upright. "I gave you everything, Owen. My trust, my loyalty, my heart. You were the only one I told about my wolf..."

"Exactly," Owen cut in as he stepped closer to my cell. "The only one who knew what a threat you really are."

Cynthia's eyes widened slightly, and I realized even she hadn't known this part of the truth.

"What are you talking about?" I demanded.

Owen laughed loudly. "Did you think I actually loved you? The daughter of James Darkwood, the most powerful Alpha our territory had ever seen? The same bloodline that produced wolves strong enough to challenge the Moon Goddess herself?" He shook his head. "I kept you close because I needed to know what I was dealing with."

"But I never..." I started.

"Never what? Never planned to challenge me?" He slammed his hands on the bars making me jump. The sound echoed through the cell block and somewhere in the distance, a prisoner screamed.

"Your father's power runs through your veins, Ariana. I saw you that day in the training grounds, pretending to be weak while your wolf vibrated with strength. The same strength that made your father unstoppable."

The pieces started falling into place. "So everything... every moment between us..."

"Was me making sure you stayed exactly where I needed you - powerless, hated and alone. The perfect plan, until Mara had to complicate things."

"Mara?" My knees felt weak.

"She saw you shifting in the woods," He leaned forward, close enough that I could smell the wine on his breath from the celebration. "Came to me all excited about defending your honor, about telling the pack they were wrong about you. She didn't understand what a threat you really are."

I wrapped my hands around myself as the final piece clicked into place.

"So you killed her," I whispered. "And made me take the blame."

“Two birds, one stone. It worked out better than I could have planned." he smirked, spreading his arms wide. "The pack's hatred for you grew even stronger, and now..." He gestured to his Alpha robes with a flourish. "I have everything I want."

Cynthia pressed closer to him even as she traced a finger along his chest. "And I get to be Luna. The position you thought was yours."

My fingers shook as anger flowed through my veins. "You spineless coward! You murdered an innocent woman and let me rot in here because you were afraid? Some Alpha you'll make—"

The air rushed from my lungs as his arm shot through the bars. His fingers dug into my throat and I could feel him crushing my windpipe. "Watch what you say. I'm your Alpha now." His grip tightened as he pulled me closer to the bars. "Your life belongs to me."

I clawed desperately at his hand, black spots dancing in my vision. My nails drew blood but he didn't even flinch. "What..." I wheezed as I struggled for each word. "What happened to...your promise?" I kicked weakly at the bars. "You said... you'd release me when you become Alpha."

He left my throat, and I collapsed against the floor, coughing.

"Oh, I'll release you as promised," he paced around. "But I promise you this—the release will be worse than staying in these cells."

"What do you mean?" I whispered.

"You'll see tomorrow. Consider it my final gift to you, my dear mate." He spat the last word like it was poison.

They turned to leave, but Cynthia paused as she looked back. "You know what's truly pathetic, Ariana? How eagerly you took the blame. The perfect little martyr, right until the end."

I listened as their footsteps grew fainter along the corridor. I crumpled to the cold floor, my heart feeling like it was being squeezed in my chest. The truth hit me then, I hadn't been cursed by the Moon Goddess.

I'd been cursed by my own foolish heart.

—--------------

“Ariana James, you stand before the pack to face judgment for your crimes,” one of the werewolf council declared loudly across the pack clearing. "Tonight, the Moon Goddess shall bear witness to your punishment."

The crowd shouted both happy and angry sounds, and I could feel how much they hated me.

I kept my gaze fixed on Owen, silently pleading for him to keep his promise. But when our eyes met, I saw no love or regret. I only saw emptiness, it was obvious he didn't care at all.

Owen raised his hand and the crowd fell silent. "Stop the execution," he commanded firmly. The murmurs died down as everyone turned to him in confusion.

"Owen," one of the council members said cautiously, "the judgment has been passed. Execution is—"

"I have a different punishment in mind," Owen cut in, smiling in a way that made me feel cold all over.

"What are you suggesting?" The council members looked at each other nervously, but Owen’s eyes gleamed as he stepped forward.

“Death is too merciful for her. She deserves something far worse.” He stared at me intensely. “A punishment fitting the crime… and the betrayal.”

My stomach dropped and for a moment, I couldn’t breathe. What could be worse than death?

The pack members also shifted nervously in their seats clearly confused.

“Speak plainly, Alpha Owen. Go straight to the point.” another elder said.

Owen looked at the council members and then right at me. His cold stare made me feel completely exposed. “Sell her… as a slave.”

Both the crowd, the councils and I gasped collectively.

“Slavery is hardly a punishment fitting such a crime!” one elder protested. “If anything, it’s too easy a fate—”

“You didn’t let me finish,” Owen interrupted in a cold voice. “She will be sold as a slave… to the Night Walker Pack.”

The silence that followed was deafening. It was as if the entire courtyard had forgotten how to breathe.

I couldn’t stop the gasp that escaped my lips. Even I, who had been shunned and hated my entire life felt the claws of terror dig into my chest at the mention of that name.

The Night walker Pack.

A kingdom ruled by the Lycan King, a tyrant whose cruelty was legendary. It was said that the skulls of those who dared defy him lined the borders of his territory as a warning.

His warriors were monsters in both strength and spirit, and his slaves—well, those who were unfortunate enough to become his slaves rarely lasted long. The stories that escaped those borders were enough to make even the bravest warriors shudder.

Women were often forced into unspeakable roles like breeding, entertainment, sex slaves in cruel games. Men were worked to death, their bodies discarded like trash. There was no mercy within those borders, only endless suffering.

No one spoke of the Night Walker Pack lightly, and no one ever left its borders alive.

“No… no, please…” I whispered, my voice trembled as tears began to blur my vision.

One of the council members shook his head. “Alpha Owen, surely this is a cruel sentence, even for her crimes. Perhaps we should….”

“Let me remind you all,” Owen cut in smoothly, “that Ariana James is a murderer. She deserves no mercy, no kindness. And the Night Walker Pack… well, they know how to handle creatures like her.”

The council fell silent. Slowly, one by one the elders began nodding their heads in agreement. Even Alpha Marcus gave his reluctant approval, though I noticed his hands trembling slightly as he signed the decree.

And then, the crowd erupted in cheers. They were shouting, clapping, laughing and celebrating my fate as if it were some grand festival. Their voices of hatred seemed to pierce through my very soul.

"Send the murderer away!"

"Let the Night Walker Pack have her!"

"Justice for Mara!"

Owen turned back to me, a satisfied smirk playing on his lips. His blue eyes shone with victory, and in them I saw not a trace of the man I had once loved.

I understood now what he said. Death would have been a kindness. This… this was something else entirely.

The guards pulled me up from the ground, pushing me backward while they brought a rusty metal cage into the open area. I tried to get away from them as I yelled, "No! Please someone should help me!"

But no one would save me.

They pushed me into the cage, and the heavy door closed behind me with a loud bang. The people watching started yelling again, their cruel voices all mixing together.

The cage was picked up and put on a wagon, and they pulled me through the open area. I held onto the metal bars so tight that my fingers became white.

But then—

“Wait!”

Owen stepped in front of the cart, holding up a hand. The procession stopped, and the sudden silence was more terrifying than the cheers had been.

“I think we’re forgetting something,” he said in a loud voice that everyone in the courtyard could hear. I felt cold fear run down my back. What else did he want from me?

Owen came closer to my cage and looked right into my eyes. "Rejection."

My heart stopped beating.

The bond, The sacred mate bond.

Rejection wasn’t just about breaking a connection—it was agony. A physical and emotional torment that could cripple even the strongest wolf.

I had seen it once before, when a warrior rejected his mate. She had screamed for three days straight before her wolf finally gave up and died within her.

Owen smirked. “You know, Ariana, I’ve saved this moment just for now. Because if I reject you here… the pain will stay with you until you reach the Night Walker Pack. In your weakened state, you'll be deemed useless to them. And we all know what happens to useless things in the Night Walker Pack, don't we?”

I knew what that meant. The Night Walker Pack discarded the weak, cast them into the wilderness to die slowly, or worse, they used them for sport.

“No, Owen… please, I’m begging you. We were supposed to be forever.”

But he straightened, his voice echoing loud and clear for everyone to hear.

“I, Alpha Owen, reject you, Ariana James, as my mate and future Luna.”

Pain. Blinding, soul-shattering pain ripped through me as though claws had torn into my chest and pulled my heart out. I screamed, my voice raw and broken as the bond between us broke apart with force.

The crowd watched in silence as I rolled around in agony, clutching my chest and gasping for air that wouldn’t come. Some turned away, unable to watch. Others leaned forward, fascinated by my suffering.

Through the haze of pain, I managed to whisper, “I… Ariana James… accept your rejection.”

And with those words, the bond was severed completely. The emptiness that followed after was indescribable. It was as though a part of me had been ripped away, leaving a gaping emptiness in its place.

Owen smiled in satisfaction as he brushed an imaginary dust from his alpha robes. “Take her away. And make sure she understands… she is never to set foot on our territory again.”

The guards pushed my wagon ahead, pushing me past the border lines. I almost fell but caught myself in time. I turned around to look at Owen and shouted across the open space.

“You think this is the end?"I felt my wolf strength surge dangerously."You think you've won? You're wrong, Owen. This is just the beginning. I swear to you, I will make you regret this. I will make you regret ever crossing me. You may think you have broken me, but you have only made me stronger. You will learn what true regret feels like. I promise you that."

Owen just smiled, a chillingly confident smile. "We'll see about that."

I turned and got dragged away but I didn't bother looking back anymore, because I knew this isn’t the end.

I will return. And when I do, Owen, you will regret ever crossing me.

The journey to the Night Walker Pack's territory took three days. For three days, I was shaken around in the iron cage, my body still hurting from the aftermath of Owen's rejection.

The physical pain had become a dull ache that wouldn't leave, but the hollow emptiness inside remained, a void where our bond had once been.

We stopped at the border of Night Walker territory just as the sun began to set. The guards who had accompanied me from my former pack grew increasingly nervous, their hands tightening on their weapons as shadows grew longer around us.

"Remember," one of them hissed, "you're nothing but a wolfless omega. If you breathe a word about your heritage or reveal your true nature, we'll make sure everyone knows about Mara. And you know what the Night Walker Pack does to murderers."

I nodded silently, understanding the game Owen was playing. If the Night Walker Pack discovered my Alpha bloodline, they might question why Owen would give up such a valuable asset.

Questions would lead to investigations, and investigations might uncover the truth about Mara's death. He had trapped me perfectly, forced to hide my true nature to protect myself from an even worse fate.

The guard smirked. "Good. Keep masking your scent like you always have. At least that's one thing you're good at."

The sound of approaching footsteps silenced any further conversation. Night Walker warriors came from the shadows, their massive forms making my escorts look like pups in comparison.

Their eyes shined with an unusual amber color in the fading light, and their faces had scars that told stories of many battles.

"You're late," the largest warrior growled.

“Our apologies," my escort bowed slightly. "We brought what was promised. The omega girl."

The warrior breathed in deeply through his nose to smell my scent and I held my breath, keeping my power tightly masked as I'd done for so many years. It was second nature now, this hiding of my true self.

"This is the one?" He circled me slowly. "She doesn't smell like much."

"She's an omega," my escort confirmed. "Weak, but healthy enough for whatever purpose you need."

The transaction was quick after that. I was handed over like a piece of property, my previous life dismissed with a few signatures and a bag of gold.

The lead warrior grunted in acknowledgment. "Move out," he ordered his men and then to my escorts: "Leave. Now. Consider our business concluded."

I watched as the guards from my former pack quickly scrambled to turn their wagon around, eager to escape the Night walker territory before full darkness fell. They didn't look back once. Not that I expected them to.

"Walk," the warrior commanded, yanking on my chains.

We moved deeper into Night Walker territory. The forest here felt different darker and more ancient. The trees grew closer to each other, their branches crossing above us to shut out the last bits of daylight. Weird noises echoed in the dark around us, and several times I saw glowing eyes watching us as we moved.

Everyone was quiet as we walked. We could only hear our footsteps and sometimes the sound of my chains clicking. I spent this time watching my captors, seeing how they moved, how they stayed in formation, and how they used small gestures to talk to each other.

Even though I was weak, my mind kept working to collect details. If I wanted to stay alive here, I had to learn all I could.

After what seemed like hours, we came to a clearing. I had to catch my breath.

In front of us was a fortress that looked different from any I had ever seen. The black stone walls went up so high, with towers that looked like they touched the night sky.

Torches burned along the walls, making strange shadows move across the stone. And just like the stories said, I could see lines of skulls placed along the outer wall – a terrible warning to anyone who might try to fight against the Night walker Pack's power.

"Welcome to your new home," the lead warrior yanked my chain forward. "Though I doubt you'll live long enough to appreciate it."

They led me across a courtyard where around fifty women gathered close together, their bodies trembling even in the warm air. Their eyes showed a mix of fear and acceptance that made my stomach churn.

A woman came forward, standing straight with authority. I figured she was the overseer, noting her cold manner and the harsh curve of her lips.

"Welcome to the Night Walker Pack," she announced. "You are here because you were deemed suitable for the breeding program." She paused, letting her gaze sweep over us. "However, we only accept the strongest. Those who fail today's trials will be sent to the mines."

The crowd shivered together. I felt my own blood run cold. The mines were notorious, a death sentence disguised as labor. Workers were forced to dig in unstable tunnels with minimal food and water. Most didn't survive their first month.

"You will fight in pairs," the overseer continued. "The winners advance. The losers..." She smiled cruelly. "Well, the mines always need more workers."

They paired us off randomly. My opponent was a young girl, barely eighteen with terror written across her face. Yet beneath the fear, I saw determination in her eyes, the desperate need to survive.

I knew immediately what I had to do. Winning would mean becoming a breeder, forced to bear children for the pack's warriors. The thought made me feel sick. But more than that, winning would risk exposing my true strength. The mines, despite their horrors offered anonymity. A place to hide until I could plan my revenge.

The fights began. Around us, women threw themselves at each other with wild desperation. Some fought with skill, others with pure fear. We could hear the sounds of bodies hitting each other, mixed with screams of pain and triumph.

When our turn came, I stepped into the makeshift ring. The other girl attacked first, throwing a messy punch that I could have easily dodged. Instead, I let it graze my shoulder as I fell backward. We exchanged several more blows, and I carefully ensured each of my strikes landed just shy of any vital points.

Finally, I saw my opportunity. When she aimed a kick at my midsection, I deliberately dropped my guard. The kick sent me down into the dust.

"Pathetic," the overseer spat as I lay there, pretending to struggle for breath. "Take her to-"

"I'll take that one."

The voice cut through the courtyard like a sharp knife. It was deep and commanding, carrying an authority that made everyone stop moving. I turned toward its source and found myself staring into the most compelling eyes I'd ever seen.

He stood at the edge of the courtyard, and his presence was impossible to ignore. Everything about him radiated power – from his imposing height to the aura of strength that seemed to pulse around him. He looked like a deity stepped down from the heavens, beautiful and frightening in equal measure.

"My King," the overseer stammered, dropping into a deep bow. "She just lost her fight. She's meant for the mines-"

The Lycan King? The ruler whose name struck terror into the hearts of warriors? I suddenly found it hard to breathe, but not from my pretended injuries. His scent hit me then, overwhelming and intoxicating, and My wolf suddenly pushed forward with such force that I nearly lost my careful mask.

No. No, this couldn't be happening. My wolf's whispered confirmation made my blood feel cold.

Mate.

The Moon Goddess had given me a second chance at a mate bond with the most dangerous wolf in existence.

And I was supposed to be nothing but a weak, cursed omega.