Jacob’s POV

“Young man!”

I had completely zoned out, lost in my own mind as usual—doing things I could never try in real life.

How could it be possible? Why would the Goddess bind me to her—a tyrant, a criminal?

She kept her eyes everywhere but on me. Sweat beaded on my forehead as fear washed over me like ice, along with the endless thoughts of what she might do to me.

My hands were bound, my mouth gagged as I was dragged away. I was thrown into a prison—no words, no accusations—just discarded.

Two weeks passed.

Still nothing.

No word from her. No message from my pack.

I sat with my back against the dark, blood-stained wall, my eyes fixed on the full moon above the narrow opening in the cell.

I still hadn’t been able to shift after that incident two years ago.

Just before sleep claimed me, I heard footsteps—slow and steady—the rustle of keys. Finally, I had been remembered.

I stepped back as the cell door opened.

I froze.

It was her, dressed in a flowing red gown.

“So,” she said casually, “what have you been up to?”

As if she hadn’t left me to rot in a cell for over two weeks.

“Listen, madam. You can’t hold me here for nothing. You either kill me, or you let me go.”

A smile curved her lips, like I had just told a joke.

How was it possible that I was mated to this she-demon?

“You are my mate, so killing you isn’t an option. But I’m still deciding what to do with you.”

“Meaning?” I asked.

“You will remain here until I figure out what I want from you.”

And just like that, she vanished—without sparing me a second glance.

My back slid down the wall.

From that moment on, my life felt like it had plunged into the depths of the sea, never to see the sun again.

From one master to another. Passed around like a commodity sold to the highest bidder.

And now I was bound—by soul—to one of the world’s cruelest rulers.

Weeks turned into months.

No visits. No voices. No mercy.

I guessed she had decided my fate.

To let a nobody rot beneath her feet.

Another full moon stared down at me.

Still nothing.

It was as if my wolf had vanished, never to return.

What use was it anyway? I was weak with or without it. Or as the others would say—a lowly, abandoned maggot. One without cause or purpose.

I carved the sixth mark into the wall.

A guard entered, his eyes cutting straight through me before he said casually, “It seems the Goddess has finally smiled on you.”

Chains snapped around my wrists, and I was dragged out.

The sun hit my face like knives.

I kept asking where he was taking me, but he said nothing.

“We’re here.”

We stood before massive doors guarded by two giants. Before I could even think of moving, the doors swung open.

She stood there.

Hair cascading down her shoulders, eyes bluer than the sea, her skin glowing beneath the sunlight.

I hated to admit it.

She was beautiful—despite her brutality, despite her evil.

“Well,” she said softly, “it seems I’ve finally found a use for you, my dearest mate.”

My stomach twisted.

I stood alone as she sat on the edge of her bed, watching me like prey waiting to be claimed.

Her eyes burned with purpose and control—the very things I lacked.

“From now on,” she said, “you will stay in my room. No arguments. Our wedding will take place in three full moons.”

Shock didn’t even begin to describe what I felt.

I was beyond it.

I was furious.

“If you think you can marry me without my consent, you’re more foolish than I thought.”

“If you try anything stupid—rejecting the bond, killing yourself, or running—it won’t end well for you.”

“You can’t marry me without my consent. It doesn’t work that way.”

“I, Jacob Adams, reject—”

Pain exploded through my leg.

An arrow pierced my knee.

I screamed.

“My darling,” she said calmly, stepping closer, “it seems you take me for a fool. I don’t like repeating myself.”

She crouched in front of me, her eyes dark and unyielding.

“You and I are bound by soul, in this life and the next. Don’t bother trying to escape it.”

Blood pooled beneath my knee as she drew a knife.

She cut her palm, forced my mouth open, and poured her blood down my throat—then bit into my skin and took mine in return.

The bond deepened.

Twisted.

Sealed into something far beyond what the Goddess had intended.

“From now on,” she whispered, “you will share my bed. No questions. No resistance. I suggest you grow very comfortable with your new life.”

She slipped beneath the sheets as if she hadn’t just shattered my existence.

“Stare all you want,” she added. “It won’t change your fate.”

“Which is me.”

I lay down beside her, half my face smeared with blood, the other half burning with pain and hatred.

Bond or not—

She would pay for what she had done to me.

“Alpha! Alpha! Help—we need help!”

The shouting came from outside.

I looked up.

She was gone.

I rushed out.

The sight before me rooted me to the ground.

I had never seen anything like it.

What exactly had I been dragged into?

Lucia's POV

I had never been one to sleep with all my senses down. You learn the hard way when you live in my world.

The screams were the first thing that got me out of bed. Looking around for him and hoping he was safe, I saw him lying face down, buried in his blood. I knew he hated me, but I didn't hate him.

The loud explosion brought me back to reality. Pulling my robe on, I rushed out only to see my people being killed and raped.

An ambush. Who dares to enter my territory and do this?

With a blade in my hands, I rushed over to the young lady who was bent over by some brute. I drove my blade straight into his heart.

We fought for hours until sunrise, when we finally managed to vanquish the enemy.

I had accumulated enemies-plenty of them-from the moment I was born. People were always gunning for my head or after what they could take from me.

Over the years, I had learned to rule with an iron fist and an iced heart-one that nothing could hurt or kill so easily.

Standing in front of the leader of the ambush, I recognized the face and the symbol. This attack was from an old acquaintance from the north.

And this was only a sign.

I had never been one to fear anyone or anything-but I feared him. He had always been a hard rock in my path, with his obsessive love for me.

I felt my heart rate increase so much that I grew dizzy. The thoughts ran through my mind-the what ifs.

Where are you, my darling?

Jacob's POV

I kept running, going as fast as my legs would let me. The farther I got away from her, the better my chances of survival.

Walking for what felt like an eternity, exhausted and hungry, I knew I needed to find shelter before sunset.

I sat under a tree, hoping to catch my breath and maybe get a little sleep.

The first sound was a twig snapping. The next was my head slamming against the tree.

"How desperate are you to get your wolf back? And what will you do to get it?"

That was the first voice I heard when my eyes opened. I tried to understand my surroundings, wondering why everything was almost pitch black.

"I don't like being kept waiting."

My attention immediately shifted toward the direction of the voice.

"I would do anything, sir."

"Anything, you say? Does that include conspiring against your own mate?"

At the mention of mate, my heart raced and my nerves tightened.

"Yes, sir. Like I said, anything-as long as I can get my wolf back."

"Very well, then. My special healers will come to you later and take a look at your soul to see how badly it is damaged.

"Until then, go and wash up and eat."

I was led into a large, beautiful room, with servants at my beck and call. I could really get used to this life, I thought.

That night, I stood by the window, my mind filled with thoughts of her and how she was doing.

As much as I told myself I hated her, I couldn't stop my heart from wanting her.

A light knock came at the door. Before I could reach it, they were already inside-palms out, eyes not visible.

Lucia's POV

I had searched for over two days and found nothing. It was like he had disappeared from the surface of the earth.

I couldn't eat, sleep, or think properly. I was worried and scared that someone might have taken him-or worse, hurt him.

Patrol guards were scattered everywhere and ordered not to return until he was found. But I knew they wouldn't find him. Something in my gut told me he had been taken, and my instincts never lie.

"Guards! Send word to the south. I need an audience with one of their Alphas."

I will find you, my dear.

Jacob's POV

"Your wolf was deeply asleep due to the shock from the incident. Since it is weak by nature, it couldn't survive such trauma."

So that meant I was weak by nature-so fragile that even a little trauma could either kill me or send my wolf into a coma.

An empty laugh, filled with pain and disgrace, escaped my lips. What an unfortunate being I was.

"Sir. My lord seeks an audience."

I stood in that same dark room, and then came that voice.

"I hope you can tell I am a man of my word. Your wolf will be restored. But before that-how well do you keep your word?"

"Whatever it is you want from me, I will deliver."

"Very well, then. How deep can you drive a knife into someone's heart?

Jacob's POV

That question came as more of a shock than anything I had ever thought. I knew I had once thought of killing her a few times, but actually doing so-that was a whole different thing.

She was my mate. In as much as I hate her and probably despise her, I don't know if I am capable of actually killing her.

"I thought you said you would give anything in exchange for your wolf, but I guess you don't want it as much as you say."

"Yes, I do, my lord."

"Please tell me how you propose we kill her."

"That's how I like my partners to be-straight and business-oriented."

"Well, firstly, you will return back to her and act like all is well. Go back to how it was between you two. Win her love and trust over the months, reporting her every move to me. Then, when she least expects it, we will strike."

"So, in essence, you want me to be a spy for you. Am I correct, my lord?"

"Yes. But see it as a way to get your revenge. I mean, she did burn down your first and essential pack, killing all your loved ones, and now again she has taken over the Red Sky territory, once again making you homeless."

"I will keep to my word, my lord, and keep an eye on everything she does. But before I leave, I would like two requests."

"Anything, my friend."

"Firstly, the immediate restoration of my wolf, and secondly, a secret investigation concerning the incident of two years ago against my pack and family.

That is all I request from my lord."

"Those conditions will be met immediately. Go to the healers, and they will carry out the necessary procedures for wolf restoration. And for the second request, I will put my best men on that job effectively.

So I believe we have ourselves a deal, then?"

"Yes, my lord. You certainly can count on me for this job. I won't fail you.

I will take my leave now, if you would have me."

"Of course. But remember, with her out of this world, you don't just get your freedom-you also get to avenge your family and pack."

"Thank you, my lord."

I bowed and left, but one thing still remained oblivious to me-why this man wanted her dead. I know she is no saint, but what was his motive for her death?

I lay face toward the moon right in the middle of a forest. The moon, at its highest, full and radiant. Surrounding me were six women covered in dark cloaks and strange objects, speaking in an unknown language.

At first, I felt nothing, almost like whatever they were doing wasn't of any help. Then came the slowly burning sensation in my chest, moving into my soul. Then the anguished pain followed.

All I could do was scream and scream. It was like I was dipped into the hottest and deepest part of a burning volcano, and my blood now felt like it was melting away.

My eyes were forcibly opening, and I was tied to a tree-quite familiar. I looked around and saw that this was the same place where I was taken.

I stayed tied for over an hour after failing to free myself, not until my eyes caught a glimpse of a little knife. I immediately reached for it with my legs, and luckily, I was able to cut myself free.

Just right when I thought I was finally free, some rogues showed up-about six of them, looking starved. I wasn't good with combat at all, so I slowly moved back and took a run for it. But I was still weak, with or without my wolf, and they were strong and fast.

So in no time, they caught me, searched for any valuables but found nothing. With that, they proceeded to beat me-and I mean like they were going to kill me. But luckily, I jumped into the waterfall, risking it all.

It was either them or me. I was going to take my chances, so I jumped, hoping not to break my bones.

The tide was so strong that I could barely keep my head up, and being very poor at swimming, it was an impending disaster.

I was washed down to the other side, filled with rocks and solitude. It looked like I had been lost.

Then she crossed my mind. I wondered if she was worried, or if she was just filling her day with more men to warm her bed and win more military achievements, moving on like I never happened.

The thought of her with other men repulsed me so badly that it felt like I could shift.

Looking around, it was now dark-no moon out, nor stars. Just pure pitch darkness.

And I needed to take shelter somewhere, but where exactly? The whole place was surrounded by water and land filled with rocks. My only chance of survival was to swim back, and that only if I could survive that.

"Jacob!"

I laughed a little. Was I now hearing her voice? It was stupid.

"Jacob!"

I immediately got up, turning around. At a distance were men with torches, and looking closely, it was her-leading her men, heading for me. She screamed my name again. If my ears were actually deceiving me, I would say she sounded scared, her voice broken.

She sounded like she actually cared about me. It was probably a ploy of hers to make me drop my guard so she could strike, but I won't give in to her plans.

A few minutes later, she now stood before me, looking me up and down like she was searching for injuries on my body.

My body injuries had healed, but my face was still slightly bruised. Her hands traced my face slowly. I could see the look in her eyes, and they were deadly-like she could kill somebody. For me? I highly doubt that.

"Jacob, who did this to you?"

"Some rogues attacked me, so I had to jump."

"Do you remember their faces?"

I nodded.

"Then when we return, you describe them to the head captain and their location, and they will receive the punishment for touching my man."

No one had ever looked at me like this or cared for me like she just did. She was indeed a good actress. I refuse to fall for this Miss Nice act.

"Let's go, my dear."

We got back on the ship, and shortly we were back at the territory. I was brought into her chamber. Only this time, I was staying with her on the bed, not the floor.

I was quite tempted to ask why, but decided against it.

"Tomorrow morning, I would need a complete detail of who took you-everything that went on when you weren't here."

She got up, headed for the bathroom, while I just lay on my side of the bed, wondering what lie to tell when I am being asked questions of my disappearance.

She came back, hair cascading down to her waist, dressed in a silk nightwear. She was indeed a beauty, I had to admit. Such beauty held such vile things behind it.

"You do know you can touch me, if it pleases you. You are my mate after all, and I'm only yours. So you don't need to just admire-fulfill your desire if you want."

Those words sent my head, heart, and body spiraling beyond control. "Fulfill my desires if it pleases me." It does please me. But I must stand fast and not waver in the face of temptation. I would still be the reason for her downfall.

Sunrise was the first thing that burned my face, making me turn, and I opened my eyes to the most beautiful sight I had ever seen.

My fingers moved of their own accord, tracing her face like I was trying to memorize it for when I don't get to see it. She was so beautiful.

My eyes looked down at her lips, full and lush. I touched them, and I wanted to kiss her and have her on me. But again, I needed to get my needs and emotions under control.

"Like I said earlier, I'm yours to take and use as you see fit."

With those words, every thread of restraint I had broke, and I crashed my lips to hers, kissing her. I knew there would be no going back.

I kissed and touched everywhere. She kept mumbling, "It burns... my body burns for-"

"Alpha!"

That was all it took to pull my senses back and remind myself that she was the enemy, and people kill their enemies, not try to make passionate love to them.

We stared at each other for a bit before I rushed out, pushing past the guards.

This mission wasn't going to be as easy as I thought.

Lucia's POV

That certainly was something. He had more spine than I had accredited him-too shy, but somehow confident. The Moon Goddess was indeed a matchmaker.

"Alpha!"

Arranging my clothes, I said, "Come in."

"Alpha, sorry for the early disturbance, but we just got news that it might be one of the Alphas in the north that held our lord captive."

"Did the informant say which of them?"

"Unfortunately, Alpha, we still can't get any information about that-only that my lord was taken close to our lands while trying to escape and brought back."

"Hmmm... I see. You can go, soldier. And yes, send word to the captain that I would like a word later today."

"Yes, Alpha."

Well, my darling, what in the Goddess' name are you up to?

If you don't play your cards well and choose your allies, I may be forced to remove you.

   I walked towards the map of the northern packs,my hands traces over jacob's hometown, I destroyed it once and I will again if you force me.​