Mooncursed : Fated To The Alphas

" Darius commanded, his voice cutting through the haze. Soldiers obeyed without question, saddling their beasts, loading provisions. Two of them came for me, guiding me toward a horse. My stomach k

ole. The air inside was different, thicker, heavier, alive. Every breath seared my lungs. My wolf whimpered deep in my chest, and for the first time in my life, I felt her press against me, desperate to run, to flee, to hide. I swallowed hard, gripping the saddle tighter. We rode for another thirty minutes or more until a huge house, no castle came into view. It was dark and no sign of color, even the sun didn't dare to extends its grace towards it. We came to a halt, and one of the soldiers came up to my side and lifted off the horse and saído the ground. "Rain" Darius voice drifted to me, I looked up. "Come." Unwillingly my feet moved towards him. "Do not leave my side." He commanded. I nodded, somehow feeling grateful that he was with me. The doors opened with a deep groan, as though even the wood resisted granting entry. A man stepped forward. Not a wolf, not like the others, but something else or close enough to wear the shape convincingly. His black tunic was simple yet fine, trimmed with silver thread. His eyes, however, betrayed him. They gleamed faintly, like coals banked beneath ash. He bowed low, voice smooth and measured. "Alpha Darius. Welcome home." Darius's jaw ticked. "This is not home Luca," he said flatly. "It is my brother's hall. Do not mistake the difference." The servant dipped his head again. "As you say, my lord. Still, you and your company are expected. Quarters have been prepared for your men in the west wing. For you..." His gaze flicked to me, a single sharp glance that made my stomach clench. "...... your private chambers have been readied in the eastern halls. I didn't know you were coming with I guest but I can get them to prepare a room for her immediately" My throat went dry. Darius's arm brushed against mine as he shifted closer, deliberate. "She does not leave my side," he said, his voice carrying that same command he used with his soldiers. "Of course." The servant straightened, his hands folded neatly before him. "The Summit begins at moonrise tomorrow as your other brother is yet to arrive tonight. Until then, you are free to rest, refresh yourselves, and... recover from your journey." Darius studied him for a long moment, as if weighing every word, every twitch of muscle. Finally, he gave a curt