In the royal carriage, Malrik's expression was hard as steel. The wheels rattled beneath them as he spoke, his voice cold.
"That girl," he said sharply, "she has a sharp mouth."
One of the elders seated across from him stroked his long beard and murmured, "Your Highness, that girl has a strong aura."
Malrik turned his gaze to him. "What do you mean?"
The elder's tone deepened. "She is not ordinary. I could feel it, it was powerful. Whatever she is, she carries something within her that should not be ignored."
Malrik scoffed. "But she's human. She's weak."
The elder shook his head. "Forgive me, Your Highness, but it seems you do not understand. That girl could ruin everything we have built and planned so far."
Malrik's brows furrowed, his jaw tightening. "Never," he said in a stern, deliberate voice. "I will never let that happen."
The elders exchanged glances, silent, cautious, and full of unspoken warning, as the carriage rolled deeper into the night.
That night, under a pale, silvery moon, Odesse sat outside on the cool stone ground, gazing up at the glowing sky. The night air wrapped around her like a calm whisper.
A soft voice broke the silence. "What are you doing outside, dear? And why are you sitting on the ground? You could catch a cold."
Odesse turned and saw the middle-aged woman standing behind her. She smiled faintly. "Oh... hey. It's no biggie. I love it out here anyway." She gave a small laugh and turned back to the moon.
The woman stepped forward and stood beside her. "You like it here?" she asked gently.
Odesse nodded, a soft smile forming. "Yeah, I love it here. I can come out to the compound freely, the air is fresh, there's life here, and the people are friendly. Well, except the market men, of course." She chuckled lightly, then sighed. "I just wish Cara was here. Not just her... everyone else too. They'd definitely love it here."
There was a quiet pause before Odesse spoke again. "Hey," she said, glancing up at the woman, "What's your name? I always think of you as 'the middle-aged lady.'"
The woman laughed warmly. "I'm Miss Faye."
Odesse grinned. "Hmm. Miss Faye. You're way better than Miss Miris."
Faye smiled but said nothing, her eyes glowing softly in the moonlight.
Odesse tilted her head. "Do you think Master Valex killed his wives?"
Faye looked down at her. Odesse met her gaze. "Everyone in the Silverclaw Pack says he's the cursed Alpha, the one who killed his wives after mating with them."
Faye's lips curved into a faint smile. "What do you think of Master Valex?"
Odesse's expression softened. "When I first came here, I really feared him. Like... a lot. And I kinda hated him too. But now... I don't know. When I see him, I can't even explain how I feel. Sometimes it's like my brain just pauses when he's around."
Faye's smile grew gentler. "I've been working for Master Valex since he married his third wife, back in the Silverclaw Pack."
Odesse's eyes widened. "Woah, really?"
"Yes," Faye continued. "And in wolf tradition, after marriage, a couple cannot mate until one week later."
Odesse gasped dramatically. "What! That's torture... imagine waiting for marriage. Lucky are the ones who did it before marriage."
Faye chuckled and lightly tapped her head. "Naughty girl. Anyway, during that first week, Master Valex always treated them with care. They were happy. He took them everywhere. But after the week passed... after the mating, the females always ended up dead."
Odesse blinked, her voice low. "Maybe they couldn't withstand the heat."
Faye shot her a look, and Odesse chuckled quietly, lowering her gaze.
"What do you think killed them?" she asked softly.
"No one knows," Faye replied. "Because of that, the people of Moonlight stripped him of his title. His brother Malrik became king. Master Valex left, and the Queen asked me to follow him. I did. We came here, and he dethroned the previous ruler. The people didn't accept him at first, but within half a year, they saw progress. They began to trust him. That's why people here live in peace. They don't call him the Cursed Alpha, only those who still believe the lies of their king do."
Faye smiled at the moon. "Here, he is the ruling Alpha, with no mate. Until you came along."
Odesse froze, her eyes wide. "What do you mean?" she asked, almost defensively.
Faye's smile softened. "I know, darling. You're his mate."
Odesse stared. "How do you know? You're human."
Faye looked at her knowingly. "Let's just say I have a gift."
Odesse blinked. "Oh... that's cool."
Faye laughed lightly. "You are special, my dear. You were made for Valex."
Odesse's voice wavered. "He's had five wives before me, all marked, and they died. So how am I special? Is it because I'm human? I'm pretty sure that makes me more vulnerable."
Faye shook her head. "Your mark is stronger. It's not like any other mark. Only eyes with strong spiritual sight can see it. Your bond with Master Valex is powerful, it cannot be severed."
Odesse stood up suddenly, dusting her skirt and stretching slightly. "Well, Miss Faye," she said, smiling faintly, "I have to go to bed. I'm so tired and sleepy. Goodnight."
Faye watched her walk away, the moonlight glinting in her silver hair. Then she looked up at the moon and whispered with a soft smile, "Odesse and Valex... the match made by the Moonlight."
Odesse walked toward the palace, her thoughts tangled like vines. Faye's words echoed in her mind, "You were made for Valex."
"Made for each other," Odesse muttered under her breath, scoffing. "Yeah, right."
Her steps echoed softly along the quiet corridor, moonlight spilling through the tall glass windows. As she turned a corner, her gaze fell on a large door at the end of the hall, his door.
She stopped. Her head tilted slightly. "Made for each other, my foot," she whispered, rolling her eyes.
She took a step past it... then stopped again. Her heart thumped louder. She turned back, staring at the door like it was calling to her.
"Why is my heart beating so fast?" she murmured, pressing a hand to her chest. "What's wrong with me?"
Her palm brushed against the cool wood of the door. She sighed, whispering, "Ohhh, goodness, Odesse..." Then, before she could talk herself out of it, she pushed the door open quietly and slipped inside, closing it softly behind her.
The room was dim but elegant, every object perfectly arranged, neat, and orderly.
"So this is the great warrior Valex's room," she whispered, wandering forward. "Pretty boring... and very in order."
Her eyes caught movement, or rather, the stillness of someone sleeping. There he was. Master Valex lay on the bed, sleeping face up, his chest rising and falling slowly beneath the sheets.
Odesse froze, her breath catching. She took a careful step closer, her voice barely above a whisper. "What are you doing, Odesse..."
She crept nearer, each step slow, silent. Standing beside the bed now, she gazed down at him. "He looks so innocent when he's asleep," she said quietly. "Anyone would believe he doesn't hurt a fly."
Her eyes softened as she studied him... the lines of his face, the calm in his features. "You..." she murmured. "You touched my lips... and my waist... and everything, just giving me mixed signals. You're a very cruel king, you know that?"
Her tone softened. "Or maybe you're not. Because if it wasn't for you today, I'd probably have been those men's new meat for sale." She smiled faintly. "So I guess Miss Faye is right. You aren't all that bad."
She leaned closer, her face now just inches from his. "You look so vulnerable right now," she whispered. "I could do anything."
Her gaze drifted to his lips. Her breathing quickened. Slowly, almost unconsciously, she leaned closer... closer... until her lips met his.
The kiss was soft at first, hesitant, then deepened for a brief, charged second.
Odesse's eyes flew open in shock. She pulled back abruptly, heart pounding. "Odesse, what have you done?" she whispered to herself, panic rising.
She turned to leave... but before she could move, she felt a strong hand wrap around her wrist.
Her eyes widened as she looked down. Valex was awake. His eyes, sharp, burning, and unreadable, locked onto hers.
Her breath caught in her throat.
In one swift motion, he pulled her down onto him, his voice deep and hoarse from sleep.
"One more," he whispered, his tone trembling between command and plea. "Please."