I opened my eyes, realizing I was standing still in front of the gate, holding Lambert, who was trying to free himself while still blindfolded.“King Lycan? King Lycan?” Lambert called me.I squeezed his hand firmly, dragging him out of that purgatory gate. Around us, screams of terror echoed, and I felt the beast return to my being. I looked back and saw the Succubus in her true form, standing by the gate, all cut and bloodied, with astonished eyes.“This won't end here, Beast. Your fate is in purgatory. We will have our revenge!” The Guardian proclaimed it with a thunderous threat.I freed Lambert's eyes from the improvised blindfold. He laughed as he measured me.“Even the cursed fall into temptation, don't they, King Lycan?” Laughing playfully, the black wolf turned forward. “I hope you have enough energy left to face gluttony!”I looked down, sensing the pulsating excitement within me. Snarling in irritation, I walked ahead of the fallen alpha with firm steps.“To Sophie, I hope

POV: SOPHIE“The Lycan King can handle himself; you know the power he possesses and are aware of the strength of his beast,” Elara replied, glancing around. “I just hope his return won't take too long.”“Time inside is different from ours.” The moon elegantly commented in her drawn-out speech. “Probably seconds have passed in purgatory, while we have been waiting here for more than a day since the cursed one's departure.”“Time dilation… I read about it in a book of magic from the witches' clan!” I widened my eyes when a logical thought struck me. “Of course, time in purgatory is slower; it prolongs the suffering.”As I lowered my head, a feeling of sadness enveloped me. I thought about everything my father and, at this moment, the Alpha were facing in that hell.“Goddess, could it be…” I began to speak, but the goddess's piercing gaze made Elara approach, placing her hands over my lips.“No, hybrid, I cannot and will not accelerate time in purgatory so that they suffer less.” The int

Despite my inner beast protesting, there was no choice. We were alone, and we would die there if I didn't use the remaining power I had, even if it was forbidden, to free us.“Let's kill her, avoid her claws,” ordered Henry, the Alpha.“Leave her to me!” Harry shouted in fury. “It's what you always wanted, Beta.” I taunted him.Harry lunged toward me, skillfully avoiding my claws by biting into my belly and upper back. I groaned in pain, gasping, realizing the cost of forbidden magic—my life force was being drained!“I won't die here!” I roared, shaking my head and calling to my inner wolf. “We won't die!”Roaring in my mind, I felt her fiercer. Our strength seemed to have increased, along with the magic—both walking hand in hand. I felt tremors throughout my body until my fangs became more prominent.“Look who's irritated the little wolf...” Harry mocked.“Hurry up with this; the hurricane is close!” Henry warned, looking toward the approaching storm.“With pleasure!” Harry's menacin

“Your fate was sealed even before your conception, child, and contrary to what they say, it's not a curse but a blessing!” Sighing, the being of light held my fists again. “The chains will be your punishment; they are sealed not only in your flesh but also in your soul.”“I don't understand, who chose me? What's the reason?” I cried even more. “Please, help me free my nephew, and I will do whatever you desire. I will be devoted to the ancestors, the moon, and you, destiny. Please, don't let him suffer because of me!”“Despite the afflictions in the child's mind, he does not feel pain; we assure you of that.” Stroking my hair, Destiny said. “However, we cannot intervene in the course of history; even beings like us have rules, and we risk divine punishment.”“Can I take responsibility for these punishments?” I asked, despite my fear of more pain that could be inflicted on me.“Your heart is pure, but a soul could never endure such punishment… Even deities turn to dust after so much suf

POV: HARVEYI left the house, transforming into my lupine form. I ran so fast that my paws felt like they were burning with each stride. Furthermore, I headed towards the Valley of Stones, where magic mirrors had been erected according to my command. As I began to perceive the curse and the dominance of a beast within me, sharing my body, my mind, and my soul!I stopped, panting and staring at my reflection in front and on the sides of the mirrors.“APPEAR, ACCURSED BEAST!” I roared impatiently.“Alpha… You seem nervous.” The demon laughed. “Why so much hostility?”“You know very well why. What did you want with my Luna?” I demanded, enraged.“Can't you share a toy? Such an ugly attitude for a Lycan king!” Laughing, the beast stopped on the other side of the mirror.“STOP THE GAMES! What did you want by taking over my body during my intimate moment with Luna?” I growled, clenching my fists, my fangs threateningly on display.“You don't seem like the jealous type.” He teased. “I wanted