The Alpha's Voodoo Curse The Forsaken Luna Returns as Princess

I had been with Alpha Julian for ten years, yet he had always refused to Mark me. Right on the eve of our Mate Ceremony, he gently cupped my face and dropped a bomb on me. "Babe, I won't be attending your Mate Ceremony." I froze in shock. "What do you mean?" He smiled, planting a soft kiss on my temple. "I fell in love with a younger she-wolf. She's got quite a temper and refuses to just be my side-piece, so I had to Mark her." "I'm someone else's Mate now. If I still walk the aisle with you, it'll break her heart." A loud buzz filled my ears. My voice trembled uncontrollably. "Why?" He gave me an apologetic, innocent shrug. "Come on, men will always love eighteen-year-old girls." "If you still want to hold the Mate Ceremony, just hire an escort to stand in as the groom. Don't deprive yourself of the party. It would break my heart to see you sad." He was right. As the lost daughter of the most powerful Alpha in the werewolf realm, I certainly had no reason to deprive myself. Julian casually ruffled my hair, as if none of this was a big deal. "She's stubborn as hell. Told me straight up she wouldn't let me touch her unless I Marked her." "Took me six whole months of chasing." I felt as if a hand were wrapped tightly around my throat. Cold dread seeped into my veins. He smiled fondly at the memory. "Right where you're sitting now. Feisty like a little wildcat at first, scratching and biting, and then melting into pure silk." My gaze followed his nostalgic stare. Right on the passenger-side windshield, faint smudges of handprints were still visible. A wave of violent nausea surged up my throat. I gripped my seatbelt so hard my knuckles turned white, tears burning in my eyes. He cupped my bloodless cheeks, his brow furrowing in confusion. "Why are you crying? You're still going to be the Luna of Silver Creek Pack." In Julian's eyes, there was still that thick, suffocating affection. It was as if he hadn't just casually confessed to Marking another she-wolf. A sickening sense of surrealism crushed down on me. I could barely draw breath. He sighed helplessly. "I know this is hard on you, but she's sensitive. If I show up at our Mate Ceremony, she'll cry her eyes out. She's not like other she-wolves; she's pure, innocent, and demands undivided loyalty. It took me six months to finally take her virginity, so I have to be responsible for her. You've always been mature and understanding. You get it, right?" Six months. We had been planning our Mate Ceremony for six months. All this time, he had micromanaged every detail—the venue, the flowers, the custom invitations—pretending to build my dream wedding. While behind my back, he was pouring every ounce of his passion into bedding another she-wolf. I curled my freezing fingers, numbly closing my eyes. "Since you've already Marked her, we're done." He paused for two seconds, then chuckled softly. "Don't say things you don't mean." "You gave yourself to me the day you shifted. You've already lost two litters of pups for me. If you leave me, what wolf out there would ever want you?" I stared at him. My heart felt like it was being scorched over glowing coals. Ten years. We had slept under concrete bridges, split single bowls of instant noodles, and drank tap water just to fool our starving bellies during the darkest days. The first time I lost our pups was during a brutal border clash. I took a direct hit to the stomach during an ambush, before I even knew I was pregnant. The second time was the year he claimed the Alpha title; I threw myself in front of an assassin's silver blade, rogue claws tearing through my side. Both times, I couldn't save them. Back then, Julian had knelt beside my sickbed with bloodshot eyes. His trembling, blood-stained hand had covered my tears as he whispered fiercely into my ear, "Emily, I swear on my wolf that I'll give you everything. If I ever betray you, may the Moon Goddess strike me down into a miserable grave." A heavy vow. One I believed in for half my life. And now, it was effortlessly shattered by a she-wolf he had known for six months. I couldn't fathom how a man who loved me so deeply could rot from the inside out so fast. A phone rang—a distinct, custom ringtone. It had rung in the dead of night countless times. Julian had always claimed it was urgent business from allied Packs. I had trusted him so blindly that I never questioned it. Now I realized just how pathetic and foolish I had been. He didn't answer immediately. Instead, he spoke in a patronizing, soothing tone, like calming a throwing-a-tantrum pup. "Why make a fuss over a little fling? Are you really going to throw away ten years of history over a single bite Mark?" "You're not young anymore, Emily. You have no Pack to back you up, no royal bloodline. I'm the only one who will ever take care of you. Pushing your luck won't end well." He pulled over to the curb. "Call an Uber home. I have to pick her up. Think about what I said." The car door slammed shut, delivering a stinging slap to my soul. Watching his SUV vanish down the road, I dropped to my knees on the sidewalk, vomiting until tears streamed down my face. Julian was wrong. No Alpha Marks a mere toy. That Mark was the Luna crown I had waited ten agonizing years for, only to never receive. His heart hadn't grown cold; it had just moved on to someone else. I stared up at the overcast, gray sky, feeling a hollow gust of wind blow straight through my chest. After a long time, I pulled out my phone and dialed a private number.When I returned to the Pack Manor, Julian's black SUV was already parked in the driveway. Through the slightly cracked window, a man's low, coaxing voice drifted out. "Say 'Daddy'." "Daddy..." "Who do you love most?" "Daddy..." "Good girl. I'd die for you." I froze in my tracks, my face utterly drained of color. Even under the scorching summer sun, I felt like I was standing naked in a blizzard. An hour later, Julian walked into the house, his arm wrapped around a petite she-wolf. Seeing me sitting on the living room sofa, Bianca Stone looked as if she had suffered the greatest injustice. Tears instantly pooled in her doe eyes. "Why is she still here? You told me this was our home!" "Did you lie to me? You still haven't let her go, have you?" "Even if I love you with all my heart, I will never sell my pride to be your mistress! I'm leaving!" Julian panicked, pulling her tightly into his arms and wrapping her in an embrace. "What are you talking about? I already Marked you. You're my only Mate! Of course this is our home. She's just here to pack her bags." He turned to me. No explanation. No guilt. "Emily, the abandoned watchpost at the northern border is quiet and secluded. Go stay there for a while." My mind went completely blank. Before rage could even surface, a visceral, dull ache gripped my chest. Three years ago, when we first moved into this estate, Julian had hugged me tightly with misty eyes. "Emily, this is our home from now on. Just you, me, and our future pups." And now, the very man who promised me a home was kicking me out like stray trash. "Emily, my Mate is upset. I won't tell you twice." He was smiling, but his lowered voice carried unmistakable Alpha authority and warning. My throat felt like it was choked with wet cotton. I realized with sickening clarity that he wasn't joking. After a heavy silence, seeing the smug confidence in his eyes, I gave a hoarse nod. "Understood." Julian watched my retreating figure. A flicker of hesitation crossed his eyes, and he stepped forward, grabbing my wrist. His tone softened slightly. "There's a Pack gala this afternoon. Come with me." Before I could refuse, he cut me off. "It's Bianca's first high-society event. Carry her train and make sure she looks good." I stood frozen, almost laughing at the pure absurdity. Then, remembering how little time I had left here, I swallowed my words. Before the gala, Bianca claimed she didn't have an appropriate gown. She rifled through my walk-in closet and deliberately chose the most extravagant birthday gift Julian had ever given me—a couture gown woven from Moon-silk, paired with a matching Lunar Ruby pendant. It was a priceless relic from the former Alpha's private vault, worth enough to fund an entire mid-sized Pack's food reserves for six months. She linked her arm through Julian's, basking in the spotlight as I walked behind her, lifting the hem of her dress. Snickers and cruel whispers trailed behind us like poisonous smoke. "Alpha Foster really knows how to tame his wolves. Making his old lover hold the train for his new Mate, and she doesn't even dare to squeak." "Luna Foster? Haven't you heard? Julian already Marked the new girl. Emily Miller is just worn-out trash he used for ten years for free. She's nothing." "How stupid can a she-wolf be to end up with nothing after a decade? Honestly, living like a kicked dog like that, she might as well jump off a cliff." I fled the grand ballroom and hid in an empty lounge. Through the ajar door, I overheard someone joking with Julian. "Hey Julian, Emily Miller stood by you for ten years through thick and thin. Did you really Mark that innocent little newcomer?" "Young she-wolves need security. It's just a bite Mark. What difference does it make?" "What if Emily runs off? Won't you regret it?" My breath hitched, only to hear his lazy, dismissive chuckle. "Emily's entire universe revolves around me. After ten years, she's completely dependent on me. She's like an old, dirty cleaning rag now." "I know her inside and out. Once I get bored of the new toy, Emily will still be waiting right where I left her." I couldn't hear the rest. I walked over to the marble sink, frantically splashing cold water onto my face. Finally, I bit down hard on the flesh of my thumb, letting tears and cold water mingle in the sink, refusing to let a single sob escape. Julian, this time, you gambled wrong. The dirty rag you cast aside won't be waiting for you ever again. I turned to leave the lounge, only for a sharp slap to crack across my face.Holding my stinging, burning cheek, I stared in shock. Bianca rolled her wrist, the sweet, innocent facade instantly peeling away. "You heard him. Julian already Marked me. Why are you still clinging to him like a leech? Don't you have any shame?" "If you love being a side-piece so much, go work in a brothel." "Though, a ten-year-old hand-me-down like you is probably only fit for the trash wolves in the slums." My ears rang violently. All I could see were her sneering, venomous lips moving up and down. I let out a cold, furious laugh. But before I could raise my hand, Bianca let out a piercing shriek. She ripped the bodice of her gown open and threw herself backward onto the floor. "Emily Miller!" A thunderous roar shook the hallway behind me. Julian bolted forward, scooping Bianca into his protective embrace. She sobbed hysterically, her tears flowing on cue. "Julian, I'm the homewrecker... It's all my fault for ruining things between you and Miss Miller. I shouldn't exist! I'm a horrible person!" With that, she violently slapped herself twice across the face. Julian caught her hands, his eyes blazing with fury. "Who told you that?" Bianca bit her lip, clutching his suit jacket. "Please, don't ask." Yet her terrified eyes flicked toward me, shaking her head frantically. "Someone like me can't afford to cross a high-and-mighty Luna like her. Julian, I'm not worthy of you. Please, just let me go! I don't want to end up dead in a ditch tomorrow!" Julian's brow furrowed tightly, his predatory glare locking onto me. "Explain yourself!" I lowered my hand, revealing my swollen, red cheek. "You should ask her what she just said to me." "Miss Miller!" Bianca shrieked at the top of her lungs, her voice shrill. "I only slapped you because you threatened my parents' lives! They're just ordinary, defenseless wolves! If you're angry, slap me back! Please, just don't hurt my family!" My vision turned red with rage. "You lying bitch! You were the one who—" "Enough!" Julian barked coldly, looking at me with utter disgust. "Emily Miller, I've spoiled you rotten." "Did you think that just because you have no Pack to fall back on, I wouldn't dare punish you?" Perhaps I had seen it coming. Perhaps my heart was already ash. I gave a hollow, broken laugh, my eyes burning. "So, how do you plan to avenge your new Mate?" He stepped slowly toward me and casually slipped off the ring from my finger—the Moon Goddess signet ring he had forged with his own hands the day he became Alpha. Turning around, he commanded his Beta, Marcus. "Summon the Pack enforcers. My Mate's jewelry has been stolen. Caught red-handed." I froze, my mind going numb. Julian had clawed his way to the Alpha throne through blood, fangs, and sheer brutality. He was ruthless to everyone. I was his only soft spot. Right or wrong, he had always stood by me unconditionally. In the entire city, not a single wolf had ever dared lay a finger on me because of his protection. And now, he was the one driving the dagger into my chest. Julian turned the silver ring between his fingers, his cold features blurring through my unshed tears until he looked like a complete stranger. "Emily, you've been misbehaving. Spend a few days in the detention cell and reflect on your actions." "Don't worry, it won't be long. Once you learn your lesson, I'll slip this ring back on your finger myself." A bitter smirk touched my lips. As the Pack guards entered and snapped heavy silver cuffs around my wrists, I coldly pulled my hand from his grip without a word. The sudden emptiness in his palm made Julian frown with unease. He stared at my retreating back, suddenly struck by the chilling premonition that he was losing me forever. He took a step forward, but Bianca quickly clung to his arm."Julian, thank you for standing up for me. I was terrified." He clicked his tongue, affectionately pinching her cheek. "What do you want as an apology gift?" Bianca giggled, snatched the Moon Goddess signet ring from his hand, and tossed it straight into the roaring fireplace. Seeing his face darken, her eyes immediately welled with tears. "Was it that important to you?" She pretended to reach toward the flames. "I'll dig it out for you then. After all, you two shared ten years. Even if she hurt me, I don't want to make things hard for you." Julian caught her waist, his heart melting completely. "Nothing is more important than you. Don't dirty your hands. Here, take the master key to the Pack vault. Take whatever your heart desires." Bianca pouted playfully. "I don't want your riches. I only love you for who you are." "I know, I know. But an Alpha provides for his Mate. If you don't spend it, I won't be happy." Only then did she reluctantly pocket the key. Three days later, I was dragged out of the freezing detention cell, battered and hollow. I was escorted straight into a VIP lounge at an elite shifter nightclub. When the door opened, Julian and Bianca were lounging on the center leather couch, feeding each other a grape. The grape slipped, and the two immediately melted into a heated, passionate kiss. The surrounding pack members cheered and whistled, practically raising the roof. It took several long minutes before Julian finally noticed me standing by the door. Taking in my gaunt, deathly pale face, his expression instantly soured. "What happened? Did someone mistreat you in the cells?" Before I could answer, Bianca burst into a delicate laugh. "Miss Miller really knows how to play the victim. With her history with Julian, who would dare touch her? That sickly makeup looks so real, it must have taken you hours to put on." Julian's movement to stand up froze mid-motion. He tapped out a cigarette and let Bianca light it for him. The smoke obscured his sharp features, but the gaze he turned on me held suppressed impatience. "Since you've reflected on your mistakes, come over here and apologize to Bianca." Bianca, dressed in pure virgin white, leaned demurely against Julian's chest, swirling a glass of high-proof wolfsbane whiskey. "Honestly, I don't want to make things hard for you." "But you insulted my parents. No daughter could ever tolerate that, right?" She paused, as if remembering something, and let out a dramatic gasp. "Oh, silly me, I forgot. Your own parents abandoned you on a doorstep when you were a pup. You're just a pathetic orphan who never had a family." I remained silent. She placed the glass on the table with a light clink. "Apologize, then." I lowered my eyes. "I'm sorry." Bianca shook her head. "Just words? That lacks sincerity. This whiskey is sixty percent proof, spiked with wolfsbane extract. Drink it." I stared at the bubbling, dark-green liquid, instinctively looking toward Julian. During the bloody wars to secure his Alpha seat, I had taken countless silver blades and poisoned drinks on his behalf. My internal organs were completely ruined. The Pack Healer had strictly warned him that my wolf could not withstand the shock of wolfsbane and hard liquor. Back then, Julian had been terrified, banning alcohol from our house entirely. He knew better than anyone how close I had come to dying on that operating table. Yet the man before me simply blew a lazy smoke ring, his tone as casual as commenting on the weather. "Emily, it's just one drink. Your tolerance isn't that fragile." I hadn't expected any mercy, yet my heart still seized with a sharp, agonizing twist. I picked up the glass and swallowed it in one gulp. A scorching fire tore from my throat straight down into my stomach. A heavy, violent cramp ripped through my lower abdomen, making me stumble. "Since Miss Miller holds her liquor so well, why not finish the rest of the tray?" Bianca pointed at a row of colorful, lethal cocktails. My face turned ice-cold. Bianca looked up at Julian with puppy-dog eyes. "Julian, she called me a whore and threatened my parents' lives. I suffered so much trauma. Asking for a few drinks as an apology isn't too much, is it?" "Of course not," Julian said smoothly, crushing his cigarette into the crystal ashtray. "Emily, I want to help you, but you crossed the line. Listen to Bianca. Once she forgives you, your debt is paid." I nodded calmly. Clutching my wrenching, bleeding abdomen, I grabbed the entire pitcher of wolfsbane liquor from the table. "A few glasses aren't enough. I'll chug the whole pitcher." The heavy glass pitcher shattered on the marble floor. A mouthful of dark blood sprayed from my lips, and my legs gave out beneath me. Bianca recoiled several steps in disgust. "Miss Miller, it's just a drink! Did you really have to use fake blood capsules just to be dramatic?" Julian bought into her excuse, scowling with deep irritation. "Enough! How long are you going to keep acting? Bianca was merciful to you. Stop embarrassing yourself and get up!" I said nothing, raising my hollow eyes to meet his. Suddenly, a she-wolf sitting nearby let out a bloodcurdling scream. "Blood! Look at her pants—there's so much blood! She's... she's having a miscarriage!" I looked into Julian's face as the color drained from his skin, and I offered him the most genuine smile I had worn in months. "I paid her back with your pup. Are you satisfied now?"