Tabitha's POV

I groan while bandaging my wounds from my ripped dress. The full moon was done. It was hiding from the clouds and whenever I see it, it reminds me of a terrifying event that happened to me earlier.

The time flew by and the night was getting deeper. The dungeon was quiet yet it was comfortable, but I couldn't forget the fact I was here for the sake of my sister. I become an offering just to save my sister's ass from being a slave.

“Take the woman. The king wanted to see her.” A man's voice coming from outside the door captured my attention, causing me to rise and squeeze on the corner.

The keys clinked from the metal door, and soon after it opened. Two men enter the room and grab my arms as if I'm going to escape.

“Where are you taking me? What you did isn't enough?” I struggle.

“The king wanted to see you! You should be grateful he wanted to speak with you before executing you,” he stated.

I scoffed, “Do you think I will be happy to hear that? I'd rather die than see his face!”

“Stop moving, woman! Don't make it hard for both of us!” He was trying to put a chain in my hands, but I'm preventing him.

The door was free and I could go without any hindrance. While the two men were busy, I thought of that opportunity. I hit the man on my right with my elbow, and then I kick the man in my left on the balls. They both cried in agony before I ran outside my prison cell to escape.

I ran to the hallway as I heard them shouting. I saw a stairs, rushed to it with hope in my heart. But as soon as I got out of the dungeon, a knife was put into my throat.

“Where do you think you're going, woman?” Simon questioned coldly.

I swallowed before turning at him, “What do you need from me? Why did the king want to see me?”

“Why don't you just go with us to know the reason?” He replied. “Take her.”

Another pair of men grab my arms and drag me away. We followed Simon to the dark hallway of the palace, reminding every hardship and blood that dripped just to ensure this place would thrive.

The torches on the wall aren't enough to see our path, but what's more important is the fact that the king wanted to see me before killing me. After a few minutes of walking, we stop in front of an oak door. Simon knocks before entering, and they drag me in.

The king's broad shoulders were exposed to me, his scars were visible while his hair was resting on his shoulders. The chair turned and our eyes met, but this time he's not wearing the mask. It was like he's comfortable showing me his scar face.

“Tabitha Sphynx,” he murmured. His voice was sharp as a knife, making my soul leave my body in fear.

They forced me to kneel and I grunted in pain because of my wound.

“You came from my nemesis pack, and your father offered you to me willingly in exchange for peace because he knew I could bring chaos to his household. But I'm wondering why the woman in my prophecy couldn't even break the curse?” He questioned.

I swallowed, “Have mercy on me, my king.”

“Mercy?” He laughed maniacally. “You've seen my bare face and you failed to break my curse, so why would I spare your life?”

I bowed, “I didn't know you were cursed. I have no idea about it, so maybe I wasn't the woman in your prophecy? Maybe the prophecy was wrong.”

“Blasphemy! How could you say that to the moon goddess!” Simon yelled.

“Forgive me, but I haven't found my wolf since I turned 18. I stopped believing in the moon goddess and whatever your curse is, it had nothing to do with me…” I explained.

“You!” Simon yanked my hair and slapped me that snapped my head. I tasted the blood on my lips, but I didn't twitch. “A wolfless Omega like you didn't deserve the moon goddess's mercy.”

“The prophecy has been told. A daughter from the Sphynx family—Jacob’s pack, will be the key for my freedom but it turns out you're a failure…” the king rose from his seat and went to me. He touched my chin and forced me to look at him, “What can you offer in exchange for your life?”

Offer? A deal?

If the king can grant me freedom, then I would risk everything just to have it. But it wasn't the woman in his prophecy, it was Natasha. I cannot tell him my father deceived him because I will definitely die in the hands of the cruel King.

I need to learn his curse and find the cure.

“Perhaps the prophecy has propositions before it can work…” I suggested.

“What are you trying to imply?”

“The moon goddess will never give a prophecy without proper explanation.”

“It was nothing but a riddle, so there's no explanation.”

I gulped deeply and answered, “I can find it for you… I will keep your secret and break the curse…”

He smirked, “Brave.” Then he let me go.

“Please, have mercy! I have been bullied and unwanted ever since I was born… All I ever wanted is to be free from the cruelty my father had bestowed on me, and I am honored to serve the king and be his slave…” I swallowed my pride and held my tears. I met his eyes and continued, “I will break your curse and if I fail, you can have my head.”

“A deal with the royalty. She came from Jacob's family, so there's no possibility she can deceive us, my king. You shouldn't have trusted her,” Simon disagreed.

The King's expression remained untold and unpredictable. His blank and cold eyes were like a silver knife that pierced my throat as it went dry. However, I keep my eyes on him.

“I will spare your life if you can break the curse in 365 days.”

I widened, nodding. “Thank you, my king! Thank you—”

“Take her to the moon goddess statue.”

“W-what?” I mumbled.

“If the prophecy was wrong, you have to prove it to me.”

“H-how?”

“By offering your blood to the moon goddess in order to speak with her. If you can prove that her prophecy has a hidden agenda, then I will put you under my protection until you'll be able to break my curse.”

“Your Majesty, that is—” The king raised his hand to stop Simon from interfering. “I, Donovan Yearwood, showing mercy to this woman and if she failed to comply with our deal. She will be sentenced to death.”