Ezekiel’s POVThe car pulled up to the front of the pack house just as the evening sun dipped low on the horizon. My hands gripped the armrest as I leaned forward, eager for the ride to end. The moment the car came to a stop, I swung the door open before the chauffeur could even reach it.“Sir, how was your journey?” the chauffeur asked, tipping his hat as he stood aside.“Fine,” I replied curtly, not bothering to look at him. My mind was already elsewhere—on Kailey.I hadn’t seen her in days. My father had sent me to handle a dispute in the neighboring pack, claiming it was urgent. But I knew the truth. He’d done it on purpose, sending me far away so I couldn’t intervene. Kailey had been imprisoned, accused of things I knew she hadn’t done, and he’d used every opportunity to keep me out of the picture.I didn’t care about the disputes I’d resolved, the alliances I’d had to navigate, or the endless, meaningless formalities. All I wanted was to see her.As I stepped out of the car, I saw hi
Kailey’s POVThe room felt colder than usual, though I was sure it wasn’t just the temperature. The chains on my wrists and ankles had long since become unbearable, but the sight of Ezekiel walking into the courtroom made me feel lighter, just for a moment.But that moment faded quickly. I watched his face, searching for something—reassurance, determination, anything that told me he was here to save me. Instead, I saw hesitation, conflict.I couldn’t breathe.He stood there, tall and imposing, his presence commanding the attention of everyone in the room. The sentinel announced him, and the crowd whispered, their voices a mix of awe and curiosity.But I didn’t care about any of them. My eyes were locked on him, and his on me.For a fleeting second, I thought I saw pain in his eyes, the Ezekiel I knew breaking through the stoic mask he wore. But then he turned away, his gaze hardening as he addressed the elders.“Do you, as the future Alpha of this pack, think Kailey is guilty of the crimes
Kailey’s POVThe words rang in my ears like a death knell.“Kailey is hereby declared guilty of seducing the future Alpha, Ezekiel. For this crime, she is banished from the pack and sentenced to be killed upon sight should she return.”I froze, unable to comprehend the gravity of the Elder’s decree. The silence that followed was deafening, broken only by the sound of my shallow breathing.I turned my eyes toward Ezekiel, desperate for some sign that he would speak up, that he would fight for me. His face was a mask of shock, his lips slightly parted as if he couldn’t believe what he’d just heard. But he didn’t move. He didn’t say a word.“Ezekiel,” I croaked, my voice trembling. “Please, tell them the truth. Tell them this isn’t true.”He met my eyes briefly, and I saw the conflict there—the battle he was fighting within himself. But instead of stepping forward, instead of saying anything, he lowered his gaze, his silence cutting deeper than any blade ever could.The Elder continued as if I
Kailey’s POV“Someone… Someone tried to kill me,” I gasped, clutching my injured arm. My vision blurred, and I felt myself swaying. “They were here. They had a knife.”The other guard knelt beside me, his expression grim. “We were sent to get you out of here.”“You’re getting me out?” I asked, my voice shaky and laced with suspicion. My arm throbbed, blood still oozing from the gash left by the assassin. “Why now? Who sent you?”The taller of the two guards glanced over his shoulder at the open door. His face was hidden by the shadow of his helmet, but his tone was urgent. “Someone wants you dead. If we don’t move, they’ll try again. Do you want to live here or stay here and die?”“I want to live,” I replied, though doubt clouded my thoughts. “But how do I know you’re not just taking me somewhere else to finish the job?”The shorter guard exhaled sharply, clearly running out of patience. “We don’t have time for your paranoia. If we wanted you dead, you wouldn’t have survived this long.”I h
Kailey’s POV“Shit!” I shouted, my voice echoing through the dense forest as the rabbit ran into the underbrush. My stomach growled loudly, a reminder of my failure.“Damn it,” I muttered, frustration bubbling over. “If it wasn’t for this stupid leg…” I glanced down at the bandage I’d wrapped hastily around the deep cut on my thigh. Blood had seeped through the fabric again, staining it dark red.It had been three days since I fled the pack. Three days since Ezekiel betrayed me, and his father’s assassin tried to end my life. And now here I was, living in a damp cave, scrounging for food like some primitive human.I adjusted the crude sling I’d made to carry my meager catch for the day—a few squirrels and a small bird. Not exactly a feast, but it was better than nothing. Survival was all that mattered now.The sun was beginning to set, casting long shadows across the forest floor as I made my way back to the cave. The spring air carried a chill, and I could feel the first stirrings of the
Kailey’s POVMy eyes fluttered open slowly. The first thing I noticed was the sweet, comforting aroma of porridge wafting into my nose. It was such a stark contrast to the cold, blood-stained forest I’d passed out in that my mind reeled in confusion.Where am I? I thought groggily. The last thing I remembered was being chased to the brink of death by that monstrous beast. I had no idea who had saved me, where they had taken me, or if I was even safe now.I looked around, blinking as my vision adjusted to the soft morning light streaming in through small cracks in the walls. The hut I was in was small but surprisingly cozy. The roof was made of tightly woven thatch, and the walls were constructed from wooden planks that seemed patched together with care. The floor was earthen, smooth, and swept clean, and there was a faint, earthy smell mingling with the sweetness of the porridge.Near the corner of the room stood a roughly carved wooden table with a single chair. On the table was a small
Kailey’s POVI was so scared that I started shaking, my heart thudding so loud I was sure it would burst from my chest. My legs felt like jelly, and I struggled to keep my breathing steady. "Please let Elyra be okay," I whispered to no one but the silent tent around me. Guilt gnawed at me—I had brought this beast to her doorstep, a danger she never asked for. How could I forgive myself if she didn’t survive?Outside, the growls and snarls of the beast had been terrifying. The sound of arrows slicing through the air and the echo of Elyra’s battle cries chilled me. Then, suddenly, it all stopped. No growling, no shouting, just a deafening silence that made the hairs on my neck stand on end.I swallowed hard, dread curling in my stomach. What has happened? I thought, gripping the edge of the bed tightly. Please don’t let Elyra be dead.Summoning my courage, I slowly stood up. My legs protested, still shaky from fear, but I couldn’t just sit there doing nothing. Step by cautious step, I appr
Kailey’s POVThe first few months with Elyra were nothing short of magical. Despite her mysterious behaviors and quiet ways, she had a calming presence that made me feel safe. I didn’t know much about her, but she never pried into my past. That was a relief. For the first time in what felt like forever, I was beginning to feel like myself again.Two months had passed since I found myself in her care. Two months of learning, healing, and slowly finding joy in life again. I was stronger now, my wounds almost fully healed. The guilt and fear that had clung to me like a dark cloud were starting to dissipate. Elyra’s hut, hidden deep in the woods, was more peaceful than any place I had ever known. No pack politics, no betrayals, just the quiet sounds of nature and Elyra’s steady guidance.She’d become more than a savior; she was like a mother to me. A guide. A friend.“My little hunter,” Elyra’s voice snapped me out of my thoughts. She stood in the doorway, a smirk tugging at her lips.I turne
James’ POV. The Aftermath of the battle with the rogue still evident on me and the rest of my men, though the battle was just a walk in the pack, it was unexpected and there was no way we would come out of it without casualties. One of my men had a large wound on his thighs, one which seemed like it wasn't healing, or rather was healing too slowly. As we rode into the open area of the pack house, I froze on the spot as I sighted her. What is she doing out here?How did she get out?, who let her out?. I frowned as my eyes locked on Cecilia. She had a wicked smirk on her face, one that always made her look like she was about to do something evil. I dropped down from my horse, glancing towards one of the men. “Take him to the healers, there must be something for his wounds”The man nodded as two of the men began to carry the injured man down from the horse. “one more thing” I muttered, drawing the attention of the men. “make sure to keep the battle with the rogues a secret, no one
Cecilia's pov. The weather was calm and cold and as I walked through the bushes, the cool breeze of the evening hit me from different angles. I had sent a message to Damon, telling him to meet me up at our usual location, as we had a lot to discuss. The cool evening breeze blew through the trees, making the leaves move from side to side. The sunlight was already fading at this point and I pulled my cloak tighter around my shoulders. I walked deeper into the forest, my boots pressing softly onto the damp earth, crushing the leaves beneathThe scent of dried leaves , mixed with fresh rain filled my nose. I glanced at my side scanning the forest.This was because I could hear the distant sound of rustling animals, howling and making all kinds of sounds. I was hoping Damon would carry out the taste effectively, now that Ezekiel and Kailey were out of the pack house.This was the perfect time to attack the palace. However,before that, there was something else I had asked Damon to carry
Kailey’s POV.After dinner, I stepped into our tent, one which was well prepared for just Ezekiel and I. I sat at the small bed which we could lay on for the night.My mind was still occupied with the happenings In the pack house, however, not so much, and this was because James had set out this morning, already on his way to the pack house.With James at the pack house, I was confident that Auren would be safe and in good hands. The sounds of footsteps approaching the tent brought me out of my thoughts. I could already see the silhouette of the person aporaivhjg through the tent. It was a familiar shadow and I knew who it was already. Ezekiel stepped in, his towering figure making the tent look small. “kailey, I have been looking everywhere for you”I frowned slightly, folding my arms to my chest “But we just had dinner together not quite long ago.”He chuckled, taking a step closer to me “Ofcourse, we did,”I raise a grow, arms still folded to my chest. He sighed, understanding
JAMES’ POV. I totally understood Kailey's worries, Auren was a strong little boy, he had determination, a fire which burns in his eyes. I chuckled, glancing at the large trees around me, how can I forget about his stubbornness?. I have sworn to protect him till my last breath, Auren was the heir and future of our pack and it was my duty to make sure he was safe at all times. Just like kailey’s said earlier, though Cecilia was locked up, she was as slick as a shame, she would never back down without a fight.I knew she would have people on the pack, those who were loyal to her, they would be the ones pulling the string for her even now that she is behind bars. I heaved a sigh, when will all this end?. The pack has been divided for a long While now and it didn't look like there would be an amalgamation soon.I grabbed the reins of my horse and swung it with force, urging the horse to ride faster. The forest was quiet, too quiet, at first I didn't mind but then the quietness was jus
Kailey’s pov. It still baffles me how Cecilia would come up with such a lie, one which the elders would find it difficult to ignore. I must give it to her, she was smart, however, her only problem was that she was messing with the wrong person. Me. I glanced at the burning fire which was right there in the middle of the gathering. The moon was up. However, it wasn't bright enough yet, so the fire was used as an alternative to brighten the night. “You should rest, Kylie,” a familiar voice rang out as footsteps approached from behind me. I sighed, glancing above my shoulders. “I'm not sleepy yet” James raised a brow as he walked past me, sitting at a corner, just around the burning fire. “don't tell me you are still thinking about the rumor Cecilia came up with”I remained quiet, Of Course I was thinking about it, though Ezekiel had paid deaf ears to it, some of the elders if not all had doubts in their mind, I was glad Ezekiel made a swift decision on loving her up. “You don't h
Ezekiel's pov. The meeting with the different alpha's didn't go as I had expected. However I knew there would be uproar and misunderstanding. I hadn't expected them to bring the issue of my house to the table. It might have felt like nothing at the time, but it had hit deep, however I would not allow it get to me so much. This was all Cecilia's fault, if she had been a good Luna, all this wouldn't have happened. I still remembered the look on Marcus' face when he mocked my house, asking why they should listen to me when I haven't put my household in order yet. My teeth grinder together as I paced in my chambers, hands running through my hair. There was a sudden knock on the door which made me frown slightly, wondering who that was. The door is open” The door pushed open and a maid stepped In with her hand to her back. “Breakfast is served, Alpha” I sighed, “I will be there shortly, you may leave”. The maid nodded and then after a slight bow l, she walked out of the r
CHAPTER one hundred and twenty four LUNA’s RETURN_ HER RETURN WILL LIFT THE CURSE Ezekiel’s POV The room was filled with voices clashing against each other, one Alpha trying to speak over the other. The council chamber was heavy with tension, frustration rolling off every man in waves. Some were standing, others still seated but barely holding back their irritation. Fists pounded on the table, deep growls echoed in the large space, and more than once, I caught the sharp glint of fangs as tempers flared. "This is unacceptable!" Alpha Gerard snapped, his fists pressing into the table. "The Full Moon Festival is in three days, and nothing has been arranged! Do you think our packs will stand for this level of disorganization? We are Alphas! We should be leading by example." "Agreed," Alpha Marcus interjected, arms crossed over his broad chest. "The festival is not just a celebration; it is tradition, a time of unity among packs. If we fail to organize it properly, it will be seen
Cecilia’s POV "So," he drawled, his voice low and taunting. "You want Ezekiel’s heir gone."I took a step forward, locking eyes with him. "Not just gone, Damon. Dead. Gone forever. No traces, no chances of rescue. I want Auren wiped from existence."He chuckled, shaking his head. "You don’t ask for much, do you?"I pulled a rolled parchment from inside my cloak and held it out. "This is the blueprint of the packhouse. Every room, every passage, every weak spot. Study it. You’ll need it."Damon raised a brow but took the parchment, unrolling it slowly. His eyes scanned over it, flicking from one section to another."This is detailed," he admitted. "Where’d you get it?"I smirked. "I was Luna, Damon. This was my home. I know every inch of that place. I know where the guards stand, where they slack off, and where they think they’re safe. They aren’t."He traced a finger over the main entrance. "The packhouse is heavily guarded. Getting in won’t be easy."I stepped closer, pointing at a
Cecilia’s POV As the chains fell from my wrists, I let out a slow, shaky breath. My fingers trembled as I rubbed the raw skin where the cold metal had bitten into my flesh for over a week. A whole week locked in that filthy cell. Me. The Luna.I clenched my jaw, my nails digging into my palms. "I will make Ezekiel pay for this."The Pack Elders had finally decided my fate in his absence. And of course, with the right words, the right persuasion, and the right influence, I bought my way out. They thought they were making the decision. Fools. I had them wrapped around my finger before they even realized it.I looked down at myself, disgust curling in my stomach. My arms had shrunk, my once flawless skin now bruised and dirty. My dress hung loosely, no longer fitting the way it used to. They had made me look weak. Powerless.That would change. Immediately.I turned to the guard who had hesitated before unlocking my chains. "Where is Evelyn?"He bowed his head slightly. "She’s waiting fo