The Mayor and everyone else came out to where the party was being held.Selene was still in the cage with the Mask on, and when those in the audience saw Adele, they focused their attention on her and began to murmur once again."Listen, everyone," the Mayor said. "I've called you all here for two reasons. One is to celebrate with me because today we are finally going to punish the culprit who has in one way or another, made life difficult for many of us here. Secondly, my son is going to reveal who he has finally chosen to be his Luna, and everyone here will get the opportunity to get the justice they deserve. I'm going to give way for the sheriff to speak now. She has something important to say.After speaking, the mayor went to sit down, and Aryan's mother got up and said, "You are all aware that for a long time now, everyone has hated Adele, Aryan's mate. She has been accused of committing so many crimes. Although no one has ever caught her red-handed, there has always been one
TWENTY YEARS LATERREINAI stood before my dad who sat beside my mom. "I am ready to go, Dad," I said."Must she do this?" my mom asked. "It's unnecessary and risky."My dad ignored her, and so did I. She was too softhearted for our liking."Listen," my dad said, "you are beautiful, capable, and the strongest werewolf in this pack. You're the only one fit enough to carry out my revenge. I have told you the story of how I was humiliated and how I was almost killed by Zara. Always remember this. Do not forget your mission."I nodded. "Of course, Dad. I can never forget.""What is your mission?" he asked.I smiled, "My mission is to go to the Neutral Pack, earn the trust of Zara and Anders, make their children my friends, and destroy the pack, burning it to the ground."My father got up and patted me on the back, "You have my blessings, and I'm sure that you will be successful. "I bid farewell to my dad and mom and left the Black Arrow Pack as I began my journey to the Neutral Pack. I k
REINAThe warrior who had come out to help me took me into the Neutral Pack. He led me into a room and placed me on the floor.After applying the antidote to my injury, I felt a little bit better, but I was still in pain. As he set me down, I surveyed the room and realized it was a place for the injured. It was the pack's clinic.He stood up with his arms folded, staring at me as I lay on the ground. I looked up and met his gaze. "Why was he looking at me? Could it be that he had fallen for me?" I didn't know who he was, but I had a feeling he was Zara's son. If that were the case, it was important that he developed feelings for me. It would make my mission very easy.After staring at me for a while, he sat on a chair across from me and asked, "What exactly happened to you, Rey?"I let tears roll down my cheeks. I had planned to appear pathetic and miserable when I eventually arrived at the Neutral Pack. My dad had told me they were emotional fools. Despite Zara's strength, if I acte
ZAANI walked home in the company of my best friend, Carter, and three other warriors in my Pack. Carter was a werewolf, Lara was a hybrid, and then the other two were lycans.Carter and I have been friends since we were little, and I've always had a crush on him. I think he knew; he was aware of how I felt about him, but I never said anything to him, and he never reacted either. He and Lara were good friends, just as we were, but we were much closer; that was until I defeated him during a wrestling contest. He felt embarrassed because others laughed at him. Well, it couldn't be helped. I was a hybrid, not just any hybrid but the daughter of Zara and Anders. So, how could he beat me? My brother and I were trained by my parents, and they gave special attention to us when we were growing up. My brother, Zander was the only one I could not defeat in my pack. Every other warrior could not match my strength. After me, Carter was the strongest warrior, which was why he felt embarrassed w
ZANDERI watched my mom quiz Rey, and I stood by the door, impressed by how good she was at her job. I was learning from her every day.However, when she got to the door, she stopped and looked at Rey in some kind of way. I knew that look; it meant something was amiss. My mom was uncomfortable with Rey's presence.I followed her until we got to her house and asked, "Mom, there's a way you stared at Rey. It made me feel as though something is wrong. Are you uncomfortable with her, or do you suspect her or something?"My mom laughed, "I only looked at her and asked all those questions because I noticed you like her.""I like her? What are you saying, Mom?"She said, "Well, maybe I am wrong, but I just think you showed her too much attention.""I just feel sorry for her, Mom. C'mon, she has been through a lot.""I get it," my mom said. "My bad. I guess I was just paying too much attention to my son."I smiled and walked away, telling my mom that I was going to help Rey set up. In all hon
ZAANAfter my mom spoke to me about the mission, I began to walk around the pack, as I thought of how to carry it out.I noticed Carter, standing a little distance away from where I stood. He was talking to Lara, and they were both smiling. He turned, and his eyes caught mine, but I looked away instantly.How could I not have realized he had feelings for Lara? All this time, I thought he felt something for me. But I was most upset by the fact that he spoke about me not letting him feel superior. As far as I was concerned, that was bullshit. To hell with the mate bond. I needed to focus on my mission but first of all, I had to see the girl in question, the one my mom wanted me to find out about. So, I went into the tent my brother had set up for her. When I walked in, she had a surprised look on her face, her brows furrowed, and I knew she was trying to figure out who I was."Hi," I said to her. "I learnt your name is Rey.""Yes, I am Rey," she replied."Okay, I am the assistant gamma
REINAI had Zander where I wanted him. I did not expect it to be this easy. I had never been with a man before or revealed myself in such a way, but my Dad had told me to accomplish my mission by any means necessary. So, I wasn't willing to hold back. I was going all in.Realizing that Zander was my easiest prey since he was next in line to be the Alpha of the pack, I knew that once I had him completely under my control, my mission was bound to be a success.He turned immediately when I took off my clothes, but only I knew that it had taken a great deal of effort and willpower for me to do what I did. I was a proud person, but I presented myself in a different light before him just to accomplish my mission. However, he quickly turned his back on me and I was tempted to laugh. It was funny to see that he was so innocent. I was also innocent in this aspect, but I pretended to be the experienced one.As he had his back to me, I could hear his heartbeat. Was he anxious? How could a mere
ZAANI left my pack in the company of Walker as we headed west. While we walked, I remained in front while he walked behind me. After a while, he caught up to me and asked, "Are you okay?"I turned and stared at him, "Yes, why do you ask?"He shrugged, "I don't know, but you seem angry.""What makes you think I am angry?" I asked him.He said, "I may be wrong, but the way you reacted to Carter was weird. I mean, you and I were sparring yes, but only we knew that. Carter is supposedly your friend, and he probably thought you were being attacked. The way you just became all defensive and spoke rudely to him... I don't know, I just... well, maybe I'm wrong."I shook my head, "I didn't know you were such a talkative. I must have judged you wrongly." "Hey," he said, raising his hands, "I'm just trying to understand you.""Don't try. You'll only get confused," I told him."Are you and Carter a couple?" he asked out of the blue. "I mean, I can recall when I first saw you, when you gave my b
ZAANWe stood—all four of us—at the edge of the cliff; Me, Walker, Zander, and Rey. The past month had been rough initially, but it turned out to be eventful. At first, breathing the same air as Rey seemed impossible, given her ill intentions toward us from the start. However, witnessing her genuine efforts to please everyone and seeing the happiness she brought to my brother, I decided to let go of my resentment and be free.However, that did not mean I would turn my back on her. I remained wary, just as I would be with any untrustworthy person. My mom had also become more accommodating. She occasionally smiled at Rey and engaged in conversations, but I knew her watchful eyes never left her. Rey was aware of it too. The pack had come to accept that she was likely to be the next Luna. She was my brother's love, and thanks to her, he had become more lively, socializing more and spending less time sleeping.Carter had also changed since his fight with Walker. Realizing he was no matc
ZANDERSeeing Rey so injured and bleeding, broke my heart completely. I didn't know who was attacking us or why, but something occurred to me. Perhaps these were enemies who had been lying in wait for me.Over the years, a few had actually attempted to come against us, but they always waited along the roads. So either these were sent by someone who knew that I was leaving, or they had been keeping watch over us.It was an attack, and the fact that they were using arrows meant they were werewolves. As I stared at Rey, I was upset that they did not mind that she was one of their own. Perhaps they saw her as a worthy sacrifice for a great cause, but I wasn't one to let go so easily.I came out of hiding as more arrows were shot at me. I jumped, and all the arrows passed below me. Afterward, I began to crawl on the ground.Seeing I had gotten close, the men who were earlier shooting; who were now close to me but could not see me because I was concealed by the bushes, turned around and wan
WALKERI knew that Carter was going to confront Zaan, and I wasn't wrong. It was better he found out the truth. That way, he would back off and know his place.It was funny hearing him talk about how Zaan was his mate when I had just marked her the night before.If not for the promise I made to Zaan, I would have shown off in front of him. He stomped away angrily, and I walked after him. But I kept a little distance between us. I stood somewhere, watching as he confronted Zaan, and I heard the words he said to her. I shook my head, knowing that his words were the rambling of a man who was angry because he had lost. It wasn't my fault. I was just fortunate that he was too stupid to let go of something as precious as Zaan.After he left, I came out of hiding and walked up to Zaan, but I saw that she was unhappy."What is the problem?" I asked.She ignored me and turned to walk away, but I held her hand and pulled her back."Are you upset with me, Zaan?""Why wouldn't I be? I clearly to
CARTEREver since that night, I threatened Walker, I noticed that Zaan had been avoiding me. The following morning, I walked toward the cliff hoping to talk to her, but then I saw Walker. His eyes were gleaming, and his face held so much joy. I felt sick to my stomach. What was he doing here?If anyone was allowed to be there, it was me because I had been in this pack for years. The fact that he kept lingering around Zaan made me so upset. I knew what he wanted, but I was convinced that Zaan would never give him the time of day, not when she had such strong feelings for me. So, I wanted to ignore him. However, something surprised me. Zaan's scent was all over his body. It was so strong, as though she was the one standing in front of me.This could only mean one thing. As I realized what had happened, I rushed toward him, grabbed him by his collar, and pushed him to the ground."Hey, what do you think you're doing?" he asked, getting up. "You know you're lucky fights are not allowed h
ZANDERAfter my mom left, I kept hiding but continued staring at Rey as she conversed with the man whom I believed was her father. The way he treated her, though, and the fact that she did not react to his actions, showed she had a lot of respect for him. I kept clenching my fists in anger.When he finally turned and walked through the gates of the pack, I realized Rey was crying. I came out of hiding and walked toward her, and right at that moment, she turned. When she saw me, I could see the surprise and fear in her eyes. She stood for a while, staring at me in shock.I thought about what my mom had said. The best punishment at this point was to take her life. That was what she deserved, and that was what was expected of me.She remained rooted where she stood and couldn't take another step while tears kept falling from her eyes. But I walked toward her slowly until I was standing a few inches away from her. I stared at her for a while before grabbing her neck with my hand as though
REINAEver since that first night, I spent in Zander's room, something in me changed. I became a different person. Not that I had become a saint overnight, but I had become someone who genuinely loved Zander. Each moment I stared at him, I convinced myself that I would not be able to part from him, much less be the cause of his demise. He was patient, kind, loving, and everything wonderful I never thought I would find in a man. What were the chances that if I successfully destroyed this pack, I would be able to live with myself? No, if I destroyed the pack, how would I be with Zander? And if I destroyed Zander, how would I live?I had fallen head over heels in love with him. I was a hopeless case. There was a way he stared at me sometimes as though he had something to say. Other times, he looked at me with so much love and so much faith. I could not imagine ruining the faith he had in me.I soon became scared. Each time I was outside, I would look around the pack. I would see the ch
ZANDEREver since my mom exposed Rey to me, my life had not been the same. I was constantly thinking about it, wishing and hoping that somewhere there was a mistake. Each time I looked at Rey, her eyes held so much love for me. She spent most of her time by my side, and at night she was always in my room.Sometimes, I was tempted to get upset at her for playing me for a fool and treat her the way I thought she deserved. But I couldn't bring myself to do so. I didn't know why I loved her so much despite knowing her for such a short time. I was restless, and it kept eating at me.There were times when I would make eye contact with my sister when addressing the warriors, with Rey by my side. From the look on Zaan's face, I would know what she was thinking. There were other times too when I made eye contact with my mom, who always had her eyes on Rey. I knew what she was thinking as well.Though my mom had told me not to expose anything to Rey, I kept my eyes on her. Not because I wanted
WALKERFor the first time in my life, I felt as though the universe was within my reach and I could grab it and give myself the life of my dreams. This was all possible because of Zaan. Her confession made me feel on top of the world, although there was turmoil in my heart. It made me believe that this moment was surreal; somehow, it felt like a dream.Zaan had just met me, so her confession that she also loved me was a miracle. Yes, I had come after her with hopes that she would accept my proposal, but hearing her admit everything without holding back, I didn't know how to react. I wanted to be sure that this moment was real. I held her cheeks and said, "Look into my eyes, Zaan, and tell me that you aren't joking. This isn't a plan or a trick, right? Do you truly love me just as you've said?"She smiled, "Will I joke about something as important as this? This is how I feel.""So, for how long have you felt this way?" I asked, still not believing it."Well, ever since I realized th
CARTERI knew what Walker was up to and it scared me. I loved Zaan, more than I could imagine and I hated myself for pushing her away from me. At the time, I had not realized how deep my feelings for her ran. Also, I had been under the impression that Zaan was madly in love with me but did not know how to back down when she needed to.Now I had to compete for her attention. Walker wanted her and as a man, I could tell. I was threatened by the fact that Zaan seemed to have a soft spot for him. This was evident in the way she gave him preferential treatment.I had been searching for her for a while, only to see her coming out from the direction of the unclean river and Walker did the same almost immediately.It was at this point I decided to have a conversation with Walker but he was too arrogant for his own good. I was merely marking my territory but a rookie like him dared to disrespect me. He was about to learn how things really worked around here.I watched him walk away and had a