Nora's POV.The room fell eerily silent as I turned my gaze towards the lifeless figure on the floor. The once trembling maid now lay in a pool of her own blood. My heart raced, and I couldn't look away from the gruesome sight. Blood had splattered across the tiled floor and had now stained my golden dress.My beautiful, beautiful golden dress.The one thing that had made me feel finally comfortable about this new life.I would never wear it again.The happiness I had felt while wearing the dress was gone forever. Just like the excitement that had once permeated the air inside this very hall.The blood made the dress cling to my ankles, its warmth on my skin sending shivers down my spine. Avert my eyes though I might, the vivid image of the girl's lifeless body was forever etched into my memory.I couldn't believe what I had just witnessed. I knew the maid's actions were inexcusable, but I never expected Alpha Chester to take such drastic measures. I had thought he might have her arre
Alina's POVAs I watched the storm of emotions play across my father's face, I couldn't shake the feeling that there was far more to this mysterious visitor than met the eye. "What did that man come here for?" I asked again. Again, my father stayed silent.His insistence on staying mute was starting to get on my nerves. I felt as if he was hiding something big from me. Did it have to do with Nora? Was it something else entirely?"Father, talk to me!" I insisted. I took a seat beside my father, determination burning within me. Then I leaned in, curiosity lacing my voice."Are you not going to speak, father? Who was that stranger?"But my father still remained silent, eyes closed, his brows furrowed in frustration and concern. I waited for long minutes for his response, for a sign that he had heard all my questions. Meanwhile, wave after wave of questions ran through my head. Was my father slowly running mad? What was on his mind?Finally, his words tumbled out, laden with bitterness a
Nora's POVI kept looking down at my wrist, seeing the evidence of the bruising. My mind flashed back to the struggle with the strange man in that dark room. The sight of his scary grip on me was playing over and over in my head in one sickening loop. I couldn't bring myself to utter the truth, to admit that a stranger had caused these marks.I remembered what Alpha Chester had done to that maid. What would he do when he found out who inflicted these wounds?Instead, I hesitated for a moment before muttering, "It doesn't matter."I tried to pull my wrist away from his hand, but Chester's grip on my wrist tightened slightly. His eyes bore into mine as he leaned in closer and growled. "Nora, tell me. Who the hell did this to you?"I swallowed hard, feeling a mix of fear and unease. His concern was unexpected, and I wasn't sure how to respond. Should I reveal the truth, or keep it hidden?I finally managed to wrest my hand from his grip, placing it protectively behind my back to avoid hi
Alina's POV"You're not Dalia." I whispered.As I opened the door and saw the person standing there, my instant reaction was one of anger. This was not the person I was expecting. This was not Dalia.Where was Dalia?Immediately the girl saw me, her eyes widened slightly. I watched as she wrung her hands and stared at me with those disgusting pale eyes. The very sight of her stirred up anger within me.I leaned out from the door frame, peering over the girl's shoulder in search of Dalia. Instead, a crying, red-haired girl blocked my path. And my anger spiralled."Get out of here!" I yelled. Then I made a move to slam the door in her face, but she quickly held onto it, preventing me from doing so. Her pale, sickly-looking fingers held on resolutely to the door, not letting go.Her pale gray eyes locked onto mine, and they were filled with pure rage and heartbreaking tears. But I didn't want to see her. I didn't know who she was, but I knew better than to provoke someone who was alread
Alina's POVAs I walked back into the house, leaving my parents to handle the aftermath of my rage, I felt a small sense of satisfaction. I could hear my father calling on to his men to come and clear the body, and I was reassured that everything was in control.I smiled to myself as I walked back into the house. The slate was clean now. I could start all over again and continue in my quest to bring Nora down.At least the last person who knew my dark secret was now gone and gone forever. She had been silenced, and her threat was extinguished forever. It was a necessary action, nothing but a sacrifice to protect my plans and my family.Who did she think she was anyway, I thought. Did she really think I would care about her sister? Dalia had been merely a means to an end, just another way I could attempt to have Nora removed as the Luna.Vengeance burned within me, fueled by the troubles Nora had caused me. I couldn't wait to take everything from her, pound for pound. My heart seemed t
Alpha Chester's POV:"Oh, really?" I replied, trying to hold back the growl that threatened to burst out.The tension hung thick between us like a dark, looming curtain. I could feel the disgust and anger building up inside of me, but I continued to observe the dark expression on Alpha Jacob's face in silence. It was clear to me that his visit to my pack house was nothing more than a pretense, a thinly veiled excuse to catch another glimpse of Nora. Men like Alpha Jacob were mostly driven by their lustful desires. They were not to be underestimated.How could I forget the way he had held on to Nora's hand during her coronation ceremony? How could I dismiss the way his kiss had lingered on her outstretched hand? I had seen the way her face had twisted with discomfort when he'd done that, and I wanted nothing more than to wrap my hands around his neck and give it a good squeeze.Alpha Jacob cleared his throat, bringing me back to the present. I watched as he shifted in his seat, as tho
Nora's POVMy chamber was filled with a sense of restraint and suffocation as I sat before the mirror. My eyes caught the dead stare from my reflection: the tired face and those lips that hadn't smiled in days.Lily was standing behind me, diligently weaving my hair into intricate, beautiful braids. Her skilled hands gently worked through my hair, but my mind was far from her actions or the hair itself.I continued to stare at my reflection, feeling an overwhelming sense of disconnection. It had been approximately a week since that failed coronation dinner, and shortly after that Alpha Chester had imposed a strict confinement upon me. Not once had I been allowed to step beyond the walls of the pack house. I was beginning to accept that my moment of freedom had been nothing more than a fleeting illusion.In my heart, I loved Alpha Chester deeply, but his excessive protectiveness had become stifling—too stifling for me. I could not contain my yearning for freedom, for that one chance to
Nora's POV:As Alina expressed her desire to talk to me, a shiver coursed down my spine. I felt a deep sense of unease and doubt hovering beneath the surface. However, I pushed it aside. How could I deny the overwhelming joy of being reunited with my sister after Goddess knew how many months?I was tired of the incessant fights and hatred between us. I chose to embrace her words of reconciliation and forgiveness.With an eager nod, I replied, "I understand, Alina. Forgiveness is indeed essential. I think it is time we put the past behind us."A serene smile graced Alina's lips as she responded in a soft, thoughtful voice, "Of course, Nora." She paused, as though picking her next words. Then she continued. "We are both bound to have our disagreements, but what truly matters is that we find our way back to each other."My heart fluttered with joy at her words. I nodded. "I do hope you understand that all that happened between myself and Chester wasn't my fault."Her smile faded a little
Nora's POVMy father's eyes fell on me, and I felt an insatiable anger fill me up from within.Suddenly, all I wanted was for this man to pay for every single thing he made me go through. I remembered the look of satisfaction I had seen on his face, as I had cried and groveled at his feet on that fateful day, when he'd thrown me out of his house.But the wheels had turned now. He was in my shoes now, and I would make sure he experienced the pain I had gone through as well.Or even worse.I understood that I was not his daughter, but what I did not understand was how I came to be in his house in the first place. How had I escaped the massacre that Jacob had done on my family, and how had I gotten to this vile man's household?However, all that was pushed to the back of my mind as I watched a fleeting look of fear pass across his face."Nora?" He called out, as though I was an apparition, and calling my name would dismiss me. "Surprised to see me, aren't you, Elder Lyall?" Goddess, how
Chester's POVAll of a sudden, Nora was standing before me, and it felt as though all my troubles were dissipating into the air.My hands darted forward, as though I was trying to catch air, and my mouth hung open. I could not believe my eyes. Was I dreaming? Was the alcohol finally kicking in and I was imagining things?"Nora...." I whispered again. She smiled as I called her name. Oh, that smile. How I had missed it so much!I felt my wolf jump in excitement before me. In the space of a few seconds, my eyes cleared, and I saw Nora standing before me, live and in person."I'm here, Chester." She whispered. I watched as a tear fell from her eyes, and something within me shattered into a million pieces. I stumbled forward, kicking my goblet aside. Finally, reaching before her, I stopped again."What are you doing...." I stammered. "Why are you here? Where have you been?"A million questions and more chased each other in my head. Nora's smile fell for a moment. "It is a long story, Ch
Nora's POVI walked the rest of the way to the packs border, trying to blend into the shadows that surrounded me. The moon was high in the sky by now, and I guessed that it was midnight already.On and on I walked, until finally, I got to the river that divided Moon Gold Pack from Wolf Claw Pack. I felt a tugging in my heart, and Chester immediately came to mind.Even though we were estranged from each other, I still missed him terribly. How I craved for the little moments that we'd shared. It was appalling how, in the space of a few months, this man whom I had hated with every passionate bone in me, had slowly grown to become an integral part of my life.I still hadn't forgiven him for pushing me out of his pack all those weeks. I still hadn't forgiven him for thinking the worst of me, but deep down, I could not deny that I missed my fated mate.I stopped in front of the river, contemplating how to cross to the other side. The bridge that would have helped me was broken, and the only
Nora's POVThe moment I confirmed that he was dead, I slowly rose to my feet. I kept my eyes on him all through, half expecting him to open his eyes and stare right through me.I waited for a few seconds, but it felt like several eternities. I had to make it look as though he wasn't truly dead.Crouching beside him, I placed both hands underneath his armpits and lifted him up. He was extremely heavy, the brute of a man!Wuth several grunts and heaving, I placed him on the bed. Finally, I stared at hid unmoving body and smiled to myself. If only he knew that I would be his undoing, he would not have taken a liking to me, would he?I rearranged his clothes, placing a folded piece of cloth against his neck to hide the gaping hole in there. I arranged his hands around him to give off the impression that he was asleep, then I took several steps backwards.Perfect, I thought. Save for the unusual paleness of his skin, he truly looked like he was fast asleep.Suddenly, I heard several steps
Nora's POVMy eyes caught a platter of cut apples, lying on a table by my side. Right beside the platter was a small, sheathed dagger.I narrowed my eyes as curiosity got the better of me. Slowly, I laid down the picture frame in my hands, then reached out to pick up the dagger. I pulled the dagger out of its scabbard and turned it in my hands, momentarily awed as it caught the sunlight at almost impossible angles. I immediately knew it was made of dragonblade, one of the strongest steels known to werewolves.The hilt was studded with several tiny rubies, but was built of pure, solid gold. On the hilt was emblazoned the initials Y.L; this dagger once belonged to my mother. It gave me a tiny comfort to know that I was holding something that once belonged to one of my parents."Hmm..." I murmured, sizing the dagger up against my hand. It was very small: not nearly as big as my entire hand, but sharp enough to do damage.I smiled to myself, a sinister fire burning within me. Sinking thi
Nora's POV"Who is there?!" One of the guards called out.Sarah and I froze, then exchanged terrified glances. Oh, Goddess! What would happen if we were discovered? I knew that we would immediately be taken to Alpha Jacob, and there was no questioning what he would do to us to punish us."Oh, we're done for!" Sarah wailed, quite loudly."Oh, keep your voice low!" I snapped. "Let's leave before they notice people are here." I pulled her hand as we scurried towards the door.But as Sarah and I hurried toward the exit, we found ourselves face-to-face with the guards already inside the dimly lit Black Door Room. In a quick decision, we stood perfectly still, hoping the shadows would conceal our presence.Pressing ourselves against the darkened corner, I held my breath, praying that the guards wouldn't notice us. Their looming silhouettes moved through the room, their voices echoing in the hushed space."Why's this door open?" one guard's inquiry reverberated in the chamber's silence. We h
Nora's POV.As I dressed up, I kept my mind resolute on the fact that I would find that door, whether Sarah helped me out or not. Julius' words kept ringing in my ears, giving me the courage I desperately needed.Sarah fetched a simple gray dress from a chest on the far end of the room—it was obvious that Alpha Jacob had stocked this room full of dresses for me, in case I happened to change my mind about marrying him."Here, Luna Nora," she murmured as she handed me the dress. Her eyes were averted, head downcast. I knew, deep down that Sarah wanted to help, but she was scared of the consequences that would follow if someone found out.I couldn't blame her. If I was in her shoes, I would be scared too."Thank you, Sarah." I murmured, accepting the gray dress. I slipped it on and fastened the buttons myself. Then I turned back to her. "Do you have a black cloak anywhere around this room?""Um...yes." Sarah replied. "Alpha Jacob's former wife used to keep one for special occasions, whe
Nora's POVThe smile on Alpha Jacob's face faded slowly; it was clear that my abrupt change of heart had caught him off guard."Are you....are you certain about this, Nora?" Alpha Jacob asked, his voice laced with a hint of disbelief. "You've changed your mind?"No! My heart screamed. But I met his gaze firmly. "Yes," I replied, my voice resolute.A smile, bright and triumphant, crept onto Alpha Jacob's face, illuminating his features. He motioned to his guards. "Let her out!" He ordered, then cackled like a witch. "She is to be my wife! Finally, my dear Nora is to be my wife and Luna!"As the heavy metal door creaked open and the guards escorted me out, a whole storm of conflicting emotions engulfed me. My heart still ached for Julius, who had selflessly guided and supported me. I felt the weight of my failure to rescue him in his darkest hour.He had helped me throughout my stay in the dungeons. And now, when he needed my help the most, I was utterly powerless to help him.Walking a
Nora's POVI sighed, turning back to Julius. The first hurdle was over, finally!"That was stressful. Eh, Julius?" I asked.Julius, who was slurping the last dregs of soup away, looked up. "Ah, yes, Nora. You did a good job."I nodded. I felt braver than I had been days ago, when thosw guards had dragged me all the way down here. It was as though in the space of a few days, my life had changed in drastic ways.And indeed, it had.I had been chased out of my former pack in shame. I had been locked in a room for an entire week, existing on nothing but porridge. I had made a friend in the form of a lone man in a dingy dungeon, discovered secrets and uncovered several lies and truths about my life. And now, I was facing the next hurdle in my journey head on.I was going to face the one man who had made my life a total, living hell."Do you think the guards would listen to me and tell Alpha Jacob about my offer?" I asked.Julius shrugged. "That is left for us to see. Though, I am sure that