Nora's POVThe pain swam through my body like a relentless wave, leaving no part untouched. It was as if a thousand icy fingers of agony wrapped around my every nerve and muscle, and I felt their bitter grip tighten with each passing moment.My lower abdomen ached with a dull, persistent throb that refused to be ignored. It was a heavy, gnawing pain that sent discomfort radiating through my core. With each pulsation, it seemed to drag me further into its wicked embrace, making me feel weighed down and helpless.I hated feeling like this: weak, useless and disconnected from my world. I hated the feeling of helplessness more than ever, because this was the very same way I had felt in that slave establishment.The same way I had felt with dozens of gazes on my naked body. The same way I'd felt when I had been peddled as a mere slave to the highest bidder.The same way I had felt when Chester had bought me and taken me back home.As though I didn't have any control over my life.But the
Alpha Chester's POVMy heart was heavy with panic, and tension knotted every muscle in my body as I cradled Nora's unmoving form in my arms. The weight of her stillness pressed down, not just on my arm, but on my entire body. It felt as though my world was crumbling around me.I couldn't bear to see her like this, so vulnerable and fragile, her usual vitality and spirit stripped away. I watched as her pale eyelids fluttered with little life, the translucent skin full of tiny green veins.The room seemed to close in on me, the walls suffocating and the air heavy with dread. My Luna, my beloved Nora, was slipping away from me, and there was nothing I could do to stop it.With trembling hands, I brushed a strand of hair from her pale face, praying for a sign, any other sign that she was still with me. I could hardly breathe as I watched for the slightest movement, any indication that she was going to wake up.Time passed in agonizing slowness, and my mind was filled with tormenting thoug
Chester's POVI returned to the room where Nora lay, still sleeping. As I gazed upon her peaceful face, my heart swelled with joy and relief. Her earlier collapse had filled me with a kind of fear that I couldn't describe. The kind of fear that numbed my senses and stole my sense of being.But now, knowing that she was safe and resting peacefully, I couldn't help but feel an overwhelming sense of happiness. She was safe and healthy at last, and that was all that mattered to me.I lay down beside her, holding her hand gently, not wanting to wake her. The feeling of her soft and warm skin beneath my touch was a reminder of the fact that she was still here, with me. My heart was almost bursting at the seams with the ye profound love that I had for her. The fact that she was here, safe and sound, was a gift beyond words.The sight of her chest rising and falling with each peaceful breath she took filled me with immense comfort. I watched over her, savoring this moment of tranquility, and
Nora's POVThe news of my pregnancy had an almost immediate impact on my mood and well-being. As I lay in bed, basking in the afterglow of my conversation with Chester, I felt a warmth and contentment wash over me. It was as though the weight of the world had been lifted from my shoulders. I felt more agile than ever before.My body, which had felt heavy and swollen, seemed to regain some of its energy. I noticed that the persistent nausea that had plagued me earlier had gone now, leaving me with a much-improved appetite. I couldn't help but smile, realizing that this was just the beginning of an incredible journey.The knowledge that Chester and I were about to become parents filled me with a sense of hope and anticipation. It was as if a new chapter in our lives had opened, and I couldn't wait to explore it together. I could already picture the two of us raising our child, teaching them, and showering them with love.As I lay there, I thought about the connection between Chester and
Jacob's POVWhen my personal adviser walked into the throne room, it was to find me in the lowest of spirits.I paced restlessly in the throne room, my agitation at its very peak. The atmosphere was heavy with the turmoil in my mind. My personal adviser, stopped and watched me with concern, his eyes filled with anxiety and concern for my well-being. He'd seen me like this on more than one occasion, but this time, he knew my anger and frustration were particularly intense."Alpha Jacob, you must calm yourself," my personal adviser urged, his voice gentle and persuasive. "Losing your composure will not serve you well."I stopped pacing and turned to face Hiram, my brows furrowed in frustration. "I cannot calm down, Hiram," I said through gritted teeth. "I just cannot. This is unacceptable!"I heard a sigh come from behind me as my adviser spoke up. "What happened this time, Alpha?"I swivelled to face him. "You saw the disrespect Chester showed me at the ball, did you not? It is absolut
Jacob's Pov I leaned forward as the woman began to explain her proposition. My interest was piqued as she spoke."In all honesty, I have kept a dutiful eye on you, Alpha Jacob," Alina began, her voice measured. "Especially when I came to your ball. I watched you closely from the corners, unknown to anyone there."Her statement ignited suspicion within me. I watched her with my eyes narrowed, waiting for an explanation. "And why have you been monitoring me?" I inquired, unable to contain my curiosity. "Who sent you to do that?"Alina's confession was direct. "This was a solo move, Alpha Jacob. I was sent by nobody. I was merely at the party to find a suitor for myself and of course, to keep an eye on my sister, Nora."My brows furrowed as I tried to grasp the situation. "You were seeking a suitor? And what does that have to do with me?"She continued, unravelling her motives further. "That has nothing to do with you. This was something I was merely doing for myself."Alina stepped for
Nora's POVI sprang to my feet. "What?!"The maids all backed up, fear evident in their eyes. "We're sorry, Luna..."My gaze moved from one maid to the other, seeking answers. "Why would Alpha Chester do that? Lily has been my personal maid for so long."The middle-aged maid, the one who had been speaking, looked down for a moment before answering. "Alpha Chester did not provide a specific reason for his decision, Luna. He merely requested that we take over your care."It felt as if the ground had shifted beneath my feet. I had grown accustomed to Lily's presence, to her support and her friendship. I had shared my deepest secrets with her, and she had been more than just a maid; she had become a friend.This sudden change left me feeling exposed and vulnerable. I had barely settled into my new role as Alpha Chester's Luna, and now the familiar presence of Lily was taken away.Confusion and concern welled up within me, but I tried to remain composed. "Very well," I replied to the maids
Alina's POVThe carriage wheels rumbled as it carried me towards the pack house and my sister. Deep within me, my thoughts matched the sound of the carriage.There was a sinister kind of happiness bubbling within me that I could not explain. I had just finished discussing plans with Alpha Jacob, and now it was time to set everything in motion.Soon, my carriage came to a stop in front of the pack house. Stepping down from the carriage, I looked up at Chester's pack house with a large sense of satisfaction. A smile widened my lips as I stared at the impressive, Victorian structure. Soon, this would be mine, and Nora would be gone from it, erased like a forgotten memory.The imposing structure of the pack house loomed overhead. It was like a sign of the power and authority that would soon be mine. My heart raced with anticipation as I thought about the intricate web of schemes that would soon unfold within those walls.Soon I spotted a passing maid with a basket of laundry in her hands
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