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 dreams were anything but peaceful, so I was grateful when I finally woke up.The morning sunlight flooded the room with a gentle glow. The warmth held the promise of a beautiful day. The golden rays streamed through the curtains of my window, creating a dance of light and shadow on the walls. It was a beautiful scene, one that should have filled me with joy and anticipation, but an unexplainable sense of foreboding clung to the edges of my consciousness.I finally opened my eyes to the radiant morning, hoping to shake off the uneasy feeling. The room was bathed in sunlight, and it brightened the gloominess in me a little.And yet, despite the beautiful morning, I could almost feel an invisible cloud of apprehension over my head. It put a bitter taste in my mouth and left me feeling as though the worst was going to happen.As I swung my legs off the bed, the door of my room creaked open. I glanced up to see a procession of maids as they entered, each carrying a different
Nora's POVThe loud chanting of the pack members continued to fill the air, resonating through the grand banquet hall. "Long live Luna Nora! Long live Luna Nora!" They chanted. The rhythmic repetition of those words enveloped me. I felt their affirmation that stirred emotions I hadn't known were dormant.The cheers washed over me like a tidal wave, echoing off the walls and reverberating through me. The newfound recognition from the pack members infused my heart with an unparalleled joy. For the first time, I felt truly seen, acknowledged, and celebrated.If this was all I had, then I was content.This was even better than what I had felt during my coronation ceremony. It was as though I had found a new family, a new home amongst these people.Chester stood by my side with a proud smile, eyes glinting with admiration. His hand, still entwined with mine, provided a steady reassurance amid the roaring from the pack members. As the chants continued, I couldn't help but steal a glance at
Chester's POVMy slow wanderings around the hall made me run into Alpha Wong in one corner, in the midst of other alphas. Immediately he saw me, the smile on his face widened. He detached himself from the gathered alphas and came towards me."Chester, my friend," Alpha Wong began, a twinkle of mischief in his eyes. "I can see that your....ah, efforts at filling dear Luna Nora with babies is working out.A laugh was forced out of my lips. "When you say it like that...."Alpha Wong grinned. "You know I say nothing but the truth, Chester. I believe my congratulations are in order, Alpha."A genuine smile played on my lips as I nodded in acknowledgment. "Thank you, Wong. It is truly an exciting time for us. We're looking forward to the newest member of our pack."Alpha Wong chuckled, his voice carrying a familiar friendliness. "I can relate to the happiness, trust me dear friend."Suddenly his wife came to mind. "Ah, that reminds me. Where is Luna Jun? Did she miss this party the same wa
Chester's POVI sat in the dimly lit study, my fingers tapping restlessly against the arm of the chair. The events of the previous night played over and over in my mind like a relentless and wicked nightmare. It was one sickening loop of bad choices and regret in my head, and I felt as if I couldn't escape from it all.Jonas sat across from me, and his expression was a blend of concern and assurance."Alpha Chester, you need to calm down," he urged. "Nora is a strong Luna. I am sure she will be fine in the end. She will pull through this."I scrubbed a hand across my face, frustration knotting my brow. "I can't calm down, Jonas. How can I be patient when Nora's life hangs in the balance? I can't just sit here and wait."The words spilled out, laced with anguish and fear. It was a feeling I couldn't shake off, a gnawing sense of helplessness that gnarled at my soul. My chest tightened at the thought of Nora lying vulnerable and injured."Still, you need to be calm." Jonas replied. "We
Nora's POV"Did you or did you not, plan the fall from the staircase?" I heard Chester ask.The words slipped from his lips like a dangerous string, a bomb that would go off at any minute. I could feel his accusations settle on me like a shroud of darkness, killing every hope I had ever harboured about him, about us, about our future.How could he even accuse me of such? How could he forget so easily everything we had been through together? What had changed between our union?I staggered backwards, and my back hit the closed door of the study. "Chester, how could you?" I whispered.His jaw tightened, and his eyes went cold. "Answer me, Nora. This instant!""I cannot answer that question—""Then I am right, after all!""I cannot answer that question!" I screamed into his face. "I cannot because it is utterly ridiculous! How can you, with a straight face, throw such accusations at my face? How can you even insinuate that I would purposely kill my unborn child just to get away from you?"
I blanched, a look of disbelief appearing on my face. "Father, what did you—""Oh, yes. You heard right." He snarled, leaning forward to stare into my eyes, as though trying to ingrain his words deep into my soul.I gasped softly, tears gathering in my eyes. "But, father...."Like I said, girl, no buts!" He snarled. "I am not your father, and neither is my wife your mother. At least, biologically.....Our dear Alina is not your sister either.""That's right!" Alina echoed behind me, her voice full of mockery.As my father's harsh words echoed in my ears, I couldn't help but feel as though a thousand daggers pierced my heart simultaneously. "You are not my daughter," he spat with such venom that it felt like a physical blow. "Any more than Alpha Chester is my son!"Alina cackled behind me. "Take a look at her face, father! Look at the disbelief on her face. She looks so stupid."Their words flowed around me, like an unwanted poison. However, I clung to my father's leg, hoping against h
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