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 head perked up as the wagon driver stopped before me. A pang of fear went through my heart as I saw the man on the wagon, with a black hood over his face and a lantern swinging above his head, brightening the dark forest. What I could see of his face was terribly expressionless.His sudden arrival frightened me."Who....who are you?" I stammered."I should be asking you the same question." He replied. There was a pause, before he continued. "You look familiar, young woman."I hastily turned my face, hoping he wouldn't see me. Who knew what danger I could be in? Everyone around here knew I was Chester's Luna.Or ex-Luna, I thought."Are you not Luna Nora?" He asked. "I remember attending your coronation ball. Everyone spoke of your beauty and grace far and wide, but....I didn't expect you to be in this part of the forest."I hurriedly stood to my feet as I dusted off my dress and approached the wagon. The man, seemingly concerned, asked again. "Luna Nora, what exactly are
Nora's POVThe sight of Alpha Jacob on the other end of the large room sent a chill down my spine. My feet remained fixated to the spot, as my eyes glued to his.This was not the welcome I was expecting.A gasp slipped from my lips, and I staggered backwards. I should have known! When that wagon driver had mentioned Storm Claw wolf pack, the name had immediately rang a bell. I should have remembered that this was the exact same pack I had attended a ball, several weeks ago.Alpha Jacob immediately sat up and leaned forward as he noticed my presence. There was an impatient look in his eyes, and I knew that we had interrupted something important."What is this disruption, again?" He asked, voice tinged with annoyance. "It is late at night, and I am about to have my rest."My apologies, Alpha!" One of the men who had brought me called out. "But we saw a strange woman loitering around the border.""Yes," continued the second man. "We decided to bring her here to you. She might be a spy, c
Alina's POV"Just like that, father!" I squealed. "It was so easy! Just like that, and Nora is out of the picture!"My father looked up from the parchment in his hands. His brow was furrowed, as though he was annoyed. But his voice when he spoke was tinged with happiness and pride."I told you, daughter." He spoke up. "Things will work out for us in the end. We are the Farkas family, after all. Failure is not an option for us."I squealed again, my heart full of glee. This was truly a moment to celebrate. My heart was simply bursting with happiness. I could not contain it, nor could I hold back the smile that split my lips. "You are right, father." I replied finally. "Failure, in our family, is really not an option.""We should have involved that Alpha Jacob in our plans from the onset." My father cut in, a small smile in his eyes. "He seems to be the one missing constant in our schemes.""You are right, father." I picked up a grape and popped it into my mouth, thinking aloud. "You k
Alina's POVAfter these words, Alpha Chester turned and walked back into the pack house. I followed him, keeping a safe yet close distance behind him.He was unstable on his feet, that much was obvious. The man kept swaying, holding on to his goblet for dear life, as though he would fall to the ground without it.Finally, I spoke up. "Alpha, should I help you with that?""No!" He roared. "I am fine! I am fine! I am fine!"It sounded as though he was trying to convince himself more than he was trying to convince me. It was obvious that this man wasn't fine, and the sight of him this disoriented kept a feeling of happiness in my heart.The more fragile the man, the easier to manipulate him, I thought.My dear sister had left him feeling like a shell of his former self. I was very sure that he was regretting ever rejecting and banishing her, but what was done was done. It was my turn now to show him that I could be as much of a Luna as Nora had heen.Alpha Chester staggered again, reachi
Alina's POVQuickly, I pulled on my clothes, feeling his eyes on me like beacons of harsh light. His anger was almost tangibleI dashed out of Alpha Chester's study faster than my legs could carry me. The sheer force of his words and his voice was enough to instill fear inside my heart.I raced as fast I could, out of the study and towards the front door. I met Beta Jonas at the door, leaning against the wall with his arms folded."Miss Alina!" He called out as I was moving out of the pack house. I paused, trying to swallow my anger. My back was to him, and I hoped he couldn't see the fact that I was positively burning with rage. I took several calming breaths. Then I slowly turned to face him."Beta Jonas!" I replied, pushing a fake sweetness into my voice. "I didn't see you there!""I'm sure you didn't." Beta Jonas murmured, then began to walk towards me, slowly. Like a prowling wild cat. Like a viper about to strike. It was all I could do not to roar in his face and rake my wo
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