.Nora's POVJonas led me out of my parents' house, his hand gently supporting me as I winced from the pain of the claw wounds on my face. The morning air was chilly, and my heart felt even colder. The broken pieces of my world and my heart seemed to scatter further with every step we took away from that house.I couldn't understand why Alina couldn't see my side of the story. Her rage and resentment had clouded her judgment, and she was blind to the fact that I had never wanted any of this. How could I explain to Alina that I had been thrust into a situation I couldn't control by the Alpha? Now my own sister was my greatest enemy, and I was helpless to change that.Jonas spoke up the moment we stepped away from the house, his voice full of disapproval. "Luna, I understand that you want to see your parents after everything that had happened these past few days. I understand that you want to set things straight with your sister."I glanced up at him, trying to ignore the pain wracking
Nora's POVAlpha Chester held on to my hand, leading me towards his chambers. I struggled with mixed emotions as we walked—I didn't know if I should be happy that he wasn't too angry, or if I should be worried. But his silence was scary and relieving at the same time.As the alpha led me through the dimly lit corridors of the pack house, his grip on my hand was firm, almost possessive. I had expected a much worse reaction to both my disobedience and the wounds on my face. My heart still pounded in my chest from the intensity of his rage back in the throne room. I had been terrified, my thoughts racing, and all I had wanted was to flee the room as fast as my legs could carry me.But then, when he had held my jaw in his large, powerful hand and inspected my wounds with a gentleness that contrasted with his earlier anger, I felt safe. Protected. I could still feel the graze of his fingers on my cheek, brushing away the trail of blood that had been running down my face.And at that moment
Alpha Chester's POVMy sleep seemed timeless.Nora had that effect on me: her mere touch could calm my frayed nerves, and sleeping right beside her was like heaven. I was acutely aware of every single inch of us that touched: her hair lying against my bare chest, her legs splayed against mine, her erect nipples poking my sides.Every single touch from her was heavenly.As I woke late in the evening, the room was bathed in the soft, warm glow of the setting sun. Its golden rays filtered through the curtains, casting long, gentle shadows across the room. This was my most favourite time of the day, when I could relax and unwind, bask in the soft glows of sunset.The light was soft, just like the woman who lay beside me, her chest rising and falling in peaceful slumber. Nora looked so serene, so utterly captivating in her vulnerability, that something within me softened as I watched her.The thought crossed my mind that I had so vulnerably bared myself to this woman, and it was totally a
Alpha Chester's POVI leaned forward, my curiosity tinged with a growing anger. "Jonas," I began, trying to keep my voice steady. "What did you notice when you went to Elder Lyall's house?"Tension sparked in the air as Jonas glanced behind him, still wary of eavesdroppers. "It couldn't be overlooked, alpha." He murmured. "It was obvious, the kind of intention that Elder Lyall and his family have towards the Luna.""Speak already!" I growled.Jonas nodded, meeting my gaze with unwavering determination. "So when I was at the Farkas family home with the Luna, I noticed Elder Lyall and his wife's reaction to Alina harming the Luna. It was—"He paused, then continued again. "It was as if her parents wanted harm to come to her, as though they wanted her out of the picture. They didn't intervene when Alina humiliated her, almost as if they saw her mere existence as a threat."I pursed my lips, pondering. "Honestly, I see no reason why they wouldn't want to kick her out of the picture. Elder
Nora's POV"You shouldn't be out here," he growled, his voice low and authoritative. His eyes flicked to the guards, who stood at attention, awaiting his orders. "Why the hell is she out here?!""Because I want to take a walk in the garden!" I retorted, closing the distance between us. "What, is that forbidden too?""Yes, it is!" Alpha Chester closed the distance between us, and I caught his cinnamon scent again. Heady, I thought.Focus! A voice screamed in my head."It is not safe for you to walk around free, for now." He snarled. "I think it's best you stay inside. It's safer."I scoffed, my voice edged with defiance. "What are you trying to protect me from this time? I can handle myself—""No, you cannot. Listen to me!" Alpha Chester's voice suddenly thundered, echoing through the corridor, and for a brief moment, the world seemed to hold its breath. I could hear his heartbeat and mine, thundering like rocks rolling down a single hill.His eyes smoldered as I stared deep into them
Nora's POVWeeks had passed since that tearful conversation with Beta Jonas, and my world had become a monotonous cycle of confinement. It seemed as though all I ever did was wake up, have my bath, dress, eat, stare out the window at the sights I could never really experience, then sleep and do it all again the next day.Again and again and again, every single day. Rinse and repeat.Alpha Chester hadn't been to my room in weeks. I'd been counting the days since he last came, and today made it the twenty-third day.Twenty three days since he last came to my room.Twenty three days since he last gave me a kiss on my head.And I had never felt this starved of his presence. Ever.In fact, the only face I'd been allowed to see was that of Lily, my personal maid. She was the same one who had helped to fetch Jonas what seemed like ages ago. She had tried her best to keep me company, but my heart still ached to go outside.The open windows allowed the gentle breeze and the sounds of the outsi
Nora's POVWith those final words, I turned my back to him.But Alpha Chester was swifter."Come here!" He growled, reaching out for my arm. His fingers wound around my upper arm, his skin warm and almost comforting. I couldn't let him get to my head.How I struggled within his grasp. How I twisted and turned, pushing out all my wolf strength, but Alpha Chester was obviously stronger than me. He turned me around to face him using his grip on my arm. One minute I was standing away from him, and the next minute I was three inches away from his face, with my hands splayed on his taut chest.My instincts screamed at me to break free from Alpha Chester's grasp, to flee from the maddening turmoil he stirred within me, but he seemed to hold me captive both physically and emotionally.I groaned in frustration and turned, trying to walk away from him, to put some distance between us. But his fingers closed around my wrist like an unbreakable shackle, stopping me in my tracks again."Where can
Nora's POVI watched him with a mix of disbelief and outrage. Alpha Chester's behavior had always bewildered me, but today it reached new heights of absurdity.It was as though he always wanted to be around me, breathe the same air with me. He never wanted me to leave his sight for once, never wanted me to have a life outside his own sphere if influence. When I was around him, I was immediately reminded of the rift between myself and my family. And yet—somehow, he also made me forget about them.How could I believe the words of Lily when he acted this way? How could I believe that he loved me? I didn't know much, but I knew one didn't treat a loved one the way he treated me."I've lost my appetite," I declared suddenly, not wanting to eat a morsel more under his watchful eyes.Alpha Chester's eyes darted upwards to meet mine. He merely chuckled, a teasing smile curling on his lips. "Oh, you've lost your appetite, have you? Well, Peach, don't you worry. I can buy you a new one."His 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