PiperThe guards lift Leona's limp body like she weighs nothing, hauling her out of the training ground as the rest of the class stands in stunned silence. My knuckles still tingle, and I keep staring at my hands like they belong to someone else.How? How did I do that?For the rest of the class, I’m left standing alone. Nobody wants to partner with me now. Every time I glance around, I catch people whispering or quickly averting their gazes. It's ridiculous. Me? Scary?Coach Morgan claps her hands, snapping everyone’s attention back to her. “Listen up. Starting next class, you’ll need to earn points. These points will go toward your overall score in the competition.”The collective groan is immediate. I can’t blame them. As much as I respect Morgan, she’s already made it clear that ‘fun’ is code for hell. “Dismissed!” Morgan announces, and the crowd starts dispersing. My legs feel like lead as I follow them, the day's events playing over and over in my mind.Before I can make it far
Serena steps forward, her commanding voice drawing everyone's attention. “We have a new candidate in our midst,” she announces, gesturing to Zoe, who stands by her side with an effortless confidence, a smirk playing on her lips.My heart swells seeing her here, but the murmurs that erupt from the girls quickly sour the moment.“But she’s marked,” one of them points out, jabbing a finger toward the mark on Zoe’s neck.Zoe shrugs nonchalantly, brushing a hand over the mark as if it’s nothing, her smirk never faltering.The room buzzes with whispers, snide comments floating through the air. “How shameless,” someone mutters. “Is she really that power-hungry to leave her mate and come here?”Serena doesn’t miss a beat. Her voice cuts through the noise, sharp and unyielding. “Yes, she’s marked. But she rejected her mate because she wants to be with Alpha Elijah. She’s willing to fight for him. Here, we don’t discriminate against women who choose their own path.”I can’t help it—a chuckle es
One week later.The room is already heavy with tension when Luna Serena walks in, her usual composed demeanour intact. Her piercing gaze sweeps over the thirty-one of us seated at the long wooden tables. Even Zoe sits quietly for once, though I can sense her restlessness.A faint smile tugs at Serena's lips. I know that look. Whatever she has planned for today, it’s going to test us.“Today’s class is going to be something different,” Serena announces calmly.A collective groan ripples through the room, followed by a few muttered complaints. Zoe, sitting beside me, leans over and whispers, “What the hell does different mean this time? Last time it meant climbing a rock wall blindfolded.”I shrug, stifling a laugh. “Whatever it is, it can’t be worse than that.”The door opens, and three guards walk in, each carrying a stack of… plastic dolls? My brows knit in confusion as they start handing them out, one to each of us. I frown as the guard places one in front of me. Its blank, lifeless
PiperMy doll is perched on the desk in front of me, her painted eyes staring blankly ahead. To my left, Zoe sits stiffly, her arms crossed and her expression guarded. On my right, Anna fidgets nervously, her hands twisting in her lap. The tension between them has been simmering all morning, and I feel awkward, trapped in the middle of whatever unspoken conflict is brewing.The sound of purposeful footsteps draws my attention. A tall man strides into the room, his movements brisk and commanding. He’s the first male coach we’ve had, and his name tag reads Coach Vance. He’s impeccably dressed in a tailored suit, his sharp eyes scanning the room with an intensity that makes me sit up straighter.He drops a stack of papers onto his desk and clasps his hands together, his gaze sharp and assessing.“Ladies,” he begins, his voice smooth yet carrying an edge of authority, “today’s lesson is about strategy. And survival.”The room falls silent as he picks up a marker and writes two words on the
I clutch the edge of the table, my breath coming in shallow gasps. The dining hall feels too big, too cold, as the consequences of the absence of my doll loom over me like a storm cloud.“Have you seen it?” Zoe’s voice snaps me out of my frantic thoughts. She’s standing beside me now, her expression equal parts irritation and worry.I shake my head, biting my lip to keep my voice steady. “It was just here. It couldn’t have grown legs and walked away, right?”Zoe’s eyes narrow as she scans the place. “Where’s Anna?” she demands. “She was here when we left. Now she’s gone too.”I glance around but see no sign of her. “I don’t know,” I mutter, dread pooling in my stomach.“I bet that bitch took it,” Zoe sneers, her tone sharp with accusation.“Not now, Zoe!” I snap, my voice harsher than I intended. I’m too busy searching every corner of the room like a crazed animal to deal with her suspicions.Zoe scoffs but doesn’t argue. “Fine. Let’s find your stupid doll first. But don’t think I’m l
Elijah Piper’s eyes roll back, her body going slack as she collapses again.“Piper!” I shout, catching her face in my hands, shaking her lightly. Her skin is pale, her breathing shallow. My heart thunders in my chest, a mixture of panic and rage clawing at me.Turning sharply, I grab the doctor by the collar and slam him against the nearest wall. “I thought you said she’d be alright,” I growl, my voice dripping with venom. “She woke up, then fainted again! What the hell is happening to my mate? Save her!”The doctor stammers, his hands raised in surrender, his eyes wide with fear. “Alpha—please—she’s in shock. I swear, she’ll recover. Her vitals are stable. It’s just… I think she fainted from seeing your face.”“What?” I snarl, tightening my grip.“Alpha, hear me out!” he pleads. “She’s been away from you for too long. Her body... her soul aches for you. She thinks she’s dreaming, which could explain the shock.” His voice wavers, and he swallows hard before adding, “Maybe if you—if y
Piper My eyelids flutter open, and the faint ache in my muscles immediately makes itself known. I blink against the dim light, groaning softly as I rub my eyes. My hand brushes against the unfamiliar wires and tubes attached to my body, and I yank them off instinctively with annoyance and unease. A deep breath steadies me, though it does little to erase the weakness coursing through me.As my vision clears, I notice someone sitting in a chair by the window, their back turned to me. The silhouette is familiar, and my heart leaps. “Elijah?” I call out, my voice hoarse but filled with hope and yearning.I remember the dream—or was it a hallucination?—of him standing beside me, his voice low and full of concern. My chest tightens, and the weight of how much I miss him crashes down on me. This distance between us feels unbearable. I wish I could tell him how much he’s starting to mean to me, but the words never seem to come.The figure stirs but doesn’t respond. I swing my legs off the be
Piper"Uh-oh," I mutter, taking a step back from the tension crackling in the air. I force a weak smile and look between Zoe and Ryder, his expression frozen in a mixture of hurt and disbelief, hers like a deer caught in headlights. "You know, I think you two might need some privacy to, uh, talk this through."Zoe doesn’t say a word, just stands there, pale and stiff. Ryder doesn’t even glance at me, his eyes locked on her like he’s waiting for a bomb to go off.I edge past Ryder, avoiding his gaze, and awkwardly slip out the door, pulling it shut behind me. As soon as it clicks into place, I let out a heavy sigh, my head tipping back against the wood."Well, that was... something," I whisper to myself, straightening up and starting down the hall. My thoughts swirl as I walk, imagining what’s happening behind that door.I can’t blame Ryder for being shocked. From what Serena told me, werewolves cherish big families—it’s practically ingrained in their culture. So to hear that your mate
Elijah’s POV I arrive at the location, my jaw tightening the moment I recognize it. Of course, it had to be here—our father’s mansion. The man barely sets foot in the human world anymore, but this place still reeks of memories I’d rather bury six feet under. I should’ve known Nicholas would run straight to the only man who ever indulged his darkness. I don’t bother knocking. The front door is unlocked, swinging open with an eerie creak. The house is silent, unnaturally so, like no one’s lived here in years. But I know better. The stench of death lingers in the air, unmistakable, leading me like a beacon. Nicholas. I follow the scent, step after step, down the long, dimly lit hallway. My fingers itch to unsheath my claws, but I force them to stay human. I don’t need my wolf for this—I just need to end it. Then, I see the door slightly ajar at the end of the hall. My heartbeat slows, steady and controlled, as I push it open. Nicholas sits slumped in a chair, his head hanging low,
Elijah stands at the head of the dining table, looking effortlessly handsome. My parents pause for a moment, taking him in, and I don’t miss the way my mother’s breath hitches, or the way Paige’s eyes widen slightly.I smirk, stepping forward. “Mum, Dad, meet my mate—”I catch my slip and quickly correct myself. “I mean, my husband.”Elijah’s lips twitch with amusement as he extends a hand. “Elijah,” he introduces himself smoothly, his deep voice like silk. His gaze is sharp yet undeniably charming. “It’s a pleasure to meet you both.”My mother stares at him like he’s a god. “He’s so… handsome.” She exhales shakily. “I’ve never seen anyone with such deep blue eyes…”I flick my gaze to Paige, whose jaw is slightly slack as she drinks in Elijah’s presence. A slow smirk spreads across my face as I lean back. “What about Greg?” I ask innocently. “Didn’t invite him for dinner? Oh, I bet he’s too busy running away with Mum and Dad’s fortune.” I laugh, a sharp, hollow sound, wiping an imagina
The bar is dimly lit, filled with the stale scent of alcohol and desperation. I weave through the crowd, my sharp gaze scanning every face, every shadowed corner.Then I hear it.A sharp, sickening slap.My ears perk up, my werewolf senses sharpening, and the unmistakable sound of a man's leering voice cuts through the noisy bar.“Come on, sweetheart. Just be nice to me.”“No—let go of me!” a familiar voice protests, laced with exhaustion and humiliation.I snap my head in the direction of the voice and my breath catches in my throat when I see her.Paige.But she’s unrecognizable. Her once-bright blonde hair is dull and faded, her face hollow and tired, her once-proud stance reduced to something small and beaten down. She looks like a ghost of herself.A filthy man with a bulging stomach and greasy hands grips her arm, his fingers digging into her skin as he smirks down at her. His other hand lifts again, about to strike—I move.Before his hand makes contact, I shoot forward with in
Elijah takes my hands, his thumb running slowly over my knuckles."Are you ready?"We stand before his massive black wolf painting, the creature’s eyes glowing faintly, watching us—as if aware, as if waiting. This journey is different. This time we are leaving Zoe and Ryder in charge of the pack until we return.I swallow, my gaze flickering to the new painting beside it—my wolf. My own portal to the human world. It still feels surreal knowing I now have access to both worlds. No longer just a human. No longer powerless."Yeah… just nervous," I admit.Elijah’s lips curl into a soft smile. "You’ll be fine, my Luna."His voice drops to a low, melodic hum as he begins to chant, the ancient words rolling off his tongue like a song only wolves understand."Na'vethar ka vethril, se'reythar ka mor'zhil dharani."(Open the gate, reveal the path to the mortal realm.)The moment the words leave his lips, the painting in front of us trembles, the canvas rippling like water disturbed by a stone.
Elijah Two weeks have passed, and yet, I still replay that moment in my head—Piper standing in front of my pack members, fierce and unyielding, defending me with every ounce of fire in her. My mate. My Luna.I should have forced them all to their knees, made them submit with my Alpha command, or cast them out into the streets for their disrespect. But I didn’t. Because I understand their frustration. I know why they acted the way they did. And that’s the difference between a tyrant and a true leader.That doesn’t mean my patience isn’t wearing thin.Right now, I’m sitting at the head of the long council table, my fingers drumming against the polished wood, as the elders argue amongst themselves like a bunch of squabbling hens. My jaw tightens. They’ve been pushing me, testing me, thinking I’ll break under their bullshit.Elder Marcus, the smug bastard, leans forward with a smirk. "Alpha Elijah, the two weeks are up. There has been no announcement of a pregnancy, which means—""Which
PiperThe crowd erupts into laughter—not just a few chuckles or scattered snickers, but a full-blown roar of amusement, as if I’ve just told the most ridiculous joke of the century.The elderly woman who spoke first sneers, her wrinkled face twisting with disdain. “Respect?” she repeats mockingly. “Alpha Elijah doesn’t deserve our respect anymore. He abandoned us for five years—five years while the curse took hold of our people. And now, he waltzes back in as if nothing happened?" Her gaze shifts to Elijah, her expression a mix of contempt and sorrow. "Where was he when we needed him?"The hostility in the air is suffocating.Elijah’s jaw clenches, but he remains silent. Beside him, Ryder looks ready to pounce, his hands curled into tight fists at the blatant disrespect toward his Alpha.Another elder, a man with a hunched back and eyes clouded with age but still burning with resentment, raises his voice. "We suffered. How many years have passed without us seeing our children and gran
Piper’s POVLast night was hell.Even with the walls separating us, I could hear Zoe crying. The sound of it seeped into my bones, and no matter how much I tried to shut it out, it clung to me, thick and heavy. Her pain was suffocating. My heart ached for her, and I cried too—maybe it was the pregnancy hormones, or maybe it was just because I couldn’t stand hearing her break like that.When I woke up, my eyes were swollen, and my head pounding from the lack of sleep. Elijah had told me Ryder finally broke the news to Zoe about her babies, and since then, she hadn’t stopped crying. At one point, I even wished I wasn’t a werewolf, that I was still human—because then I wouldn’t have to hear every gut-wrenching sob.Now, as I step out into the cold morning air, I wipe my swollen eyes and make my way toward the entrance of the Luna Court. Elijah had told me we’d be leaving today, that I didn’t need to pack—not that I had much to begin with. Honestly, I was relieved to leave this place behi
Piper’s POVI sprint down the hallway, my breaths coming in sharp, panicked bursts. The walls blur past me, the thick scent of antiseptic and blood clinging to the air, but I don’t stop. I can’t stop.Please, let Zoe be okay. Let the babies survive.The thought of her lifeless, her babies lost forever to Serena’s dark magic, squeezes my heart, making it harder to breathe.I push through the clinic doors, and the sight before me makes my stomach drop.Zoe lies on the hospital bed, pale and fragile, her body covered in wires and IV drips. Ryder is sitting beside her, his large hand cradling hers, his thumb gently stroking her skin as if his touch alone could keep her anchored to this world.A sob escapes my lips before I can stop it.Ryder’s head snaps up, his tired eyes meeting mine. His face is etched with grief, exhaustion lining every sharp angle of his jaw. He bows his head slightly in acknowledgement before pressing a lingering kiss to Zoe’s knuckles. Then, he carefully places her
Her scream reverberates through the walls, sending my heart into a frenzied rhythm. But I stay pressed against the cold surface, keeping up the act.Serena glares, her chest rising and falling. “I have lived a thousand years,” she hisses. “And I am so close to becoming truly immortal. If I have to destroy all of you a thousand times to get there, then so be it.”She gestures toward Zoe with a flick of her wrist. “Your friend and her unborn children? They’ll give me, what? A hundred years at most? But you, Piper…”She steps closer, her cold breath ghosting against my skin.“The baby growing inside of you… your soul…” She smirks, her voice dropping to a whisper, laced with something dark and triumphant. “That will unlock my immortality.”My entire body goes still.Did she just say…?I have a baby growing inside me?I’m pregnant? Right now?Fuck.A lump rises in my throat as I lift my gaze to Zoe. She meets my eyes with a tired, sad smile—a silent congratulations, though she looks like s