~RalphThe night stretched on endlessly, oppressive and heavy, like a storm cloud refusing to break. The silence inside the packhouse was deafening, broken only by the sound of my boots hitting the cold stone floor. Every step echoed around me, as though mocking my desperation. Otsana was here—I could feel it. Or at least she had been. “Jasper!” I roared, my voice reverberating through the halls. There was no answer. Of course not. That coward wouldn’t face me directly.Behind me, Noah followed at a leisurely pace, his calmness a stark contrast to my barely contained fury. His footsteps barely made a sound, but I could feel his presence, smug and unbothered. “You know,” he began, his voice smooth and maddeningly relaxed, “yelling at the walls won’t do much good. They’re not going to suddenly sprout mouths and give you answers.”I ignored him, my focus locked on the door at the end of the corridor. Each door I opened, every room I checked, only heightened my frustration. I didn’t nee
~RalphThe guest house was too loud. Too damn loud. Laughter, the clinking of glasses, and the obnoxious hum of chatter filled the air. It was the kind of noise that grated on my nerves even on a good day—and today was anything but a good day. My fists clenched at my sides as I stepped through the doorway, trying to make sense of what the hell was going on. Grayson's pack members were scattered everywhere, lounging like they didn’t have a care in the world. Some leaned against walls with drinks in hand, others huddled in groups, talking and laughing like life was perfect. The smell of roasted meat and spilled wine hung heavy in the air, turning my stomach. What in the actual hell? Did they win a lottery I didn’t know about? I pushed further into the room, my boots thudding against the hardwood floor. My jaw tightened with every step. Something about this scene was off. Wrong. Celebrations like this didn’t belong here, not with everything that had happened lately. And then I
~SophiaI stood rooted to the spot, staring at Ralph as his words echoed in my mind. My fists clenched, and my jaw tightened as the rage simmered beneath my skin. How dare he speak to me like that? How dare he look down on me—on our future—as though it was nothing but a joke?I turned on my heel and stormed out of the packhouse, slamming the door behind me with enough force to rattle the windows.The night greeted me with a chill that sent shivers down my spine. The moon hung low in the sky, casting a silvery glow over the dense forest that surrounded the packhouse. The wind whispered through the trees, rustling the leaves as though mocking me. My long dress fluttered in the breeze, and I clutched my pregnant belly protectively.“I’ll do whatever it takes,” I muttered through clenched teeth. “Whatever it takes to make sure you marry me, Ralph. You don’t have a choice in this. You hear me? You don’t.”My hand drifted to my belly, tracing its curve with trembling fingers. The life growi
~OtsanaI paced around the room in my nightdress, the soft fabric brushing against my skin as the chill of the night seeped in. The air was heavy with silence, broken only by the occasional crackling of the fireplace. My eyes flickered to the clock on the wall. He should’ve been here by now. I walked to the mirror, pausing to examine myself. My fingers brushed my cheek as I leaned in, hoping the days I spent in the dungeon hadn’t dulled my appearance. My skin looked pale, and faint shadows rimmed my eyes, but I wasn’t completely unrecognizable. “You’re still you,” I whispered, attempting a smile. “Ralph will still see you.”A sudden noise startled me—a soft creak from the door. My heart leaped into my throat. Ralph! My lips curled into a smile, and I spun toward the door, smoothing my hair quickly. “Finally,” I murmured, my heart racing with anticipation. I glanced back at the mirror, adjusting the thin strap of my nightdress. I wanted to look perfect for him, even if exhaustion
~Otsana The cool night air brushed against my skin as I lay on Ralph's chest, the steady rhythm of his heartbeat a soothing melody against my ear. His arm rested around me, holding me close, while we both gazed out of the large window in his room. The full moon hung high in the sky, its silvery light streaming into the room, wrapping us in its ethereal glow. "It feels like it's watching us," I murmured, my fingers idly tracing circles on his chest. Ralph chuckled softly, his hand brushing through my hair. "The moon?" "Yes," I said with a smile, lifting my head slightly to meet his eyes. "Almost like it's giving us its blessing." He smiled back, his eyes warm and tender. "If it is, I’ll take it. We could use all the blessings we can get." For a moment, we just stayed like that, wrapped in each other’s warmth, basking in the glow of the moon. Then Ralph shifted slightly, a mischievous grin creeping onto his face. "You know," he began, his voice teasing, "I don’t think
~RalphThe moonlight filtered through the window, casting a faint silver glow over the room. My mind was a whirlwind, thoughts colliding like waves in a storm. A day—just one day—before my wedding to Sophia, and here I was, making plans to send the woman I loved away. Otsana sat across from me, her eyes red from crying, yet defiant as ever. Her strength amazed me, even now. She deserved so much more than the chaos I had brought into her life. But this was the only way to protect her, even if it broke us both. “I’ve been thinking,” I began, my voice low and measured, careful not to betray the conflict raging inside me. “You need to leave the pack, Otsana.” Her breath hitched, and I saw the tears forming in her eyes again. “Leave?” she whispered, her voice trembling. “I’ll take you to Noah , the Lycan King,” I continued, forcing the words out. Just saying his name made my blood boil, but I knew it was the safest option. “He’s your fated mate. He wouldn’t hurt you, and Jasper wou
~NoahThe door to my room burst open, slamming against the wall with a loud bang. I didn’t need to look up to know who it was. Only one person in this entire estate would dare enter my room unannounced. Dara.“Noah!” she snapped, striding into the room as if she owned it. Her golden hair was perfectly coiffed, her makeup flawless, and her tailored dress screamed wealth and entitlement. But all of it was lost on me. She was the last person I wanted to deal with right now.I leaned back in my chair, my fingers stilling on the document I’d been reading. Slowly, I raised my gaze to meet hers. “Dara,” I said flatly. “To what do I owe this intrusion?”Her eyes narrowed, and she placed her hands on her hips, the picture of indignation. “Intrusion? Really? You’ve been ignoring me for weeks, Noah. Weeks. You haven’t returned my calls, you’ve ignored my messages, and now you’ve stopped taking my parents’ calls too. What is going on?”I sighed, closing the folder in front of me and setting it as
RalphStepping out of my room with Otsana felt like crossing into a war zone, except this time, it wasn’t swords or claws that were the weapons, but the weight of countless eyes. Otsana's hand was trembling in mine as we walked down the hallway, her heart thundering in her chest. She tried to mask her fear, but I could feel it in the way her fingers clung to me like I was her lifeline. She whispered, almost to herself, “Do you think Jasper will come for me again? Or Grayson?” The mention of those names made my jaw tighten, but I forced a calm tone. “No one will touch you while I’m here. I swear it.” She nodded, taking a deep breath, but her eyes darted around nervously. As we stepped into the open courtyard, gasps echoed through the pack. People stopped in their tracks, their mouths agape as they stared at her. Whispers rippled through the crowd like wildfire. “She’s alive?” “We thought she was dead…” “Is that… Otsana?” Her steps faltered, and I squeezed her hand to keep
~OtsanaTWO YEARS LATERThe sound of laughter echoed through the large packhouse as my twin boys darted past me, their tiny legs carrying them with surprising speed. They had inherited Ralph’s boundless energy and my mischievous spirit, a combination that kept the entire house on its toes. I leaned against the doorframe, a soft smile tugging at my lips as I watched Ralph chase after them, his deep laughter filling the space.“Gotcha!” Ralph exclaimed, scooping one of the boys up in his arms while the other giggled and tried to hide behind the couch. “Daddy’s too slow!” shouted Liam, the braver of the two, sticking his tongue out before Ralph mock-growled and lunged for him, sending him into fits of laughter.Life had changed so much in these past two years. Ralph’s curse had been broken the moment he marked me as his mate. The dark cloud that had once loomed over him dissipated, leaving behind a man who was capable of love, laughter, and boundless devotion. Together, we rebuilt what
~RalphThe hospital room was too quiet, save for the faint hum of the machines monitoring Otsana. My heart felt like it was about to burst out of my chest as I paced the length of the room. We needed to leave before Noah arrived. Every second wasted was a chance for him to track us down. I turned to Otsana, her pale face pulling at something deep inside me. “Come on, Otsana,” I said gently, touching her shoulder. “We need to go now.” She blinked at me, clearly exhausted, but she nodded weakly. I helped her sit up, her body frail and unsteady. She was strong—too strong—but even she couldn’t fight against the poison wreaking havoc inside her. “Ralph, hurry up!” Jasper hissed from the doorway, his eyes darting down the hallway. “We don’t have time for this!” I ignored him, focusing on Otsana. Her breathing was shallow, and just as I was about to help her stand, her body jerked violently. “Otsana?” I froze, watching in horror as she started convulsing. Her head snapped back, her
~NoahThe trembling maid stood before me, her knees almost buckling under the weight of her guilt. She couldn’t even meet my gaze. "Who sent you to poison Otsana?" I asked again, my voice as sharp and cold as a blade. Her lips quivered. “It… it was Dara, your betrothed.” I froze. Time seemed to stop as her words sank in. Dara. That manipulative, power-hungry witch. My fists clenched so hard I thought my knuckles would crack. "Dara?" I repeated, my tone low, dangerous. "Y-Yes, my lord," the maid stammered. "She... she paid me to do it." I cursed under my breath, anger flooding my veins. My vision blurred with red for a moment, and it took every ounce of restraint not to lash out. That woman… she dared to attack Otsana, my queen-to-be? The maid’s trembling grew worse, tears streaming down her face as if she knew her confession had just sealed her fate. I turned to one of my guards and made a subtle hand gesture. "Take care of her." The maid’s eyes widened in horror. “N
~RalphThe guesthouse was quiet, eerily so, as Jasper and I crept through the shadows. The soft rustle of leaves from the open windows barely masked the pounding of my heart. Every corner we turned seemed to be occupied by Noah’s guards. Their positioning was methodical, almost suffocating, as if they anticipated our every move.Jasper nudged my arm, his expression grim. "We can’t keep skulking around here. How are we supposed to get out with all these guys loitering like statues?"I shook my head, my mind racing. "We need to find a way out without alerting them. I already called Otsana… but she’s not answering her phone." I clenched my fists, the thought of her in danger fueling my frustration."You called her again?" Jasper whispered, his tone skeptical."Three times," I replied, my voice low but laced with tension. "No answer."Jasper frowned. "You think Noah’s got her locked away? That bastard would pull something like that."I exhaled sharply, trying to keep my emotions in check.
~OtsanaI woke to a piercing light stabbing through my eyelids. Groaning, I turned my head away, the sudden brightness making my head pound. Where was I? My body felt heavy, like I’d been weighed down by sandbags. My fingers twitched as I tried to push myself upright, but a wave of dizziness forced me back onto the soft mattress beneath me. I blinked several times, my vision slowly adjusting. White walls. The sterile smell of disinfectant. Machines softly beeping in the background. A hospital. My mind scrambled to piece together how I got here. “Otsana?” The familiar voice pulled me from my haze. I turned my head and saw Jessica sitting beside me, her face pale, her eyes rimmed red as though she’d been crying. “You’re awake,” she said softly, relief flooding her features. “You scared us, you know that?” I blinked at her, trying to make sense of her words. Scared? Why would she be scared? Then, like a dam breaking, fragments of last night rushed back to me. The dinner. The fo
~RalphSitting in the SUV parked a short distance from Noah’s mansion, I adjusted my seat for the fifth time. My nerves were on edge, but I kept my face calm. Outside, the night was dark and quiet, except for the faint hum of crickets. My men were silent, their eyes fixed on the mansion as if staring hard enough would give us a way in. Jasper, sitting in the driver’s seat, broke the silence. “So, Ralph,” he began, turning his head slightly to glance at me, “congratulations on the baby.” I froze for a moment, caught off guard. My throat felt dry, but I managed a shy, “Thank you.” He chuckled softly, shaking his head. “The mighty Alpha Ralph, my little brother, speechless. Never thought I’d see the day.” I gave him a small smile, staring out the window. “I saw it in my dreams,” I admitted quietly, almost to myself. “Otsana… she’s the only woman who could give me a child. I knew it would happen. I just didn’t know when.” Jasper grinned, leaning back. “Well, the Moon Goddess cle
~OtsanaA knock startled me. I froze in place, staring at the door, every nerve in my body on edge. Noah wouldn’t knock again. He’d been here moments ago, and he had no reason to knock again. If it were him, he would have burst in like he owned the place—because, in his mind, he did. Another knock came, softer this time. Could it…Could it be Jessica? My breath caught in my throat, and I rushed to the door. If it was her, there was no time to waste. My heart thudded as I cracked it open cautiously. Relief washed over me like a wave. It was her. She slipped into the room quickly, her movements sharp and hurried. “Close the door. Now,” she whispered, her voice low but firm. I slammed it shut and locked it this time, double-checking to make sure it was secure. Turning to her, I saw her sharp gaze sweep over me, taking in my tense posture and trembling hands. “What’s wrong?” she asked, her tone softening. “Why do you look like you’ve seen a ghost?” I exhaled shakily, tryi
~Otsana“Pick up, Ralph,” I whispered, biting my lip anxiously. When the call abruptly ended, my chest tightened, panic clawing at me. Jessica’s eyes darted to me. “Did he pick up?” I shook my head, my voice shaky. “He ended the call.” Jessica’s brows knitted together. “Try again.” With shaky hands, I redialed his number. This time, the phone didn’t even ring. Instead, a robotic voice informed me, ‘The number you are trying to reach is currently switched off.’ My stomach sank. “No, no, no,” I muttered, my voice cracking. I turned to Jessica, my eyes wide with fear. “His phone’s off. What should we do now?” Jessica exhaled sharply, placing her hands on her hips. “Calm down, Otsana. Panicking won’t help.” I couldn’t calm down, not with my thoughts spiraling into every worst-case scenario imaginable. “What if Noah forced an abortion on me? What if Ralph doesn’t know what’s happening here? Jessica, what if—” “Stop,” she said firmly, grabbing my shoulders. “We’ll figure thi
~RalphThe car sped down the dark road, the headlights slicing through the night like twin swords. Jasper sat beside me, his hands resting casually on his lap, but his eyes were sharp, scanning the horizon. Behind us, two more vehicles followed, packed with my guards. The silence in the car was thick, broken only by the occasional hum of the engine. I gripped the steering wheel tighter, my knuckles whitening. The thought of Noah’s smug face flashed in my mind, and my grip tightened further. I swear, if he so much as touched her— "Ralph," Jasper said, breaking my thoughts. "You're gonna crack the steering wheel in half if you keep doing that." I let out a heavy sigh and loosened my grip, though my mind remained restless. “Jasper,” I began, my voice low, “what do you think Grayson’s up to?” Jasper turned to me, raising an eyebrow. “Grayson? What about him?” I shrugged, my eyes fixed on the road ahead. “His silence. It’s unnatural. The man doesn’t know how to stay quiet. It feel