~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
~RalphI stood there, staring at Grayson, my anger bubbling beneath the surface. I didn’t trust him, not one bit, and the uncertainty gnawed at me. Why was he really here? Was he going to lecture me about my wedding with Sophia tomorrow? Or worse, was this some kind of trap?A laugh slipped out, almost involuntarily. I didn’t care about his games. If he thought he could rattle me, he had another thing coming. They were in for a surprise. “Give me a sec,” I muttered, not waiting for a response. I turned on my heel and headed inside, my mind racing with possibilities. Inside, I found Otsana standing near the door, her brow furrowed with concern. Her eyes met mine, wide with worry, and I could feel the tension in the air. She knew something was off, just like I did. I softened my expression for a moment, taking a step toward her. “Otsana, lock the door when I step out. Don’t open it for anyone,” I said, my voice low and steady, trying to keep the anxiety I felt from showing.She looke
~OtsanaThe room was quiet except for the soft rustle of fabric as I adjusted the skirt of the dress Ralph had bought for me. It felt strange to wear something so extravagant, so unlike anything I’d chosen for myself. The material was luxurious, flowing like water between my fingers, but the design was impractical for someone like me. I wasn’t used to wearing something that demanded attention.My hands shook as I fumbled with the back of the dress. The tiny hooks were impossible to fasten alone, and I felt a flare of frustration at Ralph for putting me in this position."Dress pretty," he had said. "Like a queen or a princess."Those were his words before he left for his wedding to Sophia. My stomach twisted at the thought. He’d promised me it wouldn’t happen, that he had a plan to stop it. But he hadn’t told me what that plan was, and I was left wondering how far he’d go to break the agreement with Grayson. The man was dangerous, and I had no doubt he’d burn the entire pack to the gr
~RalphThe courtyard was suffused with a golden glow from the lanterns strung across the towering oaks. Every inch of the space screamed celebration, from the rows of white chairs adorned with garlands to the lavish buffet tables groaning under the weight of every delicacy imaginable. The scent of roasted venison mingled with the earthy aroma of the forest, a stark reminder of the traditions I detested. This wasn’t just a wedding; it was a statement, a spectacle designed to broadcast power and unity. My power. But I had no intention of letting it end the way they all hoped.My heart raced as I took my place near the altar. The ceremonial arch loomed ahead, an intricate weave of silver and gold ribbons that framed the full moon perfectly. It would have been beautiful if it weren’t a symbol of my impending doom. I smoothed the lapels of my jacket, trying to keep my breathing steady. Everything hinged on tonight.“Didn’t think you’d show, Ralph.” Grayson’s voice slid into my ear like an
~OtsanaI never thought my life could spiral out of control so quickly. One moment, I was holding on to the fragile hope of a future with Ralph, and the next, I was being dragged into a nightmare by someone I once thought I could trust.It started with a message—a text that sealed my fate.My heart leaped as I saw Ralph’s name flash on the screen.Come to my study, I’m waiting for you.Relief flooded through me. I started typing a reply, my fingers trembling with urgency.But before I could hit send, Noah’s voice cut through the air. “Who’s that?”I glanced up, startled, and instinctively pulled the phone closer to my chest. “It’s none of your business.”His eyes narrowed, and in an instant, he was towering over me. “Let me see.”“No,” I said firmly, clutching the phone tighter.His smirk vanished, replaced by a cold, calculating expression. “Don’t make this difficult, Otsana.”I stood my ground, but before I could react, he snatched the phone from my hands with lightning speed.“Give
~RalphMy jaw clenched at the thought of Otsana, her image vivid in my mind. Where was she? Was she safe? Every scenario that crossed my mind made my heart ache with helplessness. I barely had time to collect myself when I noticed Jasper walking toward me, that ever-present smirk plastered on his face. His relaxed gait, the smug tilt of his chin, made my fists clench involuntarily. “Rough night, Alpha?” he sneered, stopping a few feet away. His mocking tone made my blood boil. “What do you want, Jasper?” I spat, not bothering to hide the venom in my voice. He extended a hand toward me, the gesture more mocking than genuine. “Here to help you up. You look like you could use it.” I stared at his hand for a long second before scoffing and pushing myself to my feet. “I don’t need your help,” I snapped, the words sharp and final. Before I knew it, my fist swung forward, connecting with his jaw. The satisfying crack echoed in the silence. Jasper stumbled back, his hand flying to
~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