~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
~OtsanaThe room was I was given was breathtaking. It felt more like a palace than a living space. Every inch of it screamed luxury, from the silk curtains that shimmered under the sunlight to the polished marble floors that reflected the glow of a massive crystal chandelier. The bed was grand, its headboard carved with intricate patterns of wolves and vines, draped with gold-threaded sheets. For a fleeting moment, I wondered if I even belonged here. The maids buzzed around me like worker bees, attending to every little thing. They had insisted on helping me bathe earlier, scrubbing my skin with oils that smelled of lavender and jasmine, washing my hair with the gentlest hands. Now they were fussing over my hair, styling it into elegant waves that cascaded down my back, and adjusting the gown they had chosen for me—a deep emerald green that hugged my figure perfectly, glittering faintly in the light. One of the maids stepped forward, holding a small golden crown in her hands, the
~NoahThe moment Otsana stormed out of the garden, I ran my hand through my hair in frustration. My heart felt like it had been split in two. How could she reject me like that, especially after the connection we just shared? My wolf, Fridolf, was restless, pacing in my head like a caged animal. "We can't let her go, Noah. She belongs to us," he growled, his voice edged with desperation. "Not now, Fridolf," I replied sharply, trying to keep my composure. "Now is the perfect time! Did you see her? Ebony wants me as much as I want her. You’re being ridiculous." Fridolf was in heat, and his longing for Ebony was making him impossible to reason with. I tried to calm him, but he wouldn’t stop. "You’re ruining this. Calm down, Fridolf! She’s not ready. I won’t scare her off," I said, trying to walk away from the pull I felt toward her. But Fridolf wasn’t having it. The mate pull between us was like a magnetic force, yanking me back every time I tried to resist. His thoughts becam
~OtsanaThe mate bond between us was undeniable, pulling me toward him with a force I could hardly resist. But my love for Ralph, my commitment to him, held me back.I quickly broke free from him, and gathered my clothes, my hands trembling as I dressed. "Noah, you need to leave," I said, my voice shaky but firm. "We can't do this."Noah's eyes searched mine, a mixture of longing and regret. "I'm sorry, Otsana," he murmured, standing up from the bed and dressing up. "I didn't mean to overstep."I avoided his gaze, clutching my clothes to my chest as if they could shield me from the whirlwind of emotions inside me. "Please, just go," I whispered.He hesitated for a moment, then nodded, turning to leave. As the door closed behind him, the weight of what had just transpired crashed over me. Tears welled up in my eyes, and I sank onto the bed, sobbing uncontrollably.Ebony, my wolf, stirred within me. "Why did you push him away?" she asked, her voice filled with confusion. "We both felt t
~OtsanaThe garden was peaceful, a sharp contrast to the storm raging in my mind. My feet dragged me along the stone path, the soft crunch of gravel beneath me echoing louder than it should. Noah’s words played on a loop, haunting me. Abort the baby. The phrase cut deeper every time I thought of it. I paused and placed my hand protectively over my belly. “No,” I whispered, my voice trembling. “No matter what, I will protect you.” My hand lingered, and I could almost feel the faintest flutter from within, as if the baby was agreeing with me. A weak smile formed on my lips. “Ralph,” I murmured, tears streaming down my face. “We have a bundle of joy now. Where are you? Come save us.” The plea hung in the air, but the silence that followed felt suffocating. Reality crashed down on me—I was alone. The mansion’s security was tight. Even if Ralph somehow managed to get here, how would he break in? How would he get to me and take us away? I sank onto the edge of a stone bench, the weight o
~NoahWe sat in the doctor’s office, a quiet tension in the air. I leaned back in my chair, keeping my face calm, though my mind was anything but calm. Otsana sat beside me, stiff as a statue, her hands trembling on her lap. She refused to look at me. I didn’t blame her; this entire situation had spiraled into something neither of us wanted.The doctor, a tall man with glasses perched precariously on his nose, finally entered, flipping through a file. He looked up with a smile. “Ah, Your Majesty,” he said, nodding at me respectfully. “Congratulations are in order.”My brows furrowed. “Congratulations?”The doctor gestured toward Otsana with a warm smile. “Yes, King Noah. Your queen to be is pregnant. Approximately ten weeks along. You must be very pleased.”I froze. The words hit me like a punch to the gut. Pregnant? I forced myself to nod, offering a tight smile. “Yes, of course. It’s…” My throat felt dry. “Wonderful news.”Beside me, Otsana shrank into her seat. Her face was pale, h
~OtsanaSitting at the long, polished mahogany dining table, I stared down at my plate. Roast chicken, mashed potatoes, and a vibrant assortment of steamed vegetables were arranged neatly, but I had no appetite. Across from me sat Noah, his piercing eyes fixed on me as he ate in silence. I could feel the weight of his gaze, but he hadn’t spoken a word to me since we sat down.The tension between us was noticeable, lingering like a storm cloud. After what had happened between us—his sudden Nate oull, the forceful way he brought me here—I knew he was struggling to bridge the silence, but I didn’t intend to make it easy for him.Noah’s fork clinked against his plate as he set it down. He gestured to one of the chefs standing nearby. “Bring more food,” he ordered. “She needs energy for the mating ceremony ritual tomorrow.”I froze, my fork halfway to my mouth. “What mating ceremony?” My voice was sharp, my heart hammering in my chest.He leaned back in his chair, folding his arms as if th
~RalphThe knock on the door was sharp and insistent, jolting me out of my brooding. I turned sharply, already irritated. “Who is it?” I barked, my voice carrying the edge of frustration that had been simmering all day.“It’s Lilith,” came the soft reply from the other side of the door.I froze. Lilith? I hadn’t seen her in dsys, not since the debacle with Grayson. What the hell was she doing here? I yanked the door open, and there she stood, a shadow of the woman I once knew. She had lost so much weight; her once-bright eyes now seemed dimmed with exhaustion. “Can I come in?” she asked softly, her voice almost timid. It was a far cry from the fiery woman I remembered.I nodded stiffly. “Sure.”She stepped inside, and I couldn’t help but stare as she walked past me. Her frame was frail, her movements careful, as if she feared breaking. She made her way to the sofa and sat down, her hands clasped tightly in her lap. She took a deep breath before speaking.“I know you’re surprised to s
~RalphIt had been seven days since Otsana disappeared. Seven excruciatingly long days. I kept replaying the last moments I saw her, hoping for a clue, something I’d missed. Each passing second felt like a failure. The guilt gnawed at me like a ravenous beast. Now, driving back to the Greyhound Pack after helping Jasper secure the Silverwaters Pack, my patience was wearing thinner than ever. The car hummed softly as it sped down the winding forest road. Jasper, seated next to me, had been trying to strike up a conversation for the past twenty minutes, his voice grating against my already frayed nerves. “Ralph, I appreciate you stepping in back there,” he said cautiously, testing the waters. “I couldn’t have claimed Silverwaters pack without you.” I didn’t respond, my eyes fixed on the road ahead. He tried again. “It’s good to see you in action, you know. Reminded me of the old days, back when—” “Stop,” I snapped, cutting him off mid-sentence. My hands tightened around the st
~OtsanaThe mate bond between us was undeniable, pulling me toward him with a force I could hardly resist. But my love for Ralph, my commitment to him, held me back.I quickly broke free from him, and gathered my clothes, my hands trembling as I dressed. "Noah, you need to leave," I said, my voice shaky but firm. "We can't do this."Noah's eyes searched mine, a mixture of longing and regret. "I'm sorry, Otsana," he murmured, standing up from the bed and dressing up. "I didn't mean to overstep."I avoided his gaze, clutching my clothes to my chest as if they could shield me from the whirlwind of emotions inside me. "Please, just go," I whispered.He hesitated for a moment, then nodded, turning to leave. As the door closed behind him, the weight of what had just transpired crashed over me. Tears welled up in my eyes, and I sank onto the bed, sobbing uncontrollably.Ebony, my wolf, stirred within me. "Why did you push him away?" she asked, her voice filled with confusion. "We both felt t
~NoahThe moment Otsana stormed out of the garden, I ran my hand through my hair in frustration. My heart felt like it had been split in two. How could she reject me like that, especially after the connection we just shared? My wolf, Fridolf, was restless, pacing in my head like a caged animal. "We can't let her go, Noah. She belongs to us," he growled, his voice edged with desperation. "Not now, Fridolf," I replied sharply, trying to keep my composure. "Now is the perfect time! Did you see her? Ebony wants me as much as I want her. You’re being ridiculous." Fridolf was in heat, and his longing for Ebony was making him impossible to reason with. I tried to calm him, but he wouldn’t stop. "You’re ruining this. Calm down, Fridolf! She’s not ready. I won’t scare her off," I said, trying to walk away from the pull I felt toward her. But Fridolf wasn’t having it. The mate pull between us was like a magnetic force, yanking me back every time I tried to resist. His thoughts becam
~OtsanaThe room was I was given was breathtaking. It felt more like a palace than a living space. Every inch of it screamed luxury, from the silk curtains that shimmered under the sunlight to the polished marble floors that reflected the glow of a massive crystal chandelier. The bed was grand, its headboard carved with intricate patterns of wolves and vines, draped with gold-threaded sheets. For a fleeting moment, I wondered if I even belonged here. The maids buzzed around me like worker bees, attending to every little thing. They had insisted on helping me bathe earlier, scrubbing my skin with oils that smelled of lavender and jasmine, washing my hair with the gentlest hands. Now they were fussing over my hair, styling it into elegant waves that cascaded down my back, and adjusting the gown they had chosen for me—a deep emerald green that hugged my figure perfectly, glittering faintly in the light. One of the maids stepped forward, holding a small golden crown in her hands, the
~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