Narrator's pov Full MoonThe moon hung high, casting a silvery light over the quiet landscape. The air was thick with the pull of the lunar cycle, a force so powerful that the earth seemed to pulse beneath it. Arianna stood at the window of her room, her fingers firmly brushing the cool glass. Drawn to the moon since childhood, she felt its silent dance across the night sky beckoning to her. The howl of wolves echoed through the valley below, sending a shiver down her spine. The sound was all too familiar, but tonight, it felt sharper, more intense.She wasn’t like them. As the daughter of the Alpha’s closest ally, Arianna had been born with gifts that set her apart. While the pack howled in unison and shifted into their wolf forms, she remained human—exempt from the monthly transformation and protected by her own strange abilities. She didn’t belong with them in that way. She didn’t belong with him in that way.But tonight was different. She could feel it in the air.The wolves’ how
The sun had risen in the wake of the full moon, and its light felt sharper somehow. Arianna’s eyes burned as she stood in the garden, the scent of earth and blooming flowers mixing with the heavy exhaustion from the night before. Her body was sore, but she pushed through it, the dull ache a constant reminder of the chaos and tension she’d endured with Kael.She was wiping the dirt from her hands when the stern voice of the head maid cut through the morning air."Arianna," the maid snapped. "You’re needed in the garden. The flowers need tending, and there are leaves everywhere. Don’t make me repeat myself."Arianna’s breath hitched at the sound of her name. The head maid was always quick to remind her of her position—the lowly slave, the one who existed to serve, to clean, to obey. It didn’t matter that she was born into a life of power and strange abilities. Here, in the mansion, she was nothing more than a servant."I’ll get to it," Arianna said, her voice steady despite the irritati
After the king summoned Arianna into his chamber, he noticed his son’s inappropriate behavior towards the slave girl.“Arianna, stand over there. We need to talk,” the king commanded, his fist clenched as he sat on his luxurious brown silk couch. Her gaze fell to the floor, consciously avoiding direct contact with him.“What do you have with my son, Arianna?” he demanded.“Nothing, my king,” she replied, her voice steady, though a hint of fear lingered beneath the surface.The atmosphere in the room crackled with tension, thick and oppressive as the king leaned forward, his piercing gaze locked onto Arianna. His fingers gripped the velvet armrests of his couch, knuckles white from the strain. Arianna stood tall, her back straight, yet her shoulders reflected the weight of his scrutiny, eyes focused on the cold stone floor beneath her.The king’s voice broke the silence, low and commanding, like thunder rolling over the horizon.“Is ‘nothing’ a satisfactory answer, Arianna?” His words
The sun had barely begun to stretch its fingers across the sky, but the chirping of the birds outside was enough to rouse me from my sleep. My eyes were heavy, reluctant to wake, but the insistent light seeped through the cracks in the curtains, and my mind began to stir. The warmth of the duvet wrapped around me felt too good to leave, so I buried my face in it, hoping the world would just go away.“What’s going on?” I muttered groggily, pulling the duvet tighter around my body. The chirping of the birds didn’t stop; it only grew louder, more insistent.Then, I felt it—a presence in the room. My eyes fluttered open, and there she was, standing beside my bed like some sort of haunting figure. Elaine. Of course. The last person I wanted to see this morning.I squinted at her, still half-dazed. “What the hell are you doing in my room?”She didn’t even flinch at my tone. Instead, she chuckled, a sound that grated against my skull, and took a step back. "Get up, Kael. We’re going for a st
The tension in the room was thick, as though the very air hummed with the weight of unspoken words and old traditions. The elders, cloaked in their ceremonial attire, had taken their seats around the long oak table, the soft light from the candles flickering across their weathered faces. The renovations had disrupted the usual order, but it didn’t matter. They were used to discomfort. Jailer’s voice broke the silence like the crack of thunder. His deep, gravelly tones echoed through the hall, demanding attention as he stood from his seat. His eyes, sharp and calculating, scanned the room before landing on the king.“When will the sacrifice take place, my king?” Jailer’s words were deliberate, laced with both impatience and reverence. He stood tall, his ancient frame unbowed by the weight of his years. His gaze was piercing, as though he could see straight through the walls of the hall and into the very heart of the king.The room fell into a hushed stillness. Even the flickering flam
Alpha kael povI forced a smile, trying to appear nonchalant despite the suffocating tension that had settled over the dinner table. Elaine's gaze lingered on me, her eyes sparkling with an unsettling intensity that made my skin crawl. The sound of my spoon clicking against the ceramic plate seemed amplified, a stark reminder of my dwindling appetite. My father's voice cut through the silence, his tone laced with concern. "Son, are you okay?" I nodded hastily, my eyes darting towards him in a bid to escape Elaine's piercing stare.The visiting alpha's son, Dorian, chuckled softly, his eyes crinkling at the corners as he took in the scene. I suspected he had noticed Elaine's foolishness, and a part of me was grateful for the distraction. Elaine, however, seemed oblivious to the undercurrents of tension. She continued to smile at me, her lips curled upwards in a saccharine gesture that made my stomach turn.As the dinner conversation flowed around me, Elaine suddenly pushed back her ch
Arianna's POVThe night air, cool against my skin, carried a soft yet relentless breeze—as if it was determined to weave itself into my very being. With my eyes closed, I inhaled the scent of fresh earth and wood, pushing aside the distractions of the world to simply... breathe. For that fleeting moment, I felt a sense of freedom. There were no duties to fulfill, no one I had to accommodate—just me and the vast evening sky.But the calm shattered abruptly as warmth enveloped me. It was a strange, unexpected heat—an intruder behind me. Strong arms wrapped around my face, pulling me closer, and my heart thudded wildly against my ribs. My breath hitched as I fought to comprehend the intrusion.I shook off the instinctive unease and sniffed the air for a familiar scent. Nothing. Just the forest’s earthy aroma intertwined with an unfamiliar, unmistakable trace of a person.“Who’s there?” I demanded, my voice firm despite the slight tremor that betrayed my composure.A deep, rich chuckle re
Kael povI could feel the tension in the air, a palpable electric current buzzing against my skin. It wasn’t merely the late hour or the cool wind—it was something deeper, an instinct that set my nerves alight. The sight of Arianna and Dorian, standing there in the dark with his predatory smirk aimed at her, twisted my gut into tight knots.I slammed my fist against the window, the glass rattling in response to my fury. I knew exactly what this was: Dorian had his sights set on her. To him, she was not just a servant; she was a puzzle to be solved, a conquest to claim, and that was unacceptable. I wouldn’t allow it. Not when it came to Arianna.My fingers itched for the landline. The moment she entered my thoughts, everything else faded away. I grabbed the receiver, dialing the mansion's main house before hesitation could take hold. The phone rang twice before a servant picked up, and I wasted no time.“Arianna,” I commanded, my voice sharp and infused with authority. The word ignited
Arianna's POVI didn’t expect him to follow me.The ballroom had been alive with chatter, a blur of elegance, but none of it had mattered. All I could think about was him—Kael. The man whose name burned like a secret on the tip of my tongue. I hadn’t intended to reveal myself, not like this. But here I was, slipping away into the shadows of the night, my heart beating in erratic sync with the rush of cold air.I thought I’d escape. Just leave the mask behind, disappear into the garden, and perhaps never return. But the moment he stepped into the garden, I knew—knew—that there was no running from him. Not anymore.My breath came in shallow gasps, the tension between us thick, palpable, as the moments stretched out in silence. I could hear my heart in my ears, feel the blood rushing through me, pounding against my chest, each beat louder than the last.The wind swept through the trees, carrying with it a quiet rustle, but it felt as though the world had stopped.I didn’t know what I exp
Kael’s POVThe flicker of candlelight danced across the grand hall, casting long shadows against the stone walls, and the air hummed with the soft sound of clinking glasses and whispered gossip. The ballroom was in full swing, a swirl of elegance and mystery, yet my thoughts were far from the opulent revelry surrounding me.I stepped into the hall with the same confidences that I always did—untouchable, an enigma wrapped in a suit as dark as the storm I carried inside. My eyes quickly found her. She was there, across the room, her figure a soft silhouette in a sea of strangers.Her gaze was intent, searching, moving with purpose even as the crowd tried to distract her. I’d known the moment I saw her that she wasn’t here to enjoy the music or the wine. No, she had her own agenda. But whatever it was, I knew I wasn’t going to stand in her way. She was searching for something—someone—but I couldn’t tell if it was for me or against me. And frankly, I didn’t care. At least not right now.W
Elaine povIt was the Royal Night, the one event everyone had been eagerly awaiting. The chandelier overhead cast a soft golden glow, filling the grand ballroom with warmth and elegance. The tall marble columns and intricate tapestries lining the walls seemed to blend with the murmurs of laughter and clinking glasses. Tonight was special. Not just because of the regal atmosphere, but because tonight, everyone wore a mask. A symbol of secrecy, mystery, and maybe even a little bit of magic.I adjusted the mask on my face, the dark feathers brushing against my cheek as I caught a glimpse of my reflection in the massive mirror beside me. My dress shimmered in the light, a deep shade of midnight blue that seemed to shift as I moved. It was a fitted bodice that flared out at the waist, layers of fabric that rippled like water when I walked. The gold accents along the neckline and cuffs gleamed in the soft light, each piece sewn with the precision of a royal tailor. The dress made me feel li
Alexander's POVI stood there, watching as my sister crawled on the cold, unforgiving floor, begging for attention like some discarded thing. Every instinct I had screamed to protect her, to shield her from the pain that Alpha Kael had so cruelly caused. My heart pounded with a fury that made my hands shake, and the rage coursing through me was like fire, hot and consuming."Arianna, get the fuck up from the floor!" I barked, my voice harsh, more from anger than anything else. I couldn’t stand it. I grabbed her arms, yanking her to her feet, dragging her along as her small frame felt too fragile under my touch. I could feel the tremor in her body, the weight of her sorrow sinking deep into my own chest.Each step I took, I could feel my blood boiling. Kael had humiliated her in front of everyone, and I wanted nothing more than to knock the smug look off his face. But I knew I had no right to do that—not yet. My anger made everything else blur around me, and all I wanted to do was make
Arianna's POV“Stop talking, please!” The words were choked, bitter, and barely a whisper, but they held the weight of every tear I had been holding in for hours. My fingers curled into fists, nails biting into my palm as I stood frozen at the doorpost, my heart hammering in my chest. The air was thick with the stench of betrayal, and I could taste it on the back of my throat. I wanted to scream, to throw something, anything at him, but how could I when I saw how broken Kael looked? His jaw clenched in fury, his face twisted in ways I had never seen before, and yet, I couldn’t move. I couldn’t even speak.His eyes were cold—dead—when they met mine. They had always been so warm, so full of fire.“You betrayed me, Arianna,” he muttered, voice low but dripping with venom. “I would’ve let them sacrifice you. You’re just like every other woman—entitled, selfish, always seeking the next thing without understanding the consequences.” His voice broke, and I saw the anger twist into something
Kael’s POVThe door slammed shut behind her with a finality that echoed through the room. I didn’t move, didn’t breathe. My mind was still reeling, struggling to process what had just happened—what she had just said. I could still feel her fingers on my chest, her breath in my ear, and worse, the taste of her lips on mine.What the hell was wrong with me?She’d come in like a storm, twisting everything in her wake, pushing me to the brink. I should’ve pushed her away. I should’ve thrown her out and told her to get lost. But instead, I stood there, letting her take the whiskey from my hands, letting her manipulate me like I was some helpless fool.But the worst part? The worst part was that I wanted her.She had said everything she knew would hurt the most—every word calculated to break me, to twist the knife deeper. And damn it, it worked. Arianna kissing Dorian? The thought alone made my stomach churn. I had seen the way she looked at him, the way their gazes lingered longer than the
I stood in front of Alpha Kael's door, my breath steady but my pulse quickening. My fingers curled tightly around the brass knocker, and I gave the door a firm rap, each knock echoing through the silence of the hallway. A small smile tugged at my lips as I waited, the anticipation building like a sweet poison in my veins.Kael, I know you're in there.I didn’t have to be here, not like this. But after everything—after all the times he rejected me, chose Arianna, I could feel something inside me shift. He needed to understand. He needed to know who really held the power in this pack. Who he had overlooked.I knocked again, harder this time. The door was unyielding, but I was used to obstacles. I didn’t back down from them. Not anymore.For a brief moment, I wondered what was taking him so long. Was he in there drinking? Getting lost in his own frustration? Maybe I would find him exactly how I imagined—disheveled, disoriented, and, finally, vulnerable.Just when I thought I might break
Arianna's POV The coldness of the floor beneath me seeped through the thin fabric of my clothes, but I didn’t care. It was the only thing that kept me grounded. I curled tighter, my arms wrapped around my knees as I sobbed, the tears flowing freely down my face like an endless river. I wanted to scream, to yell at the world for being so unfair. But no sound escaped my lips. Instead, I let the heavy silence surround me, a stark contrast to the storm raging inside. The ritual had been everything. Everything I had been waiting for, everything I had worked for. And now... now it was gone. It was as if someone had stolen the very ground I stood on, and I was left with nothing but this aching emptiness. Alpha Kael had canceled the ritual, and for what? To keep his precious little secret intact, to keep his own hidden fears and insecurities safe. But that wasn’t the worst part. No, the worst part was the lie. The lie someone had spread about me being sick—sick enough to not be able to com
Kael’s POVI paced back and forth in my room, the silence of the space doing nothing to quell the storm building inside me. My hands were trembling, my chest tight with the weight of what had happened, what was still to come. The moonlight streamed through the window, casting long, cold shadows across the floor, but it didn’t help. Nothing helped. Not the quiet of the night, not the pulse of the ritual still lingering in the air. Not the bitter taste of betrayal that still clung to my mouth.I had never felt like this before—this out-of-control surge of emotion. It was a relentless current pulling me under.I stopped pacing and ran my hands through my hair, gripping the strands in frustration. What the hell was I supposed to do now? I had defied my pack, my father, the elders—everything I had ever been taught, everything I had ever believed. And for what? Arianna. But was it enough?My eyes flickered to the door, and without thinking, I moved toward it. I needed to lock it. To ensure