DUNCAN The heavy scent of garlic hit me the moment I returned back to my room. I was covered in blood and my wolf was distressed after leaving April alone by herself. I didn't like the effect she had on my wolf. She was the reason why I could control my wolf despite it being the full moon. She was like his drug, his lifeline. "April?" I called out as I entered the room. "Are you okay?" I asked as I searched around the room and headed to the bathroom. Empty. My eyes widened as a flurry of questions raced through my mind. Had she been taken? Had a vampire sneaked in and abducted her? I closed my eyes, letting my inner wolf surface, howling loudly in the room. Just then, I heard a noise coming from the closet. I approached it, taking a deep breath as I sensed her presence nearby. Was she inside the closet? Leaning forward, I grabbed the handle and opened it. "April. April, are you okay?" I asked as I saw her squatting down with her head down to the floor. She looked visi
APRIL Is love supposed to be like this? I never imagined that the reason he had left me was because of Melissa. Again. When I had gone to find him, I was surprised to see him sleeping beside her on her bed. It seemed like I was no one to him still. I decided to leave. The sky suddenly changed, and rain started falling, drenching me. The cold soon enveloped me and I rubbed my two hands together as I walked through the forest. The sound of the chipping birds echoing in the forest made me scared and amused at the same time. Suddenly, I heard someone step on a branch and quickly hid. Running away when we were still in the vampire's territory seemed like a bad idea but I couldn't find my way back. Soon, the sun began to go down making me worried. I had to find somewhere to rest before nightfall or even escape. But where could I go? " April!" A loud voice echoed. "April, where are you?" I heard Duncan's voice, and I immediately turned, trying to head toward where I had heard t
DUNCAN April was finally ready to talk about her father. Seeing her so scared, I knew that Emmett had said something. But what did he say? Reaching out to hold her shoulders, I tried to pretend as if I knew nothing about but it was a f**king hard job to do since I wanted to tear Emmett's head off his shoulders. " What happened? Did he do something to you?" I asked staring at her. Watching her shake her head, my wolf felt relieved but I didn't. I wanted to know everything but I didn't want to push her either. " Tell me what happened. What did he say to you?" I asked but April seemed hesitant. " April, you can tell me anything." "My mother. They have my mother." She said shakily, crying, and my wolf growled. I didn't like to see her crying either. I reached out and scooped her into my arms, lifting her effortlessly off the floor. My chest tightened as my gaze fell on the dark bruise marring her neck. A surge of anger burned through me. Emmett was going to pay for this.
APRIL I nestled in Duncan's embrace throughout the night, a wave of happiness washing over me. At last, we had bridged the gap between us and united against a common foe. My father. The rage I'd felt toward him bubbled beneath the surface, yearning for justice, not just for the pain he inflicted on me, but for the suffering he brought upon my mother and our entire pack. Hours slipped by as I lay wide awake, the weight of my thoughts pressing down on me like a heavy fog. My mother’s face flickered in my mind, a haunting reminder of the past. She was gone, and the desire to finally give her a proper farewell consumed me. I longed to lay her to rest, to turn the page on our shared anguish and reclaim the peace that had long evaded us. "Good morning," I said smiling as I felt Duncan shift under me. Duncan's eyes opened and I saw his wolf's presence before his eyes changed to normal. Rolling me closer to him, I was stunned as Duncan placed a kiss on my head before getting up. I sa
Caden’s knowing smile lingered in my mind long after he disappeared, leaving me alone in the dimly lit kitchen. My heart raced, and my breaths came shallow as I stared at the shattered pieces of the cup on the floor. His words clung to me like a second skin, both tantalizing and terrifying. How did he know about the Lunaris Hemlock? And why had no one else told me? I sank into the nearest chair, my body trembling with the weight of the revelation. My blood wasn’t just different. It had been deliberately tampered with. By who? My father? Duncan? Someone else entirely? The room felt colder and emptier without Caden’s unnerving presence, but his offer hung heavy in the air. To awaken my wolf, to finally stand beside Duncan as his equal, I had to make a deal with the devil. But would Duncan see it that way? The thought of his reaction made my stomach twist. I’d promised to help him take down my father, yet here I was, making secret bargains with the Vampire King. Would Duncan ever
Duncan’s eyes narrowed as he stepped closer, his presence making my pulse stutter. The afternoon sun filtered through the trees, casting long shadows over the garden, but I felt exposed under his gaze. I curled my fingers behind me, pressing my injured wrist against my back, willing the wound to close before he noticed. Even though I didn't have my wolf, I still had my healing abilities. “What are you doing out here?” His voice was steady, but there was something beneath it. Something edged with suspicion.I forced a casual shrug, even as my heart pounded. “Just needed some air.”His gaze flickered to my hand, his wolf-sharp senses picking up something I couldn’t hide. I shifted, angling my body away from him, but it was too late. His fingers caught my wrist before I could react, his grip firm but not harsh.“April.” His tone was low, unreadable. “You’re hurt.”I swallowed hard. I couldn’t tell if it was an observation or an accusation. Having no other option, I exposed my hand letti
APRIL Life wasn't just bad for me, it was fucked up. “ Where is she? Where is that abomination?” My father called out barging into my room without notice. From a young age, I sensed something amiss in my father's eyes. Despite being his only child, his love felt like an unreachable star, always just out of grasp. I knew it was because I was not the son he had longed for. A boy to carry on our bloodline, to make him proud within the pack. In our pack, daughters like me were often seen as weak, mere afterthoughts, and I was no exception. I carried the burden of his disappointment, a constant reminder that I fell short of his dreams. The truth stung. I was just a girl in a world that valued boys. I merely caught myself reaching for a piece of clothing to cover my lower body because I was naked. I had just gotten out of the shower and I barely had time to dress up when I heard my father's voice. His gaze changed the moment he saw my body. “ You're now a real woman. Beautiful.” My fat
I stood on the stage feeling exposed, ridiculed and ashamed. Dressed in a daring blue gown that hugged my figure, the off-shoulder neckline revealing just enough to hold attention, I felt the heavy, revolting stares of the Alphas as they trailed over me. Their eyes lingered, dark with something sickening, and my stomach twisted in protest. I wanted nothing more than to turn away or throw up. But then I caught my father's silent, piercing look, a warning in his eyes that froze me in place. I knew that if I let him down now, there would be hell to pay. “ Look at them. They look delectable. Very sexy.” One of the Alphas said laughing as he walked up to us. He reached out for one of the other girls and squeezed her breast making the other Alphas laugh in response as they saw the girl's surprised expression. I could tell she was young and naive despite her beautiful body and it made me sick that my father would do this to his own people. To girls from our pack. He was the Alpha and
Duncan’s eyes narrowed as he stepped closer, his presence making my pulse stutter. The afternoon sun filtered through the trees, casting long shadows over the garden, but I felt exposed under his gaze. I curled my fingers behind me, pressing my injured wrist against my back, willing the wound to close before he noticed. Even though I didn't have my wolf, I still had my healing abilities. “What are you doing out here?” His voice was steady, but there was something beneath it. Something edged with suspicion.I forced a casual shrug, even as my heart pounded. “Just needed some air.”His gaze flickered to my hand, his wolf-sharp senses picking up something I couldn’t hide. I shifted, angling my body away from him, but it was too late. His fingers caught my wrist before I could react, his grip firm but not harsh.“April.” His tone was low, unreadable. “You’re hurt.”I swallowed hard. I couldn’t tell if it was an observation or an accusation. Having no other option, I exposed my hand letti
Caden’s knowing smile lingered in my mind long after he disappeared, leaving me alone in the dimly lit kitchen. My heart raced, and my breaths came shallow as I stared at the shattered pieces of the cup on the floor. His words clung to me like a second skin, both tantalizing and terrifying. How did he know about the Lunaris Hemlock? And why had no one else told me? I sank into the nearest chair, my body trembling with the weight of the revelation. My blood wasn’t just different. It had been deliberately tampered with. By who? My father? Duncan? Someone else entirely? The room felt colder and emptier without Caden’s unnerving presence, but his offer hung heavy in the air. To awaken my wolf, to finally stand beside Duncan as his equal, I had to make a deal with the devil. But would Duncan see it that way? The thought of his reaction made my stomach twist. I’d promised to help him take down my father, yet here I was, making secret bargains with the Vampire King. Would Duncan ever
APRIL I nestled in Duncan's embrace throughout the night, a wave of happiness washing over me. At last, we had bridged the gap between us and united against a common foe. My father. The rage I'd felt toward him bubbled beneath the surface, yearning for justice, not just for the pain he inflicted on me, but for the suffering he brought upon my mother and our entire pack. Hours slipped by as I lay wide awake, the weight of my thoughts pressing down on me like a heavy fog. My mother’s face flickered in my mind, a haunting reminder of the past. She was gone, and the desire to finally give her a proper farewell consumed me. I longed to lay her to rest, to turn the page on our shared anguish and reclaim the peace that had long evaded us. "Good morning," I said smiling as I felt Duncan shift under me. Duncan's eyes opened and I saw his wolf's presence before his eyes changed to normal. Rolling me closer to him, I was stunned as Duncan placed a kiss on my head before getting up. I sa
DUNCAN April was finally ready to talk about her father. Seeing her so scared, I knew that Emmett had said something. But what did he say? Reaching out to hold her shoulders, I tried to pretend as if I knew nothing about but it was a f**king hard job to do since I wanted to tear Emmett's head off his shoulders. " What happened? Did he do something to you?" I asked staring at her. Watching her shake her head, my wolf felt relieved but I didn't. I wanted to know everything but I didn't want to push her either. " Tell me what happened. What did he say to you?" I asked but April seemed hesitant. " April, you can tell me anything." "My mother. They have my mother." She said shakily, crying, and my wolf growled. I didn't like to see her crying either. I reached out and scooped her into my arms, lifting her effortlessly off the floor. My chest tightened as my gaze fell on the dark bruise marring her neck. A surge of anger burned through me. Emmett was going to pay for this.
APRIL Is love supposed to be like this? I never imagined that the reason he had left me was because of Melissa. Again. When I had gone to find him, I was surprised to see him sleeping beside her on her bed. It seemed like I was no one to him still. I decided to leave. The sky suddenly changed, and rain started falling, drenching me. The cold soon enveloped me and I rubbed my two hands together as I walked through the forest. The sound of the chipping birds echoing in the forest made me scared and amused at the same time. Suddenly, I heard someone step on a branch and quickly hid. Running away when we were still in the vampire's territory seemed like a bad idea but I couldn't find my way back. Soon, the sun began to go down making me worried. I had to find somewhere to rest before nightfall or even escape. But where could I go? " April!" A loud voice echoed. "April, where are you?" I heard Duncan's voice, and I immediately turned, trying to head toward where I had heard t
DUNCAN The heavy scent of garlic hit me the moment I returned back to my room. I was covered in blood and my wolf was distressed after leaving April alone by herself. I didn't like the effect she had on my wolf. She was the reason why I could control my wolf despite it being the full moon. She was like his drug, his lifeline. "April?" I called out as I entered the room. "Are you okay?" I asked as I searched around the room and headed to the bathroom. Empty. My eyes widened as a flurry of questions raced through my mind. Had she been taken? Had a vampire sneaked in and abducted her? I closed my eyes, letting my inner wolf surface, howling loudly in the room. Just then, I heard a noise coming from the closet. I approached it, taking a deep breath as I sensed her presence nearby. Was she inside the closet? Leaning forward, I grabbed the handle and opened it. "April. April, are you okay?" I asked as I saw her squatting down with her head down to the floor. She looked visi
APRIL Oh, my holy moon goddess. I had not thought things through when I had insisted on going with Duncan. He was angry with me for borrowing his grandmother's hands but maybe he had a point. Was I dreaming? The Vampire King was so handsome that I couldn't believe he had for a thousand centuries. His hair was black, silky, and beautiful. His eyes, on the other hand, were red, and his skin was pale. He said he wanted me. Duncan's words earlier about my hybrid blood didn't seem like a lie like I had thought. Duncan's hands wrapped around my waist, " April is my mate. I'm sorry but she is out of bounds." I looked up at Duncan and saw his eyes. His wolf had come out to the surface already. Glancing at the curtain, I could see the moon already shining high up in the sky. It was already night. Was that the reason why Duncan had tried his best to delay our arrival? "What a smart move." The Vampire King said as his gaze followed mine to the curtain. "You delayed your arrival
DUNCAN I couldn’t shake the tension as I approached the meeting room. My grandmother, a staunch supporter of Emmett’s claim to leadership, had called this meeting the moment she realized I’d been missing. I hesitated outside the door, cracked it open slightly, and listened. “Has it been confirmed that the Wolf King is dead?” Emily, the Luna of the Redfur Pack, asked. “We shouldn’t discuss a successor until we know for sure.” My grandmother’s voice was firm as she stood. “The Wolf King hasn’t appeared in ages. According to our laws, if he doesn’t report to the elders, we have the right to remove him. He’s neglected his duties for too long.” Leon spoke up in my defense. “That doesn’t mean he’s dead. Our strength comes from the Moon Goddess and her vessel.” “And what about Duncan?” Emmett’s voice was filled with disdain. “His wolf is unstable. Can he really lead?” Rachel shot back, sharp and direct. “Are you any better? We tried with you, and the Moon Goddess rejected you. Ho
APRIL "What's going on? Hybrid blood? Vampire King?" I asked as I stared at him, stunned. I had gotten a tray of water for Damon. I thought it was the least I could considering the fact that he had accompanied me and could possibly get into Duncan's trouble. That's when I heard it. Vampires. I had heard it clearly. Isolation curse. My blood. " April, when did you get here?" Duncan asked, standing up, and I knew just what he was asking. How much did you hear? "What's going on, Duncan?" I asked watching as Duncan got up from his seat. "Calm down. I won't let anything happen to you, I promise." He said as he placed his hands on my shoulder and suddenly, I couldn't help but feel calm. There was just something about the way he talked that reassured me. " Damon, you can leave now," Duncan ordered making Damon leave. Once Damon was gone, I was stunned as Duncan walked closer to me wrapping his hand around my waist. His head buried deep in my neck and I tensed. My hea