I’m still caught in thought, haunted by the look in Alderon’s eyes, when the door creaks open again.A girl steps inside.She’s young—eighteen, maybe—but there’s fear in the way she moves, stiff and careful, like a rabbit sensing the wolf’s breath on its neck. Her hair is pulled back into a tight bun, so tight it looks painful, and her eyes—too big for her face—dart over me before settling on the bruises around my neck.She swallows hard.“My name is Eva, Luna,” she says, her voice barely above a whisper.I stare at her, the word Luna curling like poison in my gut. It’s a mockery, a cruel joke, because this pack is not mine. It never will be.She shifts uncomfortably under my silence, then gestures to the bundle of fabric in her arms. “Alderon’s mother sent this for you.” She sets it down on the bed, neatly folded, expensive. “I’ll get the bath ready.”I don’t answer.I want to ask about Abigail and Esther, but a deep, twisting dread coils in my stomach. They were from my pack. Did Al
Eva gestured toward the dining hall door, a massive wooden structure carved with snarling wolves mid-hunt, their eyes glinting in the candlelight. The low hum of voices and clinking metal seeped through the cracks, a primal energy thrumming in the air. My stomach twisted. I wanted to run. But before I could act, Eva was gone. In her place stood Alderon. His cold, piercing gaze locked onto mine. "Everyone is waiting," he said, his deep voice laced with an unspoken challenge. He knew. He could scent my hesitation, my fear. And yet, beneath the fear, something darker stirred—something primal, traitorous. My wolf stirred at the sight of him, aching, even as my mind screamed in protest. The door swung open before I could move. A girl with a bright smile stood there. "Our Luna has arrived!" she announced, her voice carrying through the hall. A loud, guttural cheer erupted, the sound of wolves acknowledging their leader—or testing her. Alderon brushed past me, his presence commanding
His kiss wasn’t soft, wasn’t careful—it was a claiming. His teeth scraped against my lips, his tongue forcing its way into my mouth, tasting me, owning me.A moan slipped from my throat before I could stop it.I felt him smirk against my lips, as if he knew.His hands moved down, fingers ripping at my clothes. Fabric tore, baring my skin to the cool air, but I barely noticed—his heat was everywhere,, consuming me.I gasped as his mouth moved lower, his lips trailing down my throat, his teeth scraping against my pulse point.Right where his mark should be.A sharp shudder ran through me, my legs tightening around him. My body begged for something I didn’t fully understand, something primal, something only he could give me.His hands gripped my thighs, spreading me open beneath him.I was exposed, vulnerable.And I didn’t care.My body arched as his mouth traveled lower, teasing, tormenting. His tongue traced fire over my skin, and I whimpered, my fingers tangling in his hair."Impatien
Marked by the Enemy Silence. For a long moment, I don’t move. My body feels like lead, aching in ways I’ve never known. The lingering heat of Alderon’s touch still burns on my skin, his scent clings to me like a ghost. But he’s gone. My fingers curl into the sheets, now stained with the evidence of what happened. A deep crimson stain taints the fabric, a cruel reminder of my first time—no, of what he took. A shudder rips through me, something inside twisting violently. I push myself up, my legs trembling beneath me, and drag myself toward the bathroom. Each step feels like a betrayal. My heart, my body—traitors. How could I have wanted him? How could I have moaned for the man who murdered my father? Who burned my pack to the ground? Who holds my sister as his captive? My hands grip the sink as I lift my gaze to the mirror. My lips are swollen, my skin is marred with bruises—the imprint of him. But it’s the mark on my neck that makes my breath catch. Deep. Red. Permanent. His
I manage to slip away from Alderon, my legs unsteady as I make my way back up. My breaths come in shallow gasps, my heart hammering against my ribs.The moment I step into the hallway, I feel the weight of eyes on me.“Rose, honey, is everything alright?”I turn to see Alderon’s mother, Gina, and Lexi gathered in the living room. Their expressions range from polite concern to genuine warmth, as if I belong here, as if I’m one of them.I nod, forcing a small smile. “I’m fine.”“Good,” Alderon’s mother says, a pleased smile touching her lips. “I was about to send someone to get you. Come see what we got for you—we went shopping.”Shopping. The word feels foreign to me. My mother had been the only one to buy me clothes. After her death, I wore my sister’s hand-me-downs, never once considering anything new, anything my own.Gina and Lexi push a few bags toward me, their excitement evident. I shift through the fabric—soft dresses, fitted jeans, comfortable sweaters. My fingers brush over t
I wake to warmth—heavy, suffocating. His arm is draped over my waist, his breath hot against the back of my neck. Even in sleep, Alderon is possessive, his grip loose but firm enough to remind me exactly where I am.A shudder runs through me. The memories of last night claw at my mind, but I shove them down. I don’t have time to dwell on the pain, the humiliation, or the weight of his claim.I need to get out.Slowly, I exhale, forcing my body to stay still for another moment. I listen—his breathing is steady, deep. Asleep.This is my chance.I shift, inching my body away from him. His fingers twitch, brushing against my skin, but they don’t tighten. Holding my breath, I roll onto the floor, landing on silent feet.The room is dim, the fireplace casting a weak glow against the stone walls. My dress lies in ruins on the floor, shredded beyond use. My stomach twists, but I push past it, scanning the room for something—anything—I can wear.My eyes land on his discarded clothes near the b
I retreat into the darkness, my grip tight around the key. My heartbeat thunders in my ears, but I force myself to move slowly, carefully. One wrong step on the dry leaves beneath my feet, and all of this will be for nothing.The fire crackles louder, the orange glow reflecting in the guards' frantic eyes. Buckets of water slosh as they scramble to contain the flames. I don’t have much time.I slip around the edge of the clearing, sticking to the shadows. The entrance to the dungeon is just ahead, built into the ground, secured by thick iron doors wrapped in silver chains. I grit my teeth at the sight of them.Silver.Even standing this close, I can feel its burn against my skin, an unnatural heat that makes my stomach twist. I can’t touch it directly—not without consequences.I glance over my shoulder. The guards are still distracted. The fire has spread to a second stack of crates, and their shouts have grown more urgent. It’s now or never.I crouch beside the entrance and shove the
The cottage is small and unassuming, tucked deep within the forest, far beyond the reach of Crestwood’s patrols. At first glance, it appears abandoned—its wooden walls weathered, the roof sagging slightly under the weight of time—but inside, it is warm. Safe. The vampire moves with a silent, almost unnatural grace as he leads us in. He doesn’t speak, nor does he linger, simply setting down thick blankets and a plate of food before stepping back, allowing us the space to gather ourselves. I hesitate for only a moment before taking them, my fingers stiff from the night’s cold and exhaustion. Serena is too weak to question him, too drained to care who or what he is. She changes into something warmer, her movements sluggish, and the moment she settles beneath the blankets, she’s asleep. I sit beside her for a long time, watching the slow rise and fall of her chest, as if to reassure myself that she’s truly here—that after all these years, I have finally found her. But relief does not c
The moon hung high in the night sky, casting a silver glow over the quiet forest beyond the castle walls. I stood near the balcony, the cool breeze brushing against my skin, carrying the distant scent of pine and earth.Behind me, the door creaked open. Footsteps. A presence I knew too well.Alderon.I didn’t turn around, my fingers tightening around the edge of the stone railing. My heart pounded as he stopped a few feet away, silent. Waiting.Finally, I spoke, my voice barely above a whisper. “I hated you for so long.”“I know,” Alderon said, his voice rough with something unreadable. Regret, maybe. Or something deeper.I turned to face him, the man I had once sworn to destroy. The man I had blamed for everything. The father of my child.And yet, standing here now, I saw him differently. Not the monster I had believed him to be. Not the villain I had painted in my mind. But a man who had suffered just as I had. A man who had carried burdens in silence, allowing me to hate him to pro
The fire in the hearth flickered, casting restless shadows across the stone walls. I sat on the edge of my bed, my hands resting over my stomach. But I felt nothing. No joy. No excitement. Only fear. Only anger.A baby.Alderon’s child.My fingers curled into fists over the fabric of my gown. I didn’t even realize I was crying until a soft knock echoed against the heavy door.Before I could answer, it creaked open, and Serena stepped inside.She smiled gently. “Hey.” Closing the door behind her, she walked toward me. “How do you feel?”I laughed bitterly, shaking my head. “How do I feel?” My throat tightened as I looked up at her. “I feel terrible, obviously. I can’t believe I’m pregnant with Alderon’s child when all I want to do is kill him.”Serena’s smile faded. “Rose—”“I don’t know what to do,” I cut in, my voice raw. “I don’t want this.” A fresh wave of emotion rose as I pressed a hand to my stomach. “I don’t want his child.”Serena’s brows furrowed. “Rose—”“I despise him,” I h
A month had passed since Derek’s death, yet I was still trapped in the nightmare he left behind. I moved through the days like a ghost—silent, hollow, drifting through time without purpose.I barely spoke. I barely felt.Nothing mattered anymore.So when Eva came to fetch me for breakfast—sent by Alderon’s mother—I didn’t resist. There was no use. I let her dress me in soft silks, braid my hair, and dust my skin with perfume, like I was nothing more than a lifeless doll.I entered the dining hall without a word.Sunlight poured through the tall windows, casting a golden glow over the long wooden table. Plates of roasted meats, fresh fruit, and warm bread filled the air with an aroma that should have been inviting.But it wasn’t.Not to me.Serena sat beside Alderon’s mother, laughing softly. She looked content—at peace. As if she had already forgotten everything we had been through.I hadn’t.I never would.Sliding into my chair across from Alderon, I kept my head down. His golden eye
The door creaks open, and Eva steps in, balancing a tray in her hands. The scent of warm stew fills the air, but my stomach twists at the thought of eating.“Luna,” she murmurs, cautiously placing the tray on the small table beside the bed. “You have to eat.”I glare at her, my eyes red and swollen. My throat is raw from the silent sobs I refused to let escape. I don’t answer. I can’t.Eva hesitates, her fingers twisting in the fabric of her dress. Then, with a small sigh, she says, “I’m sorry for your loss.”The words unravel me.A sharp sob breaks past my lips, and before I can stop myself, the tears spill over, hot and relentless. I press my hands over my face, willing myself to stop, but it’s no use.Derek is gone.Dead.And it’s because of me.If he had never met me—never tried to help me—he would still be alive.Eva shifts awkwardly, watching me crumble. When she speaks again, her voice is steady, almost too firm.“My lady, if you ask me, he deserved to die. I hope he goes to he
Darkness.It coils around me, thick and suffocating.I don’t remember how I got here—back in Alderon’s chambers, locked away like some fragile, broken thing. The moment Derek’s head hit the ground, something inside me snapped.I fought.I clawed.I screamed.And still, he held me.Now, the room is silent except for my own ragged breathing. My hands tremble against my lap, my nails caked with dried blood—not mine. I don’t know whose, and I don’t care.The door creaks open.I don’t look up.Heavy footsteps approach, slow and deliberate. The scent of cedar and firewood fills the space, wrapping around me like chains.Alderon.My entire body tenses.He crouches before me, his presence overwhelming, his golden eyes scanning my face.I feel his fingers beneath my chin, tilting my face toward him. I refuse to meet his gaze.“You fought like a wild thing.” His voice is quiet, but there’s something dark lurking beneath it.I say nothing.“You tried to kill me.”I still don’t speak.His grip ti
A soft knock pulls me from sleep. I blink, my body heavy, my limbs sore. The space beside me is empty—Alderon is gone. Wrapping the blanket around my chest, I clear my throat. “Come in.” The door creaks open, and Eva steps inside, carrying fresh clothes. Her posture is relaxed, different from the first day we met, but there’s something unreadable in her gaze. She sets the clothes on the bed before walking toward the basin, pouring warm water into the tub. “The Alpha has asked me to prepare you,” she says gently. “There’s going to be an execution today, and he wants you to be there.” I freeze. An execution? My heart pounds against my ribs. A lump lodges itself in my throat. “Why?” My voice comes out hoarse. Eva lowers her gaze. “He didn’t say.” But I already know. Maybe this is a warning. A reminder of what happens to those who defy him. Maybe this is his way of showing me the consequences of running away again. I swallow hard, my fingers tightening around the blanket. “
I sit with my knees tucked against my chest, my arms wrapped tightly around them.The past two days with Derek had been the best I’d had since Alderon took me.For the first time in what felt like forever, I had loved. I had felt safe. Even if it was only an illusion—a fragile moment of peace before the storm.But it hadn’t lasted.Now, the cold reality of my situation crashes over me like a tide, drowning me in the weight of what comes next.The door bursts open, slamming against the wall. My head snaps up just as Serena rushes in, followed closely by Lisa and Gina.My heart stops.She looks unhurt.A wave of relief floods through me, my chest tightening as I scramble to my feet.“Serena!” I throw myself at her, wrapping my arms around her tightly.She’s warm. Alive.My hands move instinctively over her, checking for wounds. The last time I saw her, she had been bleeding, her body thrown to the ground like a rag doll as the guards dragged her away. But apart from the cut on her arm—t
The corridors stretch endlessly, dimly lit by flickering torches. Shadows dance along the damp stone walls, closing in, suffocating. Each step I take is an act of defiance, though my body protests. My wrists burn, my legs threaten to give out, but I keep moving.Because I won’t let Alderon break me.Caleb walks beside me, silent as ever. His presence looms, but I don’t acknowledge him. He’s nothing more than a leash, dragging me toward the inevitable.Toward him.The double doors ahead are massive, carved with ancient symbols. The insignia of the Alpha King. Of Alderon.My stomach twists as Caleb reaches for the handle.“Wait.” My voice is hoarse. “Tell me if Derek’s alive.”Caleb stills. For the first time, his expression flickers with something—hesitation? Guilt?But he doesn’t answer.The doors swing open.And Alderon is waiting.He stands by the fireplace, his broad frame bathed in golden light. His coat is gone, leaving only his black shirt, sleeves rolled up to reveal strong for
“On one condition.”My heart pounds so loudly I can hear it in my ears. My throat is raw from screaming for Derek. For nothing.I swallow hard. “What condition?”Alderon crouches in front of me, his fingers gripping my chin. The touch is almost gentle—but I know better.His next words are a death sentence.“You will give me a child.”The world drops out from under me.I feel the breath leave my body. My vision blurs. I’m dizzy. Suffocating.I shake my head before I can even process the words. “No. No, you’re lying.”His lips curl. “Am I?”Alderon’s hand drifts lower, settling over my stomach.A violent shudder racks through me. I try to jerk away, but there’s nowhere to go. The chains rattle, biting into my raw wrists.“You will carry my heir,” he murmurs, his thumb stroking absently against my skin. “You will bind yourself to me forever.”A broken sound rips from my throat. “I won’t.”Alderon lets out a soft hum. Then—he moves.Faster than I can react, his hand is at my throat.Not s