Author's povArden stepped inside the room, his eyes darting around curiously. He had knocked for a while, and nobody answered. For a panicked moment, he had thought that she got away somehow—Marcel would never live it down if she did.However, there she was, perched atop her bed and staring right at him. His eyes narrowed; he could have sworn he heard some voices when he was outside, but now there was only her. Perhaps it was just his imagination."How may I help you?" Christina asked. Her voice was a few pitches too high, confirming his suspicion that something was wrong."I'm sure you remember me," Arden said as he stopped some distance in front of her.Christine nodded. Of course, she remembered him—he was the handsome guy that Marcel had introduced as his beta. The first time they were introduced, she hadn't noticed anything of his appearance because of her state of mind, but during dinner, she had gotten a closer look, and well, he was pleasant to look at.Today he was dressed q
Christina’s povI don't know exactly what I expected when I entered the conference hall, but it was not what I saw. I gazed around at my surroundings, softly exclaiming in awe at how grand it was.With the high vaulted ceilings and the dark oak walls adorned with banners of the Black Moon Pack, it was an intimidating space. I felt like I had stepped into another slice of reality that was beautiful, even with its ancient feeling.Arden cleared his throat softly beside me, bringing me back to reality. A long, imposing table stood in the center, surrounded by individuals who radiated authority and experience.Immediately, I felt like a kid who had been called into the principal's office for a scolding. It did not help matters that none of them was smiling. They all stared at me with curious expressions, making me wish I had dressed in a ball gown instead.Well, all but one. Marcel sat at the head of the table, but he wasn't looking at me at all. I glanced backward to see what he was gazi
Christina’s pov I was at a loss for words. Not only was this meeting going terribly, but I also didn't know how to fix it. Becca would be so disappointed.I wracked my brain for an excuse that could shift the ceremony. Perhaps I could call in sick in a few days to the event, or I could just outright refuse to attend. None of those options seemed okay; I doubted Marcel would care if I was sick or not."We will need to think further," one of the women said.I was already trapped in a dilemma that she was about to make matters worse. What was she about to suggest now?Marcel took the words right out of my mouth. "What do you suggest, Mirabel?""After the ceremony," she said, "we'll be faced with the reality of a Luna who doesn't know anything about our traditions. I'm most certain that she didn't live her life among our pack, and this would be difficult for her."Marcel nodded in approval. "It's even worse that she spent her life among humans. She knows nothing about being a werewolf."
Author's povAlpha John sat in his study, the pale light from the morning sun streaming through the window and casting long shadows across the room. His stomach growled—he hadn't eaten and though it was not time for breakfast yet if he requested any, it would be given. But that was the least of his concerns; all his attention was focused on the piece of paper spread out in front of him on the table.It was created on many sides from much folding and unfolding, but the handwriting was unmistakable. His eyes flicked over the envelope beside it, stopping at the black moon insignia on it.The letter had arrived some days ago and brought with it the feeling of dread that he had been avoiding all this while. The same feeling of dread gripped him now as he read through the letter again:"Alpha John Brandon,You were entrusted with a single task—to follow orders—and yet you chose to defy me, hiding what was rightfully mine and harboring the very Omega I had commanded to be eliminated. This b
Marcel's povI rose from my seat, gazing down at the three men who were still awaiting my judgment. Well, their case was pretty insignificant now that I had something else to deal with."Dismiss this case now," I said, waving my hands in Rowan's direction as the guards walked up to him.Rowan scrambled to his feet, muttering thanks and bowing his head repeatedly—so much that I had to ask myself if I had told him he was going free by mistake. I would handle his case; matters like this should not go down this way, but not now. I had more pressing issues to attend to.As the guards led them away, Arden stepped out of the shadows and came to me."It seems like we have a bit of an issue waiting to happen."I knew at once that he was talking about Alpha John. Well, it would be pretty quick, for I was sure that he knew he was wrong in this case."But surely we can't judge him too harshly," Arden reasoned. "Blood is thicker than water. Surely if you were in his shoes, you wouldn't let your da
Christina's povMy training with Luna Sandra began the day after the meeting, and for two days now, I hadn't had much time to myself. She was so demanding, spending much time teaching me a lot of history that I didn't care about.Or rather, I wouldn't have cared about it a few weeks back, but in her words, "This is your world now, and so you have to know what it’s about."It wasn't that I was complaining. After all, I barely had other things to do anyway. But I detested history. Even in high school, it was always a struggle for me, and mostly, I managed to do well in exams because of revision sessions with my friends.Here, there were no friends. I wasn’t even allowed to see Becca and Melissa, and they hadn’t snuck into my room since then. I sure hoped they weren’t in trouble.Yesterday, I asked Luna Sandra about them, and she paused her lecture on vampires to look me straight in the eye. That woman always made me feel uneasy, and at that moment, I wished I hadn’t asked any questions
Christina's pov"It seems like you suddenly lost the ability to speak," he said, putting down the book in his hands.Something about the tone with which he spoke, so condescending and arrogant, lit something up in me. I always hated guys who were so full of themselves, and he was proving to be just one of them."So what if I am?" I shot back, lifting my chin.His expression changed so suddenly from silent anger to amusement. Then he did something unexpected, grabbing my chin, and taking me completely by surprise.His touch sent jolts of electricity through me, and I wondered for a terrified second if he knew the effect he was having on me. I sure hoped he didn't, the last thing I needed was something to feed his ego"I didn't think you cared enough to learn about it," he said, his voice dripping with suppressed laughter.I couldn't figure out what was so funny about this scenario, especially with how uncomfortable it was making me feel."Of course I care," I snapped back. "This so-cal
Christina's povThe mirror in front of me felt like a cruel joke. It reflected a version of myself that I couldn't even recognize. That girl looked nothing like me in her flowing white gown with delicate silver embroidery trailing down the bodice.The sleeves hung just off my shoulders, reminding me of the prom dress I had my eyes on for a while. Just that one was red, and this was white. If this was the universe's way of treating me to prom, then this was so unfair. I didn't even want to be taken by someone like Marcel, and here I was about to get married to him.Or "mated," as they called it here. My chest felt tight at the thought of it. Despite all the preparations by Luna Sandra, teaching me what was expected of me as a Luna and how to harness my authority, I felt like I was barely equipped. How did one go from having only college applications to worry about to have a whole pack to rule?For goodness' sake, I was barely 18. It would take a few more months for me to reach that age
Author's povChristina stepped forward, her eyes darkening as she looked between the Elder, who was holding that wicked-looking knife, and Marcel. When he had pressed it to Marcel's palm, he didn't do so much as flinch—it was like it didn't hurt, but she doubted that.It wasn't the pain that scared her though; it was the knowledge that once this was done, they would be bound forever. She would be caged with no remedy. She was never a fan of blood oaths, and in this place, it seemed to be even more significant than normal.Her eyes looked past Marcel to where her stepsisters were sitting. They were seated in the space reserved for the members of the Black Moon Pack, right up in the front row. Their expressions were full of so much sadness that she felt guilt weave through her heart.If I don't do this, then they will be in danger, she thought. With that threat hanging over her, she extended her hand towards the Elder.However, just before he took it, she remembered the disrespect that
Marcel's povThe murmurs started long before the ceremony began. I had just stepped out to the courtyard we were using, and the amount of people there was alarming. Everybody wanted to catch a glimpse of the Omega that I had chosen to be my bride.I walked off to the space set aside for the alphas, intending to pay my respects to them before it began.I could hear a lot of people murmuring, not that I was surprised. The pack had never been shy about voicing their opinions, even when they didn't dare say them directly to me.Tonight was no different. "An Omega as Luna?" someone said to the person next to her."Hush, the Alpha might hear you!" her companion replied, and they shifted farther into the crowd away from me.From where I stood, I could see the center of the courtyard where a bonfire was being set. It was symbolic of our bond for the events to be held under the full moon and everybody circled the bonfire.The chairs were already arranged, but only a few were sitting. In time,
Christina's povThe mirror in front of me felt like a cruel joke. It reflected a version of myself that I couldn't even recognize. That girl looked nothing like me in her flowing white gown with delicate silver embroidery trailing down the bodice.The sleeves hung just off my shoulders, reminding me of the prom dress I had my eyes on for a while. Just that one was red, and this was white. If this was the universe's way of treating me to prom, then this was so unfair. I didn't even want to be taken by someone like Marcel, and here I was about to get married to him.Or "mated," as they called it here. My chest felt tight at the thought of it. Despite all the preparations by Luna Sandra, teaching me what was expected of me as a Luna and how to harness my authority, I felt like I was barely equipped. How did one go from having only college applications to worry about to have a whole pack to rule?For goodness' sake, I was barely 18. It would take a few more months for me to reach that age
Christina's pov"It seems like you suddenly lost the ability to speak," he said, putting down the book in his hands.Something about the tone with which he spoke, so condescending and arrogant, lit something up in me. I always hated guys who were so full of themselves, and he was proving to be just one of them."So what if I am?" I shot back, lifting my chin.His expression changed so suddenly from silent anger to amusement. Then he did something unexpected, grabbing my chin, and taking me completely by surprise.His touch sent jolts of electricity through me, and I wondered for a terrified second if he knew the effect he was having on me. I sure hoped he didn't, the last thing I needed was something to feed his ego"I didn't think you cared enough to learn about it," he said, his voice dripping with suppressed laughter.I couldn't figure out what was so funny about this scenario, especially with how uncomfortable it was making me feel."Of course I care," I snapped back. "This so-cal
Christina's povMy training with Luna Sandra began the day after the meeting, and for two days now, I hadn't had much time to myself. She was so demanding, spending much time teaching me a lot of history that I didn't care about.Or rather, I wouldn't have cared about it a few weeks back, but in her words, "This is your world now, and so you have to know what it’s about."It wasn't that I was complaining. After all, I barely had other things to do anyway. But I detested history. Even in high school, it was always a struggle for me, and mostly, I managed to do well in exams because of revision sessions with my friends.Here, there were no friends. I wasn’t even allowed to see Becca and Melissa, and they hadn’t snuck into my room since then. I sure hoped they weren’t in trouble.Yesterday, I asked Luna Sandra about them, and she paused her lecture on vampires to look me straight in the eye. That woman always made me feel uneasy, and at that moment, I wished I hadn’t asked any questions
Marcel's povI rose from my seat, gazing down at the three men who were still awaiting my judgment. Well, their case was pretty insignificant now that I had something else to deal with."Dismiss this case now," I said, waving my hands in Rowan's direction as the guards walked up to him.Rowan scrambled to his feet, muttering thanks and bowing his head repeatedly—so much that I had to ask myself if I had told him he was going free by mistake. I would handle his case; matters like this should not go down this way, but not now. I had more pressing issues to attend to.As the guards led them away, Arden stepped out of the shadows and came to me."It seems like we have a bit of an issue waiting to happen."I knew at once that he was talking about Alpha John. Well, it would be pretty quick, for I was sure that he knew he was wrong in this case."But surely we can't judge him too harshly," Arden reasoned. "Blood is thicker than water. Surely if you were in his shoes, you wouldn't let your da
Author's povAlpha John sat in his study, the pale light from the morning sun streaming through the window and casting long shadows across the room. His stomach growled—he hadn't eaten and though it was not time for breakfast yet if he requested any, it would be given. But that was the least of his concerns; all his attention was focused on the piece of paper spread out in front of him on the table.It was created on many sides from much folding and unfolding, but the handwriting was unmistakable. His eyes flicked over the envelope beside it, stopping at the black moon insignia on it.The letter had arrived some days ago and brought with it the feeling of dread that he had been avoiding all this while. The same feeling of dread gripped him now as he read through the letter again:"Alpha John Brandon,You were entrusted with a single task—to follow orders—and yet you chose to defy me, hiding what was rightfully mine and harboring the very Omega I had commanded to be eliminated. This b
Christina’s pov I was at a loss for words. Not only was this meeting going terribly, but I also didn't know how to fix it. Becca would be so disappointed.I wracked my brain for an excuse that could shift the ceremony. Perhaps I could call in sick in a few days to the event, or I could just outright refuse to attend. None of those options seemed okay; I doubted Marcel would care if I was sick or not."We will need to think further," one of the women said.I was already trapped in a dilemma that she was about to make matters worse. What was she about to suggest now?Marcel took the words right out of my mouth. "What do you suggest, Mirabel?""After the ceremony," she said, "we'll be faced with the reality of a Luna who doesn't know anything about our traditions. I'm most certain that she didn't live her life among our pack, and this would be difficult for her."Marcel nodded in approval. "It's even worse that she spent her life among humans. She knows nothing about being a werewolf."
Christina’s povI don't know exactly what I expected when I entered the conference hall, but it was not what I saw. I gazed around at my surroundings, softly exclaiming in awe at how grand it was.With the high vaulted ceilings and the dark oak walls adorned with banners of the Black Moon Pack, it was an intimidating space. I felt like I had stepped into another slice of reality that was beautiful, even with its ancient feeling.Arden cleared his throat softly beside me, bringing me back to reality. A long, imposing table stood in the center, surrounded by individuals who radiated authority and experience.Immediately, I felt like a kid who had been called into the principal's office for a scolding. It did not help matters that none of them was smiling. They all stared at me with curious expressions, making me wish I had dressed in a ball gown instead.Well, all but one. Marcel sat at the head of the table, but he wasn't looking at me at all. I glanced backward to see what he was gazi