Christina's POV"Your back is too stiff," Luna Sandra said sharply, circling me. "A Luna must exude confidence, not rigidity. If you stand like that in front of a pack meeting, they'll think you're a servant, not a leader."I tried to relax my shoulders, but it wasn't easy under her scrutinizing gaze. Ever since my little stunt, I had been more scared of her presence. I remembered the way she had stepped forward as though she was ready to kill me in that instant, and now I was here in a room with her just two days later. I couldn't be blamed for being nervous.She, on the other hand, was harder on me now. It was like she was trying to prove a point to me, even though I had no idea what it was. Or perhaps she just hated me a bit more."You need to keep your chin up. That's the third time I've had to tell you," she added, her tone laced with irritation. "How do you expect anyone to take you seriously when you look ready to bolt at the first sign of conflict?"I clenched my fists at my s
Christina's POVKeeping my eyes on Rowan was not helping me think. He looked like he had already resigned himself to the worst possible punishment, and I knew that Marcel wanted me to pick the worst punishment. If I sentenced Rowan to death, would he kill him, or would he say it was too harsh?"Okay, how about a suspension?" I asked, hoping that this would count. "Maybe a one-month suspension before he's allowed to resume duties."I thought That was a good idea, a bit proud of myself. At least then, he would have the time to care for his mate.Marcel chuckled darkly, shaking his head. "You're too soft."I clenched my fists. "Then what do you suggest?"Marcel smirked, his eyes glinting with something dangerous. “Rowan will be stripped of his position as a patrol member. From now on, he will serve as a training dummy for our recruits."I stared at him, horrified. Even Rowan had a stricken expression on his face as he looked up. “You can't be serious!"A training dummy sounded like a p
Marcel's POVI frowned and skimmed through the reports that had come in yesterday evening. Being an alpha didn't come with a vacation; every day, something new popped up that needed my attention.Something like the Silvermoon pack in this case.My pen ran over my journal as I documented my plan of action. The Silvermoon pack was known for its isolation. It was fiercely independent and detached from the hierarchy of the werewolf realm.It operated on its government and was out of my authority. However, I was about to venture out of my bounds to visit them.But rumors of unrest had started filtering through, and the last thing I needed was for them to threaten the delicate balance I maintained in the packs under my rule.If Silvermoon descended into chaos, the ripple effects would undoubtedly disrupt my reign. Diplomacy wasn't my strongest suit, but this visit was necessary. It was a chance to ensure peace—or at least plant the seeds of it.I shut the book and picked up the letter I wou
Author's POVThe morning air was crisp as Christina stepped out of the pack house. This was her first time coming out since she got here, but she didn't have the energy to even admire her surroundings. All she could note was that the sun felt good on her skin.Her nerves were already stretched thin. The maids had spent the entire night packing and fussing over her, and she hadn't gotten much sleep. As she made her way to the sleek black car waiting for her and Marcel, she noticed a movement in an alcove at the side of the house. It looked like someone was beckoning her forward.Just as she reached the car door, her heart leaped as she realized who it was. Melissa was standing in the shadows, half-hidden by the morning light.She hadn't seen her stepsisters in days and was starting to worry about them. Of course, she could not miss this opportunity to speak to them."I... I need to use the restroom quickly," Christina blurted, glancing at Marcel, who was already seated in the car.He r
Marcel's POThe silence inside the car was suffocating. My fingers tapped against my thigh as I stared out the window, my mind racing. Christina was gone, taken right under my nose. I felt so insulted like I was suddenly incapable of protecting her.Even worse, I had no idea who had led that attack. Whoever they were, they had better get themselves ready for my revenge, which would be slow and brutal.Mirabel sat across from me, her face calm, but I could see the tension in her posture. She was waiting for me to speak, to decide what needed to be done."You're too quiet," she finally said, her voice careful. “What's on your mind, Alpha?"I clenched my jaw. "I'm trying to figure out the best course of action. Going to the Silver Moon Pack without her wasn't the plan."Mirabel exhaled slowly, folding her hands in her lap. "We can't afford to let this diplomatic mission fail. The Silver Moon Pack is outside your direct authority; this alliance is needed. If we delay or cancel the meetin
Author's POVChristina stumbled as she was dragged forward, blindfolded, and bound. The rough grip of the rogues pulling her was relentless, their mocking laughter reverberating through her ears.Her legs hurt, especially her knees, where they had grazed the floor as they dragged her. She felt very weak and had lost a lot of blood, but they didn't care. As soon as they took her to their camp, they put a cloth over her eyes and waited for a short while before they came to attend to her again. All of a sudden, they were moving.Every step felt heavier. She didn't know where they were heading or coming from. And for some reason, she could not transform, which made her even more scared. Her wolf stirred uneasily, growling in frustration at being helpless.The blindfold soaked up her sweat, her breaths shallow and ragged as she tried to make sense of the journey. The ground beneath her shifted between dirt and grass, and she could faintly hear rushing water in the distance. Every detail ma
Marcel's POVThe chaos from the diversion I had ordered my men to cause drew the attention of the men standing in the clearing. Soon enough, most of them ran to see what was happening, and shouts followed.I smiled. My men had done their job well, scattering the rogues enough to allow me to step in.The first thing I saw as I stepped forward was Christina. She was turned away from me, being held by two men, and from the slump in her posture, I could tell she was not okay.The sight filled me with rage, but I forced my face into a mask of calm. I couldn't let my emotions get the better—not yet."Alpha Xavier," I said, my voice smooth and cold as I stepped into the clearing, flanked by two of my guards. "Is that you?"Not that I needed any confirmation. His ginger hair was a dead giveaway, and I had been watching them for a short while now.Xavier spun around, his smirk faltering when he saw me. "Alpha Marcel," he said, lifting his chin, feigning nonchalance. "What an unexpected honor."
Christina's POVI could not breathe. It felt like all the trees were closing in on me, clawing at my throat and cutting off my air supply—or maybe that was fear. I was still trying to grasp my emotions when he turned, and I met his eyes.Icy, calm, and unnervingly cold were the first things I noticed about him. They were filled with the same fury ignited when he'd faced Xavier, threatening to rip him apart. And he had been so close to doing just that.For a moment, all I could think about was the man who had ordered my death. The same man who now stood before me as my so-called savior. Was this who he was? A violent, unpredictable force of nature, capable of turning that rage on anyone, including me?I had seen him heartless before. I had seen him cold and detached, but I had never seen him violent. If all his previous emotions could be directed at me, then who's to say that he couldn't be violent, too?I'd begun to doubt he would come for me at all. Sure, I had bragged to Xavier that
Christina's povMelissa added the last silver hairpin to my elegant bun and took a step back, admiring her work. "Well, look at you. Some months ago, you were stomping around refusing to be a Luna, and now you're glowing with confidence."I laughed with them. The funny part was that they were right. Suddenly, I felt so sure of whatever I wanted to do and the way forward for me. I felt so sure when I said yes to Marcel a week ago.I stood in front of the mirror while smiling as I turned to observe my reflection. The formal robes felt soft against my body while the silver clasp kept the gown in place.The dress was marvelous itself—drab white shot through with silver embroidery in lacy moon patterns down the bodice and sleeves. It cinched at my waist before cascading away in airy, weightless folds. And to crown it all, a silver circle rested on my head.I looked divine. I would never know how Marcel managed to have this dress custom-made for me within a week, but I was grateful for it.
Author's povJust as the words left Pierce's mouth, a sharp pain erupted in Becca's throat. The chains around her hands tightened so much that she had to scream. Her feet hung inches above the floor, and she had never felt so powerless.On the other side, Melissa was not doing any better. Pierce curled her fingers by her side between them as though she were holding on to an unseen rope. Something about her younger sister being tortured just like she was—by their mother, no less—made Becca snap. She ignored the intense pain and cried out, "Mother, stop!"To think that this was the person they refused to give up on, the person she went through the risk of bargaining with the alpha just to reach. How naive she was.Christina found herself screaming at the pain in her expression. "What are you doing? Stop it!"Pierce only smiled, not bothering to listen to her daughter's words. "Do you think you could betray me and walk away unharmed? You chose her over me, you both, and your father. Don
Marcel's povThe air in the patio was thick with tension, as I stared at each of the four elders sitting around the table. They met my gaze expectantly, even though I figured they already knew the reason I had called for the meeting.A day ago, I let Becca and Melissa leave with Isaac, not because he wanted to take his mate away, but because they have a greater purpose to serve, speaking with Pierce.They had until today to give me an update and change the course that I knew this meeting would inevitably reach, and yet they were silent.All I got to indicate their existence was a call from Becca to tell me that they had arrived at their destination. And since then, there has been nothing. I didn't like that. If they brought bad news that their mother refused to listen to reason, I would appreciate it better.I wasn't one to go back on my words. The ultimatum had reached its end, and the council meeting would hold, and so would the war. In my head, this meeting was basically to draw as
Christina's povAll I noticed initially was the heat of the flames around me. The colors surrounding me were not blue but aggressive orange and they pervaded the entire space. Multiple screams pierced the environment similar to tones while I held my head with my hands to block the noises from entering.A heavy odor of burning fur combined with blood filled the air while the sky turned strangely into a sickly red hue. Ranges of wolves escaped in all directions while their struggling bodies produced the sounds of wounded howling. I stood in the middle of a battlefield. I sensed a presence then I turned to my side and saw a radiant figure. The figure appeared completely unfamiliar without any recognizable characteristics because its flowing garments obstructed my sight. I only understood that the figure shined silver yet this surprised me."Christina," a soft voice whispered. I turned around in a full circle, but there was no one else around me.No one but this glowing person. When I r
Christina's povMy breathing became uneven while my heart raced but the feelings had nothing to do with fear or anger. I was completely unfamiliar with the source of my sudden nervous state.I sat up, unable to sleep. For the last few minutes I had been tossing on my bed while trying to relax my mind but every attempt resulted in more tension swirling through my thoughts. What was going on?Perhaps I was worried because of Marcel. He had brushed me off when I tried to stop him from leaving. Maybe that was good since I had no idea what I was going to say to him anyway, but it hurt nonetheless.I erased some of the cold sweat from my forehead. It was extremely strange that I was sweating despite the coolness in the air. This was much more than a misunderstanding with Marcel. Something was off.Unable to bear it anymore, I pushed off my bed and rushed towards the window. Both of my sisters were still fast asleep, so I was not interrupted. When I opened the windows a thick black cloud fro
Marcel's povWithout an answer, I carefully turned my body to look at her. At that moment Christina stood with her lips slightly open as she panted irregularly. During that moment the forceful wind simply vanished but the surrounding environment remained entirely unrestful.I asked her a simple question. Since she was so hell-bent on convincing me before I even talked with Isaac, answering shouldn't be hard.But her hesitation told me everything. Christina refused to let them depart from her side. The fiery defiance showed her unwillingness to accept their leaving.I scoffed, unable to believe what was going on right now. She accused me of being heartless, of keeping them here against their will, and yet she couldn't even find the strength to do the opposite. How hypocritical of her.I turned away, deciding that I would not repeat her mistake and say something I would regret. It would be better if I just left. Just as I started to walk away, I felt her hand brush my wrist slightly, bu
Christina's pov"Close your eyes and take deep breaths," Marcel's deep voice rumbled through my mind. "Focus."Easy for him to say. We found ourselves in a private spot where the fresh air mixed with gentle wind made it ideal for meditation. However, my mind was everywhere. How could I focus like this?Becca refused to tell us the reason behind her sudden change of mind. She just said it made sense that she should go with her mate when she had the chance to go with him, and that settled it.Well, it didn't. I could sense something amiss, but what it was, I had no idea, and it was killing me. Melissa seemed quiet, neutral, curious but also willing to go.That also worried me. If both of my sisters left, I would be alone. I did not wish to be alone, not yet."Christina," Marcel's voice cut through my daydream, and I opened my eyes. He was frowning at me, arms crossed over his chest."Do you want to do this, or not?""How can you tell that I'm not focused?" I demanded, indignant, that he
Author's povWarm sunlight from the afternoon bathed the patio while it created shadows that extended over the wooden floor. The gentle wind brought distant voices from another part of the estate while this isolated area maintained a peculiar tension in the air.Becca was probably the only one feeling the tension since her sisters beside her looked just fine and moved with as much ease as usual. Well, from the moment she set her eyes on the man standing a few feet away under the shade, she couldn't feel relaxed.Not much had changed about him, she noted as he locked his gaze with hers. He still had the same piercing gray eyes, the same strong jawline that made him look dominant and the kind tilt to his eyes were still there. Here was the subject of all the silent nights here at the blood moon pack.Becca took her final few steps to position herself next to him while feeling a mix of betrayal and excitement.A deep breath escaped from Isaac when he saw the stunning woman standing in fr
Author's pov"No!" Christina was saying. "No, I'm not with you on this one."Was Becca being serious right now? That insane woman had burned the house down in anger, and she was ready to kill both her and Marcel! She might be their mother, but she had no trait in common with them and that meant that Christina wanted no involvement with her.Reasoning with her? Pfft. That sounded like a plan that would fail. Perhaps in the end, the woman would turn Becca and Melissa against her, and now they would be a three-woman army all out to take Christina down."Becca, are you sure about this?" Melissa asked in a small voice. She should have sided with her sister immediately, but she doubted if their mother would listen for any reason.She had seen her angry before and caused a lot of wreckage, something she did not regret one bit after doing so. It was like when the witch took over, every ounce of good nature left her and she became worse."Are you serious?" Becca demanded. "So you're going to l