Marcel's POVChristina was failing. Badly. I watched her struggle to catch her breath, bent over slightly with her hands on her knees. She was getting angry and frustrated.I suspected part of the reason was that I kept breaking through her defenses with little effort. I could go easy on her, but then what was the point of the training session if I wasn't assessing her?I felt selfish calling her here to train with me instead of my mother. I covered it up with the reason that my mother could not give her the level of training that I could, but I knew the full truth was I wanted to prove to her that she couldn't hide from me for long.I knew she had been avoiding me since the execution. I wanted her to know I could bring her out of her hiding place whenever I felt like doing so.Now, here she was, forced to be in my presence, and I could see her discomfort with every second that passed. She looked like she would run out anytime without looking back. She lifted her head, her brown eyes
Christina's POVTraining with Marcel became a routine that I was now starting to look forward to. I had been doing so for two weeks, and it was helping me. I faced him in the training room three times a week, and we pretended everything was alright.It was an unspoken truce—he didn't push, and I didn't go back. Neither addressed the lingering tension from that day after the execution or the awkward closeness during training. We just... moved on.Somehow, I was okay with it. I didn't want to bother myself with my emotions just yet, so I threw myself into the training, letting the strain distract me from them. It was easier to focus on striking, dodging, countering—anything but the wickedly handsome man whose gaze lingered too long. It was easier to pretend I didn't want to be close to him.Sometimes, he looked at me like he was waiting for something, and if I was being honest, I was waiting too. But for what? I didn't know, and I doubted he did either.After today's session, I returned
Christina's povI should have turned away and escaped before he saw me, but I just couldn't. In that flash of light, I saw scars on his bare back—not too many, but enough to make me curious.I could only see him by the dim yellow lighting. His damp hair was tousled as if he had just stepped out of the shower, and the dim glow highlighted every sculpted muscle as he leaned over to pick something up from the table.I had never seen him so relaxed and vulnerable, so unaware. Perhaps it was the rarity of the situation that kept me rooted to the spot.I blinked and shook my head slightly. I had to leave before he accidentally turned and saw me. Just as I was about to step in, his voice stopped me."Will you stand there all night or come in?"I gasped as my stomach flipped. He knew I was here already, but how was that even possible when he hadn't looked back?Hesitantly, I stepped inside, wishing I had something else on besides this damp dress."You know, I'm quite surprised—" He turned to
The passion between us was intense, yet I longed to draw her nearer. At this moment, I had no awareness of our surroundings. Even if I attempted to focus, I couldn't. The sensation of her underneath me, her form rising to meet mine with each urgent motion, was all that mattered now.Christina's breathy sounds filled the air around us, her nails digging into my back as I pushed deeper. My name escaped her lips like a soft request."Marcel..."I let out a low sound releasing her nipple and nestling my face where her neck met her shoulder. Her heartbeat was strongest. My teeth skimmed the area, and something deeper than instinct urged me to mark her as mine.It's too early, I thought, not wanting to rush or seem hasty. But as this idea crossed my mind, her scent overwhelmed me, and she lifted her hips driving me further inside her. Every fiber of my being was tense, my wolf side demanding what we both knew would happen.My willpower crumbled. If I didn't act now, I would lose my mind. He
Christina’s POVWarmth became the first thing I noticed as an unflinching steady warmth that started to put me back to sleep. The subtle thudding sensation at the part of my neck near my hairline caused me to take a sharp intake of breath.All memories from the previous night's events erupted in my mind at the same time showing images of Marcel and his marking along with his speaking and gentle touching.I opened my eyes to survey my surroundings but closed them right away when I discovered that I remained in his bedroom as I refused to confront reality. Why not take me to my bed to sleep during that night? Being here made it more real.I still felt him. His absence from the bed did not diminish the weight of his presence which filled the entire space. The low voices made me peer from under my eyelids to check where they were coming from. The door was partially open, so the voices were relatively straightforward, and I recognized them immediately. Marcel and Luna Sandra. I stayed sti
Chapter 65Christina's POVI hadn’t seen Marcel in more than a day, and I couldn’t tell if I should be relieved or discomfited by this. I just didn’t know how to feel about all that had transpired between us and so I dreaded running into him.A small part of me was thankful he hadn’t called me to him.I had half expected him to force me into a conversation I wasn't ready for, but instead, surprisingly, there was just silence.Even Luna Sandra hadn't called for me. For her to overlook our classes and not demand my presence meant she was still furious. Honestly, I didn't care. After all, she said, I had no idea if I could control my tongue if I saw her again.So I spent the last day holed up in my room, trying to read a book even though my mind refused to focus on the words. Every few seconds, I would catch my thoughts drifting back to him—his hands, his lips, his mark on my neck that still tingled faintly. And then I would proceed to stare at the wall and relive the moment for a while
Christina's povI folded my arms across my chest the moment the door was shut by my father. It was just me and Marcel now, and I wasn't feeling too pleased with him."You barely gave us 5 minutes," I accused."Please," he replied with a smile and my frown deepened. "It's been 10 minutes.""Still, that's not fair! I haven't seen him in months, and you think 10 minutes is enough for a reunion?""You'll be able to talk with him at length any other day you see him here," he replied, taking a step closer. "You have to prepare yourself for a public address as the Luna, and that cannot wait.""This is not fair!" I said, raising my voice a bit. "And my sisters, who you won't let me see either, he's the only one I have left. Since I never met my mother and there's no chance of me knowing her, can't you at least give me the freedom to speak with my father?"Marcel narrowed his eyes. "You don't know your mother?" he asked."Don't act like you don't know the story," I sneered. "I was a baby when
Author's POVBecca paced back and forth in the small room anxiously, her arms clasped firmly across her body. She glanced at the door every once in a while, hoping it would open.It never did, however, that only made her angrier. What was happening outside, anyway? She hated being trapped in here.Melissa, cross-legged on the bed, frowned. Her sister's behavior was starting to annoy her now. "Relax, Becca, you need to,""I cannot," Becca cried out, running her hand through her hair. "We have not heard anything since the curse was lifted."Even Alice has nothing new to tell us. How do we even know if Christina's okay?"Melissa bit her lip, exhaling. Alice was one of the Maids who worked here that they had befriended—she usually brought updates from whatever news she had gathered around the Estate. But for the past two days, she had nothing new to tell them.Melissa felt the same way but didn't want to voice her worries. Becca would just get more anxious. "She's still alive, at least,"
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