The kingdom buzzed with excitement as preparations for the moonlight festival continued. Decorations adorned the halls, and the air was filled with the scent of fresh flowers and incense. Dominic moved through the corridors with purpose, headed toward Summer's room. The festival was an important tradition, and he wanted to ensure everything was ready for her first celebration with them.As he turned a corner, he almost collided with Jessica. She looked up at him with a smile that didn't quite reach her eyes. "Dominic," she greeted him, tilting her head curiously. "Off to somewhere important?"He met her gaze steadily. "Yes, I need to see Summer," he said, a note of finality in his voice. "It's her first moonlight festival, and I want to check on her."Jessica's smile widened, but he caught the sharpness in her eyes. "Oh, how thoughtful," she replied, her tone as sweet as honey. But as she turned to walk away, she muttered quietly under her breath, just loud enough for him to hear, "It
Dominic leaned against the polished wooden table in the dimly lit meeting room, a frown creasing his brow as he spoke to Coleman, his trusted advisor. The air was thick with anticipation; the moonlight festival was just hours away, and Dominic had a growing unease gnawing at him."Coleman," he began, his voice low but firm, "have you noticed anything strange about Jessica lately?"Coleman straightened, his expression serious. "I've seen her acting differently, yes. She seems… more focused, more intense. Why do you ask?"Dominic rubbed the back of his neck, his instincts kicking in. "It's just a feeling, but I suspect she has something in mind. She's been too friendly with everyone, especially Summer. It feels like she's up to something."Coleman nodded, his brow furrowing as he considered Dominic's words. "What do you think she's planning? We both know how cunning she can be.""I can't put my finger on it," Dominic admitted, pacing the room. "But I don't trust her intentions. If she's
The moon hung high in the velvet sky, casting its silver glow over the grand estate where the moonlight party was taking place. Laughter and music filled the air, but there was an undercurrent of tension that only a select few could sense. Among the gathered crowd, Dominic stood with a furrowed brow, his gaze fixed on Summer, vibrant and unaware. She flitted from group to group, a bright flame in a room full of shadows, oblivious to the predators lurking nearby."Keep an eye on her, Coleman," Dominic instructed, his voice low and urgent. "The priestess is coming, and I don't want Summer getting too close to her."Coleman nodded, his eyes scanning the crowd. "Roger that. But what if she starts having those flashbacks again? You know how she gets."Dominic clenched his jaw, recalling the panic that usually accompanied those episodes. "We'll deal with that when it happens. Just make sure she stays safe."As Summer laughed, her carefree demeanor ignited a pang of something deep within Dom
Summer sat in the secluded corner, her heart racing as she felt the weight of Jessica's gaze upon her. She forced herself to focus on the shimmering lights above, trying to drown out the tension that hung in the air like a thick fog. Jessica's smirk was palpable, and she knew she was up to something.Elias, on the other hand, moved with an air of casual confidence, nodding in acknowledgment as he approached Coleman. Summer's pulse quickened; she could see Elias's jaw tighten slightly as he engaged in light conversation, she hadn't seen him around so she knew he wasn't a Lycan, probably a fox. His easy charm contrasted sharply with the brewing storm inside her."Hey, Coleman," Elias said, his voice smooth as silk. "Everything okay over here? I couldn't help but notice she looks a little… pale."Coleman shot him a wary glance. "She's just not feeling well," he replied, defensive. "Nothing to worry about."Elias feigned a look of sympathy, though his eyes sparkled with intrigue. "What a
The atmosphere shifted sharply as Alpha Gregory's authoritative voice rang out, drawing the attention of everyone in the room. The murmurs faded into an anticipatory hush, and all eyes turned toward him, then to Alpha Dominic, who strode in with an air of command.Dominic's presence was magnetic; he exuded power and confidence that sent shivers down Summer's spine. She could feel the weight of his gaze as he scanned the room, taking in the scene before him. The subtle tension between Elias and Coleman did not escape him."What's going on here?" Alpha Gregory repeated, his tone a mixture of curiosity and caution as he took a step closer. "I could feel the energy from down the hall. Is there trouble?"Elias straightened, masking his earlier amusement with a facade of respect. "Just a discussion about Summer, sir. Nothing serious. I was merely expressing my concern about a human—""—who's not a human," Jessica interjected, her tone dripping with disdain. "She's a werewolf. A weak one at
The moonlight party's enchantment had dissipated, leaving behind the soft glow of lanterns and the gentle hum of goodbyes. As the guests began to disperse, Dominic's authoritative voice cut through the chatter."Rylan, see Alpha Gregory and Luna Tesla to their lodge, please."The sentinel nodded, escorting the dignified couple away.Dominic turned to Summer, his expression softening. "Shall I walk you to your room?"Summer nodded, her thoughts still reeling from the evening's events.As they strolled through the quiet corridors, Dominic asked, "Are you okay?"Summer's gaze met his, searching. "What the moon goddess priestess said...about me being the former priestess...is it true?"Dominic's expression turned reassuring. "No, Summer. It's just an old legend. Don't pay attention to it."But Summer's mind was already racing. The dreams she'd been having – visions of herself in a cave, surrounded by ancient symbols – lingered, refusing to be dismissed.She didn't reveal her doubts, inste
Morning light crept through the windows, illuminating Dominic's chambers. Summer stirred, stretching her arms above her head."Good morning," Dominic said, his voice low and soothing.Summer's gaze met his, still sleepy. "Morning."Dominic's expression turned serious. "You're not going to resume duty with Elara today. You're not feeling well."Summer nodded, not arguing.Dominic called out, "Coleman!"The door opened, and Coleman entered. "Yes, sir?""Call Hilda, please. Have her bring whatever Summer needs from her bedroom. She'll be staying here today."Coleman nodded and left.Summer swung her legs over the side of the bed, her feet dangling in the air."Dominic?" she said, her voice hesitant."Yes?""Can I run in the woods later today? I really need it."Dominic's expression turned cautious. "You'll have to go with a chaperone. There are Lycans who are angry about your presence here. It's not safe."Summer's face fell, but she nodded silently.Dominic's eyes narrowed. "Summer, I m
Alpha Gregory and Tesla entered their bedroom, the door closing softly behind them. Tesla's eyes sparkled with curiosity as she turned to her mate."Explain what Jessica was saying," she demanded, her voice firm but gentle.Gregory's expression turned serious. "There's a werewolf in the castle. Summer."Tesla's eyebrows rose. "The new servant?"Gregory nodded. "Dominic's keeping her under his watch. No one can touch her."Tesla's smile was knowing. "And you want to get rid of her."Gregory's eyes gleamed with intensity. "Yes, I'd love to. But I have to wait for the right time."Tesla's gaze narrowed. "And if I help you fulfill this...dream, will you stop seeing your mistress?"The air thickened with tension as Gregory's expression turned scornful. He didn't respond, instead walking toward the wardrobe, his back to Tesla.Tesla's eyes flashed with anger, but her voice remained calm. "You still think you can keep secrets from me, Gregory?"Gregory's silence was deafening.Tesla's gaze f
The morning sun crept over the horizon, casting an ethereal glow across the mansion grounds. Summer's restless night left her weary, but her resolve was stronger than ever. With her suspicions about the Elders confirmed, she knew she had to tread carefully, but every fiber of her being urged her to act. For too long, she'd been caught in the web of others' schemes. It was time to take back control.She rose from her bed, her gaze steady as she assessed her reflection in the mirror. There was a new fire in her eyes, one she hadn't noticed before—a quiet strength that had been forged in the shadows of this world she barely understood. Today would mark the beginning of her own strategy. If Dominic wouldn't let her in, she would find another way to protect him.After dressing in a simple tunic, she left her room and quietly made her way to the library, a place she'd recently started frequenting. It was always empty in the early mornings, allowing her the solitude she needed to sift throug
The silence in the mansion felt heavier the next morning. Summer's heart was still bruised from her encounter with Dominic, and as she sat alone in her room, she realized that waiting for him to come around would only leave her feeling empty. It was time to make a decision for herself.She couldn't shake the feeling that there were pieces of this story—of Dominic, of the Elders, of everything—that she hadn't fully uncovered. Perhaps if she knew more about Dominic's world, she'd finally understand why he pushed her away and why he saw himself as dangerous. But she couldn't do it by staying idle.Summoning her resolve, Summer took a deep breath and left her room. If she wanted answers, she needed to start somewhere, and there was one place that held all the secrets she couldn't ask Dominic directly about—the Elder Council's archives.She made her way down the winding staircase and headed to the back of the mansion, where she had once overheard some guards mention the archives. The guard
The next morning, Summer woke up feeling numb, as though the weight of everything that had transpired the day before had drained all the color from her world. The mansion was eerily quiet, and as she lay in her bed, her thoughts replayed the events over and over again. Gregory and Tesla had left with no word of farewell, their departure felt like the final threads of any semblance of safety in her life had snapped.It was all slipping away from her.She forced herself out of bed and dressed in a simple gown, trying to shake off the lingering tension in her chest. Her stomach was still in knots from the conversation with Dominic, or rather, the way he had shut her out the moment things started to go too far. What had happened between them felt like a cruel joke. She had thought that maybe, just maybe, he was someone who understood her pain, someone who could offer her some peace. But instead, he had pushed her away, leaving her to face the turmoil alone.Her mind wandered back to the m
Morning dawned, casting a soft, golden light over the Lycan pack’s territory. Tesla slipped out of bed and busied herself with preparations to leave, carefully masking the turmoil boiling inside her. Gregory’s conversation from the night before echoed in her mind, a painful reminder of his betrayal. But she was practiced in hiding her emotions, and she chose to keep what she’d overheard to herself, allowing Gregory to believe she was still in the dark.As she packed, Tesla reminded herself of the bigger picture: she had a part to play, and if she was going to protect Summer, she would need to tread carefully. When she was ready, she joined the others, keeping her expression neutral as she passed Gregory in the hallway.---The day moved quickly, and soon, everything was ready for the journey back to their own territory. Summer watched the pack members bidding the foxes farewell, a strange mix of emotions welling up inside her. This place had held so much tension and danger, yet she fel
The sun was high when Elara entered the grand hall, where the elders were gathering for the much-anticipated meeting. The air was heavy with unspoken tension, and she could feel it prickling against her skin. Every elder present carried secrets, some small and others monumental, but all were hidden under layers of authority and tradition. Jessica was already seated beside her father, Elder Kaleb, who wore an expression as unreadable as stone.Elder Simon gave Elara a small nod as she took her seat. It was a subtle gesture, but it hinted at something deeper, something that would raise questions if anyone else noticed. She forced herself to remain neutral, giving nothing away, even as her heart pounded. She could only hope that their hidden relationship wouldn't surface here.Dominic and Coleman were seated further down, each wearing an air of calm confidence that seemed almost out of place. But only Elara knew what Dominic was truly capable of—and the lengths he would go to keep Summer
The following morning, Elara sat at the edge of her bed, watching the first light trickle through her window. She hadn't slept well. Her conversation with Jessica the day before had been unsettling, the feeling that Jessica was on the verge of uncovering her secret simmering beneath her skin. Today, however, she needed a clear mind. The pack's unity depended on subtlety, and she couldn't afford to lose her edge.With a deep breath, she rose, dressed, and left her quarters to confront Jessica. She found her outside the training grounds, overseeing a group of young pack members practicing their forms. Elara approached, making no effort to conceal her presence."Jessica," she called out. The other woman turned, her expression unreadable as she dismissed the trainees with a wave of her hand."Elara. So formal today." Jessica's tone was laced with suspicion, her gaze hard and unwavering.Elara didn't waste time with small talk. "You need to stop meddling in Summer's affairs. The elders wil
The next day, Elara found herself striding across the compound with a purpose that could not be ignored. Her expression was tense, her jaw set with quiet fury. After the previous night's revelations, she knew exactly what needed to be done.She spotted Jessica near the training grounds, her posture casual yet alert as she chatted with a few pack members. Elara approached, her voice slicing through the air like a blade."Jessica," she called, a steely edge to her tone. Jessica turned, a flicker of something unreadable crossing her face as Elara approached."Elara. To what do I owe the pleasure?" Jessica's words dripped with feigned politeness, but her eyes held a spark of defiance.Elara didn't waste time on formalities. "Enough games, Jessica. I know exactly what you've been doing—trying to frame Summer for things you know she didn't do."Jessica's eyes narrowed slightly, though she retained her calm. "Is that so? Funny, coming from you. Last I checked, Summer was the one wrapped up i
Morning broke with a quiet chill, the sky a pale shade of gray as Summer made her way to the kitchens to start her chores. She could sense a shift in the atmosphere, an underlying tension that seemed to settle in the walls, pressing down on her as she moved through the hallways. It felt like a storm was gathering, and she couldn't shake the feeling that somehow, she was at the center of it.Meanwhile, in her chambers, Elara sat at her vanity, fingers drumming thoughtfully against the polished wood. The incident with the necklace had been gnawing at her all night, Jessica's smug attitude still fresh in her mind. She could tell that Jessica was up to her usual tricks, but framing Summer for something she hadn't done? That crossed a line."Jessica," Elara called out, her voice carrying a sharp edge.Moments later, Jessica slipped into the room, her expression carefully neutral, though her eyes sparkled with a trace of mischief. "You wanted to see me, Elara?"Elara met her gaze in the mir
Summer stood by Elara's jewelry table, her fingers lingering over the necklaces she'd been sorting. Jessica's threat hung heavy in her mind, gnawing at her sense of security. She couldn't shake the feeling that she'd been targeted, that something far worse than Jessica's petty cruelty was coming her way. As she resumed organizing, her movements were more cautious, as though the shadows around her held secrets she wasn't ready to uncover.She was still lost in thought when Elara returned, her expression severe, a tension rippling off her that Summer couldn't place. Elara's gaze swept over the jewelry, her eyes narrowing as they landed on the empty spot where a necklace should have been."Elara?" Summer ventured, sensing the shift in her mood. "Is everything alright?"Elara's gaze snapped to her, piercing. "I'm not sure," she said slowly, suspicion edging her voice. "One of my necklaces is missing. It was here this morning."Summer froze, her mind racing. Jessica's smirk flashed before