After being accused of killing her father, Azura Riverstone runs away from her pack when her mate and husband orders his Gammas to hold her as the captive. Torn between hurt and betrayal from her mate and step-family, she decides to seek the Alpha King for help but the only way to get to him is participating in the Alpha combat where only Alphas are allowed. How will she find the true murderer of her father when her ex finds her and offers a deal which she can't deny?
Lihat lebih banyakAzura
As the rain falls relentlessly from the somber clouds above, my feet carry me through the quiet rows of headstones in the cemetery. Each droplet seems to echo the rhythm of my heart, heavy with sorrow and longing as my own teardrops stream down my cheeks.
I stand before my father's grave, the damp earth beneath my shoes reminding me of the fragility of the situation I was in. With a trembling hand, I trace the letters of his name engraved on the weathered stone, feeling the weight of loss settle upon my shoulders once more.
Amidst the downpour and chaos that my life has become, I find solace in the quiet solitude of the cemetery, a sacred space where memories linger like shadows in the rain. Still, that solace doesn’t last long as his pale face covered in blood flashes in front of my eyes and I ball my fists, restraining the boiling fury that empowers my emotions and threatens to consume me whole.
My wolf is also in despair, but she tries to comfort me. It isn’t the right time to lose my temper and let them find me, I remind myself, wiping tears off my face with the back of my hands.
“I will catch the culprit who killed you soon, Dad,” I mutter through clenched teeth. “I promise you, Dad, I will make the convict beg for death. I’m your daughter, Dad. I will not cry like a weakling.”
My voice comes out stiff as I utter with determination. I was the Dark Shadown Pack’s Beta’s daughter and the future Alpha’s wife. No one should see the pack’s future Luna crying, it would make their faith in me falter and I don’t want that. Nicholas hasn’t taken over the pack officially yet but everyone in the pack calls him Alpha and me Luna as Alpha Lucius has declared Nicholas as his only heir.
I have worked so hard to become the perfect Luna for Nicholas. Alpha Lucius and Luna Pamela have always treated me like their own daughter. Dad had trained me hard to become the strongest warrior out there and he took pride in his daughters’ being one of the strongest warriors not only in the pack but also amongst the whole community of werewolves.
Aria, my step-sister, and I graduated with gold belts in the Lunar Academy which is the top rank in the academy where all the werewolves get trained and educated till they turn twenty.
‘Where are you, Azura?’ Comes Nicholas’s strained voice through the link. He sounds worried and it makes my heart fill with guilt. I should have at least informed him that I was coming here.
Nicholas loves me so much and his consistent efforts to cater to my every need, no matter how small, only intensify my love for him. I had a crush on him while growing up and prayed to the Moon Goddess every night before sleeping to make him my fated mate and a month ago, on the night of the Blue Moon, the Goddess blessed me with Nicholas.
It was the happiest day of my life and I still remember how Nicholas accepted me wholeheartedly though he didn’t love me at first. We had an on-and-off history while we were young and the silly things I did to get his attention and love sometimes made me feel embarrassed but eventually, he fell in love with me so everything was worth it.
As per the saying goes, she fell first but he fell harder…
‘Azura?’ He tries to reach out again, bringing me back from the nostalgia when I don’t respond to him.
‘Yes, Nicholas. I’ll be home in an hour,’ I reply and cut the link before he can ask more questions.
I don’t want him to come here to pick me up. He has done more than enough since we found out about my father’s death.
“I should head back and take a shower so he wouldn’t know that I was here. The rogues’ attacks on the east borders have frequented so I don’t want him to be occupied with me when he should be attending to his Alpha duties,” I say, smiling weakly at the tomb as if he is listening to me.
“I will show you my face only after catching the culprit and punishing him for his sin,” I state with unwavering resolve before turning my heels on.
My heart is brimming with pain and rage while my mind is in turmoil as I take steady steps toward the Alpha mansion which is my home now. All my life, I put up the brave front and stayed strong so my father wouldn’t have to worry about me as his new family with his second chance mate, Linda, and his daughter, Aria needed his attention more than me.
Linda and Aria have always been so sweet and caring toward me but my wolf didn’t trust them. She is always wary of them and even scolded me in the past for being selfless and letting them have most of the time and affection of my father.
Linda has been devastated since the news of my father’s death broke out and she is barely coping with the loss of her fated mate. Many mates pass away soon after their mate’s demise as the pain is unbearable. The thought alone of Aria being an orphan like me makes my heart shudder with fear so I decide to visit them.
Maybe I should try to cheer her up as not only her stepdaughter but also as a Luna. I take a left from the sideway and soon, reach my old home. The lights in Aria’s room are on, she must be having a hard time falling asleep. I am having trouble sleeping, every time I close my eyes, Dad’s pale face covered in blood comes into my mind and I feel like the air is not reaching my lungs as I wake up, gasping for the air.
I’m about to knock on the door when the sound of Aria’s laughter falls into my ears.
“Finally, all the things that Dad kept in his safe, away from our reach for his precious first daughter are mine now,” her voice is dripping with hatred as she mentions me. I tiptoe toward her room and peek inside from the window.
Aria and Linda are sitting on the bed with some files, jewelry boxes, and a lot of cash surrounding them. Their greedy faces show no sign of pain or remorse for Dad’s death. They seemed to be glad that he was gone so they could snatch everything from me that was rightfully mine. All of the fortune belongs to my mother, she had received it from her parents. It was a generational treasure that was passed down to my mother and her sister, Dad has told me everything about it.
My stomach twists at their true color revelation and I silently descend the stairs to head back home, not wanting to create any scene.
The guards greet me, bowing their heads in respect as I make my way inside the mansion hurriedly, hoping no one else will see me. I’m shaking with rage, struggling to keep my emotions under control.
My wolf wants to confront them and fight for what’s ours but I want to do nothing sort of that. Dad would never want us to fight after his passing so for him, I give up on my fortune and all the properties that belong to me.
“Finally, you’re back, Azura,” Nicholas calls out and I halt in my steps, clutching the fabric of my dress in my hands as my heart is pounding in my chest.
I don’t want my mate to see me like this and be worried about me.
“Uh, yes. I’m sorry for not telling you where I went and then-” I said in a low voice, looking into his gorgeous amber-brown eyes that held concern for me.
Nicholas cut me in, “You don’t need to say sorry for that, baby.” He clears his throat and his expression turns stoic as he says, “However, the autopsy and forensic examination departments have informed me that the reports have come, and as your father was the Beta of the Dark Shadown pack, we need to disclose the reports in the presence of all the pack members. I have already called everyone and they will be here around in one hour.”
AzuraOne Week Later...The Blue Moon hangs like a glowing beacon in the night sky, casting its luminous glow over the packhouse grounds. Tonight is not just any night—it’s the rarest of nights when magic courses through the air, weaving a mystical tapestry between all who gather under its light. It’s as if fate itself has written this moment, for not only is it my wedding night but also the Blue Moon, a time when the most powerful bonds can be revealed. I pray to the Moon Goddess to give me Ryker as my fated mate, but even if she is up to some game and gives me someone else as my second chance mate, I’m determined to reject him in the blink of an eye. I stand in front of the mirror, barely recognizing the woman reflected there. My wedding gown, a masterpiece of silk and lace, hugs my body like a dream. The bodice is adorned with intricate silver embroidery, weaving the shapes of moons and wolves, while the long, flowing skirt spills around me like water, glistening with the light fr
AzuraThe smell of sizzling eggs and freshly brewed coffee fills the air as I step into the dining room, the warmth of the early morning sun streaming through the windows. My heart still feels like it’s floating somewhere above my head, ever since last night. The proposal. Ryker. My soon-to-be husband.I smile to myself as I sit at the breakfast table, but the moment I do, I notice something strange—everyone’s looking at me. Elysia’s grinning, Dante’s trying to hold back a smirk, and even Rosie is practically buzzing with excitement.“What?” I ask cautiously, narrowing my eyes at them.Elysia leans over the table, wiggling her eyebrows. “Oh, nothing. Just that your fiancé—" she drags out the word with extra emphasis, “—decided to make a very public proposal last night.”“Very public,” Dante echoes, unable to hide his grin. “I mean, the whole pack was watching.”“And now,” Rosie chimes in, her eyes sparkling mischievously, “it’s going viral. The Alpha’s proposal is the talk of the town
Ryker“Nothing’s wrong,” I assure her, my lips curving into a smile. “In fact, everything feels right. More right than it’s ever been.”Her eyes soften, and I can see the question forming on her lips, but I don’t give her a chance to ask. Instead, I stand up, pushing my chair back as I get down on one knee.The gasps around us are immediate. The pack members who have been subtly watching our every move are now openly staring, their eyes wide with shock and curiosity as a few of them start recording it on their phones. But none of that matters anymore. The only thing that matters is the woman in front of me.Azura’s hands fly to her mouth, her eyes wide with surprise. “Ryker, what are you—”“Azura,” I interrupt softly, pulling the ring from my pocket and holding it up for her to see. “From the moment I met you, I knew you were the one for me. Strong, fierce, and the most beautiful woman I have ever seen—everything I’ve ever wanted in my wife. You’ve challenged me, pushed me, and made m
RykerThe moment she steps out of the bathroom, wearing my shirt and looking both regal and relaxed, my breath catches in my throat. Azura—the one person who can shatter me with a glance and, at the same time, make me feel invincible—is here, wrapped up in my scent, my world, and for the first time in what feels like forever, everything seems right.Her hair cascades down her back, damp from the shower, catching the light in a way that makes her look ethereal, like some kind of warrior goddess who has walked straight out of legend. And yet, there is this softness to her that draws me in. The way her lips curve into a soft smile when she catches me staring, the subtle blush on her cheeks... damn, I’m a goner.I can’t help but shake my head as a light blush creeps onto my cheeks as I recall the moment she came to me, begging me to fuck her and make her forget everything else that’s been running through her mind. She is silly but cute and yet demanding; I absolutely love that about her.
AzuraA sliver of sunlight peeks through the curtains, dancing across my eyelids. I stir, blinking as the warmth wraps around me like a soft blanket. My muscles are sore, my body deliciously tired, but it’s the weight of the arms around me that brings a smile to my lips before I even open my eyes.RykerThe heat of him against my back is grounding, his heartbeat steady and strong, a rhythmic reminder of the night before. Memories flood back, each one sending a shiver down my spine. His touch, his words, the way he made me forget everything but him.I turn my head slightly, catching a glimpse of him still fast asleep. His dark hair falls messily across his forehead, his jaw relaxed, and his arm is draped possessively over my waist. Even in sleep, he doesn’t let me go.He looks so gorgeous even in sleep; his long eyelashes, sharp jawline, square face, and full lips make him look like a Greek god. I give him a small pack on his lips, nose, and forehead. A flutter of emotion tightens my
Ryker “Put me down, Ryker!” She snaps, her voice laced with fury, but I’m already halfway up the stairs, my steps heavy with intent. I don’t stop until I reach my bedroom door, and with one swift kick, I push it open. The sound echoes in the quiet hallway as I stride in, locking the door behind me.I toss her onto the bed, her body bouncing slightly against the mattress, but she quickly scrambles to her feet and tries to run away. Before she can make another move, I’m in front of her, pinning her against the wall, trapping her between my body and the cold surface behind her. Her breath hitches, her eyes wide with a mix of shock and something else—something that matches the heat blazing in my chest.“You want to know what I want, Azura?” I growl, my voice low as I lean in closer, my lips inches from hers. “I want you to stop pushing me away. I want you to stop acting like you don’t feel this, too.”Her breathing quickens, and for a split second, I see a flicker of uncertainty in her e
Ryker“You wanted to dance, right? Let’s go and dance,” I growl, holding her hand firmly when she tries to walk away.Azura stops in her tracks, her back stiffening at my words. She turns to look at me, her eyes blazing with anger, but I can feel the tension in her hand as I grip it tightly. She’s furious, and to be honest, so am I.How could she let another man touch her? Dance with him, no less, while I’m standing here, watching her? Did she think I’d just let it slide? Not a chance.But instead, she pulls away from me with a sharp yank, her lips curling into a mocking smile. "Don’t play with me, Ryker. Go back to your bitch. I’m sure she’s waiting for you on the dance floor."My jaw clenches at her words. "Azura, I wasn’t dancing with her because I wanted to. The Elders—"She scoffs, cutting me off. "Are you going to give me excuses now? And do you expect me to believe you?" She crosses her arms, her stance challenging me, daring me to give her a weak excuse.I grit my teeth, trying
AzuraI can’t help but feel a pang of guilt gnawing at me as I sit quietly, picking at my food. Ryker’s question echoes in my mind. Did you not like the dress I bought for you? How could I have missed that? A part of me feels bad for not going to his room and checking out the dress earlier. He looked so hurt, but he was quick to mask it over with a smile when he got to know that I hadn’t seen it.I glance at him across the room as he chats with some of the warriors; he is looking so hot in that suit. Of course, the women would throw themselves at him. I scan the venue and find the girls staring at him with lovesick eyes. Sighing, I grab my glass of red wine that Xander had brought for me, only to spill it onto my dress accidentally. “Oh no!” I mutter under my breath, blotting at the grease stain with a napkin. Of all the times to be clumsy. As I try to clean it with the tissue, the stain doesn’t go away; it spreads on my dress. My wolf smirks at me; you did it intentionally. I sho
RykerThe chaos erupts when Elysia’s parents storm in. It feels like a crack of thunder, sharp and jarring. My body stiffens, my wolf on edge, ready to act. Elysia’s mother looks livid, her lips pressed into a thin, disapproving line while her father strides toward Dante with a fury that promises trouble."How dare you abduct my daughter?" Her father’s booming voice slices through the peaceful atmosphere, drawing everyone's attention. His eyes blaze with a mixture of anger and disbelief as he takes in the sight of his daughter in a wedding dress, standing next to Dante, who looks caught between panic and determination. I immediately step forward, my protective instincts kicking in, but before I can speak, Andrew and my grandfather appear out of nowhere, moving to intercept Elysia’s parents. Their presence is a calming force, and I see both of them exchange a quick glance before addressing the royal witches.“Wait,” Andrew begins, his voice calm but firm, as he raises his hands to sto
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