Owen had escorted Zach, Cole, and Rita back to his office, explaining what had transpired with Tristan and Serena. The atmosphere was heavy, each step echoing the weight of the revelations. Once they were inside, Owen gestured for everyone to sit. He lowered himself into one of the chairs, his movements deliberate, while Rita and Cole followed suit. Zach, however, chose to remain standing, his posture stiff and unyielding as if rooted by an unspoken tension."So, some of the ex-rogue pack members saw Serena and Tristan and helped them get here?" Cole asked, his disbelief evident.Owen nodded, his expression sombre. "Yes," he confirmed, leaning back in his chair."Did they give much information about how Serena and Tristan escaped?" Cole pressed, though his gaze flickered nervously towards Zach. The Alpha’s face was a mask of cold detachment, his thoughts seemingly trapped in a deep, shadowed place."Well..." Owen paused, his eyes momentarily settling on Zach before continuing. "It app
"As sharp as ever, Zachary," Rita said warmly, a sly smile tugging at her lips. "I suppose you want to know more about Lucille’s so-called moon curse?""Considering you didn’t mention it earlier, I assume you’ve kept quiet for a reason," Zach replied, his tone casual as he leaned back in his chair, arms crossed. "You used an interesting choice of words, though—rumour of a moon curse.""Did I?" Rita’s lavender eyes sparkled with amusement. "Naturally, the moon curse isn’t real.""Apart from Lucille suffering from it," Zach interjected pointedly."Does she truly suffer from it?" Rita tilted her head, her smile widening. "The only person to confirm its existence was Joseph, wasn’t it?"Zach’s brow furrowed as he processed her words. Her gaze stayed fixed on him, watching the realisation flicker across his features."So, what’s wrong with Lucille, then?" he asked, his voice lowering. Deep down, he already suspected Joseph’s claims were just another tool to control her. Still, there was no
The sky was a canvas of grey, thick with overcast clouds, and the waves below crashed and roared against the cliffs with relentless ferocity. The once serene view of the ocean had turned hostile, its surface churning a dirtied, turbulent brown as the harsh wind whipped the water into chaos. Zach stood by the window, his sharp blue eyes scanning the angry seascape. The scene mirrored his inner turmoil, his restlessness growing with each passing moment.The Alpha meeting was set to take place today, and Zach had remained at Alpha Owen’s home, waiting for the arrival of the other Alphas. He knew many had travelled long distances, but he hoped they were prepared to sit down and hear him out immediately. At the very least, he wanted them to listen to his side of the story before they sought rest, giving them the night to mull over his words and begin to form a plan.Zach had spent much of his stay checking on Tristan, despite Serena’s visible discomfort with his presence. Though she allowe
She felt numb. How long had it been since she’d arrived? Days blurred into weeks, time losing all meaning in the suffocating fog of her existence. Back in this wretched excuse of a pack, Lucille was little more than a shadow of herself. Stripped of purpose, she was forbidden from resuming the duties she’d once taken pride in. Instead, she remained tethered to Joseph, either kept by his side or confined to their room. She wasn’t his mate—she was his possession. The collar and leash that bound her were tangible proof of that cruel reality.Yet, no matter how much she loathed him, Lucille couldn’t entirely shut out the insidious warmth of adoration seeping through the mate bond. It crawled into her mind like a disease, threading its way through her thoughts, weakening her resolve. She fought it with every ounce of strength she had, desperate not to yield, but each day the pull grew stronger. The untamed bond between them solidified, like chains tightening around her soul.Though Joseph t
Zach took a deep breath as he made his way back down to the medical floor. He could only hope Serena would be in a more receptive mood this time, though her resistance so far didn’t give him much confidence. Still, this was about Lucille, and whatever Serena’s feelings towards him, Zach knew she would want to hear that they had a plan.The meeting with the other alphas had dragged on for hours. Many had been reluctant to act, but after hearing testimonies from Zach, Rita, and a handful of former rogue pack members, they had finally been convinced to take action. With that step behind him, Zach’s next task loomed: returning home with Cole to prepare his pack for the battles to come. He’d also need to sit down with Bo, explain everything, and address the rift his Beta’s actions had caused. But before all that, he had one more conversation to finish here—one Lucille would have expected of him.The sterile scent of disinfectant filled his nostrils as he walked across the pristine white fl
The sound of footsteps echoed faintly from the hall outside, these ones heavier and more clunky despite an obvious attempt at stealth. There was a brief scuffle at the door—muffled shuffling and the faint scrape of metal—before it creaked open with deliberate slowness.Lucille didn’t lift her head to greet her uninvited guest. She couldn’t. The scent that drifted into the room was enough to churn her stomach, making her glad she wasn’t facing whoever it was.Cacey.The name settled in her mind like a heavy stone. He stood above her, his lips curling into a cruel grin that stretched ear to ear, the menace behind it palpable. The way he had entered—unannounced and without caution—told her everything she needed to know. Joseph hadn’t sent him.“Look at the state of you,” Cacey sneered, his voice dripping with mockery as his tongue darted out to wet his lips. “Not so pretty now, are you?”“I suggest you leave,” Lucille said, her voice low but firm as she shifted towards the far side of th
Zach had to fight the urge to chuckle as the guards closed in around him. Their movements were swift and practised, forcing him onto his knees as they restrained his hands behind his back. He let them; their display of authority was almost amusing.The man standing in front of him—clearly the leader of the patrol—was linking back to his Alpha, the tell-tale glaze in his eyes betraying the silent telepathic exchange. Zach tilted his head slightly, watching the man’s expression shift from stern focus to something closer to unease as the link ended.“Untie him,” the commander ordered sharply.“What? But he’s an intruder!” one of the guards, a smaller man with a wiry frame, protested.“We are under strict instructions to escort Alpha Zachary Lochwood of the Crescent Moon Pack to the hall,” the commander replied, his tone leaving no room for debate.“How do we know he really is who he says he is?” the smaller man piped up again, suspicion flickering in his narrowed eyes.“That’s not for us
Lucille thought she would feel different. As Joseph’s summons pulled her towards the great hall—a place that had only ever been the backdrop of her despair—her heart felt heavier with every step. The first thing she noticed was his scent, the one she’d once found intoxicating. Pine and earth, steady and grounding. But now, it seemed muted, distant, like a memory that no longer belonged to her.And then she saw him.Zach stood at the centre of the hall, his back to her, surrounded by a sea of shifters. His presence was as commanding as ever, but there was an edge of desperation in the way he carried himself. Her steps faltered, uncertainty gripping her. Was she a lost cause to him now? Did she disgust him, her body now claimed by another?She couldn't blame him if he did. She wasn't fond of herself, either.Since Cacey's attack, something inside her had broken. She'd clung to Joseph's protection, knowing it was wrong, hating herself for relying on the man who had destroyed so much of h
"You need to shave," Nora remarked, raising an eyebrow as her brother wandered into the dining room.Zach grunted in response, sinking into a chair and helping himself to the already-served breakfast in the centre of the table. "It's fine. Bo still avoiding me?"After Zach had returned from arranging plans with the other Alphas at Owen’s, he’d had a long-overdue sit-down with Bo. The man had little to say, other than admitting that his talk of giving up on Lucille had been fuelled by anger—anger at having his own mate placed in danger. He regretted not stopping her, and Zach believed him. As punishment, Bo had been temporarily demoted to Gamma, with Cole stepping up as Beta in his place. Zach had needed someone he could trust to help enact the plan to rescue Lucille, and Cole, despite his usual grumbling, had proven himself reliable.Now that Joseph was gone, Bo had been reinstated, much to Cole's relief—he'd never enjoyed the added workload—but things still weren’t the same.It had b
“Lucille!” Zach yelled, rushing over and gathering her into his arms, ignoring the pool of blood spreading across the floor beneath her. His heart thundered as he cradled her fragile form, her skin alarmingly cold against his.Lucille looked up at him, her eyes heavy-lidded, and reached a trembling hand to cup his cheek. He leaned into her touch, her warmth—faint though it was—sending a storm of conflicting emotions through him. Relief at finally holding her again clashed with a paralysing fear as he realised something was wrong. She wasn’t healing fast enough.His gaze fell to the silver choker still clasped around her neck. A low growl rumbled in his chest as he tore the jewellery away, the clasp snapping beneath his claws. The instant it was gone, Lucille’s body sagged in his arms, a soft sigh of relief escaping her lips.“Oh, Lucy,” Cole muttered, his voice breaking as he took in the extent of her injuries.“What are you doing just standing there?” Zach barked, his panic spilling
All she could do was sit there, paralysed, as she watched flesh collide with flesh, Zach and Joseph a blur of relentless movement. Punches were thrown, claws slashed through the air, and each strike narrowly evaded the other. Neither of them had shifted—yet. They had opted to stay in their human forms, testing their endurance, trying to wear the other out.Lucille didn’t even notice Cole approaching until he was at her side, a bloodied figure emerging from the chaos. He crouched next to her, hauling her up with surprising gentleness. She gasped, her eyes widening at the blood covering him.“Relax. It’s not all mine,” Cole quipped, a dry chuckle escaping him as he steadied her. “Well, most of it isn’t. Can you walk?”Lucille nodded weakly, her gaze sliding past him back to the fight. Zach had just landed a brutal blow to Joseph, sending the man doubling over. For a moment, blood gushed from Joseph’s side, but his Alpha healing kicked in almost immediately, sealing the wound. Alphas wer
Lucille thought she would feel different. As Joseph’s summons pulled her towards the great hall—a place that had only ever been the backdrop of her despair—her heart felt heavier with every step. The first thing she noticed was his scent, the one she’d once found intoxicating. Pine and earth, steady and grounding. But now, it seemed muted, distant, like a memory that no longer belonged to her.And then she saw him.Zach stood at the centre of the hall, his back to her, surrounded by a sea of shifters. His presence was as commanding as ever, but there was an edge of desperation in the way he carried himself. Her steps faltered, uncertainty gripping her. Was she a lost cause to him now? Did she disgust him, her body now claimed by another?She couldn't blame him if he did. She wasn't fond of herself, either.Since Cacey's attack, something inside her had broken. She'd clung to Joseph's protection, knowing it was wrong, hating herself for relying on the man who had destroyed so much of h
Zach had to fight the urge to chuckle as the guards closed in around him. Their movements were swift and practised, forcing him onto his knees as they restrained his hands behind his back. He let them; their display of authority was almost amusing.The man standing in front of him—clearly the leader of the patrol—was linking back to his Alpha, the tell-tale glaze in his eyes betraying the silent telepathic exchange. Zach tilted his head slightly, watching the man’s expression shift from stern focus to something closer to unease as the link ended.“Untie him,” the commander ordered sharply.“What? But he’s an intruder!” one of the guards, a smaller man with a wiry frame, protested.“We are under strict instructions to escort Alpha Zachary Lochwood of the Crescent Moon Pack to the hall,” the commander replied, his tone leaving no room for debate.“How do we know he really is who he says he is?” the smaller man piped up again, suspicion flickering in his narrowed eyes.“That’s not for us
The sound of footsteps echoed faintly from the hall outside, these ones heavier and more clunky despite an obvious attempt at stealth. There was a brief scuffle at the door—muffled shuffling and the faint scrape of metal—before it creaked open with deliberate slowness.Lucille didn’t lift her head to greet her uninvited guest. She couldn’t. The scent that drifted into the room was enough to churn her stomach, making her glad she wasn’t facing whoever it was.Cacey.The name settled in her mind like a heavy stone. He stood above her, his lips curling into a cruel grin that stretched ear to ear, the menace behind it palpable. The way he had entered—unannounced and without caution—told her everything she needed to know. Joseph hadn’t sent him.“Look at the state of you,” Cacey sneered, his voice dripping with mockery as his tongue darted out to wet his lips. “Not so pretty now, are you?”“I suggest you leave,” Lucille said, her voice low but firm as she shifted towards the far side of th
Zach took a deep breath as he made his way back down to the medical floor. He could only hope Serena would be in a more receptive mood this time, though her resistance so far didn’t give him much confidence. Still, this was about Lucille, and whatever Serena’s feelings towards him, Zach knew she would want to hear that they had a plan.The meeting with the other alphas had dragged on for hours. Many had been reluctant to act, but after hearing testimonies from Zach, Rita, and a handful of former rogue pack members, they had finally been convinced to take action. With that step behind him, Zach’s next task loomed: returning home with Cole to prepare his pack for the battles to come. He’d also need to sit down with Bo, explain everything, and address the rift his Beta’s actions had caused. But before all that, he had one more conversation to finish here—one Lucille would have expected of him.The sterile scent of disinfectant filled his nostrils as he walked across the pristine white fl
She felt numb. How long had it been since she’d arrived? Days blurred into weeks, time losing all meaning in the suffocating fog of her existence. Back in this wretched excuse of a pack, Lucille was little more than a shadow of herself. Stripped of purpose, she was forbidden from resuming the duties she’d once taken pride in. Instead, she remained tethered to Joseph, either kept by his side or confined to their room. She wasn’t his mate—she was his possession. The collar and leash that bound her were tangible proof of that cruel reality.Yet, no matter how much she loathed him, Lucille couldn’t entirely shut out the insidious warmth of adoration seeping through the mate bond. It crawled into her mind like a disease, threading its way through her thoughts, weakening her resolve. She fought it with every ounce of strength she had, desperate not to yield, but each day the pull grew stronger. The untamed bond between them solidified, like chains tightening around her soul.Though Joseph t
The sky was a canvas of grey, thick with overcast clouds, and the waves below crashed and roared against the cliffs with relentless ferocity. The once serene view of the ocean had turned hostile, its surface churning a dirtied, turbulent brown as the harsh wind whipped the water into chaos. Zach stood by the window, his sharp blue eyes scanning the angry seascape. The scene mirrored his inner turmoil, his restlessness growing with each passing moment.The Alpha meeting was set to take place today, and Zach had remained at Alpha Owen’s home, waiting for the arrival of the other Alphas. He knew many had travelled long distances, but he hoped they were prepared to sit down and hear him out immediately. At the very least, he wanted them to listen to his side of the story before they sought rest, giving them the night to mull over his words and begin to form a plan.Zach had spent much of his stay checking on Tristan, despite Serena’s visible discomfort with his presence. Though she allowe