I was putting on my wedding shoes, eager to walk down the aisle.“are you sure you want to do this Alina? If you so much as have a second guess about this whole thing, we could run away now.” My mother said dressed in a lilac loose fitting dress sitting opposite me.She was just worried.Worried about my past coming back for me.Worried about my mate being trustworthy.Worried about my safety.I couldn’t blame her. I smiled at her running comment and kneeled in front of her. Holding her hands in an attempt to calm her.“Mom, I’m not having any second guesses this is my mate. I believe the moon goddess knows what she is doing. If we cannot trust in her, then who can we trust in?” I asked.“me you can trust in me,” my mother retorted. “but if this mate of yours makes you happy and you trust him. Then I trust you,” she said, sighing.A tear fell down her cheek, and a whipped it away with my hand.“you’ve grown so much,” she said, making me tear up as well. I whipped them away before they
“I thought you said she was dead,” I said, disappointment evident in my voice. The pieces of the puzzle fell into place now.“I’m sorry.” Andrew said, only making me angry.“sorry for deceiving me with this mark? Sorry for lying to me from the beginning?” I whispered, my voice about to break.“Sorry for obviously only wanting to use me so you could mark this arranged bride of yours! Tell me, do you love her … and don’t you lie to me!” I said louder, turning to him as tears fell from my eyes. Tears of anger and hurt.He tried to wipe it away, but I slapped his hand away before he could.“Its not like that Alina.” he said, shame evident in his tone. Shame that belonged there.“Do you love her?!” I shouted. His eyes glowed as his wolf threatened to take over.“No!” he growled, and the heaviness in my heart became slightly more bearable. Slightly lighter. Part of me was relieved. But part of me knew that only time would tell.“But I need you to heal her,” he said, not even looking me in t
Andrew pov:I watched as my mate broke down in front of me. Begging to be alone. And all I could do was stand still and watch her leave. I could feel her pain. Her heart was already cracking.I hated it.I hated that I did this to her.I hated that I had no other choice.I hated it all.“it’s not too late to let Eve die,” my wolf tried to convince me. I looked back at Eve, her unconscious body laying there almost lifeless.“I can’t shadow. I owe her my life,” I said, sighing. I ruffled my hand through my hair whilst I closed the room door.“so you're ready for it to cost us our mate. You want to just make that call on my behalf? I refuse to lose our mate,” shadow growled in rage.“I’m afraid that inst a decision we can make.” I sighed. Just then, Josh's mind linked to me.“Andrew, we have a problem. Crimson pack has identified a level seven traitor.” He said in a scared tone. Josh was never one to get scarred easily. He was always steady. So his fear had awakened my own.“who?” I aske
Three years later.Andrew’s pov:“so how long is this still going to take?” alpha henry slammed his fist on the table cracking my desk in the middle.“Alpha henry I suggest you calm down. My mate has almost drained every bit of her power to heal your daughter. It has taken its toll on her. I suggest you become more patient as we cannot afford to lose my mate because that would cost you your daughter as well.” I said sternly. Holding his glare with my own.He stormed out of the office past my mate, who was waiting just outside the door.her complection bleak and her under eyes are black. Her hair no longer had the bounce it used to and had become very brittle breaking off the long locks I used to love.She now had thinned out hair that barely reached shoulder length. Her cheeks had become hollow. Whilst her body looked fragile.The sparkle in her eyes when she saw me disappeared after the day we marked each other. The only time she ever came to see me was after a healing session that d
I sat next to Eve’s bed. Debating on what to do after yesterday’s event. Should I continue trying to heal her? Or should I just give up now and say I can’t anymore?But would that cost my mother safety? would that cost my life? I took eve’s hand. Her hand is still cold as I try to heal her. Suddenly, her hand felt warm, and I heard her shuffle in her bed.I pushed myself further, trying to heal this woman that is bound to steal my life. The one that stole my life. “Alina” I heard my wolf call out to me.I pushed every drop that I had into Eve. and before I knew it; I fell to the floor, the room spinning in circles around me.I saw Andrew’s feet rushing towards me before he picked me up. And then it all went black. When I woke up again, I was in my room and in Andrew’s arms.His face looked sad and angry. I smelled that woman’s fresh scent and turned to see her leaning on the door frame.Her face showcased boredom as she looked at her nails. When her eyes met mine, a hint of evil glint
As I looked around the room, confused at what Andrew could mean. “I didn’t do anything”. I whispered and Alpha henry’s grin only grew wider.I saw Andrew get even more frustrated as he exited the room, refusing to talk to me any longer. I couldn’t understand how the ground beneath me shifted so quickly.How I was suddenly viewed as a wronging ever after saving her life. After giving my everything for the last three years.“I suggest you act quickly,” alpha henry said, leaving the room. I crawled to the bathroom, hoping that some water would clear my head.Help me understand the chaos that just happened. As I rinsed my face off in the basin after pulling myself up, I saw my reflection in the mirror. I looked like a walking corpse.My hair falling out in clumps, leaving bald spots all over my skin so pale. My lips are chapped and grey. I guess I gave too much of myself to ever.No wonder she looked like a million bucks. Whilst I look like I’m only a few steps away from my own grave.“Al
Andrews pov:I sat in my office trying to figure out the drama that seemed to have poured in from all directions into my home.“she tried to drain me from all my strength. I felt it. She was trying to suck it all back. Trying to kill me.” Eve’s words rang through my mind.I couldn’t believe Alina would do something like that, and yet I still doubted her.I still confronted her. Maybe she did it without thinking about it.She was in terrible shape after healing Eve. It took a lot out of. Her. Maybe it was a natural reaction that she couldn’t control.There was very little documented about the healer wolves. I had done as much research as I could in the last few years.Hoping it would give me awners but it only made me have more questions. And what scared me the most about our mate bond was barely there.I couldn’t feel it as strong as I used to. It was like our bond was hanging by a thin, unraveling thread.“Alpha, Alina, is making her way to the border.” My beta min linked me.ANd bef
Two years laterAlinas pov:“I’m sorry John, I can’t,” I said, feeling absolutely like a complete b*tch. I saw his smile fade from his face. “Can I ask why?” he asked, feeling well rejected. And understandably so.“I just don’t date now, John. I have a child that comes first, and he doesn’t need big changes in his life right now.” I said as nicely as I could, hoping to convey my genuine reasons. Understanding the importance of stability for my child, I couldn’t prioritize my personal life at the moment.He nodded, comprehending the weight of my words. “Okay, I understand, Alina. I’m so sorry about...” he trailed off, attempting to backtrack and salvage the situation.“Don’t be,” I said, trying to be nice and reassure him that his feelings were valid. However, I couldn’t help but notice the spark reignite in his eyes. A spark of hope that maybe there would be a chance in the near future.“I would just prefer us to be colleagues and keep it at that if you wouldn’t mind,” I added, hoping
Sometime in the night, exhaustion had finally won. I had cried myself into a restless sleep, only to wake up feeling just as drained, just as hollow as before.The ache in my chest hadn’t faded. The weight of last night still pressed down on me, making it hard to breathe, hard to think.I sank lower into the bath, hoping the warm water would do something—anything—to cleanse me of everything that had happened. To soak away my guilt. To wash away my betrayal.To drown the war raging inside me.Maybe if I stayed in here long enough, I would step out as someone new. Someone who deserved to be queen.Because today wasn’t just any day.Today, I had to stand before the entire kingdom and make my promise. My vow to be their Luna, their queen.But how could I swear my loyalty to an entire kingdom when I couldn’t even control my own heart?I let out a long sigh, closing my eyes for just a moment before finally forcing myself to stand.An omega was already waiting for me when I stepped back into
I knew I was no match for Andrew. His family had that stupid strength ability. The one that made them nearly invincible in battle. It gave them an advantage over any other alpha, and right now.I was experiencing that disadvantage firsthand.His grip around my throat was tight, but not suffocating. He was giving me a chance. A small, razor-thin chance to explain myself before he crushed my windpipe."Woah, woah, woah," I rasped. "I thought it was innocent until proven guilty?"The second the words left my mouth, I could see his expression shift. It wasn’t what he expected me to say. His grip loosened ever so slightly, and his brows pulled together in confusion."So, you deny kissing your queen?" His voice was sharp."MY mate," he snarled.I let out a slow breath, rubbing my throat once he finally let go."I never said that," I admitted, sitting up slightly. "But I didn’t do it as some sort of power play against you. I didn’t do it to dethrone you. Whether you want to know this or
"I can't," I whispered, my voice barely escaping my lips.Andrew’s fist slammed down onto the bedside table with such force that the entire thing shattered beneath his strength.The loud crack echoed through the room, a perfect reflection of the breaking pieces inside me."Did you even try?" he asked, his voice struggling to remain gentle even when his entire being trembled with frustration.I squeezed my eyes shut. I wished I had an answer that wouldn’t tear him apart. But I didn’t."I did," I admitted. "But… part of me couldn’t even bring myself to say the words."Silence.The kind of silence that stretches too long. The kind that stripped the air of all oxygen.When I finally looked at him, his eyes were filled with pain and betrayal."Do you even want to reject him?"His question slammed into me, hitting a part of my soul I hadn’t even realized existed.Just the thought alone was too painful to entertain.The idea of forcing Jeremiah away, of severing whatever bond existed betwe
"I'm so sorry, Andrew. I didn't mean to," I whispered. My voice broke under the immense weight of my guilt.I could feel his body go rigid beneath me, his muscles turning to stone.Slowly, hesitantly, I lifted my gaze, my tear-streaked face tilting up toward his.His eyes were locked on mine. Searching for answers to the million questions filling his mind.He cupped my cheeks. Protective and possessive yet there was a slight warmth mixed in."What happened?" he asked again, his voice deep and controlled.Tears kept falling. I couldn't stop them now even if I wanted to."I… I… went f-for a… w-walk in the… f-forest," I stuttered, barely able to get the words out.Andrew just listened, waiting patiently."J-Jeremiah was t-there," I continued, and his entire body tensed.His hands twitched against my skin. His fingers gripped slightly tighter, almost like he was ready to crush something...or someone.His jaw clenched.His aura shifted."I swear, if he hurt you…" His voice was more of a gr
“I’ve got to go,” I said, my voice barely above a whisper as I stood up.I needed to get out of here. I needed space to breathe. Space to think.But before I could take a single step, Jeremiah’s hand wrapped around my wrist.The movement was swift and it threw me off balance.My feet stumbled causing me to fall right into his chest.My breath hitched as his arms instinctively wrapped around me, steadying me against his warmth. His scent wrapped around me like a cocoon, seeping into my skin. Tempting me even further. putting me in a haze.I tilted my head up, meeting his gaze.His eyes locked onto mine, swirling with something unspoken.Maybe Awe.Maybe Longing.Maybe Love.In a split second.His lips crashed into mine.It was not a hesitant kiss. It was not unsure.It was the kind of kiss that spoke of lifetimes.Of familiarity.Of .... I missed you.And for a moment, I let myself melt into it.I let myself drown in the way his lips molded to mine, how perfectly they fit together, lik
I stared at him, completely taken aback by his words.He thinks I’m his mate?A sharp jolt of shock shot through me, followed almost immediately by confusion.That wasn’t possible.Was it?I let out a small, breathless laugh, nudging his shoulder lightly. “Funny joke, Alpha Jeremiah.”But he didn’t laugh.His eyes didn’t waver, his lips didn’t curl into that usual cocky smirk.Instead, he looked dead serious.His deep brown eyes locked onto mine, burning with something I couldn’t quite place.Something… certain.“It’s not a joke, Alina,” he murmured, his voice low and smooth.And the way my name rolled off his tongue...Goddess help me.I swallowed, shaking my head. “I’m sure I would’ve felt it if you were.”Wouldn’t I?That’s how the mate bond worked.The pull. The connection. The raw, undeniable force that tied two souls together.But Jeremiah didn’t back down.Instead, his hand reached up, his fingers brushing against the strands of my hair, lifting them gently to expose my mark.H
“You scared the shit out of me, Jeremiah.”My heart was still hammering against my ribs, wild and erratic like an African drum.I sucked in a breath, trying to steady myself, but the adrenaline coursing through my veins refused to settle. My entire body was on high alert, still shaken from the attack that wasn’t really an attack at all.Jeremiah, on the other hand?Completely unfazed.The bastard had the audacity to look amused as he stood there in all his glory.And by all… I mean all.My gaze trailed over him before my brain could catch up.The moonlight kissed every inch of his perfectly sculpted body, highlighting the taut muscles of his chest, the sharp ridges of his abs, the strong lines of his arms.Everything about him was raw, untamed strength.Dangerous and far too tempting.Then my eyes dipped lower...Oh, shit.Heat exploded across my face as I ripped my gaze away, turning my back to him so fast I nearly gave myself whiplash.Goddess help me.Jeremiah chuckled, a low, deep
The kingdom was safe.For the first time, there were no whispers of war, no threats lurking beyond the borders. No traitors plotting in secret.Eve was gone.Cast out, rejected by every pack, left to wander alone with no power and no allies. It was the cruelest fate a wolf could face, but even that felt like too light of a punishment for her.Jonathan had been given a choice. Swear his loyalty to the crown or be stripped of his title and turned rogue. He had practically begged to sign the contract, choosing survival over whatever false sense of duty he had to Henry.As for the rest of Henry’s allied packs?They had been let off with a warning. A very serious warning.Now, they tripped over themselves trying to prove their allegiance, going above and beyond in their duties, sending gifts, wealth, even warriors to fight in Andrew’s name. Desperate to erase their betrayal from our memory.The kingdom had won.Andrew had won.But I?I had lost something far more important.Every time I pa
The door shut behind us with a quiet click. The weight of the afternoon still clung to my skin. I just wanted to wash it all away. To feel clean again. To remove any traces of henry left on me.I stepped into the shower the warm spray of the water cascading down my back. Soothing the musscles before they even got the chance to ache. My body still felt the aftershocks of everything that had happened. The fight and the adrenaline.More so the anger that was beneath it all. But at least now I could breathe.Or so I thought.Because when I looked up, Andrew was standing there at the entrance of the shower. Leaning against the wall.His arms were crossed and his jaw tight. But this wasn’t his usual confident stance he liked so much. No... this was different.His eyes weren’t filled with that lust and hunger i loved so much. They weren’t watching me the way they usually did when we were alone.No, this was something else entirely.And i already had a feeling where this would go.“What hap