The next morning dawned clear and bright, a contrast to the turmoil simmering beneath the surface of the rogue camp. The light cast long, warm rays over the trees, filtering through the canopy to reach the ground where the rogues were already gathering, talking in hushed tones as they prepared for the uncertain day ahead.Elara watched from the edge of the camp, her heart heavy with the weight of everything they were facing. The plan she and Alec had discussed—to weaken Luka by turning his pack against him—was risky, but it was their best chance. She knew it wouldn’t be easy. Luka’s influence over his pack was rooted in fear, and unraveling that control would take more than just a few well-placed words. They needed proof, something undeniable that would show his followers who he truly was.Beside her, Alec’s figure was tense, his gaze distant as he went over the plan again in his mind. She could feel the tension radiating from him, and she knew that he felt the same weight pressing do
Elara stood before the mirror, gazing at her reflection as the last rays of sunlight bathed the room in golden light. She absentmindedly smoothed the deep blue silk dress that hugged her slender figure, her hands trembling slightly as she adjusted the neckline. Her long raven-black hair cascaded in soft waves down her back, and her emerald-green eyes—usually bright and full of life—were clouded with uncertainty.Tonight was supposed to be special. A celebration of her one-year anniversary as Luna of the Crescent Moon Pack, and more importantly, the anniversary of the day she and Luka Greyson, the Alpha, had completed their mate bond. It should have been a night filled with joy, a reminder of the bond they were meant to share, the love they were destined to have. But lately, things between them had been anything but joyful.Luka had grown distant over the past few months, his once attentive and warm nature slowly hardening into something cold, aloof, and indifferent. Their conversation
Back in her quarters, the silence was deafening. The candles had burned low, casting long shadows across the room. The dinner she had so carefully prepared remained untouched, the aroma of the food now bittersweet.Elara stood in the center of the room, her hands clenched into fists as the emotions she had held back finally broke free. The anger, the frustration, the sadness—it all surged through her in a wave that threatened to drown her.How had it come to this?She had once believed that the mate bond would bring her happiness, that it would bind her and Luka together in a way that nothing else could. But instead, it had become a chain, keeping her tethered to a man who didn’t see her, didn’t value her.Elara moved to the table and blew out the remaining candles, watching as the room was plunged into darkness. The soft glow of moonlight filtered through the window, casting a silver sheen over the room. It was beautiful in a way, but tonight, it only made her feel more alone.She c
Elara’s anger flared, disbelief giving way to frustration. “I can’t believe you’re accusing me of this. Marcus is your Beta! I’ve avoided him every time he’s tried to get too close, and you think I’ve been encouraging him?”“He wouldn’t be so bold if you hadn’t given him a reason to be,” Luka shot back, his voice cold. “I’ve seen the way you look at him when you think I’m not watching.”“You’re wrong,” Elara said, her voice shaking with a mixture of anger and hurt. “I’ve never—never—encouraged Marcus. I’ve tried to keep my distance from him because I know exactly what kind of man he is. But this? You think I’m flirting with him behind your back? How can you even say that?”“Because it’s the truth,” Luka said, his voice hard and unyielding. “And I don’t like being made a fool of.”Elara’s heart pounded in her chest, her mind racing as she tried to make sense of his accusation. How could Luka, her mate, the man she was supposed to be bonded with for life, accuse her of something so ridi
She sat up in bed, running her fingers through her hair as her thoughts raced. Something was missing in their bond, something that she hadn’t been able to identify, but she felt it in her bones. The connection between them was incomplete, broken in a way that she couldn’t explain. It was as if the bond had fractured, and no matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t figure out how to mend it.Maybe, she thought, if she gave it one more chance, she would find that missing piece. Maybe there was still something there, hidden beneath the anger and the hurt, that could be salvaged. If she could just reach Luka—if she could get him to open up, to remember the man he had been when they first met—maybe they could fix this.But just as Elara was beginning to convince herself that there was still hope, a sudden commotion outside shattered her thoughts.Her ears perked up, and she frowned, listening closely. The sound of hurried footsteps and muffled voices reached her through the window, and her
A few warriors, driven by instinct or perhaps curiosity, broke off from the group and shifted back into their wolf forms, chasing after the rogues as they fled toward the border. Elara watched as they ran, disappearing into the forest in pursuit of answers.But most of the Crescent Moon wolves stayed behind, their faces etched with confusion as they gathered in the clearing, talking amongst themselves in hushed tones.Elara’s gaze flicked toward the direction where the strange wolf had vanished, her thoughts still consumed by the encounter. She had been so sure, for just a moment, that it was Luka. But now, standing in the aftermath of the battle, she knew something far more complicated was at play.And then, through the crowd of warriors, she saw him. Luka.He stood near the edge of the clearing, his muscular frame still in wolf form, but he wasn’t fighting or talking. He wasn’t even moving. Instead, his silver eyes were fixed on the spot where the other wolf—the one who looked just
The battle had ended abruptly, the rogue wolves retreating as if some invisible force had pulled them away. The air was still thick with tension, and Elara’s heart pounded in her chest. The confusion and unease swirling in her mind were nearly overwhelming. She had seen the wolf that looked exactly like Luka, fought alongside warriors who had no explanation for why the rogues had vanished, and witnessed Luka himself staring after the mysterious wolf with an expression she had never seen on him before.But it wasn’t Luka. She knew it wasn’t. And yet, the wolf’s scent, his appearance, the pull of the mate bond—it had all been so disturbingly similar to her mate. Too similar to be a coincidence.As the pack slowly began to regroup, warriors tending to the wounded and trying to make sense of what had just happened, Elara stood apart from the others. Her mind was consumed by thoughts of the rogue wolf that had looked like Luka. He hadn’t attacked her—hadn’t even shown aggression. Instead,
As the night deepened around her, Elara shifted back into her wolf form, her mind still buzzing with questions as she made her way back to the Crescent Moon Pack.But even as she ran through the forest, her thoughts kept drifting back to the Rogue King—the man who looked so much like her mate, yet carried a darkness that Luka had never shown her.And as much as she hated to admit it, something about him—about the danger in his eyes and the way he had spoken to her—sent a shiver of anticipation through her veins.Whatever secrets were hidden between Luka and the Rogue King, Elara knew she was about to uncover a truth that would change everything.And she wasn’t sure she was ready for it.Elara raced through the forest, her sleek black wolf form blending into the shadows as she ran back toward
The next morning dawned clear and bright, a contrast to the turmoil simmering beneath the surface of the rogue camp. The light cast long, warm rays over the trees, filtering through the canopy to reach the ground where the rogues were already gathering, talking in hushed tones as they prepared for the uncertain day ahead.Elara watched from the edge of the camp, her heart heavy with the weight of everything they were facing. The plan she and Alec had discussed—to weaken Luka by turning his pack against him—was risky, but it was their best chance. She knew it wouldn’t be easy. Luka’s influence over his pack was rooted in fear, and unraveling that control would take more than just a few well-placed words. They needed proof, something undeniable that would show his followers who he truly was.Beside her, Alec’s figure was tense, his gaze distant as he went over the plan again in his mind. She could feel the tension radiating from him, and she knew that he felt the same weight pressing do
The early morning light began to filter through the small window, casting a soft glow over the cottage. Outside, the first chirps of waking birds blended with the gentle rustle of leaves in the morning breeze. Inside, Elara lay cocooned in warmth, her head resting against Alec’s chest as the steady beat of his heart pulsed under her cheek. For the first time in what felt like forever, she felt truly at peace, wrapped in the quiet intimacy of the moment.She stirred slightly, her eyes blinking open as she adjusted to the soft light. Alec’s arm was draped over her, his fingers lightly tracing patterns along her shoulder. She felt him shift beside her, and when she looked up, she found his silver eyes already watching her, a soft, contented smile on his face.“Good morning,” he whispered, his voice low and warm, sending a shiver through her.“Good morning,” she murmured back, unable to stop the smile that spread across her face. For a moment, she just looked at him, marveling at how diff
Frantically, Elara pushed through the crowd of rogues, her eyes wide with desperation as she searched for him. Her heart pounded in her chest, her breath coming in short, ragged gasps as she called his name, her voice trembling with fear.“Alec!” she cried, her voice cracking. “Alec, where are you?”The rogues looked at her with weary, sympathetic eyes, but none of them said anything. Elara’s stomach twisted with fear, her legs shaking as she continued to search. He had to be here. He had to come back.And then, finally, at the very end of the group, she saw him.Alec.He was walking slowly, his body hunched with exhaustion, his face pale and streaked with blood. His silver eyes were heavy with weariness, and there was a deep cut along his arm, but he was alive. He was walking toward her.The moment Elara saw him, the breath she had been holding escaped in a ragged sob. She couldn’t hold back any longer. Her legs gave way, and she ran toward him, her heart pounding in her chest as she
Alec’s eyes softened for a brief moment, and he reached out, gently cupping her cheek in his hand. “You don’t need to fight, Elara,” he said quietly, his voice filled with a tenderness that almost broke her. “I need you to stay safe. I need to know that when this is over, you’ll be here, waiting for me.”Elara closed her eyes, leaning into his touch as tears slipped down her cheeks. “I don’t want to lose you,” she whispered, her voice thick with emotion. “Please, Alec. Don’t do this.”Alec’s thumb gently brushed away her tears, but when he spoke again, his voice was firm, unyielding. “I have to do this, Elara. This is something I’ve been preparing for my whole life. I can’t let Luka take any more from me. I won’t.”Elara opened her eyes, searching his face for any sign that he might change his mind, that he might let her in. But all she saw was cold determination, a man who had already made his choice.She swallowed hard, her chest tightening with the weight of the inevitable. She cou
Elara’s heart pounded in her chest, her mind racing with fear for him. She understood Alec’s need for revenge—she had seen the pain Luka had caused him, the way he had destroyed Alec’s life. But she couldn’t shake the feeling that if Alec went after Luka now, it would end in disaster.“Alec,” she whispered, her voice thick with emotion, “if you go after him now, you could get hurt. Or worse. Luka’s not just going to lie down and let you take him out. He’s out of control, and if you’re not careful—”“I’m not afraid of him,” Alec said firmly, his voice low and dangerous. “I’ve faced worse than Luka. This is something I have to do, Elara. I can’t let him take any more from me.”Elara’s heart broke at the cold determination in his voice, at the way he seemed so set on this course of action. She had fallen in love with Alec not because of his strength or his desire for revenge, but because of the way he had shown her kindness, the way he had protected her without trying to control her. But
With one final, furious snarl, Luka lunged at Alec, but Alec was ready. He sidestepped the attack and sank his teeth into Luka’s side, forcing him to the ground. Luka let out a howl of pain, his body convulsing beneath Alec’s grip.But before Alec could deliver the final blow, Luka’s eyes locked onto Elara’s, and a cold, twisted smile spread across his face. “This isn’t over, Elara,” he growled, his voice filled with venom. “I will kill Alec, and I will destroy everything you think is yours. You will come back to me—one way or another.”With a vicious snarl, Luka tore himself free from Alec’s grip and bolted into the forest, disappearing into the shadows before Alec could stop him. The remaining rogues followed him, their retreat swift and brutal, leaving behind the wreckage of the attack.For a long moment, the forest was silent, the only sound the ragged breathing of the wolves who had fought so fiercely to protect their home.Elara shifted back into her human form, her body trembli
Through the chaos, Elara’s gaze darted around the battlefield, searching for any sign of Luka. She knew he was here somewhere. She could feel his presence, a dark and oppressive weight pressing down on her through the mate bond that had once bound them together.And then she saw him.Luka stood at the edge of the clearing, his eyes locked on her with a cold, calculating gaze. His wolf form was massive, his dark fur rippling with power, and there was a cruel smile in his eyes as he watched the chaos unfold around him.This wasn’t just an attack—it was a message.Luka wasn’t going to stop until he had destroyed everything Alec had built. And he wasn’t going to stop until Elara was his once again.Elara’s heart pounded in her chest as she stared at Luka, a wave of fear and anger crashing over her. She had spent so long running from him, so long living in fear of his control. But now, standing here in the middle of this battle, with Alec fighting by her side, something inside her shifted.
In the days following their first kiss, a quiet and unspoken understanding settled between Alec and Elara. Their relationship had shifted, deepened in a way that felt natural and inevitable. The bond between them, once something they both resisted, had now become a source of comfort and strength. It wasn’t about destiny anymore—it was about choice. They had chosen each other, and with every small moment, every quiet glance, the connection between them grew even stronger.Elara found herself seeking out Alec more often. It was no longer enough just to sit beside him in silence or watch the sunset from the edge of the camp. She wanted to be close to him, to feel his presence, his warmth. And Alec, who had always been careful to give her space, now welcomed her affection with a tenderness that made her heart ache.Their moments together were small but meaningful. A brush of fingers as they walked side by side through the village. A shared smile over a meal by the fire. A quiet conversati
After Alec shared the truth of his past, a new sense of understanding settled between him and Elara. It was as if the weight of their shared stories—the pain, the betrayal, and the struggles—had forged a connection that went beyond the mate bond. It was no longer about destiny or fate binding them together. This was something deeper, something built on trust, vulnerability, and the choice to move forward together.In the days that followed, Elara found herself gravitating toward Alec more and more. There was no longer any hesitation when she was near him, no lingering fear or doubt that had once clouded her mind. The walls she had built around her heart were crumbling, and in their place was something warm and tender—a growing affection that took her by surprise.She couldn’t pinpoint the exact moment it started to change, but it was there, quietly growing with each shared glance, each conversation. The simple act of being around Alec had become comforting, and the rogue camp, which h