_Alina's POV_Taking a deep breath, I steadied myself and looked down at the shopkeeper. "Your conduct today represented not just an injustice towards me, but an injustice towards everyone. As a manager of a royal enterprise, your behavior reflects on the entire royal family. If we let this go unpunished, more victims will suffer. I'm sorry, but this is necessary."Juliet nodded and said, "Alina is right. We can't allow such behavior to go unpunished."The shopkeeper released his grip, his shoulders slumping in defeat. Alaric nodded approvingly at me, his eyes filled with pride. "You handled that well, Alina."Juliet and I carefully selected dresses within the shop. I wanted to find something perfect for the banquet. After browsing for a while, I chose a simple yet elegant long gown, its color reminiscent of the deep blue of the night sky. Tiny pearls adorned the hem making the dress look elegant. Juliet picked a vibrant green dress that complemented her lively and spirited nature.We
_Alina's POV_Before the conversation could continue, the king turned to Alaric. "Have you marked each other yet?"Alaric shook his head. "No, Father. Alina has not yet transformed into her wolf."King Edgar's expression shifted subtly and he seemed to be displeased but, he remained composed out of respect for his son. Queen Eleanora, on the other hand, gave me a warm smile, seemingly impressed by my composed and graceful demeanor.Sensing the king's disapproval, I glanced around nervously and unexpectedly locked eyes with a young girl peeking from a concealed spot. Her eyes were wide with curiosity and excitement. She quickly ducked back but not before I caught her smile.The queen noticed my glance and followed my gaze. "Katie, come out from there," she called gently.Princess Katie, Alaric's younger sister, emerged from her hiding spot, a grin on her face. She had a lively and spirited aura that immediately put me at ease. "Hello, Alina," she said brightly. "I'm Katie. It's so good
_Alina's POV_The training grounds were filled with male werewolves in the midst of their training, their muscled torsos glistening with sweat under the sunlight. Juliet and I blushed at the sight, feeling both shy and embarrassed. Katie's teasing only intensified my flushed state."Don't be shy," Katie said with a grin. "They're just doing their thing."The werewolves, noticing Katie and us, were about to stop their training to greet us, but Juliet waved them off, allowing them to continue. "Don't mind us," she called out. "Keep up the good work!"They obeyed, resuming their swordplay, weightlifting, and combat training, their movements filled with strength and beauty. Katie took us around the edge of the training area, explaining the purpose and techniques of the training while sharing interesting stories about werewolf warriors."You see that group over there?" Katie pointed. "They're working on their endurance. Alaric used to train with them every morning."I nodded, fascinated. "
_Alina's POV_Juliet was practically glowing with excitement after our encounter with Caspian. I could see the attraction in her eyes, and it made her heart race with every glance he sent her way. I was happy for her, but I couldn't help feeling a bit wary."Juliet," I said gently as we walked, "I'm glad you're excited, but remember to take things slowly. You and Caspian need time to really understand each other."Juliet nodded and I could see the excitement in her eyes. "I know, Alina. It's just... I feel such a strong connection with him."Before I could respond, Caspian approached us again, his smile as charming as ever. "I was wondering if you ladies would like to join me for afternoon tea," he suggested kindly.I hesitated, unsure if it was a good idea. But seeing the hopeful look on Juliet's face, I agreed. "Alright, we'll join you."Caspian led us to a beautifully set table in a sunlit courtyard. The setting was perfect, with the fragrance of blooming flowers and the sound of a
_Alaric's POV_The dinner took place in the palace's grand banquet hall. It was beautifully decorated with sparkling chandeliers and detailed murals on the walls. Each table was set with lovely flowers and shiny silverware. A band played as the guests, dressed in elegant evening wear, entered the hall, their chatter and laughter creating a lively atmosphere.Even though the event was typical and somewhat boring, I couldn't take my eyes off Alina. The formalities didn't matter to me. Seeing her there, glowing in the gentle candlelight, made the whole evening perfect.Alina wore an elegant evening gown in deep sapphire blue that fit her perfectly and sparkled with every step she took. The fabric flowed over her body like liquid silk. Her hair fell in loose waves over her shoulders, and a delicate necklace adorned her neck. She looked stunning, and I could feel Leo practically purring with pride and admiration."She's so beautiful," Leo murmured in my mind.I agreed silently, my eyes nev
_Alina's POV_Shortly after Alaric left, Katie whispered to me that she needed to touch up her makeup and then left the banquet hall. I found myself alone, elegantly sipping champagne and enjoying the band's performance. The music was beautiful, and I let myself be carried away by the melody, the gentle hum of conversation around me fading into the background. I was still glowing from the dance with Alaric, feeling special and cherished.Suddenly, a sharp laugh pierced the harmonious atmosphere. I looked up to see Elena approaching with several ladies dressed in splendid attire. Their eyes were sharp, filled with curiosity and something else—jealousy, perhaps? Elena's eyes sparkled with defiance as she stopped in front of me, a cruel smile playing on her lips."Well, well, well, if it isn't the mysterious beauty everyone's talking about," Elena sneered, her voice loud enough for nearby guests to hear. "Tell me, how does it feel to be a mate not recognized by Prince Alaric?"The words
_Alina's POV_Under Queen Eleanor's intimidation, the banquet hall fell silent. Elena's face turned from red to pale, her hands tightly clutching her skirt before she quickly turned around and almost ran out of the banquet hall. I looked at Queen Eleanor with a hint of admiration; was this Alaric's mother?The Queen turned to me, her eyes filled with admiration. "Alina, you handled yourself with grace and strength. You possess the demeanor of a Luna Queen.""Thank you, Your Majesty," I replied, bowing my head slightly.Queen Eleanor smiled warmly. "Allow me to introduce you to Lady Amora. She will be responsible for teaching you court etiquette and the history of the royal family."A woman slightly older than me stepped forward, her posture perfect and her expression kind. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Lady Alina," she said, bowing slightly.I returned the bow. "Thank you, Lady Amora. I am eager to learn."Lady Amora's eyes sparkled with approval. "Your willingness to learn is commend
In a secluded corridor of the palace, Tanya's figure appeared stealthily. She was dressed in a dark gray hooded cloak, wrapped tightly to reveal only a pair of sharp eyes. Her steps were light and rhythmic, as if searching for something. At that moment, Elena emerged from the bustle of the banquet hall, her expression tired and dejected. Tanya's gaze locked onto Elena, a sly gleam flashing in her eyes, and she silently approached Elena.Elena seemed to sense the movement behind her and turned abruptly, seeing Tanya behind her. Elena looked at her warily. "What do you want? Why are you following me like this?"Tanya did not answer immediately but instead extended her hand towards Elena, her fist clenched, adorned with a glowing red ruby ring. "Elena," she said, her voice low and enticing. "I can help you. You want to deal with Alina, don’t you? Accept this, and you will have the power to do so."Elena's heart wavered, her gaze shifting between Tanya's hand and face. She was well aware
A few days had passed since the burning in the square and the capital had begun to return to a semblance of normalcy. The people felt safer and their faith in Alina and Alaric was stronger than ever. To mark the victory and bring hope back to the kingdom, Alina and Alaric decided to hold a celebration.The square, where the execution had taken place, was transformed. Banners fluttered in the breeze, and tables were set up, filled with food and drink. Music filled the air and the people danced and laughed. Their fear was replaced by joy.Alina stood on a balcony overlooking the square, watching the festivities. She smiled, seeing her people happy and at peace. Alaric came to stand beside her, his arm brushing against hers."They needed this," he said softly, his eyes on the crowd below."They did," Alina agreed. "And so did we."Alaric turned to her, his gaze searching her face. "You seem different," he said, his voice gentle. "Is something on your mind?"Alina hesitated. She had been
Alina stood over the witch and watched the last of the dark magic fade from the room. This battle was over but she needed to make sure there would be no more from Tanya or the witch.Alaric came to her side. "What do you want to do with her?" he asked."We need to send a message," Alina said firmly. "To everyone. They need to see what happens to those who use dark magic against us."Alaric nodded. "We’ll take them to the capital. We’ll burn them in the square for all to see."Caleb, who had been leaning against a wall, slowly walked over. His face was pale, and he looked exhausted, but there was a fire in his eyes. "I’ll help," he said.Alina looked at him. She was grateful for his support. "Thank you, Caleb," she said. She turned back to Alaric. "Let’s get them ready. We need to do this quickly."The warriors moved quickly. They tied the witch’s lifeless body and carried her out of the ruins. Tanya, still bound and furious, was dragged along. Her eyes were filled with hatred and fear
Caleb looked up at Alina. He felt relieved. He hadn't expected her to find him but now that she was here, he knew that they had a chance."Alina..." Caleb started to say, but she shook her head, her focus entirely on Tanya."You can't win, Tanya," Alina said, taking a step forward. "Surrender now, and maybe we'll show you mercy."Tanya snarled. "You think you can just walk in here and take me down? You're nothing, Alina! Nothing!"Alina didn't flinch. She raised her hand, and the palace guards moved forward, their weapons ready. "This is your last chance, Tanya," Alina said. "Give up, or we'll make you."For a moment, it looked like Tanya might fight back, but then she glanced around, realizing that she was outnumbered. With a frustrated scream, she lashed out with one final burst of dark magic, but Alina was ready. She raised her hands, and a barrier of shimmering light formed in front of her, deflecting the attack.The palace guards rushed forward, surrounding Tanya before she could
Caleb walked through the dimly lit streets. The night was heavy with an eerie silence, broken only by the occasional rustling of leaves in the wind. He knew that Tanya was somewhere nearby, hiding in the shadows, but finding her was no easy task. Dark magic hung in the air like a thick fog making it hard to track her scent.His mind raced as he thought about what had happened in the square. Alina had been strong, stronger than he’d ever seen her before. She had saved the werewolves from the dark magic and proved herself as a true leader. But now, they were facing a threat even more dangerous than the chaos in the square. Tanya was still out there and her power was growing. Caleb had to find her before she caused more harm.Suddenly, he heard a soft sound, like a whisper on the wind. He paused and listened. There it was—a low, almost inaudible chant. It was Tanya. She was close.Caleb followed the sound, his steps quickening as he made his way through the narrow alleys. The chanting gr
_Alina's POV_As the door closed behind us, the weight of everything that had happened finally began to lift. For a moment, I allowed myself to breathe, to let go of the tension that had been building up inside me. Alaric was still holding my hand and I could feel the warmth of his presence enveloping me like a comforting blanket.He turned to me. “Alina,” he said quietly. “I missed you so much.”“I missed you too,” I whispered. The truth of it hit me hard. We hadn’t had a moment like this in so long—just the two of us.Alaric stepped closer, closing the small distance between us. His hand came up to cup my cheek, his thumb brushing lightly over my skin. “I was so worried about you,” he said, his voice thick with emotion. “Every moment you were gone, I was terrified that something would happen, that I wouldn’t be there to protect you.”I leaned into his touch and closed my eyes as I savored the feel of his hand against my skin. “I know,” I whispered. “But I’m here now. We’re together
_Alina's POV_Tanya was somewhere inside the Capital and I had to find her before it was too late. As Caleb and I entered the city, the signs of chaos were everywhere. The streets were empty but the air was filled with darkness.We made our way to the heart of the city where I knew Alaric would be waiting. As we approached, I could feel his presence growing stronger in my mind. He was nearby and I needed to reach him before the situation spiraled out of control.“Alina!” Alaric’s voice echoed in my mind. “I’m at the main square. Hurry!”“We’re on our way,” I replied while quickening my pace.When we arrived at the square, the scene was worse than I had imagined. Werewolves were on the brink of tearing each other apart, their eyes wild with fear and rage. The dark magic was strong here. Alaric stood in the center and he was trying to keep order, but even he was struggling against the overwhelming force of Tanya’s influence.“Alaric!” I called out as I reached him.He turned to me. His
_Alina's POV_As Caleb and I moved swiftly along the dark road, my mind was focused on what lay ahead. The capital was in danger, and every second counted. The night was quiet, the only sounds were our footsteps and the occasional rustling of leaves in the wind. But I knew that this calm was deceptive. Something dark and terrible was waiting for us.We traveled in silence for a while, each of us lost in our own thoughts. But then, I felt a familiar presence in my mind. It was Alaric, reaching out to me through our mind link. His voice echoed in my heart, urgent and filled with worry.“Alina,” he called out. “I’ve found evidence of Tanya’s involvement. She’s here, in the capital, but the people… they’re blinded by fear and rumors. They refuse to believe that she’s the one behind this. Her influence is spreading and it’s causing chaos. Some of the werewolves have started to riot. The city is on the brink of losing control.”His words hit me like a punch to the gut. I could hear the desp
_Alina's POV_I knew that I had to return to the capital immediately. The urgency in Alaric’s voice echoed in my mind like a warning bell that wouldn’t stop ringing. The plague had returned and there was no doubt in my heart that this was the work of the witch. Tanya wasn’t dead, as I had once believed. She was still out there, and her influence was spreading like poison. The thought of her dark magic wreaking havoc sent a chill down my spine and I knew I couldn’t afford to waste any time.I turned to the rogues who had gathered around me. Their eyes were filled with concern and a newfound admiration. They had just been freed from the clutches of dark magic and they were still recovering from the ordeal. I could see the exhaustion in their faces, the lingering fear that had yet to fully fade. But I didn’t have the luxury of time to explain everything to them. They needed to rest and regain their strength. They had fought their own battles and now I had to fight mine.“Stay here,” I to
_Alina's POV_I stepped out of the room. My heart was still pounding from the battle with Caspian. As I moved into the open air, a chaotic scene unfolded before my eyes. The rogues, twisted by dark magic, were attacking each other in a frenzy. Snarls and growls filled the night as they bit and clawed at one another, their eyes wild with the madness that had taken hold of them.For a moment, I stood frozen, watching the carnage. These wolves, once proud and strong, were now reduced to mindless beasts, slaves to the dark magic that had consumed them. But then, I remembered the mission that had been entrusted to me by the moon wolf. I had the power to purify them, to free them from the darkness that held them captive.But I knew what I had to do. Closing my eyes, I reached deep within myself, calling upon the power that I had gained in the ruins. I felt it surge through my body. My mind and body merged with my wolf and I could feel her strength and courage flowing through me.When I open