Chapter 38 ANNIKA'S POV “Are you threatening me?” His tilted his head to the side and I swallowed hard glaring at be. “Not yet but when I do, you definitely won't be asking questions about it. It would be crystal clear.” I stated and he scoffed unbuttoning the top button of his shirt. “Annika, you're my Luna. You should be satisfied with that.” “I'm not satisfied with that. You're my Alpha, you owe me your attention, I see the way you drool at my younger cousin simply because she looks like Arianna. At this rate, it won't be long before you turn to a pedophile.” “Don't ever say that again.” He stated firmly before walking out on me shutting the door like he was transferring the anger. He always left early now. No goodbye, no kiss, not even a note. My chest tightened as I glanced toward the door he’d walked out of, likely heading was calling for. “Arianna…” he’d groaned, his eyes half-closed, lost in the haze of his desires. I’d frozen beneath him, my entire body stiffeni
Chapter 39 Annika’s POV With every step, branches scratched my cloak, and the damp earth sucked at my boots. The sun had dipped below the horizon, leaving the woods bathed in shadows. A sliver of moonlight cut through the canopy above, guiding me deeper into rogue territory. I clutched the note the alchemist had sent, her cryptic words etched in shaky handwriting. “Follow the wolf’s fang, and you’ll find me.” My fingers traced the drawing of a jagged stone she’d mentioned, the one now visible just ahead. The boulder rose like a lone sentinel, its shape resembling a broken canine tooth. The air grew heavier the closer I got, thick with the stench of herbs and smoke. My pulse quickened, but I forced myself forward, refusing to let fear slow me down. “Come out,” I called, my voice steady despite the tightness in my throat. “I’m here.” A figure emerged from the shadows, draped in tattered robes that trailed the ground. The alchemist’s face was obscured by a hood, but her luminou
Chapter 40 Arianna’s POV “Do you like roses, Marcia?” I asked as we knelt together in the garden. “They’re beautiful, Luna,” Marcia said softly, her hands delicately brushing the petals of a freshly bloomed flower. “But they’re also strong. They endure the harshest winds and still bloom.” I smiled, enjoying the peaceful moment. “You sound like someone who appreciates resilience.” She looked at me, her hazel eyes searching mine. “Resilience is...necessary.” There was a wistfulness in her tone, something unspoken lingering just beneath the surface. I reached out, touching her arm gently. “You seem to understand that all too well.” Marcia offered a small, almost bashful smile before returning her focus to the roses. “You’re very kind, Luna.” “Call me Arianna,” I said, grinning. “I think we’ve spent enough time together to drop the formalities, don’t you?” Marcia hesitated, her hands stilling for a moment. Then she nodded. “Thank you...Arianna.” Later that evening, as Ser
Arianna's POV “Sergio, she’s just a maid,” I said, exhaling deeply. “She’s not just a maid,” Sergio snapped, his eyes narrowing. “I’ve been Alpha long enough to know when someone is hiding something.” I crossed my arms, leaning back against the armrest of the couch. “She’s scared, Sergio. You confronted her like a criminal. Of course she panicked.” Sergio paced the room, his shoulders tense. The glow of the moon spilled through the window, illuminating his furrowed brows. “Arianna, I can’t ignore this. Something about her feels... wrong.” I sighed, running a hand through my hair. “Not everyone who’snervous has a hidden agenda. She’s new. She’s trying to adjust. Please, let it go.” His sharp gaze softened slightly as he turned to me. “You always see the good in people.” “And you see the bad,” I countered, offering a faint smile. “That’s why we balance each other.” Sergio finally sat down beside me, his hand finding mine. The warmth of his touch sent a ripple of comfort th
Annika’s POV “How long do I have to wait?” I muttered under my breath, pacing the small servant’s quarters assigned to me. The room smelled faintly of lavender and wood polish, an ironic contrast to the storm brewing in my chest. The image of Arianna laughing with Sergio replayed in my mind, each laugh like a needle piercing my skin. The way they looked at each other—it was maddening. He looked at her like she was his entire world. “Marcia, you’re late for the meeting,” one of the maids called out, poking her head through the door. “I’ll be there in a moment,” I replied, forcing a smile. As soon as the door closed, the mask dropped. My lips curled into a sneer. She doesn’t deserve him. She’s just playing the role of a perfect Luna. But I see her. I see through her. She's just the same sly bitch that was beautiful suddenly for no reason, maybe I would have a reason not to hate her so much if only she was as obsesed as she was before. If only she was still that fat and ugly b
Logan’s POV "Where is she?" I growled, slamming the glass tumbler down on my desk. My Beta flinched but didn’t dare meet my gaze. "Alpha, Annika said she’d be gone for Gamma training," he answered, his voice careful, measured. "Gamma training," I scoffed, the words bitter in my mouth. "It’s been days. No word. No messages. Nothing. Doesn’t she know I don’t have the patience for games?" Cole hesitated, and I could tell he wanted to say more, but his fear of my temper won out. Wise choice. “Before she left though, she mentioned that she told you and you approved.” He said carefully and I squinted my eyes? "She did” I questioned more rhetorical and then sighed. I can't remember when she ever told me something about gamma training. “Fine, leave!” I ordered, waving him off with a dismissive flick of my wrist. He left without another word, the door clicking shut behind him. The silence of my office was suffocating, and for the first time in days, I allowed my thoughts to wander.
ANNIKA’S POV “Marcia, could you bring the Luna’s robe from the laundry room?” The head maid, called out, her voice sharp and brisk. I nodded quickly, keeping my head down. “Yes, ma’am,” I murmured, scurrying toward the hallway that led to the laundry room. It had been weeks of careful planning, precise actions, and playing the part of an obedient maid. I had convinced Arianna of my kindness and diligence, and she had begun to trust me. Sergio, on the other hand, was proving to be a thorn in my side. His eyes seemed to follow me everywhere. But I had come too far to let my nerves betray me now. As I entered the laundry room, the smell of freshly laundered clothes filled the air. I grabbed the Luna’s robe, soft and white like freshly fallen snow. “That scent...” A voice behind me froze me in place. I turned slowly, my stomach twisting into knots. It was Elsa, one of the senior maids. Her nose wrinkled as she sniffed the air, her head tilting slightly as if trying to place so
ANNIKA’S POV “Marcia, can you bring the Luna’s water bottle from the kitchen? She left it behind,” The head maid instructed, her voice carrying authority. I nodded, forcing a smile. “Of course, Anna,” I replied, grabbing the bottle from the counter. My palms tingled with anticipation as I discreetly reach into the hidden pocket of my apron and pull out a small container of clear liquid. “This is it,” I muttered under my breath, unscrewing the cap and carefully pouring a few drops into the bottle. My hand shook slightly, but I steadied myself. “No mistakes this time. No one can trace it back to me.” I sealed the bottle and gave it a gentle shake before hurrying out of the kitchen. The training grounds buzzed with activity. Warriors sparred in pairs, their grunts and the clanging of metal echoing through the open space. Arianna stood near the edge, speaking animatedly with Sergio and a few senior guards. “Luna,” I called out, my voice sweet and subservient as I approached. “He
CHAPTER 34 Arianna’s POV My mouth fell open as I stared at Mia, the revelation knocking the breath out of me. “Y-you’re Sergio’s cousin?” I stammered, my eyes darting between the two of them. Mia stood there with a smirk plastered on her face, looking far too pleased with herself. Sergio, on the other hand, was barely holding back a grin. “Oh, come on, Arianna,” Mia teased, folding her arms. “Did you think I was just some random wolf who wandered in and decided to stick around?” I blinked, trying to process the information. “mean...yes?” Sergio chuckled, his deep voice sending a strange warmth through me. “Mia’s been part of my life since we were pups. She’s practically a sister to me.” “But how?” I demanded, my voice rising. “When did she even get here? She wasn’t around when I first came to the pack.” Mia shrugged, clearly enjoying my confusion. “I arrived not long ago. Sergio called me back from an assignment when things started heating up with the rogues
CHAPTER 34 Arianna’s POV My mouth fell open as I stared at Mia, the revelation knocking the breath out of me. “Y-you’re Sergio’s cousin?” I stammered, my eyes darting between the two of them. Mia stood there with a smirk plastered on her face, looking far too pleased with herself. Sergio, on the other hand, was barely holding back a grin. “Oh, come on, Arianna,” Mia teased, folding her arms. “Did you think I was just some random wolf who wandered in and decided to stick around?” I blinked, trying to process the information. “mean...yes?” Sergio chuckled, his deep voice sending a strange warmth through me. “Mia’s been part of my life since we were pups. She’s practically a sister to me.” “But how?” I demanded, my voice rising. “When did she even get here? She wasn’t around when I first came to the pack.” Mia shrugged, clearly enjoying my confusion. “I arrived not long ago. Sergio called me back from an assignment when things started heating up with the rogues
CHAPTER 34 Arianna’s POV My mouth fell open as I stared at Mia, the revelation knocking the breath out of me. “Y-you’re Sergio’s cousin?” I stammered, my eyes darting between the two of them. Mia stood there with a smirk plastered on her face, looking far too pleased with herself. Sergio, on the other hand, was barely holding back a grin. “Oh, come on, Arianna,” Mia teased, folding her arms. “Did you think I was just some random wolf who wandered in and decided to stick around?” I blinked, trying to process the information. “mean...yes?” Sergio chuckled, his deep voice sending a strange warmth through me. “Mia’s been part of my life since we were pups. She’s practically a sister to me.” “But how?” I demanded, my voice rising. “When did she even get here? She wasn’t around when I first came to the pack.” Mia shrugged, clearly enjoying my confusion. “I arrived not long ago. Sergio called me back from an assignment when things started heating up with the rogues
CHAPTER 34 Arianna’s POV My mouth fell open as I stared at Mia, the revelation knocking the breath out of me. “Y-you’re Sergio’s cousin?” I stammered, my eyes darting between the two of them. Mia stood there with a smirk plastered on her face, looking far too pleased with herself. Sergio, on the other hand, was barely holding back a grin. “Oh, come on, Arianna,” Mia teased, folding her arms. “Did you think I was just some random wolf who wandered in and decided to stick around?” I blinked, trying to process the information. “mean...yes?” Sergio chuckled, his deep voice sending a strange warmth through me. “Mia’s been part of my life since we were pups. She’s practically a sister to me.” “But how?” I demanded, my voice rising. “When did she even get here? She wasn’t around when I first came to the pack.” Mia shrugged, clearly enjoying my confusion. “I arrived not long ago. Sergio called me back from an assignment when things started heating up with the rogues
CHAPTER 34 Arianna’s POV My mouth fell open as I stared at Mia, the revelation knocking the breath out of me. “Y-you’re Sergio’s cousin?” I stammered, my eyes darting between the two of them. Mia stood there with a smirk plastered on her face, looking far too pleased with herself. Sergio, on the other hand, was barely holding back a grin. “Oh, come on, Arianna,” Mia teased, folding her arms. “Did you think I was just some random wolf who wandered in and decided to stick around?” I blinked, trying to process the information. “mean...yes?” Sergio chuckled, his deep voice sending a strange warmth through me. “Mia’s been part of my life since we were pups. She’s practically a sister to me.” “But how?” I demanded, my voice rising. “When did she even get here? She wasn’t around when I first came to the pack.” Mia shrugged, clearly enjoying my confusion. “I arrived not long ago. Sergio called me back from an assignment when things started heating up with the rogues
CHAPTER 34 Arianna’s POV My mouth fell open as I stared at Mia, the revelation knocking the breath out of me. “Y-you’re Sergio’s cousin?” I stammered, my eyes darting between the two of them. Mia stood there with a smirk plastered on her face, looking far too pleased with herself. Sergio, on the other hand, was barely holding back a grin. “Oh, come on, Arianna,” Mia teased, folding her arms. “Did you think I was just some random wolf who wandered in and decided to stick around?” I blinked, trying to process the information. “mean...yes?” Sergio chuckled, his deep voice sending a strange warmth through me. “Mia’s been part of my life since we were pups. She’s practically a sister to me.” “But how?” I demanded, my voice rising. “When did she even get here? She wasn’t around when I first came to the pack.” Mia shrugged, clearly enjoying my confusion. “I arrived not long ago. Sergio called me back from an assignment when things started heating up with the rogues
CHAPTER 34 Arianna’s POV My mouth fell open as I stared at Mia, the revelation knocking the breath out of me. “Y-you’re Sergio’s cousin?” I stammered, my eyes darting between the two of them. Mia stood there with a smirk plastered on her face, looking far too pleased with herself. Sergio, on the other hand, was barely holding back a grin. “Oh, come on, Arianna,” Mia teased, folding her arms. “Did you think I was just some random wolf who wandered in and decided to stick around?” I blinked, trying to process the information. “mean...yes?” Sergio chuckled, his deep voice sending a strange warmth through me. “Mia’s been part of my life since we were pups. She’s practically a sister to me.” “But how?” I demanded, my voice rising. “When did she even get here? She wasn’t around when I first came to the pack.” Mia shrugged, clearly enjoying my confusion. “I arrived not long ago. Sergio called me back from an assignment when things started heating up with the rogues
CHAPTER 34 Arianna’s POV My mouth fell open as I stared at Mia, the revelation knocking the breath out of me. “Y-you’re Sergio’s cousin?” I stammered, my eyes darting between the two of them. Mia stood there with a smirk plastered on her face, looking far too pleased with herself. Sergio, on the other hand, was barely holding back a grin. “Oh, come on, Arianna,” Mia teased, folding her arms. “Did you think I was just some random wolf who wandered in and decided to stick around?” I blinked, trying to process the information. “mean...yes?” Sergio chuckled, his deep voice sending a strange warmth through me. “Mia’s been part of my life since we were pups. She’s practically a sister to me.” “But how?” I demanded, my voice rising. “When did she even get here? She wasn’t around when I first came to the pack.” Mia shrugged, clearly enjoying my confusion. “I arrived not long ago. Sergio called me back from an assignment when things started heating up with the rogues
CHAPTER 34 Arianna’s POV My mouth fell open as I stared at Mia, the revelation knocking the breath out of me. “Y-you’re Sergio’s cousin?” I stammered, my eyes darting between the two of them. Mia stood there with a smirk plastered on her face, looking far too pleased with herself. Sergio, on the other hand, was barely holding back a grin. “Oh, come on, Arianna,” Mia teased, folding her arms. “Did you think I was just some random wolf who wandered in and decided to stick around?” I blinked, trying to process the information. “mean...yes?” Sergio chuckled, his deep voice sending a strange warmth through me. “Mia’s been part of my life since we were pups. She’s practically a sister to me.” “But how?” I demanded, my voice rising. “When did she even get here? She wasn’t around when I first came to the pack.” Mia shrugged, clearly enjoying my confusion. “I arrived not long ago. Sergio called me back from an assignment when things started heating up with the rogues. I figure