Arianna As I stood frozen in front of the door, Sergio’s scent lingered in the air. It was rich and commanding, like the forest after a heavy rain. My senses felt sharper than ever, almost hyper-aware. It wasn’t the first time I had noticed changes in myself, but now I couldn’t ignore it. When did my wolf become so attuned to things? I didn’t have time to dwell on the thought. Sergio’s presence filled the room as soon as I opened the door. He stood tall and imposing, his dark eyes scanning me briefly before nodding in approval. “You’re ready,” he said simply, his voice low and steady. Does that mean he liked the training suit? Really? I'm ready with this? I nodded, unsure of what to say. His gaze lingered on me for a moment longer than necessary, and I felt a strange mix of comfort and unease under his scrutiny. Behind him, Mia appeared with her usual brisk efficiency. “We don’t have time to waste,” she said, motioning for me to follow. “The pack is waiting.”
Arianna's POV The cool night air hit my skin as I stepped outside, the hum of anticipation from the pack surrounding me. Torches lit the edges of the gathering, casting flickering shadows on the eager faces of my pack members. It doesn't feel right to call them my pack members, just yet. My heart thudded heavily in my chest, each beat louder than the last. I glanced back at Sergio, his towering figure imposing yet steady, and Mika, who offered me an encouraging nod. I swallowed hard. Their insistence on the training suit finally made sense, and I hated how unprepared I felt. The air was thick with tension, every whisper from the crowd making my senses sharper. My wolf stirred within me, restless and ready, but even that didn’t calm my nerves. Sergio stepped closer, his voice low and calm. “You see it now, don’t you?” I turned to him, my eyes wide. “This is why you told me to signal you if I needed help?” He nodded, his gaze unwavering. “Tonight, you prove yourself not jus
Chapter 33 Sergio's POV The morning had started uneventfully. The pack’s preparations for the Luna ceremony were in full swing, and every member seemed to be moving with purpose. Yet, something gnawed at me—a sense of unease I couldn’t shake. I had spent most of the day overseeing security and ensuring the elders had everything they needed for tonight. But as the sun began its slow descent, I realized I hadn’t seen Alaric all day. Alaric wasn’t the type to disappear without reason, especially on a day like this. He thrived in the spotlight, always finding ways to involve himself in the pack’s affairs. I had dismissed it at first, assuming he was somewhere causing his usual mischief, but when one of the guards approached me with a hesitant expression, I knew something was off. “Alpha,” the guard said, bowing slightly. “I thought you should know—Alaric was seen heading toward Luna's chambers earlier.” I froze, my jaw tightening. “When?” “About an hour ago,” the guard replie
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. “I 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 figured it was tim
ARIANNA'S P.O.V “Why would you call for him? Do you need something?” Jealousy was laced in Sergio’s tone and I rubbed centre of my head concealing the little smile that tugged at the corner of my lips threatening to morph into a grin. “No, not really. I just wanted to ask him some questions.” I said and though there was an unsatisfied look in his eyes, he masked it off immediately. “Well, it looks like his hands are full at the momeñt. Hold on, is Elena and Alaric the ‘romance’ you were talking about?” He questioned and I nodded, turning to see Alaric and Elena walking away. “Hold on, I really need to talk to Alaric. I'll be right back.” I went after them but the time I got out of the door, they were nowhere to be found. I walked through the garden, the moonlight casting silver streaks over the neatly trimmed hedges. That’s when I heard them—soft whispers, low and intimate. Can't they stop for even a minute? It's not up to 10 minutes I broke them apart and here they are munch
Arianna’s POV “Alright, I'll just hold on to the fact that you'll tell me whenever the time is right.” He nodded I folded my arms, the weight of my earlier actions pressing down on me like a heavy cloak. “I’m sorry,” I began, my voice soft and unsure. “I don’t know what came over me back there. Pulling you away like that… it wasn’t my place.” Alaric gave a low chuckle, the sound both amused and exasperated. “You’re always full of surprises, Z—” He paused, correcting himself. “Arianna.” I bit the inside of my cheek, unsure how to respond. His use of that other name still unsettled me, though I couldn’t say why. But before I could dwell on it, his next words cut through my thoughts. “Elena’s my mate,” he said bluntly. The words hung in the air between us, their weight heavier than I expected. I blinked, struggling to process what he’d just said. “Your mate?” I repeated, my tone betraying my disbelief. He nodded, his gaze steady but unreadable. “Yes. That’s why you found us toge
ANNIKA'S POV The faint glow of candlelight flickered across the room, casting long shadows on the walls as I lay beneath Logan. His hands moved across my skin with ease, but his mind wasn’t here. I could see it in the way his eyes glazed over, in the half-hearted way he whispered my name. It was routine, mechanical, like he was going through the motions because it was expected of him. I bit back the frustration bubbling within me, determined to pull him back to the present. I wrapped my arms around his neck and tilted his chin toward me. “Logan,” I whispered, my voice soft but commanding. He hummed, his focus flickering for a brief moment before slipping away again. “Look at me,” I urged, tightening my grip. His gaze finally met mine, but before I could revel in the connection, he murmured, “Arianna…” The world seemed to tilt on its axis. I froze, every muscle in my body locking in place. Had I misheard him? My heart thundered in my chest as I stared up at him, searching f
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 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
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