Sergio's POV I marched into Logan's pack territory with a coldness that matches the air around me. The wind bites at my skin, tugging at the hem of my jacket as if to warn me that the answers I’m searching for won’t be so easily found. But I don’t care. I’ve crossed too many lines and fought too many battles to let hesitation slow me now. Not when there’s a child involved. Not when there’s a lie festering at the heart of everything. The scent of the pack is thick in the air, familiar but altered—darker, more unsettling than I remember. I don’t know why it strikes me this way now. Maybe it’s because I’m not here to negotiate, not here to be a part of their politics or their games. I’m here for something that belongs to me, something I’ve lost—and I’m not leaving without it. As I approach the clearing near Logan’s home, I can see him standing there, his broad form silhouetted against the fading light of the evening. The way he stands—still, poised—there’s no mistaking his power, his s
Sergio's POV The meal Miriam laid out wasn’t extravagant, but it might as well have been a feast for the way it filled the hollowness inside me. Roasted vegetables, seasoned to perfection, warm bread fresh from the oven, and a hearty stew that chased the chill from my bones. Each bite was a reminder of what I’d been missing, the kind of comfort that couldn’t be bought or forced—only given. We ate in companionable silence, Daniel and Miriam slipping into their familiar rhythm of light conversation and gentle teasing, their affection for each other a steady undercurrent that made the walls of their home feel more alive. I listened, contributed when I could, though my mind was still spinning with Logan’s lies and the gnawing uncertainty of Athena’s whereabouts. When the plates were cleared and Miriam set a steaming cup of tea in front of me, her eyes found mine with that soft, motherly concern that always unraveled my defenses. “Sergio,” she began gently, her voice a balm on the r
ARIANNA’S POV The room had fallen into an eerie stillness, one that wrapped around me like a thick, suffocating fog. The only sounds were the distant crackling of the fireplace and the quiet shuffle of Mia shifting in her seat. It had been hours since Sergio left. The moment the guards had stormed in, their voices clipped and urgent, I knew something had gone wrong. Sergio’s eyes had flickered with something unreadable—concern, maybe, or frustration—but he had gone without argument, without a second glance in my direction. And he hadn’t come back. I swallowed against the lump forming in my throat, my fingers curling into the thick fabric of the blanket draped over my lap. It was too warm, too heavy, pressing against my skin like a weight I couldn’t shake off. Mia and Alaric sat near the door, unmoving, their eyes constantly scanning the room like predators on high alert. They weren’t just keeping watch—they were guarding me. From what? Or… from who? The air felt thick
ARIANNA’S POV This chapter is a shout out to Ann Sinclair for reading this book and making it this far. ~~Flashback~~ The throne room felt colder now. The air was thick with something heavy, something suffocating, pressing down on my lungs like an unseen force. Shadows curled at the edges of the grand hall, shifting as if they were alive, whispering secrets I couldn’t hear. I stood frozen in place, my pulse hammering in my ears as I faced the two figures before me. The woman on the throne. And her. My alter ego stood beside the queen-like figure, watching me with the same quiet intensity she always did. She was me, yet she wasn’t—her presence was sharper, more defined, as though she had long accepted a truth I was still struggling to grasp. The woman leaned forward, her golden eyes gleaming with something dark and knowing. “I warned you,” she murmured. The words slithered into my ears, coiling around my mind like a serpent. I swallowed, forcing my voice to stay ste
Arianna’s POV The tension in the room was suffocating. The weight of Sergio’s absence pressed heavily on my chest, and no matter how many deep breaths I took, it did nothing to ease the unease clawing at me. My hands clenched at my sides as I swallowed past the bitterness curling in my throat. I didn’t want to think about it. Didn’t want to think about the way he left. The way no one thought to tell me. The way it felt like I was *an afterthought*. I forced myself to focus on something else—anything else—before the storm inside me swallowed me whole. “I need a drink,” I said abruptly, my voice sharper than I intended. Mia and Alaric both tensed slightly. Mia glanced toward the door, probably about to call one of the maids, but before she could, Alaric stepped forward. “I’ll get it,” he said, turning on his heel before I could respond. I frowned. Something about it felt… off. Alaric had never hesitated to have others handle menial tasks before. He was a warrior, n
Logan's POV The house felt suffocating, its walls closing in on me as I stood by the window, watching the night fall like a shroud over everything. I could feel the tension in the air, thick and oppressive, as if the very atmosphere was bracing for something, waiting for it to happen. I could almost taste it—the adrenaline, the anticipation. This was my game, my plan, and Athena was exactly where I wanted her. The kidnapping had gone off without a hitch, like a well-rehearsed dance. Every detail, every move, had been mapped out, and there was no room for error. But as I stood there, my eyes glued to the horizon, something shifted. I didn’t need to be a genius to know that something was wrong. The hairs on the back of my neck stood on end. “Elena,” I muttered under my breath, turning toward the sound of her soft footsteps behind me. She didn’t answer right away. Instead, she paused, her figure barely visible in the dim light, but I knew she was there. I could always sense her pres
Chapter 63 ARIANNA "Arianna, we all get why you're angry but what I dont understand is why you won't fucking listen to us when we tell you that your husband is fine." Alaric yelled after me as I raced to my room. Right now, I needed to get out of these outfits into something more appropriate for the situation like my fight and training suit. "Alaric. Please save it." I stated softly while Mia chased after the both of us. "Someone please get me Marcia." I screamed and one of the guards was about to move when Mia signaled him not to. "Umm hello, what's going on? I said, "someone get me Marcia." I placed my hands on my waist as Mia shook her head in the negative again and the guards stood still. It was infuriating that they were listening to her, keeping her instructions instead of mine. I am their Luna! I am the one they should be heeding to. "Wow. I was out for how long? Unconscious for how long? And now I'm up, no one would give me the slightest respect? Really?" I questioned
Chapter 64 ARIANNA I felt my world crashing out as the revelation of what Alaric just told me hit me fully, given the kind of person he is even though I couldn't remember him yet as he said, I was very much aware that he wasn't bluffing. My life was falling apart. I was poisoned. My daughter was kidnapped. The pack was in a time of chaos because of me and yet I was all around throwing tantrums. What did the servant's think of me now? A self absorbed, non condescending Luna that didn't care about her people? That would absolutely be fair. If I were the one, I would have called myself way worse names. I gritted my teeth as I staggered into my room, shutting the door behind me. "Don't be too hard on yourself though, Zora." I heard Alaric yell as I pressed my back to the door, sliding all the way down till I landed on my butt with my knees crouched up. "Why is this happening to me?" Tears filled in my eyes ran down slowly as I began playing with my fingers while biting my lips
MARCIA My whole body was jittering as I turned to stare at Alpha Sergio and my stupid step sister, I should have known she had something up her sleeves when she wouldn't let me leave. Gosh!!!! How do I evade this? “I don't know what you're talking about, Alpha.” I lied as my face itched yet again and I had to scratch it. It was after Arianna had called me out if I was itching that I had realized that the potion was wearing off. I needed to go take some more so that my identity would be properly masked else I'm fucked. “I'm sure that would be your answer. But you said you're an experienced maid so you should know the punishment given to those who impersonate.” Sergio stated and I swallowed hard staring at my reflection in the mirror from the opposite direction and I let out a silent gasp. My face was covered in red blotches and sook enough, this skin, this disguise would begin to wear off. I should have taken a more potent potion from that seer. “Why's your face covered in blot
ARIANNA “I'll take this back to my quarters now, ma'am, you can go ahead to have your drink.” She persuaded me and was about to walk out the door when I called out to her. “Marcia?” I called and she turned around. “Can you drop the food tray? I think I might as well eat it if I'm having a drink.” I suggested and a bright smile shone on her face. “That's perfect, Luna.” She stated, retracting her steps. This is one of the reasons I know there's something fishy about her. If it were other maids you had just given a royal meal to — something they never had — and then suddenly asked for it back, there had to be a hint of sadness. She seemed joyful giving it back which wasn't logical. “I already gave it to you though, aren't you mad?” She shook her head slightly in negativity as she dropped the tray on the top of my mini table. “I'm a little disappointed though. I just missed my chance of having one grand meal but it's fine, you should eat.” She smiled as I picked up the little
ARIANNA“I know you'll be inquisitive why I'm telling you this.” I stretched my hands as I smiled at her, “I don't know as well, perhaps because I like you so much.”“You're my favourite maid, you know that right?” She nodded her head frantically and I yawned, using my hands to cover my mouth up and then chuckled.“I'm honored, Luna.” “Don't break my trust. Now tell me, why were you here really?” I asked and she heaved a sigh.“I came to read. I know it's a royal library and off limits for maids but I stumbled upon it and it had all these wonderful and lovely books and I couldn't resist the temptation.” I slapped her hands playfully and dragged her in.“You should have said that from the beginning. You can come in and read.” Her eyes lit up as she raised her eyes to meet mine.“Really?” She scurried in and immediately grabbed a book, slumping into one of the chairs.“Thanks so much, luna.” She flipped the pages, looking so intrigued and I clenched my teeth, staring at her for a few m
ARIANNA“Good riddance, I have always wanted that lady Elena to be banished.” Those were the murmurs that filled my ears as Elena was escorted by some guards to the boundary while I went back to my room to lay down.The past few days have been quite chaotic and all I needed was just a little bit of silence and peace.Everything was happening too fast and my daughter hadn't been found yet.Anytime I remembered that, my heart seemed to fall into the deepest part of my belly.The urge to ask Sergio when he was going to find her was overwhelming but I couldn't bring myself to do it.He was doing a lot already and reminding him that his daughter was still yet to be found would only mean adding salt to the injury that was already hurting.I honestly doubt that he doesn't even remember it. It must be on his mind every single moment and I knew it.How sunken and pale he looked, the eye bags that showed he was barely sleeping, everything was proof that he hadn't given up hope yet.“Ma'am, I he
ARIANNA“Don't humor me. You know what I'm talking about.” I rolled my eyes as he instinctively locked eyes with Mia for a brief second before clearing his throat dramatically.“Ummmm…I…” He was stuttering, literally unable to form coherent sentences so I took the liberty of the situation to answer for him.“Alaric would be right back. We need to talk about something.” I flashed him a smile and he looked away almost immediately like I was being creepy.“Yeah…yeah, that's right. I'd like to discuss with the Luna but whatever the counsel feels is the punishment that is due for Elena. Please go ahead and deal with her accordingly.” He nodded his head and I hummed, grabbing his hand and pushed him outside.“Alright.” Sergio answered, staring at I and Sergio with suspicious glances but this wasn't the time to explain anything to him here.“Let go, let go.” Alaric mumbled as I pushed him out of Sergio's office and banged the door behind us.“Arianna, I know what you're thinking but it's rea
Chapter 73Arianna’s POVThe world tilted around me as Alaric’s words sank in. How could he say something like that without even trying to bat an eyelid? It's as though for some reason, he had forgotten that Elena was his mate.Even though he just rejected her, he must still feel something for her.Right? Pity? Guilt? Anything?My breath caught, my fingers trembling as I clutched the edges of my dress. She had done a wrong thing, but I couldn't even bring myself not to pityher."We could pass whatever punishment meant for someone who tried to seduce the Alpha to Elena… since that's what she did."Elena, who had schemed and manipulated, who had done everything in her power to put me in a bad lime light in front of Sergio and the entire pack.I blinked, my heart hammering against my ribs.I searched Alaric’s face, looking for something—anything—that would tell me I misheard him. But his expression remained unreadable, a mask of unshaken authority. The air in the room thickened, pres
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
à 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. “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
Chapter 70 ARIANNA'S POV I inhaled deeply, trying to steady my nerves as I walked toward the storage room where the healers kept the herbs and fresh towels. My hands were still slightly unsteady, my mind a tangled mess of emotions after everything that had just happened with Elena. The fight. The anger in her eyes. The way I had won—something I knew neither of us had expected. And then Alaric. I clenched my jaw, shaking my head as I pushed the thought away. Now wasn’t the time. I had come out here for a reason—to gather the herbs and towels for Sergio. I needed to focus on that, not on the way my body still felt charged from the confrontation, or the way Alaric had looked at me when he had stepped in. I forced my mind into a blank state, moving quickly as I gathered the things I needed. My fingers automatically picked out the right herbs—lavender for calming, comfrey for pain relief, and a few dried leaves of wolfsbane for disinfecting wounds. I grabbed a stack of soft l