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
Chapter 65 Arianna’s POV As soon as we stepped inside, I guided Sergio toward the couch. His body was warm but trembling, a mixture of exhaustion and pain radiating from him. I felt it in the way he leaned into me, his grip firm around my waist, as if letting go would mean losing himself completely. “Sit down,” I murmured softly, brushing my fingers through his disheveled hair. “I’ll get some towels, oils, and herbs for your wounds.” His fingers tightened around my wrist just as I turned to leave. “Stay,” he whispered, his voice hoarse, carrying something unspoken, something fragile. My chest ached at the plea in his voice, but I shook my head gently. “I’ll be right back. Let me take care of you.” Sergio exhaled sharply but nodded. Just as I stepped away, he pulled me back, his fingers curling around mine, rough yet desperate. “Arianna…” His voice was barely above a whisper, almost pleading. Before I could ask what was wrong, his lips crashed against mine. A startled
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
Chapter 69 ALARIC’S POV A sharp pain tore through my chest, an invisible force gripping my ribs and squeezing until I could barely breathe. I clenched my teeth, my hands balling into fists as I braced myself against the wave of agony rolling through me. My wolf howled in my head, a mournful, gut-wrenching sound that sent shivers down my spine. Damn it… I had expected the rejection to hurt—but not like this. It was as if claws were raking through my insides, tearing at the bond that once connected me to Elena. My body felt like it was burning from the inside out, and for the first time in years, I felt weak. Mia must have noticed because her brows furrowed with concern as she moved closer. "Alaric?" I sucked in a sharp breath, forcing myself to stay upright. "I’m fine," I gritted out. "Liar," she muttered. Before I could protest, she knelt beside me, her hands hovering uncertainly over my arm. "It’s the rejection, isn’t it?" I let out a rough exhale, beads of sweat formi
Chapter 68 ALARIC'S POV The tension in my chest was unbearable. My mind replayed Elena’s broken expression over and over again, but I shoved the guilt aside. I knew I had done the right thing. Mia walked ahead of me, her posture stiff as she led me through the dimly lit halls. The silence between us was thick, filled with unspoken words. When we finally reached her room, she pushed the door open and stepped aside, gesturing for me to enter. I hesitated for a moment before stepping inside, the soft click of the door closing behind me sealing me in with my thoughts. Mia leaned against the wooden desk, her arms crossed over her chest as she studied me. Her sharp eyes were unreadable, but I could tell she had questions—ones she wouldn’t let me walk away from. "Sit," she said. I sighed but obeyed, sinking into the chair beside her bed. My body felt heavy, as if the weight of my decision had finally settled onto my shoulders. Mia exhaled and tilted her head slightly. "Why?" I
ARIANNA'S POV Silence hung thick in the hallway, broken only by the sound of my uneven breathing. My hands still trembled, my body humming with the remnants of my power. My eyes had returned to their normal color, but the weight of what had just happened lingered, suffocating. Alaric’s hands were still on my shoulders, steady, grounding. But it wasn’t him I was looking at—it was Elena. She stood frozen a few feet away, her chest heaving, her lips pressed into a thin, angry line. The moment Alaric had stepped between us, her expression had changed—not just from rage, but something deeper. Fear? Alaric finally let out a slow, controlled breath, releasing me as he turned to face Elena. His presence seemed to darken, his authority rolling off him in waves. "Explain," he demanded, his voice sharp as a blade. Elena crossed her arms, her nails digging into her skin. "You saw what happened," she bit out. "I was putting her in her place." I clenched my jaw, anger flaring in
Chapter 66 ARIANNA'S POV "You did this!" Elena's voice was raw with rage, her eyes blazing like molten gold. "You brought this curse upon him!" I clenched my fists, feeling the sting of my nails digging into my palms. "You think I wanted this?" My voice wavered, but I held my ground. "You think I wanted Sergio to get hurt? I would die before letting anything happen to him!" Elena sneered, stepping forward. "Yet here we are, Arianna. He’s fighting for his life because of you!" The accusation struck deep, a dagger to my already wounded heart. I swallowed the lump in my throat, forcing myself to meet her glare. "You don’t understand," I murmured. "Then make me understand!" she spat. "Because all I see is a mate who keeps bringing destruction to the man she claims to love!" Her words snapped something inside me. I had endured pain, betrayal, and loss, but this—being blamed for the one thing I feared most—was unbearable. "Enough." My voice came out low and deadly. "I have
Chapter 65 Arianna’s POV As soon as we stepped inside, I guided Sergio toward the couch. His body was warm but trembling, a mixture of exhaustion and pain radiating from him. I felt it in the way he leaned into me, his grip firm around my waist, as if letting go would mean losing himself completely. “Sit down,” I murmured softly, brushing my fingers through his disheveled hair. “I’ll get some towels, oils, and herbs for your wounds.” His fingers tightened around my wrist just as I turned to leave. “Stay,” he whispered, his voice hoarse, carrying something unspoken, something fragile. My chest ached at the plea in his voice, but I shook my head gently. “I’ll be right back. Let me take care of you.” Sergio exhaled sharply but nodded. Just as I stepped away, he pulled me back, his fingers curling around mine, rough yet desperate. “Arianna…” His voice was barely above a whisper, almost pleading. Before I could ask what was wrong, his lips crashed against mine. A startled
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