Serena’s povDamien smirked, tightening his grip around my waist as his free hand tilted my chin upwards, his grip firm but not painful. The scent of blood clung to him, thick and suffocating, mingling with the sharp smell of leather. His thumb brushed over my lower lip, smearing blood in its wake. I shivered, my breath coming in shallow gasps. His sea-blue eyes darkened, something unreadable flickering in their depths as he took in the sight of me, lips painted in blood, trapped beneath his touch. A slow smirk curled his lips.“Serena” he murmured, voice rough with something dangerously close to hunger. Before I could react, his mouth was on mine. It was not gentle. It was fire, raw and consuming, his lips claiming me with a force that left no room for refusal. His teeth grazed my lower lip, tugging and demanding. His other hand traced invincible lines on my waist before slipping lower. A jolt of panic shot through me. I gasped against his mouth as I tried to push him away, but
Serena’s povI stood there for a long moment, waiting for him to say something or even just glance at me. Dorian did nothing and instead, the silence stretched, cold and indifferent, as he continued flipping through a patient’s file as if I wasn’t standing right in front of him. My heart constricted painfully in my chest as a familiar ache settled in my chest, but I forced myself to swallow it down. Fine. If he wanted to ignore me, I wouldn’t beg. With stiff movements, I turned to the nearby medical cabinet, yanking it open. My fingers trembled slightly as I grabbed what I needed to clean the wound, gauze, antiseptic and tweezers, clutching them tightly as I moved to the nearest bed. I set everything down and inhaled deeply. ‘You can do this.’I sat on the infirmary bed, my fingers trembling as I tried to disinfect the wound on my ear. The sting was sharp, like tiny needles pressing into my skin, and no matter how careful I was, the earring stuck to the wound, refusing to budge,
Serena’s povThat evening, as I arrived at the secluded poolside venue, my stomach twisted with unease. The scene before me was far from what I had expected. Rhett’s party wasn’t some casual gathering, it was a private indulgence, exclusive and extravagant. The pool shimmered under the golden glow of lanterns, the water reflecting the silhouettes of the people lounging around it. Champagne bottles popped in the background over the lot music blasting from the stereos.Laughters and flirtatious whispers filled the air, and everywhere I turned, there were beautiful women draped in tiny dresses or nothing but bikinis, draped over Rhett and his friends like living decorations. They were practically throwing themselves at him.My jaw tightened as I spotted Rhett reclining on a poolside lounge chair, a stunning redhead perched on his lap. He was grinning, his dimples flashing, one hand lazily playing with her hair while the other casually traced circles on her bare thigh. Another girl, a b
Serena’s povThe party had gone silent after Rhett’s sudden transformation and escape. Everyone was staring at the spot where he had disappeared, but no one dared to follow. I felt a pang of concern claw at my chest, my grip tightening around the cooling bowl of soup. “We… we should look for him,” I said, scanning the crowd. No one moved. Winnie scoffed, flipping her long blonde hair over her shoulder. “Are you crazy? If Rhett’s running like that, it’s for a reason. I’m not getting involved.” Another girl, one of the many who had been draped over him earlier, nervously fiddled with her fingers. “Yeah, he’ll come back when he wants to. We’re not his babysitters.” I clenched my jaw. It was frustrating, Rhett had surrounded himself with people who only wanted his attention when he was at his best. The moment he needed actual help, they all backed away like scared little sheep. Then someone muttered, “Just tell the gamma.” The suggestion spread quickly, and before I knew it, someo
Serena’s POVThe sharp scent of antiseptic filled the infirmary, mingling with the faint metallic tang of blood. Rhett lay unconscious on the bed, his usually cocky expression replaced by an eerie stillness. His chest rose and fell in slow, steady breaths, the effects of the tranquilizer still holding him under. I exhaled, gripping the edge of the nearby counter to steady myself. My body still ached from the encounter, and my lip throbbed where his fangs had cut into it. "You're reckless, you know that?". Dorian’s voice pulled me from my string of thoughts. I turned to see him watching me, his arms crossed, his sharp eyes assessing every scratch and bruise. "You saved him," he continued, softer this time. "You could’ve gotten yourself killed." I let out a dry laugh. "Wouldn’t be the first time someone tried to kill me." His jaw tightened, and before I could react, he was in front of me, tilting my chin up with two fingers. My breath hitched. His gaze flickered to my lips, sp
Serena's povThe break room was supposed to be a place of peace, but with Damien inside, sitting on the bed like he owned the place, peace was the last thing I was going to find. He owned the place, anyway! I had barely taken a step inside before his sharp gaze flickered to me. "Running away from me again, little wolf?" His voice was a low drawl, teasing and knowing.I ignored him, heading straight for the cabinet where the medical supplies were kept. Just ignore him. Ignore him! I kept chanting in my head. But Damien wasn't the type to be ignored. In a blink, he was behind me. Too close. I tensed, my fingers tightening around the ceramic cup I had pulled out. His heat, his scent, blood, leather, and the raw essence of him wrapped around me, suffocating.Then came his voice, right beside my ear. "You should be grateful, you know," he murmured, his breath hot against my skin. "I haven't eaten you yet." My grip on the cotton wool almost slipped. His words were meant to provoke, to fl
Serena's POVI had always hated the 'Code of Conduct.' After reading it then, I began to wonder why there were several rules that just didn't make sense. According to the code of conduct, there was an unspoken rule, something ingrained into the pack over generations.At the end of each patrol, the Gammas, battle-hardened, restless, and destructive, were expected to release their tension, and their mates were expected to provide that release. Like it was an obligation. Like it wasn't a choice.I had heard the whispers of some women accepting it, saying it was just a part of life. Others endured it in silence, trapped by tradition. But it wasn't right. It was never right when it was forced.And as I stepped outside, the truth of it slammed into me with full force. Sophie was backed against a stone pillar, her wide, terrified eyes locked onto mine. "Serena," she gasped. "Help me."The Gamma in front of her growled, his grip tightening around her wrist. His eyes were dark with frustration
Serena’s POVI leaned back against the couch, my arms crossed as I eyed Rhett. “Look, you’re a jerk, but… thanks for earlier.” Rhett blinked, then smirked. “For saving you from the bathroom?” I huffed. “Yes. Even though you probably just did it because you were bored.” He chuckled. “Let’s play a game,” he handed me a game controller.I sat stiffly beside Rhett, my fingers hovering over the game controller as the chaotic kitchen scene on the screen blazed to life. Pots overflowed, dishes burned, and tiny animated chefs scrambled in disarray. “You’ve never played before?” Rhett asked, lounging back into the couch, one arm slung over the backrest. I had agreed to play a game with him in order to thank him for rescuing me from the Gamma.I frowned at the screen, my face set in determination. “No, but I’ll figure it out.” He smirked. “Oh, I like that confidence.”The game began, and the first few minutes were a mess. I struggled to get my character to chop vegetables, tossing ingre
Serena’s POVRhett grabbed me just then, pulling me to his body which was warm against mine. He exhaled a sharp breath, pulling back slightly, but his arm remained protectively around my waist.Damien’s eyes flickered to his hands and then at my face and his entire body stiffened.“Serena.” His voice was low, rough, and unmistakably demanding. “Come here.”A shiver ran down my spine, but not from fear.Anger burned in my chest, simmering under my skin like an open flame.Before I could respond, another voice cut in.“Damien, enough,” Dorian said, stepping into the kitchen with his usual calm authority. His eyes moved between us, assessing the situation. He narrowed his eyes, his gaze fixed on Rhett’s hand on my waist. “Let’s not make a scene.”Damien didn’t even glance at him. His eyes stayed locked on mine.“I asked you a question,” he said. “Did you choose him?”Rhett scoffed. “Oh, for fuck’s sake..”“Serena…”“I caused the explosion,” Rhett admitted, rubbing the back of his neck wi
Serena’s POVA sharp, ear-piercing alarm blared through the kitchen, followed by the sudden hiss of sprinklers activating above us. Cold water rained down, soaking me instantly. My breath came fast, my heart still racing from the shock of the explosion. And Rhett…he was still on top of me. His arms were braced on either side of my head, his golden eyes searching mine as if trying to determine if I was hurt. His body was pressed so close to me, heat radiating off him despite the icy water soaking through our clothes. I ignored the way my breath hitched at the proximity and shoved his chest away. “Rhett…get off me!” He blinked, seemingly snapping out of his daze before shifting his weight and rolling to the side. I scrambled up to my knees, reaching out to check for injuries. “Are you hurt?” I demanded, scanning his arms and torso. He smirked. Even with water dripping from his dark hair and soaking his shirt, he had the audacity to look amused. “Aww, Serena, you do care about
Serena’s POVThe moment the maid gasped in exaggerated horror, I knew exactly what was coming. I had come to the kitchen to take my food that afternoon, but the way she clutched the empty jewelry case to her chest, trembling as if she’d just witnessed a murder, made it clear, this was not a coincidence.“The former Luna’s brooch is missing!” she cried, her voice thick with feigned distress.The other maids immediately fell silent, their gazes darting around the room, searching for someone to blame.I didn’t have to guess who their target was.Their eyes landed on me almost immediately.Winnie and the maid must’ve planned everything with the rest of the maids who obviously hated me for what they thought was me seducing the Alphas.I felt it before anyone said a word, the heavy weight of accusation pressing against my skin, wrapping around my throat like an invisible noose. Then one of them finally said it.“I saw her,” a younger maid spoke up, hesitation laced in her voice. “Serena l
Serena’s POVMy hands trembled as I stared at the photograph. Dorian’s stepmother, the previous Luna!But why was she dressed as a maid? Something about the picture sent a chill through me. It wasn’t just the unsettling look in her eyes or the fact that this photo had been tucked away in an old book.It was the feeling in my gut.I felt as though my presence in the Brokenmoon Pack might not have been a coincidence after all. As though it has been arranged for me to be the Alpha’s nanny…My grip on the photograph tightened. It couldn’t be…the moon goddess wouldn’t play such sick and cruel games with me.I refused to believe it… at least not without proof. I pulled out my phone and took a picture of the photo, and quickly sent it to Sophie before sending a message.‘Can you tell me about her?”Three dots appeared on the screen almost immediately. “Luna Victoria? Why?”I didn’t know what to tell her. I couldn’t tell her that it was because I thought we were similar in some ways.“I
Serena’s POVShe studied me for a moment, her sharp gaze unreadable. “Have you noticed anything different lately?”I hesitated. “Different?”Her lips pressed together in thought before she finally said, “No one has tried to harm you recently, correct?”I blinked at the unexpected question. Now that she mentioned it… I realized she was right. Except from early, Winnie had been distant from me. Before, I had always been wary of the other maids. They whispered behind my back, gave me extra work, and some weren’t afraid to get physical when they thought they could get away with it. But recently, things have changed.Winnie and the others had confronted me, yes, but they hadn’t threatened me. And no one else had dared to lay a hand on me.The realization sent a shiver down my spine.Someone had ordered them to leave me alone.“Who…” I swallowed hard. “Someone made them stop?”The head maid gave a small, knowing smile. “Who do you think?”I couldn’t think of anyone, but there could only be
Serena’s POVShe studied me for a moment, her sharp gaze unreadable. “Have you noticed anything different lately?”I hesitated. “Different?”Her lips pressed together in thought before she finally said, “No one has tried to harm you recently, correct?”I blinked at the unexpected question. Now that she mentioned it… I realized she was right. Except from early, Winnie had been distant from me. Before, I had always been wary of the other maids. They whispered behind my back, gave me extra work, and some weren’t afraid to get physical when they thought they could get away with it. But recently, things have changed.Winnie and the others had confronted me, yes, but they hadn’t threatened me. And no one else had dared to lay a hand on me.The realization sent a shiver down my spine.Someone had ordered them to leave me alone.“Who…” I swallowed hard. “Someone made them stop?”The head maid gave a small, knowing smile. “Who do you think?”I couldn’t think of anyone, but there could only be
Serena’s POVI sighed, resigning myself to my current predicament. There was no getting out of Damien’s grip anytime soon. His fur was warm and fluffy, unexpectedly so.The small pill bottle I had kicked earlier lay just within reach. I carefully stretched out my hand, gripping it. The scent hit me immediately, sleeping pills.That explained a lot. I exhaled slowly, feeling the weight of exhaustion pulling at me. Maybe it was just the warmth, or maybe it was the lingering smell of the pills, but my eyelids grew heavy, and before I knew it…I gave into the darkness. When I woke up, the first thing I noticed was that the weight against me was gone. The warmth, the solid grip had completely disappeared. The second thing I noticed was Damien. He was sitting a few feet away, shirtless, flipping through the medical records. The ones I had tried to steal!I sat up so fast my vision blurred. “What are you doing?” Damien didn’t even glance at me. “You talk too much when you sleep.” “Wha
Serena’s POVMy hands trembled slightly as I bent down, my eyes scanning the papers that had scattered across the floor. Reports, medical reports. My stomach clenched as I caught a glimpse of the words: ‘Rick Barnes. Status; GammaDeceased; Treatment ineffective. Condition worsened after administration of medication’They were reports of deceased people! All Gamma!My fingers tightened around one of the sheets, my heart racing as I read the name at the bottom of the report. Physician in charge: Dorian Ashmore. Dorian? Before I could process it further, the maid who had dropped the boxes let out a startled gasp and quickly snatched the papers from my hands. “I’m so sorry, Miss Serena,” she stammered, hastily gathering the documents. “These are confidential records…I…I shouldn’t have dropped them.” I stood frozen as she scrambled to put the papers back into their boxes, my mind racing. Confidential? The moment she finished collecting them, she gave me a nervous nod and hurried
Serena’s POVThe infirmary was quiet now, save for the rhythmic ticking of the clock on the far wall. Little Apollo had finally drifted into deep sleep, his tiny fingers curling slightly as he lay nestled beneath a soft blanket in a separate room. Now, I sat stiffly on the infirmary bed, the weight of exhaustion still pressing on my limbs. My fever had dulled, but the stiffness in my joints remained, making every movement feel sluggish. Across from me, Dorian sat with his arms crossed, his sharp eyes studying me intently. He had still not said anything about my earlier question.There was something different about the way he looked at me, something calculating, as if he was trying to decide whether or not to speak. He finally exhaled, rubbing the back of his neck. "Even if we're mates, it still doesn't mean you'll choose me." I frowned. "What?" "You have three mates," he said plainly. "It's not just me. You have choices, Serena, three choices." A humorless laugh escaped my lips.