Milana's POVThe sound of Maximus's voice cut through the room like a whip. I froze, my breath caught in my throat, and my eyes snapped to the towering figure in the doorway. His presence seemed to suck all the air out of the room, leaving a suffocating silence in its wake.I hadn't even noticed when he'd entered, which only added to my growing anxiety. My heart pounded painfully against my ribcage as I registered his scrutinizing gaze. Guilt prickled at the back of my mind—had I done something wrong? Was he angry?Maximus's expression was unreadable, his arms crossed over his broad chest as his eyes swept over the room, landing momentarily on Erna before shifting to me. I could feel the weight of his authority pressing down on me, and it was all I could do to keep from shrinking under his gaze.Before I could explain, the designer broke the silence, stepping forward with a practiced air of calm. "Alpha Maximus," she greeted, her voice smooth and sickly sweet. "I believe there's been
Maximus’ POVI strode down the corridor with Ronan at my side, our boots echoing softly against the polished stone floor. The conversation between us was focused, as always, on the pressing matters of the pack.“There’s still tension along the southern borders,” Ronan said, his brow furrowed. “The scouts report increased activity from the Blood Claw pack, but nothing overtly hostile yet.”“Keep the patrols doubled,” I replied, my voice firm. “We can’t afford to show weakness. If they’re testing us, I want them to see we’re ready for anything.”Ronan nodded, jotting down a mental note as we turned a corner. “And about the supplies for the winter—”“We’ll handle that next week,” I interrupted. My mind was only half on the discussion now, distracted by the thought of Milana.We were making our way toward the meeting room where Milana was with the designer. It wasn’t intentional at first, but as our steps led us in that direction, I found myself curious. Was she done with her fitting? How
Milana’s POVThe dining table was enormous, stretching out far enough that it felt as though Maximus was miles away, even though he sat directly across from me. The polished wood gleamed under the soft light of the chandelier above, the elegant table settings only adding to the grandeur of it all.I sat rigidly in my chair, too afraid to lean back or make any sudden movements that might draw attention. Across the table, Maximus was calm, his every action deliberate. He was cutting into his steak, his focus sharp, yet I could feel his eyes flicker up toward me now and then.“How was your day?” His deep voice made me jump slightly. I wasn’t used to him speaking to me like this, casual yet pointed, as though my response mattered.I placed my fork down and fidgeted with my hands. “It was… fine.”He raised an eyebrow, his expression unreadable but somehow still intimidating. “Fine?”“Yes,” I mumbled, shrinking under his gaze.“Fine isn’t an answer, Milana,” he said, his tone low but firm.
Riana's POVI fidgeted on the edge of my seat and nervously tapped my perfectly manicured nails against the chair's armrest. The rhythmic sound should have been soothing, but it only amplified the tension tightening my chest. My eyes darted around the room, landing on the small group of friends lounging nearby. They laughed softly among themselves, oblivious to my spiraling thoughts.My frustration boiled over. "How can you all sit there so calmly?" I snapped, my voice sharp.The room went silent, the atmosphere instantly tense. Celeste, always quick to react, tilted her head. "What's wrong, Riana?" she asked cautiously, her tone laced with confusion."What's wrong?" I stood abruptly, my gaze sweeping over the group. "We didn't find her body! Don't you understand what that means? Milana might still be alive!"My words seemed to hang in the air, the silence that followed heavy with unspoken questions. It'd been two days, and no one could find her body.Magnus, lounging casually on the
Riana's POVI watched as my friends finally left, their laughter fading as they walked away. Alone, I finally climbed the stairs and went to my mother's room. Pushing the door slightly, I saw her sitting in her favourite chair, her phone pressed to her ear. She was talking animatedly, as always, her voice dripping with pride."Oh, yes, Riana is everything we dreamed of," she said smugly. "Magnus couldn't have chosen better. Together, they'll make an incredible pair, don't you think?"I smiled, leaning against the doorframe, basking in her words. The acknowledgement sent a warm thrill through me. Since news spread about Magnus and me being mates, everyone had been showering us with attention and gifts. I glanced at the neatly wrapped presents on the bed, a glittering pile of proof of my newfound status.While she continued talking, I picked up one of the gifts. It was wrapped in elegant gold paper with a satin ribbon. Carefully, I unwrapped it, my fingers grazing over the velvet box in
Milana's POVI caught my reflection in the full-length mirror and paused, a strange unease bubbling up inside me. The woman staring back looked stunning, her figure draped in the golden-brown gown Max had arranged for me. The fabric shimmered under the light, hugging my body perfectly, making me appear elegant in a way I wasn't used to. I swallowed hard, quietly admitting to myself that I did look beautiful, even if it felt foreign to think so."You look amazing, Luna," Amel said, her eyes bright with admiration.Erna chimed in right after, her tone equally enthusiastic. "Absolutely stunning. You're going to take everyone's breath away."Their words should have calmed me, but my stomach twisted in knots. I pressed a hand against my middle as if that could quell the growing anxiety. The thought of walking into a room filled with strangers—all staring, judging, expecting—made me feel like a caged bird. I wasn't used to this kind of attention. I wasn't built for it.What if I tripped? Wh
Milana's POVThe night air wrapped around me as I stood on the balcony, the distant murmur of the party behind me a faint hum. The cool breeze brushed against my skin, but it wasn't enough to dispel the unease that had settled in my chest. I stared out at the dark expanse of trees, their silhouettes swaying gently under the moonlight, as the words of those women replayed in my mind."Just an omega.""So disappointing."Their dismissive remarks about me, about my place as Maximus's mate, had struck deeper than I cared to admit. I hugged myself tightly, trying to quiet the storm of emotions inside. Was this what my life would be like from now on? Constantly scrutinized, always falling short in the eyes of others?"Shouldn't you be inside enjoying the party?" Max's deep voice startled me, breaking through my thoughts. His hand rested gently on my shoulder, the warmth of his touch both grounding and comforting.I spun around, my heart skipping a beat. " I... I just needed some fresh air,"
Milana's POVMax poured a deep red liquid into two crystal glasses, the soft clink echoing in the quiet room. The dimly lit bedroom's ambience felt intimate and intimidating, with the soft glow of the bedside lamps casting long shadows against the walls. I sat on the edge of the plush bed, fidgeting slightly as I watched him move with his usual elegance. Everything he did seemed deliberate and confident, as though he carried the weight of centuries in his every action."This," he began, his voice smooth and deep, "is a special wine. Only werewolves can truly appreciate it." He handed me one of the glasses, his fingers brushing against mine briefly. The contact sent an unexpected shiver through me.I stared at the swirling liquid in the glass, watching as the deep red hues caught the soft glow of the bedside lamp. The rich aroma teased my senses, earthy and bold, with a hint of something sweet lurking beneath. I'd never tasted wine before; it was a luxury far removed from the rigid, co
Milana’s POVThe room was quiet, dimly lit by the soft glow of the bedside lamp. I lay sprawled across the plush mattress, staring up at the ceiling. Memories danced in my mind, vivid and tantalizing. It was always the same—those nights when Max and I had been lost in each other, tangled in passion. My lips curled into a small smile as I recalled the way he had whispered my name, his touch igniting a fire that burned hotter than anything I’d ever known.Max had a way of making me feel alive, as if the world outside didn’t matter. He could tease me with a single glance, a mischievous smile that sent my heart racing. He always knew what to say, what to do, to strip away any resistance I might have. He was magnetic, and I was powerless to resist him.But tonight was different. The memories weren’t enough to distract me from the heaviness in my body. For days now, I’d felt unusually fatigued. My energy was sapped, and I spent more time lying in bed than doing anything productive. Even the
Riana’s POVThe pain from the lashes still burned across my back, each movement sending fresh waves of agony through my body. The wounds throbbed beneath the thin fabric of my dress, a constant, searing reminder of the public humiliation I had endured. But worse than the physical pain was the sting of their judgment. Their whispers followed me like shadows, hissing insults and mocking my fall from grace. I could feel their eyes on me, sharp and cold, as if their gazes alone could strip me of whatever dignity I had left.I moved cautiously through the packhouse, every step a test of my resilience. My body ached with every breath, my pride bleeding as heavily as my wounds. I kept my head high, but it was a façade—one that threatened to crumble under the weight of their ridicule. They had once envied me, admired me, sought to be me. Now, they watched with satisfaction as I suffered, their hatred palpable and unrelenting.Memories of who I used to be haunted me with every passing moment.
Riana’s POVThe sharp, throbbing ache coursing through my body was the first thing I felt as I stirred from unconsciousness. My eyelids fluttered open, heavy and uncooperative, as I struggled to make sense of my surroundings. The familiar warmth and scent of my room greeted me, but the comfort it once brought felt distant and hollow. Every part of me hurt, like I had been ripped apart and pieced back together with trembling hands.A voice called my name, soft and trembling with worry. My head turned toward the sound, and I saw my mother standing by the bed, her face pale and streaked with tears. Her lips quivered as she tried to smile, but the sorrow in her eyes betrayed her. My father stood beside her, his usual commanding presence dimmed, his shoulders sagging under the weight of something unspeakable. The air in the room was heavy with grief, suffocating in its intensity.“Riana, my love,” my mother whispered, her voice breaking. She reached out, brushing a strand of hair from my d
Riana’s POVThe sharp sting of Magnus’s slap reverberated across my cheek, the impact so fierce that my vision blurred momentarily. My head snapped to the side, and a gasp escaped my lips, though I quickly swallowed the sound, refusing to show weakness. The air between us burned with unspoken fury, thick with Magnus’s rage as he loomed over me, his face contorted in disdain.“You’re the source of all this chaos, Riana,” he spat, his voice venomous. “None of this would’ve happened if I hadn’t listened to you. You’ve ruined everything—my reputation, my future, my place in the pack. All of it!”I pressed my trembling hand against my stinging cheek, glaring up at him through tear-filled eyes. “Don’t act like this is all my fault, Magnus!” I shot back, my voice trembling but defiant. “You made your choices too. This wasn’t just me.”Magnus’s hand shot out, gripping my chin with brutal force and tilting my face toward him. His eyes burned with a mix of fury and frustration, his lips curling
Riana's POVThe oppressive silence of the grand hall weighed down on me as I stood beside Magnus. My heart pounded, a mixture of indignation and unease twisting in my chest. This wasn’t how things were supposed to go. This wasn’t supposed to happen to me.The twelve elders sat in a perfect circle at the center of the room, draped in black robes that concealed their faces. Their mere presence radiated authority, making it hard to breathe. I swallowed hard, trying to maintain my composure as their eyes—or what I imagined were their eyes—bore into us."Magnus Hale and Riana Devereaux," one of them began, his voice a low rumble that reverberated through the hall. "Your recent actions have brought disgrace to this pack."I bristled at his words, my spine straightening as a surge of indignation coursed through me. Disgrace? The word echoed in my mind, fueling the fire of my growing frustration. How could defending myself, standing my ground, be seen as disgraceful? My nails dug into my palm
Milana’s POVThe aftermath of the fight hung heavy in the air as Max turned to me, his stormy eyes scanning my face for any sign of injury. His hand brushed lightly against my arm as if to ensure I was still in one piece. "Are you okay?" he asked, his deep voice laced with concern.I nodded, brushing a loose strand of hair from my face. "I'm fine, Max. Really," I assured him. My voice was steady, though my adrenaline was still coursing through me. I didn't miss the way his jaw tightened, a muscle ticking as he silently assessed the situation."Milana, you went too far," Magnus's voice cut through the tension. His tone carried both frustration and something else-something almost desperate. He stood next to Riana, who was leaning against him, her face pale and her once-polished appearance now a shadow of its former glory.I raised an eyebrow at him, my lips curving into a smirk. "Did I? Last I checked, she was the one who attacked me first." My voice was calm, yet laced with enough veno
Milana’s POVThe shrill pitch of Riana’s scream cut through the tranquil garden like a blade, drawing every pair of eyes in our direction. Whispers and murmurs rippled through the crowd as they turned to watch the spectacle unfolding before them. I didn’t flinch or falter, my gaze fixed on her as she stomped toward me with fury etched across her delicate, arrogant features. Riana always carried herself as if she were the center of the universe, her confidence built on years of entitlement and manipulation. With her perfectly styled updo and designer gown clinging to her every curve, she looked every bit the queen of her own delusional world.But to me, she was nothing more than a thorn—a nuisance that pricked but never truly hurt. Her sense of superiority had always grated on me, but tonight, I welcomed it. She had made her move, and I wasn’t about to back down.Her voice trembled with rage as she screamed again, calling me names and throwing accusations that barely registered in my m
Milana’s POVThe evening air in the garden was cool, carrying the faint scent of blooming roses. I turned at the sound of approaching footsteps, expecting perhaps Daisy again. Instead, my breath hitched. Standing there, bathed in the silvery glow of the moonlight, were two men I knew all too well—Lewis and Magnus.A chill crept up my spine as my gaze locked on them, though I quickly masked it with a cold glare. Of all the people I could have encountered tonight, these two were the last I wanted to see. The weight of their presence was suffocating, like a shadow stretching across the moonlit garden.Lewis’s sharp eyes raked over me, dissecting me with a look that felt invasive, as though he could uncover every thought in my mind. There was something unnerving about the way he stared—intense, calculating, as if I were a puzzle he desperately wanted to solve. His demeanor was far from warm or fatherly, despite his earlier claims of being my blood. Instead, it was laced with a possessiven
Milana’s POVThe soft glow of the vanity lights reflected off the delicate silver necklace clasped around my neck as I adjusted it one last time. Max stood behind me, his towering presence as steady and commanding as ever, watching me through the mirror with an approving gaze."You look perfect," he said simply, his voice carrying that effortless authority that always made my chest tighten.I turned slightly, letting the soft fabric of the emerald gown cascade around me. The rich green hue complemented my skin tone perfectly, bringing out the subtle warmth in my complexion. Max had chosen it with his usual impeccable taste—fitted at the waist to accentuate my figure, while the skirt flowed down in a cascade of silky folds, brushing lightly against the floor. The neckline was modest yet alluring, with just enough to hint at elegance without being overly revealing. Every detail of the dress was designed to make a statement, from the intricate stitching to the delicate shimmer that caugh