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Chapter 13: Truth Be Told
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2024-12-15 09:00:32Erika stood by the vanity in her chamber, toweling her damp hair as golden rays of morning sunlight spilled through the windows. Her muscles ached from the previous day’s training, a satisfying soreness that reminded her of progress. Yet her mind buzzed with thoughts of the lessons ahead with Alessandro.
She slid the sleeve off her shoulder, and traced the bruises with her fingers. The dark purple marks made her proud. If only it took longer to heal. Because by tomorrow, it will all be gone.
If this is only the beginning, what will advanced lessons bring? she wondered, her lips curving in a small smile. Despite the challenges, she felt a flicker of excitement for what lay ahead.
A sharp knock at the door pulled her from her musings. Setting the towel aside, Erika crossed the room and opened the door to find Dunia standing there, her expression unreadable. The older woman’s sharp eyes scanned Erika, noting the casual tunic and trousers she wo
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Erika had gone through a rigorous week of advanced drills with Alessandro, and today, she must pass the final test.She stood at the edge of the training grounds, her breath curling in the crisp air as she surveyed the lush forest before her. The obstacle course lay beyond the tree line and stretched into the wooded hills, its beginning deceptively straightforward— but Alessandro’s briefing made it clear— looks were deceiving.Alessandro stood beside her, his demeanor serious but encouraging. “Remember,” he said, his voice steady, “this isn’t about how fast you complete it. It’s about strategy, endurance, and your ability to think on your feet. The path isn’t straight or obvious. You’ll need to find the markers to guide you.”Erika nodded, her hands curling into fists at her sides. Her body still hummed with soreness from days of grueling training, but she pushed the discomfort aside.
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The forest path leading back to the pack house blurred before Erika’s eyes, not from exhaustion but from the hot sting of unshed tears. Diego’s cutting words rang in her ears, drowning out the cheerful voices of the pack members trailing behind her.Her chest ached, not from the physical strain of the obstacle course but from the weight of Diego’s furious stare. The exhilaration of her hard-earned victory had been short-lived, stolen by his cryptic anger.“Luna?” Sofia’s soft voice broke through her thoughts. Erika blinked and glanced to her side, where the petite but sharp-eyed pack member had appeared. Sofia’s brow furrowed as she studied Erika’s face. “Are you alright? You seem… off.”Erika hesitated, her instinct to confide warring with the need to keep her private pain hidden. “I’m fine,” she replied, forcing a smile that felt more like a grimace.Sofia tilted her he
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Erika paused at the threshold of her chambers, her eyes falling on the delicate night robes draped neatly across her bed. The soft fabric shimmered in the light, a pale, gossamer thing that seemed too fragile for the weight of her current turmoil.As she stepped inside, the faint scent of lavender and chamomile hit her. The bath was ready, steam curling lazily into the air, with petals of red and white roses floating on the surface. She touched the water hesitantly, warmth greeting her fingertips.Her first thought was of Dunia, but then doubt crept in. Could this be Diego’s doing? The thought sent an unexpected shiver down her spine. It was thoughtful, almost tender—but instead of comfort, it only heightened her nerves.What does he want from me tonight?She stripped off her training clothes and sank into the bath, her muscles sighing in relief even as her mind remained restless. She closed her eyes, trying to let the soothing water
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The morning sunlight filtered through the heavy curtains of Diego’s chambers, casting a golden glow over the couch where Erika slept. Diego stood a few paces away, arms crossed, watching the rhythmic rise and fall of her chest.Her face was soft in sleep, the tension that so often gripped her features dissolved in the quiet stillness of the morning. The night robe clung to her as she shifted slightly, one hand resting near her face. A pang struck Diego’s chest, sharp and unexpected.Why does she have to look so innocent, so… breakable?He exhaled quietly, his jaw tightening. She had betrayed him, and yet here she was, defenseless and vulnerable in his chambers—by his own demand. He hated himself for it, for the way it felt like chaining a bird mid-flight. But it was necessary.I can’t lose control again.He turned his gaze away from her, fixing it on the dark wood of his desk. His thoughts swirled ba
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Six years later.The morning sun spilled through the stained-glass windows of the Abbey’s dining hall, painting the long wooden tables with soft hues of amber, crimson, and jade. Erika sat at the corner table with Ursula, her only true friend in this secluded sanctuary. The faint aroma of baked bread and chamomile tea lingered in the air, though Erika had barely touched her plate.Ursula grinned, leaning forward on her elbows. Her auburn hair caught the morning light like fire. “So, today’s the big day. Off to your grand adventure, Lady Luna-to-be.” Her voice was playful, but her hazel eyes betrayed a hint of sadness.Erika stirred her tea absentmindedly. “I wouldn’t call it an adventure,” she murmured, glancing at her reflection in the steaming liquid. “I don’t even know this Diego person. What if he’s…” She hesitated, trying to find the right word.“A monster?” Ursula teased, though her smile faltered. “Relax, Erika. He’s an Alpha, not a troll. I bet he’s tall, dark, brooding—just l
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The grand entrance to the mansion loomed before Erika as two servants pulled open the towering oak doors. The foyer was immense, with marble floors polished to a mirror-like gleam, gilded railings that spiraled upward to a grand staircase, and chandeliers dripping with crystals that caught and refracted the flickering light of candles. It was breathtakingly beautiful, but Erika couldn’t shake the feeling that she’d stepped into a cage, no matter how opulent its bars.Hugo ushered her forward with a gesture, his usual stoicism intact. “This way,” he said, his voice reverberating off the high ceilings. Erika clutched her bag tightly as they passed through halls adorned with oil paintings of Lycans in regal poses, their golden eyes seeming to follow her.At the end of the hallway, double doors opened to a study bathed in warm, golden light. A tall figure stood by the fireplace, his back to her. He wore a dark suit tailored to perfection, and his posture was rigid, exuding power.“Alpha,
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“An Alpha must always be seen with his Luna. It’s powerful. It’s practical…” Diego’s words echoed in her mind.He cared for his image as Alpha. That was all.Erika stared at her reflection in the mirror, trying to make peace with the hollow ache in her chest. I don’t matter to him as I hoped I would. But I owe him a debt I have to pay.Her resolve hardened. She vowed to do her best as his Luna, to stand beside him with dignity and strength, even if she could never win his heart. And somehow, to her surprise, it pleased her to try.If this is my fate, I will make the best of it. I’ll make him proud, and maybe I’ll learn to be proud of myself too.Astrid had chosen the outfit—a tailored suit in muted pastel pink paired with a white lace blouse that subtly emphasized her figure. The matching skirt hugged her curves without being revealing, giving her an air of understated s
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Erika paused at the threshold of her chambers, her eyes falling on the delicate night robes draped neatly across her bed. The soft fabric shimmered in the light, a pale, gossamer thing that seemed too fragile for the weight of her current turmoil.As she stepped inside, the faint scent of lavender and chamomile hit her. The bath was ready, steam curling lazily into the air, with petals of red and white roses floating on the surface. She touched the water hesitantly, warmth greeting her fingertips.Her first thought was of Dunia, but then doubt crept in. Could this be Diego’s doing? The thought sent an unexpected shiver down her spine. It was thoughtful, almost tender—but instead of comfort, it only heightened her nerves.What does he want from me tonight?She stripped off her training clothes and sank into the bath, her muscles sighing in relief even as her mind remained restless. She closed her eyes, trying to let the soothing water
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Erika stood by the vanity in her chamber, toweling her damp hair as golden rays of morning sunlight spilled through the windows. Her muscles ached from the previous day’s training, a satisfying soreness that reminded her of progress. Yet her mind buzzed with thoughts of the lessons ahead with Alessandro.She slid the sleeve off her shoulder, and traced the bruises with her fingers. The dark purple marks made her proud. If only it took longer to heal. Because by tomorrow, it will all be gone.If this is only the beginning, what will advanced lessons bring? she wondered, her lips curving in a small smile. Despite the challenges, she felt a flicker of excitement for what lay ahead.A sharp knock at the door pulled her from her musings. Setting the towel aside, Erika crossed the room and opened the door to find Dunia standing there, her expression unreadable. The older woman’s sharp eyes scanned Erika, noting the casual tunic and trousers she wo
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The morning sun streamed through the grand windows of the Pack House meeting hall, casting long beams across the polished wooden table. The scent of coffee and parchment mingled in the air as Pippo adjusted his glasses, his demeanor calm and measured. Erika sat to his right, her back straight and her hands folded in her lap, determined to make a good impression.“The town council is concerned about the increased rogue sightings,” said one of the human officials, a stout man with graying hair. “They’re demanding reassurances that the Lycans can keep the peace.”Pippo nodded, his tone professional. “We’ve already increased patrols near the forest borders. Our efforts have prevented any breaches.”Erika, sensing an opportunity to contribute, leaned forward. “What if we collaborated more directly with the human authorities? Joint patrols could build trust and improve coordination.”The room fell sile
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The Pack House training grounds were a world of their own. Nestled in a clearing surrounded by towering pine trees, the area was alive with the energy of young Valentians sharpening their skills. The air carried the sharp tang of sweat and the faint rustle of wind moving through the trees. Sunlight dappled the ground, highlighting the intricate obstacle course stretching across the clearing—wooden beams for balance, suspended ropes for climbing, and a pit of mud for endurance challenges. Wooden dummies lined one side of the grounds, their battered forms evidence of countless sparring sessions. At the far end, a makeshift arena of packed earth awaited those ready to prove their mettle in combat.Erika’s breath caught as she took in the scene. Diego stood beside her, his arms crossed as he surveyed his pack with a mixture of pride and scrutiny. Alessandro and Lucia were at the center of the action, their voices carrying over the din as they barked instructions to the gathered members.“
