Donavon's Lost LunaChapter 7Zuri “Who's there,” the guard asked, flashing the flashlight in our direction.Hart held my shoulder as he pressed me down to the ground, barely escaping the guard's flashlight.The lights turned toward us briefly before moving away again, causing Hart and me to breathe heavily with the fear of almost getting caught."Careful," Hart said, holding my waist as he held my frail body back to the dungeon."Are you okay, Zuri?" Hart asked as we reached the dungeon's entrance."I think you should leave now. "I'll wear this sweater tonight and hide it somewhere tomorrow," I said as I turned to head back into the dungeon."I'm sorry, Zuri, and I promise we'll get through this together," Hart said softly, his forehead pressed against mine, holding my face gently, before kissing my forehead."Thank you too, Hart," I said and turned to leave."I'll bring you medication from the infirmary tomorrow," he said, dragging open the metal bars of the dungeon for me to go in
DNLL 8Zuri"Get your hands off him, " one of the elders growled and Donavon smirked, and loosened his grip on the elder's neck before throwing him to the ground. "I tell you that the filthy tricks won't work on me, you deserve to be martial right," Donavon said, gripping the other man's shirt. He stared loathingly at the other men who shuddered from the intensity of his glare. Unable to breathe anymore, Donavon threw the man in his hands to the ground and strode away, stopping in front of me, he kicked the metal bucket I was cleaning with, splashing the foamy water in my eyes and the bucket hitting my calf. I seethed and moaned in pain, while he walked away without a care in the world. I blinked away the tears that were threatening to fall from my face and carried the pail away, leaving the almost dead men in the room to themselves."Maybe he deserved to not be saved last night, Maybe he deserved being usurped, after all when he was, I could be free from his slavery, "I muted To
DNLL 9By dawn, the entire pack house had turned almost upside down. "Find me; I need to know the truth about what happened to me. I'm not going to look like an idiot in front of those good-for-nothing elders," he growled, and I heard his voice reverberate from the corner of the room that I stood in.He scanned his eyes around the room, and I shifted further into the corner to avoid being seen, when I bumped into an elder from the pack. My perfect plan to remain hidden for the entire day had failed woefully, and Alpha Donavon turned his gaze towards me.I moved to apologize when I felt the stinging slap of the man in my face. "How dare you, you lowly, lowlife servant?" he cussed, and he dragged me out of the corner of the room. I thought I'd seen wrong when Donavon's gaze softened; the search in his eyes halted when he saw me being dragged over, and he watched intently at the elder's harsh action. "Kneel and apologize for what you've done," the man said, and I stared, shocked, at
DNLL 10 Donavon I looked around for that slave; Zuri, fuck that her name rolled off my tongue with so much ease. I needed to see, to have her glaring at me with hatred. A little tint of hatred, helplessness, and the damning fact that she was the only one who dared to look me in the eyes. Her emotions... Were what I couldn't describe. She replayed everything she thought without the consequences that came after. I somehow preferred the hate she gave than the fake love from whoever. And today, I hadn't seen her, but I could feel her presence. I could Only look around the room, to search for her as mildly as I could. And when I finally saw her, she'd gotten in trouble while avoiding me. "Good for her..." I thought, until the man's palms descended on her face and I looked again for him to send her back when he ordered her to kneel. That was it, I stood and watches what she would do, the Zuri I knew would Rather eat my sand
DNLL 11Zuri's POVI'd stepped into the bathroom to take a bath when the sound of footsteps resounded from outside the room.I slid the shirt back on my body and stepped out to see who it was. First was the thought of Alpha Donavon, but what reason would he come here for, he could ask the maids to bring me if he had anything to ask of. The door was kicked open and it shut me out of my reverie when I saw the men who walked through it."Wha... What are you doing here," I asked and they gave no response as they walked toward me. "Strip her," they said to themselves and I ran backward until my back hit the wall.Take her and strip her, the old man said he had no time to waste, " one of them said and grabbed my hands. I institutively bit down on his arms and a deafening slap landed Next on my face causing my Head to spin in dizziness. "What is taking you so long?" The voice of a man resounded from outside and I turned over to see who it was. It was the elder from earlier in the Day.
DNLL 12 Alpha Donavon's POV I stared at the men kneeling in front of me, the intense heat to have these men killed burned in my body. Not only was the elder scheming, but he had long passed his death penalty but the pack had rules and I'd to abide by them. Until now, I was glad that I caught him in perfect time and he dared to bring forth a deal in exchange for his life. "You're a few minutes away from your demise, old man," I said and he paled. "Do you perhaps, Know how Long I've been wanting to kill you, make you fight for your life in front of me? " I asked and he stepped backward while I stood in front of him. "Since a very long time, old man, longer than you can even imagine," I said and Went back to my seat."Guards!!! " I called and they ran into the room in troops. "Strip him of his title and send him to the front of the pack house, alongside the other men by the door," I said and the old man went on his knees. "Please, I'll give you whatever you want, he begged and
DNLL 13Zuri's POV "Zuri, the head maid called my name from behind, and I turned to look at her. "Alpha Donavon's asked that these should be given to you," she said and pressed the clothes in my hands. "You should leave the room, the carpenters will be there to fix the broken door," the head maid said and I smiled, while I trotted away to my room.The carpenters were already at the door and much to my expectation, they were already almost done with the door.The maids who passed by were staring and stealing glances at me from where I stood."You can go into your room now," they said and I gave a curt bow before entering the room.My face was filled with smiles as I dropped the clothes on the bed and ran out of the room, forgetting to pick up my bucket and mop."Do you know where Donavon... I'm sorry, do you know where Alpha Donavon is," I asked the guard standing at the door to his room."He's left to deal with his business," he replied and I stepped further in front of him." Do y
DNLL 14Zuri rolled out of my room and I watched blankly as she walked out of the room. The pressing danger that was refusing to dissolve even after her absence infuriated me the more I thought about it, how the hell, or who the hell did she think she was? "Alpha Donavon, " my beta called and I looked up at him. "There is no need from the hotel, however, we have been added to come back tomorrow to see if the CCTV footage would have been restored then," my beta said and I adjusted in my seat before asking. "What if it isn't restored, are we going to have to wait while these wicked pack elders get into me," I gruffed angrily and the beta heaved a sigh. "Speak your mind, young man," I ordered and it was as though, my orders to speak were what he was waiting for."I need you to know Alpha Donavon that the CCTV footage might never be restored and even if it'll be, It'll take about months, I know you hate that princess whose father killed your two parents, but she's not the fuckin murd
Chapter 60The forest seemed endless, a maze of towering trees and tangled undergrowth. Each step Zuri took felt heavier than the last, her body and heart weighed down by exhaustion and despair. Hart walked beside her, his eyes darting around for signs of danger, his protective instincts on high alert. They couldn’t afford to stop for long, not with the pack’s hunters possibly on their trail. When they finally came across an abandoned cabin hidden deep within the woods, Hart pushed the creaky door open and ushered Zuri inside. The small space was dusty and worn, with cobwebs in the corners and broken furniture scattered across the floor. It wasn’t much, but it would have to do. Zuri sank onto an old chair, her hands trembling as she cradled her belly. The reality of her situation hit her like a tidal wave. Just days ago, she was Donavon’s mate, standing at his side as they planned their future together. Now, she was on the run, labeled a traitor and carrying a child that the pack
Chapter 59The council chamber was cloaked in shadows, reflecting the darkness brewing within the elders’ hearts. They sat in a semicircle around Tobias, whose steely gaze commanded the room. The air was heavy with tension as they plotted their next move, emboldened by their recent success in shattering Donavon’s relationship with Zuri. “This is the perfect moment,” Tobias began, his voice low and measured. “Donavon is at his weakest. His fated mate has turned out to be a lie, and the pack knows he has no heir. We’ve sown doubt about his leadership, and now it’s time to finish what we started.” Miriam nodded slowly, her hands clasped tightly in front of her. “The pack has already begun questioning his decisions. Without a mate or a child, what future does he offer the pack? His infertility is proof that he’s unfit to lead.” Gideon leaned forward, his sharp features glinting in the dim light. “But how do we convince the pack to act against him? Despite his faults, Donavon is stil
Chapter 58The atmosphere in the pack was tense as the morning sun peeked through the horizon. The previous night's chaos still lingered in the air, casting a shadow over the warriors and the pack members who dared not speak openly about the upheaval caused by Zuri’s sudden disappearance. Donavon, however, seemed colder than ever, his once fiery demeanor replaced by a hardened resolve. The rogues had been spotted again—this time at the northern border. Their persistence was unusual, but their motives had always been clear: they wanted Zuri. Now, with the elders’ whispers planted firmly in his mind, Donavon’s view of her had shifted, clouded by betrayal and rage. As the warriors prepared to face the rogues once more, Donavon strode out to the training grounds where they were gathered. His presence commanded silence, his voice cutting through the quiet like a blade. “No more half-measures. We confront them directly this time.” Kira watched from the shadows, her heart heavy. She ha
Chapter 57The moon hung high in the night sky, casting a pale glow over the pack house. Deep within the elders’ chambers, a secret meeting was underway. The air was thick with whispers and plotting, their voices hushed but laced with venom. “This is the only way to protect the pack,” Elder Tobias declared, his hand slamming down on the table for emphasis. His eyes were sharp and calculating. “Donavon is blinded by his emotions. If we don’t act now, Zuri will destroy everything we’ve worked for.” Elder Miriam nodded, her expression equally grim. “We must sever their bond. Zuri’s presence is the cause of these attacks. The rogues won’t stop until she’s gone.” “And how do you suggest we do that?” another elder asked. Tobias smirked, a glint of malice in his eyes. “We make Donavon doubt her. Turn his love into fury. If he believes she’s deceived him, he’ll have no choice but to cast her out.” Elder Miriam leaned forward. “And the pregnancy?” “That will be our weapon,” Tobias
Chapter 56Zuri’s POVThe howls from the distance seemed to grow louder each night, echoing across the camp and through the thick trees surrounding us. I lay in bed, staring at the ceiling, unable to shake the sense of impending doom that clung to the air. The rogues were closer than we had anticipated, and every minute felt like a countdown to a battle we weren’t prepared for.I could hear Donavon’s heavy footsteps approaching, his presence a familiar comfort. He opened the door without knocking, his eyes scanning the room before landing on me."You're still awake," he said quietly, stepping inside. "We need to talk."I sat up, the weight of his words pulling me from my restless thoughts. "About what?" I asked, though I already knew the answer. There was no escaping the tension between us. Donavon ran a hand through his hair, his jaw tightening. "The elders have made their decision. They want you gone. They think you’re a liability, that your past is going to bring the rogues straig
DnnlChapter 55Zuri’s POVThe weight of Donavon’s words pressed heavily on me. "Then it’s not just the pack they’re after. It’s you." His voice was filled with tension, and the air between us seemed to crackle with unspoken fear.I couldn’t fully grasp what it all meant yet. All I knew was that the symbol carved into the tree was no coincidence—it was connected to my past. The past that was slowly being revealed to me in fragments, each one like a shard of glass cutting through the veils of my memory. But what did it mean for me, for Donavon, for the pack? Was there any way to stop the storm that was coming?The moment felt suspended in time, the forest around us eerily silent. Even the wind seemed to hold its breath, waiting for something to happen. Donavon stepped closer, his gaze locked on mine. His hand reached out and cupped my cheek, his touch warm against the cold air. The intensity in his eyes was enough to make my heart race. “You don’t have to face this alone,” he whisper
Chapter 54Zuri's povThe stillness of the night was deceptive, masking the unease that had settled over the pack. My body ached from the relentless training sessions, but I couldn’t stop. The rogues were still a looming threat, and I needed to be stronger. The pack relied on me, and I wouldn’t let them down. Donavon had noticed my exhaustion earlier and tried to persuade me to rest, but he didn’t understand. Rest was a luxury I couldn’t afford—not with the elders circling like vultures, ready to rip apart everything we had built. A sharp knock on my door startled me. When I opened it, Kira stood there, her face pale and her eyes wide with worry. “It’s Donavon,” she said, her voice trembling. “The elders are challenging him again. You need to come.” I followed her to the gathering hall, my heart heavy. This wasn’t the first time the elders had questioned Donavon’s leadership, but each confrontation left him more isolated. The weight of their doubts was beginning to show in the
Chapter 53Zuri’s POVThe evening air was heavy with tension, the kind that seeped into your bones and made it hard to breathe. I could feel it in every glance exchanged between pack members, in the hurried steps of patrols along the borders. The rogues weren’t just a threat—they were a storm gathering on the horizon, and we were the ones in its path. I stood at the edge of the camp, watching the forest with narrowed eyes. The shadows seemed to shift and move, but I knew better than to trust my senses. The rogues were cunning, and they thrived on fear. A rustling sound behind me made me turn, my body instinctively tensing. It was Hart, his face illuminated by the faint glow of the campfires. “You’re going to wear yourself out if you keep this up,” he said, his tone light but tinged with concern. “I can’t just sit around and wait,” I replied, my voice sharper than I intended. I softened it quickly. “Sorry. I just... I don’t know how to stay still when we’re so close to another
Chapter 52Zuri’s POVThe sun rose over the camp, its light barely warming the chill that had settled in my bones. Morning was supposed to bring hope, but today, it felt more like a countdown. The rogues were regrouping—Javi had confirmed it. We didn’t know how long we had, but the energy in the camp told me it wasn’t much. I walked through the camp, my eyes scanning the scene. Everywhere I looked, pack members were busy. Some were reinforcing barriers with sharpened stakes; others were checking the traps laid along the northern and eastern borders. Healers moved swiftly, tending to the wounded from the last attack, their faces a mix of exhaustion and determination. I couldn’t help but feel a pang of guilt. The people here had fought for me, bled for me—and it still didn’t feel like enough. The rogues weren’t just after the pack; they were after me. Their hatred wasn’t just for Donavon’s leadership but for the power I was still learning to control. “Zuri,” Hart called, his voice