Vanda steps closer, his eyes filled with unwavering determination. "Everything I do is for you, our children, and our bloodline. I promise, no matter what happens, you can always depend on me."He cups my cheek, and I instinctively lean into his touch. He has this way of easing my worries, making it nearly impossible not to trust him. His confidence, his protectiveness, and our unbreakable bond all push me to rely on him. There isn’t another man I would have chosen as my mate, and deep down, I know he’s the only one I would ever want to carry my child.But I also know he buries his pain deep, so much so that he may not even acknowledge its existence anymore. No one can go through everything he has and remain unscathed.I let him pull me into his embrace, and as he holds me, I hold him back just as tightly.It becomes clear to me—I can’t expect him to be perfect all the time. If he ever needs to lean on me, if I need to carry our bond for both of us, then I have to be strong. No matter
Elena's point of view.I wake up with a start, my name ringing in my ears. My head turns, strands of hair falling over my vision, and I see Elizabeth leaning over my bed, shaking me urgently."Wha... What's going on?" I mumble, still groggy."Get up," she commands, yanking the covers off me. "Good, you're already dressed."I grab at the blankets instinctively, my mind sluggish as I try to process what's happening. "Why are you waking me up like this?""There's been word of an attack. We have to go—now.""But Vanda said—""I'm following Alpha VuK's orders," she interrupts firmly. "Let's move."My head spins, but I force myself to get up and follow her out of the bedroom. She keeps glancing back at me as we hurry down the stairs."Vanda knows?" I ask, trying to shake off the last remnants of sleep."Knows about the attack?" Elizabeth scoffs. "No. Alpha Walter obviously realized he’s gone. I’m just doing what I was told—keeping you safe.""But Alpha Walter couldn’t know. The only ones wh
Elena's point of view.I step beside my sister, Serena, peering over her shoulder as she sifts through the pile of old documents. The dim light flickers, casting eerie shadows on the damp cement walls."Looks like a bunch of papers. Boring," she groans, flipping a sheet over. "I was hoping for some moonstones or something pretty."I chuckle, reaching past her to thumb through the worn files, most tucked neatly into plastic sleeves. My fingers skim over symbols and dates I don’t understand, but none of it holds my attention for long.Serena suddenly wrinkles her nose and tilts her head at me. "You smell weird."My hand freezes mid-page, my heart stuttering in my chest.Ben glances up from his seat across the room, his brows knitting together. "It's your scent. It's different."My pulse thrums in my ears. I glance at Elizabeth, hoping for reassurance, but she only nods slowly."A bit," she admits.I take a shaky breath, forcing a casual shrug. "Well, that's that."Serena narrows her eye
Vanda VuK's point of view.On my sixteenth birthday, I experienced my first shift in the heart of the open fields, surrounded by a hundred men. My body twisted and contorted, muscles stretching in ways I had never known. I couldn't cry out, couldn't shed a tear. Instead, I bit down hard, grinding my teeth until I cracked two in the back of my mouth. The sharp fragments fell onto the grass, and when I looked up, my father stood there, arms crossed, nodding in approval.Among those watching was Charles, standing beside his father. He had shifted a year before, but his father—our Beta—kept a firm hand on his shoulder, making sure he didn’t intervene. Helping me would have been seen as a weakness, an insult to my strength.When we were children, Charles and I spent most of our time together, imagining battles and fending off pretend rogues in the forest. It was our sanctuary, a place where we could create any story we wanted. Alexa often played along, crawling under tree roots and pretend
Vanda's point of view It was close to midnight when the mate bond struck me unexpectedly. I was in my study, going over the quarterly pack reports, trying to keep my mind occupied under the new moon. Work was supposed to be a distraction from the irrational thoughts that always surfaced on nights like these—but I had no idea I was about to spiral.Her scent drifted through the territory, seeping into the pack house, demanding recognition. I went rigid, my body betraying me as the familiar illness that plagued me bi-weekly surged through me with full force. Before I could even process it, a guard arrived at the door, his urgency pulling me back to reality.I rose from my chair, setting aside my turmoil, and faced him. I didn’t allow interruptions at this hour unless the matter was serious.“We have a trespasser from the East," the guard reported. "Two border guards have her in custody—”“You know the protocol,” I cut in, my tone firm. “If there’s no immediate threat, I’ll handle it in
Elena's point of view. Back to the present Silence fills the safe room. Charles grips the doorway, staring at the floor, while Elizabeth steps away and turns to face me."Alex is dead?"I struggle to find words. I had spoken to Alex just this morning when he stopped by the packhouse to pick up Vanda’s Wolfsbane. He had even congratulated me. I never worried much about him or Charles in battle. I trusted Vanda to watch over them, but this time, Vanda wasn't there. Somehow, Alpha Walter had discovered his absence and used it to strike when we were most vulnerable."Where’s Vanda?" I ask, breaking the silence. "Does he know?"Charles looks up. "He knows. I told him, and he went after the retreating warriors. He’s hunting down Alpha Walter—he wants revenge."Elizabeth sighs. "I'm sorry."Charles takes a deep breath. "It’s safe to go back to the packhouse. They never managed to infiltrate."Elizabeth waves Serena and Ben over."So, he went after them alone?" I ask Charles as I step out o
I wake up alone, just as I went to bed, and it’s clear that Vanda never came home last night. I lie in bed for a while, lost in thought about my body and the changes that are inevitably coming. Eventually, I push back the covers and head downstairs, finding Elizabeth already seated in the kitchen, sipping tea. Her tight-lipped smile as I join her makes me feel a little lighter."Any news since I left yesterday?" she asks, wrapping her hands around her mug.I take a seat across from her. "Unexpected news.""Unexpected? So Vanda didn’t mention anything about you being pregnant?""I'm pretty sure he hasn't noticed the shift in my scent yet. He seemed... distracted. It was like he was trying his hardest to keep his emotions in check, not to let his feelings about Alex slip. And then he started talking about this whole situation with Alpha Gold—it’s only adding to the chaos."Elizabeth frowns. "Alpha Gold?""Vanda thinks Alpha Gold wasn’t actually unable to come here because of Alexa being
Elena's point of view.As Charles and I approach the study, a wave of anxiety clenches my chest. The heavy doors are closed, a clear indication that Vanda doesn’t want to be disturbed. But Charles doesn’t care. Without hesitation, he pushes one of the doors open and guides me inside with a firm hand hovering just behind my back.Vanda stands behind his desk, his hands planted on the polished wood, his expression caught between amusement and irritation. He bows his head for a brief moment before straightening, his sharp gaze locking onto Charles."I thought Elena would like to be part of this conversation," Charles states, stepping beside me.Vanda exhales sharply, crossing his arms. "Of course, you’d think that," he mutters.My eyes drift toward the glass sitting on Vanda’s desk, the decanter nearby waiting to fill it. Exhaustion and fury simmer beneath his composed exterior, his thirst for vengeance barely contained. The weight of everything that has happened still lingers in his pos
Elena's point of view.Elizabeth scribbled something on the notepad in front of her before looking up at me. “So, what’s the deal with the previous Luna?” she asked, pen stilling. “She’s showing up because she found out you’re pregnant, right?”I gave her a half-smile. “Pretty much, yeah.”She raised a brow. “Sounds like a mother-by-bond festival is coming.”I snorted. “I doubt it’ll be that dramatic, but I have my weekly checkup with Rose today. She can come to that. I think she’d like it.” I added with a little more hope than I meant to show, “Hopefully, Rose has good news.”Elizabeth nodded knowingly. “And she’ll definitely dunk you in a moonwater bath.”“Moonwater baths…” I echoed, sighing. “I’ve already started forgetting half the pregnancy rituals I was so excited about.”“I can jot it all down for you,” she offered with a teasing smile. “As your Luna Advisor, tending to your Alpha-blooded pregnancy falls under my job description. Any ritual or bath or charm you want—we’ll do it
Elena's point of view Just as Ben was wrapping up dinner, a knock echoed from the front door. I went to answer it and found a familiar face—the female courier who often brought messages to the pack house. She offered me a sealed letter addressed to Vanda and then turned away, heading off with the rest of her delivery pouch slung across her chest.I closed the door behind me and turned the letter over in my hands. The wax seal was pressed with a stylized ‘S’—most likely for Silva. That could only mean one thing: a response to the letters we sent.I broke the seal, unfolded the paper, and immediately recognized the tidy, graceful handwriting. It was from Corinne. She wrote to say she’d be traveling tomorrow and would arrive by evening.Returning to the kitchen, I found Ben pulling out three plates—one for each of us, including Serena, who was due any minute after her training session."Who was at the door?" he asked casually."It was a message from Corinne. She’s coming tomorrow," I re
Elena's point of view.Elizabeth sits across from me in the kitchen, chatting away about her list of potential housekeepers. It’s still pretty early—she arrived only about ten minutes ago. Outside, the sun is just beginning to rise, casting soft light over the pack grounds, where members are slowly emerging from their homes to start their duties, whatever those may be.I was already awake when Elizabeth let herself in. I had come downstairs because it felt like the right thing to do, a nod to routine and common sense.Last night was anything but restful.“You weren’t supposed to worry about finding someone to replace you,” I tell her, cutting into her updates. “You should’ve been spending time with Kevin.”That sounded like something I’d say if I weren’t feeling so disoriented. My thoughts are scattered. I can’t keep my mind from drifting back to Vanda—who never came home—and the fresh bite marks on the side of my neck. An old tradition. A mark.So many questions haunt me. Where did y
Elena's point of view We kiss for a long while until Vanda pulls away. I sense his inner struggle. His hands grip my hips tightly as he takes control, moving my body to his liking. I brace myself against the tub’s edge for balance. The shift in pace is sudden and intense, yet my body quickly adjusts. The only discomfort I feel is the pressure on my chest, so I use my arm to hold my sore breasts and keep them from bouncing.My jaw tightens, my eyes squeeze shut, and my moans turn into desperate whimpers. I try to focus, to grasp onto the kind of pleasure that could push me over the edge, but everything is happening too fast. The only thing I can process is Vanda’s urgent desire. He moves me faster, pushing deeper, until he suddenly stops, holding me firmly in place. He reaches his peak, and I realize how exhausted I feel despite him taking the lead. My heart pounds, my thighs ache. Finally, he releases my hips, and I slide off him.I collapse against Vanda, still facing him, resting m
Elena's point of view.I insist to Serena and Elizabeth that I’m perfectly capable of helping with the cleanup. After reassuring them that I won’t be sick all over the place, they finally relent and allow me to do as I please. I store the leftovers in the fridge while Ben takes charge at the sink, meticulously ensuring the dishes are cleaned to his satisfaction. Eventually, Elizabeth gives up trying to help him and instead assists Serena with moving furniture.Once the house is back in order, I announce, "Go home, all of you. No cooking dinner tonight, no working on Nursery plans or bereavement gifts. Just take the evening off. Thank you for everything, now enjoy yourselves."Ben smirks knowingly. "I think I know why. Quick, girls, before the Alpha gets back."Serena scowls. "Stop it. Gross. She’s my sister.""Not mine.""Yes, she is—by bond."Ben stills. "Right. Then ew, gross, Elena. I don’t even want to think about—"Serena promptly leads him toward the back door before he can fini
Elena's point of view.With my back pressed against the cool bathroom wall, I wait for the nausea to pass. The bitter, metallic stench still lingers in my mind, so raw and fleshy — like rust and death. I shudder at the memory.Whose blood was on Vanda’s face? He’s been on edge during training, but it must’ve been a rogue’s. It has to be.I push myself off the floor and flush the toilet. There wasn’t much to throw up — my nerves over the luncheon had killed my appetite, leaving me with nothing but a few bites of fruit and cheese this morning. Still, the way my body convulsed felt like I’d emptied myself entirely.I rinse my mouth until the sour taste fades, then scrub my hands clean.“How are you feeling?” Elizabeth’s voice comes softly from the other side of the door. She must have stayed close. I open it to find her stepping back.“I think it’s passed.”Ben appears from the kitchen, offering me a small chocolate truffle. “For your breath,” he says with a smirk.I take it gratefully,
"Hello again," I begin with a warm smile. "I'm sure many of you have heard me say this already — some even more than once, like Taylor and Tamra, probably three times by now." A soft chuckle ripples through the room. "But truly, thank you all for coming. Meeting you and your families — by bond and blood — has been an honor. I'm not originally from Draven, but being here with you all, I’ve never felt more at home."The women's faces soften, nodding in quiet agreement."I love getting to know you, hearing about your lives and families, and making myself more familiar to you. It’s become a bit of a joke now that I promise everyone I’m fully recovered from my little trespassing arrest." The room laughs more freely this time. "But there are a few things I’d like to talk about."I glance at Elizabeth, who moves through the crowd with quiet grace, handing out glasses of champagne like a shadow."I’ve mentioned before how I’ve grown especially interested in the families of Draven — particular
I stand in the middle of the large living room, hands on my hips, surveying the space. The luncheon needs to be perfect."There are two upholstered chairs in the other living room — I want them brought in here. Move the couches back to give people more room to walk around. And bring the side table too — we need enough space for plates and drinks," I instruct a guard who’s been pulled from his usual duties outside."Yes, Luna, I’ll move everything now," he replies without hesitation.Turning back to the room, I notice the grand, arched window’s curtains aren’t fully drawn back. I fix that, letting as much daylight as possible flood the space. Though it’s a cold, gray afternoon, the room needs to feel warm and welcoming."Elena!" Elizabeth’s voice calls from the kitchen.I make my way down the hall to find her, Ben, and Serena arranging platters of trimmed sandwiches, cubed fruits, sliced vegetables, cheeses, crackers, and other finger foods."We’re just about done," Ben says, sounding
I’m the first to reach the bedroom after Charles, Emma, and the kids leave. I came to change and take down my hair, but I end up frozen at the dresser, gripping the knobs of my pajama drawer. Emma’s words replay in my mind like a simple melody: Vanda likes it, Vanda likes it, Vanda likes it.It’s not a surprise — it’s a reminder.“Well, Emma seemed excited about the luncheon and the nursery,” Vanda says as he steps into the room.I jolt, snapping out of my daze.“Yeah. It should go well tomorrow. Elizabeth, Ben, and I spent the whole day planning it,” I reply, finally tugging the drawer open and pulling out a white nightgown.“Elizabeth’s also sorting through candidates for the housekeeper position,” Vanda continues. “She said she’s fine staying on until we hire someone, but hopefully, it won’t take more than a week.”He moves behind me, and I startle again when I turn to find him so close.“Should you bother with that?” he murmurs, running his fingers over the soft fabric of the nigh