The tension in the room was suffocating. Harold stood across from me, his face twisted with a mix of anger and something else—was it desperation? My heart pounded in my chest as he shoved the divorce papers toward me, his voice low and threatening. “You will sign these, Elisse. Today. Right now.”“Harold, please,” I pleaded, my voice barely above a whisper. “I can’t just sign away my life like this.”His eyes narrowed, and the cruel smile on his lips sent a chill down my spine. “You think you have a choice? You’re in no position to negotiate.”Just as I prepared to argue further, the door burst open, and in strode Dominic, flanked by the elders from the Alliance Pack. Their presence filled the room with an undeniable authority, and I felt a flicker of hope ignite within me. “What’s going on here?” one of the elders, an imposing figure with silver hair, demanded, his gaze shifting between Harold and me. “We were told there was an incident.”Harold’s demeanor shifted in an instant, tra
Days following that incident, Dominic guided me through the bustling streets of the city as he insisted to take me out for a quick breahter. The neon lights flickered like stars in the night sky, and I couldn’t help but feel a sense of exhilaration. For the first time in what felt like forever, I was outside the oppressive walls of the pack house, and I could breathe freely.“Where are we going?” I asked, trying to contain my excitement.“I have a little surprise for you,” Dominic replied, a playful smile dancing on his lips. “I noticed you’ve been wearing the same clothes for a while. I thought it was time you treated yourself to something new.”My heart fluttered at the thought. It was sweet of him, but a nagging voice in the back of my mind reminded me of my limited funds and Harold’s tight grip on my finances. “You really don’t have to—”“I want to,” he interrupted, his tone firm yet gentle. “You deserve to feel good about yourself, Elisse. Plus, we can’t have you running around in
The Next Day…I awoke early the next morning, determination surging through me. I had to act quickly. With Dominic’s help, I needed to gather evidence against Harold before he had a chance to strike again. As I made my way to the kitchen, I was surprised to find it empty. The pack house was unusually quiet, and I couldn’t shake the feeling that something was off. “Good morning, Luna…” a sarcastic voice called from behind me, and I turned to see Leonor entering the room, her expression deceptively cheerful.“What are you doing here?” I replied cautiously, unsure of her intentions.“Did you sleep well?” she asked, her smile unnervingly bright.“Why do you care?” I shot back, crossing my arms.She laughed lightly, shaking her head. “Oh, I’m just making conversation. You know, as your gammas, it’s my duty to ensure your well-being.”“You’re annoying, Leonor,” I replied, skepticism lacing my words. “Listen, I just wanted to remind you that I am watching your every move with beta Dominic.
Later that day, I met Dominic outside the pack house. He looked concerned as I approached him. “Hey, is everything okay?” he asked, his brow furrowed with worry.“Just another round with Leonor,” I sighed, shaking my head. “She’s relentless.”“Don’t let her get to you. You’ve made a lot of progress, Elisse,” he encouraged. “Have you thought about our next steps?”“I have,” I replied, feeling a surge of determination. “I want to gather more evidence against Harold, but I’m worried about him finding out.”Dominic nodded, his expression serious. “I’ll reach out to my contact. We need to be strategic. The last thing we want is to tip Harold off.”“Can you really trust your contact?” I asked, skepticism creeping in.“I’ve known him for years. He’s reliable. But we still need to be careful. If Harold catches wind of what we’re doing, he’ll retaliate,” Dominic warned.As we discussed our next move, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of camaraderie forming between us. For the first time in a lo
The following morning, I woke up with a renewed sense of resolve. The tension from last night with Harold still lingered, but Dominic’s reassurance echoed in my mind, strengthening my determination. I wasn’t alone in this fight; I had an ally by my side, someone who believed in me. Today, I was ready to take the first steps toward reclaiming my freedom.As I dressed, a knock sounded on my door. I opened it to find Dominic, a solemn expression on his face."Good morning, Elisse. I have news," he began, glancing around to ensure we were alone. "My contact managed to gather some valuable information on Harold's dealings. It’s risky, but this could be the leverage we need to challenge him.”"Really?" I whispered, excitement bubbling up despite the caution in his eyes. "What did you find?"Dominic handed me a folder. "There are records here of underground activities that Alpha Harold would never want anyone to see—deals that go against pack law. But before we do anything, we need to be abso
The morning air was crisp, carrying with it the faint scent of pine and dew as I made my way through the pack’s training grounds. The pack was stirring, preparing for a long day of patrol and training, and I could feel the hum of their energy. Every person here meant something to me, every life was a responsibility I took to heart. So, when Dominic’s shadow stretched over the path beside me, a knot of worry twisted inside.“Elisse.” His voice was low and carried that familiar edge of determination.I turned, meeting his gaze. His expression was set, brows pulled together in thought. “You’re here early,” I remarked, trying to keep the tone light.He only nodded, studying me with an intensity that made my heart tighten. “I wanted to talk to you,” he said after a pause, his voice careful, as though he was measuring each word.I braced myself, sensing what was coming. “Go ahead,” I replied, forcing a calm that felt tenuous at best.Dominic took a step closer, his gaze unwavering. “I need
The forest was still, shadows stretching long and dark as Dominic and I made our way back toward the packhouse. Every step jarred the wound in my side, but I bit down against the pain, refusing to show weakness. I’d managed to keep going, though I could feel the sting of Leonor’s words echoing in my head.“This isn’t over, Elisse…”It was a promise of more to come, a threat hanging over my head and, by extension, the pack’s. Dominic walked beside me in silence, his expression unreadable, but his gaze flickered over me, noticing my every stumble, every hiss of breath I couldn’t suppress. He finally let out a frustrated sigh and stopped, turning to face me fully.“Elisse,” he began, his tone exasperated, “you’re hurt, and if you don’t slow down, you’re going to make it worse. Just… stop for a second. Let me help.”I shook my head. “I don’t have time to rest. Not with Leonor out there, planning his next move. I can’t risk it.”Dominic’s jaw tightened. “And how are you going to protect t
The packhouse was buzzing with activity the next morning, the usual routines upended by a sudden, unexpected message. I was in the middle of helping organize a patrol rotation when I noticed the change in the atmosphere. Whispers and wary glances passed between pack members, and soon Jason rushed up to me, out of breath and clearly shaken.“Elisse!” he gasped, holding a white envelope in his hand. “A letter… it just arrived by courier.”The weight in his tone told me this was no ordinary letter. Taking it from him, I carefully broke the seal, revealing the rich script inside. My heart skipped as I read the words, and I felt a chill run down my spine.The letter was a formal declaration from none other than the Alpha King himself, Harold’s father. He was coming for a “courtesy call,” and he expected both Harold and me to be present for his arrival.A sense of unease settled over me. The Alpha King was notorious for his rigid expectations and strict loyalty to tradition. His sudden desi
CHAPTER 35The next morning, the sunlight streamed into my room, illuminating the neatly arranged vials of the healing potion I had worked on late into the night. The green liquid gleamed in the morning light, a small victory in the face of Leonor’s taunts. I ran my fingers over the cool glass of one vial, silently resolving to take it to Harold as proof of my dedication. My stomach twisted at the thought of facing him. Though he had allowed my explanation, his warning still hung heavily in the air. If he suspected I had lied, there would be consequences. A knock on the door jolted me from my thoughts. My heart skipped a beat. Was it Harold? Or worse—Leonor? “Come in,” I called, trying to sound composed. The door opened, and to my surprise, it was Dominic. He stepped inside, his expression unreadable, carrying a basket filled with fresh herbs. “I thought you might need these,” he said, setting the basket on the table. “Thank you,” I replied, a mix of relief and gratitude i
“Why in the world was I even caught up into this mess?” I was surprised I was talking to myself but it would seem I was not done yet as I even added, “Now I even ended up becoming an apothecary luna.” with a disheartened sigh in the end.The scent of dried herbs filled the room as I leaned over the small table, meticulously measuring ingredients with trembling hands. The steady rhythm of my mortar and pestle grinding roots into a fine powder was the only sound, a therapeutic contrast to the chaos in my mind. The lie I had spun to Harold about creating a healing potion wasn’t entirely far-fetched; my mother, once an apothecary, had taught me the basics of herbal remedies. But reviving those long-forgotten lessons now, under such pressure, felt overwhelming. I glanced at the small cauldron on the table, where a viscous green liquid simmered gently. Steam curled upward, carrying the sharp, earthy aroma of wild thyme and calendula. A healing potion, meant to speed recovery for wounded
Dominic and I trudged back toward the pack house, the weight of the encounter in the woods hanging heavily between us. The dull ache in my arm from the werecat's claws was a constant reminder of my recklessness. Dominic hadn't said much since we left the forest, his jaw tight and his steps brisk, as if the mere act of walking might cool his frustration. The pack house came into view, its looming structure a symbol of safety and authority. Relief washed over me, though it was short-lived when I spotted Alpha Harold standing at the entrance, his arms crossed and his piercing eyes locked on us. Dominic muttered under his breath, “Here we go.” Alpha Harold’s presence was intimidating, as always. His tall frame exuded dominance, and the weight of his glare was enough to make anyone second-guess their choices. He stepped forward as we approached, his expression stormy. “Elise,” he began, his voice cold and clipped. “With Dominic again, I see. Why am I not surprised?” Dominic opened
After days of training under Dominic, I needed to know—truly know—if I was improving or just being coddled. Dominic was good, no doubt about it, but there were moments during our sessions where his strikes slowed, his blows softened. His teasing remarks, while harmless on the surface, made me wonder if he wasn’t taking me as seriously as he should. And that thought gnawed at me. I couldn’t rely on anyone else’s perception of my strength anymore. So here I was, alone, standing amidst the towering trees with a determination burning inside me. The pack house felt miles away, though it was only a brisk walk back. The morning sun filtered through the dense canopy of trees, painting dappled shadows on the forest floor. The woods had always been a source of mystery and a touch of danger, but today they were my sanctuary. My escape.“All right, Elise,” I muttered to myself, stretching my arms. “Time to prove you’re not just wasting your time.”The cool morning air filled my lungs as I star
It was late, and the training warehouse was finally empty. The sounds of grunts, fists meeting punching bags, and the heavy clinks of weights had faded, leaving only the low hum of the lights overhead. I stood by the edge of the ring, wiping sweat from my forehead, waiting for Dominic to start the final session of the night. He kept glancing over his shoulder to make sure we were alone, his eyes darting to the shadows now and then, ever vigilant. He was always careful, always discreet. "Ready?" Dominic asked, stepping into the ring and flashing a teasing grin. His tone was light, but there was a hint of intensity in his gaze that kept me on edge."More than ready," I replied, trying to sound confident. It had taken weeks of constant persuasion and bribes to get him to agree to train me. Now that I was here, I had no intention of letting his smug attitude distract me. He circled me slowly, his eyes appraising my stance, and I shifted, trying to steady myself. I’d been training with hi
I stood by the window, watching the night deepen over the pack’s territory, my mind a mess of doubts and restless thoughts. It was nearing the time I’d agreed to meet Dominic in his penthouse, but an uneasy feeling had settled in the pit of my stomach. Every time I thought about him—the way his intense gaze, his smirk, the confidence with which he controlled every situation—it would seem that I felt an undeniable pull. But I couldn’t ignore the tug of guilt beneath it all, especially with the memories of those steamy moments we shared that was still swirling around in my head with just the mere thought of what would take place tonight.I paced my room, wrestling with the decision. Part of me wanted to cancel, to simply stay in my room and ignore his request. After all, Harold was in the pack house, although preoccupied with Leonor, but that didn’t mean I was entirely free to do as I pleased. And yet, at the same time, I felt bound by the deal I’d made to Dominic. He had agreed to
After my conversation with the Alpha King, his words haunted me with each step back to my room. The shame and disappointment I had felt fueled a fire in me, a desperation to prove I wasn’t the weak, incapable Luna he believed me to be. I was determined to find a way, no matter what it took.That night, I stayed up late, thinking through every option I had. The Alpha King had spoken of strength, of physical and spiritual power that would prove my worth. There was only one person I knew who possessed both—someone who could help me, even if he was the last person in the world who would want to.And it was, Dominic, the pack’s Beta.Dominic was strong, skilled, and fierce. He was everything the Alpha King would expect in a warrior, and he had trained the pack warriors himself. If anyone could teach me how to be stronger, how to defend myself and develop the skills I needed, it was him. But I also knew he’d be the hardest person to convince. Our relationship had always been… complicated,
After the match with Leonor, I could still feel every bruise throbbing beneath my skin. My muscles ached, and my pride was wounded, yet I’d managed to survive. But it was only a survival, not a victory, not the kind of powerful display that the Alpha King might be hoping for from me—the Luna of Clawstone Pack. The Alpha King had stopped the fight just as Leonor had been ready to strike a final blow. It felt strange—he had ended it before I could truly stand or fall on my own merit. And while a part of me was relieved that I hadn't been dealt the ultimate humiliation, another part felt a piercing doubt, one that gnawed at my chest and clouded my mind. What had he seen in me, or not seen, that made him decide to stop the fight?That question weighed on me more heavily than anything else, and by the evening, I couldn’t resist any longer. I needed answers. I gathered myself, taking a few breaths to steady my nerves, and made my way to the Alpha King’s private study.As I approached the
The morning sun had barely crested over the trees when I found myself standing in the heart of the Clawstone Pack's training grounds, a stretch of dirt and stone surrounded by a growing crowd. The air was thick with anticipation, as if even the birds had paused to watch. Pack members were gathering to see the spectacle—their Luna, thrust into a fight she hadn’t chosen, would have to prove herself worthy of the title.I took a deep breath, my gaze drifting over the faces in the crowd. Some were skeptical, others intrigued, and a few wore expressions of open disdain. I wasn’t blind to the gossip that had spread since last night’s dinner, the whispers of my supposed lack of strength. It was a struggle not to feel self-conscious, but I forced myself to hold my head high, hiding the anxiety twisting in my stomach.Somehow, the Alpha King’s demand that I prove myself in a public display had spread through the pack like wildfire. There was no backing out now; the entire pack wanted a show,