Hailey was buried in concentration and was hardly aware of the gentle knock on her door as she peered out the window. Silently, Lila walked in with a tray of food."Good morning, my lady," Lila said gently. "I have brought your breakfast."Hailey turned, offering a weak smile. "Thank you, Lila. You can just leave it on the table."Lila set down the tray and hesitated. "It has s been two weeks now, my lady. Do you not believe it's time to go outside for a little while? This time of year is when the gardens are most beautiful."Hailey's shoulders tensed. "I can not, Lila. The thought of facing everyone...their stares, their whispers. It is too much."Lila approached Hailey. “I understand, but staying cooped up is not good for you. You are starting to look pale as a ghost."A faint smile flickered across Hailey's face. "Maybe that is fitting. I feel like I am fading away in here."Lila knelt beside her, concern etched on her features. "What do you mean?"Hailey's voice quivered as she sp
The palace gates burst open as Lila ran ahead, shouting frantically. "Help! Please, someone help us!"The guards at the entrance immediately tensed, their hands instinctively going to their weapons. One called out, "What is the matter?""It is Lady Hailey!" Lila cried, gesturing behind her. "She is hurt! We need the healers!"The stranger followed close behind, carefully carrying an unconscious Hailey in his arms. As soon as they entered the palace, chaos erupted.Guards rushed forward, weapons drawn. "Halt!" one shouted, before recognizing Lila. His eyes widened at the sight of Hailey. "What happened?"Servants gathering in the courtyard began to whisper among themselves."Is that Lady Hailey?""She looks so pale!""What could have done this?""Get the medical team, now!" Lila screamed, her voice cracking with desperation.A young servant boy nodded quickly. "Right away!" He dashed off towards the medical wing.Within moments, a group of healers swarmed around them. The head healer,
The palace halls fell quiet as the head healer emerged from the treatment room. Her face was tired but relieved as she approached Luna Grace, who had been waiting anxiously outside."How is she?" With a barely audible voice, Luna Grace posed the question. "We have done all we can for now," the healer murmured, wiping her brow. The critical part is over. Lady Hailey is stable, but she is still unconscious. We can move her to her room now."Luna Grace let out a breath she did not know she had been holding. "Thanks to the Moon Goddess. When do you think she will wake up?""It is hard to say," the healer replied. "Ghoul attacks are tricky. Her body needs time to fight off the dark magic. But she is young and strong. I have hope she will pull through."As they spoke, a group of attendants carefully moved Hailey to her chambers. Lila followed close behind, her eyes never leaving Hailey's pale face.Days passed, and Hailey remained unconscious. The pack was on edge, patrols doubled, and Alp
A week had passed since Hailey woke up. Feeling stronger and restless from constant bed rest“I think I will go down for breakfast today," Hailey murmured to herself, swinging her legs over the side of the bed. She dressed quickly, eager to rejoin the world beyond her bedroom walls., As Hailey descended the grand staircase, she heard voices that made her pause. "Duncan, we need to discuss this trip," Lisa's voice carried a note of frustration."Lisa, I have told you, now is not the time," Alpha Duncan replied, his tone conveying exhaustion.Hailey's heart sank. She did not want to interrupt or cause more tension. She had been avoiding them since the incident. Just as she was about to turn back, Alpha Duncan looked up and spotted her."Hailey," he said, surprise evident in his voice. "Please, join us for breakfast."Hailey hesitated, deliberately avoiding eye contact. "I...I think I would rather have my breakfast in my room," she said. "Thank you for the offer, Alpha." The formality
At the Blood Moon throne room, Alpha Duncan was fuming with anger and pacing from one end of the room to another. The Luna his mother, sat calmly watching him react to the news she just broke. She knew how upset he was but it was time for him to know the truth. As Duncan's pacing slowed, she spoke softly, "I understand this is difficult, but we must consider the welfare of our pack.""The welfare of our pack? Did you just say... I am the one getting into some loveless marriage, not the entire pack?" Duncan's voice was filled with incredulity and frustration as he halted his pacing to confront his mother."And I understand, but considering who she is, the union would help you politically. Your union might not even be as bad as you fear," his mother replied calmly, her tone trying to reassure him despite the tense atmosphere in the room. Duncan clenched his fists, his frustration evident in the furrow of his brows. “Politics shouldn’t dictate matters of the heart,” he retorted, his voi
Hailey’s heart skipped a beat, her mind struggling to process her father’s words. Leave with her husband? The thought sent a jolt of confusion and anxiety through her. She had always imagined choosing her mate to be a moment of connection and understanding, not something decided for her by others.“Dad, I... “I don’t understand,” she said, her hands trembling at her sides. Her dad looked serious, not changing his expression as he told her something that destroyed her hopes quickly.“It’s for our pack’s good, Hailey,” he said firmly. “This marriage will make our bond with the Blood Moon pack stronger and help us succeed for a long time.”Hailey felt like everything had fallen apart. Her special ceremony, which used to make her excited, now felt like punishment. She felt really sad, realizing that her dreams for the future were gone because of her duty.Looking at the moonlit forest around her home, the familiar trees felt strange. Their shadows seemed to tell her ancient secrets and wa
“I don’t know, but I must do something,” Hailey exclaimed, her frustration evident in the furrow of her brows.“Hailey, whatever plan you have, you need to be careful. You know the kind of man your father is,” Jane cautioned, her tone filled with concern.“How about I run away?” Hailey suggested a glimmer of desperation in her eyes.“Hailey! Is that the best you can come up with?” Jane exclaimed, her disbelief evident in her tone.“Come on, what else would you rather have me do?” Hailey countered, her voice tinged with frustration.It is dangerous,” Jane argued, her voice reflecting the worry she felt. “If you’re caught, the penalty could be severe. And even if you do manage to escape, you’re gonna have to live as a fugitive for who knows how long.”Hailey nibbled on her lip and looked worried, her forehead creased with worry. “You’re right,” she said with a sigh accepting his idea. “But at least it is still better than doing nothing at all”Jane put her hand on Hailey’s shoulder tryi
The situation weighed heavily on Hailey as she moved to her room almost in a zombie-like demeanor. The moment she walked in, Jane stood up and followed her to the bed where they sat down. Concern visible on her face, “What is it? Why are you like this?” Jane asked, her voice filled with worry.It was apparent that Hailey was still very emotional because as she spoke her voice cracked. “I am getting married and there is nothing I can do about it,” she said in a low tone before she started crying.Jane could only fathom the pain her friend had to go through, and so, embraced her tightly in a sisterly hug. “Oh, Hailey, I’m so sorry,” she whispered soothingly, her own eyes becoming slightly teary. “You know, I really wish there was something I could do to assist.”Hailey waved her off with a bitter laugh, her tears flowing unchecked. “Don’t beat yourself up, Jane. If my own mother couldn’t help, I don’t expect anything from anyone,” she said her eyes filling up with tears of disappointmen
A week had passed since Hailey woke up. Feeling stronger and restless from constant bed rest“I think I will go down for breakfast today," Hailey murmured to herself, swinging her legs over the side of the bed. She dressed quickly, eager to rejoin the world beyond her bedroom walls., As Hailey descended the grand staircase, she heard voices that made her pause. "Duncan, we need to discuss this trip," Lisa's voice carried a note of frustration."Lisa, I have told you, now is not the time," Alpha Duncan replied, his tone conveying exhaustion.Hailey's heart sank. She did not want to interrupt or cause more tension. She had been avoiding them since the incident. Just as she was about to turn back, Alpha Duncan looked up and spotted her."Hailey," he said, surprise evident in his voice. "Please, join us for breakfast."Hailey hesitated, deliberately avoiding eye contact. "I...I think I would rather have my breakfast in my room," she said. "Thank you for the offer, Alpha." The formality
The palace halls fell quiet as the head healer emerged from the treatment room. Her face was tired but relieved as she approached Luna Grace, who had been waiting anxiously outside."How is she?" With a barely audible voice, Luna Grace posed the question. "We have done all we can for now," the healer murmured, wiping her brow. The critical part is over. Lady Hailey is stable, but she is still unconscious. We can move her to her room now."Luna Grace let out a breath she did not know she had been holding. "Thanks to the Moon Goddess. When do you think she will wake up?""It is hard to say," the healer replied. "Ghoul attacks are tricky. Her body needs time to fight off the dark magic. But she is young and strong. I have hope she will pull through."As they spoke, a group of attendants carefully moved Hailey to her chambers. Lila followed close behind, her eyes never leaving Hailey's pale face.Days passed, and Hailey remained unconscious. The pack was on edge, patrols doubled, and Alp
The palace gates burst open as Lila ran ahead, shouting frantically. "Help! Please, someone help us!"The guards at the entrance immediately tensed, their hands instinctively going to their weapons. One called out, "What is the matter?""It is Lady Hailey!" Lila cried, gesturing behind her. "She is hurt! We need the healers!"The stranger followed close behind, carefully carrying an unconscious Hailey in his arms. As soon as they entered the palace, chaos erupted.Guards rushed forward, weapons drawn. "Halt!" one shouted, before recognizing Lila. His eyes widened at the sight of Hailey. "What happened?"Servants gathering in the courtyard began to whisper among themselves."Is that Lady Hailey?""She looks so pale!""What could have done this?""Get the medical team, now!" Lila screamed, her voice cracking with desperation.A young servant boy nodded quickly. "Right away!" He dashed off towards the medical wing.Within moments, a group of healers swarmed around them. The head healer,
Hailey was buried in concentration and was hardly aware of the gentle knock on her door as she peered out the window. Silently, Lila walked in with a tray of food."Good morning, my lady," Lila said gently. "I have brought your breakfast."Hailey turned, offering a weak smile. "Thank you, Lila. You can just leave it on the table."Lila set down the tray and hesitated. "It has s been two weeks now, my lady. Do you not believe it's time to go outside for a little while? This time of year is when the gardens are most beautiful."Hailey's shoulders tensed. "I can not, Lila. The thought of facing everyone...their stares, their whispers. It is too much."Lila approached Hailey. “I understand, but staying cooped up is not good for you. You are starting to look pale as a ghost."A faint smile flickered across Hailey's face. "Maybe that is fitting. I feel like I am fading away in here."Lila knelt beside her, concern etched on her features. "What do you mean?"Hailey's voice quivered as she sp
Luna Grace hurried down the damp stone steps leading to the dungeon, her heart racing. As soon as she reached Hailey's cell, Hailey rushed forward, gripping the bars."Luna Grace!" Hailey cried, tears streaming down her face. "I did not do it, " Hailey choked out between sobs. "Lisa did it. When I caught her, she turned it all around on me. You have to believe me!"Luna Grace felt her heartache at the sight of Hailey’s desperation. Her own eyes brimmed with tears, but she quickly blinked them away, her voice steady as she reached through the cold iron bars to clasp Hailey’s trembling hands.“I believe you, sweetheart,” Luna Grace said softly but firmly. “We are getting you out of here right now.”At her command, the guard stepped forward, unlocking the cell door with a low creak. The moment the door swung open, Hailey flung herself into Luna Grace’s arms, her sobs coming in waves, her body shaking with the weight of her fear and despair“It is all over now,” Luna Grace whispered, stro
Luna Grace walked into the dining room, a small gift in her hand. She saw Alpha Duncan and Lisa at the table, but Hailey was nowhere to be seen. "Welcome back, Luna Grace," Duncan said, his voice strained. "How was your trip?"Luna Grace sat down across from them, her eyes narrowing as she placed the gift on the table. “It was...enlightening," she replied cautiously. She scanned the room again before asking. “Where is Hailey? I brought her something."Duncan's jaw clenched. "She is...indisposed."Luna Grace’s concern deepened. “Indisposed? That does not sound like Hailey especially when she knew I was coming back. I will go check on her.”As she moved to stand, Duncan's cold voice froze her in place. "She is...better off where she is."Luna Grace slowly sank back into her seat, eyes now sharp with suspicion. "What do you mean, where she is'? Duncan, what is going on?""Oh, Luna Grace, it is awful. Hailey...she tried to—""I did not address you, Lisa," Luna Grace cut her off icily. "Y
Hailey wandered the palace, feeling bored. Luna Grace was away, and Lila was busy with her chores. With nothing to do, Hailey found herself in front of Duncan's study. She had never really looked around."Perhaps I will find something intriguing to read," Hailey thought, pushing the door open. She strolled towards the book racks and ran her fingertips across the covers of each book. She glanced at an ancient, well-worn book. She pulled it out and smiled. It was about plants and herbs.Hailey sat in a chair and started reading. She was so absorbed that she didn't hear Duncan come in."Hailey?" Duncan's deep voice startled her. "I did not expect to see you here."Hailey jumped up. "Oh! Alpha Duncan, I am sorry. I was just..."Duncan waved his hand. "It is fine. What are you reading?"He moved closer, looking at the book. Hailey showed him the cover."Herbs and plants?" Duncan raised an eyebrow. "I did not know you were interested in gardening."Hailey grinned. "Oh yes, I am practically
Positioned on the bed with her legs crossed, Hailey looked through her phone. She was too busy going through her social media account that she barely noticed the soft knock on her door. She said, mindlessly, "Come in," her eyes still fixed on her phone. The door cracked open to expose Lisa's head. "Hey there," she smiled kindly. "I hope I am not disrupting anything important?"Hailey looked up, surprised to see Lisa. "Oh, no, not at all. Just killing time, really."Lisa stepped into the room with two steaming mugs. "A cup of coffee for you and tea for me." The flavourful scent filled the air, instantly causing Hailey's mouth to water. "It is a bit chilly today, I was craving coffee but could not get one because of the caffeine so I made myself some tea," Lisa explained, her voice gentle and friendly. "Then I thought, 'Why not brew coffee for Hailey?' I hope that is okay?"Hailey's eyes lit up at the sight of the freshly brewed coffee. "Oh wow, Lisa. That is so thoughtful of you! Ho
Lisa paced in her room, anger bubbling inside her. Her plan with the watch had failed miserably, but she was not someone who gave up easily. No, Lisa was a strategist at heart. There was always another approach, another move to make. A thought hit her like a lightning bolt. "I need to build her in trust me," Lisa said quietly to herself, her lips curving into a cunning smirk. “This time, I will play the long game."It was time to shift her tactics. Hailey was kind, almost too kind. Lisa knew she could use that softness against her. She would get close, play the role of the wounded, misunderstood woman, and before long, Hailey would be under her control.Later that day, Lisa spotted Hailey in the garden again. Pretending to have just gone outside for a breath of fresh air, she snuck out of the house. She walked slowly at first, ensuring Hailey did not notice her right away. When the timing felt right, Lisa quickened her pace and, just as she neared Hailey, she faked a stumble.“Oh!”