Chapter 16

Eleanor's POV 

I paced back and forth in my chambers, feeling the weight of worry with every step. The news about the werewolf hunters had shaken me to the core. I had always believed I was their only target, but now I knew they might have been hunting others too.

The thought of innocent lives lost to these ruthless hunters sent a shiver down my spine. I could not imagine the fear and pain of those who had suffered at their hands. A deep sense of responsibility took hold of me—I had to protect my people, to keep them safe from the same fate I had narrowly escaped.

I gathered my trusted advisors in a quiet room to discuss our next move. Their eyes, full of concern, met mine as we talked about the hunters and the possible danger they posed to our pack. We shared our worries and brainstormed ideas, trying to come up with a plan that would give us a chance to defend ourselves. The conversation was serious, each of us knowing that the future might hold more challenges than we could imagine if we did handle it now.

And no one could speak about it outside the room. I didn't want to create terror or spread rumours.

After the meeting, I felt a spark of determination. I decided that the best way forward was to organize a solidarity meeting with the alphas of the neighboring packs. For years, our packs had met regularly, sharing ideas and supporting one another against threats both near and far. I knew that if we united, we would be much stronger together.

With renewed purpose, I set the plan in motion. I dispatched messengers to deliver letters to every Alpha in the surrounding packs, inviting them to join us at the solidarity meeting. I made sure each letter was clear and honest, explaining the growing threat and the need for unity among our people.

As I waited for their responses, I felt a small but growing sense of hope. In those quiet moments, I pictured our leaders coming together, each with their own ideas on how to fight back. I spent long hours planning and preparing, imagining a future where our packs stood together against any danger that might come our way.

I watched the day turn into night from my window, the dark sky mirroring the uncertainty I felt. Yet, even in the midst of worry, I could not shake the hope that our meeting might be the start of something much bigger. A united front, a stronger community—it was a future I was determined to build for the sake of my kind.

In the soft silence of my chambers, I made a promise to myself. No matter what challenges lay ahead, I would do everything in my power to protect those who depended on me. This meeting was just the beginning, and I was ready to face the coming storm with courage, knowing that together, we might just find a way to keep our pack safe.

As I looked forward to the upcoming meeting with the other Alphas, a tight feeling of worry grew inside me. There was one person I dreaded more than anyone else—Sebastien. No matter how hard I tried to hate him, I could not ignore the pull I still felt in my heart. His constant efforts to get close to me only made my feelings stronger, even when I wanted to push them away.

I remembered the days when I had loved him deeply. When we first met, his charm and warm presence made me feel like the luckiest woman alive. Being chosen as his mate filled me with joy and pride. But soon after, I discovered a dark side hidden behind his smile—a side that brought me much pain. Even though I knew he was not the one who had ended my past life, the hurt he caused still lingered like an old scar.

A scar that threatened to open whenever he was near.

Now, Sebastien seemed to be different. Perhaps it was the gift of a new beginning, or maybe something else had changed him. I found myself tempted by the thought that the moon goddess might have healed his heart. I wondered if he had become a better person, if the harshness that once hurt me had softened over time.

Every time I let myself think about giving him another chance, I was reminded of the long days of suffering he had caused me. I kept telling myself, "I must not fall for him again. I have suffered enough." The pain of those two long years was still fresh in my memory, and I was determined not to let him hurt me once more.

I took a deep breath and promised myself to keep my distance. I believed that I was strong enough to hold my ground. But as the meeting drew closer and I imagined him standing among the other alphas, a small, worried voice in my mind began to question my resolve. Would I really be able to stand by my promise, or would Sebastien find a way to charm me once again?

I tried to see the truth in my feelings. Part of me longed to know if he had truly changed, if the magic of rebirth or the blessing of the moon goddess had healed his troubled heart. Yet, another part of me was filled with memories of sorrow and betrayal, and it whispered that I must not let my guard down.

In the quiet moments before sleep, I sat with my thoughts, weighing hope against the risk of more pain.

That was the power of the night. Somehow , it had a way of weakening my resolve. 

I knew that facing Sebastien would test my strength like never before. Even as I steeled myself to keep him at a distance, I could not help but wonder if fate had a different plan for us.

No matter what our meeting held, I promised myself that I would protect my heart. I had learned the hard way that love could be as dangerous as it was beautiful. And now, as I prepared to face him again, I vowed to stand firm, hoping that my resolve would be enough to keep my past from repeating itself.

I couldn't blame myself for fa

lling then. I hadn't known he was a monster.