Cherry I found myself in hospital after regaining consciousness, my vision blurry and my head still throbbing.“Nuu-Chaah, my head hurts so much.”As I tried to make sense of my surroundings, I heard voices, distant at first but clearer later.“Doctor, thank you so much. We will keep in mind everything that you told us.” I struggled to turn my head, finding Bert and Karson talking to the doctor. “We found traces of poison in her body that, if drunk a lot, would cause a miscarriage. Thank Nuu-Chaah that Luna only had a small portion of it.” The doctor glanced in my direction, and our eyes briefly met. Bert looked at me, worried about what had happened. All of us were speechless by this finding. Who would have done such a thing to me?“I've administered the antidote. She'll need some rest here.” The doctor instructed Bert before leaving.“Thank you, doctor. I'll make sure she gets the rest she needs.” Bert nodded. As the doctor and Karson left the room, Bert returned to my bedside.
DylanWhen Cherry tumbled to the floor, her face contorted with pain. My heart ached for some unknown reason.“Cherry!” I cried out, trying to go over to cuddle her.“What the hell is happening to her? Someone go get a doctor!” I shouted. Just seconds ago, I was consumed by anger and resentment toward her. “W-Why am I feeling this? Why the hell am I worried about you when you had tried to kill me? On top of that, you are having an affair,” I whispered loud enough for just the two of us to hear.Cherry had this strange power over me, an irresistible magnetism that drove me to protect her, even when I didn't want to. “Dylan, just what are you doing here? Stay away from her!” Chelsea mumbled, pulling me away from Cherry. Seeing Cherry lay there, unconscious and vulnerable, I felt an odd concern and frustration.“Dylan, we'd better get a doctor over here.” Chelsea's grip on my arm tightened, her gaze never leaving me. My thoughts swirled in confusion as I looked into her eyes. “W-Wha
Cherry I sat on the cozy sofa at my father's after coming back fom hospital, feeling strange emotions as Bert and Karson settled in beside me.“You are probably sick of hearing this question over and over again, but I must ask. How are you feeling, Cherry?” Karson looked much concerned“I am not okay, obviously, but thank you and sorry that you were dragged into this mess.” “It's okay. None of what had happened was your fault. I told you already. I am right here, whenever you need me.” Karson offered a warm smile.“I don't know what would have happened if you hadn't shown up,” I stuttered, tears welling up in my eyes.“We care about you, Cherry.” Bert patted my shoulder gently.“You have us.” Bert's words hanged heavy in the air.“Cherry, I think we need to reconsider our plans,” he continued, his voice filled with worry, “it's not safe for you to stay in the Starsmoon Pack, especially with what happened tonight. Maybe it's best you quit the design competition and leave as soon as po
CherryThings were much easier with Chris and Heather coming back. I could now focus on the competition with them taking care of the pack affairs. The next few days were spent preparing my entry. It was inspired by the love story between Dylan and me, Heather's outfit I wore during our mating ceremony, and the design of our wedding ring. It was a beautiful woman's gown, a spaghetti-strap dress that shimmered like a starry night, with a glossy finish. I adorned it with numerous pure white, translucent, hand-sewn flowers.“You've been working too hard, Cherry.” Bert came over to check on me now and then. “You need to take a break.”I looked up from my sketchbook, my eyes tired but determined.“I can't stop now, Bert. This design means everything to me.”“I know it does, but you need to take care of yourself as well. You won't do your best work if you're exhausted.” He sat down beside me. I sighed, knowing he was right. Reluctantly, I closed my sketchbook and took tea from him.“Okay,
CherryThe cacophony of jeers around me was eroding my mental defenses. I caught a glimpse of Dylan's disdainful eyes, and the pain in me deepened.“Luna Cherry, is this true?” Chelsea's voice quivered as she came over and confronted me.“I-I swear, Chelsea, I didn't steal your work. I-I would never do that. My designs are my own.” I stammered.“Then how do you explain this?” Chelsea's face contorted with anger.She raised her sketchbook up high, displaying a design remarkably similar to mine.“I can't explain it, Chelsea,” I said, my voice trembling, “But, I swear I didn't do it. I have no idea what's going on here…"The crowd grew restless, the murmurs turning into a torrent of accusations.Dylan, my mate, stood silent beside Chelsea. I reached out to him, desperate for support.“Dylan, please, you have to believe me. I swore to Nuu-Chaah that I didn't steal Chelsea's works and ideas.” He shied away from my touch.“You know what? I'm really getting fed up with all your lies. When wi
CherryBefore leaving Lord Hill next morning coming, Fern asked me questions that break my heart. “Mommy, where are you going? Why am I not allowed to go with you?” She asked. I stopped packing and crouched to level my height with hers. “You know you'll have a little brother or sister soon, right? It needs special care now. Mommy has to go to a place where it'll get that care.” I tucked her hair behind her ears and smiled softly.“What about me, mommy?” “Uncle Bert will bring you over to visit me so we can be together. When you miss mommy, just tell Uncle Bert."“Okay, mommy. I'll be good, just like when you and daddy were away for your honeymoon." Fern nodded, still looking a bit uncertain. “Mommy will be back before you know it,” I whispered at Fern, hugging her tightly. As I packed up, Bert walked in the room, flashing a reassuring smile.Bert and I took Fern to school. Before getting out of the car, my daughter hugged me tightly, trying to tell me how much she didn't want to
CherryMy heart skipped a beat. Fear spiraled through my body and the only thing that I could think of was to go to Dylan right now.Bert blocked my way. “Where are you going Cherry?”“I need to see Dylan. I need to know how is he now.” I tried to walk past him, but he didn't budge.“Jason told me that Chelsea is there looking after Dylan now.”My jaw clenched at his statement.“Bert, please. Dylan is my mate. I need to be his side now...” My voice cracked, and Oliver started crying.I turned my back to Bert and rocked my body to hush Oliver.“And you'll go see Dylan with Oliver? You know we cannot let Chelsea know about Oliver!” Bert warned.“Go ahead and check on Dylan. Just give me a call as soon as you got there. And keep an eye at Chelsea too.” I held Oliver tighter in my arms, finally giving in.Bert nodded, r
Cherry In the visiting room of the police station, I was shaking when Bert finally showed up from meeting the culprit. “You know me best, Bert. You know that I would never do such a thing to Dylan. I love him, Bert. I will never hurt him...” Bert nodded at me. He wasn't suspicious of me, but there was something in his eyes that started to wreck up my nerves. “What is it? Did you talk to the culprit? What did he say? Is it someone we know?” I asked anxiously. Bert shook his head. “No. It's my first time seeing him. He is not from Lord Hills.” "Can I see and talk to him?" I needed to see the culprit and asked him to prove my innocence. “The officers consider you as the mastermind of the crime, Cherry. They won't allow you to—” Bert hesiated before talking. “But it wasn't me! I didn't order anyone to kill my mate, fuck!” I said, the last hope disappearing in my eyes. Left in despair, I hit my handcuffed hands against the wooden table. “But the police traced a transaction
Daniel's PerspectiveThe wind howled in my ears, and my heart nearly leapt into my throat. In that moment, the world seemed to freeze. There was only the sound of the wind and the frantic thumping of my heart. I looked down, closer and closer to the lake, knowing that this was the moment when I would reach my limit.But then, at the exact moment I braced myself, I turned my head to look at Giovanni. He, too, had leapt off the cliff and was plummeting downward. I had expected him to squeeze his eyes shut, flailing his arms and legs like I was, bracing for the inevitable plunge into the water. But what happened next was beyond anything I could have predicted.As we neared the surface of the lake at nearly the same time, I witnessed an incredible transformation: Giovanni shifted mid-air. In an instant, his body morphed into the form of a majestic werewolf—his muscular frame expanding with raw power, his entire being exuding the energy of a st
Daniel's PerspectiveI thought nothing special would happen today – or at least, that's what I originally believed. But as it turned out, I misjudged how the day would unfold. And that's how life often works—always teaching you an unexpected lesson when you least expect it.In the plaza of the amusement park, sunlight filtered through the swaying trees, filling the air with laughter and the tempting smells of food. People were buying cotton candy from the booths, jumping on trampolines, and shouting with excitement as they zipped by on roller coasters. I moved along with the crowd, step by step, almost as if I were trying to leave the mundane behind—without even realizing it.Giovanni, Finn, and I stood at the entrance to the park, and despite knowing I didn't really belong here—not with the joy that seemed to surround me—I couldn't help but look around. My gaze drifted from one attraction to the next, my insides fl
Fern's PerspectiveI almost held my breath. I knew that the temptation embedded in that statement wasn't just a comment about Daniel.My fingers brushed the edge of the tablecloth without thought, the cool fabric pulling me back from my musings. My gaze quietly settled on Daniel and Giovanni, their interaction like a subtle tug-of-war—effortless and fluid, but sending ripples through my mind.Giovanni's gaze was intense and focused. The familiar scrutiny that sometimes swept over Daniel made a cold sweat break out across my back. I took a deep breath, reminding myself that everything was under control—at least for now.To keep Giovanni from discovering Daniel's true identity, I'd turned to Peter the Wizard, the eccentric and mysterious old man. He'd given me a potion that supposedly shielded Daniel from the fluctuations of werewolf power, making him appear like any other ordinary child. However, the potion's effects were limit
Fern's Perspective"Mom, I'd like another roast." Daniel's voice rang out sharply, pulling me back to the present. His little hands shot up in the air, and his eyes sparkled as he eagerly watched the waiter bringing the dish. His movements were effortless, as though he had nothing to hide, no secrets to keep.I took a deep breath, and the corner of my mouth lifted into a faint smile. "Eat slowly, don't choke." My words were light, but underneath the table, my hands clenched into fists, a thin sheen of sweat breaking out on my palms.Giovanni's gaze felt like a searchlight, locking onto me with unsettling intensity.I kept my composure, the smile on my face unwavering. "As you can see, Mr. Giovanni, this is my son, Daniel.""A human son?" Giovanni asked bluntly, his tone smooth yet heavy, the kind of gentleness that carried a weight you couldn't ignore. He picked up his dinner knife and sliced into his steak with deliberate slowness
Giovanni's PerspectiveThe air in the room seemed to freeze, my eyes locked on Diana, like black holes intent on piercing through every secret she tried to hide. She stood on the other side of the desk, her fingers gripping the strap of her handbag so tightly that her knuckles turned white. I didn't respond immediately to her words, just stared at her in silence. But inside, my emotions churned like a storm, threatening to suffocate me."He's human," Diana repeated, her tone firm but betraying a subtle tremor. "Daniel is my child with a normal human. He has nothing to do with the werewolf world."I rose to my full height, my towering frame casting a shadow over Diana's petite one. Slowly, I rounded the desk, each step deliberate. The air grew heavier, charged with the intimidating presence only an Alpha could command. Her small frame trembled slightly under the weight of my unspoken challenge."Diana," I said, my voice low and even, thoug
Fern's PerspectiveEarly in the morning, with the fresh scent of damp earth in the air, I sat at my desk, my fingers resting on the keyboard, my gaze drifting aimlessly. Today's work felt unusually uninteresting, and my mind had already wandered far away. For some reason, I couldn't shake the feeling that something unusual was about to happen.I couldn't focus at all; my heart beat erratically, as though something was urging me to face it. I glanced at the clock on the wall, and just as I was about to dial my assistant, I heard a sudden voice.
Fern's PerspectiveMy heart skipped a beat, and my vision blurred. A thousand thoughts rushed through my mind, but none of them stuck. First, I was shocked. Then, fear gripped me. And finally—anger.It was almost surreal that my past, especially with Giovanni, was being casually dragged into the open today. The anonymity I'd worked so hard to maintain had been shattered by an uninvited guest."How did you... know?" I finally asked, panic evident in my voice. My heart pounded, as though a vice had tightened around my chest, making it
Fern's PerspectiveMoonlight streamed into the room through the blinds as I sat by the window, my hands clutching my cell phone. The unexpected message on the screen made my heart skip a beat. For days after the party had ended, I'd been anxious that Giovanni might discover something about Daniel, but to my surprise, Giovanni hadn't shown up at the office. All my suspicions and insecurities gradually settled, and I convinced myself I could go on with my life as it was—until this moment."I know your secret. If you don't want it exposed, meet me tomorrow at 3 p.m. at the Eclipse Café."
Fern's PerspectiveI never imagined I'd be standing in front of Giovanni at a moment like this. Six years had passed—six years enough for me to almost forget that painful memory, those deep and tangled emotions. But today, fate had brought me face-to-face with those eyes, eyes that once pierced so deeply into my heart.My heart pounded so hard it felt like it might jump out of my chest. Instinctively, I hid Daniel behind me, doing my best to block Giovanni's view. Even though I knew Giovanni's gaze was far sharper than I'd ever anticipated. My body tensed, frozen, barely able to move, and the clash of reason and in