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
DylanI was soon discharged from the hospital, and returned to the pack with Chelsea.“Welcome back home, Dylan. I'm glad that you've finally recovered.” Right after closing the door of the bedroom, Chelsea touched the bandage on my forehead gently. "I was scared. I thought that I was going to lose you again…"“How could Luna Cherry be so cruel to you?! I won't just let it go!” Then her jaw suddenly clenched in anger.“She's already paying for her deeds.” I put my hand on her cheeks. “Don't worry honey. I will visit her in prison tomorrow.”“Huh? Are you sure? What for?” Chelsea asked, obviously unprepared for my plan.“Yes. I'll go and tell her that I'll do everything in my power to make sure she will rot in jail.” I nodded, gritted my teeth.“That works for me. But what about her family?” Chelsea agreed with my plan and then asked."What do
Dylan I was just at the third step from the door of our bedroom when I felt a pang banging my chest. Gasping, I looked around, but got no one but my wolf to ask what was going on with me. “What's with all this pain? Why do I feel like someone is beating me?” I asked inside my head. I was sure that my wolf had felt the pain too. But I got no response; instead, it was leading me somewhere. Holding the railings of the stairs, I sat on the step and clutched on my chest, as I felt a sharp pain as if someone was jumping over my body and breaking my rib. Breathing exasperatedly, my forehead knotted as my wolf continued to whisper something to my head. “What do you mean? You can't take over my body all the time! I won't allow you! We're not in a battle or something. It's just a plain day today,” I growled at it. But the pain in my chest just became even more intense. “I said you can't! Just stop!” I shouted at my wolf. My pupils dilated, and I felt a new surge of energy within
Fern's PerspectiveMy heart skipped a beat, and I immediately opened my eyes."...Fern..."His voice was faint, like the wind, yet it pierced my ears clearly. I jerked my head up to meet a pair of long-lost eyes.In an instant, my world collapsed.I threw myself into his arms, tears spilling uncontrollably, and finally let out a sob.—You're back."You're awake!" I was so overwhelmed with emotion that I nearly cried out, my tears already slipping down my cheeks.The corners of his mouth lifted slightly, a weak but warm smile forming. "Why... are you crying?""You were unconscious for so long... I thought..." I covered my mouth, unable to stop the sobs. All the strength drained from me in that moment, and I could no longer hold back. I jumped into his arms."I'm here..." he murmured weakly, gently stroking my back. "I'm back..."Giovanni's awakening shocked everyone. The pack received
Fern's PerspectiveHe's such a proud man. He's given so much to protect Daniel and me. He wouldn't just give up, would he?I forced myself to calm down, taking a deep breath before lifting my head with resolve."I want to see him."The hospital room was unnervingly quiet.He lay on the clean, white hospital bed, his face pale and bloodless. His chest rose and fell slowly, heavily. His once strong and powerful body was now covered in gauze and medical instruments, losing its former majesty.I slowly walked toward him, reached out, and gently held his hand. It was still warm, which reassured me, if only slightly."Can you hear me?" I murmured, my voice so soft it almost seemed to be swallowed by the wind.There was no response.I pressed my lips together, tears welling up in my eyes."You asked me to forgive you before, and I promised… so you can't just leave me like this." I choked out, my v
Fern's PerspectiveI rushed to catch up with Daniel in my arms, my heart pounding wildly, terrified beyond measure.He can't be okay… He can't be okay…The light in the hallway was dim and cold.Giovanni was wheeled into the emergency room, and the door slammed shut in front of me. I stood there, frozen, as if I had lost all strength."Mommy…" Daniel sobbed, tugging at my hand. Only then did I slowly snap back to reality, pulling him close and gently patting his back to soothe him. But my own body trembled slightly.Would he wake up?Would he open his eyes and look at me?I held Daniel tightly, my nails digging into my palms as I forced myself to stay calm. I can't break down. I can't let myself fall apart. But—"Fern," Tobias's voice rang out. He stood in the doorway of the emergency room, his gaze heavy with unspoken emotions."He…" My voice cracked. "He's going
Fern's PerspectiveHe should have been unconscious, but in that moment, he was like a demon returning from hell, furiously tearing through every enemy in his path. His body was still drenched in blood, with deep gashes on his back, exposing bone, yet he ignored the pain and ran toward me with single-minded determination.My heart raced in my chest, and once again, tears slipped down my face."Fern—!"He roared, throwing the last of the black-clad men aside and enveloping me in his arms. In that instant, it was as if I had truly come to life.But before we could catch our breath, Elena's laughter echoed in our ears."You really moved me, but…"She slowly raised the remote control in her hand, her eyes gleaming with twisted malice. "The game ends here."My pupils dilated in horror."Bomb countdown activated."Red lights blinked to life, and a sharp alarm blared from inside the warehouse
Fern's Perspective"Spare them..." His voice was low and raspy, as if the breath had been squeezed from deep within his throat—fragile yet firm.Elena laughed softly, her dagger at some point in her hand. The sharp tip of the blade gently slid down his cheek, leaving a fresh trail of blood on his already scarred skin. She leaned in close to him, whispering in his ear, "You really make me sick to my stomach, to have fallen this low. Didn't you always despise me? What now?"He didn't respond. He just opened his gray-blue eyes and gazed deeply into mine.My heart trembled.He was saying goodbye."No!" I struggled desperately, attempting in vain to rush toward him. But the man in black behind me held me down in an unrelenting grip, a cold gun barrel pressed against my back.Elena stood and turned to the henchman beside her, her tone chillingly calm. "Show him what humiliation truly means."Before I could reac
Fern's PerspectiveThe pungent stench of blood filled the entire warehouse, mixing with the rusty scent in the damp air, creating a nauseating atmosphere. My hands were bound behind my back, my knees sunk deep into the cold concrete floor, and my body had grown numb from the prolonged position. But the pain in my heart was unbearable, as if it were being scorched by an unrelenting fire, so intense that it stole my breath.Elena stood nearby, her heels echoing sharply on the ground like the bells of a death knell. She smiled, her narrow eyes glinting with the playful satisfaction of a victor, while several black-clad bodyguards behind her held Daniel down in a deadly grip. His mouth was gagged, and his eyes were wide with terror.But my gaze was fixed on the man before me—him, my MATE, my Alpha, the man I thought I'd never forgive in my life. Yet here he was, kneeling before Elena.I had never seen him so disheveled.His black
Fern's PerspectiveHowever, at that very moment, a loud bang shattered my thoughts—"BANG!" The warehouse door was viciously kicked open, sending dust flying and filling the air with a pungent, decaying smell. I instinctively opened my eyes, only to see a tall figure step through the doorway, standing frozen in the intersection of light and shadow, as if emerging from hell, radiating an unmissable aura.That figure was all too familiar to me—it was Giovanni.My heart skipped a beat, overwhelmed with a mix of surprise and pain. I hadn't expected Giovanni to be here, and even though I had long accepted that there was no going back to the past between us, seeing him in front of me still made my heart race and left me momentarily breathless.Elena clearly hadn't anticipated this turn of events either. My face immediately darkened, my gaze fixed on Giovanni like a viper's, and I drew a pitch-black pistol, aiming it menacingly at my
Fern's PerspectiveNight had fallen, and the air felt heavy with humidity, making it suffocating and uncomfortable. My heart raced faster than usual, and every step I took felt like it weighed a ton. My grip on the car keys tightened, and my eyes locked on the deserted warehouse ahead. I knew instinctively that nothing was going to be easy tonight, but there was no turning back. I didn't even let myself consider it.I tightened the collar of my jacket and took a deep breath, feeling a wave of suffocating pressure. Daniel's silhouette kept haunting my thoughts—the one closest to my bloodline, the one child who still didn't know who he truly was. I instinctively knew that no matter what challenges lay ahead, I couldn't allow Daniel to be harmed.The doors to the warehouse were closed, and a disconcerting silence hung in the air. I knew Elena had anticipated my arrival. As I approached the door, I gazed at the faded iron gate, hearing the bea
Fern's PerspectiveThere was a strange tension in the air when I got home. The moment I opened the door, a gust of icy wind hit my face. The house seemed unnaturally quiet, and the air felt thick and heavy. I couldn't shake the growing sense of unease rising in my chest.The place was a mess. Papers were scattered across the table, a few books had been knocked off the bookshelf, and shoes and clothes were strewn across the floor, suggesting that something had happened here. My heart sank as I quickly scanned the room, my eyes darting to every corner of the living room, searching for the one person I was most familiar with—my son, Daniel."Daniel?" I called out, my voice sounding weak as it echoed through the empty house, but there was no answer. My heart began to race, and my brow furrowed as I hurried through each room, checking every detail. The kitchen, the bedrooms, the bathrooms—everywhere was empty. There was no sign of Daniel.