Darren's POV
"What's happening...? What the hell?!" Josephine gasped, her eyes widening as she saw Leah cradled in my arms. "Leah's in danger. We need a doctor," I murmured, laying Leah gently on the sofa."If you need a doctor, you’ll have to go to a clinic! Not to me!" Josephine snapped."I can't take her there. There are soldiers everywhere," I replied urgently. "She's dying, Jo. The blood won't stop."Josephine's face twisted with hysteria. "What do you expect me to do? We can't help her! Didn't you see those soldiers on the street? They're hunting for her! If they find her, we're both dead!"Ignoring her, I tore through the linen closet, grabbing anything that could help staunch Leah's wound. Josephine tried to pull me back."Darren! Are you listening to me?!""I hear you, Jo," I said softly, but firmly. "But I have to save Leah. She took a bullet meant for me. If it weren’t for her, I’d be the one bleeding out."Leah's POV"You can't do anything right. How many times have I told you that you should fold these napkins diagonally? Is that really that hard or are you just trying to intentionally piss me off?"My mother-in-law, Rosalie, with her arms crossed, stood in front of me, looking like a queen.She leered at me, her omega daughter-in-law, who was sitting on the floor, trying to cover my bruised cheek with trembling hands."Sorry, Ma'am. But I folded them diagonally. I really did.." My voice was lower than a whisper."Are you kidding me?! Do you think I'm stupid?! You imbecile omega! Do you think that getting married to my son gives you the right to challenge and diminish me?!" Rosalie threw the napkin case at me.I didn't dare to dodge, so the iron case hit me on the side of my forehead. Blood started falling down, blurring my sight.I tried to wipe the blood off my face and said, "Sorry, Ma'am. I wouldn't dare to do things like that. I remember that I folded those napkins yesterday accord
Leah's POVI felt the butterfly in my stomach, the lump in my throat, and the burning sensation in every inch of my skin. My heart was pounding so fast that I wouldn't be surprised if it suddenly stopped functioning.Lucas stroked my hair behind my ear. As his fingers flicked across my ear, my whole body started shivering.Then, he drew himself closer to me. For a brief moment, I thought he was about to kiss me.I bit my lips so that I didn't make any awkward moaning sound.I looked into his eyes. He was so close, yet so far away from me.Then, I realized that he was just checking out the scar on my forehead.He looked a bit surprised because the scar was almost healed.He cleared his voice and said, "Your blood is precious to Josephine. Your blood is the only cure to stabilize her condition. You need to be more careful."The moment he let go of me, I felt that someone was peeling off my skin.The excruciating pain made me curl up in a ball of fear.Josephine wrapped her hands around L
Lucas' POVDid this woman just... reject me? Is she trying to get my attention by angering me? Apparently sometimes women do that. But Leah doesn't come across as needy as Josephine. She has never ever bothered me up till now. So, what's that all about? I was bewildered. To be honest, I had never really paid attention to this woman in the past five years of our marriage. Our marriage was nothing but a simple piece of contract, on which everything was arranged -As my mate, Leah will basically do whatever I ask her to do, including giving blood donations to Josephine on a regular basis. The thing is, Jo was diagnosed with an unknown blood disease five years ago and she needs a specific type of blood to sustain her life. Fortunately, Leah's blood is the right match.In return for donating her blood to Jo, Leah will get my gratitude and thanks, which is realized by a substantial amount of allowance every month. At the same time, since the Luna position has to be filled by my mate, we
Leah's POVThere was a reason that werewolves didn't want to reject their mates -It was too painful. Every single part of my body was in excruciating pain. I had been branded before, but this was yet the most painful thing that had ever happened to me. As much as I was tortured, there was a teeny tiny bit of me secretly wishing that he wouldn't accept my rejection. I wished he would smirk at me and call me an idiot, telling me that there was no way for him to let go of me. I wished that he would press me on the floor, taking me roughly, forcing me to say his name and beg him to give it to him...I knew it was wrong to still have impossible faith in this train-wrecked relationship between us, but I knew with a simple apology, or a slight nod from him, I would go back to his arms. What can I say? Werewolves are very complicated creatures. We would do everything to stay with our mates.But Lucas didn't show me any signals. He just stood there, frozen in shock. I couldn't tell what wa
Leah's POV"Leah, what do you think you're doing?" Lucas stared at me as if he was gripped by anger and shock. I wasn't surprised that he took Leah's side. But it didn't mean that my heart wasn't hurt. "I'm just taking back what belongs to me," I replied.Josephine's face was distorted in pain. She looked up at Lucas and said, "Luke, I really didn't send her any pictures. I don't know what she's talking about. I don't know why you rejected her, but if it had something to do with me and the blood transfer, I could apologize to both you and her. Anyway, you've been taking good care of me since Basil passed away. It's all my fault. I'm too soft and hopeless. I really can't cope without an elder brother figure in my life." "You don't have to apologize for anything, Jo. I know you haven't done anything." Lucas leaned in close to Josephine. His eyes fixed on hers with a deep, unwavering gaze. His voice was a gentle murmur, low and soothing, yet charged with emotion. Every word he spoke wa
Lucas' POV"Does Josephine need blood transfer?" I stared at Josephine's private physician and asked. Doctor Eliant Jafar was in his mid-50s. He used to be my father's physician, and I trusted his expertise wholeheartedly. Doctor Jafar replied patiently, "Alpha, you have to understand. The diagnosis of a certain disease is a long, hard process. In Miss Solis' case, it's like a relationship.""What are you insinuating, doctor?" I frowned. I don't like it when someone refuses to give me a straightforward answer. Especially when this person is a doctor. Doctor Jafar adjusted himself in the chair, but he still looked very uncomfortable. "A relationship isn't a contract, Alpha. It's more like a negotiation. You need to make a lot of compromises. So is Miss Solis' diagnosis." I started to get more puzzled. "Are you trying to teach me something, doctor? Can I have a simple answer? Is Josephine sick or not?" "The simple answer is no. She isn't sick.""She doesn't need any blood transf
Leah's POV"Miss Leah, welcome back." A silver-haired butler, dressed up in a sleek black suit, bowed toward me. "Mr. Carson. I'm so glad to see you again!" I stretched out my arms toward my father's butler. Growing up, he was like a kind, caring uncle to me.Mr. Carson took my hands and held me up in the air, giving me a twirl. I almost cried out in happy tears, because it made me feel that I was still that little girl, flapping my arms up and down with excitement and thrill. "Alpha is waiting for you. Do you need some refreshment, Miss Lewyn? You've lost so much weight. What have they done to you in the White Walkers Pack? Where's the other half of you?" Mr. Carson wiped the tears from his eyes. "I've already notified the kitchen to prepare your favorite meal. Do you still like cheese macaroni?" "She's no longer five, Carson. Tell the kitchen to cook her some real food. I'm thinking of lots of steaks, maybe a whole turkey." Lucian said. "Yes, Young Master Lucian. Steaks and tur
Leah's POV"Hey, look who's back! My best friend Leah!" An elf-like red-headed girl popped up at my door as soon as my father left."Laura!" I ran toward her and hugged her in my arms. She wrapped her long, slender arms around my neck in a graceful posture that gave her an air of elegance and refinement.Louisa was my cousin. She was three years younger than me. Growing up, I have always considered her my best friend. She had got long, fiery hair that cascaded down her back in soft waves, giving her a wild and untamed appearance. Her big brown eyes were bright and expressive, full of intelligence and curiosity. They seemed to sparkle with mischief and playfulness, hinting at her fun-loving nature."They've told me that you're back, so I dropped everything and came as soon as I could. Oh, my gush! Look at you!" She patted my protruding shoulder blades. "You've lost a lot of weight! You're practically a skeleton! Let's go downstairs and grab something to eat. You look like you're going t
Darren's POV"What's happening...? What the hell?!" Josephine gasped, her eyes widening as she saw Leah cradled in my arms."Leah's in danger. We need a doctor," I murmured, laying Leah gently on the sofa."If you need a doctor, you’ll have to go to a clinic! Not to me!" Josephine snapped."I can't take her there. There are soldiers everywhere," I replied urgently. "She's dying, Jo. The blood won't stop."Josephine's face twisted with hysteria. "What do you expect me to do? We can't help her! Didn't you see those soldiers on the street? They're hunting for her! If they find her, we're both dead!"Ignoring her, I tore through the linen closet, grabbing anything that could help staunch Leah's wound. Josephine tried to pull me back."Darren! Are you listening to me?!""I hear you, Jo," I said softly, but firmly. "But I have to save Leah. She took a bullet meant for me. If it weren’t for her, I’d be the one bleeding out."
Leah's POV"What's the hurry?" A voice echoed from the doorway.Mick Toussaint?!What on earth was he doing here?"Ah, we've crossed paths again, Miss Lewyn." Mick's gaze locked onto mine, his eyes narrowing with intent. "Allow me to introduce you to my Luna and wife. I assure you, this reunion will be nothing short of spectacular."Clara's face materialized next to his.It was as though my worst nightmare had clawed its way into reality. They stood together, each an abomination that had finally found its twisted match."Leah, you conniving wench! At last!" Her lips curled into a cold, vindictive smirk as she slammed the door shut. "We're going to have such a delightful time.""Get out of my room!" I shouted, desperation hitching my voice. My legs were numb, unwilling to obey, while I knew exactly what this deranged pair had in mind."You look like one of the Swanson boys." Clara purred, flicking her gaze to Darren. "The Swansons have always been so... delectable. Care to join us?"D
Leah's POVI reached for the phone on my nightstand and dialed Darren's number. It rang for a while before going to voicemail. I paused, formulating my thoughts, then said, "Darren, it's me..."Suddenly, the phone was answered. "Leah?" Darren's voice sounded shaky."Yes, Darren. It's me."He let out a sigh of relief. "Oh, thank goodness. Where have you been? I was so worried...""What's going
Leah's POVWhen I woke up, I was enveloped in warmth. Blinking against the light, I realized Lucas was holding me from behind. I cherished moments like this, moments that never happened when we were married. My head still felt foggy, and the tubes in my arms itched, making me impulsively pull them out. The machine beside me erupted in beeps, and a flustered nurse rushed in, her hand flying to her mouth in shock. Lucas sprang off the bed."I'm sorry, Sir. You can't be in here," she insisted, staring at him."I just want to be with my wife," Lucas shrugged,
Leah's POVI lowered my head and saw black blood trickling down my face, dripping onto the floor. I tried to stand, but my limbs felt leaden, and my head was growing heavy."What... what have you done?!" I screamed, struggling to rise, only to collapse back onto the cold ground."It's wolfsbane, Leah..." the old king hacked, black blood spewing from his mouth as he smirked wickedly. "I hid it in my nails...""Father!" Lucian shifted rapidly into his human form, rushing forwa
Leah's POVI didn't answer his question."What have I done to make you hate me so much, Leah?" he murmured. "All I've ever done is follow the Moon Goddess's will and protect you.""You learned from the Moon Goddess that I was the chosen one, destined to bring an end to your reign. But the only person you care about in this world is your son, Lucian! So you encouraged me to marry Lucas to send me away. Every misfortune in my life was orchestrated by you. You sacrificed my Batair for your sick enhancement project. You want to sacrifice me, just like you sacr
Leah's POVMy father’s bedroom was located on the top floor of the castle, offering a commanding view of the entire Court. I had never been summoned to his bedroom before, but I once sneaked in when I was little. To my astonishment, it was relatively small. Mr. Carson found me there. He scooped me up in his arms and gently admonished me for wandering into such a restricted area."Why is Father’s bedroom so small?" I asked curiously.Mr. Carson replied, "A Lycan King never sleeps well in giant rooms."At the time, I didn't understand what he meant, but now, I began to grasp his meaning.My father sat upright in his bed, supported by a pile of pillows. The air in the room was thick with the grim scent of decay, a telltale sign of the cancer that had relentlessly gnawed away at his once-powerful body. It pained me deeply to see my father, a man who had once exuded immense strength and unshakable will, now lying frail against the pillows. His hair had turned a ghostly grey, with thin, wis
Leah's POVTaking a deep breath, I walked over to Lucian, my footsteps echoing in the silence. Kneeling beside his chair, I forced myself to stay composed."Lucian, you’ve always been like a father to me. I look up to you, I admire you. That’s why it hurts so deeply to have my loyalty questioned by you. I should be able to show you my unwavering loyalty, but how can I prove it to my own brother?"Lucian looked down and gently placed his hand on my head, stroking my hair.
Leah's POV"His Highness, Alpha Lucian, is waiting for you in his study," Mr. Carson, my father's loyal butler, announced as I stepped into the grand entrance of my father's palace."I need to see my father first," I insisted."Your brother is in a state - he needs you immediately," Carson added quietly, taking my coat with gentle hands. "Plus, His Majesty is asleep right now."Lucas moved to accompany me into the living room, but Mr. Carson intervened. "Alpha Lucas, I belie