--Alyssa--As I looked around at the designs and preparations, I couldn't help but feel amazed. The ballroom had been transformed into a breathtaking display of elegance and sophistication. The decorations were exquisite, with floral arrangements adorning every corner and twinkling lights casting a soft glow over the room. It was a scene straight out of a fairytale, and I couldn't wait for the event to unfold.After finalizing our preparations, we retreated to our rooms to rest and gather our thoughts. I found myself in the library, hoping to distract myself with a good book. However, my mind kept wandering back to unanswered questions and lingering mysteries, especially regarding the white wolf. The book I picked up didn't hold any revelations, leaving me yearning for answers. I needed Grandma to come and shed light on these mysteries. I couldn't continue to be in the dark forever; I needed knowledge to protect myself.Reflecting on Grandma's actions, I realized she had always acted
--Alyssa--And then I saw her — grandma, sitting serenely amidst the guests, her presence a beacon of familiarity and warmth in the midst of the formal proceedings. It was an unexpected joy to see her here, at this pivotal moment in my life. Memories flooded my mind, of days spent in her kitchen, of stories whispered at bedtime, of the wisdom imparted through her gentle words.Lily, stood beside her, a reassuring smile gracing her lips as she offered grandma a drink. Unable to contain my elation, I felt happiness bubble up within me, threatening to spill over. Grandma had come, defying expectations and making her presence known. Her eyes met mine, and in that brief exchange, I saw love and pride reflected back at me. I knew she had missed me as much as I had missed her.But decorum dictated that I remain where I was, amidst the gathered assembly. The ceremony, with its solemn rituals and meaningful gestures, continued unabated. I stole glances at Emily and her parents, who had arrive
--Alyssa--The ball had come to an end and everyone was leaving. Grandma was the last to leave with Emily and her family. The grand hall, once alive with music, laughter, and swirling dancers, now echoed with the faint rustle of skirts and the soft clatter of shoes on the polished marble floor. I had spoken to Grandma about her upcoming relocation, and she appeared glad. Her eyes, though bright with the happiness of the evening, held a subtle melancholy that she couldn’t completely conceal from me. She had always been a pillar of strength, her resilience almost legendary within our family. Yet, as her years advanced, the loneliness began to creep in, an uninvited guest that settled into the quiet corners of her life. Despite her best efforts to mask it, I could sense the solitude that weighed upon her, making her move all the more necessary.Grandma was going to come back personally this weekend. Xavier, had arranged for a team to assist her with packing and transportation. This tho
--Alyssa--Xavier was back, and true to his word, we were going out for dinner, although I had no idea where he was taking me. This element of surprise added a layer of excitement to the evening, making my heart race with anticipation. Currently, Xavier was in his office, but he mentioned that he had left clues in the room to guide me on what to do next. I was genuinely taken aback; I hadn't realized just how romantic he could be.As I entered the room with Lily by my side, I couldn't contain my excitement. The sight before us was breathtaking—candles flickered gently, casting a warm, inviting glow across the room, while the sweet scent of flowers filled the air. It was a scene straight out of a fairy tale, and I felt like the princess in the story.“Did someone do this?” I asked Lily, my voice filled with awe as I took in the enchanting scene.“No,” she replied, equally entranced by the sight. “I heard that he had asked for some decorations from the storage room, so I think he did it
--Alyssa--Today was the day I was opening my bakery, "Bakery and More." This was a monumental occasion, not just for me personally, but for my entire pack. I was the first Luna to start a business, especially one that involved baking. The day was filled with a mixture of nervousness and exhilaration that I could hardly contain.My heart raced with excitement, knowing that my grandmother was coming tomorrow. She had always been my biggest supporter, and her approval meant the world to me. Knowing she would be here to witness this milestone added a layer of joy to an already thrilling day.The previous evening, I had shared a candlelight dinner with Xavier, my mate. The evening had been magical, filled with soft conversation and the flickering warmth of candlelight. It had brought us closer, deepening the bond between us, even though I hadn’t fully accepted him as my mate. There was still a part of me that hesitated, but moments like these were helping to bridge the gap.“Where should
--Alyssa--There was a knock on my office door. I was currently seated at my desk, waiting for lunch break, which was the busiest time of the day. That's when most people would come in, often needing a little help from me."Come in," I called out.Lily entered, holding a cup in her hand, sipping on the juice. She was my personal assistant, from back in the Pack."The new customer said he wants to see you. He thinks you are the manager of this place but not the owner. He is insisting on seeing you," she said, making me worried."Is something wrong with the food?" I asked her, but she looked uncertain, as if she didn't know herself."I asked him, but he didn't reply. All he says is that he wants to see the manager," she said, and I nodded, considering the situation."Should I allow him to come in here?" she asked me."No, I don't think that's a good idea. Besides, I haven't really interacted much with humans, so I'm not sure what to expect. Let me go see him where he is," I said, and sh
--Alyssa--The guy was gone now, and Xavier was seated in his seat, looking somewhat relieved as he settled back. His presence was a comforting anchor in the bustling café. I glanced at him, knowing he would have questions.“What did he want?” Xavier asked, his voice a mixture of curiosity and possessiveness. He reached for a bottle of drink on the table, his fingers lingering on the cool glass before he twisted it open.“He wanted my number,” I replied, trying to sound nonchalant. Xavier’s face darkened, his eyebrows knitting together in a frown.“Glad that he knows who I am to you now,” he said, taking a deliberate sip of his juice. His tone was firm, but the jealousy behind his words was unmistakable. I couldn’t help but smile; it was endearing to see him so protective.Just then, a rush of people began to flood into the café. They moved with purpose, and I quickly realized they were likely Xavier’s employees. Each one bowed respectfully to him before finding their seats. The café,
--Alyssa--Getting up from bed, I felt excruciating pain shooting through my body. Every muscle seemed to scream in agony, and my bones felt as if they were being crushed by an unseen force. The pain was relentless, unlike anything I had ever experienced before. I was not in heat; I had learned the difference between being in heat and not being in heat, and this was definitely not it. This pain was deeper, more intense, almost as if it were emanating from my very soul.I looked around the room, my eyes searching for any sign of comfort or familiarity. The room was dimly lit, the morning light barely creeping through the thick curtains. Xavier was nowhere to be found. His side of the bed was cold and empty. He had gone to one of the Packs to do something, though I wasn't quite sure what exactly he was doing. His absence added to my distress; I longed for his reassuring presence, his strong arms to hold me and tell me everything was going to be okay.“Ahh,” I yelled, the pain becoming u
--Alyssa--Meridith couldn’t stop smiling as she leaned closer to get a better look at the twins nestled in my arms. “Pups? They are so cute and look just like Xavier,” she cooed, her eyes sparkling with affection.Xavier, however, was lost in thought, his gaze fixed on our babies with an intensity that made me chuckle. He seemed entirely absorbed, as if the world outside didn’t exist. Seeing him so captivated by the sight of our children softened my heart, but I couldn’t shake the nagging guilt that lingered beneath the surface.Everyone in the room seemed unbothered by the events outside, as if the weight of what was happening hadn’t reached them. They were caught up in the joy of the moment, admiring the twins, and it made me feel strangely out of place. I was here, surrounded by warmth and family, while others were grieving just beyond the palace walls. The contrast was hard to ignore, and I knew I had to act soon.“Can we break the curse now?” I asked, my voice cutting through th
“Xavier!” Meridith called out to me, her voice cutting through the quiet murmur of the room. “When is Alyssa coming?” she asked, making everyone turn their attention toward me, waiting expectantly for an answer.“Soon,” I replied, though their faces showed clear disappointment. I knew they missed her, and so did I, but for her safety, I couldn’t do anything reckless. The weight of their expectation hung in the air, but my priority was always her protection.But something gnawed at me. Why would Nathaniel—who always kept me informed of his whereabouts—suddenly go off on an errand without telling me? It wasn’t like him. He always let me know where he was, and this sudden disappearance made me unease.Aurelia’s POVThere was a knock on the door, causing all of us to freeze. Nobody ever knocked on our door, not unexpectedly like this."Did Xavier tell you he was coming?" Mom asked, her eyes filled with concern. I shook my head, feeling a pit form in my stomach. We were supposed to leave
I could hardly believe what was happening. Most of the Alphas had been killed—just in one night—which sent panic rippling throughout the Kingdom. This was not how I envisioned welcoming my mate and pups home. The atmosphere was thick with tension and fear; I knew that those who had plotted against Alyssa and my innocent children were receiving their just desserts.“Have you heard? The Alpha of St. Lucas was reported dead just now,” Nathaniel said, his expression grave. My heart sank as the weight of his words settled in. This was more serious than we had initially thought.“So what are their families doing about it?” I asked, my voice strained with uncertainty. I was in no position to intervene after everything they had done to me.“They are calling for your help,” he replied, a hint of mischief playing on his lips.“Now they want my help when just a few days ago they wanted to kill me?” I laughed, incredulous at their desperation. This was surely the work of the Moon Goddess, a twist
I strode straight into my room, Nathaniel still at my heels, his excitement palpable. I approached my phone, heart racing as I prepared to dial the number I had yearned to call every night and day.Taking a deep breath, I punched in the digits, my fingers trembling slightly with anticipation.“Hello?” I heard my mate’s voice on the other end, and a wave of relief washed over me.“Alyssa,” I breathed, the sound of her name sending a rush of warmth through my veins. “It’s me.”There was a moment of silence before she responded, her tone a mixture of surprise and joy. “Xavier! I can’t believe it’s really you!”Hearing her voice brought back the memories of our moments together—the laughter, the love, the dreams we shared for our future. I closed my eyes, allowing the sound of her voice to wash over me like a soothing balm.“I’ve missed you every day,” I confessed, my heart aching with longing. “I finally stood up to the council. They tried to break me, but they can’t control what I’ve bu
I entered the room, and the atmosphere shifted. As usual, all the Alphas were present, their expressions a mix of curiosity and disdain. I didn’t bother to greet them; instead, I took my seat with an air of defiance, determined to remain unyielding in the face of their scrutiny.“Xavier Black of the Blood Moon Pack, do you swear to tell the truth and nothing but the truth?” Elder Simon asked, his voice authoritative yet tinged with a hint of amusement. I knew he had always been fond of me, and it seemed that sentiment hadn’t waned, even in the face of this farce.“I swear to tell nothing but the truth,” I replied, my tone steady.Before Elder Simon could continue, Elder Samuel shot up from his seat, interrupting the proceedings. I rolled my eyes in exasperation; he always seemed to have a knack for stealing the spotlight from Simon, making it difficult for the process to flow smoothly.“Do you still not know the whereabouts of your mate?” he inquired, his tone sharp.“I passed the tes
--XAVIER POV--It had been two whole months since Aurelia left, and every single day, I felt the urge to break own, to cry, but I knew I couldn’t afford to lose my composure. I had to stay strong, to remain calm if I was going to survive this manipulative game the Alphas were playing. Aurelia had slipped away quietly before anyone noticed. By the time the council arrived, she was already gone, leaving me to face their barrage of questions. I was questioned endlessly, but thanks to the bond with my wolf, I was able to lie convincingly.They didn’t believe me—why would they? But they had no proof, and more importantly, no right to treat me like a prisoner. I had played my part well, and it baffled me how foolish they were to think I would simply tell them the truth. The bond with one’s wolf was sacred in the werewolf realm, and by the decree of the Moongoddess, a wolf could never lie. But mine did. Somehow, I managed to deceive them, and it worked.I couldn’t help but wonder if the Moo
Tears blurred my vision as I glanced at Mom, who stood beside me, her own eyes filled with emotion. She had been so strong throughout it all, but now, seeing her grandchild, her tears flowed freely. Grandma was nearby too, her hands clasped together, a proud smile lighting up her face. The room was filled with so much love, so much joy.But just as I began to think it was over, a sudden, sharp pain shot through me, taking my breath away. I gasped, my body tensing as fear gripped me once more. “Something’s wrong!” I cried out, panic creeping into my voice.The midwife, who had been carefully watching over me, quickly moved to check. Her expression remained calm, and after a moment, she looked up at me with a reassuring smile. “No, Alyssa, nothing’s wrong. You’re having another baby.”Another baby. The words took a moment to register in my exhausted mind. Another baby? My heart raced as the realization dawned on me. Twins. I was having twins.The pain came back in waves, and I gripped t
It had been an entire month since I last heard from Xavier, and the worry gnawed at me constantly. Every day, I cried myself to sleep, the emptiness in my heart growing with each passing hour. I couldn’t help but think about him, about where he was and what he might be going through. But there was one thing that kept me going—the certainty that he was still alive. If he weren’t, I would have felt it deep inside me. That was the one thing mates shared, a connection that transcended distance and time. It was that bond that reassured me, even in the darkest moments, that Xavier was out there somewhere, fighting to return to us.Yet, despite that fragile hope, I was falling apart. In Grandma and Mom’s words, I looked terrible. My skin had paled, and the bags under my eyes were dark and heavy from countless sleepless nights. My clothes barely fit, and I’d stopped caring about my appearance long ago. The weight of uncertainty was crushing.As much as I tried to stay positive, the constant
--Alyssa--We were watching a movie, a popular request from Grandma, but my mind kept wandering back to Mom and what could have possibly happened. I couldn't shake the worry that gnawed at the edges of my thoughts, despite trying to focus on the screen in front of me. Something didn’t feel right, and I could tell that both Grandma and I were distracted.“There’s a knock, Grandma,” I said softly, even though it had been faint. My ears had picked it up nonetheless. Grandma didn't seem to notice at first, but then came another knock, louder this time, clear enough to be undeniable.“I’ll check it,” she said, motioning for me to stay seated. She rose slowly from her chair and made her way to the door, her steps deliberate, as if she, too, felt a shift in the air.A moment later, I heard her say, “Elizabeth.”The sound of that name startled me to my feet before my brain could even register what was happening. Mom. She was here. “Mom?” I called out, my voice filled with both relief and conf