DeneraHurriedly, I reached into my back pocket, hoping that what I kept there was still there. “What’s going on?” Rachel questioned, but I was too stunned to respond. I could feel my heart racing, a mixture of anxiety and hope swelling within me. Finally, my fingers brushed against the familiar texture. “Great!” I exclaimed softly, pulling out the piece of paper I had tucked away. I placed it beside the one from my neck and squinted at the writings. They were similar, but the new paper was old and wrinkled, the ink fading, making it difficult to decipher. Suddenly, the door swung open, and my head snapped up. “Is she awake yet?!” Tyris rushed in, his expression a mix of relief and urgency. The moment his eyes met mine, a wave of comfort washed over me. “Oh, thank goodness,” he said, releasing a heavy sigh. Relief spread across his features, but it was quickly overshadowed by something darker. “Where’s Rockan?” I asked, my heart pounding in my chest. The question hung in the ai
DENARA’S POV I stepped out of the medical wing, the sterile scent of antiseptic still lingering in my nostrils. Each step I took felt heavy, as if I was dragging the weight of the world behind me. My heart was still racing from the news about Rockan, and the sharp pain in my lower abdomen reminded me of the fragile life growing inside me. I had to stay strong—for him, for our child. But as I walked down the dimly lit corridor towards my room, the weight only grew heavier. “Denera, are you sure you should be out?” Rachel’s voice trailed after me, filled with concern. “I need to see what’s happening,” I replied, my voice steadier than I felt. “Please, just rest a bit longer,” she urged, her footsteps quickening to keep pace with me. I shook my head, the determination surging through me. “I can’t. I need to know.”As I approached the large window overlooking the courtyard, a low murmur began to rise outside. I paused, my heart pounding in my chest. I peeked through the curtain, and
DENARA’S POV The council chamber felt cold and oppressive as I stepped inside, the heavy air buzzing with tension. The long wooden table was lined with council members, their expressions a mix of disappointment and disdain. I could feel their judgment weighing down on me, suffocating me with every passing moment.I took my place beside Tyris, who stood slightly behind me, his presence a comforting reminder that I wasn’t entirely alone in this. But even he seemed unsure, his eyes darting between the members as they prepared to unleash their criticisms.“Council members,” the head elder began, his voice booming with authority. “We are gathered here today to discuss the reckless actions of our Luna. Leaving the castle without proper escort is not only irresponsible but a direct threat to the stability of our pack.”I clenched my fists at my sides, trying to remain composed. I didn’t want to give them the satisfaction of seeing me crumble.“Denera has endangered not only herself but also
DENARA’S POV I took a deep breath, stepping out onto the balcony overlooking the gathered crowd. Their faces were a mix of anger, confusion, and curiosity. I felt the weight of their expectations pressing down on me like a heavy cloak. The murmurs quieted as I raised my hand to signal for silence, my heart racing in my chest.“Everyone, please!” I called out, my voice trembling yet firm. “I know things have been difficult lately, and I am here to address your concerns.”The crowd shifted, some expressions softening while others remained hardened. I could see Tyris standing just behind me, his gaze steady and encouraging. I took another breath, grounding myself in the moment.“I want to start by admitting that I haven’t been of much help,” I continued, my voice rising above the restless murmurs. “When I first arrived at the castle, I was just a maid. I was sold out, tossed into a life I never imagined. I was terrified, overwhelmed, and unsure of my place in this world. And I know that
DENARA’S POV “Oh my goodness,” I gasped, my heart racing as realization dawned on me. “Where is that letter?!”I bolted towards my room, desperation fueling my every step. The memory of the letter had slipped my mind in the chaos of recent events, but now it felt like a lifeline. I had to find it.“My lady, please tell me what is happening!” Rachel called out, struggling to keep pace behind me.I didn’t have time to explain. The anticipation bubbled within me, an urgent need to uncover the answers hidden within that letter. My mind raced with thoughts of Rockan and the implications of what I might find.As I flung open the door to my room, I felt a rush of panic. The room was a whirlwind of clothes and papers, remnants of my frantic state. I scanned the space, searching for any sign of the letter.“Where is it?!” I muttered, launching myself onto the bed, my hands clawing through the sheets and scattering the pillows.“Where is what?” Rachel pressed, her voice laced with concern.“Th
DENARA’S POV The sun hung low in the sky, casting a warm glow over the garden where I had spent a few afternoons with Adrianna, learning about herbs and potions. The familiar scents of lavender and rosemary filled the air, but today, the atmosphere felt charged with urgency. A day had gone by before the healers could reach our pack. As I approached, I could see Luna Danielle, and Adrianna deep in conversation, their expressions serious. Luna Danielle, with her long, flowing hair and strong demeanor, looked every bit the leader I remembered. She also had a big resemblance that showed she was my mother’s cousin, a woman who had always embodied grace and strength. “Denera!” Adrianna called out, her eyes lighting up as she spotted me. “We’ve been waiting for you.”“Is it true?” Luna Danielle asked, her voice steady but concerned. “About the masked alpha?”I nodded, swallowing hard. “Yes. I found a letter from my mother that might hold the key to helping him.”“Oh I knew your mother wo
DENARA’S POV “Step one is complete,” Adrianna murmured, her voice filled with a mix of excitement and anticipation.“Now it’s step two,” Luna Danielle added, her gaze steady on me as I blinked in disbelief, trying to wrap my head around what that meant.“There’s more?” I deadpanned, my mind racing with the implications.“Yes,” Adrianna responded, her tone serious. “We can’t give you a full life form to heal unless you’ve tested it. Plus, the note never said anything about waking him up from the coma. I think it was only to heal the scar.”My heart sank as I processed her words. “What if he never wakes up—”“No, no, no, negativity will not fix anything. Adrianna, quiet,” Luna Danielle interjected sharply, shooting a scornful look at Adrianna. She then picked up a flower pot and handed it to me. I accepted it hesitantly, staring at the pot that was filled only with soil. “What am I supposed to do now?” I asked, confusion swirling in my mind.“What do you think?” Adrianna teased, her p
DENARA’S POV The air in the hospital room was thick with tension as everyone quietly cleared out, leaving the three of us—Luna Danielle, Adrianna, and me—standing by Rockan’s bed. The murmurs from the pack outside faded into a dull roar, and I felt my heart race. This was it. This was my chance to finally prove myself to Rockan and the pack. Panic and anxiety was an understatement to what I felt in that moment. “His life is in your hands, save him,” Luna Danielle urged, her voice steady yet laced with urgency. I nodded, though anxiety gripped me like a vice.As the door swung shut, sealing us in, I took a deep breath, trying to steady my racing heart. Rockan lay there, still and vulnerable, the mask from his previous injuries now removed. The sight of him sent a wave of emotions crashing over me—fear, love, and desperation all mingled together. “Let’s begin,” Adrianna said, her tone serious as she approached Rockan’s bedside. She gently placed her hands on his shoulders, her expre
ROCKAN’S POV The elders and the people stood up and bowed as soon as I entered with my mate and remained that way until we had our seats. I made sure Denara sat down first before joining her.“You may now sit.” I said and the people obeyed. Though the seats were not enough for the crowd.“Why are they so many? It feels like all the pack members are here.” I mindlinked Denara and she smiled at me.“They’re worried about their alpha.” She simply replied.After waiting for the goddess knows how long for someone to say something and no one did, I cleared my throat and started, “thank you all for coming and for your support when I was having a hard time.”The people started whispering and murmuring among themselves. That was when I realized they were still in shock of seeing me without my mask.I was already tired of the stares and the expressions I got. I didn’t know the people were so eager to see my face. What for? I wouldn’t be bothered if I were in their shoes though.“Yeah right.” M
DENARA’S POV After staying to monitor our healing process for one week, Luna Danielle and Adrianna were finally going back home today. It was really beautiful having them care for me, making me see the bright side of things and now they were leaving. I felt like begging them to stay a little longer but they had tried.“Come here my girl.” Luna Danielle said and grabbed me into her warm embrace once more. “I’ll miss you so much Denara.” She patted my head as she talked.“I’ll miss you too, great aunt.” I replied and she smiled, wiping a stray tear off my face.“Please masked alpha…” Luna Danielle started and paused momentarily to laugh when she saw there was no mask on his face. “Make sure you take care of my baby girl.” She warned.“You don’t have to say that. It’s all I live for.” Rockan replied.“If you ever stop or make her sad I’ll come back here and take her from you.” Luna Danielle sounded both playful and rigid.“You won’t have a reason to.” He affirmed.“Denara…” Adrianna cri
TYRIS’ POV Days had passed, yet it felt like months since I embarked on this relentless search. Each hour dragged on, a heavy chain of dread around my neck, as I combed through towns and packs in search of Serena. Who would have thought finding someone could be so impossibly difficult? With every mile traveled, my sense of urgency grew; my thoughts spiraled into a dark abyss of worry and regret.“Sir, are you sure we shouldn't stop somewhere? You seem really exhausted,” the driver said, glancing up at me through the rearview mirror. Concern etched across his face, a reflection of my own inner turmoil. “Your eyes on the road,” I curtly responded, irritation creeping into my voice. I didn’t want to entertain his concern, though a part of me appreciated it. He was the only soul I had with me, a simple man enlisted to help with my search. We had spent the last several days moving from one neighboring town to another, each stopping at a dead end. I couldn’t shake the feeling that I wa
TYRIS’ POV I tossed and turned in bed, the sheets tangled around my legs like the mess my life had become. For what felt like the hundredth time to night, I shifted positions, trying to find a semblance of comfort. Sleep eluded me, and my mind raced with thoughts that twisted like a storm in my head. I hated my life, I hated who I had become. Chasing after Denera for so long had led me here, to this moment of turmoil. I had watched my brother, Rockan, fall in love with her, and a bitter taste lingered in my mouth. It still hurts to remember. At first, I had so much hate for him. How could he have won her heart when I had pursued her with such fervor? But now, as I lay in this bed, I realized there was no point in that anger anymore. Rockan and Denera obviously loved each other, and their bond was something I couldn't break. Still, the ache in my chest felt raw. I had wanted her to be with me, to see me as her mate, yet here I was, alone and grappling with my own failure. Each t
DENARA’S POV My eyes felt heavy, too heavy to open. Every nerve in my brain pulsed with pain as my head throbbed, a dull ache that seemed to echo in the quiet room. It took a while for me to gather the strength to finally crack my eyelids open, the morning light spilling in like a gentle reminder of the world outside.As I blinked into focus, memories of the night flooded back: the tears, the heartache, the overwhelming sadness that had consumed me. I had spent the entire night curled up, sobbing into the sheets, feeling utterly lost. Rockan was the only one who could bear witness to my pain, holding me close, and whispering comforting words that felt like a lifeline amidst my despair. Turning my head slowly, I looked at him. Rockan was fast asleep, his chest rising and falling in a steady rhythm. He had been through so much, yet here he was, the man I loved, resting peacefully beside me. My heart swelled with gratitude as I gazed at his mask-less face, a sight I had longed to se
DENARA’S POV The world around me felt like a haze, a blur of voices and shadows. I blinked slowly, trying to piece together the chaos that had erupted. I had thought I passed out but I didn’t. I couldn’t, it was like the pain wanted me to feel every bit of it.My body was heavy, weighed down by the remnants of pain, but there was a soothing numbness spreading through me, courtesy of the anesthetic shot I had received.As the wave of anesthesia began to lift, I blinked against the bright light that filled the room. My heart raced, and the world around me slowly came into focus. The sterile smell of antiseptic mingled with something else—something warm and familiar. And then I saw him. It wasn’t a dream all along and I was definitely not dead. “Rockan,” I breathed, my voice a mere whisper, but it felt like a shout in the silence of the room. The sight of him propped up against the pillows, his hair tousled and eyes bright, filled me with a wave of relief. It felt like I had been los
TYRIS’ POV “Sir, your attention is needed quickly.” The urgency in the maid's voice snapped me from my thoughts. I turned, my heart racing as I searched her eyes for any hint of good news. My brother had been in critical condition, and every minute felt like an eternity. “What is going on?” I asked, forcing myself to remain calm, though my insides churned with anxiety.“I was asked to call you down to the emergency ward,” she replied, her voice steady but lacking the reassurance I desperately sought. “The emergency ward?” The words felt heavy on my tongue, and a sinking sensation settled in my stomach. I forced my legs into action, propelling myself through the hallway of the hospital, each step a frantic prayer that the news would be good.As I approached the entrance to the emergency ward, I paused, staring at the glaring sign that loomed above me. I took a deep breath, trying to steady my racing heart. Whatever had happened to Rockan, it couldn’t be good. I braced myself for wh
ROCKAN’S POV I was floating, enveloped in a vast nothingness. I couldn’t feel or move my body. It was dark and quiet, so quiet that it was almost deafening.“Am I dead?” I thought to myself. There was no one to talk to, and I couldn’t even move my mouth to think out loud.“Is this punishment for all my misdeeds?”The weight of my past decisions pressed down on me. There was no way I could have died so easily; my life and goals had not been achieved.Denera...I missed my mate. An ache settled in my chest as I longed to see her, to tell her how much I loved her. It felt as though I hadn’t said it enough, or shown it enough. But I did love her, fiercely and without reservation.Tyris would never forgive me if I died. I really owed him an apology, too.“No…” A faint wind blew past me, carrying the sound of a voice. Was I imagining things?“What’s happening?”The same voice echoed again, almost recognizable, yet just out of reach.I held my breath, hoping I was not imagining it. Then the
DENARA’S POV The air in the hospital room was thick with tension as everyone quietly cleared out, leaving the three of us—Luna Danielle, Adrianna, and me—standing by Rockan’s bed. The murmurs from the pack outside faded into a dull roar, and I felt my heart race. This was it. This was my chance to finally prove myself to Rockan and the pack. Panic and anxiety was an understatement to what I felt in that moment. “His life is in your hands, save him,” Luna Danielle urged, her voice steady yet laced with urgency. I nodded, though anxiety gripped me like a vice.As the door swung shut, sealing us in, I took a deep breath, trying to steady my racing heart. Rockan lay there, still and vulnerable, the mask from his previous injuries now removed. The sight of him sent a wave of emotions crashing over me—fear, love, and desperation all mingled together. “Let’s begin,” Adrianna said, her tone serious as she approached Rockan’s bedside. She gently placed her hands on his shoulders, her expre