Denera I sat in the steaming bath, my hands resting on the edge as I stared down at them, still trying to process what happened the last few days. The warm water lapped at my skin, but I barely felt its soothing caress, my focus entirely consumed by the realization that I possessed the power to heal."Healers..." I whispered, the word foreign on my tongue. I had heard the stories, of course - tales of werewolves blessed with the extra ability to mend wounds and cure ailments of other people than themselves with the mere touch of their hands. But to think that I, of all people, was one of them... it was almost too much to comprehend.Closing my eyes, I tried to recall the moment when it happened, when the flickering pain in my side had suddenly faded, replaced by a surge of warmth. "What does this mean and why am I just realizing it?" I wondered, my brow furrowing as I contemplated the implications. My gaze drifted towards the door, and a twinge of worry tugged at my heart. “Where
DeneraGranny Yeneva let out an exasperated sigh, her brow furrowed in frustration as she watched me stumble through the dance steps yet again. "One, two, three. One, two, three..." she hummed, shaking her head."You missed a step. Again," she said, her voice tinged with annoyance.I felt my cheeks flush with embarrassment. This was the umpteenth time I had failed to get the dance right, and Granny Yeneva's patience was wearing thin."I'm sorry, Granny Yeneva," I said, my voice meek. "I told you earlier that dancing isn't my forte, but you insisted it was a vital part of the Luna ceremony."Granny Yeneva pursed her lips, her eyes narrowing as she studied me. "It's a simple dance, child," she said, her tone sharp. "If you would just put your mind and heart into it, you'd have it down in no time."I swallowed hard, the weight of her words settling heavily on my shoulders. "I'm trying, Granny Yeneva, I really am. But it's just not coming to me the way it should."The old woman sighed, ru
DeneraI shuffled restlessly on the bed, my mind buzzing with anticipation rather than the restful sleep I so desperately needed. Despite the exhaustion of the dance, the adrenaline coursing through my veins refused to subside, leaving me wide awake and restless.Glancing over at the big wall clock on the mantel, I saw that it was only just past 2 o'clock. Surely Rachel would be waiting outside, expecting me to be resting as I should be. But the thought of staying cooped up in my room while the preparations for the ceremony were underway was simply too much to bear.With a resigned sigh, I pushed myself up from the bed, smoothing down the soft fabric of my shirt and pulling up my shorts. Perhaps a brief stroll through the castle would satisfy my curiosity and allow me to stretch my legs before the ceremony tomorrow.As I opened the door, Rachel's concerned face greeted me. "My lady! I thought you would be resting."I offered her a reassuring smile. "I'm afraid I just can’t settle dow
Denera The day had finally come. The day my life changes drastically, from a poor slave girl to the Luna of the most powerful pack. Very unbelievable cliche when you think about it. But it was my reality. "Breathe in!" Rachel commanded, and I obeyed. The two maids behind me swiftly tugged on the strap laces, tightening the corset around my waist. The pressure was almost uncomfortable, but I knew it would be worth it in the end."Perfect!" Rachel exclaimed, a satisfied smile spreading across her face. She stepped back, allowing me to fully appreciate the reflection in the mirror.The dress was a vision of ivory satin and intricate lace, tailored perfectly to my frame. The long sleeves hugged my arms, and the bodice accentuated my curves in a way that made me feel both regal and alluring. As the maids worked their magic, my plain features were transformed.They smoothed the foundation over my skin, creating a flawless canvas. Delicate strokes of eyeshadow enhanced my eyes, making the
BrunoI stared at the ceremonial invitation, my heart racing with a mix of hope and trepidation. The names etched on the parchment seemed too unbelievable to be true – Rockan and Denera. Could it really be her?Freya's voice cut through the deafening silence, her grip on my arm tightening. "I've told you," she said, her tone firm, "it's not her."I glanced over at her, not believing her words. We had been driving for nearly an hour, making our way to the Dark Lion pack's territory. The invitation was extended to every alpha under the Dark Lion's rule, with the opportunity to bring a plus one.I begged my mother to accompany me, but she insisted that I bring Freya instead. Now, as I held the invitation in my trembling hands, I couldn't help but wonder why.It wasn't until this morning that I finally took a closer look at the invitation, and that was when I saw it – the names that set my heart racing: Alpha Rockan and Denera.Denera? Could it really be her? The girl I had thought lost t
Denera“Bruno…” Sevyn, my wolf finally spoke. I blinked several times, my breath catching in my throat as I stared into the piercing gaze of Bruno. He looked as if he had seen a ghost, and I knew the expression mirrored my own."What is he doing here?" Sevyn's voice growled, the anger and disbelief vivid. "After all he's done, he dares to show his face?"I felt the tension coiling within me, a mix of shock, fear, and resentment. Bruno, the man who had so callously rejected me and banished me from his pack, stood mere feet away, his eyes locked onto mine with an unreadable intensity."This can't be happening," I whispered, my fingers trembling as I gripped the bouquet of flowers in my hands. "He has no right to be here."Sevyn's growling rose, her presence in my mind a constant reminder of the pain and humiliation I endured at Bruno's hands. "We should tear him apart, Denera. Make him pay for what he's done."I swallowed hard, my gaze shifting to the familiar face of Freya, my cousin
Denera“Denera,”Bruno…I felt my once disoriented emotions and voice become monotone in an instant as I glared at him. "What are you doing here?" "I..uh.." he started, trailing off as he rubbed the back of his head. "I came to see you. Do you recognize me?""Of what importance is it to recognize you?" I retorted, my face turning into a frown. "It's my Luna ceremony, so I suppose you didn't have a choice, all Alphas were meant to be here," I stated, hoping the conversation would come to an end and he would leave."You..." he paused, "you look different. A good type of different.""Yes, we're no longer on our knees serving or begging you. Now you bow before us instead." Sevyn said with a scoff, and I could almost see her roll her eyes."What are you doing here?" I repeated my question sternly."I really did want to see you. I need to talk to you and it's important," he clasped his hands together, and he looked like he was about to cry, but I couldn't care less."Well, talk then," I sa
Denera“Leave and don’t let me ever set eyes on you again,” Rockan ordered and I felt my heart sink in an instant. My breathing quickened and my eyes shut close as I tried to hold back my tears. It felt like I was being rejected all over again, my whole body was going to fall apart, and I wanted the earth to open up and swallow me. “Yes, Alpha,” Bruno responded and a forced sigh left my mouth. I opened my eyes to see Bruno walking away from us and I couldn’t help a smile that grew at the corners of my lips. I was holding my breath, bracing for the fallout, but Rockan's words were not directed at me. I opened my eyes, blinking away the tears, and saw Bruno walking away. Relief flooded through me, a small smile tugging at the corners of my lips. But the reprieve was short-lived as I turned my gaze back to Rockan. His expression was one of obvious displeasure, his eyes narrowed and mouth set in a hard line. "You have an ex-mate?" The low rumble of his voice sent fresh shivers of fe
Denera“Your Highness,” a voice called softly, pulling me from the depths of sleep. My brows furrowed in concern, but I chose to ignore the words, hoping to drift back into my dreams. A knock on the door followed, and I groaned, forcing myself to open my eyes. “Come in,” I muttered, my voice thick with sleep.The door creaked open, and Rachel hurried inside, flanked by two other maids. My eyes widened slightly at the sight of them. “What’s going on?” I asked, my voice still heavy with drowsiness.“I can’t honestly believe you’re still in bed on a day like this,” Rachel said, her tone a mix of disbelief and urgency. She moved around the room with purpose, her hands gesturing for the other maids to follow her lead.“What do you mean by that?” I questioned, watching as they began to scurry around the room, arranging things I was yet to comprehend.Rachel turned to me, raising an eyebrow. “What are they doing?” I pointed at the other maids, who were now pulling back the curtains, letting
DeneraHe was in my arms, and it felt both surreal and grounding. This was the first time I had seen Rockan so vulnerable—raw and exposed, stripped of the mask he usually wore to shield himself from the world. The sight of him like this stirred a mix of emotions within me, and my dislike for Tyris deepened. How could he force Rockan to reveal himself in such a painful way? It felt cruel, a betrayal of the trust Rockan had placed in those closest to him.But right now, I was grateful he was here, in my embrace. For the first time, it felt like I was the one keeping him safe, the one who could shield him from the harsh realities that had shaped his life. “It’s okay,” I whispered softly, hoping my voice would be a soothing balm in the tense silence.As I looked at him, the scar that brutally marred his face caught my attention. It was a stark reminder of the things he went through, both physically and emotionally. Anyone with such a mark would typically be forced to wear a mask, hidin
Rockan“Leave,” Tyris left, making the tension even worse. She hated me. Her gaze fell to the ground, and I could see the conflict churning in her heart. “I didn’t mean to—” she began, but her voice faltered, leaving the words unspoken. I felt tears prick at the corners of my eyes, a wave of despair crashing over me. This wasn’t how I had envisioned this moment. I had wanted to show her my true self, to share my burdens and my past, but now I feared I had only pushed her away.“Do you… do you regret it?” I asked, my voice breaking as the question hung heavy in the air. The vulnerability I had sought to embrace now felt like a curse, leaving me exposed and raw.Denera lifted her gaze, and I could see the struggle in her expression, the way her heart fought against the fear. “No,” she finally said, her voice shaking. “I knew but I didn’t want it to be like this. This tension.”I nodded, my heart aching with the weight of her words. “I understand,” I whispered, feeling the gulf betwe
Rockan “How in the world do you fall in love with someone you haven’t even seen?!” Tyris yelled, his voice piercing through the quiet of the corridor.“Tyris!” I snapped, stepping out from the shadows where I had been hiding, my heart pounding with a mix of anger and disbelief.“Great, speak of the devil,” he shot back, rolling his eyes as if my presence was nothing more than a nuisance.“What do you think you’re doing?” I glared at him, my fists clenching at my sides. The tension crackled in the air between us, thick and suffocating. Instead of backing down, he merely scoffed, his arrogance pushing me closer to the edge.“I’m trying to open her eyes to what she doesn’t see and understand,” he retorted, his tone condescending. “I know you, brother, better than anyone else. Let this girl go. Drop the stupid ego of yours.”His words ignited a fire within me, fueling my anger. “I thought you came back with a change of heart. What in the world are you talking about now?” I frowned, strug
RockanHours had passed, and I found myself once again drowning in paperwork that demanded my immediate attention. The desk was cluttered with files, each stamped with the weight of responsibility and pressing urgency. Every pack, every territorial dispute, each one requiring my approval before a conclusion could be reached. The sheer volume felt suffocating, a mountain of bureaucracy that threatened to overwhelm me.I rubbed my eyes, fatigue creeping in like a slow tide. Each page was a reminder of the burdens I carried, and the stress began to knot in my stomach. I leaned back in my chair, glancing at the stack of documents that seemed to multiply with every passing hour. The ink blurred before my eyes, and I could feel the tension pooling in my shoulders, a tight band that constricted with every moment spent poring over the files.Another dispute over hunting grounds. Another request for more territory. A pack claiming grievances over boundary violations. I sighed, flipping throu
Denera “Did you miss me that much?” Tyris smirked, leaning casually against the doorframe. A part of me was glad to see him back home, but something about his presence right now did not settle well with me. I could see the unease mirrored in Rockan’s expression, his brow furrowed as he studied his brother.“What are you doing here, in our room?” Rockan asked, his voice steady but laced with an underlying tension. I hoped he wouldn’t choose this moment to be mischievous; we had enough on our plates without adding sibling drama.Tyris shrugged nonchalantly, strolling back and forth in our small space, his movements almost too relaxed for the gravity of the situation. “You know, Rockan, I looked up to you as my older brother,” he said, his tone mocking. “I thought you’d have a bit more sense of responsibility than to take what’s mine.”It was too early upon our arrival to have any form of argument with him. I felt a wave of frustration wash over me, wishing he would just take his lea
Denera“Over there!” I heard a man yell, and my heart plummeted.“Mum,” I whispered out in desperation, hoping she’d come back to me. I clutched my legs tighter around my waist, hoping this nightmare would end, wishing we could go back to the peaceful drive, the laughter, and the warmth of my family. But then, everything froze when I heard my mother cry out. “Rosa, please, no!”…..My eyes snapped open, gasping awake as I blinked profusely, the remnants of the nightmare still clinging to me like a thick fog. We were still in the car, with Rockan quietly staring ahead, the tension in the air palpable.“Are you good?” he questioned, not bothering to turn to look at me.“Yeah,” I replied with a nod, though I lied. I wasn’t good—not at all.The dream was a stark reminder of the darkness in my life, the shadows cast by Aunt Rosa and her husband, Austin. They had twisted my reality into something unrecognisable, leaving a trail of destruction in their wake. I felt the familiar anger ris
Denera“Do you have to go?” Luna Danielle questioned, her voice tinged with a mix of concern and warmth. “You can stay a little longer and learn more.”I smiled at her, appreciating her kindness. “I will visit very often. But you know we have things to settle,” I admitted, my thoughts drifting to the responsibilities waiting for us back home.Rockan was way ahead of me, ensuring our luggage was packed and ready to go. His broad shoulders moved with purpose, and I could see the determination etched on his face. But as I watched him, a frown appeared on my forehead when I realized we were missing something.“Wait!” I heard from afar, making Luna Danielle and I turn toward the sound. A sigh escaped my mouth when I realized that the one thing I was missing was her—Adrianna.She was running toward us, her long hair flowing behind her, holding a brown bag in her hand. My stomach twisted at the thought of her being with us throughout the ride; the idea was almost too disgusting to be true.
Bruno I woke up to the dull throb of a headache, the remnants of last night’s drinking still swirling in my mind. The memories were hazy—laughter, clinking glasses, and the overwhelming haze of too much alcohol. I groaned, rolling over in bed, hoping to find some comfort in the cool sheets. Instead, I was met with the sight of Freya, my supposed girlfriend, sprawled next to me, her warm, bare skin pressing against my side.I felt irritation flare up inside me. Her hands rested on my chest, and I pushed her away with more force than I intended. “Get off me,” I demanded, my voice rough from sleep and lingering irritation.Freya stirred, frowning as she woke up. “Good morning, you didn’t have to push me,” she muttered, yawning and scratching her eyes, the remnants of sleep still clinging to her.“Well, it’s morning. Please leave my room.” My tone was curt, and I could feel my patience waning. I wasn’t in the mood for pleasantries, especially not after the chaos of the previous night.“