BrunoWe were both breathless, panting like our lives depended on it. Her legs were still wrapped tightly around my torso while I stood in front of her, resting my face on her shoulder as I tried to catch my breath. After what seemed like forever, our heavy breathing finally started to subside. It was a quick affair but it left us tired and almost weak. My neck stung like hell when the adrenaline finally started to wear off, she was clawing into my skin with her nails and although I didn’t protest back then, it almost felt like she drew blood. Complaining now would be futile so instead I drew myself away from her grasp as the consequences of my actions began to catch up to me. No, I didn’t regret whatever I did with her, however, I regretted sweeping the paperwork so carelessly in the heat of the moment because even if I asked a maid to clear it up, it would still not be arranged in the manner it was left. “Fuck,” I hissed out, staring down at the paper mess we created. I reall
Denera The library was really quiet like it usually is in a library. But this time, there was no one else there at all. It even felt a little bit dusty.I remember feeling amazed when I first came in here. There were so many books, it was like a dream come true. I even felt like the character Belle from the story Beauty and the Beast.But now, three hours have passed, and I've already read two books. The first one was about the history of the pack, but it got kind of boring, so now I'm reading a fanfiction story about werewolves and vampires that someone wrote.Even though the werewolf and vampire story has some things in it that aren't true, I didn’t mind because I could tell it was written by a human."Rachel," I said quietly, knowing that she was sitting behind me while I kept reading through all these papers."Yes, Lady Denera?" Rachel answered, speaking softly and calmly.I let my thoughts linger for a moment, wondering if I should ask about what was on my mind. After carefully
Chapter 28Denera“It’s just that there is something oddly familiar about her that I know. I could’ve sworn to have seen her somewhere.” I subconsciously said out loud.“Is that so?” Rachel questioned as we both stared earnestly at the portrait of the woman. “Yeah,” I muttered, picking on my nails as I tried harder and harder to pinpoint where I had seen this person or portrait from. The more I thought about it, the further away the realization was from me. Leaning in slightly, Rachel studied the portrait more intently. "Hmm, that is serious. As far as I know, this is the only existing portrait of the previous Luna. Perhaps you've come across some historical records or accounts that featured her likeness?" I shrugged, picking at my nails as I racked my brain trying to uncover the source of this nagging sense of familiarity. "I'm not sure. The more I try to think about it, the more confusing it seems to become."Placing a reassuring hand on my arm, Rachel offered a small, sympathet
DeneraI stared at my reflection in the mirror and I couldn't help the smile on my face."You look absolutely stunning," Rachel mused from behind me as two other maids helped in adjust my dress and hair into its proper position."Thanks to all of you," I breathed out heavily, finding it slightly difficult to hold back tears.The maid on my left paused for a moment, then leaned in with a conspiratorial whisper. "You know, we had to use an extra bolt of fabric to get this dress to fit your...generous figure." She punctuated the comment with a playful wink.Rachel burst out laughing, quickly covering her mouth to stifle the sound. "Hush, you!" she chided the maid, though her eyes were twinkling with mirth.I couldn't help but join in the laughter, the tension of the moment melting away. "Well, I suppose I should be grateful you didn't have to resort to sewing me into it!" I quipped, earning a round of giggles from the maids.The light-hearted exchange helped ease my nerves, and I felt th
DeneraAs Rockan and I entered the grand hall, I felt a surge of anxiety wash over me. The room was filled with dozens of unfamiliar faces - all of them seeming very important and powerful, which left me feeling deeply out of place. And the way they kept staring at us as we made our way to our seats only added to my unease.I couldn't help but start fidgeting nervously, my fingers twisting the delicate fabric of my dress as Rockan guided me through the crowded room toward our seats. I glanced around, my eyes darting from one influential person to the next, each one appearing more imposing than the last.Sensing my unease, Rockan gently reached over and took my hands in his, giving them a reassuring squeeze. "Denera," he murmured, leaning in close so only I could hear. "Relax, little mate. You've got this."I took a deep breath, trying to steady my racing heart. "I...I don't know any of these people, Rockan," I admitted, my voice barely above a whisper. "They all look so important and
RockanI gripped the steering wheel tightly, my knuckles almost turning white as the memories of Adriana came flooding back. "Adriana is my ex," I finally admitted, the words tumbling out before I could stop them.Denera shifted in the passenger seat, turning to face me with a puzzled expression. "Your ex?" she echoed, her brow furrowing.I took a deep breath, knowing I owed her the truth. "Yes, Denera. Adriana and I... we have a history," I explained, my gaze fixed on the road ahead.Denera remained silent, waiting patiently for me to continue. I knew she deserved to know the whole story."You see, Adriana was supposed to be the next Luna many years ago," I began, my voice low and heavy with regret. "But before she could take on that role, I discovered that she had been lying to me – about her intentions, her feelings, everything."I paused, swallowing hard as the emotions threatened to overwhelm me. "She didn't want me, Denera," I admitted, my voice barely above a whisper. "She just
Denera As soon as we pulled into the pack, I hurriedly jumped out of the car, barely waiting for Rockan to put it in the park. My mind was racing, laser-focused on one objective - getting that piece of clothing I had gotten from my attacker. I practically ran through the grand entryway, ignoring the curious stares of the pack members milling about. “Denera!” Rockan called out behind me, but I couldn't be bothered to slow down or respond. I had to get to my room, to that evidence.Finally, I burst through the doors of the room, going straight to the small chest at the foot of the bed. Trembling, I threw open the lid and reached inside, pulling out the tattered scrap of fabric I had hidden there. Holding it up to my nose, I breathed in deeply, reveling in the familiar scent."I knew it!" I exclaimed, a triumphant grin spreading across my face. Rockan came rushing in, his brow furrowed with concern. "Denera, what's going on? Tell me what's happening."I turned to face him, gripping t
Denera I sat in stunned silence as my revelation about the attacker caused an uproar in the council meeting. The air was thick with tension as the elders all began to voice their opinions, each one more impassioned than the last. It was easy to learn their names because of how their tables had engraved tabs of who they were. All these people were old enough to be my parents and grandparents. I could not possibly even speak up even if my life depended on it. Rockan stood at the head of the table, his eyes burning with a ferocity I had rarely seen. "The Blue Moon pack has crossed a line," he growled, slamming his fist down on the table. "They attacked one of our own, and we cannot let that stand. We must retaliate with the full might of our pack."Elder Tharivol, an old wolf who looked like a lifetime of experience, shook his head gravely. "Violence will only beget more violence, alpha Rockan. We must consider a diplomatic solution, one that does not involve bloodshed. There may be a
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 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
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
Denera….“Denera…”My brows furrowed at the mention of my name, the sound echoing in the void around me.“It’s okay, you can open your eyes,” a soothing voice added as if to reassure me. I obeyed, slowly peeling my eyelids open. At first, everything was blurry; my eyelids felt heavy as if weighted down by the grief and pain I had been carrying. But after a few seconds, the haze began to clear, and I started to take proper mental notes of my surroundings.“Am I dead?” I asked my voice barely a whisper, tinged with confusion and fear.I heard a chuckle that caught my attention, warm and familiar. Turning my head, I searched for the source of that laughter.“No, my love. You’re not dead.”My heart skipped a beat. My eyes widened in disbelief, and my jaw dropped as recognition flooded over me.“Mum…”There she was—my mother. Though she looked a bit older, I knew it was her, the essence of her spirit shining through. It felt surreal, like I was staring at a reflection of myself, yet she
DENARA’S POV He killed Bruno…“No,” the word escaped my lips as a desperate whisper, my heart plummeting into an abyss of fear.I rushed away from Freya’s still form, her lifeless body haunting me even as I sprinted toward Rockan. Each step felt like a weight bearing down on me, but I couldn't stop. I needed to get to him. I needed to know he was okay.As I reached Rockan, horror gripped me at the sight of blood pooling beneath him, soaking through his shirt. I dropped to my knees beside him, panic surging as I placed my trembling hand over the wound, trying to staunch the flow of crimson. “No, no, no! Please don’t die. Don’t leave me,” I cried out, my voice breaking.“I’m not dying, little mate, I’m not,” he chuckled weakly, his hand reaching up to touch my face. But I could see through the lies in his eyes. The bullet had gone through him. The force of the shot, aimed at him, had struck true, and he was losing strength by the second.“Rockan, I have to tell you something,” I manage
DENARA’S POV She was gone.The realization hit me like a physical blow, the weight of it crashing down on my chest. I could feel the warmth fading from Freya’s body, her heartbeat growing fainter until it vanished completely. I lost her even before I could forgive her. At that moment, the world around me dulled into a blur of chaos and noise. I could still hear Rockan and Bruno struggling, their bodies colliding with a force that sent shockwaves through the air, but it felt distant like a storm raging far away. All I could focus on was the lifelessness in my arms, the way Freya’s body felt so heavy and still. “You’re a monster!” I screamed, the words tearing from my throat with a rawness that surprised even me. I didn’t know if I was addressing Bruno or Rockan, or if it was a self-directed accusation—maybe a little of both. All I knew was that the pain in my chest was unbearable, an agony that consumed me whole. “Freya!” I sobbed, cradling her head against my shoulder, feeling the
FREYA’S POV “No!”My body moved on its own, a reflex born from instinct. Time seemed to slow as the world flashed before my eyes, each moment stretching into eternity. I could hear the chaotic symphony of shouts and struggles around me, but all I could focus on was the glint of metal in Bruno’s hand. The gun.I didn’t think it through. I just acted.In that split second, I lunged forward, my heart pounding in my chest. “No!” I screamed, but the word felt like a whisper lost in the storm of emotions swirling around us. The sound of the gunshot echoed, a deafening crack that shattered the tension in the air. I felt a sharp pain, a searing heat that radiated from my inside. It was a sensation that took a moment to register, the bullet found its mark, and it was me. “Freya!” I heard Denera’s anguished scream cut through the chaos, a sound that struck deeper than the bullet itself. I glanced over at her just as she launched toward me, her eyes wide with fear, her expression desperate.
DENARA’S POV It was very noisy out there, the sound of war or gunshots? But why would anyone shoot guns so consistently? Unless it was something else, but my mind was too foggy to come up with anything else.“If you’re hiding her, you’re making a grave mistake. I won’t hesitate to tear this place apart.”I jolted awake, the harsh reality cutting through the fog of unconsciousness. My lungs burned as I forced air down, each breath a struggle. “Rockan,” I breathed out weakly, though I knew no one could hear me. He had come to find me, and tears stung my eyes at the realization. The weight of my situation pressed down on me, but a flicker of hope ignited in my chest. Determined to escape the dark corners of this room, I scanned my surroundings. The dim light barely illuminated the space, but I could make out the remnants of the broken glass that had earlier wounded me. Wounded me? I thought I had miscarried my baby.Bruno must have cleared the room, probably thinking I would use a sha
Bruno’s POV “Son, you have to hide, quickly!” My mother burst into my room, her face pale and fear-stricken.“What? Why?” I questioned, my mind still foggy from the alcohol. The haze was lifting, but it left a lingering confusion in its wake.“He’s here,” she announced, her voice trembling.“What? Who?” I was still piecing together the situation, my heart racing.“The masked Alpha,” she replied, her eyes wide with panic.“Fuck,” I cursed under my breath as I rose to my feet, adrenaline flooding my system. I rushed to the window, glancing outside to confirm her words. My heart sank as I saw him—Rockan, striding into the pack house like he owned the place, with Freya trailing behind him. The sight of her ignited a firestorm of anger within me. Betrayal coursed through my veins, making my vision blur. How could she? After everything we had been through, after everything I had done for her, she chose to stand with him. My world spiraled out of control, and the walls of my room felt lik