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
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
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
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
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
BrunoExcitement was an understatement for what I felt at the moment. My heart raced at the thought of setting eyes on Denera once again. The anticipation was almost overwhelming, and yet, it was tinged with frustration. I could hardly believe I was still stuck in this room, trapped in a whirlwind of fabric and chatter as the maids fussed over me.“Can you please hurry?” I snapped, glancing at the clock on the wall. The hands seemed to mock me, ticking away the precious minutes I could be spending preparing to see her. The maids exchanged hurried glances, their nimble fingers working diligently as they laid out a selection of outfits before me. “Just a moment, my lord!” one of them called, her voice laced with urgency as she adjusted the collar of a crisp shirt. I let out an exasperated sigh, running a hand through my hair. “I don’t understand why it takes so long! I need to be ready now!” The words spilled out, sharper than I intended, but I couldn’t help it. My mind was eager to
DENARA’S POV“Let’s do this,” I breathed out. I stepped out into the grand hall, the opulence around me taking my breath away. The towering ceilings were adorned with intricate chandeliers that sparkled like stars, casting a warm glow over the elegantly decorated space. Rachel was right behind me, her presence a comforting reminder of her earlier advice to keep my head high.As I walked forward, I could feel the weight of everyone's gaze upon me. The announcer's voice boomed through the hall, cutting through the chatter. “The Luna of Dark Lion pack, Denera!” he proclaimed, and my breath caught in my throat. The moment felt surreal, knowing that all eyes had just turned to me.I hurriedly scanned the crowd, my heart racing as I searched for Rockan. When my eyes finally landed on him, a wave of relief washed over me. He stood tall and confident, a radiant smile lighting up his face. The adoration in his gaze made my tense shoulders ease a bit. He was my anchor in this sea of uncertain
Denera“It’s an honor to be here, Alpha Rockan,” Bruno said, that infuriating smirk still plastered on his face. I held back the instinct to hiss at him. Instead, I focused on the floor, feeling the tension in the air rise. “Thank you,” Rockan replied curtly, nudging my side gently. I felt his urge for me to respond, forcing me to give both of them a curt bow of apprehension. It was the last thing I wanted to do, but I followed his lead, knowing that I had to maintain calmness.My anger towards them knew no bounds. Heaven knew I wanted them to rot in suffering. They were the exact offspring of the wickedness their parents bore in their hearts, and now they were in my pack, pretending to be at peace with me. I could feel the resentment boiling beneath the surface, but I promised myself I would show my best behavior in front of the other Alphas. These two would not ruin that for me.They turned away from us to mingle with the rest of the crowd, and Rockan’s hand snuck its way around
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