Denera As I pleaded with Rockan, his expression softened. "Alright, we can go to the village. But we'll need to be discreet about it."He turned to Rachel. "Rachel, you'll need to come with us to make sure the Denera is safe."Rachel nodded, a small smile playing on her lips. She knew how much I had enjoyed my previous visit to the village.As the sun began to set, the three of us slipped out of the packhouse, trying our best to avoid drawing attention. The journey to the village was filled with a sense of excitement and anticipation. I could hardly contain my eagerness to see the pack members again."Luna, look at this!" Rachel exclaimed, her eyes wide with surprise as we entered the village square. "They've prepared a celebration just for you!"I followed her gaze, taking in the bustling scene before us. Tables were laden with an array of delicious-looking dishes, and a group of musicians had already begun playing lively, upbeat tunes. Children ran about, chasing each other and g
Denera As I stirred awake, the warm morning sunlight gently caressing my face, I became acutely aware of Rockan's strong, protective embrace. His steady heartbeat and the familiar scent of pine and earth enveloped me, filling me with a sense of profound comfort and security.Reluctantly, I tried to shift my position, but Rockan's arm tightened around me, refusing to let me go. A content smile tugged at the corners of my lips as I nuzzled deeper into his chest, savoring this rare moment of tranquility.Our lives were often consumed by the demands of the pack, and his constant disappearance to perform his duties to keep the entire kingdom. But here, in the privacy of our shared room, it was just the two of us.Gently, I traced the strong planes of Rockan's face, marveling at the softness that had replaced his usual stern expression. His eyes fluttered open, and I was met with the familiar amber gaze that had captivated me from the moment we first met."Good morning, little mate," he mu
Denera "Great, today we'll discuss plants and herbs," Adrianna began, her eyes gleaming with excitement as she gestured to the lush greenery surrounding us in the palace gardens. I took a seat on the ornate stone bench, my notebook open and pen in hand, ready to diligently record her every word. "I'm all ears," I replied, giving her my full attention.Adrianna smiled and started pacing slowly, her fingers trailing along the velvety leaves of a nearby shrub. "Plants are truly remarkable, you know. Each one is a veritable treasure trove of medicinal properties, just waiting to be unlocked."She paused to pluck a delicate purple blossom, twirling it between her fingers. "Take this lavender, for instance. The oil extracted from its fragrant flowers has tremendous calming effects. A few drops can soothe frayed nerves and induce a restful sleep."I dutifully jotted down 'lavender - sedative, sleep aid' in my notebook, eager to learn more."And just look at this rosemary," Adrianna continu
RockanI was lost in the paperwork scattered across my desk, mindlessly signing document after document. The monotonous task had lulled me into a subconscious state, my thoughts drifting elsewhere. But the sharp knock at my office door jolted me back to the present."Come in," I called out, hoping it was Denera on the other side. A moment of silence passed before the doorknob finally turned, and my anticipation quickly turned to a scowl as Adrianna stepped inside. "What do you want?" I asked firmly, doing little to mask my disdain for her presence.Adrianna's lips curled into an innocent-looking smile, but I knew better than to trust that facade. "Calm down, I just came to say hi," she replied, her tone dripping with feigned sweetness."Now leave," I demanded, not wanting to be anywhere near this woman. The mere sight of her set my teeth on edge - I feared what I might do if she lingered any longer."Oh Rocky, don't be so brutal," Adrianna purred, clearly enjoying my irritation. "I h
Denera "What if we check on anyone called Elena?" I suggested, watching as Rockan's eyes widened in realization. Rockan quickly turned to the book he was holding and began flipping through the pages. Finally, he stopped on a page that had a large family tree drawn on it, with many names scattered throughout."That's a lot of Elenas," I said, my eyes scanning the family tree Rockan had opened in the ancient leather-bound book. Seventeen distinct names were listed, each one bearing the same moniker. Rockan nodded solemnly. "The first Elena was the original healer's mate, centuries ago. Her husband's name was Stephen."We traced the lineage downward, the branches growing thicker as the generations passed. The names blurred together, a tapestry of intertwined lives stretching back through the ages. "It ends at the 18th generation," Rockan murmured, running his finger along the final entry. "But this book is over fifty years old. There could be more recent additions we're not seeing."
Denera“You know, I still don’t get why I never noticed such power from Aunt Rosa,” I mumbled to myself, but I knew Rockan was listening. We had left the library an hour ago, and he was in full command mode, barking orders and demands as we prepared for our trip Tomorrow. “Someone get me a car!” he yelled, his voice booming through the halls. I watched as workers and maids scurried off to fulfill his requests, their movements hurried and efficient. “And some maids, pack my mate’s clothes for the next seven days—”I had assumed we would keep things subtle and low-key. The last thing I wanted was too much attention on our plans.“Your Highness—”“What?!” Rockan snapped, turning aggressively to face the poor woman who had approached him. I could see the fear in her eyes as she cowered under his gaze. I felt a pang of sympathy for her; she was only trying to do her job.“The council seeks you and the Luna’s presence,” she stammered, her voice barely above a whisper.The council… The th
DeneraIt all happened in a flash. The preparations were completed before the end of the day, and though I was filled with excitement, we stood at the gates waiting for the car to arrive. The weight of anticipation hung in the air, tangible energy buzzing around us.“Wait up!”Abruptly, Rockan and I turned on our heels, curious about the voice that had called out to us. “What is she doing here?” Rockan growled, his expression shifting from excitement to annoyance.“Adrianna,” I said, recognizing her as she rushed toward us, her hair flying behind her like a banner. She was running as if she were about to miss a flight.“I forgot she was supposed to teach me too!” I blurted out, face-palming myself. How could I have overlooked that? When Adrianna finally reached us, she was gasping, her breaths coming in quick, shallow bursts. “There is no way you're going on that kind of journey without me,” she declared, hands on her hips, eyes fierce.I glanced at Rockan, who was clearly not thril
Denera “I am Luna Danielle, leader of Mystic Pack. Welcome to the pack of healers,” the elder woman announced, her voice resonating with authority and warmth. My eyes sparkled with excitement—Danielle was one of the names on the family tree we had discovered. She was part of the last recorded lineage.“Thank you for accepting us,” Rockan said, giving a respectful bow. “Take our guests to the guest quarters,” she instructed, gesturing for us to follow. With that, we were granted passage into their land.As we stepped into Mystic Pack territory, I was immediately struck by the beauty surrounding us. The landscape was a tapestry of lush greenery, with vibrant wildflowers blooming in a riot of colors. Tall trees, their leaves shimmering in the sunlight, framed the path, creating a natural archway that welcomed us.The buildings were unlike anything I had ever seen. Each structure was crafted from the finest timber, featuring intricate carvings that depicted scenes of healing and nature.
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
DENARA’S POV I blinked awake, a dull ache pulsing through my head and radiating over my body. Panic surged as I tried to move, only to find myself firmly bound to a chair. The cold, hard surface pressed against my back, and my wrists felt raw from the silver-like ropes digging into my skin. Memories flooded back—the last thing I remembered was Bruno's face, twisted with anger before everything went dark.“Bruno,” I murmured, my voice barely above a whisper. The betrayal cut deeper than the pain in my head. My heart ached not only from the physical torment but from the realization that I had been taken—kidnapped by someone I once trusted. The words he said echoed in my mind. Why would a person hate her own sister so much that she would perpetuate her and her husband’s murder? I shuddered at the thought, my heart racing. I had always believed family was supposed to protect one another, not destroy. “Sevyn?” I called out softly, hoping my wolf would respond. It felt as if a heavy fog