Denera The morning light filtering through my bedroom window slowly woke me from a restless sleep. As I stirred, the familiar sound of Rachel's gentle footsteps approached my bedside."Good morning, my lady," she said softly, giving me a warm smile. "It's time to start your day."I let out a small sigh, sitting up and running a hand through my tangled hair. "Good morning, Rachel." Despite the peaceful ambiance, I couldn't shake the lingering unease from the events of yesterday.Rachel seemed to sense my apprehension. "I trust you slept well?" she asked, her brow creased with concern."As well as can be expected," I replied, offering her a reassuring nod. I glanced towards the empty space beside me, the absence of Rockan's comforting presence not going unnoticed. "Has Rockan returned yet?"Rachel's expression turned somber. "No, he hasn’t, my lady. He chooses to stay in his official chambers for now."I felt a pang of disappointment, but I understood the necessity of his duty. "I see
Bruno“Bullshit!” I cussed out, pulling each drawer and opening each paper I came across. The documents I shuffled through were completely useless - they contained no meaningful facts or concrete evidence, which was intensely frustrating. I desperately needed real proof and information, but everything I came across was just pointless paperwork. The lack of substance was driving me mad, and I knew that I couldn't handle the situation any longer.More than anything, I ached to have Denera back in my life. I craved her familiar scent, the gentle smile on her face, and the deep connection of gazing into her eyes. She was all I could think about - I needed her presence, her touch, her very being. It was almost crushing to remember how much of an idiot I was. My stupid ego made me make the worst mistake of my life by rejecting her as my mate and forcing her to reject me also and to top it all, I sent her out of the pack too. I felt my heart sink when the thought of never seeing her agai
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
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
Rockan’s POV The morning sun crept through the tall, arched windows of my castle, casting long shadows on the cold stone floor. I sat at the edge of my ornate seat in the council room, running a hand through my disheveled hair, exhaustion weighing heavily on me. Sleep had eluded me for far too long, and all I could think about was Denera.I summoned the council but they were yet to be here. “What is taking them so long?” I growled. Tyris leaned against the intricately carved door frame, arms crossed, concern etched across his face. “You need to eat something, Rockan. You can’t keep doing this to yourself,” he urged his voice a mix of worry and frustration.“I’m fine,” I snapped, irritation flaring. The anger simmering inside me was a volatile mix of guilt and fear.“Fine? You call this fine?” Tyris stepped closer, his tone softening. “This isn’t just about you. It’s about Denera. We need to find her.”Just hearing her name twisted my gut. I hadn’t stopped thinking about her since s
Bruno’s POV “You guys are monsters, all of you,” I blurted out, disbelief flooding my voice as I stared at my mother, my eyes wide with shock. The disappointment coursing through me was a heavy weight, suffocating and bitter.“We did what we had to do—” she continued, her voice trembling.“And you see how that’s affecting me now?” I shot back, my frustration boiling over. “Is Freya in on this too?” The thought twisted my stomach. If they were so hell-bent on me dating Freya, maybe she knew more than she let on.“No, you were all kids back then. I promise you that it’ll work out,” she insisted, tears brimming in her eyes. I groaned, my frustration reaching a breaking point. “For goodness’ sake, mother,” I snapped. I couldn’t stand there any longer. Pulling the emotional card and trying to gaslight me was even more irritating than the decisions they had made in the past. “I need air.”“Bruno, wait!” she called after me as I turned to leave, but I didn’t reply. Fortunately, she didn’t
BRUNO’S POV I walked out on her, the weight of my emotions crashing down like a tidal wave. Rage boiled inside me with every step I took, and all I could think about was Rockan. I wanted to kill him. I wanted to unleash the pent-up frustration that had been building since the moment I discovered Denera was pregnant with his child.The image of the mark on her neck haunted me, a permanent reminder of their reckless actions together. I had called the doctor just an hour ago to check on her—she was taking too long to wake up, and I got worried. Only to find out that she was carrying a child for the bastard who called himself head alpha. “Bruno!” The sound of my mother’s voice pulled me from my dark thoughts, and I groaned immediately upon recognizing it. “Oh goodness, yes, mother,” I replied, trying to keep my voice steady. “Follow me,” she ordered, her tone leaving no room for argument. I turned to look at her, and for a moment, my heart skipped a beat. Was it guilt I felt? Perhap
DENARA’S POV My eyes slowly fluttered open, a frown creasing my forehead as the world came into focus. A sharp wave of nausea rolled through me, and a debilitating headache throbbed at my temples, each pulse sending a jolt of pain through my skull. I groaned softly, regretting every sip of that wolfsbane alcohol. The memory of the night before was a hazy blur, filled with laughter that now felt bitter and mocking.As the fog of confusion began to lift, panic surged within me. Blinking rapidly, I tried to piece together what was happening, but reality hit me hard: I was seated on a rough wooden chair, and something cold and unyielding was strapped around my wrists and ankles. “How the fuck am I kidnapped?” I muttered, my voice hoarse and laced with disbelief. The weight of my situation settled in like a heavy shroud, suffocating me. In the dim light, I sensed another presence lurking in the shadows. My heart raced as I turned my head slightly, the familiar scent hitting me like a s
BrunoThe moon hung high in the sky, casting a silvery light across the pack house as I paced my room, frustration boiling beneath the surface. I just settled into a restless state when a soft knock echoed through the door.“Bruno?” Freya’s voice drifted in, tentative but familiar.I clenched my jaw, irritation prickling at my skin. “What do you want, Freya?” “I need to talk to you,” she replied, her tone insistent. With a heavy sigh, I opened the door, bracing myself for yet another conversation that would lead nowhere. Freya stepped inside, her expression a mix of determination and something I couldn’t quite place. “Freya, it’s late,” I said, trying to sound more pissed than I felt. “You shouldn’t be here.”“I know,” she said, her voice dropping to a whisper. “But I couldn’t wait.”I leaned against the wall, arms crossed, and studied her. She looked different tonight—tense, almost fragile. “What is it?”Before she could respond, a familiar scent hit me—Denera’s scent, lingering o