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
DENARA’S POV“Denera,” Bruno insisted, pulling me back but I felt Rockan’s protective presence looming in the back of my mind as I glared at him almost immediately. Before I could react further, I felt Rockan’s hand gently brush against my shoulder, grounding me. “Is there a problem here?” he asked, his voice low and steady.Bruno straightened, his demeanor shifting as he met Rockan’s intense gaze. “No problem at all, Alpha,” he said quickly, stepping aside. “Just catching up with your Luna.”Rockan’s grip tightened slightly around my waist, and I could feel the tension in his body. “Let’s keep it civil, shall we?” he said, his tone firm.I stepped past Bruno, grateful for Rockan’s presence. As we moved back into the crowd, I felt a rush of relief wash over me, knowing I wouldn’t have to deal with Bruno’s antics for the time being. “Are you okay?” Rockan asked, concern etched on his face as we navigated back into the festivities. His brow furrowed slightly, and I could see the tensi
DENARA’S POVWe didn’t talk after the library incident. Rockan and I could barely even meet eye to eye. The weight of his earlier question hung heavily between us, an unspoken barrier that seemed to grow thicker with every second that passed. I felt the distance between us, an ache in my chest that I couldn’t shake off.The ceremony came to a close sooner than I anticipated, and the room began to empty as Alphas and their Lunas departed to their respective territories and packs. I watched them go, feeling a mix of relief and exhaustion. All I wanted was to retreat into the comfort of my room, away from the world and the weight of expectations. I stood in front of the mirror, practically glaring at my reflection. The day’s events played over in my mind, and I felt the frustration simmering just beneath the surface. Rachel was undoing the pins holding my hair up, letting the strands fall freely around my shoulders. The thought of a hot bath after a long day filled me with a sense of
TYRIS’ POVI heard it all—the dispute between my brother and Denera. At first, I was furious to know they were still together after he revealed that side of him. But as the reality sank in, I found myself lost in thought. It disgusted me to acknowledge that they were both in love with each other. This was the perfect opportunity to get a hold of her. Maybe this time, she would finally see that I was the only one who could handle her with care and understanding.“Denera,” I called out, and she immediately turned on her heels. Her mind seemed occupied, like a storm brewing behind her eyes, but when she caught sight of me, I noticed the shift in her demeanor—her posture stiffened, her expression closed off.It was annoying how she looked at me, like I was the last person she wanted to see.“Prince TYRIS,” she replied, her voice lacking warmth. She didn’t even bother to take a step closer.“What’s going on?” I questioned, feigning ignorance. “You seem troubled.”“I’m looking for Rockan,”
Denera’s POVHe hated me.They both hate me now. I wouldn’t blame Rockan for his anger; I used him. He loved me, but I deceived both him and myself. The weight of that realization crushed me, pressing down with an unbearable force. My world spiraled around me, a chaotic whirlpool of regret and despair. Tyris was right. I believed my world here with them would be rainbows and sunshine, a fairytale in real life but now, I was trapped in a nightmare of my own making.The truth struck me like a physical blow: I was a burden to them, to everyone. The walls of the castle felt like they were closing in, the air thick and suffocating. Each breath became a struggle as Tyris’s words replayed in my mind, echoing like a relentless drumbeat. “You’re nothing but a burden.” The anxiety twisted in my stomach, a knot of fear tightening with every thought. I could almost feel the stone walls pressing closer, as if they were conspiring to suffocate me. I needed to find Rockan, to apologize, to expla
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