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.
RockanI lay restlessly on the bed, staring up at the ceiling. Sleeping in unfamiliar places had never been easy for me, and tonight was no exception. The tension in the room seemed to wrap around me like a heavy blanket. Not only was I in a strange setting, but the Mystic Pack had also insisted that all four of us “guests” stay in separate rooms. After I tried to explain that Denera and I were mated, it felt like my words fell on deaf ears.Again, I turned over on the bed, shifting endlessly as I found it increasingly difficult to find rest. The bed was soft, too soft, and the sheets felt foreign against my skin. I couldn't shake the unease that settled in my stomach.“Fuck,” I muttered, frustration bubbling up as I swung my legs over the edge of the bed, resting my elbows on my knees. The stillness of the night was deafening, broken only by the sound of my own heartbeat, which felt like it was pounding in my ears.Then, a knock on the door interrupted my thoughts. I caught a whiff
Denera “Because I love you, okay?”My heart skipped more than a beat as I looked up at him, disbelief washing over me. What?His confession hung in the air, heavy and profound. I felt as if the world around us faded, leaving just the two of us at that moment. “From the time you tripped and fell during the mate-picking ceremony, I have loved you from the start, Denera,” he continued, his voice earnest and raw. “That is why I’ve been less of the ruthless alpha I usually am.”His words struck a chord deep within me. Memories of that chaotic day flashed through my mind—how clumsy I felt, how exposed. Yet, even amid my embarrassment, Rockan had been there, his gaze steady and very intimidating. I had never considered that my vulnerability could invoke such strong feelings in him.“I noticed how fragile and scared you were the night you were with me,” he said, his voice dropping to a whisper. “It made my heart sink that I caused it. It is why I have done my best to be good to you, and I
Denera“Elena’s mother, also known as Denera, was my cousin,” Luna Danielle revealed.Her words hit me like a thunderbolt, leaving me momentarily speechless. The room seemed to be still, the air thick with the weight of her revelation.“You knew my mother?” I asked, my voice barely above a whisper, still reeling from the shock. The connection felt surreal, a thread in the tapestry of my life that I had never expected to find.Danielle chuckled softly, a warm sound that eased the tension in my chest. She reached into her pocket and pulled out a folded piece of paper, handing it to me with a gentle smile. “I didn’t just know her; she was my first cousin.”As I took the picture from her, tears prickled at the corners of my eyes. The photograph was worn but vibrant, capturing a moment frozen in time. I held it carefully, my breath catching in my throat. In the picture, a younger Luna Danielle stood beside Aunt Rosa and…my mother, Elena. They were all smiles, laughter lighting up their fa