Della wrapped her arms around Felix, pulling him close, feeling the warmth of his small body against her as relief washed over her like a tide. "I was so scared, Felix. You have to promise me you won’t do that again. You have to let me know where you’re going, okay?” Felix nodded, his cheek pressed against her shoulder. “I just wanted to see the bunnies,” he mumbled, a slight tremor in his voice. “I thought I could find them by myself.” Della's heart ached at his childlike innocence, but she couldn’t shake the undercurrent of fear that still clung to her. “I know, sweetheart, but you can’t go out on your own. It’s dangerous. What if you got lost?” “Mommy, I didn’t get lost,” he protested, pulling back slightly to meet her gaze, his eyes wide and earnest. “I just went to look for them.” Michael appeared behind them, his face a mix of relief and anger. “Felix,” he said, kneeling down to the boy’s level, “You scared us half to death! You can’t go off like that. You don’t know
Xavier stood in front of Luna with a heavy heart, the words he had rehearsed over and over again now stuck in his throat. Luna looked up at him with hopeful eyes, searching for any sign that he still cared for her. But all Xavier could see was his mistress, Anna, waiting for him in the shadows. "Luna, I... I can't be with you," Xavier finally managed to say, his voice cracking with emotion. Luna's expression fell, her hand reaching out towards him as if to catch him before he fell. "Why?" she whispered, her voice barely above a whisper. Xavier hesitated, torn between his duty as a werewolf alpha and his feelings for Anna. He knew he had to choose one, and he knew that Luna deserved better than to be in a relationship with someone who couldn't give her his whole heart. "I... I have found someone else," Xavier admitted, his voice barely audible. Luna's eyes widened in shock, the realization of what Xavier was saying hitting her like a ton of bricks. "Who?" she asked, her voice
“Xavier, I love this dress. Today I will wear it. Perhaps we can shop for a beautiful dress for my upcoming Luna ceremony.” Anna gushed excitedly as she twirled around the bedroom, holding one of Dellas' most beautiful dresses against herself. Xavier glanced up and felt his wolf's dislike of the omega touching his exes' belongings. Xavier's stomach churned at the sight of Anna holding Luna Della's dress, a twinge of discomfort settling in his chest. The dress symbolised Luna, a reminder of the love they once shared, and seeing Anna covet it filled him with a sense of unease. "Anna, that dress belongs to Luna," Xavier said, his voice tinged with disapproval. "It's not yours to wear. And we haven't discussed anything about you becoming the Luna. You are merely carrying my child.” Anna's expression shifted, her smile faltering at Xavier's words. "But Xavier, I thought... I thought we were moving forward, starting a new chapter together," she said, a note of defensivenes
Della left the pack house and slid into her car without looking back. Her hands clenched the steering wheel as she turned the key, the engine roaring to life. The tyres screeched as she accelerated, leaving the dust of her old life behind. Her gaze was fixed straight ahead, a steely determination in her eyes. She refused to let a single tear fall, refusing to give Xavier the satisfaction of her pain. His betrayal, especially with an omega, was bad enough, but the news of the pregnancy had shattered any remaining hope she had for their future together. For years, they had tried to have their baby, and this was how he wanted to be. Della had given her life to a man who she thought was her one and only. They had sworn their love and promises under the moon and in front of their loved ones and pack members. She knew that Xavier was a fool to choose anyone over her, and the moon goddess would surely punish him for his terrible actions. The wind whipped through her hair as she sped d
She turned on the bedside light and looked around, seeing nothing. She must have imagined it in her half-asleep state. As she settled back down, she tried to calm her racing heart and let the day's exhaustion finally lull her into a deep slumber. Images of the mysterious stranger and her freedom at that moment danced in her dreams, guiding her towards a new dawn filled with possibility. When Della awoke the following day, the light filtering through the curtains of the motel room cast a warm glow over her tired features. She stretched and yawned, the previous day's events slowly returning to her in fragments. As she got up and prepared to leave the motel room, a sense of determination filled her once more. She was ready to face whatever lay ahead, prepared to embrace the unknown with open arms. Leaving the room key on the front desk, Della stepped out of the Rosewood Motel, feeling the warmth of the morning sun on her skin. The previous day's events still lingered in her mind,
Della smiled back at Michael, surprised but pleased to see the kind stranger again. "It's nice to see you too. What a small world!""Indeed it is," Michael replied. "I didn't expect to run into you at my grandmother's cafe."Mrs. Thompson looked between Michael and Della with a warm smile. "Oh, so you two have already met? How wonderful!"Della explained how they had briefly crossed paths the previous day at the gas station when her car had broken down. Michael had been kind enough to help her get a tow truck arranged."My grandson has a good heart," Mrs. Thompson said proudly. "I'm glad he was there to lend a hand when you needed it.""He was a lifesaver," Della agreed. "And now your kindness in offering me a job and place to stay...I can't thank you both enough."Michael raised his eyebrows in surprise at his grandmother. "You've hired Della and offered her the flat upstairs? Grandmother, you didn't need to go to such troubles.""Nonsense!" Mrs. Thompson wagged her finger. "This you
Xavier felt suffocated by the walls closing in around him at the pack house. The weight of his choices threatened to crush him, the ghost of Luna's devastated face haunting his every waking moment. He needed to escape, breathe, and sort through the tangled mess of emotions. With a mumbled excuse to Anna, he headed into the forest surrounding the pack lands.As soon as the ancient trees enveloped him, Xavier allowed his wolf to surface, letting the beast take temporary refuge from his turbulent human emotions. Bones shifted and reformed as he dropped on four powerful legs, his russet fur bristling along his spine. A long, mournful howl bubbled up from his lupine chest, a guttural expression of frustration and inner turmoil.He took off at a loping run, powerful haunches propelling him forward as he relished the burn in his muscles and the wind whipping through his coarse pelt. Outside the wilderness, he could think clearly without Anna's insistent presence clouding his judgment. What h
Della woke up early the following day, the sun streaming through the windows of her cosy flat. She made herself a cup of coffee and sat on the small balcony, taking in the peaceful view of the bustling street below. It was a new day, full of possibilities, and she felt a sense of optimism washing over her. As she sipped her coffee, Della heard a faint rustling from the alley behind the café. Curious, she set down her mug and peered over the railing. Surprisingly, she saw a tiny kitten darting between the trash cans, its fur matted and dirty. Without hesitation, Della sprang into action. She hurried downstairs, grabbed a bowl of milk from the kitchen, and went to the alley. The kitten hesitated initially, but the hunger in its eyes won out, and it cautiously approached Della. Gently, Della set the bowl of milk down on the ground and took a step back, giving the kitten space to drink. It lapped the milk greedily, its small tail flicking back and forth in contentment. As Della
Della wrapped her arms around Felix, pulling him close, feeling the warmth of his small body against her as relief washed over her like a tide. "I was so scared, Felix. You have to promise me you won’t do that again. You have to let me know where you’re going, okay?” Felix nodded, his cheek pressed against her shoulder. “I just wanted to see the bunnies,” he mumbled, a slight tremor in his voice. “I thought I could find them by myself.” Della's heart ached at his childlike innocence, but she couldn’t shake the undercurrent of fear that still clung to her. “I know, sweetheart, but you can’t go out on your own. It’s dangerous. What if you got lost?” “Mommy, I didn’t get lost,” he protested, pulling back slightly to meet her gaze, his eyes wide and earnest. “I just went to look for them.” Michael appeared behind them, his face a mix of relief and anger. “Felix,” he said, kneeling down to the boy’s level, “You scared us half to death! You can’t go off like that. You don’t know
The morning light seeped through the curtains, casting a golden hue across Della's bedroom. As she stirred awake, the comforting warmth of the blankets wrapped around her, she felt an inexplicable sense of peace. But as she turned to discover the space beside her empty, a wave of unease washed over her. "Felix?" she called, her voice muffled by the sheets. There was no reply. Just the chirping of birds outside and the quiet hum of the world waking up. Della swung her legs over the edge of the bed, the wooden floor cool beneath her feet. Panic began to bloom in her chest. She quickly pulled on a sweatshirt and rushed out of the room, the hallway stretching quiet. "Felix, come on!" she called again, a sense of urgency creeping into her tone. She dashed to his bedroom, flinging open the door, but the room was empty. The bed was unmade, toys scattered across the floor—a trail of evidence marking his previous presence—but he was nowhere to be found. Della's heart raced, each be
Michael’s gaze shifted from the road to the porch, his previous lightheartedness vanishing in an instant. "Della, stay in the car," he whispered, but his voice was steady, grounded. His protective instincts kicked in as he surveyed the scene. Felix, oblivious to the tension gripping the adult hearts beside him, continued to chatter, "He looks funny! Is he a clown? Can I see him?" Della felt like she might drown in the chaos inside her mind. That face—she knew it. The storm of emotions crashing over her threatened to pull her under. The world outside, once decorated in hues of vanilla and strawberry, faded into worry-laden grays. “It’s… it’s nobody, sweetheart,” she said, her voice trembling despite her best effort to sound calm. Those two words echoed hollowly in her chest, the truth of the situation crashing against her like waves. “Della? What do you want to do?” Michael’s voice was a low rumble, a rock amidst the encroaching tide of unease. As fear clawed its way up
As they stepped up to the counter, Della’s heart lightened further, drawn in by the kaleidoscope of colors and flavors that decorated the ice cream shop. The vibe was familial; patrons filled the tables, laughter and animated chatter ringing through the air. It was the kind of normalcy she craved, a temporary reprieve from the unease swirling inside her. Michael glanced over at Della while Felix pointed out various flavors, his small finger tapping excitedly against the glass case. “What are you thinking?” he asked, his voice low enough for only her to hear. “Maybe just something simple,” she replied, trying to dismiss the heavy remnants of anxiety that lingered at the back of her mind. “A scoop of vanilla could do.” Michael nodded, subtly encouraging her, and Della felt grateful for his unwavering support. Felix continued debating flavors, oblivious to the delicate dance of emotions unfolding between his parents. “Can I get sprinkles, Daddy?” Felix asked, his gaze wide
Michael’s brow furrowed in surprise at Della’s abruptness. “Already? We just got here,” he said, glancing at Felix, who looked equally bewildered. “Yeah, Mummy!” Felix chimed in, his face falling. “I haven’t even caught a fish yet!” “I know, sweetie, but I just… I feel like we should head back. It’s getting late.” Della offered a weak smile, but she felt the mounting pressure of her unease gripping her again. Michael studied her closely, searching for signs of her discomfort. “Are you sure? We can stay for just a little while longer. I promise it’ll be worth it.” His tone wavered between concern and disappointment, looking between the two most important people in his life. Della hesitated, torn between wanting to appease Felix’s enthusiasm and the unsettling feeling that had returned, creeping in like tendrils of mist. “I… I really think we should go. Something just doesn’t feel right.” Felix huffed, crossing his arms. “But Mummy, what if we miss catching the biggest
Della watched as Michael tossed Felix into the air, the boy’s laughter filling the kitchen like sunshine. It was a captivating sound that melted away the shadows of her dream and the specter of a past that seemed to linger. Yet, despite the warmth around her, a slight unease dimmed the glow. She stood and poured herself a cup of coffee, hoping the familiar aroma would steady her nerves. “Are you all packed for the fishing trip?” she called over her shoulder, trying to focus on the present. As she stirred in a splash of cream, she caught Michael's gaze. He was beaming at their son, but his eyes flickered to Della's for just an instant—an unspoken understanding passing between them. Felix was busy bouncing around the table, recounting his most recent fishing adventures, his vivid imagination transforming every catch into legendary tales. “And then, Mummy, the fish was as big as a whale!” he declared, eyes wide. “That sounds impressive, buddy,” Della replied, enjoying the innoc
Della woke up with a start. Sweat ran down her face as she struggled to regain her breath, and her heart was thumping like crazy in her chest. She turned her head and saw that Michael was still fast asleep. It was dark outside, and the bedside clock on the cabinet told Della that it was a few minutes after five a.m. She sunk back into her pillow and looked up at the ceiling. She couldn’t shake the image of her ex from her mind, the fire and wondering if he had died in it. Xavier had been the love of her life for so long, or so she had thought. She guessed she should be grateful since if it weren’t for him; then she would never have met the man who was indeed for her. Reaching over to take a sip of water from her glass, she quenched her thirst and sat up. Sleep wouldn’t come for her anytime soon, and she knew it. With a sigh of frustration, she swung her legs over the bed and felt for her fluffy pink slippers; they were so comfortable, especially when it was as cold as it was.
Prologue Five years had passed, and while Della struggled to rebuild her life, the specter of Xavier loomed, a shadow she could never quite shake. Felix was now a joyful, rambunctious boy, so full of life and innocence that it made Della’s heart swell with pride and joy, even as memories of the past occasionally clawed at her resolve. In their new home, a cozy cottage surrounded by the lush woods of a nearby reserve, Della worked tirelessly to create a sense of normalcy. The walls were painted soft colors, and sunlight streamed through windows adorned with cheerful curtains. Michael had dedicated himself to making their sanctuary a safe haven, but Della often felt like the weight of the world settled heavily upon her shoulders. “Mama! Look! I can catch a butterfly!” Felix shouted one sunny afternoon, darting across the grass like a streak of light. Della’s heart swelled at his unquenchable curiosity and explorative spirit. She watched warmly as he pranced around the vibrant
One week later Della lingered in the doorway, a smile creeping onto her face as she watched her son sprawled on his playmat, gurgling happily to himself. He was a radiant beacon in her life, embodying her hopes for a joyful, healthy future. Yet, like shadows creeping across her mind, the scars of her past began to resurface. It had been a week since she'd stood on the grounds of the pack she once led alongside Xavier.“Is everything okay, my love?” Michael whispered as he slipped his arms around her, resting his chin on her shoulder. She nodded, though her gaze remained fixed on their child. Felix had inherited his father's smile and eyes—a striking resemblance that filled her with warmth and uncertainty. A nagging thought worried her: Would Xavier, if he had survived the fire, ever return for their son, his true heir? Would vengeance be his motive?“I was just thinking about how quickly Felix is growing up and what his future might hold,” Della said, a sigh escaping her lips as Mich