“What did you say?” Both my dad and mom exclaimed in unison, their surprise evident on their faces. Sadly, it wasn’t a delightful surprise. Devastation, perhaps, would be a more accurate word for the expressions etched on their faces."You heard me right," I asserted, tightening my grip possessively around Adelynn's waist. "She's carrying my child. Delaying the ceremony is out of the question."“Okay, okay, we get it,” my father said, a deep scowl forming on his face. “The child in her womb is our blood, the heir of the Bloodmoon Pack. We’ll accept the baby but not her.”"But not her?" The disbelief clawed its way up my throat, erupting in a strangled cry. "How could you even consider such a thing?""Noel, enough!" My mother's voice echoed with a sharp snarl. “We are ready to accept the baby from a human. That’s more than enough, but making her the Luna of the pack is a big thing. The other packs will mock us. Besides, the pack members can rebel against you.”"How cruel!" Adelynn didn
The world tilted beneath my feet as Noel's dark eyes narrowed. Panic clawed at my throat. My stomach plummeted to the ground as I faced his suspicious gaze. I was afraid he would see through my lie. I snatched at the first excuse that came."There's nothing to hide," I stammered, a desperate edge creeping into my tone. "It's just...Richard's the baby's father, and that worries me."The mere mention of Richard's name left a bitter taste in my mouth. Loathing coiled in my chest, a tangled mess of self-hatred for the web of deceit I'd woven and the desperate situation that forced me to lie. But the yearning to escape this place, to be free, burned brighter.Pushing the guilt away, I forged on. "You'll have your own children someday," I said, the words scraping against my conscience. "The love you feel for my baby now might change. I can't bear the thought of anyone treating my baby poorly."Noel's brow furrowed, a flicker of anger chasing across his features. “You are worrying for nothin
The vein in my temple throbbed in time with the fury building inside me. My fists clenched, and the urge to grab her and toss her out the window threatened to take over. But I couldn't. Offending her wasn't an option. Other than swallowing my anger, I could do nothing."He is not happy with your relationship with Adelynn," her words echoed, laced with venomous threat. “He will definitely oppose accepting her as the Luna of the Bloodmoon pack. How are you going to deal with him?”"That's my pack's business," I countered, forcing every ounce of control I possessed into my voice. "As Alpha, I decide what's best for us. We don't need anyone interfering."Her response was a sharp bark, reminding me of the two packs’ crucial connection. “Don’t forget we are the biggest and oldest ally of your pack. Without our support, your dream of becoming Alpha King goes up in smoke. And let me remind you," she continued, her voice dripping with icy condescension, "other packs aren’t in favor of our grow
Adelynn’s POV…I was shocked, my heart hammering against my chest. He wanted to mark me! But didn’t he say that he wouldn’t mark me since I couldn’t take the pain? Why did he change his mind all of a sudden?I panicked. I had no idea what he had on his mind.“Is it necessary?” I asked fearfully. “It won’t be painful, will it?” Fear, cold and sharp, clawed at my insides.He was close now, his thumb brushing the chocolate stain from my lips. "Do you trust me?" he asked.Trapped, with nowhere else to turn, I could only nod, a small, shaky movement. "But I'm scared," I mumbled with apprehension.“Don’t be. I am with you," he murmured, pulling me into a hug. His lips trailed down my neck. The touch ignited a contradictory storm within me. Pregnancy had turned my body into a tinderbox, his touch igniting a desperate need.I wanted him badly, but I was a bit scared too. Noel's lovemaking was rough and forceful, and I worried about the fragile life growing inside me.“Noel…” I started, a whim
The day of the alpha meeting finally arrived. The alphas from prominent packs in the world gathered in the Bloodmoon pack. Alpha Ryan was the most prominent figure among them. The tension in the grand hall crackled like a live wire. Anticipation had morphed into unease as Noel and I entered. All eyes were on us, a sea of faces reflecting surprise and curiosity.We looked at each other, Noel offering me a reassuring smile. “Don’t worry; I am here with you,” he murmured in my ear.I nodded and thanked him. I was nervous, but I trusted Noel. With him by my side, I had nothing to fear. We walked down the stairs, hand in hand.Locus and Regina's indifference did little to ease my apprehension. They remained seated in their seat holding their chin high. I held onto Noel's hand tighter, seeking solace in his presence.Then, a voice – harsh and accusatory – echoed in the hall. "A human?" it boomed. "What is a human doing here? This is no place for her!"My heart sank as his accusatory gazes l
Panic clawed at my throat. All the alphas seemed to follow Ryan, blatantly ignoring Noel's. This was the Bloodmoon pack, the supposed strongest in the world, and yet here they were, defying their leader. It was shocking.Ryan, on the other hand, exuded a quiet authority, a magnetism that drew the others in. The power dynamic had shifted, unmistakably placing him at the helm.I felt a jolt of fear through me. Noel's bid for the alpha king position was crumbling, and the consequences were dire. I panicked as I glanced at the faces full of hatred and fury, a glimpse of the carnage they intended to unleash upon humanity.If any of them became the alpha king, they would certainly cause a massacre in human society, killing people, and making them slaves, just as they claimed.‘No, I can’t allow this to happen,’ I muttered in my mind.With a surge of newfound determination, I pushed myself forward, my voice ringing out, “Alpha Ryan, you are selfish.”The room erupted with murmurs.Ryan's fac
“Alpha Ryan, do you have any idea what you have done?” Noel roared, barely containing his anger. “In front of everyone, your soldier attacked my mate. I won’t take this matter lightly. I’ll raise the concern to the council.”My heart hammered against my ribs, each beat echoing the tension in the room.Locus, with his expression usually unreadable, had stepped forward, his hand raised in a placating gesture. "Calm down, Noel," he said, but his voice lacked its usual calm authority.Noel spun on him, his face twisting in rage. "Dad! Adelynn could have been killed! She's carrying my child, the heir to the Bloodmoon Pack!"The mention of a grandchild jolted Locus. A flicker of something akin to alarm crossed his usually stoic face. He hadn't exactly warmed up to me yet, but even he wouldn't tolerate anyone harming his bloodline."Alpha Ryan," he said, low and dangerous. "Explain yourself."Ryan seemed genuinely flustered. His arrogance vanished. "Trust me, Locus, it's not me," he pleaded.
The vial felt cold and foreign in my hand. My mind was a jumbled mess. I couldn't shake the feeling of unease that gripped me. Tina's words, laced with venom, echoed in my ears. After everything she had done, after trying to hurt me and my baby, she claimed that she still wanted to help me.Tina was undeniably a vile woman. She had tried to hurt me and my unborn child, yet here she was, offering me this scent-masking elixir. Should I trust her?NoThe answer came swiftly from deep within my gut. But even as I recoiled from the notion of relying on Tina's help, a harsh reality dawned upon me. I had no choice but to use the elixir she had provided. If Noel were to discover the truth about the baby, he would undoubtedly take drastic measures to separate us. And I couldn't bear the thought of being torn away from my child.Clasping the vial tightly in my palm, a sense of determination settled over me. With a steely resolve, I decided to accept Tina's help, if only to ensure my escape from
Meanwhile, Adelynn entered. “Noel!”“Come here.” I beckoned her. “Richard is… dying. Talk to him for the last time.”Her eyes, glistening with unshed tears, darted between me and Richard. Hesitantly, she approached the bed.Richard stirred slightly as she neared. A weak smile, tinged with regret, flickered across his lips. “Adel, I am sorry,” he whispered and then coughed. “I-I wanted to reject you properly, to sever the mate bond completely.”“Don’t talk,” she said. “You will be fine. Noel… why are the doctors not treating him?” Her gaze flicked to me, a question brimming in her tear-filled eyes.“He was poisoned,” I replied. “It’s too late.”“What?”“You still feel bad for me even though I hurt you so badly,” Richard chimed in, a bitter smile tugging at his lips. “I don’t deserve it, Adel… Now…” He coughed. “I, Richard Gray, reject you, Adelynn… Have a happy life… with Alpha Noel…”With that final declaration, a long sigh escaped his lips, his eyes fluttering closed. The faint rise
Upon arrival to the pack, we sent Richard for treatment. Adelynn materialized at my side. Her eyes were clouded with worry. Before I could say a word, she wrapped her arms around me, holding me tight.“I saw the news,” she murmured. “The attack was brutal. So many casualties. I was terrified… terrified the witch would hurt you."Holding her close, I inhaled the comforting scent of lavender that clung to her hair. "I'm alright, my love," I murmured, stroking her back gently.“Are you hurt?” She pulled back slightly, scrutinizing my face. Her concern intensified as her gaze lingered on the faint line of dried blood near my chest. Her fingers brushed the injury with a feather-light touch, sending a jolt of electricity sparking through me.“Are you seducing me?” I asked, grinning mischievously.She looked at me with her wide eyes and my heart thumped. At this moment, I could only think about pulling her into the bedroom and claiming her.“How mean?” She pushed me away, jolting me back to
Noel’s POV…Two days passed, and we were still looking for the pregnant human ladies who had been taken away. But we found no clue. We had been keeping tabs on the Black Hounds Pack also, but nothing suspicious was noted. Instead, Tina had been helping us in the investigation, which was a stark contrast to the suspicion in my mind.On the other hand, human representatives were happy with us for rescuing the abducted people. We also presented evidence of witches transforming those rogues to attack the humans. While they acknowledged the explanation, the growing public outcry demanded a formal clarification. To quell the rising anxiety, they conducted a press conference.I was invited to the press conference. With all the evidence, I was ready to face the inquisitive reporters.The conference hall buzzed with anticipation. The mayor, with a reassuring smile, took the stage. He began by welcoming the assembled crowd. He announced that the kidnapped people had been rescued. He reassured t
My initial apprehension morphed into a cautious scrutiny. She was a mess. A worn-out white gown, once elegant, now hung on her frame in tatters, revealing glimpses of dirt-smudged skin. Her face, pale and gaunt, reflected a hardship that went beyond simple neglect. The stench that hit me then confirmed that she had not taken a bath for a long time.I was shocked. How did someone end up like this within the pack? My gaze drifted to the exposed skin on her arms and neck, marred by livid bruises and angry red welts. It was clear that she was abused. Who could have done this to her?Taking a deep breath, I forced my voice into a neutral tone. "Who are you?" I demanded. “What were you doing there?”She dropped to her knees and cried. “Please don’t hurt me. I didn't mean to… I didn't mean to hurt anyone here."“Who are you?” I asked again.“Ava,” she replied, her voice trembling. “Please don’t hurt me.”The fear in her posture, the raw vulnerability in her plea, chipped away at my initial a
I confirmed with a nod."Are you serious?" he breathed, disbelief coloring his voice. "The baby… It's mine? I am the biological father of your baby!” A flicker of a smile, hesitant yet hopeful, played on his lips. “That means… my infertility issue… Why did you lie to me? How could you be so cruel?” He barked, glaring at me. The pain in his eyes ached my heart."I'm so sorry," I whispered, regret gnawing at me. "I… I thought you didn't love me. That you just needed a temporary wife to solve some pack issue." Shame burned in my cheeks. "I-I was afraid," I stammered, tears stinging my eyes. "Afraid you'd take the baby away from me if you knew the truth."“What?” Hurt flickered across his face, morphing into a grimace of frustration. "Take the baby? What are you even talking about?" He shook his head. "So, you planned on leaving me… with the baby? That's why you were so eager to break the contract. Why wouldn't you trust me, Adelynn? I promised to take care of you both. Didn't that mean a
Ivy’s words caught me off guard.Second chance mate? The revelation slammed into me with the force of a rogue wave. She'd already found her fated mate? So that was it. The realization dawned upon me. Ivy had returned because her mate had been kidnapped.Who could have done this and for why? Why did Ivy approach me? What did she want from me?Several questions rushed into my mind, increasing my confusion.“Tell me clearly,” I demanded.Her eyes, red-rimmed and pleading, met mine. "I'll tell you everything," she choked out. “When I met Jack abroad, I realized Mood goddess had blessed me with a second chance mate. I immediately fell in love with him despite him being a human. We thought we would have a happy life together.”She choked back a sob, her voice cracking. "Then everything changed. We learned that a werewolf had kidnapped his sister. We rushed back, hoping to find her, to help. But we were wrong. So wrong."Her eyes welled up with tears, and she chomped with emotion. She regain
Adelynn’s POV…When I regained consciousness, I found myself in the familiar bedroom nestled in the warm bed. Relief washed over me, followed by a wave of dizziness. I blinked, trying to focus on the figure sitting beside the bed."Hey, sweetheart, you're awake." Noel's voice, gentle and warm, filled my ears. His smiling face stirred conflicting emotions in my heart.Gratitude warred with resentment. Yes, he had saved me once again. If he had not appeared on time, I would have been killed. But I couldn’t forget the fact that he had ignored my calls."Why did you come for me?" I blurted out, the anger laced with a tremor I couldn't quite control. "Shouldn't you have been with Ivy?"His smile faltered, a flicker of pain crossing his features. "I know you're upset," he said slowly, “but it’s all Ivy’s doing to make you jealous. She invited me to dinner, but I declined the invitation. I had an important meeting to attend to. She knew about it.”Noel explained everything to me.After heari
With a dismissive wave, I signaled for Caleb to leave. When he walked out, I answered the call.“Hello?”"Noel... Did I disturb you?" Ivy's voice, usually dripping with sweetness, came through the receiver. It used to sound endearing, almost playful. Now, it grated on my nerves like nails on a chalkboard."You already did," I replied flatly. "What is it, Ivy? Get to the point."A hesitant pause followed before she spoke again. "Don't be rude," she whined, the playful facade slipping slightly. "I just wanted to thank you for letting me stay at your place. I called you to invite you to dinner. Look, don't say no right away! I already invited Adelynn, and she said she'd come. It’s a treat from my side. Please, Noel… come.”I couldn't help but feel a surge of annoyance at Ivy's persistent attempts to insert herself into my life. I rubbed my brow, hesitating for a moment.I had an important meeting that I could not postpone. But the prospect of Adelynn alone with Ivy made me anxious. I did
Consumed by unease, I mechanically ate small portions of food whilst grappling with increasing turmoil within. I couldn’t shake off the feeling that Noel was in trouble.Suddenly, she broke through my reverie, probing gently, "Is something wrong with the dish?"Swallowing the lump forming in my throat, I muttered half-heartedly, "No, it isn't that. I just... don’t feel like eating.”“Oh, are you okay? You don’t look good.” She squinted at me inquisitively.“It’s normal for a pregnant woman to feel revulsion to certain food,” I replied nonchalantly and took some more bites.The next few minutes passed in a blur. Ivy resumed eating, eventually finishing her meal. However, I scarcely touched my plate, rendered unable to focus on anything other than Noel.Eventually, Ivy turned her attention back to me. “You must be thinking why Noel has not answered your calls. Isn’t it obvious that you mean nothing to him? As soon as I returned, his suppressed love for me emerged. He will soon break up