Kristen’s POVThe next day weighs heavily upon me as she approach Sapphire's room, despite Maddy’s warning to stay away from our friend since she’s really sensitive and upset with me. I can feel fear lingering in my eyes, the echoes of harsh words from the day before still resonates in my heart.I was only trying to help until Sapphire got upset and unleashed all her anger and hurt at me. It’s more like her finding someone to put the blame on, and I am the perfect choice. Even though all I want is to be there for her as a friend.I’ve never seen Sapphire mour anyone before. Bruce is the first, and it’s making me to realize that pain can change a person. Determined to offer solace, I order the servants to open the door after they knocked and there was no response from my bestfriend.When they comply, I see Sapphire sprawled on the floor in the same spot she was yesterday.For a moment I gulp, wondering how to let the words out without offending her. Because being around her right n
Kristen’s POVThe somber procession begins as three men shouldered the weight of Bruce's coffin.The air is heavy with grief as they make their way to the graveside.Everyone present are clad in depressing black as the funeral unfoldes at the graveside.The crowd draw close, seeking solace in each other's silent presence. Tears welled in their eyes, and quiet sobs hit the air as they said their last goodbyes Bruce.As the ceremony unfolds, Calhoun is invited to step forward and give a speech. The pack members turn their attention to him, seeking words that might provide comfort in the face of profound loss.Calhoun, standing with strength despite the heaviness in his heart, begins to speak.“Today, we gather not just to mourn the passing of Bruce, but to celebrate the life he lived among us. He was more than a beta; he was a friend, a companion, a brother. His presence enriched our lives, and his memory will forever linger in the heart of our pack.”The crowd listens in hushed silence
Calhoun’s POV.“I was thinking you’d avoid me forever,” My grandmother says immediately I make my presence known.“I haven’t forgiven you, grandmother. And aside that, I won’t let you come any close to Kristen and our son. You’re a threat to them,” I grit out, shooting her a flat look.Nana Joyce sighs, and nods with regret taking over her eyes. “You have every right to be angry at me,” she says, rubbing the side of her arm.I choose to stay silent instead, because I don’t want to talk about Natalie and Nana Joyce’s hatred towards my wife.“You saw witnessed what happened to me at my Beta’s funeral,” I go straight to the point because it’s the reason why I even came here.“Yes, and there’s something I need to tell you.” Nana Joyce utters.Clenching my jaw, I turn to face her, my expression guarded. "What is it, Grandmother?""It's about the curse that haunts our family," she reveals at last.My eyes narrow/, suspicion surfacing as I listen to her words. "Curse? What are you talking a
Kristen’s POVThe morning sun streams through the windows, casting an uneasy glow as I received a letter. Calhoun, my husband and Alpha of the Greyhound pack, didn't show up last night after leaving without telling me of his whereabouts. The words on the letter are like a chilling wind;"I won't be coming home for two weeks, something came up."My eyes narrows at the note for some seconds."Bullshit!" I yell, throwing the letter aside, startling the servants nearby."This isn't Calhoun's handwriting. And he would never write to me about leaving because something came up. He always sees me first."I glare from one servant to the other, and they tremble, unaccustomed to seeing their Luna so furious."Did he tell anyone he was leaving yesterday?" I demand."No," they chorus, but the younger servant seems skeptical."Yes?" I stand in front of her with a questioning brow."I was out when I saw him heading to Nana Joyce's," the servant blurts out and avoid my eyes.And hearing this makes m
"Are you sure you're ready for this?" Nana Joyce eyes me with skepticism etched on her face.After swallowing hard and ensuring my legs aren't trembling from fright, I nod resolutely, "Take me to my husband, Nana Joyce.""Promise me you won't get emotional and shed tears," Nana Joyce continues, her tone a mix of concern and sternness."I said take me to Calhoun," I respond calmly, my determination overriding the surge of emotions within me.It's half an hour after Nana Joyce unravels the tale of the curse that enshrouds our family. It started with Calhoun's grandfather, leading to his tragic demise. Calhoun's father managed to overcome it but succumbed to it later. Now, it's Calhoun's turn to face this haunting legacy.Nana Joyce proceeds to reveal a truth that cuts through the air like a chilling wind—she wrote the letters herself. Calhoun compelled her to do it, shielding me from the knowledge of his struggles. It takes immense strength within me to hold back tears as she narrates t
I return home, my heart hurting for my husband. The house feels empty in his absence and the silence makes the pain worse.Bruce, Calhoun’s beta and best friend, is gone. He was Calhoun's right-hand man, and his death took away a possible solution. Sapphire, who is still mourning Bruce, now holds bitterness towards me. Because she thinks I have it all. Except we’re almost in the same position now.Maddy, busy with her own life, stays distant amid the chaos. It’s been one problem after the other, so I don’t blame her at all.I can’t face Aiden at this point, so I let his Nanny, Cynthia take care of him, while I ponder deeply on how to help my husband break the curse.Inside, my turmoil rages. Bruce's death left a hole in my support system. Bruce’s absence makes me feel more alone. Because together we could have find a way to help Calhoun.Thoughts of my own family haunts me. My father got murdered by my own mother, else. Else I could have confined in him.And my mother is just out of
Kristen’s POVWeeks keep passing, and I'm stuck in a routine, caring for Calhoun, who stays still on the bed. When the pack asks, I lie, saying he's away for business, hiding the dark truth. The lies get heavier every day.The useless ritual hangs over me like a dark cloud. Daily, I tend to Calhoun, silently begging the moon goddess for help. I'm scared. Will Calhoun end up like his grandfather? It's a scary thought, following me in everything I do.Taking care of him becomes a routine, a desperate act of love against an unyielding curse. I change his clothes carefully, trying to bring a bit of normalcy to his unmoving body. He can only have liquid food, his mouth unable to move, only responding with blinks and closed eyes.As the Greyhound pack's Luna, I live a double life. Outside, I pretend to enjoy parties, hiding the hard truth at home. The pack doesn't know about our tragedy.Three months pass, no progress, and questions about Calhoun grow. The lies get tougher.One day, cleanin
Kristen’s POVThe following day, the council of elders, along with some men in our pack, call for a meeting.“We’ve noticed something strange going on,” Elder Festus begins, his eyes narrowing.“Yes, what is it?” I ask, feigning innocence, my gaze locked on him.“Our Alpha has been absent for three months, and it’s you who has been handling things,” Elder Adolphus states, his expression stern.“He’s on a long business trip, but he’ll return soon,” I lie, maintaining a straight face and gesturing confidence with a slight nod.“Bullshit, that’s what you keep telling us all the time!” Gregory interjects, a young man holding a high position in our pack.I meet his gaze squarely, a controlled defiance in my eyes. “Do not raise your voice at me,” I say quietly, my tone firm.“Something is happening right under our nose, and you’re keeping it away from us,” he adds, fuming, his eyes searching mine for any signs of deception.“There’s nothing going on, it’s all your overthinking doing a great
Kristen’s POVIn the midst of the Alpha gathering, as discussions about the Moon's Veil unfold (A disease afflicting werewolves across different packs, causing loss of control during transformation and weakening their abilities), I catch sight of Ben Gregory for the first time in ages. His presence is a reminder of the Game of Alphas, where he betrayed Calhoun, leading to a dangerous confrontation with sharks.As Ben's phone rings, he excuses himself from the Alphas' table. Curiosity piqued, I notice Calhoun rising from his seat and following Ben. Intrigued and sensing tension, I decide to trail after them, wondering about Calhoun's intentions.My suspicions prove right when I witness Calhoun cornering Ben, pinning him against a wall. The boy struggles, attempting to free himself from Calhoun's formidable grip, but Calhoun's strength is overpowering. His eyes glow with a fierce red intensity, reflecting the lingering grudge from their past encounter."You thought you could get away wi
Kristen’s POV"It's a girl," the midwife announces, pulling the child out of me, leaving me exhausted and perspiring, helpless on the bed. All the pains wear out from me once the woman places the crying child in my arms.Baby number two.I smile through my tears as I kiss the child.Shortly after, Calhoun and Nana Joyce enter the room to take a look at our newborn.Calhoun, his eyes filled with warmth, approaches me and the baby. "She's beautiful, just like her mother," he says, his voice filled with affection. Nana Joyce stands beside us, a smile playing on her lips."Our little girl," I murmur, my eyes shining with a mix of exhaustion and joy as I look at Calhoun.He gently takes the baby into his arms, cradling her with utmost care. "Hello, my princess," he coos, his deep voice soothing the newborn. "You've got the best mom in the world right here."Nana Joyce, her eyes brimming with tears of happiness, adds, "She's a blessing, Kristen. A beautiful blessing."Calhoun looks down at
With Calhoun back, the pack feels more alive. People are taking their duties seriously, and we've resumed the search for Bruce's murderer. But Calhoun is different now, just half the size he used to be. His clothes hang loose, showing the toll of the curse.Despite his changed appearance, Calhoun doesn't bother with new clothes. He dives into managing the pack, tirelessly addressing the chaos that unfolded during his three-month absence. A man on a mission, determined to make things right.In the middle of all this, our one-year-old son, Aiden, doesn't recognize his father anymore. Calhoun's presence, comforting to me, confuses Aiden.Trying to help Aiden understand, I say, "Look, Aiden, it's Daddy. He's been away for a while, but he's back now."Calhoun, bending down, extends his arms to Aiden. But our son hesitates, eyeing him with curiosity and uncertainty. Calhoun smiles warmly, coaxing, "Hey there, little buddy. It's me, Daddy."Aiden ignores him and runs into the arms of his nan
Calhoun's POVBefore Kristen can lose her balance and fall off, I'm already at her side, steadying her to her feet. Her eyes flutter, revealing her impending faint, and her breaths come out sharply, her mouth parting."Kristen..." I tap her cheek repeatedly, but she's already lost consciousness. Cursing under my breath, I gather her in my arms, carrying her in a bridal style.As I raise my head to look around, everyone stiffens. The shock in their eyes mirrors the astonishment I expected. It's been a week since they last saw me, a week of torment for Kristen and the pack.Gregory, with eyes nearly popping out of their sockets, stammers, "Is that really Calhoun?"I shake my head at them, my gaze hardening as I respond, "Yes, it's me. I heard everything. Trying to replace me and marry off my pregnant wife, calling me a dead man."The elders, attempting to explain, are met with my stern silence. Raising my hand, the room falls into an immediate hush. I take a moment to look at Kristen, m
Kristen’s POVA full week passes, and I find myself paralyzed by emotions and fear, reluctant to face the possibility of witnessing Calhoun's last breath. The elders, sensing the weight of the situation, gather all pack members and call for my attention. Reluctantly, I make my way to the gathering, where they confront me in front of the entire pack."We've consulted the pack doctors, Kristen. Calhoun has only a few days left," Elder Festus declares, his tone somber.The weight of their words hangs heavily in the air as the elders present an ultimatum. I must either step down as Luna of the Greyhound pack or marry Gregory, the chosen successor to the Alpha throne.Disagreeing swiftly, I say, "Calhoun will not die. I won't entertain such decisions."The elders, resolute in their stance, continue pressing me. Gregory, a mix of sympathy and determination on his face, steps forward and implores me to consider the proposal. But I know it’s all a facade. He’s not truly who he claims to b
Kristen’s POVWhere is Alpha Calhoun?The question keeps popping up and spreading within the pack.Until I decide I’ve had enough, and so I called for a meeting with the council of elders."He's sick, okay!" I burst out, my patience exhausted, tears welling up in my eyes."What do you mean, Kristen?" Elder Festus inquires, concern etched across his face.Taking a deep breath, I begin the painful revelation. "It's a curse. Calhoun is bedridden, reduced to a skeleton. We've been trying to find a way to break it, but it's relentless."Gregory, the ever present pain in the assinterjects, "A curse? Are you serious? This sounds like nonsense.""It's the truth," I retort, frustration evident in my voice. "I've been trying to handle things, but it's not easy. The pack needs to know what we're dealing with."Expressions of shock and disbelief rises through the council of elders. Gregory scoffs, "A cursed Alpha? You expect us to believe that?"Elder Adolphus, usually calm, leans forward, "Kris
Kristen’s POVThe following day, the council of elders, along with some men in our pack, call for a meeting.“We’ve noticed something strange going on,” Elder Festus begins, his eyes narrowing.“Yes, what is it?” I ask, feigning innocence, my gaze locked on him.“Our Alpha has been absent for three months, and it’s you who has been handling things,” Elder Adolphus states, his expression stern.“He’s on a long business trip, but he’ll return soon,” I lie, maintaining a straight face and gesturing confidence with a slight nod.“Bullshit, that’s what you keep telling us all the time!” Gregory interjects, a young man holding a high position in our pack.I meet his gaze squarely, a controlled defiance in my eyes. “Do not raise your voice at me,” I say quietly, my tone firm.“Something is happening right under our nose, and you’re keeping it away from us,” he adds, fuming, his eyes searching mine for any signs of deception.“There’s nothing going on, it’s all your overthinking doing a great
Kristen’s POVWeeks keep passing, and I'm stuck in a routine, caring for Calhoun, who stays still on the bed. When the pack asks, I lie, saying he's away for business, hiding the dark truth. The lies get heavier every day.The useless ritual hangs over me like a dark cloud. Daily, I tend to Calhoun, silently begging the moon goddess for help. I'm scared. Will Calhoun end up like his grandfather? It's a scary thought, following me in everything I do.Taking care of him becomes a routine, a desperate act of love against an unyielding curse. I change his clothes carefully, trying to bring a bit of normalcy to his unmoving body. He can only have liquid food, his mouth unable to move, only responding with blinks and closed eyes.As the Greyhound pack's Luna, I live a double life. Outside, I pretend to enjoy parties, hiding the hard truth at home. The pack doesn't know about our tragedy.Three months pass, no progress, and questions about Calhoun grow. The lies get tougher.One day, cleanin
I return home, my heart hurting for my husband. The house feels empty in his absence and the silence makes the pain worse.Bruce, Calhoun’s beta and best friend, is gone. He was Calhoun's right-hand man, and his death took away a possible solution. Sapphire, who is still mourning Bruce, now holds bitterness towards me. Because she thinks I have it all. Except we’re almost in the same position now.Maddy, busy with her own life, stays distant amid the chaos. It’s been one problem after the other, so I don’t blame her at all.I can’t face Aiden at this point, so I let his Nanny, Cynthia take care of him, while I ponder deeply on how to help my husband break the curse.Inside, my turmoil rages. Bruce's death left a hole in my support system. Bruce’s absence makes me feel more alone. Because together we could have find a way to help Calhoun.Thoughts of my own family haunts me. My father got murdered by my own mother, else. Else I could have confined in him.And my mother is just out of