BELLAThe forest stood before me like a black maw, its dense trees weaving a near-impenetrable canopy that blocked out the moonlight. The Ruins Forest. Even saying the name aloud was enough to send shivers down the spine of most wolves.Abandoned for a century, it had become forbidden ground-a cursed reminder of the blood spilled during the pack wars.I stared into its depths, the diary clutched tightly in my hands. Ollie's notes had been clear: this was the first location to investigate. Still, a voice in the back of my mind whispered, Evelynn wouldn't put her base in such an obvious place.My wolf stirred uneasily. You don't have to do this alone.I shook my head, setting the diary into my pack. I'll be fine. Shifting into my wolf form, I padded forward, ears perked and senses on high alert.The stench hit me immediately--a vile mix of decay and something sour, chemical almost. I paused, my hackles rising as the air grew heavy around me.Every step deeper into the forest felt like e
KAII leaned against the stone wall, my arms crossed as I listened to Alpha Luther's concerns about the recent attacks. "We need to increase our patrols and gather more intel on the enemy's movements," Luther said, his voice firm.Lennon nodded in agreement. "I've been thinking the same thing, Alpha. We can't keep reacting to these attacks. We need to take the initiative.""I agree," I said, pushing off the wall. "But we also need to consider the possibility that these attacks are just a diversion. Harper’s smart; she wouldn't launch a full-scale attack without a strategy."Alpha Luther's eyes narrowed. "What are you suggesting, Kai?""I'm saying we need to look deeper," I replied. "What's Harper’s endgame? What's she trying to achieve with these attacks?"Lennon frowned. "You think she's after something specific?""I do," I said. "And I think we need to figure out what that is if we're going to stop her."Alpha Luther rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "I see what you're getting at, Kai.
BELLAI walked back into the pack house, my mind still reeling from the conversation I'd just had with Ralph. We'd been discussing everything that had been happening lately - the attacks, the strange occurrences, my son Ollie's kidnapping... Ralph had tried to reassure me that we'd get through it, that we'd emerge victorious in the end. But I couldn't shake the feeling of unease that had been growing inside me.Just as I was starting to process my emotions, my phone rang, shrill in the silence. I glanced at the screen and my heart skipped a beat. It was a video call from Kai."I'm sorry, Ralph," I said, already moving away. "I need to take this."Ralph nodded, his expression understanding. "Go ahead, Bella. We'll talk later."I nodded and answered the call, my heart racing with anticipation. Kai's face appeared on the screen, his eyes locked on mine with an intensity that made my breath catch.Was something wrong?I couldn't shake off
BELLA'S POV.Today is the day.I smiled at my reflection in the mirror, my graduation cap hung up on my head. The smile was a reflection of everything I've been through for the past years, my strength and vitality. I sniffed in as tears started to burn in the back of my head, forming in my large black orbs.I took some steps back, pushing back all the bad thoughts away from my head to focus on myself. It was me today. Everything was all about me. I was the Bella that survived all the thick and hard times, and I am now the Bella that needs to start living.I stared at the blue gown I was wearing inside my graduation gown, one that my mother, or adoptive mother has given to me. Another set of fresh hot tears pooled my eyes as I thought about it. I would give anything for her to see me in it, for her to witness that everything she has poured in me and I have in her was now here to see, that I performed well and fulfilled everything.My name is Bella Montagu, adoptive daughter of Alpha Gr
Bella 'S POV.I gulped down, shaking my head in denial as I clutched my bag hard to my chest. No. None of it can be real. Max would not say something like that about me. He loved me. We loved each other. I've spent days on that bed, telling him how much I want to have sex with him but I just needed the timing to be right.I love him. I was going to tell him everything. Tell him I have a wolf and we were fated mates, let him see the mate bond. I was going to give him the whole of me tonight. To let him connect with my wolf and every part of me.My thoughts were cut short as a giggle that I knew too well could not belong to Max came out of the room, causing my heart to clutter more in pain. I took a deep breath and closed my eyes, my lips trembling as their words entered my ear.“So why don't you leave her? Why don't you break up with her if she's useless?”I bit down on my lower lips, my heart gnawing in pain already as I waited for his response. Smooching sound came out first before h
Bella's POVMy eyes locked onto his, my heart pounding against my rib cage. And just like I had predicted, his left hand collided with my right cheek, the sound resonating through the spacious room.My eyes fluttered shut involuntarily and I let out a shriek, not daring to utter anything more, silencing the cries that were at the tip of my tongue. I knew better than to show any signs of weakness.Five years later and everything was still the same, just how I remembered it.I opened my eyes, slowly meeting his gaze this time. His dark grey eyes blared in fury and I knew this slap was only the start of it.“Who on earth do you think you are?” He asked, bobbing his head to the side, his brows drawn together in rage.The answer to the question was really simple. In Moonlight Pack, I was a nobody. It hurt to even think it, but it was true.“You seem to forget that you're nobody here, Bella.” He took a step towards me and I took one back.“You seem to have forgotten that I took pity on you,
Bella's POVIn the dark of the night, the stars shimmered in the sky but my hope dimmed.My fists clenched as the echoes of the phone call lingered in my mind. Fury simmered just below my calm exterior, a familiar flame that kept me on edge. I didn't trust the voice on the other end of the line—yet I knew I couldn't turn down any chance to grow stronger.Weakness and pretending to be weak had always been my strong suit. Hide everything to be safe, to be protected, I learned the hard way. I hated it so much but I had no choice. I never chose.The betrayal, the feeling of being unwanted seeped into my bones from my old pack, my old family. My lips curled up in disdain. Where is my family? Now why would I trust someone I had never met. I inhaled and exhaled slowly.The possibility that these people might help me save my Luna, my mother, was too precious to ignore, even if it meant aligning with strangers. With each step closer to their realm, my pulse quickened. I was wary, but I also fe
Bella's POV“Good morning, Luna.” I curtsied as I entered into the opulent dining area, my eyes scanning through the room. It was an open hall space, the walls painted in a pretty ivory color with gold lines intricately forming beautiful designs. The elegant chandeliers hanging over the table casted a golden glow, making the whole dining area look like a scene from a Disney movie.“Bella.” My mother's voice had me turning my attention back to the table. Everybody had paused, watching my warily.A nervous smile touched my lips.“Have a sit.” She spoke curtly, gesturing to the empty sit besides her.I sat and a few maids crammed around me, filling my empty plate with food. I had never been treated like this in my entire life—treated like I mattered and I felt warmth spread in my chest.Once my plate was filled with the most decent meal I had ever had. As I ate, I watched from my peripheral vision as my mother clenched and unclenched her fists, her brows drawn together, tension etched on
BELLAI walked back into the pack house, my mind still reeling from the conversation I'd just had with Ralph. We'd been discussing everything that had been happening lately - the attacks, the strange occurrences, my son Ollie's kidnapping... Ralph had tried to reassure me that we'd get through it, that we'd emerge victorious in the end. But I couldn't shake the feeling of unease that had been growing inside me.Just as I was starting to process my emotions, my phone rang, shrill in the silence. I glanced at the screen and my heart skipped a beat. It was a video call from Kai."I'm sorry, Ralph," I said, already moving away. "I need to take this."Ralph nodded, his expression understanding. "Go ahead, Bella. We'll talk later."I nodded and answered the call, my heart racing with anticipation. Kai's face appeared on the screen, his eyes locked on mine with an intensity that made my breath catch.Was something wrong?I couldn't shake off
KAII leaned against the stone wall, my arms crossed as I listened to Alpha Luther's concerns about the recent attacks. "We need to increase our patrols and gather more intel on the enemy's movements," Luther said, his voice firm.Lennon nodded in agreement. "I've been thinking the same thing, Alpha. We can't keep reacting to these attacks. We need to take the initiative.""I agree," I said, pushing off the wall. "But we also need to consider the possibility that these attacks are just a diversion. Harper’s smart; she wouldn't launch a full-scale attack without a strategy."Alpha Luther's eyes narrowed. "What are you suggesting, Kai?""I'm saying we need to look deeper," I replied. "What's Harper’s endgame? What's she trying to achieve with these attacks?"Lennon frowned. "You think she's after something specific?""I do," I said. "And I think we need to figure out what that is if we're going to stop her."Alpha Luther rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "I see what you're getting at, Kai.
BELLAThe forest stood before me like a black maw, its dense trees weaving a near-impenetrable canopy that blocked out the moonlight. The Ruins Forest. Even saying the name aloud was enough to send shivers down the spine of most wolves.Abandoned for a century, it had become forbidden ground-a cursed reminder of the blood spilled during the pack wars.I stared into its depths, the diary clutched tightly in my hands. Ollie's notes had been clear: this was the first location to investigate. Still, a voice in the back of my mind whispered, Evelynn wouldn't put her base in such an obvious place.My wolf stirred uneasily. You don't have to do this alone.I shook my head, setting the diary into my pack. I'll be fine. Shifting into my wolf form, I padded forward, ears perked and senses on high alert.The stench hit me immediately--a vile mix of decay and something sour, chemical almost. I paused, my hackles rising as the air grew heavy around me.Every step deeper into the forest felt like e
BELLAThe room was filled with the heavy scent of oak, leather, and tension. The round table in the center was surrounded by the most powerful Alphas in the region, each exuding their own brand of authority. Their voices rose and fell in heated arguments, the weight of their distrust hanging in the air like a thundercloud.Kai and I stood at the head of the table, flanked by Ralph, whose usually calm demeanor had slipped into something more rigid. I could feel Kai’s energy beside me, coiled and ready to strike, and I knew it wouldn’t take much to set him off.“This is ridiculous!” snapped Alpha Conrad, a burly man with graying hair and a perpetual sneer. “You expect us to believe this nonsense about witches and ancient werewolves? Sounds like a convenient excuse to expand your influence, Kai.”“Agreed,” chimed in Alpha Leona, her voice sharp enough to cut. She leaned back in her chair, her arms crossed, her dark eyes fixed on us with open suspicion. “Why should we risk our warriors on
KAIThe tires hummed against the asphalt, their low rumble filling the cabin of the black SUV as we sped down the highway. The road stretched ahead in a seemingly endless ribbon, flanked by dense pine forests on either side. The sunlight filtered through the trees, casting fleeting patterns of light and shadow on the windshield.Lennon was in the passenger seat, fiddling with the GPS like it was a puzzle he couldn’t quite solve. His dark, chestnut hair was a little disheveled from the rush to leave, and his expression hovered between amused and annoyed as he jabbed at the touchscreen.“Tell me again why you’re driving and not letting me?” he asked, finally giving up on the GPS.“Because I have control issues,” I said flatly, glancing at him. “And because the last time you drove according to your sister, you nearly ran the car into a ditch trying to avoid a raccoon.”“That raccoon had a death wish,” Lennon shot back, smirking. “I saved its furry little life.”“And nearly ended ours in
BELLAThe house was unnervingly quiet when Kai and I stepped inside. I couldn’t shake the eerie sense that something vital had been ripped away. The air, usually alive with Ollie’s laughter or the faint strains of his humming, felt cold and stagnant. My heart tightened as I glanced at the small table near the door where he always left his shoes in a messy heap. Empty.Kai’s hand brushed mine as he closed the door behind us, the faint click of the lock echoing through the silence. “The beta said he disappeared during our meeting with Ralph and Amelia,” he murmured, his voice strained, low. I could hear the tight control in his tone, but his fists clenched by his sides told me how much he was holding back. He blamed himself just like I did.After everything Ollie had been through, after knowing he could have everything it was all just snatched away from him like it didn't matter. Like he didn't matter and I…. I just couldn't bear it. I couldn't lose him…. This. Us. What we could have be
BELLAThe morning air was crisp, the kind of cold that bit at your skin and seeped into your bones. The sky was painted in muted grays, heavy clouds hinting at a storm that hadn’t yet arrived. Kai and I walked side by side through the quiet packhouse courtyard, the frost-covered ground crunching softly under our boots.The calmness and trust between us was unspoken but palpable. After last night’s conversation with Ralph and my father and Kai’s help, I managed to slept. My thoughts that had been consumed by Harper, the ancient bloodline, and the vague, looming threat of her growing powe washed away because of him.But now, everything started becoming louder in my head.Kai’s hand brushed against mine, a subtle grounding gesture that reminded me he was there. I gave him a small, grateful glance before refocusing on the task ahead.Ralph and his mate, Luna Amelia, were waiting for us in the main hall. The pack’s alpha an
BELLAThe room felt smaller than usual, the air thick as if the walls themselves were closing in. I sat on the edge of the bed, legs crossed, fingers twisting the hem of my sweater until the fabric was stretched and wrinkled. My chest felt heavy, like a weight was pressing down, making it hard to breathe.Kai stood near the door, leaning against the frame with his arms crossed over his chest. His sharp gaze pinned me in place, silently urging me to speak, but he didn’t push. He never did. That made it harder somehow.“It’s not just the bond,” I murmured, barely able to force the words past the lump in my throat. My voice sounded brittle, as if it might shatter under the strain. “It’s me—what I am.”Kai’s posture softened, his shoulders relaxing as he straightened and took a step toward me. He didn’t rush, but I could feel the concern rolling off him like waves. When he finally sat down beside me,
LAYLA"What are you doing here?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper. Fear crept up my spine as Harper's eyes locked onto mine."I heard your wish, Layla," Harper said, their voice low and mysterious. "I heard you wanted to collaborate with the witches, just like Mabel did. And I'm here to grant your wish."My fear began to dissipate, replaced by a spark of hope. Revenge, I thought, my heart racing with anticipation. I wanted revenge against Max, against the pack that had rejected me."Do you really want revenge, Layla?" Harper asked, her eyes glinting in the dim light.I nodded, my voice firm. "Yes, I want revenge."Harper's face broke into a wide smile. She walked over to the bed, placing a hand on my shoulder. A strange sensation washed over me, like I was being sucked into something.And then, everything went dark.When I opened my eyes again, I found myself in a dimly lit room. Fire torches flickered on the walls, cas