Lunette POVHe was looking to me; he seemed to expect an answer, but I couldn't seem to think of one right way anyway; his words just kept echoing in my head. “Joining a pack like ours, with so much going on all the time.”In a way, he was right; the pack was almost always busy; people were always washing, cleaning, or nursing, but I assumed that was the part of life here for a pack so big. I gave a small nod, my fingers tightening around my coffee mug. “It is,” I admitted. He looked at my brows arched, and I rushed to clarify. “but in a good way. I... I feel like I belong here, even if it’s different.”His expression softened, and his eyes settled on me, warm and reassuring.“That means a lot to me, Lunette,” he said quietly.“I want you to feel like you have a place here. A home.”The sincerity in his voice caught me off guard, and I looked down, unable to hold his gaze. Ihadn’t expected him to be so open orto care about making me feel welcomed.It was easy to see why he was resp
Varda Pov I entered my mate's chambers, my face hopefully smeared with enough makeup to make me look as pale as possible, and my eyes red rimmed like I had been crying. I hadn't been crying. Alpha Slade’s chamber had the heavy scent of sickness clinging to it, and with the air all around it, I had to suppress the urge to cover my nose. The only light in the room was a single flickering candle casting very unattractive shadows over his sunken and very pale face.A bolt of irritation bit, and it was a very difficult battle holding it in as I approached the bed. This was my mate after all—the man who’d once held such power, but the powerful and intimidating man I’d once known was now reduced to a shell of himself, lying in his bed, his skin pale and clammy. It was almost pitiful.His illness had only grown worse over the past few weeks; sometimes I was very certain that his daughter's disappearance was the cause.“Alpha Slade,” I called out softly, stepping closer. His eyes were half-
Alpha Cormac POVI pulled away from Lunette, swallowing deeply. She looked away, her face flushing red.I turned to the beta, who stood awkwardly by the door. I sighed. "What's the problem?" I asked, and he nodded. "Well, you're needed at the council," he muttered, and I nodded I turned to Lunette, unsure what to say to her, hesitant to leave but unsure of what to do so I could stay.“I should go,” I said. She looked to me, looking as if she wanted to speak, but then she nodded, offering a small smile.I left the kitchen after breakfast, feeling more excited and more than a little bit tired. The kitchen door slammed close behind me, and I let out a slow breath. Breakfast with Lunette had been... unexpected but also refreshing; in a way, it had left me feeling things that I had not felt in years.There was something about her—a gentle determination that shone through even the simplest conversations; she was a survivor, and she wasn't ashamed of it.Frankly, neither was I. I was gla
Zarek POVI jolted awake, a sheen of sweat running down my forehead, my heart pounding as if I’d just run through the entire forest a couple of times. I tugged the covers off me feeling hot, my mind latching onto hazy fragments of the dream that were almost too bright and raw—Lunette's laughter, her eyes, her hands—damn it.She’d been in my arms, her touch soft and electric, her gaze locked onto mine with a longing that made me ache; even the memory of it had heat pooling in my gut.I rubbed a hand over my face, trying to shake it off. “Damn it,” I muttered, running my hand through my hair, my fingers clenching for as I forced myself to relax. I didn’t want to think too hard about what that dream meant or why Lunette had invaded my dreams in the first place. It was too early for that level of self-examination. I swung my legs over the edge of the bed, shivering as the cold air hit my skin, a sharp reminder that I was now very much awake. My eye robed over the room that was just wh
Alpha Cormac POV . “Reconsider?” I repeated, a spark of anger igniting in my chest, letting the word hang in the air. “Explain yourself.”“And what, exactly, is the concern this time?” I asked, though my patience was thin; this was the last thing I wanted to be spending my time on, and I made sure they all sounded like it from the sound of my voice. He shifted on his feet, becoming clearly uncomfortable, but maybe he was brave or stupid; he pressed on regardless. “There are those of us who question Lunette's suitability,” he said, his tone firm."While she is no doubt a kind woman, we need more than kindness in Luna. We need strength and a proven lineage that will ensure the pack’s future.”I felt my jaw tighten, even as I forced my expression to be neutral, though I wasn't very sure if I was succeeding or not.This wasn’t the first time they’d voiced their opinions on the matter; although those times have been subtle, there had been countless debates, and I had endured their endl
Lunette POVI wiped my hands on the apron, looking around the kitchen to make sure everything was in place before I left.The kitchen was finally still, the last breakfast tray had been sent off, and the counters were spotless. I took a deep breath, letting the lingering scents of warm bread, roasted vegetables, crisp bacon, and spices from this morning meal fill my nose. It had been a long morning, and my back hurt from standing for so long, but it did not feel too bad, not when my heart felt full. A few beta's who worked in the kitchen with Ms. Harlow lingered by the counters, gathering up the last trays to bring to the dining hall; she had joined me and helped me make breakfast for the warriors and some of the young men with no mates that were horrible at making meals. I looked around the storage, but she was nowhere to be found; she'd likely gone to sit down. As I wiped down the final countertop, I thought back to my breakfast with Alpha Cormac this morning. He had been so diffe
Lunette POVI was forming a bad habit.It was one I hadn’t meant to form but couldn’t quite break. Every time I finished my morning duties, my feet seemed to take on a will of their own, drawing me toward Alpha Cormac.It didn’t matter where it was; I found myself looking for him around every corner—the hallways, the training grounds, or his study—just knowing he might be nearby pulled me like a magnet.So I stole glances whenever he passed. Alpha Cormac had a quiet strength about him, and the more I watched him, the better it was. He was kind not just to me but to all the members of his pack. His words and warmth, and the fierce protection he’d shown for me at the council meeting, were not just for show, and it made shaking of the feelings I seemed to be developing for him extra difficult.Today was the pack runs, and the pack house was buzzing with excitement. It had been planned for weeks now and pushed back because Alpha Cormac was gone, but now he was back, and it seemed to be a
Axel POV I’d been waiting all week for the pack run, the restless energy building in my muscles, ready to burst free, and I really needed the exercise.There was something about running under the full moon, feeling the earth beneath my paws, that brought a freedom I couldn’t find anywhere else. It was freeing, and after so much delay I was finally getting what I wanted. Zarek was nowhere to be found, which wasn’t exactly surprising; lately he had been in a foul mood lately.He'd been disappearing more and more lately, always brooding and withdrawn, grumbling and snapping at everyone, including me. I was getting damn sick of his sulking; his brooding was getting under my skin, and I almost welcomed the chance to run it off without him dragging the energy down.My father was up ahead, so I walked up to him, offering a small grin."Hello, father," I mumbled, and he turned to look at me. "You really should be leading these things; we can't have everything come to a half when I'm not he
Lunette POV The moment that Varda fired that bolt I had been sure it would hit Axel. So sure in fact that the world had slowed around me, my breath caught in my throat as I braced for the worst. But then Lorraine had stepped in. While she quarreled with her mother all I could feel was relief—until Varda struck again, until I saw the bright red blood spreading across her clothes as she crumpled to the floor. Varda had tried to kill her own daughter. For a second, all I could do was stare. I stood frozen, watching in horror as Axel caught Lorraine before she hit the dirt. Lorraine’s body trembled, her hands pressing against the wound, her lips parted in shock. Varda turned back to Axel but before I could react, Zarek moved. A low, guttural growl ripped from his throat as his body twisted and grew, his Lycan form bursting free. He lunged at Varda, his teeth bared in a snarl. Varda barely had time to turn before his fangs sank deep into her neck. Her scream was cut off as he to
Zarek POV They attacked us first, or they tried to anyway, after our escape we made plans to draw them out, it would be the best way to even our playing field and she was pissed when she discovered we were missing. She had brought her men in immediately,"Kill them all!" She roared and the battle that followed afterwards was pure chaos. Snarls and screams filled the night air as blood soaked the dirt beneath my feet. My muscles burned, but I couldn’t stop. Not now. Not until Varda was dead. The Lycan curse poured through my veins like fire, pain following it and pushing me past my limits. My body twisted, the monstrous power within me taking over. My claws lengthened, my teeth sharpened, and a guttural roar tore from my throat. Varda’s men hesitated at the sight of me. Good. They should be afraid. With a single leap, I tore into the nearest warrior, my claws ripping through armor and flesh like paper. The scent of blood thickened in the air as another wolf lunged at me his
Axel POV The weight of Curtis’s death still hung heavy in the air, but we had no time to grieve. The dungeon might have been cold and suffocating, but the fire of rage burning inside me made it bearable.We had to escape, and we had to bring Varda down. Zarek sat against the wall, arms crossed, jaw clenched. He hadn’t spoken much since Curtis died. I could see the storm brewing inside him, the need for vengeance, for blood. I felt it too, and it wasn't just the curse, to know that our mother had died at the hands of such a man. But Lunette—Lunette was different. She stood between us, but she didn’t cry anymore, the tears from earlier seemed to have dried up. "We have to kill her." Zarek hissed and shook his head "No." “We have to be smart,” he continued, voice steady. “We can’t just rush into a fight. Varda is dangerous. If we attack without a plan, we’ll lose.” “She killed our mother,” he growled, his voice raw. "She killed our father. She has to pay for it.” Lunette,
Lunette POV I couldn’t move, I couldn’t breathe. To have Varda standing before me, tall and proud no hint of remorse in her eyes, her golden hair catching the flickering light of the candle in the cabin we had run to, and her eyes gleamed with satisfaction as she looked down at me, at all of us. "You look surprised, darling." She purred, stepping closer, the scent of death clung to her, or was that Curtis blood pooling over the floor making my stomach churn. "Surely, you knew this day would come." I shook my head, willing myself to speak, but nothing came out. “Where’s Alpha Slade?” Axel asked, his voice low and dangerous. His hands curled into fists at his sides, barely restrained fury radiating off him. "He has to know that this won't end well for him." Varda sighed dramatically. “He's outlived his usefulness honestly it was such a burden waiting for him to kick the bucket" My father… dead? My legs nearly gave out, and I staggered back. “No,” I whispered, my voice ba
Axel’s POVThe council chambers were suffocating me, and Lorraine standing beside me was not doing me any favors to be honest, her face composed but I saw the glint in her eyes. She had me wrapped around her fingers and the council was helping her squeeze. They had all but declared, Lunette, Curtis and Zarek traitors to the pack. “We cannot allow them to run free,” Lorraine said, her voice dripping with false concern."If Zarek and Lunette are left unchecked, they’ll bring ruin to Grey Moon. We have to act before it’s too late.” I clenched my fists at my sides, barely containing my anger because I knew she didn’t care about the pack, only her own ambitions but her performance was flawless and the council bought it, murmuring their agreement,“Alpha Axel,” elder Fred addressed me. "You must send your soldiers to apprehend them. For the good of the pack.” I had gotten used to those words over the last few days, even more than I had gotten used to my own father's death. Maybe it wa
Varda POV I heard the news about Alpha Cormac's deathly injury, while I was cleaning up my new room, it had been one of the best news I had in a very long while.I knew it was time.When I had sent the assassins to finish off Lunette, it had never occured to me that I would catch bigger fish in my endeavor.The alpha Cormac, the biggest alpha om our coast and the most respected, it was a coup. A storm of satisfaction had spread through me, filling me, this was good. I needed this chance now, cold determination settled over me as I leaned back in the ornate chair in Slade's–my study now. The Grey Moon pack was vulnerable. Their leadership in shambles this was the time for me to get more than I had wanted with the chaos that was no doubt already starting to spread. I had my opening.And while Lunette wasn't dead yet, that wasn't something I couldn't solve later.Lunette. The name was a bitter taste on my tongue, that little brat was a thorn in my side. She was a loose thread, the la
Zarek POV "Have you lost your mind?” I snarled, at my brother my voice low and dangerous.“You think locking Lunette up is going to solve anything? She didn’t kill Father, Axel.” The tension in the room was suffocating and I really didn't need to be pissed, Axel stood at the head of his table, his arms crossed over his chest, his jaw set tight, I stood across from him bracing my hands on the surface of the table, it was barely enough to keep myself from reaching across and shaking some sense into him. “I didn’t say she did. But until we know for sure who’s behind this, I can’t take any chances.” “Chances?” I barked, slamming my fist on the table.“You’re not just taking a chance, you’re condemning her. The council will see this as an admission of guilt. Do you understand what you’re doing?” Axel’s lips pressed into a thin line. “What I understand is that the council is already breathing down my neck. If I don’t handle this carefully, we risk losing everything.” “Losing wha
Lunette POV My whole body ached from hours of training with Zarek, each and every muscle group screamed in protest as I settled into the chair beside Alpha Cormac’s bed. With the room dimly lit, the only light coming from the faint glow of the monitors tracking his vitals.The steady beeping was oddly comforting, I could at least hold on to the fact he was still with us. I watched him breath in and out guilt gnawing at my insides. He looked a bit better today, not so pale, maybe soon he would wake up. He had nearly died protecting me. He shouldn’t have risked himself for someone like me. I slumped into the chair by Alpha Cormac’s bed and I told myself I’d only rest my eyes for a moment, just long enough to catch my breath. “I’ll make it right,” I whispered, my voice barely audible. “I’ll find a way to fix this, to protect your pack... your family.” But the steady rhythm of the machines and the quiet hum of the room lulled me into sleep.I didn’t even realize when my eyes closed,
Lorraine’s POVIt was dark outside and quiet wrapped around the pack house like a shroud, it had never been this quiet in a long time the stillness was broken only by the occasional creak of the old walls or the distant howl of a wolf. This was a perfect time for what I had to do, it was the perfect cover.I slipped through the hallways, keeping my footsteps as silent against the wooden floors as possible, my heart pounded in my chest, but it was not from fear. No, this wasn’t fear. This was anticipation. Alpha Cormac’s injury had given me the perfect opening because now with him bedridden and Zarek too preoccupied with training that brat girl Lunette, Axel was the only one fit to step up as acting Alpha. And if Axel became Alpha, well... I would ensure that I was by his side as Luna. It was time to act. Time to turn the chaos to my advantage, meaning there was no room for error tonight. I tightened my grip on the small syringe hidden in my sleeve. The attack had been... unex