Axel POVThe moon was sliced to a tiny crescent, but it was bright over the treetops, its silver light spilling over the dark forest floor. I stood at the edge of the western border, watching the patrols fan out into the forest.Father’s decision after the incident with the rogues attack and the death of the prisoner was to tighten security and patrol. I couldn't find fault with that decision because, despite my suspicions, I had no proof of anything, so I couldn't raise any alarms yet.But it came with a catch—he’d put me in charge.I wasn’t exactly thrilled to be spending nights out, but at least it killed time and allowed me to think about anything but her and my father.And it was hard not to because they were always together; it made it hard to escape from them both.So here I was battling a cold breeze and still trying to figure out where I stood in all of this.A sha
Lunette PoVMy mind wandered as I skimmed the book on medicinal herbs that I had picked that morning. Axel had fallen asleep. I knew it; even though I wasn't looking at him, he was moving less, and he had not turned a page in almost an hour. The candlelight flickered over the pages of the book in my lap that I was reading, or that I had been anyway, but the words had long since blurred into meaningless shapes. I sighed and leaned back in my chair, stretching out my stiff legs, hoping to get some relief.The library was quiet, except for the occasional creaking of the old wood shelves. I had come to like being in the library; it was a quiet space that I could think in without having to worry about others watching me or whispering behind my back. My eyes drifted across the room, landing on Axel. It was a habit now, and I tried not to do it so much. He was slumped in the chair across from me, his long legs stretched out and crossed at the ankles. His head was tilting slightly to th
Zarek PoVI wasn’t sure why I went to the library that day; I knew that was where she liked to be, and so I tried to avoid it mostly, but I was tired and not really thinking clearly, and maybe it was my need for a distraction, or maybe I just wanted to be anywhere but near my brother and father, who were always nagging me to get out more even when I didn't want to.That and the added effort of trying to not cross paths with Lunette because I knew it would be difficult for me to ignore her all the time, but I needed the library today, especially since the weight of my own thoughts had become unbearable lately; the library, with its quiet, seemed like the perfect escape.Pushing open the heavy wooden door, I stepped inside and inhaled the familiar scent of old books and polished wood with the soft glow of sunlight filtering through the tall windows, falling on the rows of shelves along the walls.I moved to one of the shelves
Lunette POVI panicked when Zarek turned to leave. I wasn’t ready for him to go. Not like this.“Wait!” I cried out with my voice louder than I intended, and I reached for his hand without thinking. My fingers wrapped around his wrist, holding him in place.He froze, his muscles tense beneath my touch. His eyes darted down to where our hands met, then back to my face.“Lunette...” he muttered.“Please,” I said softly, trying to keep my voice steady.“Don’t go.”His eyes searched mine, and for a moment, I thought he might pull away. But then, he exhaled a long breath and gave a small, almost imperceptible nod.“All right,” he said quietly, his voice barely audible.Relieved, I released his wrist and stepped back, my heart pounding as I tried thinkin
Lunette PovZarek was talking about something, but I really couldn't be sure what it was he was talking about exactly, especially since I had not been paying much attention to what he was saying.I had mostly been looking at him; he was talking about some ancient pack war, I think, and he was doing it very well considering we had gone from very heavy topics to lighthearted conversation.It was evening now; the sun was setting, and the library was bathed in the bronze glow, and it felt warm. Zarek and I had been talking for hours, the conversation flowing easily between us, so it felt like we had been doing this forever.I like that, liked that he was this open at least with me, that I had seen this side of him that others had likely not seen before. Zarek—the stoic, sharp-tongued Alpha's son—with his broad view of the world and disarming kindness and vulnerability.When he spoke of his doubts, his fears, he masked them
Lunette POVZarek was off the couch in the blink of an eye; I barely noticed when he moved past me until he had the maid in a chokehold against the door. I shivered in fear, confused at what to do; he grabbed her by the scruff of her neck, and she whimpered, her hands falling to her side as Zarek squeezed. "Zarek, stop."“She saw too much,” he growled, his voice low and dangerous. His eyes had darkened; they were now hard and cold—nothing like the vulnerable man I’d just been kissing. My stomach dropped as the weight of his words hit me. “What are you saying?” He didn’t respond immediately, but the sharpness in his jaw and the flicker of rage in his eyes made it clear what he was considering. My panic surged. “No,” I said firmly, stepping in front of him when his hands tightened around her neck. “Zarek, no.” I whispered sharply, my pulse beating erratically in my throat; it felt like my chest would collapse under the weight of everything that had just happened.Zarek’s breathing
Lunette POVThe walk back to my room suddenly felt endless; my mind raced as I replayed everything that had happened in the library.My feelings for Zarek, the stolen kiss, the maid’s intrusion—it all swirled in my head like a hurricane that I pretty much couldn't control.I reached my door, letting out a shaky breath. I pulled open the door and walked inside and closed the door behind me immediately. Sliding down to the floor, I leaned against the door, trying to catch my breath, my heart still racing from whatever had just happened in there right now. The soft click of the latch felt like an ending on the chaos of the day.“What did I just do?” I muttered to myself. I rose to my feet and crossed the room; I needed to distract myself, maybe with a book or a long bath, when a sharp knock interrupted my thoughts.My heart leapt into my throat, panic flooding back. Was it Zarek?Had he come to fi
Zarek PoVThe library was suffocating and way too quiet after she had left, as though the air itself had just stilled for no reason, leaving me suffocating in the absence. The scent of old paper and Lunette’s lingering scent did nothing to calm my thoughts.Leaning back against the chair, I ran a hand through my hair, tugging at the strands as if that would somehow pull the chaos from my mind.I sat there for what felt like hours, replaying every moment of what had just happened between us, the way her lips had felt against mine, the warmth of her touch when she clung to me—it had been all too real.I’d told her to leave; it was the best way to protect her—protect us both—the best way that I could think of.And then she was gone.But the moment she walked away, regret hit me like a punch to the gut.ne.I shouldn’t have kissed her.
Lunette POV The castle was buzzing with energy that. I didn’t quite describe, it wasn’t the good kind though. Lorraine’s tantrums were constantly in the background, but I did my best to ignore them. She thrived on the attention, and I refused to give her that satisfaction. Between Lorraine’s constant tantrums, the twins complete absence and my growing fear that Alpha Cormac would uncover the truth, I felt like a rabbit trapped in a den of wolves. So I did what I had been the best at doing, I poured my energy into spending time with Cormac, convincing myself that this was where my focus should be. After all, this engagement wasn’t just about us—it was about securing my future. I spent most of my days either dodging Lorraine’s pointed remarks and orders or trying to keep my composure as Cormac’s watchful eyes bore into me on our date. It was exhausting. I was on another date with him because somehow, in the midst of all this chaos, we found ourself spending more time together.
Lunette POV “What do you want?” I asked again, my voice quieter now. Her eyes gleamed with triumph as she pulled back a bit. “Ah, now we’re getting to the good part,” she said. She circled me slowly, like a predator stalking its prey. “What I want,” she said, drawing out the words, “is to see you squirm. To see you suffer, it's a past time of mine you see" she mumbled and I flinched “I’ll keep your secret,” she started walking around me like a vulture circling prey, she sounded too gleeful about this that it made it almost to difficult to let it go.“If,” she added, her smile returning, “you do exactly as I say.”My stomach dropped, and I stared at her in disbelief. “What do you mean?”“You heard me,” she said, her voice as smooth as silk lie she was an innocent girl asking for an innocent favour when we both knew that couldn't be further from the truth “If you want me to keep my mouth shut, you’re going to do what I want, when I want.”I swallowed hard, dread pooling in m
Lunnette's POV Ever since my meeting with Lorraine, in fact ever since Axel had slammed a door in my face after sending me on my merry way I had been an emotional wreck. The weight of Lorraine’s presence was floating over me like a storm cloud,a very dark and very suffocating storm cloud.My little chat with her earlier had left my nerves frayed and had my thoughts spiraling in a thousand directions. What would she do with Axel, what would she tell him? Would she expose me to the pack?I was still struggling to fit in here, and they would no doubt be people who would want me gone because I lied.Worse yet, what if she went to the twins or—goddess forbid—Alpha Cormac? My heart clenched at the thought of his piercing eyes darkening with betrayal. I had fought so hard to build this life, to protect myself and those I cared about. It couldn’t all come crashing down now, not because of her. What would I tell them!My stomach churned at the thought. I paced my room, the wood floor
Lorraine POV I stalked out of Axel's bedroom my heart pounding with satisfaction. I had gotten what I wanted and I was feeling on top of the world He had agreed to my terms. Of course, he had no choice but to. My heels clicked sharply across the hard wood floors as I made my way down the corridor, the sound echoed in the otherwise quiet space. I was familiar with these halls, just like I was familiar with the Grey Moon pack house. It was getting to dawn and the halls were still dimly lit,it would be a while before they would fully lit.It had been a while since I was back here but, I would be here a lot more often and that was amusing. A sly smile crept onto my lips as I thought about the power I now held. Axel was desperate and properly trapped, and it was all thanks to what I had stumbled upon the moment I arrived.I had not been sure how to pin him down when I left home for this pack, all I knew was I needed to get him back to me immediately. And by some sort of providence,
Zarek POVI woke up gasping for air, bolting upright as my heart hammered in my chest as the lingering effects of the nightmare clung to me like a second skin.The images were still as vivid and had seared themselves into my mind—my father’s lifeless body, blood all over the floor, Axel nowhere to be found, and Lunette’s screams as darkness swallowed her whole.I clenched my fists, trying to steady my breathing.“It’s just a dream,” I muttered, but the words felt hollow.It was just a dream.But it didn’t feel like one.I swung my legs over the edge of the bed, my hands shaking as I ran them through my damp hair.My room was suffocating; the walls seemed too close, the air too still. I swung my legs off the bed and stood, needing space, needing air.Sleep wasn’t coming back for me, not
Axel POV "Then your father would have nothing to say about this," Lorraine said, her words cutting through the silence.My ears were ringing; maybe it was because the air in the room felt heavier than ever, pressing down on me as Lorraine’s smirk deepened. Or maybe it was because I couldn’t tell if the weight on my chest was anger, frustration, or the sickening realization of the corner she’d just backed me into. I stalked over to her, taking a step into her space, letting my wolf rise just enough for her to feel the tension crackle in the air. I leaned against the wall, fists clenched so tightly that my nails dug into my palms, my wolf snarling inside me, with the familiar mix of chaos, anger, and frustration that mirrored my own emotions. Lorraine wasn’t someone I could afford to underestimate, not with what she had just seen and not when she held the power to destroy everything in my life just to spite me. “Whatever game you think you’re playing, Lorraine, it ends now,” I gro
Axel POV I pushed her out the door and leaned against it and took a deep breath. She didn't move immediately, and I didn't want to entertain any conversation until I was sure she was gone.I stood there, my hand on the door handle, listening as Lunette’s hurried footsteps faded down the hall. My chest felt tight, every part of me screaming to go after her. But I couldn’t. Not now. Not with her standing in the room. Lorraine wasn’t the type to back down easily, and I knew without a doubt she’d use this against us if it suited her. “How can you be so sure?” Lunette had asked, looking up at me, her eyes filled with fear, something so close to terror it had been difficult to look away. Her question had been valid, and so had my answer, because just like I had promised her, I wasn't going to let Lorraine ruin anything for her. Turning the lock with a sharp click, I leaned against the door for a moment, gathering myself. Then I turned back to the one face I didn't want to be anywhere
Lunette's POVI lay there in the dim light, still tangled in Axel's arms, my skin still flushed and tingling, almost trembling even from the assault of emotions and sensations.His arms were draped possessively around me, fingers tracing lazy circles on my bare shoulder. For a fleeting moment, the world was still, like we were in our own bubble, and I was free from the judgment, guilt, and the crushing weight of responsibility that would follow our choice.But it didn’t last.Axel's heartbeat was steady against my ear, louder to me than the silence in the room but a contrast to the chaos swirling in my mind.The room smelled of us—our shared passion and the consequences that would come later.But as the high ebbed, guilt crashed down on me like a wave, suffocating and unrelenting.My gut tightened immediately in regret at that point, but there was nothing I could do about i
Axel POV When I kissed her again, I wasn't sure what I had expected her to do; pulling away from me and slapping me was not it.I couldn’t stop staring at the door when she left; the click of the door quietly shutting behind her echoed in my chest and my ear. She was always running from me, always. My fists clenched at my sides, my nails biting into my palms as I fought against the frustration boiling beneath my skin. Why couldn’t she see it? Why did she think that running from what we both felt was the right answer? We were mates no matter what she wanted to say, no matter what she claimed.She belonged to Zarek and me. I paced around the room, my frustration bubbling over into something I couldn’t contain. I wanted to punch something, yell at her, or maybe at myself.But none of it would make a difference. She was out there, walking away from me—again, and I couldn’t let her go this time. I wouldn't let her go.Before I could talk myself out of it, I was already moving. I yanke