QUINNWhat Theodore had said echoed through my mind. "Understanding the situation does not change my feelings."I clenched my hands while walking beside him, my heart weighed down with thoughts I didn’t want to address. Something was suffocating about everything that night, pressing down on me like boulders made up of my own choices.I had chosen Perrin. I had pledged myself to him. I had become Luna. So why did he feel like my being here was betraying someone?Glancing at Theodore, calm and composed, an image that conveyed the weight of this night did not touch him, but I didn't believe such. I had seen his golden eyes dim slightly as if withdrawing into the life behind them with every mention of Perrin.I exhaled slowly. "Why did you really come back, Theodore?"He slowed down his pace and turned to me fully. "You want the truth?"I nodded.He tensed for a second, exhaling. "I came back because my training was over. I was ready to take over my pack." His voice was calm, but in the
QUINNI took in a deep breath, trying to stay calm as it was almost impossible. Theodore took a step closer to me as his eyes gazed at me, I couldn't even lie to myself that I didn't like the way he stayed at me.He was mesmerizing that if there was something I needed to tell myself, it was the fact that I was freaking already close to marrying Perrin, and I wanted it to come true; at least, that's what I think I wanted."I'm good, Theodore," I lied because I didn't want I and Theodore to be seen together "You have no reason to worry about me," I added.He scoffed and stood with his hands in his pocket, not ready to move an inch. Then, just a moment after that, a tiny smile broke across his face: "Fine, are you?" he questioned, tilting his head. "Even after everything?"I nodded. "Yes." With slow deliberation, he advanced. "Even after he claimed you against your will?" I gasped and quickly straightened up, swallowing hard. "Perrin is different to me," I said "I don't care what any
QUINNI stared at Theodore, heart beating like a hammer.“I’ll wait,” I said again. “But…” I took a breath. “I still reject you, Theodore.”The smile had faded from his face.“I have to make things perfectly clear, though. This is really paramount,” I went on. “No misunderstandings, please. I chose Perrin. I became Luna. This-” I pointed between us “-cannot and will not become a shadow looming over my relationship with him.”There was a slight tightening in Theodore's jaws, but he did not stop me.“This is not for us,” I said. “It is for me to be absolutely sure before I move. Breaking a bond is that final.”He nodded slowly. "I understand.""I don't want you waiting, hoping for something that isn't coming."His eyes became greyer, but his voice remained even. "I hear you."I looked away for a second and then back into his eyes. "You can stay. For a while and that's only if you want to see it I'm okay which you can obviously see that I'm fine""Also," I added, "I'll inform Perrin that
QUINNTheodore felt like a time bomb inside the manor. In the beginning, they made a pretense of ignoring it. They nodded politely as he went by; pinched smiles were offered in his presence; they kept their distance.There began the whispers along the hallways. The glances were lasting a bit too long. The smiles narrowed, and suspicion kindled.What is listening? "Too much time spent with him.""Didn't she reject Alpha Perrin?""Why is the other one here then?" "She is playing both sides."I tried to ignore it. Reminding myself that I had made my choice. I had rejected Theodore. I had chosen to stand with Perrin.But that wasn't the view in which everybody shared. Even the guards who had formerly looked up to me with respect had begun developing doubts. The Luna they held in honor had become a source of quiet gossip, and I felt powerless to stop it.---"I thought you said you took care of him," Keira whispered angrily beside me as we walked along. "Why is he still here?""I dealt
PERRINI didn’t trust him at all.Not even when the bond was broken. Not even when Quinn chose me. I still didn’t trust Theodore.It had nothing to do with jealousy.It had to do with the way he looked at her. As though she were the sun following a long winter, as though, no matter how many times she turned away, he would keep hoping to turn back again. And worst of all?But he never said it in the presence of Quinn. Smiled, played the respectful guest. However, when her back was turned, just us two, the claws came out. ---This happened for the first time when we were in the eastern yard for training.It had been a tiring day: scouts had been informed of rogue noises on the border, and there was very little sleep from the previous night. My patience was thinning already.Theodore was standing there with the younger warriors, giving them lessons as if he were one of them as if he had a say in how such things were done in my pack.I approached him, nodding as I passed the warriors. "
QUINNThe space between Perrin and me had suddenly shifted into something unspoken, something very cold that quietly set in between us.I could feel it every time he passed my way without brushing my hand like he used to. Every time he answered my questions with a nod or a blunt reply. Every time I reached out and tried to hold him, he sidestepped away from me in such a delicate way that it could be construed as nothing—yet I felt it.And I hurt far more than I would have wanted to confess.In my deluded mind, choosing him would have been the cure for any confusion. It would have silenced the voices in my head. It would have eased the storm that raged in my chest. But then it did not. Actually, the bond with Theodore was not even the major culprit anymore.It was us.Perrin and me.I didn’t know how to fix us.---Theodore had stirred too much about the manor.He was rude, proud, conceited, and good at getting on one’s nerves, but so was the dark one. Wherever he was, Theodore had bee
PERRINFor weeks, Quinn and I had been walking ghosts under the same roof.We would nod to one another, ghostly pale...well, something like this, as we passed in the hall; maybe emit a few meaningless words when necessary; maybe eat when necessary or not at all-somehow one of us would make an excuse to leave, while the other pretended not to notice.I did not know how things were coming to be.Maybe it had something to do with Theodore. Or maybe it was the simmering fear that neither of us wanted to acknowledge. Or maybe it was both of us slowly drifting away and refusing to admit it.What hurt the most was that I loved her, and it seemed that it did not matter anymore.Some nights I would lie awake with her just a few feet away, curled upon the edge of the bed as if afraid to take up space. I would watch her breathe and wonder whether that would be the beginning of the end.And part of me, the one I hated, had already begun to ready itself.---Neither of us ever voiced it, but I kne
QUINNTheodore’s words stuck with me long after we went our separate ways, their echo a whisper of something I hadn’t experienced in years: agency in my own life.But I didn’t run.Instead, I stayed.Because as much as Theodore had been a respite, I wasn’t prepared to leave Perrin behind. Not yet.But something had changed between us. Not merely because of what we’d gone through, but because the Perrin was attempting — actually attempting. He asked questions rather than issuing orders. He preferred listening to talking. And sometimes, if we sat there together in silence long enough, I could feel him hoisting up the guilt he carried around like another layer of skin.He no longer attempted to conceal it. And perhaps it was that honesty, that quiet vulnerability, that finally had the walls between us start crumbling.One night, curled on the window seat in our room, I finally said what I’d never thought I’d say out loud.“I hated you for so many years.”Perrin didn’t flinch. He nodded—o
Theodore‘s.Black valley in Black moon pack.I had to leave my villa at the Crescent Lane pack. It doesn't feel safe anymore especially when Perrin wouldn't stop acting weird and suspicious.Black Valley reminded me of my birthright; I gained a membership of the Crescent Lane pack, and Perrin’s Dad gave me the privilege, but deep down, the black blood of my pack can never turn to water nor change.While Perrin had it rough growing up, especially after his parents were murdered, I had it well, but it couldn't last. My dad wasn't an Alpha but a normal warrior obsessed about power- The legacy I would be honored to carry the cross.I stared into the space of my balcony as I wallowed in my thoughts. I had been expecting news from my spy at Crescent Lane, but they've decided to stay low for now, going by Perrin's suspense.My wine filled to the half of the glass while I dangled it rhyming with the rhythm of my silence.“I wonder how far he can go searching for her. I am in control now- I a
Perrin's.It came as a shock and it all happened too fast. It had been two days since Quinn had been abducted, two days of consistent searching and spying yet to no avail.I had my Beta, Gamma, and also one of my trusted allies amongst the pack show up in my study room. Gianna was the only one who knew I was going in search of Quinn, she speculated but I was so sure I didn't confirm her presumption; My Gamma was out of town and he just resumed then to my trusted ally, he knew me more than enough to do what I have done, it was obvious to him and I was a little shocked when he didn't mention or tried to question my authority.My mind was set up in chaos, stewing in rage as curiosity devoured my demeanor, leaving me battling with questions flooding my mind.I set back my head to the office chair I was sitting on while I anticipated the arrival of my knights I called upon. Different knots to be entangled yet left with no idea where to start, everything seemed fishy. I clenched my fist in
QUINNI slowly opened my eyes only for my gaze to meet with an unfamiliar environment.I rubbed my eyes, confused. "Where is this place? What am I doing here?" I kept asking, still confused, but my vision was still so blurry that I couldn't even name the things around me yet."Hmm..." I growled, realizing that I couldn't move my body as well as I wanted to.After some seconds, I was finally feeling a bit better and sane, at least sane enough to know that I was in a cage in an unknown environment.The last few things that I could recall were going to the safe place in the pack house with an omega who was asked to watch over me.I'm certain something happened after that. I couldn't point a finger at anything in particular until my eyes fell on the back of someone outside the age I was in."Wait... You're that omega, right?" I asked, trying to see her face well, but I couldn't. I knew she was the one, and she must have had something to do with this.Logically, if we were both invaded, th
~Chapter~Perrin's.It all happened like lightning, I thought I got it under control, I thought my assumption was correct until he showed up looking worried.The silent support I had turned against me. They all kept muted when I told them my assumption and now that Theodore showed up shattered and disoriented, I realized the silence has been impregnated with unsaid words.Theodore left in rage, turning the table against me and pinning me as the villian. He got the upper hand since she was his mate and I couldn't counter his opinion even though deep down,I know he had a lot of role and ploy to play in this game.His rage, his action, his words…they all displayed the authenticity he wanted the pack to see but to me it was nothing but another lawn in his game.My back facing the door while I dipped my hands in my sides pocket staring through the ceiling to floor window of my study into the space, my gaze affixed as changes in the climate took into action from broad to dusk. It has been s
Perrin I was not just in search of Theodore, but I needed to find Quinn too. I ran my hand through my hair, thinking of where Quinn must have gone to.At this point, I needed to find a way to stop the killing and help my pack members."Hey!" I called the second my eyes fell on Theodore in the crowd, trying to escape the circle of conflict."Theodore!" I called again, and then he turned to me; his gaze was so passive that if it were any other day, I would have demanded an apology for his rudeness."They're leaving, if that's what you came to talk to me about. I don't know how you were able to make Quinn feel so attracted to you that even with the mate bond pulling us together, she ignores it!""She keeps on acting like she's not seeing me, and when we were little, we were so close that I would say that we were never apart from each other!" Theodore said, but none of what he said made sense. I wanted him to leave, or, in other words, I didn't want him around."Where's Quinn?" I asked.
~Chapter ~Perrin's.I wasn't expecting Quinn to turn to them and asked for their help but this is something we would have to talk about.Their bloodlust was all over the air, the fangs gnawing against each other ready to devour anyone who comes their way.There glared affixed on me like a predator studying its prey.“This is not about a rival pack, this is not just a fight breaking down because they want the pack…..This is clearly more like an assassin and the only difference I could point out was they came through in a day and didn't seem to care about other beings.” I thought.I checked around to see if others were still where they are, this seems to look more like my fight as it was so obvious that their mission was to terminate me, the pack was just an additional bonus to their goals.They set aback almost in their four, leaning backward, their claws all set out while their bloodlust eyes scaled through me sending a shiver through my spine, a shiver that came with nostalgia. I co
QUINNIn the days that followed, everything was a blur of repairs, funerals, and silence. The pack had suffered trials by bond-smithing and sheer treachery, and trust was the first victim. Worse, no one had any idea how the Bloodfangs could strike so accurately, at least officially. Perrin had not told them. He would not until he proved it. I saw it in the way he looked at me.He did not blame me; he knew it was because of my foolishness that Theodore had gotten so close.And I couldn't fault him for that.Because, if I were to delve deep, I would have wanted to believe in Theodore.I would have wanted to believe someone from my past could still be this same boy I had once trusted.But Theodore was never going to save me.He was after my claim.---The letter showed up late on the night of the fourth day.A single folded note left at the gates, sealed with wax and stamped with a familiar crest-a wolf wrapped in thorns.Quinn,You deserve better than a cage dressed up as a home.I ga
PERRIN The stench of blood permeated the walls, long after the battlefield had gone silent.Even days later, it seemed to be seeping into everything - soil, stone, air. It brought back terrible memories of an earlier time, another night when I was too young and far too innocent.When I had believed in the word "alliance."When I had believed in mercy.---Seventeen was the age at which, one dark night, my parents were murdered.It was a violent attack, completely without reason- the rogues had come easy in the storm, covered from rain and wind; when the alarms were sounded from our warriors, the packhouse was already alight.I had already fought. I was too young to be Alpha but was old enough to know what bleeding for your people meant.I held my mother while the last of her life slipped away. The waning light in her eyes: the message came from my father, torn throat whispering:"Protect them."I did what I could: the youngest, the eldest, the too wounded to stand - huddled them toge
QUINNShall I say they felt extraordinarily long? Indeed, they did.Waking every morning with a wish for peace inside, it was but a wish-I would never find it. Though Perrin lay beside me, holding me as if nothing else mattered, whispering false, insincere promises that I was safe now, worry would not leave my heart leaden and mind restless. I should be happy. I had Perrin. I had returned to the pack. Freedom.Deep inside, I felt that something was amiss. It kept gnawing away at me — all that had happened. About Theodore. About the lies. About the danger I didn’t see coming.And always, the voice in my head said:What if it happens again?That day, Perrin had gone out on pack business, and I sat alone on the wall-less bed, gazing into the empty expanse around me. Only the old, relentless ticking of the clock could be heard that day throughout the unusual quietness in the house. My heart felt tight in my chest.I couldn't take it anymore.It was answers I longed for. I needed help. I