QUINN'S POV I gulped down saliva, hesitant to speak. My eyes flickered as I stared at him.He had a deadly expression, one that managed to push out the hesitation. I exhaled, cleared my throat, and began to speak.“The men!! There were about three of them.” I paused, the memory of the incident gnawing at my chest.“Gianna had ordered me to strip before the guests She had invited for a party, and I refused her order. As punishment, she asked the men to beat me to a pulp.“Damm it!! What exactly has come over Gianna?” he slammed his hands onto the bathtub. “Can you describe these men?”I nodded, “Yes I can. They all are tall and lanky. Heavily built as well.”“You can recognize them if you see them?” “Yes I can. How could I ever forget the faces of those who plunged me in such pain and affliction?” My voice was filled with spite and anger.Alpha Perrin patted me on the shoulders. “I will have this handled as soon as possible. For now, I have something to show you.”My brows furrowed,
Alpha Perrin Having been away from the pack for some time, I was elated to finally return. An important mission made me leave the pack, a few days ago. As Gianna stood before me that very day I prepared to leave, her hands clasped together, I ogled hard at her.She had this look on her face, I couldn't exactly decode. I ignored it like a plague, going on with the main reason why I had summoned.“Gianna,” I began, my voice loud and fierce. “I'll be out of the pack for a few days, and during the time that I shall be away, You would be in charge of the affairs of the pack.”She nodded her head in agreement, smiling at me. “You have got nothing to worry about. The park is in entirely safe and hands.”I smiled back at her, satisfied. She turned and was about to take her leave When something struck within me. “Gianna, Wait a minute.”She halted, resting her gaze on me. “I have a strict warning for you, and knowing kind of person I am, I wouldn't expect you to go against it.”“Speak, I'm
QUINN POVKnowing Gianna, I knew she wasn’t one to bluff. I tried to keep my cool, but fear had already wrapped its icy fingers around me."Why wait until nightfall? If you are going to do it, just get it over with now."She smirked, tilting her head. "Aww, eager to die, are we? But where is the fun in that? No drama, no suspense? That would be so boring."The air felt heavy, my heartbeat pounding like a war drum. The thought of dying sent chills down my spine. No. I couldn’t die. No matter what."Well," she continued, her voice filled with amusement. "I am feeling generous today. So, I am giving you another option. Think of it as my way of being merciful to you and that pathetic excuse of a man, Adler."I rolled my eyes. "Can you just get to the point? I’m tired of listening to your whining."Her smile faltered for a second before she scoffed. "Fine. Let’s fight. A real fight."I blinked. "You want to fight me? Seriously? That’s the best you have got? How childish.""Call it chil
Quinn's POV The door to the room suddenly flung open. I raised my head, curious as to who it was..Alpha Perrin sauntered in, his face long and stern. His feet dragged against the floor, creating a loud upsetting noise.I hissed, irritated by his presence. How dare he come to me after all that's happened?“What brings you here, Alpha Perrin? You shouldn't be here.” The words traced out of my lips before I realized it.He exhaled, his face falling with annoyance.Without uttering a word, he sat next to me, feigning a smile. His face? It made my belly twist into a knot.I gulped down saliva, still uncomfortable with his presence. I was shaken from all that had happened, and it was quite visible.It sure would take a while before I regained myself. That was certain.My hands and feet- they shook hard like I had just walked out of an ice cold bath. Emotions clouded my thoughts, and all I could do was stare into oblivion. My feet tapped against the floor as I remained quiet.The only sou
Quinn's POV I froze.Did he just say what I think he said? My brain short-circuited, my body going stiff as my eyes stayed locked on Alpha Perrin.What the hell? Where was this coming from?It was so sudden, so out of nowhere, that my throat went dry. I swallowed hard, trying to force some moisture back into my mouth.“What… What are you even talking about?” My voice came out shaky, my heart pounding like a damn drum. Was it possible for a heart to actually explode? Because mine was giving it a damn good shot.Perrin didn’t blink. His sharp gaze burned into me like he could see straight through my skin, through my bones, all the way to my soul.“You know exactly what I am talking about, Quinn.” His voice was smooth, almost amused. “You are not actually your father’s first daughter, are you?”I jerked back slightly, blinking fast. “What?” A laugh bubbled up my throat, but it came out forced. “Of course, I am. What kind of weird question is that?”Perrin chuckled, but it wasn’t the fri
QUINN'S POV I was worried to the marrow. The way Fiona had suddenly barged in, and then she looked agitated.“Speak Fiona. What's the problem? What happened to you?” I shook her a bit when she didn't speak up.That seems to do the moment.“Just a few minutes ago, I heard Gianna speaking to someone..”“Okay. What did you hear her say to this person?” I sat upright, my heart pounding against my chest.“She.. she is planning on poisoning you…”“What?” My eyes bulged, the words hitting me in the chest. Fiona nodded her head. “That's right. She's plotting to poison you, and I'm absolutely sure they're going to go on with this plan of theirs soon.”Heat brewed in me. I became uncomfortable, rising quickly to my feet. My feet moved across the room, pacing.“Are you sure you heard right?” I couldn't help but ask even though I knew how stupid it sounded.She nodded. “Of course. I even saw her with both eyes of mine.”I bit at my lower lips, my mind racing with worry. I tried thinking of wha
QUINN'S POVWe all watched Gianna as she took a bite of the food. My heart pounded so hard I could hear it in my ears. Any second now, she would start choking or clutching her stomach in agony. Something dramatic. Anything.But nope. She just chewed, swallowed, and then had the audacity to look straight at us like we were the crazy ones.“Are you happy now?” she asked, raising an eyebrow.Wait what?My stomach dropped. This wasn’t right. Fiona swore there was poison in the food. Was I losing my mind? Did she lie?I glanced at Alpha Perrin, hoping for some kind of reaction, but all I got was his usual cold expression. “See?” he said, leaning back like he had all the time in the world. “Told you. Gianna would never poison you. You stress yourself out for nothing.”I whipped my head toward him, my frustration bubbling over. “No. I know what I heard. What I saw. She tried to poison me. Let’s just wait a little longer.”I folded my arms and stared at Gianna, waiting for something, anythin
Quinn POV Seriously? This had to be a joke.I stared at Alpha Perrin, waiting no, praying for him to laugh and say he was messing with me. But no. That sadistic look on his face told me he was dead serious.For a while, I had thought his behavior was due to a bad temper. Maybe a little control freak issue here and there. But now? Oh, now I know the truth. This man was a straight-up lunatic. A full-blown, walking, talking red flag. And apparently, he enjoyed making my life a living nightmare.“Are you out of your damn mind?” The words flew out before I could stop them. I barely had a second to collect myself before I threw my hands in the air, pacing like a mad woman. “No, seriously. Did you hit your head or something? Because that is the only explanation for the nonsense coming out of your mouth right now. I told you before that I can’t do it!” “Insane? Maybe.” I could tell he was entertained due to that infuriating smirk, I wanted to slap it right off his stupidly handsome face. Bu
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
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
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. "
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
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
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
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
QUINNTheodore's words rang in my ear, as what he said rang in my ear again.This whole scenario made me realize one thing, "I didn't really know what I wanted. I was confused and conflicted between two people and i didn't think that a decision or a choice would be this difficult to make," I went north with Theodore, my arms hugging tight against me. The moving steps felt as if they were treading on thin and heavy ground.I don't understand why I agreed to this. I should have stayed by Perrin. He was the one I've chosen long ago. I already said I'm not leaving.So why does being here feel like betrayal? I thought, confused.He was a few strides ahead of me, relaxed, not like me, not holding any air of uncertainty. Not anxious, moving as if he belonged.There was something I really wanted to say, but the words failed me.And that stretched the silence between us.At last, Theodore stopped then turned toward me. His gold eyes are soft against mine."You don't have to be awkward, Quinn
QUINNAs I watched Theodore, about to leave my sight, my lips betrayed me, "Theodore."His name slipped my lips so easily, so naturally. I don’t even know why I said it. But, the moment I did, Theodore stopped.He turned slowly, eyes locking with my golden hues. He didn't say anything, but he didn't need it. I could feel it in the air- he was thinking I wanted him to stay.I could feel that Perrin was boiling beside me, I didn't need a seer to tell me that I had just provoked him because if I was in his shoes, I would have been provoked as well.I turned to Perrin, deciding to explain to him, "The thing is… I've known Theodore for some time now, Perrin. He was my childhood friend and we've been almost inseparable," I said.Perrin was quiet and feared me greatly.The room was now silent or rather hushed. The pack, the Elders, and the guards watched and waited. Their gaze flickered between the three of us. I had just stopped Theodore. What did that mean? I couldn't even comprehend why