Luca POV“Celeste,” I say and she gives me a knowing smile. She seems to have captivated Rose, or maybe she is usually smitten by old people.“Isn’t she our Luna?” she asks.I glare at her, and she returns it with a smile. She was there when I swore to Rose that I would take everything that gave him happiness and I guess she is mistaking my vow on the date, but it is far from that. I want to spend time with Rose and make her more happy.“Yes,” I nod. Daring her to speak one more word. But she presses her lips into a tight line. “I see.” She nods and shows us inside. By the time we enter, the place is almost empty. My eyes scan the place immediately. Wow! The place has changed since I last visited here. I hate visiting this place because it reminds me of Jenny, my mate. I met her here; she broke my trust here, and I was here reminiscing our memory when I got the call that my cousin and my best friend who was Lorenzo killed her.Although Lorenzo did not kill her, he played a role in h
Rose pov.Ever since I mentioned the museum date, Luca had been behaving strangely. Seemed distant, always lost in his thoughts. It’s as if the museum brings back memories he wants to keep behind. Memories that are hurting him. Seeing him this empty and distant leaves me with an overwhelming desire to crawl underneath his skin, find out what is wrong, and take it away. At first, I thought it was because he did not want me or maybe he was scared of being seen with me, but right now, it seems I have never been the problem.When I notice it, I try asking him about it, but he cleverly dodges the question by giving me a mind-blowing orgasm in the car. The fact that he let me fill his car with my moan while he drove drives me insane, and for some goddamn reason, I find it incredibly attractive.Then we got to the museum, and he immediately became tensed. Though he tried to hide it, I could feel it through his sweaty palm and his tightened muscles, although I refused to ask him. It is not a
Rose povMy jaw dropped immediately as I entered the palace and saw Finn standing in front of Russell and Lorenzo, who had a frown on their faces. Luca immediately tightened his grip on my waist. What was he doing here? He said he would give me three days, so why the hell was he here? For days, I haven’t even gotten the chance to see Merlin or Lexie. I was not even ready to leave Luca. Is not as if I was going to follow him, anyway. The mate bond was there. I felt the pull. It was nothing to compare to what I shared with Luca. My clothes still had his musky scent around me.“What are you doing here?” I asked in an evenly calm voice. Trying to hide whatever anger was welling up within me.He strolled towards me, his bodyguard at his back. All armed with daggers and guns. He was wearing a three-piece black suit and a black shoe. He would normally look attractive to others, but not to me. The only attractive wolf I knew was Luca, and I intend to keep it that way.He reached out to caress
Rose POVMy feet immediately grew cold. Jenny? She was Luca’s mate. I thought she was dead. How come she was alive, and,” no one knew?I glared at Finn, who returned it with an intense smile. Was this all a game to him? A game to separate me from Luca? Well, he was a fool if it was ever going to happen.“Jenny?” Luca called in a soft pleading voice. I never thought his voice could be this soft for someone like him.“Luca,” she answered and walked up to him, pushing me aside. I staggered, but Finn grabbed my waist, helping me gain balance.Luca’s eyes softened immediately. He has never looked at me this way. His gaze roamed around her face. He raised his hands to caress her face but held it mid-way. His eyes bore fear. What would happen if she was not real? It was as if he was praying for her to be real.He finally touched her face, letting his finger roam around her face before he cupped her cheek. Jenny leaned into his touch and his expression softened the more. He has never been th
Rose povI called Daina and watched as she arranged my clothes for my departure. I haven’t seen Russell ever since Finn came. Guess he never cared for me.A knock on the door interrupted my packing session. “Come in,” I said.The door opened, revealing Lorenzo. I resisted the urge to roll my eyes and ask him out. What had he come here to do? To ask me out of the palace, if that was the case I already knew because Finn was waiting for me outside, or maybe he had come to rub it on my face and call me a whore.I focused on zipping my luggage while the silence existed. “If you are here to watch me leave, I would advise that you go because it is not going to help. I might as well snatch your head since I am leaving”He sighed a little and took a glance at my room. His eyes filled with something like pain or regret before it landed on mine again.“You could stay, you know. We could fight him. After all, you have already rejected him.” He said.My eyes widened. Is this the same Lorenzo I had
Rose povThe ride towards Finn Pack is enveloped in heavy silence. Just the sound of our breathing and the car engine sound. He would occasionally steal a glance at me and then go back to his iPad.How did I get here? I was meant to go back with Luca to the palace. Take off his shirt, have cool sex, and then draw him, but here I was with a man I did not know taking me to a place where I knew nobody. Why did the moon goddess decide to be this wicked and separate two lovers from each other when we are usually mated within our pack? Maybe the moon goddess knew that Luca did not love me that much. How come Jenny resurfaced after seven years of death? Could she be the one, or maybe an imposter? The only person who would give me an answer to that question is Finn, And I don’t think Finn would tell me. He hates the fact that I am into Luca already.I wonder if Luca would take his interest in sculpting. Maybe he will. After all, already he has his muse.“Penny for your thoughts?” Finn asked,
Rose pov.I take in a shaky breath to ensure that I look okay before I get into the car. I would not want Finn to see me like this, but thinking about the fact that I might not see Lexie again brings in a fresh flow of tears.Immediately I get into the car, I turn my face towards the other side and pull my hair to one side, preventing Finn from seeing my face or my pain.“Do you hate me?” Finn asks me, his deep velvet voice sending shivers down my spine, he seems closer than usual. Goosebumps cover my body; why is he so close? He is meant. Why be at the other end of the car?I shake my head and clean the tears. Meant “No, I don’t. You are my mate why would I hate you?” I ask.“I don’t know. Maybe for taking you away from your friend's mate. Why a short period? You have been crying since you got into the car. Seems like she was pretty close to you”I nod, unable to say anything. Of course, she is close to me. She was my best friend. “She’s my best friend. It means a lot to me,” I reply
Rose povBloodhound Pack is an entirely different pack from my home. When I say they are different, I mean they have their law and norms, but they behave differently.For instance, we have an organized pack. We all know where the market is and where the cinema is, and most of them dress according to their rank, making it easy to identify, and every commercial institution is owned by the Alpha family.Whereas, in Finn Pack. There are different little stalls, with various cinemas and other locations, and they bear different individual names. Lastly, I do not see anyone dressing according to their rank.This is strange. I mean, how do they make their money if they don’t own things and how do I know that I am not about to run into a rogue or greet a council elder with a little respect?Clearing my throat, I decided to ask Finn, “Who owns the cinema and other commercial places?” I ask, clearly making sure I do not sound insulting.“The wolves,” he likes it means, reply nothing. To me, the
Luca's POVThe day had finally arrived. The day I had waited for, dreamed of and worked tirelessly to see come to fruition. My wedding day. As I stood at the altar in the grand cathedral, sunlight streamed through the stained-glass windows, casting a kaleidoscope of colors onto the marble floor. The air was heavy with the scent of roses and lavender, a symbol of unity for our clans.Guests from both sides filled the pews, their once-hostile gazes now softened by the promise of peace. Today wasn’t just about Rose and me—it was about forging a bond that would unite two warring clans into one.And then, the doors opened, and there she was.Rose. My bride. My queen.She walked down the aisle with a grace that stole my breath. Her gown was exquisite, flowing like liquid light, and her eyes were locked on mine. At that moment, the world narrowed to just the two of us.When she reached me, I took her hands in mine, unable to suppress the smile tugging at my lips. “You’re breathtaking,” I whi
Alina’s POVThe hall was silent, the air heavy with tension as I sat at the head of the long table, my eyes locked on Russell. He stood before us, restrained by the pack sentinels, his once-confident demeanor reduced to a pale, trembling shadow of the man he used to be. He had no more lies to spin, no more manipulations to hide behind.The elders murmured amongst themselves, their voices a low hum in the background. I kept my gaze fixed on Russell, my emotions a whirlwind of anger, regret, and determination. This was justice—not just for Finn, but for Rose, for the pack, and myself.“Russell,” I began, my voice steady and commanding, “your actions have brought nothing but pain and destruction to this pack. You murdered Finn, framed Rose, and deceived me at every turn. Your betrayal runs deep, and for that, you must face the consequences of your actions.”He opened his mouth, perhaps to beg for mercy or spin another excuse, but I raised a hand to silence him. I couldn’t hear another wo
Jenny's POVBianca and I stood just outside Alina’s office door, our ears straining for any hint of what was happening inside. The confrontation we’d witnessed through the small crack in the door had left us both on edge. Russell had tied Alina up and left her helpless, and now we were ready to stop him before he could cause more harm.The door suddenly swung open, and Russell emerged, his expression a mix of panic and determination. He froze for a split second upon seeing us, then scowled.“Where are you off to in such a rush?” I asked, stepping into his path.Bianca crossed her arms, blocking his escape in the other direction.“Out of my way,” Russell growled, his voice low and threatening. “I don’t have time for this.”“Funny,” Bianca said, her tone sharp. “You didn’t seem to have time for anything else when you were tying up Alina a few minutes ago.”Russell’s face darkened, and he took a step forward, clearly ready to force his way through. But before he could make a move, the pa
Luca's POVThe sound of tires crunching gravel outside brought a wave of relief over me. My guys were back, and I had no doubt they’d completed the task. I walked to the window, watching as they stepped out of the van, one of them holding a small, padded case. A sense of accomplishment filled me.I opened the door before they even knocked, motioning for them to come in. The leader of the group, Matteo, handed me the case. “It’s done,” he said simply, his tone firm but respectful.“Good,” I replied, opening the case to inspect the contents. There it was—the gun Russell had so desperately tried to keep hidden. Its weight in my hand felt like the weight of victory.Matteo leaned closer. “What’s next, boss?”I placed the gun carefully on the table and turned to face him and the others. “Now we wait. Russell doesn’t know we’ve got the real weapon. For now, I want you all to lay low. No sudden movements. If Russell catches even a whiff of what we’re up to, he’ll disappear, and we can’t affo
Alina’s POVThe weight of responsibility bore down on me as I walked to my wardrobe and selected a long, formal gown in a deep shade of red. It was the color of power, of justice of finality. Today marked the end for Rose. Today, she would face judgment for her crime.Once dressed, I tied my hair back in a sleek bun and slipped on a pair of black heels. My reflection in the mirror stared back at me, fierce and composed, but inside, I felt a twinge of uncertainty. Shaking it off, I grabbed my phone and left my chambers.The dungeon was damp, the cold air biting against my skin as I walked down the dimly lit corridors. Rose sat in the far corner of her cell, her face pale but defiant. She didn’t look like someone who was about to face her end.“Get up,” I ordered, unlocking the cell door. My voice was clipped and firm.Rose stood slowly, her movements deliberate, as if mocking my authority. “So, it’s today,” she said, her voice calm.I ignored her tone, grabbing her arm and pulling her
Russell's POVThe moon hung high in the sky as I led Luca through the winding path behind my property. The forest was eerily silent, save for the crunch of leaves under our feet. My heart pounded in my chest, but my face betrayed none of my inner turmoil. This was all part of the plan, and I wasn’t about to let Luca suspect a thing.After a few minutes, I stopped abruptly. “It’s here,” I said, pointing to a spot on the ground.Luca stood back, arms crossed, his piercing gaze fixed on me. I ignored him and picked up the shovel I’d brought along, plunging it into the earth. The damp soil gave way easily as I dug, my muscles straining with each movement. Minutes felt like hours as the hole grew deeper until finally, the edge of a metal box came into view.I pulled it out, brushing the dirt off the surface before unlocking it. Inside was a gun—clean, shiny, and deliberately placed. I held it up for Luca to see.“Here it is,” I said, my voice even.Luca’s eyes narrowed as he stepped closer
Russell’s POVThe tension in the air was suffocating as I stormed into my room, slamming the door shut behind me. My mind was spinning, the weight of the picture Luca had sent me pressing heavily on my chest. How had things spiraled so far out of control? I didn’t know what Luca thought he was doing, but whatever it was, it wasn’t going to end well for him.I yanked open my closet, grabbed a crisp shirt, and threw it on, my movements sharp and deliberate. My hands trembled slightly, but I pushed the unease aside. I needed to focus. If Luca wanted to play games, I’d play. But I’d make sure he regretted it.Just as I fastened the last button on my shirt, there was a knock at the door. I froze for a second, letting out a frustrated sigh before opening it. Alina stood there, her arms crossed, her eyes narrowing at me.“And where are you heading off to in such a rush?” she asked, her voice carrying a note of suspicion.“I need to get out for a bit,” I said, keeping my tone neutral. “Clear
Benedicta’s POVI poured Merlin another glass of orange juice as he bit into his toast. His small hands fumbled to balance the slice, and I couldn’t help but smile. These quiet breakfasts with him had become my anchor amidst the storm that had engulfed our lives.“Mom’s taking too long to come back,” Merlin said, his voice tinged with the innocence of a child.I hesitated, setting my cup down. “She’ll be back soon,” I said softly, keeping my tone light. “She just had to travel for something important. But she’s coming back, Merlin. You’ll see her soon.”He nodded reluctantly, his little face pensive as he focused on his plate. Watching him like this made my chest tighten. He deserved none of this chaos, none of the lies or danger that had seeped into our home. I wanted so badly to protect him from all of it, but the secrets we kept were growing heavier by the day.Just as I reached for my coffee, the doorbell rang. My body stiffened instantly. Who could it be this early in the morning
Rose's POV The sound of the dungeon gate creaking open jolted me awake. My eyes snapped toward the iron bars, and I sat up on the cold, damp cot, my heart pounding. The rusted hinges screeched, echoing ominously in the silence of the room. A tall guard stepped in, followed by a maid clutching a tray of food.“Eat,” the maid said curtly, placing the tray on the ground with a loud thud. Her eyes were cold as they met mine. “You’ll need your strength for today. Lady Alina has plans for you.”My stomach twisted at her words, but I didn’t show it. I glared at her instead. “What plans?” I asked sharply.The maid smirked. “You’ll see soon enough,” she said. “After all, killers don’t deserve comfort.”“I didn’t kill anyone!” I shot back, the chains around my wrists clinking as I stood. My voice echoed in the small cell. “So, you better watch your mouth.”The maid laughed bitterly, her voice grating on my nerves. “Save your lies for someone who cares,” she said. “Everyone knows what you did.