Sirella’s POVI folded my last piece of clothing and placed it in the small bag beside me. My hands were steady, but inside, I felt the weight of everything pressing down on me. This was no longer training. It was no longer about proving myself. My father wanted Damien dead.And I had to do it.But could I?Could I take someone’s life, even after everything he did to me?I sat on the edge of the bed, staring at the wall. The cabin had become familiar, almost like home. But I knew it wasn’t. Nothing in my life had ever really been mine. My mother was gone. My past was gone. And now, I had to erase the only person who once made me feel like I belonged somewhere.The door opened, and Kieran stepped in. I didn’t look at him. I knew he’d have something to say.“You’re acting weird,” he said, leaning against the doorway.I ignored him, standing up to grab my bag.“What?” he asked, a smirk on his face. “Still embarrassed about the little show you put on for me?”I didn’t answer. I didn’t hav
Sirella’s POVI stood there, my father’s words sinking in.Damien had my mother.I had to kill him.The room felt smaller, the air thick. My hands curled into fists at my sides. My father’s gaze was steady, waiting for me to react. Kieran stood next to me, silent as always.This wasn’t a choice. It never had been.I gave a small nod. “When do I leave?”“Tomorrow,” my father said. “You’ll return as a maid. Just as before.”The words sent a chill through me. Back to that place? Back to where it all started? My chest felt tight, but I forced myself to breathe.“Your presence there will not raise suspicion,” my father continued. “Kieran will escort you to the pack’s borders. He’ll stay close, watching, waiting for the right time to strike. You will act as planned. Get close to Damien. Finish this.”I nodded again. My voice wouldn’t come out, so I just stood there, swallowing back everything I wanted to say.I had no choice.I nodded.“Good,” my father said. “Rest tonight. You leave at daw
Kieran’s POVThe cabin was silent except for the steady scrape of my knife against the whetstone. Back and forth, slow and precise. I checked the edge it was sharp enough to cut through flesh without resistance.Good.I wasn’t expecting a fight, but I never let my guard down. Especially not now.Sirella was in Damien’s pack. She had gone back as a maid, just like we planned. She would move when the time was right, and when she did, I would be there—waiting for the moment to strike.Everything was in place.So why did I feel like something was off?I exhaled, resting my knife on the wooden table. Maybe it was just the wait. It made the mind restless, searching for problems where there were none.Or maybe it was the way she looked before she left.She wasn’t just tense. She was troubled.I told myself it didn’t matter.This wasn’t about feelings. It never was.Then my phone rang.I picked it up, already knowing who it was before I even checked the screen.Alpha Salvatore.I answered. “A
Kieran’s POVAlpha Salvatore’s voice kept playing in my head. Smooth. Cold. The kind of voice that never said a single word without a reason. That call wasn’t just a conversation. It was a move. A deliberate one.But why?I leaned back in my chair, tapping my fingers against the wooden armrest. I replayed the conversation in my mind, trying to pick it apart. Salvatore had given me information. A valuable piece of it. He told me about the Moon Bane—and about Sirella.His bastard daughter.The Moon Bane wasn’t just something that tricked your foe to be your mate .It is a blood curse, passed down through generations, waiting in silence until something woke it up. It didn’t appear in just anyone. It had to be triggered.And now, for some reason, it had awakened in Sirella now.I exhaled slowly, staring at the fire crackling in the hearth. While Shadows flickered along the walls, stretching, shifting. The room felt colder despite the warmth of the flames.The Moon Bane rarely appeared. Th
Sirella’s Pov I was running out of time.I knew it. I felt it.The only thing keeping me alive was the fact that my mission wasn’t over yet. The moment it was, Keiran would kill me. I was sure of it. He wouldn’t let me walk away, considering the fact that the moon band had marked him my foe.And I wouldn’t get the chance to kill him first.That thought never left me. It followed me everywhere, creeping into every moment we shared. Moments that could have been something else—something soft, something real—if things had been different.But I knew better.Keiran was not that kind. He was not gentle.Everything he did, every touch, every word, every look—it was all part of a game. A slow, cruel game meant to break me apart before the final blow.And yet, no matter how much I feared him, no matter how much I didn’t like him, he wasn’t my biggest problem right now.My mother was.She was trapped. Held by Alpha Damien like a pawn in a game I didn’t want to play. I didn’t know if she was saf
Sirella’s pov Alpha Damien said I was to continue my work as a servant—in service to my future Alpha. His words made me sick, but I had no power to refuse. Not when my mother was the price.Now, I lived in the palace. I worked there. I breathed the same air as him, walked the same halls. And worst of all, I stayed in the quarters closest to his, so I could attend to him whenever he called.The first few days were the hardest.I was alone.Even though I still had my secret meetings with Keiran outside the pack, they were brief, tense, and dangerous. We both knew if we were caught, we’d be dead.But when I was inside the palace, I belonged to Damien.And he made sure I never forgot that.I stood in the grand dining hall, holding a tray of wine. My hands ached from scrubbing the floors all morning, but I didn’t show it. I couldn’t show weakness.The doors opened. He walked in.Alpha Damien.He was dressed in dark robes, his presence filling the room instantly. His eyes found mine, like
“This is not a romance novel,” I kept telling myself over and over again as the Alpha’s son held my hand. He would not suddenly fall in love with a lowly servant —but I’m getting ahead of myself. My name is Sirrela, and I am the bastard daughter of an enemy Alpha, not that anyone in this pack knows. My mother was a simple servant, and of course, when I became old enough, I followed her path as a servant. How my mother, a servant, met my father, an enemy Alpha, is another story for another time. Of course, I do not work at the palace; I do not have the qualifications. Only my mother does. But today, my mother was very ill, and she begged me to cover her shift for her. I’d heard so many stories about Alpha Kane’s palace, and my mother had even confirmed that his son, Lucian, is very handsome and brave. So, of course, my heart was beating fast with anticipation as I brought the glass he’d rung for into his bedroom. He was standing shirtless, facing the window, and I sucked in a b
I stood in the kitchen, the warm smell of eggs and bread filling the tiny house. The sun peeked through the curtains, spilling light onto the wooden floor. My hands moved quickly, flipping the eggs and stirring the porridge.My mother sat at the small table near the window, knitting as usual. Her hands worked fast, but I could tell she wasn’t really focused.“Mama,” I said, breaking the silence, “have you ever had a mate before?”My mother’s hands froze mid-stitch, and she turned to look at me with a raised brow. “Why are you asking that?” she teased, a knowing smile spreading across her face. “Have you found your mate?”I nearly dropped the spatula. “No, Mama! It’s not like that!” I said quickly. My cheeks felt hot, and I turned back to the stove. “I was just wondering... what does it feel like?”mother’s smile softened, but her gaze lingered on me for a moment longer, as if trying to read the unspoken thoughts behind the question. “It’s… it’s a feeling like no other,” mother finally
Sirella’s pov Alpha Damien said I was to continue my work as a servant—in service to my future Alpha. His words made me sick, but I had no power to refuse. Not when my mother was the price.Now, I lived in the palace. I worked there. I breathed the same air as him, walked the same halls. And worst of all, I stayed in the quarters closest to his, so I could attend to him whenever he called.The first few days were the hardest.I was alone.Even though I still had my secret meetings with Keiran outside the pack, they were brief, tense, and dangerous. We both knew if we were caught, we’d be dead.But when I was inside the palace, I belonged to Damien.And he made sure I never forgot that.I stood in the grand dining hall, holding a tray of wine. My hands ached from scrubbing the floors all morning, but I didn’t show it. I couldn’t show weakness.The doors opened. He walked in.Alpha Damien.He was dressed in dark robes, his presence filling the room instantly. His eyes found mine, like
Sirella’s Pov I was running out of time.I knew it. I felt it.The only thing keeping me alive was the fact that my mission wasn’t over yet. The moment it was, Keiran would kill me. I was sure of it. He wouldn’t let me walk away, considering the fact that the moon band had marked him my foe.And I wouldn’t get the chance to kill him first.That thought never left me. It followed me everywhere, creeping into every moment we shared. Moments that could have been something else—something soft, something real—if things had been different.But I knew better.Keiran was not that kind. He was not gentle.Everything he did, every touch, every word, every look—it was all part of a game. A slow, cruel game meant to break me apart before the final blow.And yet, no matter how much I feared him, no matter how much I didn’t like him, he wasn’t my biggest problem right now.My mother was.She was trapped. Held by Alpha Damien like a pawn in a game I didn’t want to play. I didn’t know if she was saf
Kieran’s POVAlpha Salvatore’s voice kept playing in my head. Smooth. Cold. The kind of voice that never said a single word without a reason. That call wasn’t just a conversation. It was a move. A deliberate one.But why?I leaned back in my chair, tapping my fingers against the wooden armrest. I replayed the conversation in my mind, trying to pick it apart. Salvatore had given me information. A valuable piece of it. He told me about the Moon Bane—and about Sirella.His bastard daughter.The Moon Bane wasn’t just something that tricked your foe to be your mate .It is a blood curse, passed down through generations, waiting in silence until something woke it up. It didn’t appear in just anyone. It had to be triggered.And now, for some reason, it had awakened in Sirella now.I exhaled slowly, staring at the fire crackling in the hearth. While Shadows flickered along the walls, stretching, shifting. The room felt colder despite the warmth of the flames.The Moon Bane rarely appeared. Th
Kieran’s POVThe cabin was silent except for the steady scrape of my knife against the whetstone. Back and forth, slow and precise. I checked the edge it was sharp enough to cut through flesh without resistance.Good.I wasn’t expecting a fight, but I never let my guard down. Especially not now.Sirella was in Damien’s pack. She had gone back as a maid, just like we planned. She would move when the time was right, and when she did, I would be there—waiting for the moment to strike.Everything was in place.So why did I feel like something was off?I exhaled, resting my knife on the wooden table. Maybe it was just the wait. It made the mind restless, searching for problems where there were none.Or maybe it was the way she looked before she left.She wasn’t just tense. She was troubled.I told myself it didn’t matter.This wasn’t about feelings. It never was.Then my phone rang.I picked it up, already knowing who it was before I even checked the screen.Alpha Salvatore.I answered. “A
Sirella’s POVI stood there, my father’s words sinking in.Damien had my mother.I had to kill him.The room felt smaller, the air thick. My hands curled into fists at my sides. My father’s gaze was steady, waiting for me to react. Kieran stood next to me, silent as always.This wasn’t a choice. It never had been.I gave a small nod. “When do I leave?”“Tomorrow,” my father said. “You’ll return as a maid. Just as before.”The words sent a chill through me. Back to that place? Back to where it all started? My chest felt tight, but I forced myself to breathe.“Your presence there will not raise suspicion,” my father continued. “Kieran will escort you to the pack’s borders. He’ll stay close, watching, waiting for the right time to strike. You will act as planned. Get close to Damien. Finish this.”I nodded again. My voice wouldn’t come out, so I just stood there, swallowing back everything I wanted to say.I had no choice.I nodded.“Good,” my father said. “Rest tonight. You leave at daw
Sirella’s POVI folded my last piece of clothing and placed it in the small bag beside me. My hands were steady, but inside, I felt the weight of everything pressing down on me. This was no longer training. It was no longer about proving myself. My father wanted Damien dead.And I had to do it.But could I?Could I take someone’s life, even after everything he did to me?I sat on the edge of the bed, staring at the wall. The cabin had become familiar, almost like home. But I knew it wasn’t. Nothing in my life had ever really been mine. My mother was gone. My past was gone. And now, I had to erase the only person who once made me feel like I belonged somewhere.The door opened, and Kieran stepped in. I didn’t look at him. I knew he’d have something to say.“You’re acting weird,” he said, leaning against the doorway.I ignored him, standing up to grab my bag.“What?” he asked, a smirk on his face. “Still embarrassed about the little show you put on for me?”I didn’t answer. I didn’t hav
Sirella’s POVI sat on the edge of the bed, staring at the wooden walls of my room. My fingers traced the fabric of my dress, but my mind was somewhere else.The Gamma hadn't fallen for it.I had leaned in, whispered the right words, touched him just enough—but nothing. He hadn't even wavered. It wasn’t just rejection; it was like he had seen right through me, like my tricks were nothing to him.I clenched my jaw.Was I not attractive enough? That couldn’t be it. I had seen the way other men looked at me, the way they leaned in when I spoke, the way their eyes lingered. But him? He had looked at me like I was some child playing a game.I hated it.Maybe I had been too soft, too hesitant. I needed to try again. And this time, I wouldn’t just try to seduce him—I’d make him talk.I stood up, pulling the pins from my hair and letting it fall loosely over my shoulders. Then, I reached for the ties of my dress and loosened them until the fabric slid down my arms, stopping just above my ches
Sirella’s POVI walked through the gates of the school, my bag slung over one shoulder. My body was still sore from the last two weeks, but my mind was sharper than ever. Every lesson, every correction, every test—it had all led to this moment.The Matron stood at the top of the steps, watching me with that same knowing smile.“You did well,” she said. “You have passed.”I didn’t feel victorious. I felt restless.“You may go on your main mission now,” she continued. “Kieran is waiting for you outside.”My hands clenched around the strap of my bag. Of course, he was.I turned without another word and made my way to the gate. The heavy iron creaked as it swung open, and there he was—leaning against a tree like he hadn’t a care in the world.His eyes flicked over me, assessing.I didn’t say a word. I just walked past him.The dirt path stretched ahead, uneven and winding, but I kept my pace steady. Kieran fell into step beside me, the silence thick between us.“You passed.” His voice hel
Sirella’s POVThe classroom was dim, and the air thick with perfume and candle smoke. The woman in front of me—Madame Celeste—tilted her head, watching me the way a cat watches a bird. She was beautiful, the kind of beauty that made people stop and stare. Dark hair, smooth skin, red lips that never seemed to lose their color. When she spoke, her voice wrapped around you, soft but sharp, like a silk ribbon hiding a blade.“Tell me, Sirella,” she said, “when was your first time?”I blinked, heat rushing to my face. “What?”She smiled, amused. “The first time you had sex.”The blush spread down my neck. My hands clenched into fists on my lap. “It’s been a while.”Her smile widened, like she had expected that answer. “Good. Then you have no bad habits to break.” She circled me slowly, her heels clicking on the polished floor. “Remember, never look down unless you are creating an illusion—sirens lower their eyes, but only to make someone want to lift their chin.”I forced myself to keep m