JadeThe moment the meeting adjourned, I rose swiftly from my seat, keeping my gaze averted from Darius. I could feel his eyes burning into the back of my head, but I refused to look back. I kept my head high, determined to ignore the painful pull of our bond. My heart pounded as I approached the door, the ache of leaving him weighing heavily against my ribs.I was almost at the door when Rowon stepped directly into my path, his smirk as infuriating as ever. “Jade,” he began, tilting his head as if he’d caught me in some game, “please give me a minute of your precious time.”I raised a brow, folding my arms across my chest, refusing to show even a hint of intimidation. “If you’re going to waste my time, make it quick. I don’t have time for whatever... you think this is.”He didn’t seem fazed; if anything, my annoyance only seemed to amuse him. Reaching into his jacket, he pulled out a slim, cream-coloured envelope. “Just take this,” he said, holding it out to me. “Please, Jade. Just h
JadeThe walls of my room felt like they were closing in, shadows creeping over me as the Omegas moved around in silence. One carefully pulled a traditional robe over my shoulders, its heavy fabric grounding me, while another swept away the mess I’d allowed to pile up these last two days. I’d been living like an animal, wallowing in heartbreak, until every inch of this room seemed soaked in my misery.My wolf was silent, buried so deep I could barely feel her warmth anymore. I missed her. I missed him…in a way that left a hollowness gnawing at me.I forced my gaze back to the mirror, barely recognising the girl staring back. Then, one of the Omegas cleared her throat, drawing me out of my haze. “Alpha Jade,” she murmured, glancing over at her partner nervously. “I was going to take out the trash, but I found this envelope in the bin.”Rowon’s letter. My stomach twisted at the sight of it, lying in her hands as if waiting to haunt me. I had tossed it in a moment of anger and disgust, b
JadeI turned my gaze to Darius, waiting, hoping he’d respond with the same fire burning in his eyes. He stood there, fists clenched so tightly that blood trailed from where his nails dug into his palms. His face held no trace of Rowon’s smug arrogance; instead, it was a mix of anger, disbelief, and something deeper—something that hurt to see. His eyes met mine, pleading silently, as though he couldn’t believe I’d demand something so brutal of him.My wolf stirred, growling deep within me. How dare you risk our mate’s life like this? Her voice was laced with fury and fear. But I ignored her, pushing her voice aside, and forced myself to keep my expression cold and unreadable. I had to do this—to know who would truly be willing to fight for me, to stand by my side."Did you hear yourself?" My father’s voice shattered the silence, dripping with disappointment. He stepped forward, his gaze piercing into mine. "How can you ask this of him, Jade? How can you ask your mate—the man the Moon
JadeI closed the door behind me, the silence inside as tense as the storm raging in my head. As I stepped into the living room, my mother stood there, wringing her hands, worry etched deep across her face.“Oh, Jade…” she whispered, her voice breaking. “Why didn’t you tell me?”Guilt twisted painfully in my chest, and I bit my lip, struggling to meet her gaze. I’d never seen her look so vulnerable, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. “Mom, I didn't... I mean, I just thought...”“That Darius was your mate all along.” She shook her head, eyes full of regret. “And I forced him on you, Jade. I pushed you… I thought I was helping.” She pressed a trembling hand to her mouth, her face shadowed with pain. “It must have been unbearable.”The sincerity in her eyes pierced through the defences I’d built up, and shame settled heavily on my shoulders. “Mom, I—” My voice cracked, and I had to swallow back the bitter words lodged in my throat. “I didn’t mean what I said before... I’m sorry.”She
Darius The blood moon ceremony had worked wonders, calming the fury that clawed at my insides like a rabid beast. My wolf, that relentless, raging force, had finally settled, allowing me a brief reprieve from the ever-present urge to tear Rowon’s throat out. That would come later—when the moment was right. I’d savour the look in his eyes when he realised he’d overstepped one too many times.A low, dark growl escaped me as I ran, paws pounding through the forest, revelling in the wild freedom of my wolf form. It was therapy—a release for the anger coiled so tightly in my chest. Rowon. Just thinking his name made my blood burn. That smug bastard had been there, grinning, taunting me, acting like he was owed something I’d die to protect. Soon, I promised myself. Soon, his smirk would be wiped off his face for good.I pushed myself harder, running until my limbs felt raw and my mind dulled, lost in the rhythm of my stride. By the time I returned, I felt calmer—steadier, at least. I shift
JadeI chuckled as I looked down at the basket in my hand, filled to the brim with colourful candies. Here I was, acting Alpha of the pack, yet my mother still insisted on sending me on errands for the little ones. Some things never changed. It was funny, really, especially when I remembered how I’d once loved this task—how I’d look forward to Rowan sneaking up behind me, making my heart race and filling me with those ridiculous butterflies.But things were different now, as they should be.I shook off the thought and strode toward the packhouse, smiling at the familiar sights and sounds of the pack. As I stepped inside, one of the Omegas quickly spotted me and walked over, her usual warm smile lighting up as she reached for the basket. "Thank goodness you're here, Alpha. The kids have been craving these, and they wouldn’t stop crying about it!"I let out a small laugh. “Sorry, I should’ve come sooner.”I’d barely finished speaking before a young girl’s voice piped up from the side. "
JadeExhaustion weighed on me as I approached the door to my house, barely able to keep my eyes open after the chaos at the pack house. Between the relentless questions from the kids and another unwanted encounter with Rowon’s child again, I was utterly drained. Just as I reached for the door, my mother’s voice slipped into my mind, piercing right through my fatigue.“Jade, baby, where are you?”I rolled my eyes; her timing was, as always, impeccable. She’d been the one to send me on that dreadful task to hand out candy to the kids at the pack house, and now she wondered where I’d gone off to? All I wanted was to collapse on my bed and sleep until the world faded away.I sighed, letting sarcasm lace my words as I replied through the mindlink. “Oh, you know, just running the pack and babysitting everyone else’s responsibilities.”Her amused chuckle came through, and I could practically see her smirking. “If you’re not close to home, come to the private garden.”I bit back a groan, glan
Darius I wiped the sweat from my brow, feeling the burn in my muscles as I surveyed the group of warriors sprawled on the training grounds. They panted and shook, clearly worn out from the relentless drills. Today, I’d pushed them harder than usual, teaching them techniques my old master once drilled into me.“All right, enough,” I called, my voice ringing with authority. “We’ll pick up where we left off tomorrow.”The warriors groaned with relief, exchanging looks of exhaustion and gratitude before dispersing. For me, training was just one part of the endless responsibilities of a chief commander. Planning, strategizing, and, lately, dealing with pack politics seemed never-ending. I’d lost track of how many hours I’d been out here. My body was heavy with fatigue, and I decided I’d earned a long, scalding shower.When I stepped through the door of the Clawson estate, I pulled off my shirt, tossing it over my shoulder as I headed for the stairs. But the sight of someone lounging in th
Five Months Later Darius Watching your mate give life to your child is supposed to be one of the most beautiful experiences in the world.But at this moment? I’m scared out of my damn mind.Jade's screams pierced the room, each one stabbing me straight in the heart. Her hand gripped mine so tightly I thought she might break it, but I didn't care. She could crush my bones into dust if it made this easier for her."You're doing amazing, Jade," I murmured, leaning closer, brushing sweat-soaked strands of hair from her face. My voice trembled, betraying my fear even though I tried to sound strong.Her glare snapped to me, fierce enough to stop my heart. "Amazing? Amazing?" she hissed through clenched teeth. "Darius, if you ever touch me again, I swear I'll—""Understood," I cut in quickly, nodding as if my life depended on it. "No more babies. Two is plenty. Perfect number. We're done."Her eyes narrowed, and even through her exhaustion, her expression was nothing short of murderous. "O
Jade“I’m so sorry, Jade,” he murmured, his voice thick with guilt. “This is all my fault.”I stared at him, stunned. “Your fault? Darius, this happened because I was foolish enough to fall for Rowon’s trap. If anything, it’s mine.”His jaw tightened. “If I had killed Rowon when I had the chance, this never would’ve happened.”I hesitated, then whispered, “What about the baby?”“The warriors are watching over him,” he said softly. “As for Kassandra, she escaped. It seems Rowon paid her handsomely to lure you into the woods.”I sighed, exhaustion washing over me. “Let’s go home,” I whispered, leaning into his warmth."No, let's go to the doctor and make sure you are okay."I clung to Darius’s shirt as he carried me into the pack hospital, his arms steady but his jaw clenched with tension. My body felt heavy, the remnants of the ritual leaving me drained and light-headed. I could hear the murmur of nurses as we entered, their whispers fading the moment they recognised who we were.“Wher
JadeI swallowed the lump in my throat, though fear gripped me like an iron vice. Rowon’s smirk twisted cruelly as his hand lingered on my stomach. Disgust curled in my gut, and my wolf growled low in the back of my mind, furious and restless.“You’re a coward,” I spat, forcing the tremor in my voice to sound like rage instead of fear. “You’ll never be an Alpha—not even in death.”For a flicker of a second, his smirk faltered, but it returned, sharper and more dangerous. He leaned in close, his breath hot against my ear. “We’ll see about that,” he murmured darkly before stepping back. “Start the ritual.”The witches’ chanting rose, their guttural words filling the room. The air thickened with the scent of burning herbs, and smoke swirled around us, clawing at my lungs. My wrists strained against the restraints as I thrashed, desperate to get free. I could feel the pulse of the ritual building—a suffocating energy crawling under my skin.“Darius,” I screamed in my mind, the bond betwee
JadeTrue to his word, Darius barely left my side. At three months pregnant, I was under what felt like constant surveillance—his. He’d even started sleeping lighter than usual, as if waiting for me to sneak off on some other reckless mission. Not that I could, even if I wanted to. The doctor had already warned me: the stress I’d put my body through during the Jericho ordeal had made the baby delicate. Luckily, Darius’s blood in my veins worked overtime, protecting both me and the little life growing inside me.The pack had practically erupted with praise when the news spread about how I’d taken down Jericho and his warriors. They called me a hero, the "Alpha Woman," the "Greatest Luna," among a dozen other titles that left me simultaneously embarrassed and amused. Strangers travelled from all corners of the werewolf world to join our pack, swelling our numbers and expanding our land. My name was on everyone’s lips, from council meetings to campfires. And the male admirers? Don’t get
JadeThe world around me was a haze of muffled voices and distant sounds, like I was underwater. My eyelids felt impossibly heavy, but the low growl of a voice cut through the fog, sharp and furious.“You said she’d be fine after the blood transfusion!” Darius’s voice, deep and vibrating with restrained rage, yanked me from the void.I forced my eyes open, my vision swimming before it landed on the scene before me. Darius had the doctor pinned against the wall, his hand gripping the man’s throat. The doctor clawed at Darius’s wrist, his face turning an alarming shade of red.“Darius…” My voice was a croak, barely audible, but it was enough. His head snapped toward me, the fire in his eyes instantly replaced by something softer—relief. He let the doctor go, and the man crumpled to the floor, gasping and clutching his neck.Darius was at my side in an instant, his hands cradling my face as if I were made of glass. His stormy eyes searched mine, desperate and worried. “Jade… you’re awake
The heavy wooden table in the council room felt like a prison wall keeping me trapped. My nails tapped against its surface in a rhythm that matched the ticking clock. Every second stretched too long, every minute a reminder that Jade wasn’t here.The emotions festering in my chest weren’t mine—or at least they didn’t feel like mine. Anger, disgust, annoyance—they twisted together like a venomous knot, suffocating me. I couldn’t tell if it was my wolf or something else clawing at me from within. My mind kept replaying our argument bitterly, like an open wound. If only I hadn’t gotten angry with her. Maybe then she wouldn’t have left without me. Maybe I could have been there to ensure her safety. But no—I had been furious when she told me she was going alone. Furious that she wouldn’t let me tag along. Furious at the walls she always seemed to put up. And now, that anger made everything worse, twisting the knife of regret deeper into my chest.She’d claimed she was visiting her aunt, b
JadeThe hall was silent for what felt like an eternity, and I swore for a moment my heart stopped. Then Jericho barked a laugh. “Fine! A toast it is. Someone bring the wine!”The crowd cheered as the bottles I’d cleaned—and poisoned—were brought forward. My pulse pounded in my ears as cups were filled and passed around.Jericho lifted his glass high, a triumphant grin spreading across his face. “To power! To victory! And to my new wife!”The crowd echoed his words, raising their glasses with fervor. The hall buzzed with anticipation as Jericho brought his glass to his lips. I watched breathlessly the poison-laced wine gleaming under the flickering light of the chandeliers.My pulse thundered in my ears as I stared at him, willing him to drink. For the first time that night, true fear gripped me. Would it work? Would anyone notice? My wolf’s growl was a steady hum in my mind as I waited for the first sip…But just as the rim of the glass touched his lips, he froze, a sly smirk creepin
JadeMy hands were raw from scrubbing those godforsaken plates last night. Every joint in my body screamed with exhaustion, but that wicked woman, whose name I’d overheard was madam Amara, wasn’t about to let me rest. She had loomed over me the entire time, barking orders and making snide remarks. She would be the second person I kill after I’m done with Jericho.I had stolen a few precious hours of sleep, but it wasn’t enough. My wolf kept me on edge, her instincts sharpening my awareness. Any moment now, I knew Amara would come banging on my door again.The knock came as expected, sharp and impatient.“Up, girl!” Amara’s voice grated against my nerves as I opened the door, still in my maid’s uniform. “Don’t think today’s your wedding, so you can lounge around like some entitled princess.”I blinked at her, a flash of anger heating my blood. “It is my wedding day,” I muttered, just loud enough for her to hear.Her thin lips curled into a mocking smile. “Wrong. Today’s a celebration f
JadeThe woman’s nails dug into my arm as she hauled me through the narrow corridors of the packhouse. The heavy air in the kitchen hit me first—a stifling mix of spices, sweat, and smoke that clung to my throat. My gaze swept across the room, taking in the sight of workers hunched over cutting boards and boiling pots, their movements sharp and mechanical, their faces blank. They looked like shadows of people, beaten down by the weight of servitude.For a moment, guilt stirred in my chest. These weren’t the monsters I’d imagined. They were people, trapped like me. Innocent. My wolf stirred uneasily. Are we any better than him if we kill them all?I shoved the thought aside. I wasn’t here for them. I was here for revenge.“This is where every wife and concubine of Alpha Jericho trains,” the woman snapped, her voice like the crack of a whip. “You’ll learn obedience here. You’ll learn to cook, to clean, and to serve. And once you prove yourself worthy, you’ll cook for Alpha Jericho perso