For three agonizing days, we scoured the land, each moment stretching into infinity.Each sunrise brought with it a renewed sense of desperation, each sunset a crushing wave of disappointment. I drove the warriors relentlessly, overturning every stone and rustling every leaf in a desperate quest for my mate. The land was vast, the terrain unforgiving, and the strain began to show on my men.Morale waned, and the warriors sought all sorts of lame excuses to stall our search, their belief in our mission faltering. The shadow of Sybille, who had already introduced herself as the Luna of Woodland, loomed large over them, further diminishing their resolve. Whispers of her authority, her claims and supposed relationship with me, snaked through the ranks, poisoning their loyalty.At the moment, John and I pored over the map of the surrounding terrain as my fingers traced the lines of coastlines and islands, meticulously charting every corner and island that might keep Joanna out of my hands.
All the groups received their instructions, leaving John and me alone with two warriors.The men were tasked with observing the islands without taking any action, they simply had to report via the mind link what and who they encountered. Each team had a leader who would outline their route, ensuring a systematic approach to the search.I watched as the men set off in the rented small boats, their engines sputtering to life, scattering in different directions across the shimmering expanse of the sea. The water was calm, the sky a clear, unblemished blue, and good weather was expected today. Everything seemed to align perfectly, as if the Moon Goddess herself supported my plans, clearing the path to Joanna."It's time for us to leave," I urged John, who had been staring at the departing men longer than necessary, a flash of doubt in his eyes. "Our route to the forbidden island is longer, we'll be traveling for at least two hour. Hopefully, we won't encounter any container ships that cou
A few hours earlier at a hotel near Woodland..."You are a Lycan," the Head Warrior of Woodland stated, his gaze fixed on the woman who had just offered him a free drink.He turned the glass in his hand, and he knew instantly that their meeting wasn't a mere coincidence. Although he had initially been captivated by her striking appearance, her eyes didn't reflect any warmth back at him. A closer look revealed a chilling coldness, her face drawn tight like a predator ready to strike.He wondered how much she had overheard of his conversation with the Chief Warrior, Walther.She must have recognized the man, he was a figure well-known throughout the Kingdom, a high-ranking Lycan from the Royal Palace. While her scent leaned towards that of humans, there was no denying her Lycan heritage. He was certain of it, the Luna of his pack belonged to the same elevated werewolf lineage, as did Miss Joanna. In recent months, he had frequently interacted with Lycans, especially since his Alpha had
On The Forbidden Island…A thick, simmering anger hung in the air.Alpha Abel, his face a mask of frustration, glared at the couple before him, his eyes burning with a desperate intensity."You can throw your status around all you want, but Joanna is my fated mate, and she belongs to me," he growled low and dangerous, a primal warning that echoed across the terrace.Joyce stepped forward, her arms crossed defiantly over her chest, her eyes blazing with indignation. "Alpha, you must realize that the situation has changed drastically," she retorted, barely containing her fury, her voice sharp and cutting. "You are marked now, even an ordinary werewolf can sense that. What do you truly want?"The air buzzed with unresolved emotions, each word adding to the stalemate, the silence between them heavy with unspoken threats. The recent turn of events had shifted the dynamics, Abel had found his Luna, however unwillingly, and Joanna was now free to be with Clyde, her true love. In fact, there
On the Royal yacht, kilometers from the coast of Canada, the Crown Prince and his wife lounged, enjoying a cold fruit juice. Clyde absentmindedly stroked Joanna's round belly as she closed her eyes contentedly, the gentle rocking of the yacht lulling her into a state of serene bliss. “Are you ready for the big confrontation, love?” he asked softly. “This soap opera has come to an end; all parties involved in the scheme have been exposed. The Queen is the only one we must handle with kid gloves.” Joanna sighed and opened her eyes, her gaze soft and forgiving.“Her intentions were good,” she defended her mother-in-law. “I think I would have done the same if my grandchildren were at risk of being trapped in a labyrinth of conspiracies. Abel and Jace had their plans for our pups, and Mariam jumped in like a saving angel.”Clyde shook his head in resignation, knowing he should have anticipated Joanna would defend his mother. The two had always been very close; there was no needle between
“You’re moving too quickly. We will get to the Crown Prince later, be patient. But now, just in case we have another Princess, we need a backup name.” Joanna could barely contain her laughter.For men, the prospect of having a son was an exhilarating thought filled with dreams and aspirations. She could imagine Clyde envisioning all sorts of futures for the Second Crown Prince, just like the King and Queen had done. So, she decided to tease him, deliberately prolonging his anticipation about the name for their son. “It’s quite possible we might be blessed with another son,” he insisted, his eyes lighting up at the idea. The thought of two sons was more than he could ever dream of. Just imagining it sent warmth radiating through him, filling his heart with joy. “Hmmm, possible,” Joanna replied in a playful note in her tone. “But I think one son might just be sufficient. While you and the boy busy yourselves with the packs business and all of that, we girls can focus on fashion, char
“Hey lovebirds, we’re back. The mission was a successful one.”Alira’s cheerful voice interrupted the couple on the yacht's deck, her words cutting through the gentle lapping of waves against the hull.As Clyde and Joanna peeked over the railing, they spotted the sailboat belonging to the Third Prince, Carlo, and his mate alongside the yacht. The couple radiated happiness, their sun-kissed skin a testament to a delightful day spent under the warm embrace of the sun. The sailing trip they had embarked on that morning had clearly done them good, their spirits lifted as they had also spent some private time together.Carlo helped his mate over the low threshold of the yacht before securing the sailboat and stepping inside. As they took the stairs to the deck, he quickly kissed Alira’s neck, where his mark was clearly visible, a symbol of their bond. Alira wore only a high-cut swimsuit that beautifully accentuated her figure, the vibrant colors a stark contrast to her tanned skin.When Al
Someone in the Back…Was she intentionally ignoring me, or had she simply overlooked the fact that we were fated mates? As soon as she stepped onto the back terrace, Claw, my wolf, revealed that she was my mate, a surge of recognition that sent a jolt through my entire being.Unfortunately, the situation did not permit me to approach her immediately, the tension was too thick, the air crackling with unspoken threats. I could only watch as she boldly confronted the Alpha, her stance defiant, her words sharp and cutting. If the situation hadn't been so serious, I would have burst out laughing at the way she tackled the man.She mocked him, tactfully insulted him, and pressed the truth right in his face, her every word a carefully crafted barb.From my vantage point behind her, I had a clear view of her assets, of the alluring lines of her curves. A firm ass and a straight back stirred my fantasies, igniting a fire within me. The confident posture and the way she swept her jet-black hai
Crown Prince Clyde stood at the head of the large Council Board table, his posture rigid as the hall began to fill with spectators, their eyes eager and whispers buzzing with anticipation.Everyone was curious about the recent, chaotic events, and it was crucial to provide clear explanations, to dispel the confusion that hung heavily in the air. Once everyone had taken their seats and the Royals stood at some distance in front of him, Clyde addressed the attendees, his voice resonating with a solemn gravity.“As you all know, my wife, Joanna, was the fated mate of Alpha Abel,” he stated the obvious. “With his death, the bond was broken, not only with the marked mate but also with my wife. But Joanna is human, and she carries my twin pups, which adds an immense burden to her already fragile state.”He paused, letting his words sink in, as he heard gasps of shock ripple through the room.Some whispered among themselves, their voices laced with accusation, blaming him for what had happen
"Jace, I can’t bear to lose her," the Crown Prince softly growled with anguish, as he leaned heavily against the cold, sterile wall outside the ward where Joanna was being examined.His knuckles were white, his body trembling with suppressed terror."What could have caused all this? Was it the breaking of the bond with Alpha Abel?""I believe so. Sybille went through the same experience, but her Lycan helped her through it," the Secretary replied gravely. "Joanna is only half-transformed, and her wolf is still too weak. And the pups, man, this is dire."Fifteen agonizing minutes later, the doctor emerged from the examination room, his face a mask of grim concern, his shoulders slumped with a heavy weariness. Clyde and Jace rushed towards him, their hearts pounding with dread. The doctor's posture alone spoke volumes, painting a bleak picture."Doctor, my wife…" the Crown Prince stammered with fear. "Will she be okay? I beg you, do everything in your power to save her. Joanna must reco
At the sound of Sybille's voice, a feral rage consumed Alpha Abel.His eyes blazed, shifting into the predatory orbs of his wolf, and with a speed that defied human perception, he lunged at the she-wolf. His hand, a clawed weapon of raw power, closed around Sybille's throat, almost cutting off her desperate gasp."You tricked me!" he snarled, his voice a guttural growl that vibrated with unbridled fury. "You knew I would never choose you, what we had was a fleeting illusion, a ghost of the past. You came to my pack with the intention of keeping me away from Joanna, weaving a web of deceit. You were a pawn in a conspiracy, a viper in my den. But I will not surrender to you, I will reclaim my mate!"His grip tightened, the pressure crushing Sybille's windpipe, her eyes bulging as her face turning a grotesque shade of purple. A strangled gurgle escaped her lips, a desperate plea for air.Then suddenly, a figure, in a whirlwind of motion, slammed into Abel, sending him crashing to the gro
Joanna’s Point of View StillI couldn't help but notice that Alpha Maceo constantly cast strange, lingering glances in my direction. He seemed preoccupied, his attention shifting between me and some internal struggle, leaving me unsure of how to interpret his behavior.His granddaughter, Cela’s eyes were filled with a dismissive indifference, I sensed she wasn't genuinely interested in me, her focus elsewhere. No problem, I doubted I would see her again after today. My focus shifted back to my own matters, the urgency of the situation pressing down on me.‘Era, can you hear what’s happening inside?’ I asked my wolf, seeking her insight. ‘Is Alpha Abel already in the room? What’s the mood?’‘Yes to all your questions,’ she replied dryly. ‘Just a little patience, the Alpha seems to be misbehaving, throwing a tantrum. We’ll go in at the right moment, when the tension is at its peak.’‘Okay, I trust you to make a good judgment call. We need to get Clyde’s mark today itself, I can't lose h
Joanna’s Point of ViewThe Palace was eerily quiet when I reached the main floor, its vast corridors echoing with an almost unsettling stillness. I followed the same path I had taken upon my arrival, walking through the labyrinthine hallways and quickly found the main entrance. Looking around, I saw no one, the grand foyer deserted since the Council meeting was still ongoing.I wandered over to one of the parked cars, a nice Maserati, its polished surface gleaming under the soft light. Zane had driven this type of car in Moonlight Seekers, so I was familiar with the controls, the layout of the dashboard and the feel of the leather seats. Everything seemed to be in order, and, just as I had observed Clyde doing when we lived in the penthouse, I found the key tucked beneath the mat.“Yes, just as I thought,” I whispered, a surge of adrenaline coursing through me as I settled into the driver's seat.My large belly barely allowed me to reach the steering wheel, and I had to stretch my ar
Joanna’s Point of ViewThe moment the King and I made eye contact, a wave of unexpected tranquility settled over me.He had entered the conference room with an almost spectral silence, his presence barely registering until his gaze met mine.He had observed my position beside Clyde, a tableau of our strained relationship, and had overheard the tail end of our tense exchange. Though his features were etched with a sternness that could intimidate even the most seasoned Royal, I sensed an undercurrent of something else, something akin to understanding.It was as if he saw beyond the surface, beyond the carefully constructed facade of Royal displeasure. From Mariam, I knew he held me in a regard that bordered on paternal affection, valuing my insights and opinions with an unusual sincerity.An immediate, unspoken connection formed between us, a silent acknowledgment that he was an unexpected ally in this labyrinth of Royal intrigue.Clyde's words, though delivered with a veneer of reason,
As everyone settled at the enormous table in the large conference room, Clyde turned to Jace with an intense look.The Secretary sensed that heavy hours lay ahead, Clyde’s demeanor convinced him that the Palace secrets had been discovered, the truth laid bare. He took a deep breath, knowing that he would have to be very convincing to avoid punishment, to escape the consequences of his actions. Clyde would not spare him if he knew the truth, his loyalty tested and found wanting. His breathing became irregular, and his heart raced uncontrollably, it was a frantic drumbeat against his ribs.“Don’t be afraid, Jace,” Clyde assured him. “Mariam and Walther are on their way. I know you are not the only one involved in the plot to take Joanna away from me. What I want is clarity regarding your motives. I want to know if you conspired with the Alpha or if there were other matters at play.”Jace was not entirely reassured by Clyde’s words, the underlying icy tone too thick to ignore. In desper
The Royal yacht entered the harbor of the Werewolf Kingdom, and a somber mood permeated the air, a stark contrast to the joyous atmosphere that had prevailed before Clyde's unsettling pronouncements.Clyde's statement had greatly dampened the spirits of the group, casting a shadow over their homecoming.When they finally disembarked, they found themselves split into two camps. Zane walked down the gangway alongside Clyde as they entered the pier and as they looked around, they spotted Jace leaning against an SUV with his arms crossed, his posture casual yet alert.When he noticed them, he waved and beckoned the men over.“Hey, man, you were suddenly nowhere to be found,” the Royal Secretary exclaimed with a hint of concern. “Luckily, the King was too busy to ask questions, and I covered for you well. Where have you been? Couldn't you at least let me know you were leaving?”Clyde patted his friend reassuringly on the shoulder. “I went to pick up my wife,” he replied bluntly. “Have the
Absently, Clyde stroked Joanna's round belly before pressing a tender kiss upon it, a gesture of unspoken affection.He gazed deeply into her eyes, searching for answers, but noted the blank expression on her face, a mask of carefully concealed emotions. The family held their breath as the wait for his response became almost unbearable.“I am ready,” Clyde declared mysteriously calm. “As I said before, Joanna is my Queen, the mother of the most significant members of the werewolf community. After the King and I, she stands as the most figure, having custody of the next royal line. She is extremely privileged.A gasp of disbelief rippled through the group, the Crown Prince's words were met with a mix of confusion and disdain. No one expected such a vague, meaningless answer. Clyde seized every opportunity to show his affection toward his wife, yet his words carried an unsettling ambiguity.A menacing growl erupted as two massive Lycan wolves were about to shift, their postures bristlin