It is Sybille!As Head Warrior Kendrick rushed towards the semi-conscious woman sprawled on the floor, Alpha Abel and Beta Cleo slowly rose from their seats. Their auras were hostile, radiating suppressed rage. The woman, Sybille, was in for a rough awakening.‘First you seduced my brother, and now my man! And my mate has rejected me, thanks to your girlfriend! You filthy whore, I will kill you!’ the voice inside me repeated the woman’s statement softly.Surprised, I looked at the three who had approached Sybille.She was once Beta Cleo's mate, but then who was her husband? Three men stood before her, and I tried to discern who she meant. But then the Alpha grabbed her by the neck, his fingers tightening around her throat, and shook her roughly. Her hair, now a bizarre mix of three different colors, fell tangled across her face, and her eyes fluttered open. She was groggy, disoriented, and stared faintly at the Alpha, her gaze unfocused.“You! I don't believe you mean me, you witch,”
On the way to Woodland, a growing unease gnawed at me, a cold knot tightening in my stomach.It felt as if I was being led to the slaughter, a sacrificial lamb being prepared for some grand ritual. According to Elena, I should have been ecstatic, thrilled at the prospect of becoming the Luna of a pack as prominent and powerful as Woodland. There were countless she-wolves, she had reminded me, who revered him, who would give anything to be in my place, to bask in the reflected glory of his status.But I just couldn't seem to muster any enthusiasm for my arrival at the pack.On the contrary, every mile we traveled closer to Woodland, the urge to run, to flee as far as my legs could carry me, grew stronger. And to think, I had initially wanted to go to Woodland of my own accord, to see if my feelings for the Alpha could ever match the deep, undeniable love I felt for Clyde.How wrong I had been. How foolish I was to think I could so easily shut my heart off.What was also baffling, addin
For the rest of the day, Alpha Abel gave me a tour of the pack grounds.The entire group came along, even the Elders, Ludwina, and Sybille. It was like a government delegation we knew in Human Town, a formal procession. The Alpha's mood had improved considerably, the earlier strain replaced by an almost jovial demeanor. I, too, put my best foot forward, striving to appear cheerful and happy, playing the role expected of me. This seemed to work its magic on the group, everyone relaxed, the earlier awkwardness melting away, and the day transformed into a pleasant, almost festive occasion.Many pack members came over to greet me, eager to make my acquaintance.It seemed as if the Alpha had given them advance notice of my arrival, orchestrating this meet-and-greet. They were all curious about me, naturally, but I also sensed a palpable relief emanating from them. I couldn't quite decipher the reason for this but I suspected they were simply looking forward to finally having a Luna, to pr
Joanna’s Point of View stillRelaxed, I stretched out, a sense of calm I hadn't felt in days settling over me.Last night, I finally experienced a deep and restful sleep that had been out of reach for quite a while. The nightmares and the persistent unease that had haunted me during my waking hours finally faded away. Even the nagging voice inside me, the one that whispered warnings and doubts, was quiet.A smile graced my lips, I felt unburdened, lighter than I had been in weeks.Tonight was the Luna ceremony, the pinnacle of everything that had brought me to this point.But strangely, the usual panic, the suffocating dread that had been my constant companion, was absent. I rose from the bed and walked to the private balcony that overlooked the front of the packhouse. To my surprise, it was buzzing with activity. The driveway was decorated with colorful banners, the main street lined with stalls and booths, and in an open courtyard, a covered tent and a widescreen had
Still buzzing from our earlier conversation about the upcoming ceremony, we stepped inside the Spa unit.The cheerful atmosphere, however, quickly dissipated as a heavily made-up middle-aged woman approached us, her presence radiating a distinct chill. Her aura was dominating, her smile failing to reach her thickly lined, cold eyes. She was garishly dressed, her intricate gown trailing along the floor like a scene from a historical drama.“You must be Joanna,” she greeted me, her voice laced with a distinctly hostile undertone. “The woman who Alpha Abel brought to the pack.”She paused, her gaze sweeping over me from head to toe, her lips twitching disdainfully.“I'm Lily,” she continued, her tone dripping with condescension. “Your hostess at this Spa. Let me take a good look at you.”She reached out and grabbed my arm with two fingers, as if she was picking up something dirty.Her touch irritated me, violating my personal space. I wondered where she got the audacity t
Alpha Abel’s Point of ViewToday was my mating and Joanna's Luna ceremony.But throughout the day, a nagging feeling persisted, a sense that something was amiss, as if this idyllic scene could shatter like a fragile balloon at any moment.It was all too perfect, too good to be true.Joanna had been so agreeable lately, the resistance she had shown upon her return had suddenly vanished. She even initiated our touches, our kisses, as if she had fully accepted our mate bond and was ready to spend her life by my side.But something was definitely not right. Even Hex was suspicious.My Head Warrior and the Beta of Moonlight Seekers ran in their wolf forms beside me, we were on border patrol. I wanted to ensure safety myself tonight, nothing could go wrong, not on this momentous occasion. Though I didn't expect the Crown Prince to risk the wrath of the Council by committing any drastic acts on my territory, it still was better to be safe than sorry.We approached the northern border, the ar
Alpha Abel’s Point of ViewA rising unease gripped me as I stared at Ludwina.“Ludwina, where is Joanna? Why aren’t you at the Spa with her? What are you doing here?”I grabbed her arm, trying to control the sudden surge of panic. The premonition I’d carried all day was starting to take shape, solidifying into a tangible fear.Had Joanna left? Had she changed her mind at the last minute? And why hadn’t the guard at the gates notified me?A thousand unsettling thoughts raced through my mind.“Calm down, Alpha,” Ludwina soothed, offering a reassuring smile. “Everything is fine. The Luna has gone to the lake with her friends to relax. A warrior is with them, nothing can go wrong. Let her unwind, I’ll send for her as soon as it’s time. This is a picnic basket I'm sending for them. Relax, Alpha.”Relief washed over me, so potent I almost staggered.Damn! My fears almost got the better of me.“I came back because I have a few more things to put in order so that the Luna will be properly pre
Joanna’s Point of ViewPuzzled, I stared from one to the other, my head spinning.This sudden turn of events was completely unexpected, I no longer understood anything what’s happening at the moment.“Someone mind telling me what’s going on here?” I demanded.The warrior stopped the vehicle and turned to me. All three of them - Alia, Janice and Rubio - had their eyes on me now, their expressions stern and unyielding.“Princess, you have to tell us now,” Alia said firmly. “Do you want to be the Luna of Woodland, or do you still choose to be with the Crown Prince? I need your answer now to determine which way we go.”A sudden surge of joy welled up inside me, a feeling that seemed to originate from the very depths of my soul. Was it still possible to go to Clyde? The thought filled me with an overwhelming sense of longing. I wanted nothing more!‘Tell her we want to go to the Crown Prince, Joanna. I'm dying here. We really need to leave,’ the voice inside me urged, startling me with it
Twenty years later... "Come on, Clyde, the boys could arrive at any moment. Why are you dawdling today?"Queen Joanna expressed her irritation at her mate's sluggishness, who seemed in no rush to welcome their sons.The Princes had spent two years in Latin America, undergoing rigorous training alongside the sons of Joyce, Alira, Alia, Elena, and Janice. The younger generation had received basic combat and strategy training, a biannual rite of passage overseen by the Council, while the older ones immersed themselves in advanced studies of logistics, business, and management. Among them was Crown Prince Joachim-Georg, his return eagerly awaited. His triplet sisters, however, remained in the Kingdom, much to their displeasure.The eldest, Princess Ciciane Taylor Mariam, had made such a fuss that Clyde had no choice but to allow her to take martial arts training under Chief Warrior Rubio. This girl was a true rebel, known in many packs as the "warrior Princess of trouble."However, she w
As if he had been waiting for this precise cue for an eternity, Xin surfaced, taking over from his human.Clyde's head took on a shape as if carved from wood, the golden fur shimmering as it manifested on his face. Possessively, he cradled Joanna’s face in his hands, lifting it toward him and kissing every inch of it, a fervent declaration of his love.Caught off guard by the strong, untamed power that enveloped her, Era stiffened, her senses reeling. She closed her eyes, savoring the intoxicating rush flowing through her, a wave of pure, unadulterated energy.“No need to panic, love,” Xin whispered to her, his voice a soothing balm against her surging anxiety. “I have never given you reason to doubt me. What is this?” Era leaned against his chest, surrendering to his silent, persuasive power, her resistance melting away like snow in the summer sun.“Joanna is insecure,” she confided in a low murmur, a confession whispered on the edge of a sigh. “She fears that a fated mate might sudd
As they stood before the grand, imposing doors of the Palace, Butler Clark came before them, his presence as steady as the ancient stones of the building itself.Clark was the same age as Alpha Maceo, but unlike the Alpha, who retained a youthful vigor, the signs of aging were etched deeply into the butler's face, revealing his years of service and loyal duty. Moreover, the butler was not as athletically built, nor did he move with the same fluid grace as Maceo.“Alpha, are you here to speak with the King?” he asked the visitor icy calm, his tone devoid of any warmth. “Please, follow me, the family is on the back terrace, enjoying a moment of respite now that Queen Joanna needs her strength.”Before the Alpha could offer a reply, Clark turned on his heel, clearly expecting the pair to follow him without question.The Alpha and his granddaughter exchanged a surprised glance, before stepping into the grand foyer. They walked through a long, winding corridor, passing a bustling, fragrant
"What did you say?" Alpha Maceo of the Falcon Crest pack thundered, his voice reverberating through the sterile confines of the Royal doctor's office. "Man, run the tests again! This… this cannot be true!"His face, normally a picture of composure and quiet strength, was now flushed crimson, a mask of disbelief and rising fury. He glared at Doctor Andrew, who sat calmly across the polished mahogany desk, his expression carefully neutral. Andrew held out the thin sheets of paper with the results.He read the conclusions aloud, his voice steady, each word a hammer blow to Maceo's bewildered mind, shattering the carefully constructed facade of his reality."Alpha, these are simple English words, and I assure you, I read them correctly," Doctor Andrew sighed, his eyes reflecting a quiet understanding of the turmoil raging within the older man. "And I assure you, I have run these tests five times. I could hardly believe it myself. But your wolf knows the truth. During the collaboration to
Nervously Sybille stepped into her new mate's apartment.Even though they had spent hours together in the vehicle returning to the pack, he had barely spoken to her. Kenrick had worked on his iPad the entire trip. He checked news channels reporting on events in the Kingdom and Woodland. He was meticulous, his brow furrowed in concentration.His phone also constantly buzzed and vibrated.His colleagues worldwide wanted his personal account of the events surrounding Alpha Abel and the Royals. He answered them with clipped, precise words, his voice a low rumble.Although he always treated her respectfully, she could clearly feel his underlying power.Kenrick was definitely Alpha material. His dominance and confidence radiated from him. The intense look in his eyes demanded obedience. His strong grip on her hand, when he did touch her, revealed his inner strength.Sybille knew she should not underestimate him.She had not interacted much with him before. Her attention was constantly focus
In Woodland, a convoy of vehicles, somber and silent, rolled to a halt before the imposing, massive gates.Three vehicles peeled away from the main group, one of them a hearse carrying the body of the fallen Alpha Abel. A lone warrior approached the lead vehicle, where Kenrick sat in the back with Sybille.As the guard drew closer, he inhaled deeply, his senses sharp, and his eyes widened in shock."Alpha Kenrick," he stammered, disbelief thick in his voice. "We received no word of your arrival. We knew Alpha Abel was defeated since the pack link with him was severed, but the circumstances were shrouded in rumors."The warrior sprinted back towards the gates and pressed a button.The heavy gates began to slide open, granting the cars access to the pack lands. He sent an alert through the mind link, informing the pack of Kenrick's sudden arrival.A flurry of activity erupted within the packhouse.There was no time for formal celebrations or to prepare a grand welcome. Everyone rushed t
“Clyde,” Joanna murmured weak as she slowly opened her eyes, her gaze meeting his.The Crown Prince, his face carved in relief and overflowing with joy, kissed her all over her face as his heart is overflowing with gratitude. The past few minutes had been a terrifying ordeal for the entire family, a roller coaster of emotions that had left them breathless.“Yes, I’m here with you,” Clyde beamed emotionally. “You scared the hell out of me, my love. What would become of me without you by my side? If you ever decide to leave, don’t forget to take me with you, this life is nothing without you.”Joanna smiled, her eyes filled with a deep, unwavering love.With difficulty, she lifted her hand to stroke his face, her touch feather-light, her eyes shining with an affection that transcended words.“Will you mark me now? Make me your legal wife and my werewolf mate?”The Crown Prince laughed, a sound of pure, unadulterated relief, and pulled her tightly against him, his tears glistening in the
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