I know I promised double updates soon but we’ll have to manage one for now, my schedule is super tight and I have to squeeze out time to deliver this one chapter daily. Please bear with me 😩
Leila’s eyes widen and then squint, both times in shock. If she wasn’t sure about Amara’s paternity, she would almost be convinced he’s telling the truth from the conviction in his voice but how is it possible that he ran DNA tests and they came back negative? “What are you talking about, she’s yours?” Leila replies, recovering from her shock, a storm of different emotions coursing through her. Amara needs to be protected at all costs and she cannot do so without Tatum. Without his help, she does not stand a chance. “Oh please Leila, what exactly is it you want from me or is it me you want? Are you so desperate now that you see me moving on that you want to use your child as bait to hook me, have you completely lost every sense of dignity you have, if you had any in the first place,” Tatum says with a nasty eye roll, his words full of spite and scorn. They slash Leila’s heart with pain and her mouth falls open in shock, her head suddenly throbs in pain as her mind wobbles in confus
Tatum storms out of the restaurant with a tight and painful knot in the chest. Even if he feels a bit of gladness that Leila finally came clean to him about Amara’s identity, it hurts him that it had to be out of fear and not the way he imagined it at all. What’s worse is that he has to keep her at arm’s length, treat her like an ex he no longer has need of when she is the only thing he needs. Seeing her sitting there, crying and pleading for his help crushed his soul and if he stayed any longer, it would have forced him to break character and tell her everything. He cannot tell her anything, nothing that he is up to anyway. If Amara is in danger, he will look for a way to protect his daughter no matter what but as for Leila, he cannot directly warn her about Antonio’s plans. Antonio has spies all over the pack, it is the reason he chose an open place for them to meet for the travelling eyes and ears to see and hear. He doesn’t know how close Leila is getting with Antonio or how m
Leila could not sleep all night, tossing and turning in bed with a heart full of regret. If she wasn’t so stubborn and filled with so much hate for Tatum, she would have heeded his warnings about Antonio and now she has literally given the devil access into her life. She has to find a way to keep away from him, he is deadly and dangerous and it is obvious that Tatum knows something that he is hiding from her which must be why he is pushing her away and denying his parentship of Amara but this relationship with Tatiana, what does it have to do with everything. All she can do now is trust Tatum, she has to, it is her only choice, he is the only hope she has if she will get away from Antonio but she also has to be careful not to piss Antonio off with a sudden change in attitude. She cannot offend him now, even Tatum seems pretty cautious about that, the man is powerful but he must have a weakness, everyone does. Perhaps she should work with Tatum to figure it out together, alone they
Standing outside the main pack hall, hearing music play loudly from inside and seeing people troop in and out, Leila’s heart thuds slowly, she takes a look at herself in the mirror doors and wonders if she should have honoured the invitation. Lately, she doesn’t let Amara out of her sight, she was supposed to go enrol her in school but she is having her home schooled instead. Her fear grows everyday and she has to ultimately do something about it. The only reason she feels a little comfortable being here is because of the six warriors always on standby outside Tatum’s house which is opposite hers. She doesn’t need anyone to tell her that they are there to guard her house and not his and the gesture fills her heart with a bit of warmth. Lately, she finds herself thinking about him, wondering what is going on in his head, if he is ever going to tell her, let her in on his plan but she tries not to worry about it and just trusts him. That is what she has to do, it’s really the only th
“Hi….” Leila says awkwardly, with a lump squeezing down her throat, putting some distance between them as she puts her back against her car, immediately realising it was the wrong move as Antonio traps her with his two hands beside her and on top of the car while he towers above her, his face barely inches away from hers. Leila can feel her wolf reacting to his presence due to the effect of the matebond but that deep excitement is not there. It is more like her body craves him but her heart wants the complete opposite, to be as far away from him as possible. “You look absolutely sexy in this white dress,” Antonio whispers seductively, his eyes hooded with lust as he looks at her from head to toe and he softly smacks his lips before smirking at her. “Th– Thank you,” Leila replies, forcing a smile as she tries to calm her racing heart from giving him the wrong impression. Her heart is not racing out of desire or excitement about the close proximity of their bodies, it is out of fear
Leila puts a hand to her chest, letting go of a breath she had been holding as Antonio walks away from her, leaving his threat in the air. He may not have shown it excessively but he is definitely not pleased with her and what price would he make her pay? She sighs deeply, palming her face and shaking her head. Why is all of these happening to her? Why did the goddess even choose to make the Lycan king her second chance mate? Do they have any prophecy tying them together like her and Tatum? Will he even allow her to reject him? She just feels so confused on what to do at this point. Antonio said he has been seeing her for years in his dream, way before he met her that night. He introduced himself as her second chance mate on the very first day they met and even if she did not believe him because of how absurd it sounded, it proved to be true when she rejected Tatum. It is rumoured that he came to the pack for Tatum and Carmela’s wedding and is a guest of the pack, not that he n
“For the charges of the murder of Beta Henry Rogers, the court finds the accused, Beta Trent Easton, guilty and he is hereby sentenced to life imprisonment with no option of parole, for the charges of conspiracy to murder and the murder of the pack witch, Alina, the accused is also found guilty and sentenced to life imprisonment with hard labour,” Judge Ruth slams her gavel as she passes judgement on Trent. Leila gently squeezes her mother’s arm who has teary eyes and she glances at Tatum who keeps a stoic, emotionless look on his face, a short distance away from her, his hands around Tatiana’s shoulder. She still has no idea where Kelvin is or where he could be and she doesn’t know what to do about it, she doesn’t know if he is still alive and she doesn’t want Amara to use her powers to find him again, she is scared of what might happen. She cannot lose her daughter after losing her best friend. She turns her attention back to Trent who is being led away from the courtroom while C
“Leila, you need to calm down,” Liana says to Leila back at their apartment in the living room. Leila stops her back and forth pacing, looks at her mother for a second and continues, bitterness and anger churning inside her. She never saw this coming, not in a million years, nothing gave her a clue of what Antonio’s real plan is, nothing. On one hand, she is grateful that like everyone else, he fell for Carmela’s deceit and will not have eyes on her, it will make rejecting him easy but on the other hand, Carmela has gotten away yet again. Whenever it seems like she is about to get some victory over Carmela, something happens and the table just turns but that is even the least of her worries right now, she has to protect Amara and herself but especially Amara. If he could claim Carmela as his mate in front of her with no remorse, it is a sure sign that he doesn’t give a damn about her at all and he would not hesitate to hurt her and her child. “Where’s grandma?” She pauses and as
The palace glows under the Blood Moon, its light bathes the open-air pavilion where the ceremony unfolds in an ashen hue. It's a few months after the twins’ birth, and Tatum and Leila are hosting the sacred rite for mateless wolves to seek their fated bonds. Flames from torches dance, casting shadows on tables laden with roasted boar, honeyed fruits, and spiced wine. Wolves from every pack fraternize, their laughter and murmurs braid with the pulse of drums and fiddles. The air twinges with anticipation—some are here to seek love, others quest for destiny, all drawn by the moon’s primal pull. Banners of silver and red flutter above, embroidered with crescent moons, and the scent of pine and wildflowers lingers, a tribute to the wild heart of the kingdom. Amara perches on a stone bench near the dance floor, her eyes bright with mischief. Beside her, Amanda leans in, her auburn curls bouncing as she points at a Luna in a garish yellow gown. “Look at that,” Amanda whispers, smi
It is four years after the coronation, the palace murmurs with life, its stone corridors softened by laughter and sunlight. The scars of Antonio’s cruel reign has faded, replaced by scenic blooms of oaks and phoenix flames. In a sunlit hallway, Amara, now ten, sprints after a giggling three-year-old boy, her dark hair bouncing in a loose braid. The boy, Kael, is Kelvin and Tatiana’s son, visiting for the holiday with his parents. His tiny legs pump furiously, a mischievous grin lighting his face as he dodges Amara’s outstretched hands.“Get back here, you little tornado!” Amara calls, her voice equal parts exasperation and amusement. Kael squeals, darting around a corner, his curls bouncing. He’s fast for his age, but Amara’s longer strides close the gap. She lunges, and scoops him up before he dives into one of the many hiding places in the house behind a groove in the wall. Amara tosses him into the air with a flourish. Kael shrieks with delight, arms wide open like a bird, the
The palace of lies quiet, the firebrands dimmed after the coronation’s fervor the night before. Moonlight spills through the arched windows of the royal chambers, bathing the room in silver. A fire that's been running now smolders in the hearth, casting shadows that dance across the cloistered room. The revelry—cheers, music, oaths—has faded, leaving only Leila and Tatum, alone at last.Leila stands by the window, her sapphire gown replaced by a simple linen nightwear that flatters her generous hips and ample bosom, her hair loose in dark waves. The weight of the crown lingers, though it rests on a velvet cushion across the room. She gazes at the stars, their light a reminder of battles they've won and promises yet to keep. Tatum approaches her, his footsteps soft on the rug. He’s shed his regal mantle, wearing only a loose tunic and trousers, his silver-gray eyes warm in the firelight.“You’re quiet,” he says, his voice a mere whisper as he wraps his arms around her from behind.
The great hall of the palace is agog with a celebration. The marble pillars draped in banners of silver and gold. Weeks after Antonio’s fall, the kingdom gathers for a coronation. The air is alive with hope. Crystal chandeliers cast prisms across the mosaic floor, where roses—white for peace, red for sacrifice—form a path to the twin thrones. Nobles in velvet and commoners in their finest pack the hall, their faces bright with belief in a future minus Antonio and his tyranny. Musicians weave an orchestra of harps and flutes, and incense curls upward from holders, sweet and solemn. Today, Tatum and Leila are crowned regent king and queen, stewards of the throne until Amara, the destined Lycan Queen, comes of age. Leila stands radiant in a gown of sapphire silk, her dark hair woven with pearls, and the Phoenix Luna’s aura is a faint shimmer around her where she stands beside her husband. Tatum wears a mantle of black and silver, his presence steady as stone. Amara who is clad
The crowd's cries for Antonio’s death is a deafening roar. But Antonio rises, his crown askew, tilting to the side, a parody of its glory, his lycan blood burning in his veins. His eyes are wild with defiance, locked onto Tatum. “Enough!” he bellows, silencing the throng. “I demand a wolf duel, one on one, Tatum. To the death.” His voice tremors with menace. “If I win, you, Leila, Amara—all rebels—will die for treason. If I lose, well…” He smirks, baring bone-white, elongated canines. “I won’t.”As a lycan, Antonio towers even in human form, his bulging muscles are a testament to his legendary strength, his wolf form a beast of nightmare. The duel will favor him, for he is a predator born to crush his enemies with every fatal blow he delivers. Leo steps forward, knuckles clenched to cracking whiteness. “No,” he growls. “He’s cornered. We outnumber him, and without his magic, he’s done. Let’s end this now.” Ragna nods in agreement, the scars gleam on his knuckles, ready to charge o
The plaza hums with apprehension, both of the crowd and those of the faction that now rises against Antonio's tyranny. Alpha Leo’s words hang in the air, a challenge to King Antonio’s reign. The king’s face darkens, his crown glinting like a warning as everyone watches. “You dare betray me?” he snarls, turning to the other Alphas—towering figures clad in furs and steel, their eyes gleaming with lupine intensity. “You dare to defy me?” The crowd quiets, the air tight with impending violence. Antonio struts, eyes like firebrands, his shoes picking off prints from the blood left by Camela earlier. “Alphas, end Leo and Tatum. Now!” he commands again. Stillness descends in the crowd. But the Alphas—Ragna, Soren, and Veyra—stand unmoved, their faces look like they're carved from stone. Ragna, broadest of the three, steps beside Leo, his voice a low growl. “No, Antonio. Your tyranny ends here.” Soren and Veyra nod, their silence louder than any shout. The crowd murmurs, shock rip
The fall of Carmela lingers but a new dread takes root as Leila rushes through the crowd, hurling herself towards the stage where Amara stands, her small frame dwarfed by that of Antonio. Tatum follows behind her, his face red with fury, his eyes shot with pumping membranes. The crowd parts, clearing the way for the couple as sparks of whispers trail them. “Antonio!” Leila’s voice cuts through the silence, sharp as a blade. “You cannot marry our daughter!” Behind them, a flurry of murmurings animate the crowd, speculations fly, questions too. Tatum steps forward as guards inch around the king. “She's not yours to claim,” Tatum barks, “And you know why.” Antonio's eyes narrow with piercing sharpness at the couple. He knows. Leila feels it in her bones. He now knows. She is the Phoenix Luna. Amara, their daughter, carries the same fire, destined to rise as the kingdom’s next ruler. By binding her to him, Antonio seeks to snuff that destiny, to chain the Phoenix’s lineage to h
The Grand plaza glitters under the midday sun as Carmela steps out of a silken pavilion, a gorgeous sight that hushes even the worst cynics. Her gown, woven of lace and pearls and sequins, clings to her frame, before fanning into a train that drifts like mist behind her. A diamond studded veil shimmers over her face, and gold threads gleam in her hair. Arches swathed in white silk and roses tower over the wedding altar, where dozens of blossoms—crimson, ivory, gold—spill and waver like a fragrant tide, matching Carmela’s aura. The event that has had everyone wagging their tongues wagging across the kingdom for months is finally here. Cheers and applause erupt from the crowd as she glides with a queen's grace across the raised stage. As she floats down the steps, whispers trail her—some name her divine, the chosen queen. “Look at her,” Leila muses loud enough for Tatum to hear. “If I never saw a snake in a dress. I do now.” “Apt,” Tatum says through a smile as painful as Leila's
“No he’s not,” Leila snarls at him, her heart burning with rage, her eyes clothed with vengeance, “whatever you have done to him, undo it, now!” “Done to him? I said Tatum’s dead woman, nothing can be done to a dead man. This one here is just my faithful loyal guard dog,” Leo snaps his fingers twice and the man walks over to his side, silent and submissive. Leila’s heart boils with a fervent anger. She knows deep down in her heart that this is her husband, the man she has loved for years. Is he now completely under Leo’s control? Why is everything about him transformed with the exception of his face and voice and if he really is completely under Leo’s influence, then why did he save her, not once but twice. “Tatum, you’re not his dog,” tears stream out of Leila’s eyes, her heart clenching with unimaginable pain. “You’re the most powerful Alpha in the realm, Alpha of the Blood Oak pack, my Alpha, my husband…do you really not recognize your sweet pea anymore?” The man’s eyes snap to