Kiara:
The scorching sun above the city is gradually fading, which makes me happy because I have been driving for over an hour. Today is the memorial for the late Luna, who died two months ago, and as her heir, I must pluck a handful of Lunaria, a mystique pant that blooms only at night. Being the Luna alongside the Alpha king is wonderful because of how much he adores me. It is all butterflies, but the responsibilities are daunting.
After a while, I arrive at the foot of the elysian whisper hill and park my car. I look around, and when I am certain there are no humans in sight, I get back into my car and transform into Bailey, my wolf. I sprint up the mountain, plucking a handful of the beautiful blue plant that stands at the crest of the hill. Then I sprint back down the hill and revert to human form. Being able to do that in a matter of minutes makes me wish I could transform into a wolf and travel from the pack to here.
My phone beeps as soon as I get into my car, and I check to see if it is my best friend calling.
“Veronica, I’ve got it, and I’m on my way,” I say to her without allowing her to speak, then I end the call and get into my car.
I make my way out of the woods and onto the road. My car speeds through the empty highway, creating a blur of motion. Just a few meters away from the mountain, I hear a loud pop sound that startles me, and my steering wheels jerk violently in my hand. I try to keep my car under control, but it lurches unexpectedly, causing me to grip tightly and my knuckles to turn pale. The car swerves left and right, and I notice an approaching delivery truck. I try to keep a firm grip on the steering wheel, but it will not stop, and the driver continues to honk.
“Get out of the way!” he yells, and I apply the brakes again and again, but nothing happens.
When the cars are about to collide, I try to transform into a wolf, but my car comes to a halt, causing me to slam my face against the steering wheels.
“Ma’am, are you okay?” the driver inquires as he opens my door. I lift my head gently and hold my throbbing head.
“I...I am fine,” I say, and he steps back, allowing me to exit the car.
Seeing the extent of the tire damage, I realize there is nothing I can do at the moment, so I sink back into the car and attempt to call my father. I call his number several times, but he never answers. I try to call my husband and my best friend, but neither of them pick up. Where is everyone when I need them?" I grumble.
“Ma’am, are you okay?” The guy asks, and I look up to see his face through his delivery cap.
“I am fine. Do I not look fine? I mean, my tire is flat, no one in my family is picking me up, and we have this big party tonight that I need to attend.” I continue to speak while he looks at me with a smirk on his face.
“I could drive you back to town,” he offers, and I immediately remain silent.
“But you are going the opposite way, and you are driving a delivery truck. Do you not have any deliveries to make?” I ask, and he scoffs.
“I left Shadowville about an hour ago after running some Blackwoods errands.” When he says this, my face freezes for a moment, prompting me to look up the company’s name.
Frostings, it was the cake company from which we had ordered. I quickly say yes to his offer, and I offer to accommodate him tonight at a hotel with food. This is to keep him from attending the party, which is strictly by invitation only and only for werewolves.
***
After the delivery guy drops me off, I make the reservations for him and give him the address to a hotel in town. Then I rush inside the house, which is strewn with busy people. No one has time to talk because they are busy planning the memorial, so I leave and go to Alpha Blake’s room.
“You will not believe what happened today, honey...” I say as I open the door, and my jaw drops before I can finish.
As I watch my best friend and husband on our matrimonial bed, lost in their own world, a chill runs through my veins, freezing me in place. It diametrically opposed the scene of the love and trust that once defined our relationship.
“Oh, yes, right there. I want you to go harder,” Veronica moans with her eyes closed, and my breathing quickens as I watch her dig her nails and grip tightly on my husband’s body.
The pleasure in his voice clashes with the slapping of flesh, and the way he holds her tells this isn’t their first time.
My heart is pounding in my chest, each beat echoing the agony of their deception. As I fight back the tears that threaten to spill from my eyes, the world around me appears to blur.
“Say my name!” he demands, gritting his teeth and thrusting in with uncontrollable force.
“Daddy Blake!” Veronica says, and then she opens her eyes to see me.
“Argh!” she screams, instantly turning red and yanking Blake away from her body. Blake turns around, and time appears to stop for a moment. The shock on their faces is a minor consolation for the heartache they are causing.
“You are not supposed to be back yet,” Ronnie murmurs, and tears well up in my eyes.
“How could you?” I ask with shaky breath, walking up to them and tossing my purse on him. The guilty expression on Blake’s face fades, and he stands up, grabs the sheet to cover himself, and walks up to me.
“Okay, you found out our little secret, so what?” he asks, and my eyes widen in surprise.
“For how long has this been going on, and the silly promises, Blake?” I say, and I pause to let out the enormous lump of painful air in my throat.
“All this while I thought you loved me, and…”
“I love you,” he says at once, and I shake my head.
“Then what is this? What did I just see?” I ask, clutching my forehead and hoping it is all a dream and I will wake up in the arms of my adoring husband.
“People change, Kay, and...” he says, attempting to grab me, but I slap him across the face and walk away.
“Let us see what the rest of the pack has to say about this!” I scream, and he grabs me firmly, pulling my back against the wall.
My head lands painfully on the wall as he grabs my throat. He tightens his grip on me and plants kisses all over my body.
“You are mine, and I can do whatever I want with you, so if you like being Luna and getting the respect that keeps your ego high, then shut up or I will make your life miserable,” he says, then beckons on Ronnie, who walks up to us. Then he crashes his lips into hers, and they slurp their tongues.
“We have a memorial, don’t we, my dear Luna?” He turns to me and pulls me away from the wall. Then he pushes me outside, allowing me to crash on the floor as he slams the door shut and the moaning continues...
Kiara:Standing before the mirror, I prepare for the night, my heart shattering into countless fragments. The blow is immense, a hurdle I doubt I can overcome, especially with the pretense I must maintain tonight.“Is there a problem, my Luna?” Isabella, my maid, inquires. Swiftly wiping away my tears, I turn to face her with a forced smile. “Not at all. I will be down in a minute,” I say to her.I then retrieve the sacred pearl necklace, a legacy passed down to every Luna of the Lunar Shadow Pack. As it rests on my neck, memories of the day Blake first placed it there flood my mind. A single tear threatens to fall, but I quickly brush it away. Taking a deep breath, I clutch my purse and stride out of the room, my long red gown flowing behind me.Entering the room, a life-sized statue of the queen in her werewolf form commands my attention. Carved from moonstone, it stands regally in the center of the room, its ethereal glow casting dancing shadows on the walls. The room is a testame
Zane:As I pace around the hotel Kiara has left me in, my patience slowly dwindles. I need to carry out my mission before dawn. Downing the remaining contents of my wineglass, a knock on the door interrupts my thoughts.Opening it, I find Rufus standing there with a fresh suit.“About time,” I mutter, snatching the suit from him. He steps into the room while I retreat to the bathroom to get dressed.Once I’m ready, I demand my cigar. Rufus hands it over and I take a few satisfying puffs. “Everyone is ready, and we are waiting for your command,” Rufus informs me. I blow a puff of smoke in his face, pick up my hat from the table, and place it on my head as I stride out of the hotel.“Let’s get this done before I lose my patience,” I declare, opening the door and stepping out into the hallway. The thought of my family's murderers lying dead on the memorial grounds makes me grin widely..Halfway down the stairs, Rufus calls out to me.“Something’s happened at the Blackwood memorial, caus
Kiara:I open my eyes and see that I am lying on an enormous bed that smells like fresh roses and vanilla. I feel a soft breeze from the window and hear the sound of the whirling wind from the chilly night, and I wonder how I got here.I don’t realize how much my head aches until I sit up to take in my surroundings. Everything spins and I hold on to my head, which feels as if it will fall. The door to the room swings open, and Zane walks in dressed in a suit with a tray which contains a bottle of water, and some pills. In fear, I back away a bit, but his facial expression softens, and he approaches me.“I had a feeling you will come down with a headache,” he says, and I take my hand off my head.He places the tray on the nightstand close to me, then he gives me the glass of water, and pops the pill.“Drink,” I say to him, and he chuckles lightly, taking a sip from the water.Next, I grab the packet in his hand to be sure it is aspirin. When I have done all checks, I take the pill, and
Zane:“None of this adds up,” I mutter to Rufus, my steps echoing in the hall.The reality of being a werewolf still feels like a dream, and knowing that Kiara is my mate only complicates things. A long-term relationship isn’t on my agenda, especially when all I can think of is making her pay for her father’s sins against my family.“What do I do?” I ask, my hand resting on Rufus’s shoulder.He starts to respond, but I silence him with a hand.“That’s it!” I shout, a brilliant idea forming in my mind.“The full moon is tonight, and mating with her will be simple. Then I’ll hold the threat of rejection over her if she tries to run,” I explain, noticing Rufus’s furrowed brow.His disapproval is evident, but it’s irrelevant to me. I’ve never been one to care much about others’ opinions.“The beauty of this plan is its foolproof nature. She’s experienced rejection before, so all I need to do is leave my mark, and we’re set,” I say, patting his back before walking the stairs.I walk to Kiar
Kiara:A scream tears through me as my eyes snap open, locking with the gaze of the blonde woman from yesterday. She screams as well, a reflection of my fear. I back away, but she seizes my hand and places a hand over my mouth.“Why on earth are you screaming!” she exclaims in a voice barely louder than a whisper, her eyebrows rocketing towards her hairline. I shake my head incessantly, hoping she will remove her hand from my mouth. The moment she does, I back up until my body collides with the headboard.With a hint of panic in her voice, she exclaims, “It’s six in the morning! Mr. Malibu is probably still asleep. Can you imagine the consequences if he were to wake up?” Her words linger heavily in the air as she paces nervously around the room.“I don’t see how this is my fault. Weren’t you the one trying to kiss me?” I counter. She halts in her tracks, spinning around to face me. Her face is a mask of bewilderment.“What?” she asks, her face scrunching up. “Ew!” she exclaims, and I s
Kiara:I don’t need to be told twice to get into the bathtub. I know I’m given ten minutes, but there’s no way I can take a bath in ten minutes, so I take my bath as fast as I can. Then I walk back to the room to see a dress laid out for me.It’s a deep blue color, with a fitted top and a long, flowing skirt. The dress has no sleeves and a modest neckline.“Do I really have to wear this?” I ask Ariana, who is standing rigidly by the door.She nods, and I let out a groan of protest. She glances at her wristwatch and says, “Ma’am, we are two minutes late, and…”“I get it,” I interrupt, rolling my eyes.I grab the gown and stride over to the mirror. As I remove my towel, Ariana gasps and quickly shuts her eyes. I ignore her reaction and slip into the gown. It fits perfectly on my upper body, accentuating my waist, while the skirt of the gown hangs perfectly on my ass.“Looks good,” I admit, giving a twirl in front of the large mirror.Ariana approaches me with a box and says, “he asked to
Kiara:Following my clash with Zane, I stride back to my room; the door slamming behind me in a burst of anger. Ariana is there, her face bright with a broad grin, eagerly awaiting feedback. But I ignore her, throwing myself onto the bed and repeatedly pummeling the pillow.“Ma’am,” Ariana says, reaching for my hand. She halts my assault on the pillow, and I turn to face her, my brows furrowed in irritation.“We should get you out of those clothes,” she says, and I exhale a sigh.I take a deep breath and decide not to lash out at her. She’s innocent in all this. The real foe is Zane Malibu, and I must keep my attention on him.As Ariana assists me in removing my dress, a thought occurs to me.“Ari,” I call out. Her eyes widen at the nickname.“Ye...yes, ma’am,” she stammers, and I scoff. I remind myself that she will have to get used to the shortened name.“When do you think Mr. Malibu will want to see me again?” The question lingers in the air, sounding out of place and revealing my
Kiara: “Argh!” I scream as I open my eyes to find Zane staring down at me. He chuckles, and I furrow my brows as he stands up from my bed. “I can see that I occupy your thoughts day and night,” he says, causing me to pull me to make a fist under the blanket. He strides towards the door before turning to face me. “An old friend of mine is in town. If your family has any hobbies besides murdering innocent people, then you surely would have heard of the great John Hilly.” Everyone knows John Hilly, and it’s exciting that I’ll get to meet him, but I can’t let Zane know how thrilled I am because he seems to take pleasure in draining the life out of me. “Why are you telling me this?” I ask, and he closes the door, walking towards me. “We’re having a private dinner with him, and you must behave!” he grits his teeth, then walks away. I slump back in bed, pulling the blanket over my face. ** Dinner with John Hilly arrived quickly, and once again, I find myself in front of the mirror,
Kiara:After about thirty minutes to an hour, I’m dressed and ready for dinner. Zane walks into the room with a smile on his face, making his way over to me. He pauses, clasping his hands together as his gaze sweeps over me, warm and lingering.“I’ve never seen anyone or anything more beautiful than you,” he murmurs,causing my face to flush a little before he leans in and kisses my cheek.He glances back at the couch where the bouquet lies. “You don’t like your flowers?” he asks, his eyes searching mine.I hold his gaze. I love the flowers—but I can’t shake the thought that the man who gave them to me is hiding too many secrets. If he isn’t being real with me, then how am I supposed to enjoy even the little things?“I’m famished, and I’ll spend time with the flowers when we get back,” I say, forcing a smile onto my face. “Shall we go?”He nods, taking my hand and leading me outside. Rufus stands by Zane’s car, and from where I stand, I glare at him. He quickly looks away. I don’t enjo
Zane:I turn around to see Mindy standing behind me. She still looks the same as the last time I saw her five years ago, but her hair is short, and she dyed it brown to match her eyes. My mouth falls ajar for a split second, and I quickly clear my throat, adjusting myself on the seat.“Zane!” she exclaims, opening her arms as her brown eyes gleam with the widest grin hanging on her face.Ignoring her invite for a hug, I put out a hand, taking hers in mine, and initiating a handshake, which is short. Her smile remains while my expression hardens.She takes a seat beside me, and I face my glass of martini, waiting for her to speak.“Since I heard you were in town, I have been trying to reach you. I’ve been coming to this restaurant, hoping to run into you, and thank goodness, I did.” When she says this, I sip from my glass.“I am aware, because my phone keeps buzzing.” Her expression tightens, but I do not care. This woman made my life hell, and she fueled my spirit of revenge so much t
Zane:“That is what I am telling the young lad. I enjoy seeing young people in love because it reminds me of the good old days. The adrenaline mixed with fear when you are about to make the move that will change your entire life.”For some reason, they think their words are encouraging, but they are only making me scared, and I am trying hard to push away the thoughts that are questioning why I am trying to buy a ring for Kiara. As they keep taunting me, I look down at the finely polished marble floor beneath. I try to hold down my feelings as I remember Kiara’s voice asking me to be more gentle with people.“Look around, young lad; pick something nice for your lady,” Jerome says, and I force a smile, looking around the store, which has cases lined with plush, dark velvet, showcasing a carefully curated collection of sparkling jewels. Ranging from diamond rings, necklaces, and bracelets that sit perfectly on the ring cushion.I walk around, staring at the rings, but none catches my at
Zane:I know Kiara is sad about me leaving tomorrow, but there is almost nothing I can do. All I owe her at this point is sorting out things with my father and finding a way to expand the business to other parts of the world, especially Efla. It is not surprising Kiara likes the town; it is serene, except that it has Mindy, but I do not care about that. If I knew she would come back to this town, then I might not have considered it, but I am here already, and Kiara loves the town. When I properly expand, Mindy cannot get into any of my properties, and she will not bother Kiara or me.I pull up to the spot where I am to meet with Theo, a real estate agent. Then I take out my phone to call him.“I am here, and...”“Up ahead, Mr. Malibu,” he says, then I raise my head, looking forward to see someone on a bike pedaling toward me. I shut off the call, then I wait for him to get to me.He gets down from his bike and parks it, then he walks up to me. I roll my window down, and he puts out hi
Kiara:In a moment, Zane and I both reach the peak of our pleasure. He pulls me up from his body, and I watch his release, his face clad in ecstasy. I take off his shirt, then I help him wipe off the mess from his body. He pulls up his pants, and I sit back on him—this time with my legs to the side. He leans in and takes my lips in his, and we remain with our lips on each other’s for a while.His phone rings, breaking the kiss. I help him take it out of his pocket, hoping it will be whoever has been disturbing him, but then I see it’s Rufus.“Rufus must have arrived,” I say to him, showing him the screen of his phone.By now, the rain has reduced, so we get to our feet, making it out of the pavilion. We walk down the clear path that one can only access on foot. Shortly, we make it out to the car park, where we see Rufus waiting in the car.Zane grabs my hand, speeding up our movement. When we get to the car, he opens the door for me. He gets in after me and shuts the door, then Rufus
Kiara:Zane grabs my hand and tries to pull me to him, but I yank my hands away, then I stand there, opening my palm and letting the rain hit my skin.“Kiara,” he calls out, and I glance at him with a smile on my face.“It is beautiful, and I want to stay,” I say, then I take his hands. “Come on.” I attempt to pull him to me, and he reluctantly comes closer.Zane stands there, watching me with an amused smile as I open my palm to the sky, allowing the raindrops to pour onto my skin. Each drop feels like a tiny kiss from nature, and I spread my hands out wide, giggling and twirling.The rain falls heavier, soaking my hair and dress, but I do not care.“Kiara,” he calls out, but I do not look at him. “We should find cover before we get drenched!” His tone is loud, but I do not want to leave just yet.With a smile, I shake my head, letting more raindrops collect in my hand.“Just a little longer,” I say.I haven’t been in the rain in a while, and this is the perfect relief for all my pro
Kiara’s POV:A few hours later, Zane is dressed, sitting on the bed in the room. I, on the other hand, find it difficult to pick out an outfit.“How is this?” I ask, holding up a mini floral gown.He gazes at me.“You know you are perfect in whatever you wear,” he says, and I sigh.“Not helping,” I say to him, then I find another black gown. “You are in black, so maybe I should put this on.” I say, and he gets to his feet, walking up to me.He grabs the purple floral gown from the couch, then closes in on me from behind, placing it against my chest as he peers into the mirror.“It complements your skin, and I love the flowers,” he says, and I peer at him through the mirror. “Put it on.” His tone comes off more like an order, in a way that I like.I turn around, facing him with my arms around his neck.“Is that an order, sir?” I tease, and his lips curve into a smile. “Who says ruthless men don’t blush?” I ask, and he hardens his expression, taking my hands off his neck.“I was only sm
Kiara:“We’ve spent the past few hours fighting, and it is making me hungry,” Zane says, and I tilt my head a bit on his chest, enough to look into his eyes. “We should go out to get something to eat,” he suggests, and I do not say a word.How can he bother about eating at this moment when our lives are in danger? If Boris wants me dead, and he disobeys him, then it is a two-way problem.“I do not think I want to see the city,” I say to him, then he stops playing with my hair. “I would prefer eating in if you do not mind. Rufus can get us some takeout, and we can eat in.”He is silent for a split second before he mutters an “okay.”Then he reaches out to the nightstand to get his phone. He grabs it.“What do you want to eat?” he asks, and I shrug, closing my eyes.“I will eat whatever you have; I just want to be with you,” I mutter.Then he places the call.“Get me some takeout. I want the spicy chicken pad Thai and spring rolls,” he says before ending the call.He places his phone ba
Zane:I know I have wronged her, and it will be difficult to get her to fully trust me, but it hurts every single time, knowing this love is one-sided.“Zane, wait.” I pause as she grabs my hand, then I turn around.She runs her hands into the hem of my shirt, feeling the scar from the bullets.“When did you get this?” she questions, and I watch her with my mouth struggling to voice a word. “Zane!” Her voice rises, and I watch her breathing increase.As I stare into her eyes, I see the fear buried within her, and she is right; I am bad for her because all I do is make her cry.“It’s nothing serious, and you do not have to bother…”“You do not tell me what to bother about and what not to bother about, Zane!” She grits her teeth, and then I grab her hand, but she yanks it away. “I am not some inanimate object that you…”Before she can finish her sentence, I press my lips against hers, taking the words off her mouth. She stops talking, and I feel her tears run down my face, causing me to