Astrid’s POVI almost choked in surprise when I heard Vanessa’s words. I was just about to take a sip from my glass of wine when Vanessa blatantly said those words without even a bit of fear in her. I chuckled softly as I took the table napkin in front of me and softly dabbed my lips clean. I had been secretly eavesdropping on their conversation the whole time. I remained close to their table, just near enough to hear what everyone was saying without them noticing me. I was curious. I wanted to find out what their relationship with each other was, and now I finally found the answer that I was looking for.It turns out I was right; Giselle used to live in the Crimsonbane Pack, which means she had a connection with Damien and Vanessa. However, there’s something off between them. There is certainly that hostility and tension going on between them, and judging by Vanessa’s words just earlier, Giselle must have done something bad in the Crimsonbane Pack for Vanessa to hate her that muc
Drystan’s POVI willed myself together as I stared at Astrid, who was standing in front of me. “What is it?” Astrid breathed out in a whisper, wondering why I asked her to talk to me in private. I swallowed hard as my mind went blank. All the things that I wanted to tell her, all the questions that I was hoping to ask her, had fully vanished from my mind. I could only stare at her, not even remembering why I had called her out here. “H-How are you?” I asked her the first question that came to mind. I instantly felt embarrassed. I felt like I had just asked her the most stupid question I could possibly ask. “I’m fine, but I don’t feel excited as I ought to be,” Astrid answered without judging the awkward mess that I was. I watched as Astrid tilted her head to the side, her eyes deepening in thought. The corners of my lips lifted in a small smile when I saw her falling into her usual mannerisms. Ever since I met Astrid, she has always been like this. When I ask her a question, s
Drystan’s POVJealousy seared through my veins at the mere thought of Astrid being in the arms of another man — and not just any man, but Killian, the person who hurt and broke her to pieces.Just imagining Astrid and Killian romantically together is enough to drive me to the brink of madness; how much worse would it be if it’s all happening in front of me?Killian doesn’t deserve Astrid, even if the feelings that Astrid is going to show him are fake. Even though Astrid had already callously confessed to me that she was just going to do it all for revenge, I still couldn’t take it. Not just because I was in love with Astrid but also because I saw just how much Killian had destroyed her. I don’t want Killian to be anywhere near Astrid ever again. I shook my head. I promised to support her with anything that she wanted. I’m willing to support her except for this. “Astrid, are you sure you can do what you are saying? Killian had hurt you. Will you be able to take it in and pretend t
Astrid’s POVI sat in front of the vanity table as my attendants carefully did my makeup. I watched as their skillful hands placed paint all over my face, enhancing my features. I stared awkwardly at the mirror, not used to having someone touching my face and doing my makeup for me. When I was a Luna, I never had any attendants. I used to do all the work by myself, including some jobs that were supposed to be for Killian. Although I was called Luna, I never felt like one. It always felt like I was just Killian’s personal secretary. I felt nothing more than just a subordinate in the Silvermoon Pack. This is the first time I had someone serving me. As a person who used to serve, this felt very unusual. “There, Miss! You look so beautiful, do you like it?” The makeup artist had a huge and proud smile on her face as she stood behind me and looked at me through the mirror. My mouth fell wide open when I saw myself in the mirror. I fell speechless. I was literally staring at the impro
Astrid’s POVTrepidation crept up my spine as I silently followed the sewing manager, who called us out because there was something he wanted to show us. I fell one step behind him, not trusting him fully. Glancing sidelong, I motioned for my most trusted attendant to fall in beside me. I decided to bring her along with me, just in case something happened. Today is my introduction ceremony, and I couldn’t be too sure of my safety. Something bad had already happened with the dress. I couldn’t expect that things would go on smoothly. This could be a trap to lure me out. With my trusted attendant by my side, I will be reassured in case any unforeseen challenges arise. I know not everyone has already accepted me as Alpha Theron’s daughter, and Asha is one of them. Knowing what Asha is like, I’m sure she would try all that she could to stop the ceremony from happening smoothly. Even though I still had no idea about what happened to the dress, I’m already sure that she is the person
Drystan’s POVThe grand hall of the Shadowfang Pack buzzed with anticipation as all the guests from different Packs gathered together. Their murmurs echoed off the marble walls as the others used their extra time to meet the different leaders from other Packs and hopefully gain new connections and alliances. While everyone was enjoying this festivity, I was tainted by deep, overwhelming sorrow, knowing what this ceremony meant between Astrid and me. Last night, I failed to change her mind. Things are much worse now that I know what Astrid’s plan for revenge is. I stood in the shadows, waiting patiently for the ceremony to end. I stood at the corner of the room, away from everyone’s eyes, to avoid their attention. I’m in no mood to interact with anybody. I just silently scanned the whole crowd, seeing if there were any guests here that I could recognize. Ever since I disrespected all the Alphas and declined alliances from all of them, I have been labeled as an arrogant man just b
Giselle’s POVI clenched my fists as my face turned red in anger. I couldn’t believe that until now, Drystan would still defend Astrid even after she chose to stay in the Shadowfang Pack rather than be with him.Astrid is just a gold-digger, a social climber. I thought after three years, Drystan had already realized that. I couldn’t believe that he would defend Astrid until now as if she hadn’t betrayed her by choosing to stay in the Shadowfang Pack rather than be with him. After everything that Drystan had done for her, in the end, Astrid chose to stay in the Shadowfang Pack, forgetting all the help that she received from Drystan. That’s who Astrid is. Just to have a taste of more status and power, she will abandon everything that she has. I thought Drystan and I were going to be on the same page about her. I didn’t expect that Drystan would defend Astrid until now. I couldn’t believe that the smart Alpha of the Nightsong Pack would still be bewitched by Astrid’s charms even aft
Giselle’s POVI couldn’t help but openly stare at Alpha Theron and his son and daughter, just like everybody else. Alpha Theron doesn’t look like what I expected him to be. I heard he has two grown-up children, so I was expecting a silver-haired man whose skin had sagged of old age. However, the person I saw is not a man grown old by age, but only a man who grew old with wisdom. His grey streaks of hair did not add to his age but instead added to his handsome features. I could see why Astrid could have fallen for him. Even at his age, he still had the looks that could attract young women to him. My jaw clenched when I realized that Alpha Theron didn’t look like I expected. It would have been better if this Alpha looked more like his age. With that, it would have been easy to make people think that Astrid was just dating him for his status and money.Also, if only I had known that the Alpha of the Shadowfang Pack would look this young and handsome, I would have rather gone to the
Asha’s POVThe soft crunch of leaves beneath my boots was the only sound as I walked through the forest path.My mother’s grave is far from the Packhouse. She is buried in a secluded area, giving her peace. The cool air carried a solemn stillness that matched my mood. Visiting her grave was my sanctuary, a place where I could let my guard down and remember the woman who raised me.That’s when I saw him — Andros, my older brother, standing at the edge of the woods. The shadows from the trees seemed to engulf him, and his posture was rigid, alert. Was he here to visit Mother too? I wondered. My heart swelled at the thought. It wasn’t often that Andros and I shared these quiet moments. As the crowned Alpha he has too many responsibilities placed on his shoulder. He was always busy. I opened my mouth to call out to him but stopped short when another figure emerged from the shadows. My brows furrowed. The man wore a black hoodie that concealed most of his face, and his movements wer
Asha’s POVI staggered back, shaking my head in disbelief. “That’s not true. That can’t be true,” I mumbled as if I was just trying to convince myself.“I was left with no choice, Asha. Your mother—Luna Jamaica—was my brother’s mate. He was the rightful Alpha. But when he died, the Pack needed a leader. And I… I was the only option. I was forced to marry her to maintain stability. To keep this Pack from falling apart.”My father’s eyes turned red as he tried his best to hold back his tears. My heart wrenched as I feel for his pain. This is the first time I ever saw my father look so vulnerable. “I gave up everything. My mate. My happiness. My future. I gave it all away for this Pack, for a life I never wanted. And every day since, I have lived with that choice. With the weight of betraying my mate, of turning my back on the only woman I ever loved.”I stared at him, my body trembling as the truth settled over me like a suffocating blanket. Everything I had believed, everything I
Asha’s POVI squared my shoulders as I faced my father, my eyes narrowing at him in anger. I crossed my arms tightly over my chest, the weight of years of frustration and jealousy boiling to the surface. My father simply stood before me, his usual composed demeanor tinged with a rare expression of exasperation, but I didn’t care. Not anymore“She doesn’t even call you Father!” I spat, my voice trembling with anger. “Not once in her life has Astrid ever acknowledged you as her father. And yet, you treat her like she’s some prized treasure. Why, Father? Because you feel guilty for neglecting her? She’s just your illegitimate child! It’s best that she realize she’s not special!” I blurted out angrily.Alpha Theron’s jaw tightened, but he didn’t speak. That silence — his silence — was what always drove me mad. He would never defend himself, never justify his actions, as if I were the one being unreasonable. But I wasn’t.“She’s ungrateful!” I continued, pacing back and forth as my em
Astrid’s POVThe silence after the call ended was heavier than the words I hadn’t spoken.I remained frozen, clutching the phone as though its weight could tether me to the choices I had made. Each unspoken truth tightened like a vice around my chest, each lie stealing the air I so desperately needed.I wanted nothing more than to turn back, to run to Ryker and finally tell him who I really was. But how could I? How could I be so selfish, so reckless? I knew the truth about my condition — how dangerous and uncertain everything is. How could I let him get close to me, knowing how it will all end?The thought of Ryker loving me, only to lose me, was unbearable. I couldn’t let him go through that pain, the kind of pain that had already hollowed me out. I knew it too well — the ache of losing someone you’d give anything to keep. The searing, unrelenting agony of losing my husband, the devastation of outliving my child. I wouldn’t wish that torment on anyone, least of all Ryker.A shiv
Killian’s POVIt had been days since Ryker had last seen Giselle, and Ryker still hadn’t asked a single question about her mother. At first, I was afraid of what he’d say, dreading the moment he’d look me in the eye and ask, Where’s my mother? I couldn’t bring myself to tell him the truth, knowing how much it would break him. How could I possibly explain to him that Giselle is not her mother, and that she’s dead. In his whole life, Ryker believed that Giselle was his mother — she’d raised him, after all, and he’d known her as nothing else.I know it would be difficult for him to accept and process the whole truth, and I was trying my best to avoid the confrontation from him. But now… I’m no longer just worried about Ryker’s difficult questions now I wasn’t just avoiding the question. I am now worried wondering why he still haven’t asked me any question. In the days that had passed, he hadn’t asked even once. Not a word about Giselle. No concern, no curiosity. Just silence. And
Alpha Theron’s POVAndros scoffed, his disbelief clear as he tilted his head back. “You are choosing Astrid over me?” he spat out. “You’re going to make her the crowned Luna of this Pack? It’s only been three years since you met her, and you think she’s worthy of this title? What do you think Asha would say? Astrid isn’t even your legitimate child!”I met his gaze, my own expression resolute. “Astrid has proven herself capable. She’s been our acting Beta for three years and led as the Luna of the Silvermoon Pack for five years before that. She has the qualities, the skills, and the strength needed to lead. In terms of ability, Andros, she does her job far better than you.”Andros’s fists clenched, his expression darkening with insult and rage. “This is madness! The Pack won’t accept it! My mother is your true mate and the Luna of this Pack. Giving your position to someone who isn’t her child is an insult to her legacy and to this Pack!”I took a step forward, my voice unwavering.
Alpha Theron’s POVA long silence settled over the room after I asked the question, heavy and tense. I kept my gaze fixed on Andros, waiting, hoping for a sign of remorse or an explanation. But what I saw instead shook me to my core. Andros looked back at me, and in that gaze, I saw a stranger. The gentle son I thought I knew was gone, and in his place stood a man cold and unyielding.Then he spoke, his voice sharper and louder than I had ever heard it, filled with a defiance that sent a chill through me. “You want to know why I did it?” he snapped, his tone a mix of anger and something darker. “I did it for us, for this pack. I was doing you a favor by doing what you could never bring yourself to do.”His words stunned me. Andros had never raised his voice to me, not once in all the years I’d known him. Even when I was harsh or demanding — as I always was, he had always accepted it in silence, never challenging me. But now, he stood before me, speaking without restraint, and I
Alpha Theron’s POVAndros entered, his eyes darting between me and the book lying on the desk. He tried to mask his apprehension, but I caught the flicker of recognition in his gaze. I wasted no time.“Did Beta Alek give you this book?” I asked, my voice steady but taut.He blinked, feigning innocence. “I’ve seen the book before, yes. Beta Alek showed it to me and explained what it was.” His eyes held mine, the picture of calm. “Is there something wrong?”Besidehim, Beta Alek looked stricken but hopeful. He took a step forward, his voice shaking with urgency. “Andros, explain everything to your father and tell him that I’m being wronged. I gave you the book didn’t I? I even told you to burn the book for me,” Beta Alek spoke up, trusting that my son would prove his innocence. Andros raised his brows, feigning confusion. “What do you mean?” he asked, his tone soft and innocent.“That didn’t happen. You never gave me the book — I’ve never even touched it.”Beta Alek’s face went pale
Alpha Theron’s POVThe moment Astrid left my office, I reached through the Pack Link, calling for Beta Alek.My voice came out raw and unfiltered, the unmistaken anger pulsed through the link sending their wolves into submission. I could sense Beta Alek’s panic, could feel his wolf bristle at the force of my command. He knew I wasn’t pleased.Moments later, the door opened, and Alek entered, his face pale, but his steps were urgent.I didn’t give him a chance to speak before hurling the book at him. It hit him squarely in the face, making him stagger. As he caught the book, his face drained of color even further when recognition flared in his eyes.“Didn’t I tell you to burn that book?” My voice was low, lethal, and I didn’t miss the way he trembled at each word.Alek fell to his knees, the weight of his guilt bearing down on him. “Alpha,” he choked out, “I admit my irresponsibility. I failed you. I’m willing to accept any punishment for my insubordination,” he answered readily, pr