Queen Rosina's POV"Where are you going?" I asked. "To blow off some steam," she replied, walking out. Only the moon goddess knows what she meant by 'blowing off some steam'I was about to say something when the door shut close. I rubbed my forehead, my mind going back to the conversation I had with George. I got infuriated just by the thought. I should have killed him along with the bitch called Wendy. He was so lucky to have escaped death. What insolence, addressing me by my name and forgetting my title. I clenched my fist in anger. I should have taken precautions years ago and maybe Gerald, my son would be on the seat instead of him. He should guard it while he still can because it won't be long now before my plan is set in motion. I open the files placed on my table, about to go through them when I'm interrupted by a knock. I frown, staring at the door. Max, my guard would never knock twice, he was free to come in. When the person knocked, I cleared my throat "Come in." I sai
George's POVFast forward to the day of the big reveal of Whitney Decodes. The past few days have been filled with Anticipation on who it was going to be. The Alphas won't stop talking about it during the last Alphas meeting. Surprisingly, Gerald and Queen Rosina were interested in her. It made me feel edgy and suspicious about them. I knew Queen Rosina was a fan from the beginning, but why Gerald? He hated her guts. I was nervous. It was happening today and I didn't know what to expect, no one knew. I was currently in my office, preparing and trying not to kill myself over Anxiety. I stood up walking around my office, bumping into a framed picture mistakenly. "Shit!" I muttered, picking it up. It was a picture of me and Wendy, the face had a crack in the middle, separating us. I felt a slight pain in my chest and I rubbed the spot. I still felt the bond between me and her. It was surprising that after 6 years, I could feel her emotions. It got me thinking, what if she was aliv
18George's POVI was about to stop the waitress but she already walked away. "What the fvck is wrong with you?" I asked. "You'll thank me later. " Edward said, winking at me.I glared, furious at him. I needed something strong to calm the anxiety brewing within me and he just had to order water for me. Who does that?I opened my mouth to say something but decided against it. I should be angry at him, but in the long run, I guess I didn't have it in me. The waitress brought over the drinks and left. Edward chuckled as he moved the bottle of water to my side. I shook my head, taking a sip. I groaned as the chilling effect washed over me. I looked up to see Edward staring intently at me. "What?" I asked, taking another sip. "Isn't that better than any alcohol you could have taken?" He asked and I rolled my eyes. He was right, but I don't intend on telling him that. "I don't think so," I mumbled instead and he scoffed. "I know so."We chatted for a while, mainly catching up.
Chapter 19 Wendy's POVI was driven to the venue by my driver and my team followed behind. We parked a few meters away from the building and I decided to stretch my legs a bit. Believe me, being held up in the car for six hours straight was taking hold of me and I needed the walk to clear my head. I wouldn't want to be speaking the same language as my car when I was called up to say something. My assistant came with me and we stopped at a bar, where she decided to get water. "It's a bar, you sure they sell water? " I asked as we settled down. It's been a while, the city looked almost unfamiliar to me. I wouldn't know my way back to the palace if I wanted to.I shook my head, why was that the first location o thought of?"They should. It's a drink." She answered and I nodded, looking around.This was the city Hall, I remember frequenting here in the past, so why doesn't it feel familiar?"You keep looking around, Are you familiar with this place?" My assistant, Daven asked. "You
Chapter 20Wendy's POVI stopped to take a breather when I turned around the corner and waited another twenty minutes before getting out of my wet clothes and walking to City Hall. It was time to teach once more that Wendy Whitney Decodes was here.I stopped at the door of the Hall and looked down at my own shadow. In a dark posture, I stood up straight, wearing tight jeans and a crop top, and I damn near glowed. The room quieted, turning their gaze toward the door. I took a single step, then a double, and finally, a third step, finding myself inside. The sound of my heels echoed.The elders gasped upon seeing me, but the sound of a particular person gasping stood out. I smiled slyly, seeing them both blank with shock as well as astonished."It's all falling into place, baby," Whitney screamed in my direction, and I laughed as my eyes blinked one more time.Rosina seemed ready to have a heart attack. George's mouth was still wide open. Edward jabbed at him now and again to get him goi
Chapter 21Brittany’s POVThe ride to the inauguration ceremony was painfully silent. The low hum of the engine was the only sound that dared to fill the tense space between us. I glanced over at George, seated beside me, his eyes glued to his phone. His brows furrowed in concentration, his thumb scrolling steadily.I smiled softly, shifting closer to him. With deliberate ease, I brushed my fingers against his hand. Be subtle. Be patient. My voice came out light and playful. "There’s no reason we can’t act a little more like a couple in public, you know."No reaction.I held back a sigh, forcing myself to remain calm. Play the long game, Brittany. He’ll come around. He has to.As we approached the venue, I straightened my posture, every muscle in my body adjusting to project confidence and grace. I smoothed down the fabric of my dress, ensuring every fold hugged me perfectly. My movements were slow and deliberate, like a cat stretching before a hunt. This time, I crept closer to Georg
Chapter 22 Brittany's POV The visage that had tormented me for six years was before me. It had inhabited my nightmares and infiltrated my conscious thoughts, propelling me to the brink of sanity. My breath caught in my throat, prompting me to take a hesitant step backward. No, it cannot be her. It must not be her. This has to be an illusion, an absurd impersonation. It simply has to be. I felt a tremor run through me as I sat, beads of sweat streaming down my forehead. I wiped them away with my hands, my breathing becoming increasingly irregular. How could Wendy possibly be alive? She could not be the notorious Whitney Decodes. There is no conceivable way that is true. While I recall Wendy's fondness for technology, who would have imagined that she had either perished or vanished, only to emerge as the most sought-after hacker? I observed the Alphas in the room, and all reflected a singular expression of admiration as if she were an invaluable treasure. At this moment, i
Chapter 23Queen Rosina's POVI was seated at the round table designated to the Alphas. I scanned the hall trying to locate George and I frowned at his absence. I wanted to scold him for his cold act towards Brittany just outside the venue. What was that response about? If he didn't want to reply to the reporter's question, he could have at least held her arm and not totally ignore her like she was some puppet in this show. FYI, she is. Brittany was seated beside me, still sulking. "Where's George?" I asked as I leaned in. She glanced at me, remaining silent. I sighed, grabbing a hold of her arm under the table. "I'm sorry for his actions, that was uncalled for. " I muttered, playing the caring card. Ugh! How I hated to act nice to anyone, especially her. "How long, Ro-"I glared at her, daring her to not complete that statement. I was already being disrespected by George. I wasn't going to take it from a measly orphan like her. "How long, Queen Rosina? " She asked near tear
George's POVThe link, newly forged screamed with her agony."Your Highness!"I heard Edward’s voice tinged with instant worry. Hands, warm and familiar, were gripping my arms, trying to steady me. My vision swam."What is it, George? What's wrong?" Edward’s voice seemed nearer now, persistent.“Wendy,” I finally gasped, the word a hoarse whisper. “It’s Wendy. I feel… I feel her pain.”Edward’s eyes flashed with recognition, then flickered with worry. He knew what the link signified, knew what I felt for her. Without a word, he barked orders."Get the car ready! Now!"The pack warriors sprung into action. I pushed up to sitting, ignoring the residual throbs in my chest.“I have to get to her,” I said, my voice declaring some of its authority. "Now. Drive!"I waited for no confirmation. I nearly flung myself into the back of the waiting car. Edward squeezed in next to me, solemn-looking."Where to, Your Highness?" “Where to?” Marco, my driver, asked, steadying his hands on the wheel.“
George's POV“They have revealed their intentions, Edward,” George said, coolly angry; not something he had to fake; something barely held in check. The heavy boots he wore clicked a perilous rhythm against the polished stone floor as he paced the length of his office. “The Moonlight Pack has war on the brain. Fine. Let them have it."Beta Edward, a man as unmoving and steadfast as the mountains that surrounded their territory, shifted his weight uncomfortably. “Your Highness, if I may speak freely, is war really the best path forward right now? And we have just discovered Rosina’s plots and the pack is still repairing..."George paused his pacing, his stormy sea-colored eyes snapping to Edward. “Know your place, Edward,” he said with a dangerously low voice. "I am Alpha King. I make the decisions. You counsel, but you do not question my judgment. Criminals have hidden with the Moonlight Pack who have wronged MY pack, murdered MY people. When I ask for justice, they spit in my face. W
George's POVI rubbed my hand over my face, trying to get rid of the feeling their visit left. Rosina and Gerald, they were a big problem for me, always reminding me of the bad things in my own pack.“Edward!” I shouted, my voice echoing down the quiet hallway.My helper showed up right away, standing up straight and ready. “Your Highness?”“I'm going to see Sirius.” I said, turning towards the jail cells. “Get the guards ready.”Edward walked next to me. “Of course, Your Highness. Everything is ready.”We walked quietly, the only sound being our boots hitting the stone floor. As we got to the room we were supposed to go to, I saw something was wrong. Two guards were standing straight outside, but the door was a little bit open. I stopped, feeling a bad feeling in my stomach.“Why are Rhys and Sirius's son in the same room?” I asked, my voice low and angry.Edward hesitated, his brow furrowing in confusion. “Your Highness, I... I didn't know Prince Derek was with his father.”“Explain
Wendy's POVHe didn't waste time. "Wendy," he started, his voice low and serious. "The Shadow Fangs Pack has had a lot of problems lately.""Problems?" I repeated, acting like I didn't know. I knew exactly what he meant. The group was still dealing with George's quick, harsh grab for power and the trouble that followed."Yes, Wendy. More guards, tighter security, fights on our borders," he said, looking straight at her. "I think a lot of these problems are because we don't have a Luna."I crossed my arms, trying to figure out what he meant. "Yes?" I said, keeping my voice calm. Where was he going with this? Was he saying it was my fault the pack was in trouble?He sighed, a tired sound that said a lot about how old he was and how much he had to deal with. "A pack needs a Luna, Wendy. A leader, a symbol of being together and being strong. Someone to help and calm the problems.""And?" I asked, getting annoyed. "How does this affect me?""When a pack has a Luna, there's a better chance
Wendy's POV"I'll handle Brittany," George said, his jaw clenched. "You go home, Wendy. Get some rest."I nodded, giving a small smile. "Okay, be careful."He gave me that look, the one that made my stomach drop - a strong mix of worry and something else I couldn't describe. I turned and walked away, trying to ignore the warmth spreading through my chest.The ride home was a haze. I kept thinking about all the time I spent with George since I got back. How he looked at me, how he listened to me, how he stood up for me... It was all so different from the guy I used to know. Is it possible? Am I... falling for him again?I held the steering wheel tighter, trying to push away the bad thought. This was George, the guy who hurt me, even if someone had tricked him. I made a new life and became a new person after him. I won't just give it up.I drove into my garage, the door closing automatically behind me. The house was quiet, really quiet. I normally like the silence, but tonight, it made
Rosina's POVMy lungs hurt as I walked through the thick bushes. The smell of pine and wet dirt filled my nose, very different from the nice smell of George's home. Every time a leaf moved or a stick broke, it made me very nervous.I know George. He won't let me get away that easily. He'll send his best trackers, the meanest wolves in his pack, and they won't give up.I had to keep moving.Time felt like forever as I walked through the tough land. My muscles hurt a lot, but I didn't listen to them. Each step I took was a win, a way of saying no to the Alpha King who thought he could boss me around.Then, I heard it. A quiet sound that was almost too soft to hear, carried by the wind. It was the signal. My heart jumped with a mix of relief and fear. Logan.I gave the planned reply, a slightly higher sound that went through the trees. I waited, watching closely, looking for any sign of movement in the dark.A person came out of the dark, standing out against the spotted moonlight shinin
Wendy's POV“What do you mean, Captain?” George asked.He squirmed, his broad shoulders lifting a bit. “Your Highness, I'm sorry, but the report said there was a really strong cologne smell. It was so strong that it seemed like someone was trying to hide something.”My thoughts sped up. Cologne. Brittany. It all made sense suddenly, and I felt bad. “Rosina.” I said softly, the name tasting sour. “She's hiding Rosina.”George's jaw tensed, his eyes flashing with anger. “Brittany is helping her? That tricky...” He stopped, taking a deep breath. “Didn't you search the house carefully, Captain?”The Captain stood up straight, sounding a bit defensive. “Your Highness, I had my men search the house thoroughly, from top to bottom, twice. They didn’t find anyone else.”George laughed sharply, “Twice? And nothing? A woman doesn’t just disappear, Captain. Especially not someone as… noticeable as Rosina.” He walked away, pacing a bit.“Clearly, your men didn’t look hard enough. Keep searching. E
Brittany's POVWhen Rosina's head went into the dark cellar, I didn't wait. My hands shook a bit as I grabbed the old door and closed it fast. The noise was loud in the room, but I made myself stay still. I reached under the shelf nearby and got a small mat, then quickly put it over the hidden door, so it looked like part of the floor. I was breathing fast and could hear the sound of footsteps coming near.The smell. The smell! The soldiers' keen senses would catch Rosina's scent in seconds if I didn't act fast. I opened the kitchen cabinet and grabbed a small bottle of strong perfume - not the light, flowery kind I normally wear, but the thick, heavy kind that can fill a room. I opened it and sprayed a lot, almost using up the whole bottle in the small area. The air got thick with the strong smell, and I coughed, waving my hand in front of my face.Focus, Brittany. Get it together.I put the perfume down, took a deep breath, and walked to the door just as a loud knock came through it
CHAPTER 105Brittany's POVIt was almost dark. I wrapped my hands around the glass of whiskey, the yellow drink shining in the light. The drink hurt my throat as I drank it down, but I liked the feeling. It was better to feel this than to think about him again. Him—and her.George.And Wendy.I frowned, my fingers gripped the glass tightly as my heart pounded in my ears. That weak and timid woman had won George's heart years ago, and even when she left, she still had a hold on him. Nothing I did could change that. Not even my best efforts or my charm and ambition.That woman always messed up my life even when she wasn't around.If Wendy hadn't interfered, George would be with me. I was so close to getting what I wanted, I could almost feel it. But Wendy managed to ruin everything for me. Then, after she was gone for a while, she came back six years later as a powerful and secretive business leader. She was more powerful, smarter, and seemed impossible to beat.I disliked her even more