VERENANixie replies with a light smile, “But a charming man like you can get anyone you set your eyes on, General. I'm sure many women are eager to share the floor with you,” she flutters her fake eyelashes, her voice flirtatious.My nose wrinkles, and I inwardly grimace at her behavior. I don’t know what she’s up to, but she literally has Elijah, her mate with her at the moment, and yet she’s trying to flirt with another man she met a few seconds ago."Love Story" by Indila starts to play on the speakers, the lyrics creating a dense, somewhat melancholic yet haunting atmosphere in the hall. Why did they choose this music?Cyrus smirks at Nixie, “Can’t agree more. After all, I have the charm to have anyone as my dance partner here,” his eyes flit to the single, unmated ladies who are eyeing him seductively across the hall. He does have that kind of charm to woo any woman here, especially because of holding the most powerful position in the hall at the moment. Even I fangirled over hi
VERENA He smiles, “Relax, I am just teasing you. You don’t have to answer that,” I gasp as he suddenly pulls me closer and whispers into my ear, “I’d like to keep our interactions incomplete so that we have something to talk about later.” I frown as I look at him. Later? Is he trying to insinuate that we’ll meet again? Something changes in his eyes as he stares at me with an intensity that makes me nervous. “Hmm. Why do I feel like I have seen you somewhere before? Your face looks… familiar.” “I can assure you this is our first meeting,” I reply with a stern look. He smiles, “And our first dance,” his brows furrows as he observes me, “I am serious though. I have seen you somewhere or perhaps someone with a similar face.” I am about to respond when my eyes fall on Elijah who’s dancing side-by-side holding Nixie. Something tugs at my heart on seeing them but I push it away. Nixie looks at me and glares. I look back at Cyrus who smirks, “Seems like they have come to take back th
VERENAMy legs tremble as I quickly walk towards the entrance door, not paying attention to the whispers behind me. Cold air hits my face as soon as I step out into the garden. I take a deep breath and let the tears stream down my face. Love can be so complicated. Despite hating him, a part of me hurts because of seeing him in pain. I wipe my tears and decide to not pay attention to my emotions. I am not going back to him. Sighing, I take off my heels and look for a place to sit. But the loud sound of water splashing makes my head whip towards the right side of the garden. What was that? I walk towards the source of the sound, and end up at the back of the building. My eyes widen when I see a huge pool. A man is drowning in it. Without a second thought, I surge forward, my long dress billowing around as I dive into the pool. The icy water envelopes my senses, sending a shock through my body. I swim through the water beneath the surface and reach the sinking man. My heart pounds w
VERENAMy face blanches as recognition slams into me. Alpha Rayn Valentino? I just lectured the Alpha of the Moonlight Pack!Bowing my head in respect, I blurt, "Alpha Valentino, please forgive my earlier behavior."He frowns, tilting his head in confusion. "Eh?""I should have asked who you were before I spouted off like that," I mumble, my gaze glued to the white tiles.Instead of reprimanding me, Alpha Valentino throws back his head and laughs. "There's no need to apologize, Verena. You did nothing wrong," he replies. I cautiously lift my head, a frown creasing my face. "Actually, I should be thanking you for saving me." He turns his gaze towards the pool, his expression darkening. "Somehow, your words sparked a flicker of hope within me. Now I can move forward."He must be referring to the attack that killed his pregnant wife, the pack's Luna. But I wonder if that's the whole story behind his suicide attempt. Perhaps there's more to it."Thank you, Verena. You saved me today," Alp
VERENABefore the guns can be fired, Elijah disarms them and knocks them to the ground. He weaves through the attackers like a winter wind, his movements a blur of white. He deflects a blow from one with a flick of his wrist, using the attacker’s own force to send him sprawling. As the men crumble under his powerful attacks, Elijah stands straight, the moonlight highlighting his muscular frame. A frustrated groan escapes my lips as I watch. Why him? “Rena, are you hurt?” his deep voice cuts through the chaos. "No need to worry about me," I scoff, beating the two men holding my arms captive unconscious with one attack. It irritates me to know that he's the one to save me. He didn't need to jump in. I could have handled it. I did it for so long, without him.But the words die in my throat as his gaze meets mine. It's that look he has, the one that sends shivers down my spine. Calm, composed on the surface, but with an underlying intensity that speaks volumes of his anger. This isn't
VERENAAlpha Valentino stares at me, jaw on the floor. "How?" he stammers, taking a shaky step closer. He leans in, voice gruff. "You said your name is Verena?" He stops, eyes darting down like he's missing something.Before I can figure it out, he's crushing me in a hug. His voice, shaky with a ton of emotions, rumbles in my ear. "Verena! My daughter, Verena! You're finally home!""What?!" Carlisle yells, eyes wide like saucers as he stares at me. Elijah stays quiet, but his face is pale with shock.What is he talking about? Tears fall down Alpha Valentino's face as he holds me like a statue. The whole world feels like it's spinning."Now I get it!" the Alpha yells, his voice suddenly clear. "That's why you look so much like Charlotte! You have her face!"Cyrus smirks and nods. "Yeah, the resemblance... that's why I felt like I knew you from somewhere. It all makes sense now."Alpha Valentino lets go of me gently, his hands shaking as he cups my face. A giant smile, mixed with disbel
ELIJAHMy brain feels like mush on hearing what Rayn just said. Rena, the quiet girl I thought was just a human orphan, turns out to be Alpha Valentino's daughter, a powerful she-wolf no less! But that news fades next to the knot twisting in my gut. I never had an issue with what her rank was. But there is one thing I need to confirm. I can't hold it in any longer. "If Verena's the true heir," I fire at Rayn, heart hammering a frantic rhythm against my ribs, "why doesn't she have a wolf yet?"Rayn looks calm as he answers smoothly. "Our family's shifters are special. The wolves we have are blessed by the Goddess, giving us unique powers. We don't shift like regular werewolves. For Valentino bloodlines, the shift usually happens after the age of twenty, sometimes even thirty. It all depends on the kind of wolf waiting to come out of us."A cold dread washes over me. My body stiffens, every muscle locked tight with worry. I force out the next question, voice barely a whisper. "What ar
ELIJAHMy muscles scream in protest as Rayn approaches. Will he banish me? Or maybe warn me to stay away from Rena?He claps me on the shoulder, a relieved grin splitting his face. "Thanks for looking out for Verena, Elijah." He glances between me and Carlisle. "Both of you saved her life." His brow furrows as he mutters to himself, "Why would anyone want to hurt her? I'll get to the bottom of this."Relief washes over me, but Rayn's cheerful demeanor twists the guilt in my gut. "I don't deserve your thanks, Rayn," I mumble, voice heavy. His frown deepens. I take a step back and bow respectfully. "My apologies for everything. Thank you for inviting me. The Moonlight Pack can always count on me for help."Rayn blinks, confusion swirling in his green eyes, the same color as Rena's. "Uh, but—" I cut him off, striding out into the cool night. The day he learns the truth, his hatred will be swift and unforgiving."Hey you!" That skunk, Carlisle, stops me cold with a yell. "Playing the remo
VERENAI shift back and just stare at her in silence, watching her fumble with her words. Her lips are quivering and she’s sweating profusely, her midnight blue hair sticking to her forehead. She literally copied my hair color and my hairstyle. When she realizes the coldness in my gaze, she stops and starts yelling.”You can’t kill me! Dad will end you. I did what I did and I will do it again with you!” her eyes go round as she looks up at me with a psychotic look. She starts laughing and I know that there’s no humor or happiness to the laugh. “You deserve it all! You are fucking bitch who was born in a wealthy family and was accepted. You have no idea what it feels like to be unwanted. So…so I did all of this. You needed to feel what I felt too. And I succeeded!” she throws her head back and laughs even harder. “I succeeded in ruining your life! After this battle, you’ll have nothing left for you. Everything will be taken from you. Your Elijah, your kids, your pack…everything! So go
VERENAA warm sensation takes over my body and I feel a tingling sensation in my spine. The celestial light builds within me and I aim it at the Ashwalker wolves. They take a step back as if they can sense that power within me. Serena opens her mouth and light erupts from it. It's directed at them and the moment it hits the ground, a huge explosion takes place. I hear lots of howls and the light blinds everyone in the field. When it fades, a huge crater is formed on the ground and there’s no sign of the Ashwalker wolves and the cloaked men who stood with them. The impact was so huge that it got everyone’s attention. Nixie stares at it with wide eyes. “What the fuck,” she says as she measures the depth of the crater I created. “Damn! That’s so badass!” Dory exclaims and I smirk. We approach Joshua and Irene who also are staring at the huge crater. They turn towards us and Dory steps forward, shifts back and kneels down. Joshua looks at me and I see concern in his eyes. “Rena…Irene
VERENAI run towards the main battlefield and Nixie’s petite figure comes into sight. She’s standing against my men, guarded by the Ashwalker wolves and a few of Umbra’s cult men. I watch in horror as Nixie, her eyes filled with a malicious glint, hurls a gas bomb towards Irene and Joshua. The bomb explodes, sending a toxic cloud billowing into the air. Irene and Joshua cough, their faces contorted in pain. Joshua, with his enhanced senses, manages to shield himself from the gas, but Irene, still recovering from her previous injuries, is more vulnerable. I can see her coughing violently, blood staining her lips.“Irene,” Joshua goes to her and holds her while she drops to the ground, the coughing not stopping.Nixie grins as she looks at them. “You used to call me Dumpster Barbie, right? Now what, huh? Can’t speak?” she taunts and then pauses. “Oh wait! I totally forgot to say this. This gas has a special role, you know? It can take away the vocals of the person it affects. Permanen
VERENAI grit my teeth and clench my fist in anger after I shift back. Dad shifts back to his human form too and glares at me, standing protectively before mom. “Dad? Are you seriously going to protect her? You know who she's working for,” I ask him, my eyes pleading for him to see the truth in this situation. She’s not our ally. His face contorts in anger as he hears my words and he growls at me. “I trust her. There must have been some misunderstanding.” His eyes flash and I realize that he’s not in himself. It's the mate bond that’s making him say this. My dad isn’t as strong as I am when it comes to staying away from our mates. His love for mom will destroy him. “Oh yes it is, Ray. He’s making me do these things,” Mom says and makes this sad face. I wonder who’s better at acting innocent—Nixie or her? Oh wait, I forgot that the apple doesn't fall far from the tree. She proves she’s her mother. I look at Charlotte and mind-link her. “You are being a total bitch! You used my fat
VERENABut my words fall on deaf ears. He lunges at me, his claws outstretched. I dodge his attack, barely escaping his grasp. I'm filled with a mix of fear and anger. How can he hurt me? How can he turn against me after all this?I draw upon my celestial power, a surge of light coursing through my veins. My eyes glow a brilliant white, and my form shifts, becoming more powerful. I face him, my stance defiant."Elijah, stop!" I shout, my voice filled with authority. But he won't listen. He's lost in the darkness, a creature of pure instinct.We circle each other, our eyes locked in a battle of wills. The air crackles with tension as we prepare to strike. The battle between the Luna Guardian and the Shadow Alpha has begun. A battle that has occurred through different generations and timelines. I don’t want this. But do I have a choice? And what will we do if we both die? I look into his eyes, and see no sign of him. Is he gone? Did Umbra take him from me? I steel myself for what I
VERENAMaria walks towards me. “What happened?” She asks with a frown on her face. “It's mom. She’s here.” I say and Maria’s eyes turn wide. “Charlotte is here? Oh my Goddess!” She rests her hand on her chest and looks worried. I can sense the conflict arising within her. Mom was Maria’s best friend. I’m sure she still cares about her. I look at Irene. “We need to go out there. I’m sure the others will need us.” Irene steps forward. “Of course. I’d be so glad to go out there and kick some—” she halts and looks at the kids. Ezra gives her a sly smile. “Aunt Irene is saying some adult words again.” He makes a tsk sound with his mouth and shakes his head as if disappointed. He does this whenever Irene has a slip of tongue. “Shut up. I didn’t say anything. I only said that I will kick them.” She argues and I roll my eyes. She’s seriously fighting with a kid. “Rena, someone should stay with the kids to protect them,” Maria tells me as she holds my arm. She looks at Elijah who growls
VERENA"You're back," I whisper, my voice barely audible. "You're really back."Ezra smiles, his eyes filled with warmth. "I'm here, Mommy," he says. "I'm not going anywhere."In that moment, all the pain, the fear, the uncertainty - it all seems to fade away. We've won. We've defeated the darkness.Irene quickly turns around and her eyes go wide as she sees us. “Oh Goddess! It worked! Fu—Sorry. I mean hell yeah!” she shouts, raising her fists in the air. She looks no less than a lunatic but that’s how she is.I turn to Venus who just stares at her with her big green eyes, her little hand clutching Ezra’s shirt as she sits on his lap. I kneel on the floor and take her other hand, then kiss it. “Thank you, thank you. You’re our savior.” I whisper to her and cup her little face. She makes a sound with her mouth, having no idea what I’m talking about. I look at Elijah. His head is tilted up towards the ceiling, pushing back his tears of joy and relief. He’s trying to act strong but I k
VERENAI feel a strong vibration at the pit of my stomach. It makes my guts muscles clench uncomfortably but then a warm sensation travels up my spine. Venus stops crying and I open my eyes to see a vibrant light form in the middle of the air. It casts its bright light on the room and reduces Ezra’s dark aura, allowing him to take a breath and relax a little. Venus looks calm too and is staring at her brother with her big eyes. I look at Elijah and he nods. Ezra lifts his head and his face looks better, a lot less pale as he stares at us. But he’s still in his dark aura. Maybe the energy that we created helped to slow down the process. He looks at Venus but does not say anything. I move towards the bed and Venus raises her arm like she did in the kids room when she saw me. She smiles at her brother, her green eyes lighting up. “Veenie…” Ezra whispers. I carefully place Venus on the bed and hold her back. In case Ezra does something, I’ll pull her back. Elijah stands beside me and
VERENAVenus squirms as she sees him and it hurts him but he does not show it on his face. “Are they still out there?” Maria asks me and I shake my head. “No. But we need to be careful. Elijah and I’ll handle everything. Let's go.” I tell them and we carefully walk out of the kids room. Elijah walks ahead, his senses alert for any incoming dangers. I look around too but Venus gets uncomfortable when I’m too tense so I’m trying to stay calm. I look at her and recall the vision I had. I couldn’t see her face but I felt the same way I am feeling right now. The feeling that you have when you are close to your daughter. Venus looks up at me with her big eyes and I give her a smile. “Don’t worry, angel. We’ll be fine,” I give her a kiss on the forehead and she giggles. We reach the bedroom and Elijah opens the door. The moment the double doors swing open, a strong wave of dark aura crashes on me, forcing me to take a step back. Venus squirms again and looks away, as if she’s afraid.