Alison's POVA soft tickle grazed my cheek, stirring me awake. My eyes fluttered open to see Xander’s face close to mine, his familiar smile warming me instantly.“We’re here,” he murmured, his voice a gentle rumble. I blinked, still dazed from sleep, as he nodded toward the window. “Look outside, Ally.”I turned my head, my mouth dropping open at the sight beyond the glass. We were parked before an enormous castle, but this wasn’t anything like the dark, stoned fortress Kendrick called home. This castle was modern, gleaming with elegance and style, a masterpiece of towering spires, vast gardens, and pristine walls that caught the morning light like something from a dream. The air seemed lighter, free from the tension that always lingered around Silver Moon.“Wow,” I whispered, unable to tear my eyes away. “It’s… beautiful.”Xander’s hand gently touched my chin, bringing my gaze back to him. “Do you like it?”All I could do was nod, a genuine smile stretching across my face."Good,” h
Alison's POVThe air was still, and I could hear my own heartbeat pulsing in the silence. One week in Night Fang, and I was already feeling the weight of the walls around me. I’d barely left my room since Xander brought me here, hiding from his mother and her disapproving glances, the way she looked at me like I was the dirt on her pristine shoes. But I couldn’t stay locked up forever. If I was going to survive in this new world, I had to start facing it.I stretched out in bed, feeling the silk sheets against my skin, so different from the scratchy, worn out naked foam I used back at Silver Moon. After a quick shower, I slipped on a dress Xander had bought for me... a soft, flowing piece that hugged me just enough to make me feel bold. I glanced in the mirror and asked Maya, What do you think?"Not bad, though you might need sharper claws for the likes of this place," she replied with a hint of sarcasm making me chuckle.With a deep breath, I stepped into the hallway, letting my feet
Alison's POVI stood in the garden, watching the lilies sway under the morning sunlight, petals stretching towards the sky. The delicate scent of their blooms should’ve been calming, but today, they only reminded me of the fragility of everything around me, of how easily beauty could be trampled. Could I really handle the weight of being tied to Night Fang? It wasn’t just about being with Xander; it was about facing everything that came with him including his family, his responsibilities, and the pack’s ruthless politics. Maya, my wolf, stirred within, urging me to fight through this uncertainty."This is where we belong, Alison," Maya insisted, her voice like a warm reassurance in my mind.But as I stood there, trying to convince myself of those words, my phone buzzed in my pocket. I frowned, surprised; it was an unsaved number. Hesitantly, I accepted the call.“Alison,” a smug, familiar voice greeted me... Kendrick.I felt a cold shiver run down my spine. He’d always been controllin
Alison's POVI lay awake in bed, my mind racing. The ceiling above me seemed to stretch infinitely, an empty canvas upon which all my doubts were painted. How did I get here? A rejected mate, a broken life in Silver Moon… and now, standing on the verge of rejection yet again. Was I really so cursed, so unlucky in love? My heart felt like it was being shredded by invisible claws, and I didn’t know how to stop the ache. Every time I closed my eyes, Kendrick’s cruel smirk haunted me, followed by Xander’s pained, indecisive expression.A soft knock pulled me from my thoughts, breaking the stillness of the night. I hesitated for a second before climbing out of bed. Wrapping a blanket around me, I shuffled to the door and opened it to see Luke, Xander’s trusted advisor and the only one in the Night Fang who treated me with any kindness.“Luke?” I said, a bit surprised to see him so late.He gave me a warm, polite smile. “Good evening, Ms. Alison. Alpha Xander requested that I escort you som
Alison’s POVThe morning light spilled into my room, casting a golden glow across the walls. For once, I woke up feeling like a weight had lifted off my chest. My heart brimmed with hope, a warmth ignited by the memory of Xander’s promise the night before. His words replayed in my mind as I let the warm water from the shower wash over me. “You have me. I’ll always be by your side.” I wanted to be worthy of that promise. I wanted to be strong, resilient...the perfect Luna for Xander and his pack.Drying off, I slipped into a light floral dress, pinning my long curls into a loose ponytail. I wanted to start this day with purpose, to be a part of the life here, not just a silent observer. And maybe, just maybe, Xander would see that I was ready for the responsibility that came with standing by his side.Downstairs, I walked into the kitchen to find a flurry of activity. The maids moved with practiced precision, trying to keep up with the morning rush.They stopped and looked at me as I e
Xander's POV The silence of my office was the kind that allowed thoughts to swell and churn, thoughts that lately were almost always of Alison. Since that night, I could still feel the touch of her hand, the way her laughter filled me with a peace I’d never known. But today wasn’t about basking in memories. Today was about preparation. Alison needed to understand the depth of her responsibilities, the weight of the leadership role she was stepping into, and I intended to give her every advantage in doing so.As I leaned back in my chair, gazing out the window at the dense, brooding forest that bordered our lands, I considered how best to support her. Alison had strength in her spirit, a fire that had drawn me to her from the beginning. Yet, this world was vast, complex, and sometimes merciless. She had to be prepared for what lay ahead.A knock on the door broke my focus. Luke entered, his face etched with quiet professionalism, his gaze steady but carrying a hint of urgency.“Alpha
Alison's POV I stumbled back to my room, every step heavy, my chest aching as if I’d taken a direct blow. I had never felt such a sharp, unrelenting pain before. The moment I’d walked into Xander’s office, I’d been frozen, seeing Caitlyn’s hands draped around him and her lips pressed against his. Even worse, I’d seen the shock on his face, but it hadn’t mattered. That image was now burned into my mind. It felt like deja vu.When I reached my room, I shut the door with a thud and slid down against it, my body trembling. I wrapped my arms around myself, clutching tightly, as if holding myself together could somehow stop the pain. Everything we’d shared these past few days, the trust that had been growing between us... it felt fragile now, on the verge of shattering.A knock sounded against the wood, quiet but firm. My heart clenched as I heard his voice.“Alison, please. Open up. I need to talk to you.”I bit down on my lip, anger and hurt twisting in my chest. “Go away, Xander. Just..
Alison's POVI sat back on the porch, trying to stifle a laugh as Andrew and I wrapped up our lesson for the day. The air was warm, filled with the scent of freshly cut grass, and I felt light, free for once. The last few weeks had been grueling as Andrew pushed me to catch up on subjects I’d never had the chance to study before. But with each lesson, I felt myself grow a little stronger, a little smarter, and today, I felt downright accomplished.Andrew chuckled beside me, leaning back as he rubbed his temples. "You’re doing better than you give yourself credit for, Alison. Really. It’s rare to see someone this dedicated."I shook my head, still smiling. "You mean desperate, right? I can’t exactly afford to waste the opportunity Xander’s given me.”Before Andrew could respond, a shadow fell across the porch. I looked up and felt my stomach twist. Caitlyn stood before us, her gaze cold and sharp as it raked over me. Andrew greeted her politely, but she ignored him, fixing her eyes on
Alison’s Point of ViewThe night was cloaked in a serene stillness, the kind that felt sacred, as though the world itself held its breath. The faint hum of crickets outside blended with the soft rustle of the wind through the trees. I stood by the window in our bedroom, the silver light of the full moon washing over me like a gentle caress. Its glow illuminated the room, casting long shadows that danced on the walls.I wrapped my arms around myself, feeling the soft cotton of my robe against my skin. My hair, still damp from the shower, clung to my back, and I brushed it away absently as I gazed out at the night.The moon had always been a silent witness to my life, a distant, glowing guardian. Tonight, it seemed brighter, fuller, as if it too celebrated the journey I had taken to reach this moment. I pressed a hand to the cool glass, feeling a sense of connection to the universe beyond.How did I get here? The thought whispered through my mind, not in disbelief, but in awe.Memories
Alison’s Point of ViewThe council chamber buzzed with a quiet intensity that seemed to seep into every corner of the room. I sat beside Xander, my hands resting on the carved wooden armrests of my chair, the intricate wolf insignia of the NightFang Pack etched into the wood beneath my fingertips. My heart raced, but I kept my face calm, my expression neutral. Today was no ordinary day. It was the first time I would preside over a major pack case as Luna.The weight of responsibility was tangible, like an invisible crown pressing down on me. A year ago, I wouldn’t have thought this possible, me, a slave from Silver Moon, now the daughter of an Alpha and most of all a Luna, seated at the head of the most powerful pack council. Beside me, Xander exuded his usual air of authority, his gaze steady as he surveyed the room. Just his presence grounded me.“Ready?” he asked, his voice low but laced with a warmth that only I could detect.I nodded, meeting his eyes. “I am.”He gave a small smi
Xander’s Point of ViewThe first rays of dawn stretched across the Crimson Pack’s territory, painting the horizon in soft golds and pinks. The forest, still hushed from the night, seemed to hold its breath, as if reluctant to let us leave. I stood on the balcony of the guest quarters, staring at the landscape that had become familiar over the past few weeks. It was beautiful, yes, but not home.Behind me, Alison stirred, her soft movements like music to my ears. I turned, catching the sight of her wrapped in a blanket, her hair cascading down her back in loose waves. Her eyes, still heavy with sleep, met mine, and for a moment, the world stilled.“Good morning,” she murmured, her voice husky from sleep.“Good morning, my love,” I replied, crossing the room to her. I leaned down to press a kiss to her forehead, savoring the warmth of her skin against mine.She smiled, but there was a hint of something in her expression, bittersweet, perhaps. Today was the day we would leave the Crimson
Alison's Point of ViewThe sunlight filtered through the thick canopy of trees, dappling the forest floor with golden patterns that seemed to shift and shimmer with every breeze. For once, the ever-present tension in the Crimson Pack felt like it had lifted, replaced by an air of celebration. But as I stood in my room, staring at my reflection in the mirror, my heart was a whirlwind of emotions, joy, nerves, and the faintest hint of disbelief.I was about to mate with Xander, the man who had under gone so much with me. And now, he was mine, and I was his. Forever.A soft knock on the door pulled me from my thoughts. Before I could answer, the door creaked open, and Simone stepped inside, her expression warm but still tinged with the seriousness her new role demanded.“You look breathtaking,” she said, her voice soft as she closed the door behind her. She wore her ceremonial robes, a deep Crimson that complemented her dark hair and the faint golden glow that now seemed to follow her ev
Alison’s Point of ViewThe weight of Simone’s revelation still hung heavy in the air as we walked through the Pack’s central grounds, the towering trees casting flickering shadows under the soft glow of the moon. Xander’s hand rested lightly on the small of my back, grounding me as my thoughts swirled with the vision I had seen and the strange, ancient mark on Simone’s shoulder.I couldn’t help but glance over at her. She walked beside me, her face pale but determined, her eyes darting around as though she were still marveling at the simple gift of sight. The Simone I knew had always been brave, but tonight, there was an unmistakable tremor in her steps, a hesitation that I had never seen before."Do you think he will believe us?" Simone’s voice was soft, almost drowned out by the crunch of leaves underfoot.I turned to her and smiled reassuringly, though inside, I wasn’t so sure myself. “If anyone will, it’s my father. Alpha Gaius has always been open to the mysteries of the world, e
Alison’s Point of ViewThe air around Simone felt lighter than ever as she stood before me, her face radiant with a joy I hadn’t seen in a long time. Her newfound ability to see had transformed her demeanor entirely, her smile wider, her laughter unrestrained. For the first time, she didn’t need her cane or anyone else to guide her steps. As I hugged her, grateful beyond words, my eyes caught something peculiar.There it was, just below the collar of her dress on her left shoulder, a faint but intricate marking. It looked almost like a swirling pattern, delicate yet commanding, as if it had been etched there with purpose. In all my days with her, I had never seen anything like this on her skin, so it got me wondering. “Simone,” I began, pulling back slightly, my fingers lightly brushing her shoulder. “When did you get this?”She blinked, confused. “Get what?”“This.” I pointed to the mark, tilting my head to get a better look. “It kind of looks like a tattoo. Did you have this done
Alison's Point of ViewThe anticipation for tonight had my nerves tingling all day. I stood in front of the mirror, smoothing the soft fabric of my pale lavender dress, the color chosen specifically because Xander had once mentioned it reminded him of moonlight. A sly smile crept onto my lips as I thought about what he might say when he saw me. This wasn’t just a date, it was a moment of escape, a reprieve before the whirlwind of our mating ceremony took over.When the knock came at my door, my heart skipped a beat. I took a deep breath, giving my reflection one last glance, and opened the door to find Xander waiting. As always, he was the embodiment of perfection... dark slacks, a tailored shirt that clung to him in all the right ways, and that trademark smirk that made my pulse race.“You’re breathtaking,” he said, his voice low, his gaze raking over me appreciatively.“You’re not too bad yourself, Alpha,” I teased, letting him take my hand as he pulled me closer.He chuckled, press
Alison’s Point of ViewThe air was still tinged with the sweetness of Xander’s proposal as we returned to the castle. My heart felt lighter than it had in weeks, and I couldn’t help the soft smile that tugged at my lips as I glanced at him walking beside me. He looked calm, his usual stoic demeanor tinged with something softer, something just for me.As soon as we stepped into the grand hall, my mother appeared, her radiant smile lighting up her face. “There you two are!” she exclaimed, clasping her hands together. “I’ve been looking everywhere for you. Your father has organized a feast to celebrate your victories and, of course, your engagement.”“A feast?” I asked, raising a brow. “Isn’t that a bit much?”“Not at all,” she replied, waving a dismissive hand. “You’ve accomplished so much within a short while darling, and your father wants the pack to share in the joy. It’s already been arranged, so no arguments.”Xander chuckled beside me, and I turned to him, my lips curving into a s
Alison’s Point of ViewThe warmth of the morning still lingered in my chest as we cleared the breakfast table, the echoes of laughter and heartfelt words still floating in the air. It felt like a turning point, a moment that tethered all of us closer together. As I stacked plates and handed them off to the staff, I caught Xander watching me from across the room, a soft, almost secretive smile curving his lips.“What?” I asked, narrowing my eyes at him, though I couldn’t keep the grin off my face.“Just admiring my woman ,” he replied smoothly, leaning against the doorframe with his arms crossed. “You look so at home here. It’s... nice.”“Nice?” I teased, raising a brow. “You really know how to make a girl feel special, Alpha.”He chuckled, pushing off the frame and walking toward me. “You know what I mean. You belong here with your family, with your people, It really suits you.”Before I could respond, my mother’s voice rang out from the kitchen, pulling my attention back to the task