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 POVThe morning sun filtered through my window, casting a soft, warm glow over the room. I’d just finished my lesson with Andrew and was feeling restless, a strange energy building up inside me. Xander had encouraged me to become familiar with the Nightfang Pack’s lands and customs, but up until now, I hadn’t ventured much beyond the castle grounds. Today, something in me urged to explore, to see more of the place I was slowly beginning to call home.I took a deep breath, straightening my shoulders. "It’s time," I murmured to myself, slipping on a light jacket and heading out. I was going to face this world outside, whether they liked me or not.Stepping out of the castle felt like stepping into another world entirely. The gardens gave way to cobbled paths, which led to the cluster of stone buildings that made up the heart of the Nightfang Pack’s territory. The air here was thick with the smell of pine and earth, layered with the occasional waft of grilled meat or baking brea
Alison's POVI hadn’t yet grown used to the weight of their stares.Every glance that lingered a moment too long, every careful whisper behind cupped hands, it all felt like a constant reminder of the skepticism surrounding my place here. I told myself that they didn’t know me, that in time they’d see who I truly was and what I could offer the Nightfang Pack. But that didn’t make the icy receptions around me any easier to bear.This morning was no exception.Breakfast had barely begun when Caitlyn strolled into the room, her presence filling the space with an unspoken authority that most pack members seemed to respect and fear. She moved with a confidence that suggested she already considered herself the Luna of this pack. And why wouldn’t she? Katherine, Xander’s mother, had practically crowned her as the chosen one long before I’d arrived.“Good morning, Alison,” she greeted me, flashing a smile that didn’t reach her eyes. “I hope you’re settling in well. Adjusting can be so hard, e
Alison’s POVA month into my studies, I had finally begun to feel comfortable here or as comfortable as I could, given the circumstances. Each day, I’d been learning from Andrew, absorbing lessons on pack history, leadership, and the diplomatic intricacies of being a Luna. While it was no easy feat, I was beginning to see myself as more than just Xander’s mate. I was transforming, piece by piece, into someone who could stand beside him and lead.Xander noticed my progress, too. Just that morning, he’d suggested we take the next step in my training.“Alison, you’re doing brilliantly with the studies,” he’d said, his tone filled with pride. “But there’s more to being Luna than just knowledge. You should start physical training, learning to harness your wolf, practicing combat, and immersing yourself in the ways of the pack.”I nodded, feeling the weight of his words settle over me. I knew he was right. To truly earn the respect of the pack, I couldn’t just learn from books. I needed to
Alison’s POV“Get up, Alison,” came the clipped, frosty voice from across the room. My eyes snapped open, and there stood Katherine, already dressed in full training gear, her arms crossed and her gaze drilling into me with impatient distaste. “Daylight is burning, and half the pack is already out and about. Five minutes to join us outside or there will be consequences.”She spun on her heel and left, her footsteps echoing down the hall, leaving me scrambling. Heart pounding, I jumped out of bed, feeling a swell of frustration and determination collide within me. I knew Katherine had no real intention of making this easy. She’d do everything in her power to make me feel inadequate, to test my patience, and above all, to make me question my worthiness as Luna. But if this was a battle she wanted, I’d give her one.Quickly freshening up, I threw on my training clothes and bolted out the door, the cool morning air biting at my face. As I reached the training grounds, I slowed, taking in
Alison’s POVThe garden had always been my little sanctuary.I sat beneath the shade of the old flowering tree, its blossoms heavy with color, the sweet fragrance dancing lazily in the evening breeze. The sun hung low in the sky, painting streaks of orange and gold across the heavens, while the soft rustle of leaves filled the silence.I let out a gentle sigh, one hand absently cradling my now-round stomach, the other bringing a snack to my lips. Little sweet biscuits.. my latest craving. The soft crunch was comforting, the simple pleasure grounding in a world that had been nothing but chaos and blood not too long ago.For a while, I just sat there, watching the blooms sway and the little insects that busied themselves among them. These were flowers I had nurtured myself… tiny, fragile things that somehow clung to life and bloomed despite the odds. A little like me, I thought with a small smile.But then…That feeling again.The prickling on the back of my neck.The weight of invisibl
Xander’s Point of ViewThe moment Alison’s body collapsed into my arms, my heart lurched violently inside my chest. “Alison!!” I shouted, the sound more a guttural, desperate growl than a word. I scooped her up without hesitation, her head lolling against my shoulder, her skin pale and cold.Panic gripped me like a vice.“Get the physician! Now!” I barked at one of the nearby omegas, my voice rough and sharp.I didn’t wait. I carried her up the stairs, my steps uneven thanks to my injured leg, but there was no force in this world that could keep me from her side. I laid her gently on our bed, brushing hair away from her face, my fingers trembling.“Alison, come on baby… open your eyes for me.” I spoke in a broken whisper.Within moments, the physician arrived, his scent familiar, his face lined with age and wisdom. Before he could even get close, I rounded on him.“What’s wrong with her? What's happening he suddenly collasped?!”“Xander,” my mother’s voice cut through the haze of my p
Alison's POVThe sky was blushing with shades of amber and gold as we reached the Nightfang border. The forest smelled different, cleaner, sweeter somehow. The war was over, and for the first time in what felt like forever, peace hung thick in the air. I felt Simone’s arms squeeze me in a final hug as we approached the edge of Crimson Pack territory.“I’ll be fine from here,” Simone promised, forcing a smile, though her eyes glistened. “You saved us, Ali… go home you need to rest.”I swallowed hard, nodding, my throat tight. “I’ll come see you soon.”“Promise?”“Promise. Tell my father I'd come by later”And with that, she turned and disappeared into the trees.By the time Xander and I made it to the Nightfang courtyard, dusk had started creeping in. The warm orange glow settled over the stone walls and the scent of the pack filled my lungs. Familiar… comforting… mine.Elders, pack members, and Xander’s mother, Katherine, were already gathered, their faces breaking into joy the second
Alison POV“Xander?”The name left my lips in a whisper, barely carried by the cold night air. I stood there, my white fur matted with blood and earth, my chest heaving after the final clash beneath the cursed red moon. The sky was clearing now… the eerie crimson glow fading back to its rightful silver. I should have felt victorious. I should have felt alive.But all I felt was dread.The world around me was too quiet. The earth no longer trembled, the cries of the damned had faded into suffocating silence. I lifted my head, my ears twitching, desperately searching for the familiar voices for them. For Xander. For Simone. But the forest was empty, and the only thing that brushed against me was the cold wind.Where are they?Mother Eliza had promised. Victory will spare them. That was her exact fucking promise. She said the evil witch’s curse would break with the witch’s fall. I had shattered the monster's heart with my own claws, I felt the magic unravel. So why… why wasn’t I hearing
Alison’s POV "I refuse to die like this… not today, not like this.” I thought it was the end. I braced myself, teeth clenched, heart hammering so loud I could hear it echo in my ears. The witch’s spell, an ominous swirl of darkness and crackling green light, shot toward me like a bullet from hell itself. I shut my eyes so tight they hurt, waiting for the searing pain to tear through me. But it never came. Everything around me… froze. I mean literally… frozen. The howling wind stopped mid-scream, the leaves hung motionless in the air like trapped confetti, and the cursed magic hovered right in front of me, suspended like some twisted work of art. My pulse thundered in my ears as I cracked open one eye, then the other, slowly taking in this eerie, impossible sight. “What the…?” I gasped, my voice trembling and shaky. A sudden warmth, gentle but firm, filled the air around me. Then came a voice I hadn’t heard in what felt like forever… soft, familiar… maternal. “Alison, use your
Alison’s POV"I don’t have a goddamn choice, do I?"The words slipped from my lips like a broken prayer, hanging in the cold, cursed air around me. I stood at the ragged edge of that dark, twisted forest a place that reeked of death and old magic, where even the moonlight was too afraid to fall.Behind me, the world I knew was unraveling.I turned, my throat burning, and let my eyes fall on them. Xander, lying there, so pale it hurt to look at him. His chest barely rose, his lips bluish. And beside him, Simone… barely alive, a wisp of breath between her lips, her skin almost translucent in the fading light. My heart shattered, a million jagged pieces tearing at my insides.“I’m sorry Xander! Simone!,” I whispered, the words trembling as they left me. “I swear to you both… I’ll fix this. I’ll make it right… or I’ll die trying.”My chest heaved, but I forced my feet forward, into the cursed forest.Every step I took felt like walking deeper into a grave. The air grew thick, heavy with s
Alison’s POVAs time passed minute by minute I couldn’t hear anything anymore. Not the ticking of time, not Simone’s footsteps circling endlessly, not even my own heartbeat.All I could hear was silence… and the weight of failure.Xander’s head lay on my lap, his face pale, body limp, chest rising and falling in irregular shudders. His once steady heartbeat now thumped like a fading drum. I gently brushed the hair from his forehead, my hands trembling. How could he have done this for me? For all of us?I bowed over him, a tear splashing onto his cheek. “Please,” I whispered. “You can’t die, not now. Not like this.”I looked up, only to see Simone pacing like a trapped animal. Her eyes were wide, frantic, as she pressed her palms against the invisible barrier again and again, trying to push through. Nothing worked. The ancient spellbook… our only hope was lying just inches beyond the boundary. So close. Yet unreachable.Her voice cracked. “Dammit!” she screamed, slamming her fists agai
Alison's POV"No!"It was all I could scream. Just one word. One desperate, gut-wrenching, soul-tearing scream that tore from the deepest part of me. Because right in front of me, Xander had done the unthinkable. The unimaginable.He had thrown himself in front of the witch’s curse.One second, I was standing there, trying to gather my wits, watching the cursed energy coil around her fingers like smoke from hell and the next, Xander had shoved me back and taken the hit meant for me.The sound that came out of him wasn’t human. His body convulsed violently, jerking like a puppet with its strings slashed. The blast hit him dead in the chest, and he fell with a sickening thud onto the dirt-covered ground.“XANDER!” I screamed, dropping to my knees beside him. My voice cracked from the sheer agony tearing at my insides.His eyes were wide open, but they were... blank. Hollow. Like the spark of him had been pulled from his soul. His body trembled, every inch of it twitching in jerks that m
Xander’s POV“She’s breathing… right? Tell me she’s breathing.”I could barely move, my limbs were trembling, my chest tight with exhaustion and panic, but I didn’t care. I dragged myself forward, forcing every muscle in my body to function as if my very existence depended on it, because it did. Alison lay there, still as death, her chest unmoving, her skin pale, and it felt like my world was being ripped apart right in front of me.“Alison,” I whispered, crawling to her. “Baby… come on, wake up. Please.”Her head was tilted to the side, her lips parted slightly, her face bruised from the force of her fall. My heart cracked open. My voice cracked harder.I didn't even realize I was crying until a tear slid down her cheek… no, my tear… my agony transferred onto her skin.Simone appeared at my side, blood dripping from her nose and the edges of her mouth. She looked just as wrecked as I felt, maybe even more. Her hands trembled as she rummaged through her pack. She pulled out a small gr