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 POV "Here's your glass of...?"The world shattered around me in an instant, one second, I was just doing my job, and the next, I was standing frozen, watching the man I once adored with someone else.The glass slipped from my fingers and shattered against the floor, echoing in the empty hall. I didn't even realize I had dropped it until the shards of crystal scattered around my feet. Alpha Kendrick looked up from the couch, his hands still tangled in Priya’s hair, while Priya’s narrowed eyes found me in an instant. Silence fell over the room, thick and dangerous.“What the hell do you think you’re doing walking in like you own the place?” Priya’s voice cut through the silence like a whip.“I.. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to… I didn’t know…” My words stumbled out, tripping over each other as I stared down at my hands, trembling.“You didn’t know?” Priya sneered, untangling herself from Kendrick’s grasp. “You didn’t think to knock, either, did you, slave?”I wanted to speak, to r
Kendrick’s POV The light was dim, filtering through the high kitchen windows, casting shadows that seemed to dance as I walked into the quiet room. But then, there was a sound, soft, unexpected. Singing. Her voice, untrained and raw, yet filled with a haunting melody.I stepped forward, my boots scuffing against the tile floor. Her singing stopped, and she whipped her head up, startled. Alison's wide eyes met mine as she knelt on the kitchen floor, scrubbing, looking every bit the slave she was a mere servant in the Silver Moon Pack, where I'd held dominance and strength for years. But there was something different in her gaze that unnerved me, though I’d never admit it aloud."How long have you been here, Alison?" I asked, the words slipping out of my mouth before I could think them through.She swallowed, then answered in a voice so quiet I almost didn't hear it. "17 years, Alpha."Seventeen years. Seventeen years of watching her serve in silence, her presence nothing more than bac