Alison's POV A pounding headache dragged me out of my unconsciousness, the relentless thrum behind my temples like a drumbeat of misery. My eyes fluttered open, only to be assaulted by the harsh light streaming through the curtains. The brightness was blinding, and I groaned, shielding my eyes with a shaky hand.I wasn’t in the hallway anymore. The familiar scent of lavender confirmed it.. I was in my room. But how? My last memory was of me collapsing in the hallway, my body giving in to a strange dizziness. I didn’t remember walking here.As I pushed myself up, the duvet slipped from my shoulders, and I realized I was half naked beneath it. Tension rose within me for a moment "Who had undressed me?" but before I could think further the bed shifted beside me. My blood turned cold.Slowly, I turned my body to the left, my breath hitching in my throat. A man I didn’t recognize lay there, his chest bare and rising steadily with each breath. He looked to be in his late twenties, his dark
Alison’s POVThe whispers had become a chorus in my head, even though I couldn’t hear the exact words most of the times. Every step I took outside my room felt like walking into a raging storm, invisible but overwhelming. I’d spent hours caged in my own misery, avoiding the pack, avoiding Xander like. He had requested, he didn't make any attempt to find me. But today, I couldn’t take it anymore. The walls of my room had started closing in, suffocating me with memories of that horrible night.I threw on a pair of jeans and a hooded sweater, something casual and nothing special, just enough to pass by unnoticed. Or so I hoped. As I stepped out into the hallway, the air shifted. The faint buzz of conversation among the staff immediately quieted, replaced by awkward greetings and sidelong glances. It felt almost like when I had first arrived here, Their eyes followed me like shadows, heavy with judgment. My stomach churned, but I kept walking, refusing to let them see how much it affected
Alison’s POVThe corridors seemed darker today, as if the very walls were conspiring to keep their secrets hidden. My breath echoed in the stillness, shallow and uneven, as my mind replayed the memory of that awful night for the hundredth time. Something was off. had always been off, but now after speaking with Luke hours ago, the pieces were beginning to form a picture I could no longer ignore. Someone had set me up. I wasn’t crazy, and I sure as hell wasn’t going to let Caitlyn ruin me without a fight.I had no plan, no road map yet, just a simmering determination burning hotter with every passing moment. The truth was out there, waiting to be uncovered, and I wasn’t stopping until I found it.The castle's halls were busy with the quiet hum of staff going about their day, but as I walked, the air still seemed to shift. Whispers followed me like a shadow, low and malicious, punctuated by stolen glances. I clenched my fists at my sides, refusing to let their judgment get to me. Not to
Alison’s POVThe air in Xander’s office was suffocating, thick with tension and unsaid words. I could feel my pulse hammering in my ears, drowning out everything but the desperate need to make him believe me. I clutched the vial in my hand like a lifeline, my fingers trembling as I stepped forward. The faint scent of leather and cedar lingered in the room, usually comforting, but now it felt oppressive, like a trap closing in around me.“Xander,” I began, my voice wavering but determined, “I need you to listen. This is proof.. real proof that Caitlyn set me up.”He stood by the window, his back to me, staring out into the vast expanse of the Night Fang estate. His hands were shoved deep into his pockets, his shoulders tense. When he finally turned to face me, his golden eyes were shadowed, a mixture of frustration and something I couldn’t quite place.“Alison,” he said, his tone careful, almost too calm, “you’ve made accusations before remember?. What makes this different?”I took a d
Alison’s POVThe room was suffocatingly silent, broken only by the faint rustle of the curtains against the early morning breeze. My phone buzzed on the nightstand, the vibration jarring in the quiet. I ignored it at first, letting the sound fade into the background. But it buzzed again. And again.Sitting up, I grabbed it with a sigh, my heart still heavy from the events of the day before. Xander’s voice, filled with doubt, echoed in my head. “I don’t know who to believe anymore.” The betrayal in his eyes as he chose Caitlyn over me felt like a dagger twisting deeper with every memory.The screen lit up showing a series of text messages from a number I’d memorized by now. Kendrick.“You don’t belong there.”“You belong to me, come back and I will show you your family.”“The whole story about you being an orphan is a lie, my father told me where you came from before he died.”My stomach tightened. Kendrick had been reaching out sporadically, dangling pieces of this puzzle I didn’t eve
Alison’s POVThe clock on my nightstand ticked endlessly, each second dragging into an eternity. I tossed and turned, but sleep refused to come. My mind was a storm, and I was caught in its eye. Memories of Caitlyn’s smug words, Xander’s cold distance, and the hollow feeling that had settled in my chest churned relentlessly. The bed felt like quicksand, pulling me deeper into despair with every passing second.I threw the blanket off with a frustrated sigh, the cool air prickling my skin. If I stayed here a moment longer, I’d lose my mind. Throwing on a hoodie and leggings, I slipped out of my room, my bare feet making almost no sound against the cold marble floor.The castle was eerily silent at night, the dim lighting casting long shadows on the walls. My steps were aimless at first, but soon I found myself heading toward the rooftop. Something about the open air and the stars had always calmed me, back when this place felt like home.As I pushed the door open and stepped onto the r
Xander’s POVThe rhythmic tapping of my fingers on the mahogany desk was the only sound in the room. The office, bathed in the dim light of the overcast morning, felt stifling, suffocating almost. My mind, however, was far from quiet. It was a battlefield, torn between logic and emotion, between anger and something far more treacherous, doubt.Alison’s tear-streaked face haunted me, the crack in her voice as she pleaded for me to reject her echoing in my ears. But every time I thought of softening, the memory of that night came roaring back, like a slap to my face. Her tangled in the sheets with that... Damon the mailman. The image was seared into my mind, a brand that refused to fade no matter how hard I tried to erase it.The scent of her tears, the way her voice trembled as she accused me of giving up on her... it pulled at me, a gravitational force I couldn’t resist. But the betrayal lingered. Was it real? Or was I just a fool too blinded by my own pain to see the truth?A faint k
Alison’s POVThe cold night air clung to my skin, a chilling reminder that I was venturing into dangerous waters. The packs streets were dimly lit, the occasional flicker of streetlights casting long shadows against the cracked asphalt. I stood at the edge of the curb, clutching my small bag tightly, my fingers trembling slightly as I flagged down a cab.A yellow vehicle screeched to a halt in front of me, its driver leaning over to open the passenger door. “Where to?” he asked, his tone casual, unaware of the storm brewing inside me.“Forest Creek,” I replied, sliding into the seat and glancing nervously out the window. The driver nodded, and the car lurched forward.As we navigated the winding roads, my heart hammered in my chest. I replayed the decision over and over in my mind, leaving the pack, leaving Xander. It wasn’t about running away; it was about finding answers. Kendrick had promised me the truth about my heritage, something Xander could never give me. But was this worth t
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