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 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
Alison's Point of view "What a day?" I exhaled as I stared at myself in the mirror, adjusting the rough bandage on my hand and brushing the dirt out from beneath my nails. It didn’t really matter, but I wanted it to. I wanted to look less worn down, less like a servant at least for tomorrow. Tomorrow, I would be turning eighteen, and the thought sent my heart spinning with a strange, stubborn hope. Would this birthday mean something more? Would I finally find my mate? The man who would help me out of this enslavementThe very idea of a mate… it was everything I’d clung to during my years here. When I closed my eyes at night, I pictured a strong man, someone who would see me, value me, maybe even love me. A laugh bubbled out of me, bitter and absurd. What if, just by some miracle, that mate turned out to be Alpha Kendrick? The thought was ridiculous. I had a crush on him no doubt, he was powerful, commanding, and he now belonged to someone else. I shook my head, reminding myself of P
Alison's Point of view A splash of icy water struck me like a whip, jolting me from my slumber. My heart hammered in my chest as I gasped for breath, blinking away the cold droplets that clung to my eyelashes. Panic quickly morphed into fury as I realized what had happened. Priya, standing over me with a satisfied smirk, holding an empty bucket in her hands.“Rise and shine, servant,” she said, a cruel edge to her voice. “Today’s my special day, and I won’t tolerate anyone slacking off. Breakfast. Now.”Every instinct screamed at me to lash out, to say something. But as much as the words clawed at my throat, I kept them down. Tomorrow, Priya would officially become Luna, and I knew what that meant for someone like me. So instead, I wiped the water off my face, forcing myself to look up at her with the calmest expression I could muster.“Yes, Priya,” I muttered, barely meeting her gaze. Her sly smile widened, pleased with my compliance.“Oh, and make it perfect, will you?” She gave a
Alison's POV The sound of my boots echoed sharply down the hall as I marched toward Alpha Kendrick’s office. Each step felt like a storm building inside me, rising and intensifying with every stride. My heart thundered, not from fear, but from the burning fury I’d kept buried for far too long. Today, everything would change. I’d make sure of it. I threw open the door to Kendrick’s office. There he sat, calm as ever, his dark eyes narrowing as I stormed in. Standing by his side was his ever-loyal beta, Silas, who shot me a curious glance before Kendrick dismissed him with a cold wave of his hand. “Leave us, Silas,” Kendrick ordered, his gaze locked on me. Silas bowed and slipped out, the door clicking shut with a finality that seemed to trap us in this confrontation. My wolf, Maya, stirred inside me, her presence brimming with strength and fire. She and I had both waited long enough for this. Kendrick rose from his desk, his expression unreadable. But before I could say a word
Xander's POV The ticking clock on the wall was relentless, each second winding down the last few hours before I’d have to step foot in the Silver Moon Pack territory, home to Alpha Kendrick and his soon-to-be Luna. I leaned back in my leather chair, loosening my tie slightly as my Beta, Luke, filled me in on our arrangements. He was pacing as he spoke, his voice steady and informative. "Silas has everything arranged for our stay," Luke reported. "We’re set for Alpha Kendrick’s engagement dinner and wedding. The Silver Moon Pack is, as always, pulling out all the stops.” I grunted in acknowledgment, more focused on an uneasy feeling that had been gnawing at me since morning. This whole engagement felt off to me. Kendrick and Priya... the union was more like a strategic front, a display of power and alliances, but there was something missing. And it served as another reminder that, at 25, I was still without a mate. Unlike Kendrick, I had no desire to force a bond that didn’t exist
Xander's POVI leaned back against the dark oak frame of the bed, my eyes fixed on the window as the late afternoon sun began to sink behind the Silver Moon Pack's towering gates. This pack house felt as cold and unwelcoming as any foreign territory, yet I hadn't come here for comfort. I was here to honor the alliance between all packs. But something else was making my pulse race, an unease that shook my usual calm.It was her. The girl I'd seen within the castle compound , her scent still lingering in my senses.From the moment I saw her... I'd felt a pull like nothing I'd known before. My wolf had been clawing at me, instincts screaming for me to find her, to mark her, to claim her as mine. But impulse had no place here, not when my wolf's howls nearly drowned out every sense of reasoning within me. She could already be with someone else, I reminded myself, trying to calm my wolf, Cain."She's ours," Cain growled, voice thick with longing. "You felt the bond, Xander. She's ours, an
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 POV The night felt too quiet, the kind of quiet that always made my instincts hum with unease. I sat at the kitchen counter, swirling the last dregs of red wine in my glass as the faint ticking of the wall clock filled the space. The air was heavy, like something was waiting just beyond my grasp, a tension I couldn’t shake. I tried to focus on the warmth of the wine spreading through me, grounding me, reminding me that I’d earned this moment of peace.Only a few months ago, I had felt like an intruder here, a trespasser in a life I wasn’t sure I belonged in. But things had changed. Not only have I warmed by way into the hearts of the people, Xander's mother Katherine had extended her approval, and I couldn't be any less happy. Most of the pack women, who once whispered behind my back, now came bearing genuine smiles and warm embraces. Yesterday, they’d visited me, leaving me with a basket of homemade treats and heartfelt words of welcome.For the first time, I allowed mysel
Alison's POVFor the first time in weeks, my phone felt like a harmless distraction instead of a looming portal to chaos as Kendrick's recent disturbing calls had been chaotic moments for me. I lay sprawled across the bed, scrolling aimlessly through my feed, laughing quietly at mundane memes and inspirational posts I knew I’d never apply to my life. A peaceful silence wrapped around me, thick and unbroken, a far cry from the usual tension that hung in the air. Breakfast had been peaceful, dinner the same. Even Katherine had seemed... dare I say it, amicable.I couldn't ignore how Katherine's usual air of disdain had softened. Last night, she’d actually complimented my dress. I still wasn’t sure if she meant it or if it was some elaborate game to lure me into a false sense of security. Knowing Katherine, it could go either way. But part of me, the part that desperately wanted to believe in hope, clung to the possibility that things were finally changing.I swiped to the next page on m
Alison's POVThey say the morning of a monumental day can set the tone for everything to follow, but the air this morning felt heavy, almost electric, like a storm brewing just beyond the horizon. The day of the Alpha Council meeting had arrived, and despite the flurry of activity in the castle, there was an unnerving stillness in my chest.I stood in front of the mirror, smoothing down the elegant, deep emerald dress I had chosen, a symbol of strength and grace. It fit snugly against my frame, the fabric shimmering faintly under the soft light. "Today is the day," I whispered to my reflection, inhaling deeply, willing my nerves to settle. All week, I had poured everything into this event, every detail painstakingly perfected to meet expectations, most especially Katherine's and now it was time to prove my worth as Luna-to-be. "No mistakes, Alison. Not today." With a final glance, I headed toward the kitchen, determined to make sure the preparations were flawless. But as I turned th
Alison's POVSometimes, the biggest battles aren't fought with swords but with silence, smiles, and the subtle art of proving your worth to those who doubt you.Two weeks. That’s how long it had taken for the walls around me to start crumbling, not the stone ones that encased the castle, but the ones built mistrust and resentment from the pack. For the first time since arriving here, I felt a glimmer of acceptance. I wasn’t foolish enough to think I had completely won them over, but I could see it in their eyes now, the cautious glances replaced with tentative smiles. Small victories, but victories nonetheless.This morning, the castle kitchen buzzed with energy as I worked alongside the staff, my hands deftly chopping vegetables while the aroma of sizzling sausages filled the air. The clatter of pans and the hum of conversation created a lively symphony. Today I had decided to take a break and make something nice for the house, I was in the thick of it, sleeves rolled up, when the h
Alison’s POVThe faint chill of the morning air brushed against my skin as I stood beside the bus, watching the castle staff hustle around me. Boxes of neatly packed food, wrapped in brown paper and tied with simple string, were being loaded into the vehicles. The faint clatter of footsteps, hushed voices, and the hum of engines filled the air as we worked to prepare for the trip.I clasped my hands together, trying to steady the nervous energy that buzzed through me. Today mattered. I needed this to go well, not for my pride but for my survival in this pack.“Excuse me, Miss Alison,” a timid voice called behind me.I turned to see a young maid standing there, her hands clasped nervously in front of her apron. She couldn’t have been more than Twelve, her wide brown eyes filled with both fear and duty.“Yes?” I said softly, kneeling slightly so I was closer to her eye level.“Lady Katherine requests your presence,” she said, her voice barely above a whisper.My stomach dropped. “Where
Alison’s POVThe garden had always been my solace from the day I arrived here, a place where the chaos of the pack house couldn’t quite reach me. The early morning air was crisp, carrying the faint scent of dew-kissed flowers and the earthy aroma of freshly turned soil. I sat on the stone bench, my fingers tracing patterns on my skirt, my mind a whirlwind of doubt and pain.Every harsh word spoken during the meeting echoed in my head like a cruel symphony. Katherine’s cold, unforgiving tone. The smugness in Caitlyn’s grin. The silent judgment of the elders.You’ll get one last chance.The weight of those words was crushing. What if I failed again? What if this time, I couldn’t claw my way back? My chest tightened, and I buried my face in my hands.A soft crunch of footsteps behind me jolted me out of my spiraling thoughts. My head shot up, heart racing.“Miss Alison.”I turned to see Luke, Xander’s Beta, standing a few feet away. The golden morning light illuminated his sharp features
Alison's POVThe air in the pack house felt heavy, suffocating, like a storm waiting to break. Whispers had reached my ears early that morning, whispers of a meeting called by the elders. The tension was palpable, coiling around my chest like a python.A sinking feeling took root in my stomach as I was summoned. It wasn’t a request, it was an order. My heart pounded with every step I took toward the council room, the walls closing in around me. I tried to steady my breathing, but my wolf whimpered softly in the back of my mind.As I approached the tall wooden doors, I paused, my palms clammy. Beyond those doors lay judgment not just of my actions but of my worth."You have to do this," I told myself. "They won’t break you." I pushed the doors open.The sight before me stopped me cold.The elders were seated at the long table, their expressions grim, like they were preparing to deliver a death sentence. Katherine sat near the center, her posture regal, her sharp eyes gleaming with cru
Alison's POVI woke up to the first rays of sunlight filtering through the curtains, but the light did nothing to chase away the heavy dread weighing on my chest. My heart thumped erratically, a wild rhythm of anxiety that refused to settle. Today was the day. The Ancestor’s Ceremony."Please, Moon Goddess, I prayed silently, staring up at the ceiling. Help me get through this. Help me prove myself" The quiet plea echoed in my mind as I forced myself to get out of bed. My feet hit the cold floor, and I wrapped my arms around myself, trying to calm the tremor in my fingers.The bath was lukewarm, but it did little to ease the knot in my stomach. I scrubbed every inch of my skin, as though washing away my doubt and fear. As I slipped into the dress I’d carefully chosen... a soft, flowing cream-colored gown with intricate embroidery symbolizing the ancestors, heard the door creak open.I stiffened. Only one person entered my room without knocking.“Xander,” I said softly, my voice barel