(Hilda)
I struggle and try to fight them off, but my muscles are still weak from a year of lying down. Each movement is a painful reminder of my vulnerability. The warrior’s grips tighten, and my attempts to break free are futile.
As the crowd recognizes me as the former Beta, their attitudes shift. Hatred and vengeance flare in their eyes. The whispers turn into shots, and more of them surround me, eager to settle old scores.
They are not just following orders, they really want to hurt me.
The hands that once fought me on the battlefield now claw and pull, dragging me away. Panic surges through me as I feel myself being overwhelmed.
Desperation claws at my heart, and my vision blurs with tears. I am on the brink of losing myself when I hear a familiar voice.
“Stop!” Soren’s command cuts through the chaos. He pushes through the crowd, his presence halting the onslaught. The warriors hesitate, releasing their hold on me.
For a brief moment, a spark of hope ignites in my heart. Maybe Soren hasn’t completely abandoned me. Maybe there is still a part of him that cares.
Cerelia stands beside him, her face a mask of shock and embarrassment. The crowd’s attention shifted from me to her, and I could see the uncertainty in her eyes. This isn’t how she had envisioned her coronation.
Cerelia looks at her brother with pleading eyes seeking help.
Damon is furious when he sees his sister is upset. His face contorts with anger as he pushes his way to the front.
“What is the meaning of this, Soren?” He demands. “We had a deal. You need to finish the ceremony now!”
Soren looks torn, his eyes flicking between me and Cerelia. The weight of his responsibilities and the pack’s expectations bears down on him. He sighs, his shoulders sagging under the burden.
Damon’s eyes narrow, and a malicious grin spreads across his face.
“And I have another demand. I want her to go with me.” He points directly at me, his voice laced with venom.
My heart sinks and I feel the ground shift beneath my feet. Soren’s hesitation is brief, but it is enough to shatter the last remnants of my hope.
“Sure,” Soren says quietly. The word hangs in the air, a death blow to my spirit.
He just gives me away to a man that hates me. As easy as that. It strikes me then just how little I matter to him now.
The crowd buzzes with murmurs.
Soren’s gaze is distant, as if he has already detached himself from me.
I look at Alec and he averts his eyes. “I’m sorry,” he says more to himself than to me.
Damon’s grin widens, and he steps forward, his hand gripping my arm possessively. “Looks like you’re coming with me, Hilda.”
I look at Soren, searching his eyes for any sign of regret or compassion. But all I see is the cold, unyielding face of an Alpha who has made his choice.
The man I once loved was gone, replaced by someone I no longer recognized.
As Damon pulls me away, the crowd parts, their faces a mixture of relief and pity. The ceremony resumes behind us, the joyous celebrations a stark contrast to the turmoil in my heart.
We reach the edge of the clearing, and Damon’s grip tightens. “You’re mine now,” he whispers, his breath hot against my ear. “And I’m going to make sure you never forget it.”
I bite back my tears, refusing to give him the satisfaction of seeing me break. “You’ll regret this,” I said through gritted teeth.
He laughs, a dark and cruel sound. “I doubt it.”
His words sting, but I refused to let them break me. I am still a warrior though wounded. And I will find a way to survive, no matter what.
Damon pushes me toward a small cabin on the outskirts of the pack’s territory. It is isolated, far from the main settlement. He shoves me inside, the door slamming shut behind us.
I ink to the floor, my body trembling with exhaustion and despair. The room is small and bare, a far cry from the home I had once known.
“You’ll stay here while I teach you some manners, little wolf,” his eyes gleaming with malice.
I glare at him, my fists clenched at my sides. “I'm not your pet.”
He steps closer, his face inches from mine. “Oh, but you are. And you’d do well to remember that.”
(Hilda)The cabin’s suffocating walls form a prison that makes me almost lose myself completely. So I am pleasantly surprised when two of Damon’s men grab me and throw me on the cold hard ground outside. I look up and there are a dozen or more of them all standing around me with bow and arrows in hands.Then the realization hits me. They want to hunt me for sport.I thought Damon’s cruelty had reached its limit, apparently not.“Go on, little wolf. I’ll give you a head start!” Damon says, smiling maliciously at me.I know it’s not a smart move to comply, but every fiber of my being screams for freedom.The night was my ally. The moon is high, casting a silver glow over the forest. I move quickly, my footsteps silent against the forest floor. Each step takes me further from the cabin, from Damon’s grip, and towards the unknown. But I know this journey won’t be easy. As I push through the underbrush, the sound of men shouting and the pounding of feet against the ground fill the air. Th
(Hilda)Without a word, my rescuer opens his arms, and I collapse into them. The moment his arms wrap around me, the dam inside me breaks. I sob into his chest, my body shaking with the force of my anguish. He holds me tightly, his hand gently stroking my hair, whispering soothing words that I can’t quite hear over the roar of my emotions. I tilt my head up, my eyes meeting his. There is a moment of hesitation, a flicker of uncertainty, and then I press my lips to his. The kiss is gentle at first, tentative, as if we are both testing the waters. But the need, the desperation, quickly overtakes us. I kiss him harder, my hands gripping his shirt, pulling him closer. He responds in kind, his lips moving against mine with an intensity that leaves me breathless. His hands roam my back, tracing the curve of my spine, igniting a fire within me. I moan into his mouth, the sound swallowed by his kiss. Every touch, every caress, felt like a promise, a reassurance that I am not alone, that I a
(Hilda)“You are my mate,” King Arlo repeated, standing in front of the door. “You will stay here with me.” “No,” I said, my voice firm despite the tremble in it. “I am my own woman, King Arlo. You’re just… a rebound.” “Did you just call the Alpha King your rebound?” My wolf laughed. “You are crazy.” King Arlo’s eyes darkened, a mix of frustration and desire flashing across his features. He took a step closer, his presence imposing, almost overwhelming. “You don’t get to decide that,” he said, his voice low and controlled. “The bond between us is real, Hilda. You can’t run from it.” I stood my ground, crossing my arms over my chest, trying to put as much distance as I could between us without actually moving. “You think you can just claim me because of some bond? I won’t be anyone’s consolation prize.” King Arlo’s gaze softened for a moment, and he reached out, cupping my chin gently. “You’re not a consolation prize, Hilda. You’re everything.” The sincerity in his voice caught
(Soren)The night was cold, but the chill I felt had nothing to do with the weather. As the newly-crowned Luna Cerelia lay sleeping beside me, I found no peace in her presence. The guilt gnawed at me, festering like an open wound. Hilda. The thought of her name was like a dagger to my heart, twisting deeper with every breath I took. I had made my decision. In a moment of desperation and confusion, I had convinced myself it was the right thing to do. Hilda had been in a coma for a year, and the mate bond had faded. When I met Cerelia, it felt like fate was giving me a second chance. But now, all I felt was regret. I couldn’t sleep. The image of Hilda’s eyes, filled with pain and betrayal, haunted me. I had promised her everything: love, loyalty, and the title of Luna. And I had taken it all away in the blink of an eye. Rising from the bed, I dressed quietly and slipped out into the night. The pack house was still and silent. I moved with purpose, heading towards the healer’s quarte
(Hilda)He had leaned, pressed a brief, tender kiss to my lips before he left for the door. Once he was gone, I let out a breath I hadn’t realized I’d been holding. The room felt strangely empty without him, and I tried to shake off the feeling of unease that settled over me. I needed to clear my head, to think about what had just happened between us. Hours passed, and King Arlo’s servants came and went, bringing food and tending to the fire. They were efficient and polite, but there was an undercurrent of tension in their interactions with me. I couldn’t help but notice the way they avoided eye contact, the way their hands trembled slightly as they set things down. Curiosity got the better of me, and I finally asked one of the servants, a middle-aged woman with a kind face, what was going on. “Why do you all seem so… nervous?” I asked, trying to keep my tone light. The woman glazed around as if checking for eavesdroppers, then leaned in closer. “It’s King Arlo,” she whispered, h
(Hilda)King Arlo spun me around, his eyes blazing with a mixture of anger and betrayal. “Did you really think you could escape me, Hilda?” I bit back a sob, trying to summon the strength to defy him. “Let me go, Arlo. I don’t belong to you.” His grip tightened, and he shook his head slowly. “You belong with me. We are bonded, Hilda. You can’t deny what’s between us.” “Bonded?” I spat. “Or trapped?” His eyes narrowed, and a dangerous edge crept into his voice. “Why are you running, Hilda? Who are you running to?” “Nobody,” I insisted, my voice trembling. “I just want to be free.” A flicker of doubt crossed his features, but it was quickly replaced by suspicion. “You think I’m a fool? You think I don’t know about Soren?” “Soren?” I echoed, genuinely confused. “What does he have to do with this?” Arlo’s grip on me tightened, his jealousy evident. “You’re running back to him aren’t you? You think you can escape me and go back to your precious Soren?” I shook my head vehemently.
(Hilda)I stood at the edge of the training grounds, watching the warriors go through their drills. It was a sight that should have brought me comfort, something familiar in this sea of uncertainty. Instead, it only reminded me of what I had lost, and what I was now striving to regain - my sense of purpose, my place in the world. But I have to get my strength and confidence back, and this is the only way I know how.Arlo’s pack was different from Soren’s. The warriors moved with a fluidity that spoke of years of disciplined training, yet there was an underlying tension in the air, a sense of something dark and unspoken. I needed to be wary, to keep my head down and focus on what I could control. I approached Arlo earlier that morning, my mind made up. “I want to stay,” I had said, meeting his piercing gaze head-on. “But I want to stay as a warrior, not as your mate. I need to find my own way.” His eyes had narrowed, the lines of his face hardening. “You think you can just decide th
(Hilda) The morning sun cast long shadows over the training grounds as I arrived, the air cool and crisp with the promise of a new day. I had barely set foot on the dirt path when I saw Arlo already there, his powerful frame cutting an imposing figure as he spoke with his Beta, Percy. Seeing him, I felt a mixture of emotions, a strange blend of gratitude and frustration. He had been nothing but kind to me, but his constant presence was both a comfort and a reminder of my unresolved feelings. Today, however, I was determined to focus on my training and nothing else. "Good morning, Hilda," Arlo greeted, his voice carrying across the grounds. His tone was warm, his eyes bright with a playful spark. "Morning," I replied, trying to keep my tone neutral. I couldn't afford to let my guard down, not when so much was still uncertain. Arlo joined the practice today, something he rarely did. His presence was usually reserved for overseeing training or handling pack matters, but today he was
(Hilda)We heard the screams first. And we felt it when the ground shook. It started as a rumble, but quickly grew. Soren’s head snapped up, his body tense. Without a word, we both rushed to the door, throwing it open and jumping outside. The ground beneath our feet shook so much we had to grab onto the side of the cabin for support. The scene outside was chaos. Pack members from Soren’s pack and Arlo’s were running to the clearing. Their faces were full of fear, and it made a chill run down my spine. “What the hell is going on?” I asked. “Nothing good.” “Soren!” A voice called out, and I turned to see one of the scouts sprinting towards us, his face pale. “It’s Cerelia and Arlo! They’re in the clearing, you need to come quick!” I made eye contact with Soren and we shared the same panicked, confused expression. Cerelia and Arlo… together? What could possibly have brought them to the clearing together, after everything? Soren didn’t hesitate. He grabbed my hand and pulled me int
(Cerelia)I had felt him coming, in the forest. I knew there was nothing I could do to stop him. I thought he was there for Hilda. But then he came for me. Soren’s words echoed in my mind as Arlo carried me. “Lilith is controlling Arlo. She’s dangerous, more dangerous than any of us realized. You have to be careful, Cerelia.” I had listened to him then. Carefully. I took in every word, every warning. I had prepared for it, too. Soren’s plan was to hide, to get Hilda and run. But I knew I needed to protect myself. And now, as Arlo carried me through the forest, his grip tight and unyielding, I knew it was time to act. The clearing appeared before us, bathed in an unnatural, cold light. Lilith appeared out of the forest and the shadows, and the sight of her made me nauseous. Her eyes were sharp, glinting like a predator as she locked onto mine. I felt her power ripple through the air, dark and frightening. But I was ready. Arlo’s hold on me tightened as if sensing my intentions. “C
(Hilda)Morning came, and with it, the memory of the previous night. What we had done was horrible, undeniable, and fierce. It was betrayal. And it was all I could think about. I couldn’t meet his eyes as I pulled on my clothes, each movement filled with regret. I couldn’t get Cerelia’s hurting face out of my head. Soren had betrayed her. And I had betrayed Arlo. “You can’t just walk out,” Soren said, his voice raw from the night’s yelling. I paused but didn’t turn around. “You’re one to talk,” I said with a sarcastic laugh. “You’ve done the same.” Soren was silent, and that spoke louder than words. I packed my things as quickly as I could, then moved towards the door.“Hilda,” Soren stopped me. His tone was softer, but still laced with that stubborn edge. “What we did… what we’ve done… it’s wrong. But it doesn’t change the danger we’re in.” I turned to face him, and I let my emotions take control. I let myself be angry. Although most of my anger was toward myself. I had b
(Arlo)I moved silently through the shadows. Every step felt heavy, burdened by the weight of the deal I’d made. It wasn’t as if I’d had a choice, but it felt wrong nonetheless. Cerelia’s trail was easy to follow. Her scent lingered in the air, mixed with the salt of fresh tears. She was upset, and she was alone. That made her vulnerable. I watched her storm away from the cabin. I heard her cry about Soren’s betrayal. It broke me, too. Soren’s betrayal was Hilda’s betrayal. But I didn’t blame her. Not entirely. She was his captive. She would do what she had to in order to stay alive. It was my job to keep her safe. I would keep her safe. I had made a deal, and now I had to follow through. The clearing ahead was bathed in light, and I saw her, standing by the edge of the trees. Her back was to me and she didn’t hear me approach, lost in her own thoughts and grief. I felt guilty. This wasn’t the first time I’d given someone over to my mother, and I doubted it would be the las
(Cerelia)The forest was alive with the sounds of the night, but all I could hear was the pounding of my own heart. I moved swiftly, tracking Soren’s scent. It was faint but unmistakable, leading me deeper into the woods. My mind raced with thoughts of what I might find—of what I feared. The moonlight filtered through the trees, casting long shadows across the ground. The air was thick with tension, and I couldn’t shake the sense of dread that hung over me like a dark cloud. I had to find Soren, had to confront him about what I knew—what I felt deep in my bones. Finally, I saw it: a small cabin nestled in the clearing, light seeping through the cracks of the wooden structure. My breath caught in my throat as I approached, every step weighted with the knowledge that nothing would be the same after this. I reached the door and hesitated, hand hovering over the worn wood. I could hear muffled voices inside—Soren’s low, rumbling tone and a softer, feminine voice I recognized too wel
(Arlo)The forest blurred around me as I raced through it, my heart pounding with anger and fear. Hilda had been taken by Soren, and I was frantic. Losing her was unimaginable. I had to get her back. Every breath was a struggle as I pushed myself through the underbrush. Hilda’s face, filled with pain and confusion, haunted me. I needed to find her, to prove I was the one who truly cared, that Soren was the real threat. I needed to save her. The scent trail was faint but unmistakable. I pushed harder, my muscles screaming in protest as I forced myself to move faster. The trees whipped past me, their branches clawing at my skin, but I didn’t care. All that mattered was finding Hilda before it was too late. Then, a voice cut through the chaos in my mind—it was my mother’s voice, cold and commanding. “Arlo, stop,” she ordered. I skidded to a halt, the shock of her voice hitting me like a slap. My mother’s presence in my mind was as imposing as ever. Her words felt like icy fingers
(Hilda)My lips still tingled from Soren's kiss, a mix of anger and desire swirling inside me. The small cabin felt like it was closing in, making everything even more intense. "I can't stay here," I said, my voice shaking. "You can't decide what's best for me." Soren's eyes were filled with determination and something else I couldn't name. "I won't let you get hurt," he said firmly. "Not by Arlo, not by anyone." "You don't get it," I snapped. "This isn't about Arlo. It's about you controlling me, thinking you know what's best." His jaw clenched. "Hilda, you don't understand the danger. Arlo is hiding something that could destroy us all." "Then let me decide!" I shouted. "I'm not a pawn in your game, Soren. I can take care of myself." He stepped closer, his presence overwhelming. "I won't lose you," he said in a low growl. "Not like this." His intensity made my heart pound with fear and something else—something I didn't want to admit. "You have to let me go," I whispered
(Soren)Dragging Hilda through the forest, I couldn't shake the image of her standing between me and Arlo, the look of betrayal on her face cutting deeper than any wound. My grip on her wrist was firm, my pace unyielding. The forest was thick with tension, every rustle of leaves a remainder of the chaos we had just left behind. I knew I had crossed a line by taking her, but there was no turning back now. She had to understand the danger she was in, even if it meant risking everything.The hidden cabin came into view, a small, unassuming structure nestled deep in the woods. I pushed the door open and pulled Hilda inside, releasing her wrist as she stumbled away from me. The cabin was quiet, a stark contrast to the storm raging inside me. It was a place of secrets and shadows, much like the feelings I had buried deep for far too long."What are you doing, Soren?" Hilda's voice was sharp, cutting through the silence. Her eyes flashed with anger, and something else. Betrayal, maybe. It t
(Hilda)The morning sun gently woke me from a dreamless sleep. As my eyes fluttered open, they settled on Arlo standing beside the bed. His smile was soft, his eyes radiating a possessive love so deep it seemed to reach into my very soul. “Good morning, love,” he whispered, his voice a soothing melody that made my heart flutter. I returned his smile, a warmth spreading through my chest that had nothing to do with the sunlight. “Good morning, Arlo,” I replied, sitting up slowly. Arlo extended his hand to me. “Come with me,” he said, his voice a soft invitation. We walked together out past the pack to the riverbank. He was quiet as we walked, but his hand gripped mine tightly. When we reached the river he stopped, his face etched with a pain I had never seen before. “Hilda,” Arlo began, his voice low. “There’s something I need to tell you. Something I should have told you a long time ago.” “Arlo…” I said, looking up into his eyes. “What is it?” But the sound of rustling leav