(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
(Soren)The camp was a flurry of activity as I made my way back, my mind still reeling from the encounter with King Arlo and Hilda. My heart ached with the knowledge that Hilda was caught in the middle of a power struggle, and I couldn't help but feel a pang of guilt for being dragged into it. As I approached the edge of the camp, I saw Cerelia waiting for me, her eyes narrowed with suspicion. "Where have you been?" she demanded, crossing her arms over her chest. "King Arlo summoned me," I replied, trying to keep my voice calm as I explained my absence. "He wanted to talk about Hilda." Cerelia's eyes flashed with anger. "Hilda again? What does she have to do with us?" "Nothing," I said firmly. " King Arlo's just paranoid. He thought I was trying to take her back." Cerelia's expression softened slightly, but her eyes still held a hint of doubt. "And are you?" "No," I said, shaking my head. "Hilda and I are over. I'm with you now, Cerelia." She studied me for a moment before nodd
(Hilda)The days following that night by the fire were filled with a newfound sense of purpose. I immersed myself in training and the pack's daily activities, striving to carve out my place among them. Arlo was often nearby, his presence a steadying force, but it was Percy who seemed to occupy my thoughts more and more. His quiet strength and understanding gaze became my anchor, a comforting presence that eased the turmoil inside me. It wasn't long before others noticed the growing closeness between Percy and me. Whispers followed us as we moved through the camp, and I couldn't ignore the glances exchanged by the warriors. The tension was palpable, an undercurrent that grew stronger with each passing day. One afternoon, as the sun dipped toward the horizon, casting a golden glow over the camp, Arlo approached me during a break in training. His expression was guarded, his eyes darker than usual. "Hilda, can we talk?" he asked, his voice strained. "Of course," I replied, sensing the
(Hilda) Percy stepped back, his hands raised in a placating gesture. "Arlo, it's not what it looks like. We were just talking." "Talking?" Arlo spat, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "It didn't look like just talking to me." I stepped between them, my heart racing. "Arlo, please. Don't do this." Arlo's gaze shifted to me, his expression a mix of hurt and fury. "Hilda, I won't stand by and watch you grow closer to him. You belong to me." His words sent a shockwave through me, a stark reminder of the possessive nature that lay beneath his calm exterior. I reached out, my voice pleading. "Arlo, I chose you. But you have to trust me."I had to get him to believe me.He stared at me for a long moment, then turned and walked away, his shoulders tense with suppressed emotion. I watched him go, a heavy weight settling in my chest. Percy placed a hand on my shoulder, his touch gentle. "Are you okay?" I nodded, though I felt anything but. "I will be. This is just... a lot to handle." "W