My eyes felt like sandpaper as I begrudgingly blinked them open to see the daylight shining into the room. I carefully turned my head to see if Marco was still on the other side of the bed, but the place next to me was empty. I tiredly moved onto my back and looked up at the ceiling, taking comfort in the quietness of the room and the relief of waking up to have it all to myself. I dozed in and out of sleep when a light tap at the door stirred me from my peaceful slumber, to see a rotund middle aged lady walking in, carrying a tray with pancakes that immediately filled the air with its mouth-watering aroma. “Alpha Marco asked me to bring you your breakfast, miss Luna”. The rosy cheeked lady informed me as she shuffled over and placed it on the bed. “He thought the flowers might cheer you up”. She added as she motioned to the little glass vase on the tray, that had a few stems of Lavender and Daffodils. “Thank you”. I replied glumly through my raspy throat. She must have noticed h
As we began to tuck into our meal, I knew I wasn’t the only one that could feel the animosity radiating from Levi against everyone at the table, and especially toward Marco and myself. Levi kept cutting irritably into his meat as he continuously side eyed me with a disapproving and stern frown. “So, Luna Brooke!” He spoke, his tone full of hostility. “I’m surprised you even agreed to bond with a man that set out to kill your alpha and take over your pack”. He scoffed with indignation. “It doesn’t exactly paint you as a good-willed Luna. I can only imagine what your people must think, or at least what’s left of them. Did you leave any alive, Marco?” He slammed, his eyes bouncing back and forth between me and Marco. “Yes brother we still have Sun wolves on our land”. “Wow, how merciful of you”. Levi quipped with sarcasm. “And what about you, Luna. Would your parents have approved of the man you’ve chosen as your mate?” He scorned. “I do have my reasons for taking the roll as Luna
“Well, that didn’t go as well as I’d hoped”. Marco commented as he shut our bedroom door. “Well, from what I discovered, your brother didn’t really expect you to put your revenge plan into action. Apparently you took off while they were asleep. Is that because you knew he wouldn’t approve?” I questioned him as I walked into the bathroom to undress. “Of course I knew he’d try to stop me”. He called out through the partially closed bathroom door. “But it’s different for him, he had a lot more to lose if I didn’t succeed”. “You mean that delicate wife of his, who you and your brother made to feel utterly uncomfortable the moment they walked in”. “It’s not as if I wanted to bicker at the table!” he responded with an agitated tone. “But he just wouldn’t let it go!” “What do you expect?” I scoffed as I put on my pyjamas and walked back into the room, positioning myself on the edge of the bed. “He doesn’t agree with what you’ve done, and that’s that!” “Well he should! I am the alp
“This is not going how I thought it would”. Marco sighed as he got into bed next to me. We had spent three hours sitting by the lake as Levi and Brianna spoke quietly only amongst themselves, avoiding any conversation with us, and on the way back, we all walked in awkward silence… not that it surprised me. Brianna was clearly in denial, hoping that perhaps me and Marco were falling in love, or fond of each other, maybe to ease her conscience, whereas Levi could see straight through our bullshit pretences. Me and Marco were just too opposed to each other to really fool anyone with our fake smiles and defensive excuses. However after having to spend all day and evening pointlessly keeping up appearances on Marco’s demand, despite the fact that I had to share a bed with him, I was relieved to be back in our room, away from the constant daggering looks and questions. “Can I ask you something?” I pondered thoughtfully. “Ok..” “Well, I know why I don’t want to create hybrids, but why
We slowly mingled through the crowd as one moon wolf after another surrounded us, shaking Marco’s hand and bowing to him, rambling on about how much they love their new homes and the land they can live so freely on during the day. Marco interacted positively with them, assuring them that this will always be their new way of life and how he plans for it to only get better as I politely smiled and nodded along, pretending to show an interest. Whilst they were all so submersed in their discussions, my eyes waivered around the room to see how full it was of moon and sun pack wolves. Shoved together in such close proximity but they all still actively avoided each other. Here we all were, unnaturally forced to co-exist, the sun and the moon wolves having to learn how to survive and live in one territory, and I could see how uneasy my people looked, as the moon wolves dominated the room. In fact, they still dominated our entire lands, making us feel as though WE were the guests. I could see i
I stared out of the window for over an hour, peacefully tucked away in my own personal bedroom that I finally had the chance to use.We had said goodbye to Levi and Brianna this morning, and although they didn’t seem as stand-offish as they had done, I couldn’t help that rush of fear that would randomly wash over me like a cold shiver up my spine.I shook my head in resentment, not just toward Marco and his pack, but also to my father. He taught me so much about our land, our people, the role and duties a Luna needed to fulfil, but what he never really divulged on, was the details of our surrounding packs and our history with them.All I ever knew, was that we didn’t get along, we were almost enemies in a way…. We don’t interact with them, and they don’t interact with us, it was every pack for itself! But what I’d come to learn in just a few weeks, was that most of what I thought I knew, was a lie. The other packs did in fact want to get along and work together especially when it came
I could feel a part of myself wanting to give up, merely out of exhaustion and anger. Once again I had cried, which is all I seemed to be doing lately. I slumped my head in my hands as I sat on the guest room bed with my knees up against my chest. I had been trying to sleep all night, but the moment I could see the sun peeping through the drapes and the birds twittering their morning call, I sat up, knowing I may as well give up getting any rest. I kept scolding myself, my mind going over and over of how I’ve become what I am! I used to believe and even feel that I was strong enough, that I could tackle and handle anything…. I never once wanted to give up on myself, or criticized my inner strength, the core of who I was as a person, but the last few months had tested me… it had pulled me back and forth, jerked me around then spat me back out and every time I thought I was coping or handling whatever situation I’d been flung into, I’d be tossed another blow and little by little I had st
Marco led the way as we walked down to the ground floor of the palace. On the east wing was a large room with a small desk and several cushioned chairs. This room was where our chief palace guard would schedule the duties of the day with any guards that were on palace patrol. Every night and day, there would always be two of our guards placed in this room, because on the left, opposite the desk was a heavy metal door. Marco commanded one of his guards to escort us and twist open the steel lock. The door creaked open and as his guard picked up a lantern next to the door, he lit it and led us through. As soon as my feet hit the stone and narrow steps I was instantly hit with the smell of dung, mould and rusted metal. We continued down the steps, with just enough light to vaguely see your own two feet in front of you. We reached the underground of the palace, and along the brick walls were loose chains with cuffs hanging from hooks, and down the long cold corridor there was only one dim
Epilogue. Three years later:I felt as though I could hear the forest sing, as if it was feeling just as joyful and happy as I was. The sun shone along the green leaves as the wildflowers bloomed along the forest floor. Colours of blue, yellow and purple flower buds as far as the eye could see in the tall grass.I laughed again feeling like the luckiest person alive as I watched Roman playfully chasing our two year old son, Conan. They ran through the trees and Conan giggled and squealed every time Roman pretended to catch him. I’ve seen Roman smile or laugh a million times, but I never knew he could smile with his whole soul and being until he first held Conan.Every day we’re either with the earth wolves in their territory or with the sun wolves, and to Conan, both lands are his home. Both of our packs welcomed him with celebration and have adored him right from the start. They’re all so protective of him and I had noticed that my guards as well as Roman’s had become even more vigi
“Thank you for coming”. I smiled with a respectful bow as more shadow wolves walked into the ball room.Me and Roman stood at the entrance witnessing all four clans coming together for a celebration I had decided to arrange. The ball room and entrance hall was already filled with all the different pack members dressed in their gowns and suits as bubbling champagne and delicately decorated food was being passed around on silver trays. I didn’t let go of Roman’s hand as a giddiness kept weaving through my stomach and wanting to burst with excitement. What was even more breath-taking was that as soon as people walked inside, they began mingling with one another straight away. There was no wariness, no one looking uncomfortable or uneasy, it was just as sight to see, a sight I was unbelievably proud of.The idea to do this came to me a month after Henrick had spoken to each of the other three clans face to face and once we had returned to s
“I see he’s here again”. I sighed to Richard and Roman as we stepped out of the palace together.I’d been back for a week since mine and Roman’s getaway and every morning I came outside, I’d always see Henrick sitting under the trees just outside our border. All day every day he’d be there, just sitting and waiting. Any time I walked across my land, or in and out of the palace, at the corner of my eye, or in the back of my mind, I knew he was there. It didn’t concern or scare me, and I definitely didn’t see him as a threat, as far as I was concerned, being my father or not, if he stepped a foot against me, I’d kill him!“Yep! Still here”. Richard responded as he shook his head with exasperation. “Unfortunately, unless he’s on our land, we can’t do anything about it. The forest is free reign to anyone who lives there”. “I know, and I don’t think he’s planning on leaving any time soon”. I said in agreement.“Have you given any more thought about what you want to do?” Roman asked as he
We had spent the rest of the night and morning making love all over the cabin. Any time we attempted to make something to eat or drink, we’d always become distracted by one another again and I’d be against the wall with my legs around his waist, or on the bed or the floor. I knew that now I’d had a taste of what sex with a bonded mate felt like, I was now addicted to his smell, his touch and the ecstasy he gave me every time he was inside me.He smiled joyfully as he took my hand, and we headed outside and walked toward the river. We sat on the grass and dangled our legs in the water as I nestled into his side with his arm wrapped around me. The autumn sun peaked through the clouds glistening along the water as we looked out onto the horizon, savouring the peace and quiet we had alone together.He lowered himself into the water then turned to face me as he ran his hands up my thighs until they held my waist. With ease, as if I weighed no more than a feather, he lifted me from the gras
Nine days later: I bit my bottom lip to keep myself from bursting with the excited nerves that were rushing through my body. Emma smiled at me as she pinned a green and yellow flower she had made herself into my hair as my curls cascaded down my back.She had set up an awning with the help of other sun and earth she-wolves for me to get ready in for my ceremony. She’d even had a long mirror placed inside so I could see how I looked in my white lace dress with a heart shaped neckline and hugging my waist, all the way down to my feet. I looked at my reflection and I was instantly reminded of when I was last standing in another bridal dress with a different man waiting to become my mate. I let out a quiet exhale as I remembered how I had felt that day, how scared, alone and lost I was, feeling as though I had no control over my own fate. But now…. Here I was! It was only then that I really let myself think of how drastically things had changed and how everything led me to this moment. N
I walked out of the palace entrance and my lips widened into a joyful smile when I saw Roman running across our border, on his way to see me. I started walking toward him, excited for the day ahead. We had decided that together we’ll announce to both of our packs that we would be bonding ourselves together. But my gaze momentarily glanced just behind his shoulder and my smile vanished when I noticed my father standing by the treeline. He was watching me, and my people just a few yards away from our territory.“What’s wrong? I thought you’d be happy to see me”. Roman spoke as he reached me and took my hand in his.“Oh, I am”. I quickly replied, looking at him for only a second before turning my attention back onto my father.“Then what do you look so worried about?” “You see that man…” I said as I nodded toward the trees.I looked over his shoulder until his eyes fell onto who I was looking at, then looked back at me with a confused expression. “I see him. But he doesn’t look like a r
“Brooke, sweetheart, Richard said you wanted to speak with me urgently. Is everything ok?” Emma rambled as she rushed into my newly refurbished study.“Everything is fine, Aunty Emma, you don’t need to look so worried”. I smiled to ease the anxious frown on her face.“Oh, what a relief”. She smiled in return as she took a seat opposite my desk. “But what was so important you needed to talk about”. “Well, I have some news to tell you… it’s good news though”. I said as I bit my lip with excitement to tell her.“Well, you look happy about something, so please tell me. I’m intrigued”. “Ok, so as you know, me and Roman have been…. Well, getting closer and we have now decided we want to officially bond ourselves as mates”. I blurted out, bracing myself for her reaction.Her jaw instantly dropped, and her eyes widened. “Wow! This is huge, Brooke”. She stated as she flung her hands to her mouth in astonishment. “My niece has actually found her mate! I never thought I’d see the day consideri
“I know you’re out there, but do you have the guts to face me like a man?” My voice echoed around me as I stood still in the forest, subtly scanning along the trees. “Come out, come out wherever you are”. I chimed and within a flash his body was pressed against my back as he gently brushed my hair away from my shoulder and moved his mouth along the side of my neck. I instantly groaned as I tilted my head back against him, giving him more access to trail those lips exactly where I wanted them.“I’ve missed you”. Roman murmured between kisses as I bit my lip with pleasure, not just from his touch but from the joy of hearing those words.“It’s only been a day”. I grinned as I ran my hand down his thigh then around to his buttocks, giving it a light squeeze.“A day, an hour… I always miss you when you’re not around”. He said as his
One week later:“The soil is looking much better”. I commented to Mr Ansell, one of our dedicated field workers.All morning me and Richard had been assisting with replenishing the crop fields, hydrating them and nourishing them after the fire had burned most of it to the ground.I stood back and just watched everyone, letting myself savour what we fought for. I could see how cheery everyone was now, no longer working themselves to the bone, or until they could barely keep their eyes open. For the first time, in a long time, they were all smiling as they worked, laughing and talking to one another. I felt my heart warm with gratitude that we were all finally here together on our own land and in our own homes, but still, every time I felt a sense of happiness or joy, Lacey’s face would always flash into my mind with a disheartened feeling that she wasn’t here to enjoy it with us.“You look as though you’re a million miles away, Luna. Everything ok?” Richard asked as he came to stand ne