~Ivory~
“Luna Maya?” Professor Talisman’s voice cut through my thoughts, pulling me out of my daze. His tone held genuine concern. “Is everything alright?”Clearing my throat, I gave a shaky laugh, glancing at her once more. “Uh, yeah. Sure. Everything’s fine.”“Nice to meet you, Luna Maya,” Mrs Nora said, bowing slightly and extending her hand for a shake. Her smile…it was hauntingly familiar—almost like mine.I took her hand, my own trembling slightly, and exchanged pleasantries. “I hope you have a memorable experience here,” she added warmly before stepping aside.As Professor Talisman continued speaking about the upcoming assessment and the headquarter’s policies, my mind drifted far away. Mrs. Nora. Could it be that she is…..? No, it can’t be. My mother was declared dead. This couldn’t be her. But the resemblance was uncanny, it almost made my head hurt. I had to find out who this woman was, or whether she was somehow connected to my mother.The Kin~Alpha King Zeeb~With a contented smile, I turned to Maya, whose face was flushed crimson. Her eyes gleamed as she met my gaze. This was a new beginning for us, a significant turning point.Maya’s willingness to be intimate with me confirmed what I longed to know: she desired me as much as I desired her.Zerric howled with satisfaction, urging me to seize the moment and mark her fully. But then, a familiar vision flashed before my eyes, the same one that had haunted me in the past. The sense of déjà vu was overwhelming, the familiarity... Could it be Maya?Was she the same woman I’d seen in my visions, running, desperate for rescue? The same woman crying out in anguish?I looked at her. Her face had paled, her irises wide with a look of utter disorientation, as if she were lost in a trance. “Maya?” I called, but she didn’t respond, lost in her own subconscious world.“Maya!” I said, my voice louder this time, snapping her back to reality. I was
~Ivory~ I stirred, blinking against the encroaching light. I turned to find myself nestled in the King’s arms. He was already awake. Offering a sweet smile, he pulled me into a deep kiss. “You are angelic,” he murmured. “Even upon waking, you are beautiful.” I blushed at his compliment, sinking further into his chest and inhaling his sweet scent. I don't think I could ever get over how much my wolf and I wolf it. He pressed me closer. “I can’t function without you by my side, Maya,” he confessed. I was at a loss for words, unable to formulate a fitting reply. I hummed in response, knowing that if I looked at him, my eyes would betray my unspoken feelings. The truth was, I was equally attached to the King. I longed to know everything about him: his daily activities, his companions, his loves, his fears, his secrets, his burdens—everything. I wanted him to share it all with me. I knew this might seem hypocritical, especially as I was keeping secrets from him. I dreaded the day
~Ivory~A warm smile spread across her face as she drew me into a comforting embrace. It felt like being enveloped in a soft blanket, and I struggled to hold back the tears that threatened to spill.“Good job, Maya.”It was the first time a motherly figure had offered me such genuine praise. It was something I had longed for my entire life, and the fact that it came from the King’s mother meant the world to me.She pulled back slightly, pressing a tender kiss to my forehead before turning her gaze to Riley’s sleeping form. “I hear you’re quite close to Heather… how is she coping with her upcoming marriage?”I smiled politely. “She’s managing well, though I think she’s hiding some stress.”A slight frown creased her brow. “Then what’s causing her sour mood? Something’s amiss; she doesn’t seem like the lively Heather I know.” Her voice was laced with worry, revealing her deep affection for those she cared about.“Perhaps it’s just the pressure of the wedding,” I offered reassuringly, th
~Alpha Alaric’s POV~My fist clenched in a desperate attempt to contain the fury that was threatening to erupt. I was barely holding back from throttling Valerie. My wolf, still distant and withdrawn after Ivory’s execution, remained frustratingly indifferent to the escalating conflict between Valerie and me. His usual protective instincts and fierce loyalty were all absent, leaving me to deal with my rage alone. He said he couldn’t care less what happens. “What in the hell is wrong with you, Valerie? Have you completely lost your mind? How could you be so utterly irresponsible?” I barked, my voice laced with barely suppressed rage. She merely scoffed dismissively, fueling my anger even more, and then turned her back to me as if I were an annoying insect. It was shocking to see her manipulate things and act like I was the one who wronged her instead. “Don’t you dare insult me, Alaric. I did what needed to be done since you refused to lift a finger.” Her sharp tone was laced with b
~Alpha Zeeb~As soon as we arrived back at the packhouse, we were met with a ruckus. "What happened?" I frowned, demanding answers. The air was thick with tension; it was clear that something must’ve happened in our absence. I almost lost it when I found out that Riley was sick. A wave of dread passed through me, replacing my initial confusion. Why hadn't anyone informed me? The thought that neither Heather nor Jerome found it “important enough” for me to know enraged me. My daughter’s safety was my utmost priority, and I would drop everything I was doing for her. Maya put her hands on my shoulders, and instantly, my nerves calmed down, taming my wolf. I took some deep breaths, trying to regain control of my emotions. She asked the maiden what the situation was, and I couldn’t help but notice and applaud how calmly she handled it. Maya’s composure was admirable, especially in such a stressful situation. She had a knack for diffusing tension and maintaining order. That was one trait
~Ivory~ “But Zeeb….” “No buts, Heather. I can’t tolerate her disrespect anymore. She dared mingle with Logan,” he said, interrupting Heather, his voice laced with anger. Something deep within me whispered that I shouldn't be privy to this conversation, that I should discreetly withdraw. Yet, an invisible force held me captive, my feet rooted to the spot. Aurora and Logan? What web of secrets was I stumbling upon? “You heard her clearly; she said she was trying to get into Logan’s head. She’s indirectly helping you, Zeeb,” Heather tried to reason desperately. She clearly believed in Aurora’s intentions, but the King was unmoved. “That’s it, Heather. Not another word about Aurora. Helping me?” he scoffed, “Not when she’s having an affair with him,” he said with disgust, the words hanging heavy in the air. The revelation hit me hard, and I stared wide-eyed. Aurora involved with Logan? I instinctively turned to retreat, desperate to escape the uncomfortable exchange between
~Alpha King Zeeb~ For a moment, I was transfixed, wondering what was going on in the pack house. A knot of unease tightened in my stomach. I simply couldn't believe Heather had anything to do with Sia’s demise. The thought was absurd, a cruel twist of fate I refused to accept. I dismissed the ugly thought, I trusted Heather. If someone was playing an ugly mind game in my household, woe betides the person. My Alpha instinct screamed that someone within was toiling with my mind. But what baffled me most was how several events happened within the pack house walls without my knowledge. It was a disturbing breach of security. Since then, a string of dysfunctions has followed, like a curse upon my leadership. But this latest setup—I was utterly confused about it. Could it have anything to do with Logan? The thought sent a chill down my spine. What if he had planted it as a decoy, a carefully orchestrated distraction to divert our attention from other, more sinister things? It would
~Alpha King Zeeb~ "I better run off before I get late," Maya said, and I nodded, bidding her goodbye. I wondered why she would set off to college so early. I didn't want to pester her with a barrage of questions, she was Luna after all. "Take care of yourself, Maya." "I will." She offered a small smile, although her eyes looked confused. I watched her retreating figure disappear down the hallway, a nagging unease settling in my stomach. Who on earth was behind this setup? Was it still one of Logan’s elaborate schemes? I didn’t know for sure, but at this point, anything even remotely suspicious pointed squarely at him. I didn't trust him one bit. The man was a master manipulator, and I wouldn't put anything past him. Sensing a presence behind me, I turned sharply to see Aurora standing with her eyes cast down, her posture was hesitant. A wave of pure rage washed over me as I watched her nervously toy with the hem of her sleeve as if she didn't have a single clue in the world
~Ivory~"We've heard so much about you. We're so glad to finally meet the famous Maya in person." A regal couple, whom Dimitris introduced as the Alpha and Luna of moonpack, extended their hands for a handshake, which I gladly took, accepting their greetings."Thank you very much for your kind words," I replied, still feeling awkward to be put under the spot. The Luna then proceeded to gush about my beauty."Everyone spoke of your beauty, but seeing you in person surpasses all expectations. You are indeed a catch." I gave a nervous chuckle as she continued, remarking on my pale skin and we fell into an easy conversation, the tension I felt earlier long forgotten. There was something about them that I found comforting. Another couple approached. I recognized the man from the assessment as a board member. Though we exchanged pleasantries, I sensed a subtle hostility in the way their eyes burned, the scrutiny, and the way they exchanged knowing glances between themselves, but I couldn't
~Ivory~I leaned into Zeeb’s touch. For a moment, I almost lost myself in his arms, everything fading into a blur around us—and that was what scared me. I was scared of losing myself yet again. I wanted to open up, to tell him about Mrs Nora and the visions I got, but I didn't know how. I didn't know where to start. So instead, I bottled it all up. “Please leave before anyone sees you here.” Instead, I pushed him away, afraid of confronting whatever this was. No matter the bridges I created between us, Zeeb always found a way to fill in the gaps.He was reluctant at first. I knew he wanted to oppose me, to challenge me, to say he didn’t care about being seen. It was right there, at the tip of his tongue, but he sighed, his shoulders slumping briefly before he nodded and placed a lingering kiss on my forehead.I watched him walk away. My wolf snarled at the back of my mind, crossed with me for ruining the moment with her wolf, but I couldn’t afford to entertain her shenanigans. Instea
~Alpha King Zeeb~ “So…” I trailed off, clearing my throat to gain Father’s attention. His normally hard features softened slightly, and I knew this was the perfect moment to finalize the discussion. No matter how difficult he was trying to be, I reminded myself that I was doing this for Heather. “About the mating ceremony…” His shoulders tensed instantly, a clear sign that this was a sore topic for him. He shook his head in disapproval before I could even finish. “We’ve been over this,” he said in a low, firm voice. This time, he fully turned toward me, his gaze sharp. “As far as I am concerned, no lineage of mine will be tied to bad blood, soiling our perfect generation. Derrick and Heather happening is out of the question, and that is final.” I clenched my fists, swallowing the fury bubbling inside me. Once again, Father was doing the same thing—dictating our lives under the guise of protection. I knew he had our best interests at heart, but his love came at a cost. I could
~Alpha King Zeeb~“Look who we have here.” Father’s voice carried the same quiet authority it always did, though his eyes never left the checkers board in front of him. He cleared his throat, tapping a red piece absentmindedly. “If it isn’t the almighty King himself.” He added, mumbling under him breath. I playfully rolled my eyes and exhaled, pulling my hands from my pockets. “Good day to you too, Father,” I said in a monotone voice, settling into the seat across from him.A ghost of a smirk played on his lips before disappearing just as quickly. Without looking up, he nudged a piece forward. “Your turn.”I rolled my sleeves up to my elbows, already recognizing the challenge in his voice. He was being his usual self—dictating the pace before I even agreed to play.He’d already decided we were playing before I even sat down.“I don’t recall agreeing to a game.” I grazed a piece, considering my next move. “…You always take the center first.” I completed, moving the pieces. Father smi
~Ivory~ What in the world is going on? I swallowed down my saliva hard, confusion twisting in my gut as I watched Mrs. Nora unravel completely before my eyes. “Nooo!!” she screamed loudly this time, her voice hoarse from sheer anguish, she pulled and tugged at her hair with frantic desperation, one which was unsettling. Her wide, unblinking eyes shimmered with terror as she twitched. “Bunch of liars… they are all a bunch of liars!” Her sudden outburst sent a shiver through me. Her wild gaze darted around the room as if looking for an escape before snapping to mine. For a moment, I swore she was looking right into my soul, searching for something, as if I were a piece of a puzzle she had long been trying to fit together. Something in the way she looked at me—like she knew me, as if she was seeing something beyond my flesh and bone. It sent ice through my veins. It was something more than just recognition. Almost like…. desperation, as if she were trying to reach me, to pull me into
~Ivory~The cold air slapped me in the face, causing me to stir sluggishly. I lay half awake, body sprawled on the giant bed as my hands searched frantically for the soft, furred blanket.It was morning already, and my body felt held back by the remnants of sleep. I longed to crawl right back into my blanket, but I had to rise when I couldn’t get hold of it. I yawned lazily as I sat upright, trying to make sense of the environment I woke up in.As I scanned the room, my eyes landed on the spectacular antler chandelier. It was then that I realized I was still at the reserved home.Gradually, I recalled events of the night, and a growl escaped my throat. Zeeb left like a beaten cat after I pushed him away. Sad about that? I honestly wasn’t sure how I felt. I got down from the bed and stretched my arms, trying to shake off the lingering fatigue from sleep. That’s when I heard the thrashing from afar. It sounded like glass on hard metal. My heart raced. I rubbed my eyes vigorously as if
~Alpha King Zeeb~I watched her retreat, her scent lingering in my olfactory tracts. Maya… I couldn’t get her off my mind. She was becoming the calm to my storm, someone whose constant presence I never seemed to get tired of. She clicked the door closed, leaving me with the absurd silence in the bathroom. Her footsteps faded away, and soon, I sensed her hurried movement in the room. I let out a soft huff, walked over to the Italian tub meant solely for a relaxing soak, and slid into it gently. I pressed the automatic faucet, setting it to relaxation mode, and let the gentle trickle of water wash over me.My mind wandered back to why my mom had come to see Maya. I presumed it was because of the earlier scene in the dining room; she might be trying to clear the air or make Maya feel more welcome. I sighed. Mom would always be Mom. My gaze drifted to the faucet, fascinated by the mechanism of water flow. I watched as the water trickled down in creative whirls, the therapeutic ointment
~Ivory~Her question hung in the air, met by my silence. I had a lot of things going on in my mind, and her intentions were at the forefront.She turned her gaze to me, her eyes boring into mine without a blink. “I want to know how much you care about him,” she said, “because it's obvious he does care about you too. Alpha Zeeb would never choose a woman he has no interest in as a temporary Luna.” It was sort of frustrating that I couldn't read her mind. If she were like one of those betrayers from my past, then she had met her match. Trying my best to keep my emotions in check, I let out a small smile. “He’s the king… and everyone should care about the king. I care about him, of course, as the almighty King Zeeb. As the temporary Luna, I care.” I licked my lips with the tip of my tongue and shifted slightly on the bed, trying to appear nonchalant.“Gosh. Don’t sell me that crap,” she said, waving her hand dismissively as she walked back to the handcrafted sofa in the center of the r
~Ivory~My wolf paced frantically in my mind, threatening to break free and pull back Zeeb’s mom. But I knew I couldn't let it out. Muscles tensing, I struggled to keep it in check.I strained my ears, trying to hear what she had heard. My senses went on high alert as I picked up the sound of Zeeb’s movement instantly. This was definitely the same sound his mother had heard, although it sounded so faint and distant. But what the hell was he doing? He promised he would be still.“Did you hear that?” she whispered again, tilting her head slightly.A crawling sensation crept up my spine, making me swallow hard as my thoughts roamed for possible answers.As my gaze lingered on her, I noticed her brows raise sharply, her eyes sparkling with curiosity. My eyes drifted to her hands, and I could see her fingers twitching restlessly by her sides. I wondered whether this had to do with the scent of her son that she caught earlier. I thought, perhaps, she was guessing he was somewhere around. I