~Alpha King Zeeb~ I stormed back into the house, my frustration boiling over. The weight of restlessness settled on my chest as I collapsed onto the couch, gripping my hands together tightly. Each passing second felt like an eternity. I was waiting—waiting for Aurora to come in. I had to confront her. What was she thinking, entertaining Logan? Didn’t she understand the threat he posed to this pack? Suddenly, I felt a presence and turned to see Heather standing there, her eyes red and droopy, clearly still half-asleep. She rubbed her eyes, slowly walking toward me. “What’s wrong, Zeeb?” she asked, glancing wearily around the room, confusion clouding her expression. “Why aren’t you in bed? Can’t sleep?” She studied my face, then her eyes widened with concern. “What the—Are you okay? What happened to your hands?” She moved closer, her gaze fixed on the injury. “Are you in danger?
~Alpha King Zeeb~I clenched my fists, barely restraining myself from saying something I might regret. Heather’s sharp voice cut through the tension as soon as Logan walked out of the room.“What the hell was that, Aurora?” she demanded.Aurora stood there, an unapologetic smirk plastered on her face. My blood boiled, and I could no longer stand her.Aurora,” I boomed, my voice echoing off the walls. “Pack your bags this minute, you are leaving tomorrow morning. Do you understand the gravity of your actions? You dare drag the King’s name through the dirt and then stand there, giggling like a fool?”I could feel Zeric trying to surface, to gain control and put Aurora in her place. My claws extended involuntarily, and my head twitched as I struggled to keep him at bay. The harder I tried to suppress him, the more feral he became.“Zeric, please, not now,” Heather began, trying to comfort Zeric, but he wasn’t having any of it. He growled, agitated, my eyes flick
~Alpha King Zeeb~ I approached Maya slowly, seating myself right in front of her. Zeric purred uncontrollably with excitement as soon as I touched her hand. Her scent wafted through the air, nearly knocking me off my feet. The earlier tension I had been holding on to seemed to evaporate. “I offended you last night, didn’t I?” I asked softly, bracing myself for her reaction. I expected her to pull her hands away, but to my surprise, she didn’t. She merely avoided my gaze. Her silence was louder than any words, and I realized she wasn’t angry at me—she was disappointed. Her disappointment cut deeper than I anticipated. Anger, I could handle. If she had cursed at me or yelled, it wouldn’t have hurt as much as the way she looked at me now. I reached for her cheek, brushing my fingers gently against her skin. She leaned into my touch slightly, and I forced her eyes to meet mine. For a moment, I just wanted her to look at me—truly look at me.
~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 King Zeeb~“I’ll head in first,” Maya said, walking out of the balcony even before I could respond.As the balcony door closed behind her, I released a frustrated grunt and ran a hand through my hair, tussling the strands.She was pulling away, but not because of the kiss. No, the withdrawal that was evident on her face and in her scent wasn’t something that had just popped up. It had been there, brewing since the night we came to Father’s territory.What was going on?My wolf whined at the realization that I knew little about what was bothering our mate, and that, in turn, bothered me.I didn’t like Maya’s withdrawn demeanor, but could I really blame her? I wasn’t exactly sure what had been making her uncomfortable. So much had happened, and was still happening, and her attitude was… understandable.I had felt the frustration and stress radiating off her, but at the same time, the confusion in her scent and the way she tried so hard to put on a mask told me there was more.And
~Ivory~ I pulled away, shoving Zeeb in the chest to create some distance between us, my eyes wide as I turned toward the door. But… no one was there. We were alone, with the door slammed shut behind us as it had been when Zeeb first walked in. But that couldn’t be possible. I frowned, recalling vividly that Zeeb had indeed shut the door behind him when he entered. So, the only way the door could have opened was if someone else had come in. Which meant… An icy chill snaked down my spine as the possibility hit me that someone might’ve seen us kissing. I turned my gaze sharply to Zeeb. “Someone was here.” Zeeb frowned but didn’t respond immediately, as though he was trying to figure something out, most likely trying to detect who had been spying by the lingering scent in the air. But even for him, it seemed like a daunting task to tell, especially with so many guests at the party, scents flying around. But I wouldn’t deny the fact that he also had abilities far surpassin
~Ivory~My eyes flew open at the unexpected reveal.“R-Rendering them human?” I repeated, genuine surprise lacing my voice.Being a special Luna from the Legend was one thing, but possessing a power so unimaginable… that was something else entirely.My brows furrowed as I tried to digest the information I had just been given. I could feel their eyes—Zeeb’s, Vinita’s, even Dimitris’s—all fixed on me, watching closely, silently waiting.But for what?A reaction? A decision? A sign that I understood what this meant?Dimitris was the first to speak, breaking the silence that had stretched on longer than I would have liked.“This power… it changes everything,” he said quietly, his voice laced with both awe and caution. His eyes remained locked on mine. “You need to understand what you are now and what that means for all of us.”“What it means for all of us?” I asked. A second passed, and when no one answered, the silence became its own kind of response. Then, like a thread snapping loose i
~Ivory~ Confusion washed over me as I looked between Vinita and Zeeb, trying to understand what had prompted Vinita’s reaction and Zeeb’s words. The growing whispers in the room weren’t helping either. “Something special?” I asked, narrowing my eyes slightly. “What exactly are you talking about?” Zeeb’s smile remained, but from his eyes, I could tell even he was trying to wrap his head around the words he had just spoken. Nonetheless, he nodded and took a step forward, reaching out to touch me. It wasn’t intentional—more like an instinctive reaction to being thrown into the spotlight so suddenly. With all the watchful eyes on us, I instinctively took a step back, avoiding his touch. Zeeb’s face fell ever so slightly. It wasn’t a pleasant sight, and I felt the urge to apologize—to let him know I wasn’t avoiding his touch because I hated it but because I had been caught off guard, overwhelmed by all the eyes and whispers surrounding us. But there were more pressing matters
~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