Lucian’s POVAfter addressing the crowd, I watched as they slowly filed out of the hall. Even though I could sense the doubt still lingering in the air, I was relieved that no one openly challenged me.It would take time for them to accept what I’d said about Gwen, and I knew I couldn’t force them to believe right away. But at least they were willing to consider it, and that was something.Once the last person left, I let out a breath I didn’t even realize I’d been holding. Gwen, standing beside me, looked exhausted.She hadn’t said a word the entire time, but I could feel the tension rolling off her. When she finally spoke, her voice was soft."Lucian," she said, looking up at me with tired eyes, "I think I need to rest. This has been... a lot."I nodded, understanding completely. "Of course," I said. "You’ve been through enough for one day,”She gave me a faint smile and turned to leave with one of the servants. As she walked away, I couldn’t help but feel a mixture of emotions.Rel
Lucian’s POVI watched as Ethan left, the door clicking softly behind him. The anger I felt still simmered beneath the surface, gnawing at me.I needed to do something, to calm down before completely losing it. My wolf was still pacing inside me, restless. I decided to check on Gwen. Seeing her could help settle things.Making my way to the living room, I could hear voices, Gwen’s, sharp and frustrated, followed by the soft, trembling replies of one of the maids. As I got closer, her voice became clearer."Taste the food! I’m not eating it until you taste it first!" Gwen demanded, her voice a mix of anger and fear. I stopped just outside the doorway, watching the scene unfold.The maid, looking pale and confused, shook her head. "Your Majesty, it’s improper. We can’t eat before you. It’s against our rules."Gwen looked furious, her fists clenched by her sides. "I don’t care about your rules! For all I know, this food could be poisoned!" Her voice cracked slightly, betraying the real f
Lucian’s POV“You’ll stay here,” I said firmly. “Until you’re ready to face everything. I’ll give you all the time you need. But when you’re ready... you’ll fight. And I’ll be right there beside you.”Gwen’s eyes widened at my words, and for a moment, she looked like she didn’t believe me. “You’d do that? Even after everything?”I nodded. “You deserve a second chance, Gwen. The Moon Goddess gave it to you for a reason. I’m just here to help you take it.”Tears welled up in her eyes, and she quickly looked away, wiping at them with the back of her hand. “I don’t know what to say. I... Thank you, Lucian. I didn’t expect this.”I shrugged, trying to downplay the knot of emotions tightening in my chest. “You don’t have to say anything. Just rest. Heal. The rest will come later.”She gave me another small smile, this one a little more genuine. “I’ll try. And... I’m sorry again. For everything.”I shook my head. “Don’t be. We’re both just trying to figure this out,”She nodded, her expressi
Gwen’s POVSleep refused to come as I lay in bed, staring up at the ceiling. My mind was racing, bouncing between thoughts of Lucian, Damien, and... well, everything. I sighed, turning over, but it didn’t help. The more I tried to calm my thoughts, the louder they seemed to get.Eventually, I gave up. Throwing the covers off, I padded over to the mirror in the corner of the room, the soft light from the moon casting a faint glow. I sat before it, tucking my legs underneath me as I stared at my reflection.Arlene’s face stared back at me.I ran my fingers lightly over my cheek, tracing the lines of my face, her face. It was strange, looking at this reflection and knowing it wasn’t mine. But at the same time, I couldn’t help but appreciate it. Arlene had been beautiful, that much was clear."Look at you," I whispered to myself, tilting my head. "You're gorgeous."But there was a pang of jealousy that I couldn’t shake. In my old life, I wasn’t this beautiful. I was... beautiful but not l
Lucian’s POVI pushed back from my desk, feeling the weight of the memories starting to creep in again. It wasn’t doing me any good sitting in this stuffy office, surrounded by stacks of papers that I had no interest in. I needed air. I needed space.Without thinking, I found myself heading toward the garden. The cool night breeze greeted me as I stepped outside, the scent of roses and lavender calming my nerves a bit. The stars were out, twinkling softly in the night sky.I walked deeper into the garden, my feet carrying me to the bench beneath the large oak tree. This was where I used to sit with Arlene. It was our spot. The place where we’d come to talk, to laugh, or sometimes just sit in comfortable silence. I sat down, leaning back and staring up at the stars. They reminded me of her. They always did. Arlene had loved the stars, loved how they seemed so far away yet so close, how they shined even in the darkest nights. I remember her saying once that she felt connected to them a
Gwen’s POVI tossed and turned in bed after talking to my wolf, finally managing to drift off into a restless sleep. When I woke up early the next morning, my mind was clear. I knew what I had to do.As I made my way through the quiet halls of the castle, I spotted Lucian walking toward me, his expression as unreadable as ever. For a moment, I hesitated. But no, I had to do this. There was no turning back now.“Lucian,” I called out, stepping into his path.He stopped, raising an eyebrow as he looked at me. “Gwen. You’re up early. Everything okay?”I nodded, though I could feel the weight of what I was about to say pressing down on me. “I need to talk to you. Can we… go somewhere private?”His brow furrowed slightly, but he didn’t hesitate. “Sure. Let’s go to the field. No one will bother us there.”We walked in silence, the tension between us thick. As soon as we reached the open field, I turned to face him, taking a deep breath.“I’ve come up with an answer to your question,” I said
Gwen’s POVAs I walked back toward my room, Lucian’s words echoed in my head. “You can use me to your advantage.” The way he’d said it, with such certainty, like he had no hesitation about helping me take down Damien and Elara, left me shocked. It wasn’t that I expected him to refuse, but I thought he’d at least take some time to consider the offer, or maybe question my intentions. Instead, he agreed right away, without a second thought.It didn’t add up.I paused in the middle of the hallway, leaning against the cool stone wall as I tried to make sense of his sudden change of heart. Why would Lucian, a man who had been so closed off and distant when we first met, be so willing to help me now? Especially when it involved something as personal and dangerous as revenge?Did he care about me?The thought crept in before I could stop it, and I felt my face flush at the possibility. Maybe, just maybe, there was more to his offer than just helping out a fellow warrior. Maybe he liked me. Ma
Lucian’s POVI stood in the center of the training ground, my arms crossed as I watched the horizon. The early morning chill hadn't quite disappeared, and the dew on the grass shimmered under the soft light. It had been a while since I trained someone, especially someone like Arlene. The sound of quick footsteps pulled me out of my thoughts, and I turned to see Gwen jogging toward me. She was dressed in training gear, looking determined, though there was a hint of something else in her eyes, nervousness, maybe?“You’re late,” I said with a teasing smile, raising an eyebrow.She huffed, catching her breath. “Barely. Don’t act like you’ve been waiting forever.”I chuckled. “Fair enough. Let’s get started.”We moved to the center of the field, and I could see the shift in her posture immediately, ready, focused, like a true warrior. I expected nothing less from someone who had once been an Alpha, even if she wasn’t in her original body. Gwen’s wolf was still very much alive within her.
GWENThe air was electric with tension as Damien’s forces marched closer, their ominous war cries sending a chill down my spine. We stood ready, our pack gathered in disciplined lines, every warrior brimming with both determination and fear. Lucian and I were at the forefront, side by side. His presence was steadying, his calm leadership an anchor for everyone—including me.The bond between us was a glowing thread that bound not only our souls but the entire pack, radiating strength and unity. I could feel it, thrumming beneath my skin, a powerful force that fueled my resolve. For my family, my pack, and my mate, I would not fail.Lucian glanced at me, his stormy gray eyes holding a moment of quiet intensity. "This is it," he said, his voice low yet commanding. "Stay close, Gwen."I nodded, gripping the hilt of my sword tightly. "Always."The enemy charged first, a tide of snarling rogues and dark magic-enhanced soldiers sweeping across the field. Lucian roared, his voice carrying abo
GWENThe days leading up to the battle passed in a haze of preparation, tension, and determination. I threw myself into training, trying desperately to harness the powers I knew were buried deep within me. Arlene’s memories, once an echo in the corners of my mind, now roared like a river threatening to overflow. They showed me glimpses of her strength, her sacrifices, and her unyielding love for her pack. I wanted—no, needed—to channel that same energy, but the harder I pushed, the more elusive it seemed.Lucian, as always, was my constant. While I worked on regaining control of my powers, he carried the weight of preparing the pack for war. Every day, he rallied the warriors, strategized with the other Alphas, and ensured the safety of the non-combatants. Despite his responsibilities, he never failed to check on me, his presence a steady source of comfort and strength.One night, as the sun dipped below the horizon and the camp fell into a tense silence, Lucian found me by the traini
GWENThe first thing I saw when I crossed into our territory was Lucian. He was standing just beyond the tree line, his sharp eyes scanning the horizon as if willing me to appear. When his gaze finally landed on me, relief washed over his face, softening the usual stoic lines of his expression.“Gwen,” he breathed, striding toward me. The next moment, I was in his arms, his warmth chasing away the chill that had settled deep in my bones.“You’re back,” he murmured, his lips pressing against my temple. His grip was firm, like he was afraid I’d vanish if he let go. “I was so worried.”“I told you I’d come back,” I said, trying to muster a smile. But even as I stood there, wrapped in his arms, the weight of what I’d seen and experienced clung to me like a shadow.Our reunion was short-lived. Before I could explain everything, Ethan arrived with grim news.“Lucian,” he said, urgency lacing his tone, “we have a problem. Scouts spotted Damien’s forces moving toward us. It looks like they’re
GWENThe night fell heavy and silent as we regrouped inside the captured outpost. The air inside was damp, tinged with the metallic scent of blood from the earlier fight. Our team spread out, each warrior taking a position to guard the perimeter. Despite the victory, tension lingered in the air, and exhaustion pressed down on all of us.I sat near a small, cracked window, my gaze fixed on the forest beyond. Shadows danced in the faint moonlight, and every flicker of movement had me on edge. My fingers instinctively reached for the pendant again, tracing its smooth, crescent shape. It was becoming a habit—a tether to keep me grounded amidst the chaos.Lucian’s face filled my mind. I wondered what he was doing at that very moment. Was he staring out at the same moon, thinking of me? Was he pacing in frustration, cursing this plan for pulling us apart? The thought brought a small smile to my lips, though it was quickly overshadowed by the ache of longing.“Penny for your thoughts?” Ethan
GWENThe evening sky was painted in soft hues of orange and pink as the sun dipped below the horizon. The warmth of the day was giving way to a cool breeze, and the weight of what tomorrow would bring pressed heavily on my chest.Lucian and I sat on the balcony of our quarters, overlooking the pack grounds. The sounds of life around us—children laughing, warriors preparing—felt distant, like a world I wasn’t part of. My focus was entirely on him, and the moments we had left.“You’re too quiet,” Lucian said, his voice soft but tinged with concern. He reached out, his fingers brushing against mine where they rested on the table. “What’s going on in that head of yours?”I sighed, turning to meet his gaze. His eyes, always so piercing, were softer now, filled with an emotion I couldn’t fully name. “I’m just... trying to memorize this moment. You. Us. Before everything changes.”Lucian frowned slightly, his thumb tracing slow circles on the back of my hand. “Nothing is going to change, Gwe
GWENThe warmth of Lucian’s arms wrapped around me, and for a fleeting moment, the world outside didn’t matter. His heartbeat was steady against my cheek, and I focused on its rhythm, trying to anchor myself in the calm he provided. But the weight of the future pressed heavily on my mind, refusing to be ignored for long.I pulled back slightly, enough to look up at him. His expression was soft, but his eyes held a flicker of worry that he couldn’t entirely hide. “Lucian,” I began, my voice low and hesitant, “what happens when we’re not enough? When all the love and strength we share isn’t enough to protect the people who rely on us?”He studied me for a moment, the lines of his face etched with thought. “We do what we can, Gwen. We fight with everything we have. And if we fall, we make sure it’s because we gave everything, not because we held back.” His fingers brushed a strand of hair from my face. “But we’re stronger together. That’s the point of this bond. It doesn’t make us invinc
GWENThe night air smelled of smoke and blood. It clung to my skin, heavy and suffocating, as I stood among the remnants of the battlefield. The allied territory we had fought so hard to defend was in shambles. Structures were reduced to rubble, the ground torn apart by claw marks and bloodstains. Damien’s forces had retreated, but their attack had left scars—on the land and us.Lucian approached me slowly, his steps deliberate, as though he were trying not to spook me. His face was smeared with dirt and blood, but his golden eyes burned with something far more intense than exhaustion. Anger. Concern. Both, maybe.“Gwen,” he said, his voice low but sharp, cutting through the chaos around us. “We need to talk.”I turned away, unable to meet his gaze. My hands trembled as I wiped them on my torn pants, trying to focus on anything other than the sinking feeling in my chest. I knew this conversation was coming. I had known since the moment my hesitation in the battle almost cost him his l
GWENThe world felt unusual still as I drifted in that place between dreaming and waking, where reality blurred with something deeper, something primal. In the vision, the Moon Goddess stood before me, radiant and untouchable, her silvery light washing over everything. Her expression was calm, but there was a weight in her eyes that made my heart ache.“You are strong, Gwen,” she said, her voice like the gentle rustle of leaves in a midnight breeze. “But strength alone does not ensure victory. Love is your greatest gift, but it is also your greatest risk.”Before I could respond, the scene shifted. Suddenly, I was standing on a battlefield. Smoke curled in the air, and the metallic tang of blood filled my senses. Wolves snarled and clashed all around me, their fur matted with sweat and dirt. My heart thundered as my eyes locked on Lucian. He was fighting fiercely, his movements graceful and precise, but he was outnumbered.A decision loomed before me—I could sense it without knowing t
GWENThe preparations for the final confrontation consumed the pack. Everywhere I turned, there was movement, warriors sharpening their weapons, strategists huddling in quiet conversations, and younger wolves preparing supplies. The air buzzed with tension and anticipation, and while I tried to immerse myself in the activity, my thoughts kept drifting.Lucian noticed, of course. He always did.As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows over the training grounds, he found me standing near the edge of the clearing. His footsteps were soft, but I felt his presence before I saw him. When I turned, his expression was calm yet determined, a sharp contrast to the chaos around us.“Come with me,” he said simply, holding his hand.I frowned, glancing at the bustle of activity behind me. “Lucian, we can’t just leave. There’s so much to do—”He stepped closer, cutting me off with a gentle but firm touch to my arm. “You’ve done enough, Gwen. You need a moment to breathe. We both do