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.
Lucian’s POVI squeezed Gwen’s shoulder gently. “You’re stronger than you think, Gwen. You were chosen because you have the strength to face this. And you won’t fail because I’m not going to let you. We’re going to figure this out together. You don’t have to carry this guilt, and you don’t have to do it alone.”Gwen stared at me for a moment, her expression softening slightly. “You think the Moon Goddess had a reason for all of this?”I nodded. “I do. And I believe you’re going to discover that reason in time. Just trust yourself, and trust that you’re meant to be here.”She let out a small sigh, her shoulders relaxing just a little. “I’ll try, Lucian. I’ll try.”“That’s all I ask,” I said with a faint smile. “One step at a time.”Gwen nodded, her expression still conflicted but with a spark of determination. “Okay… one step at a time.”After a while, Gwen and I went at it again, training under the brightening morning sky. I focused on teaching her how to move, and the basics of fight
GWENBeing pregnant wasn’t supposed to be like this. I knew carrying pups wasn’t easy, but as an Alpha mated to another Alpha, I should have known it would be different. The moon had granted me a vision, a glimpse of the future, and yet here I was—exhausted, emotional, and constantly battling fluctuating moods. I couldn’t help but laugh sometimes, wondering how the pack would handle this version of their Alpha Queen.The first few weeks after Ethan had confirmed the news felt like an endless roller coaster. My body seemed to change by the day, the weight of pregnancy settling into my bones. Some days, I could hardly keep my eyes open; others, I felt like I could conquer the world. But it wasn’t just my body that was changing—it was my emotions, too. I’d snap at Lucian for something trivial, my mind a storm of thoughts and anxieties, only to immediately apologize and burst into tears because I felt guilty. Hormones? No. This was an Alpha’s pregnancy, and it was intense.Lucian, bless h
GWENThe night was quiet, serene—almost too quiet. After the grand celebration of our union, Lucian and I finally had a chance to rest, to take in everything that had happened in the past few days. But sleep eluded me that night. I found myself lying awake, staring at the moon through the open window. Its light bathed the land in silver, peaceful and eternal, much like the bond I shared with Lucian.That’s when it happened.A soft presence filled the room, a comforting warmth that seemed to come from nowhere and everywhere at once. I blinked, sitting up, my heart racing. The room was empty, yet I felt no fear. There was only a sense of calm, as if I were being cradled in the very arms of the night itself.Then, a voice, as gentle as the moon’s glow, filled my mind.Gwen.My breath caught in my throat. It was her, the Moon Goddess.Do not be afraid, child. I have watched you closely. Your defiance, your refusal to bow to the constraints of destiny, it inspired me. You, Gwen, have shown
GWENThe day had finally come, the day I would say goodbye to Arlene. The woman who had been my closest confidante, my mentor, and my friend. She had stood beside me through the darkest of days and the brightest of victories. Now, her absence was a gaping wound in my heart, one that I wasn’t sure how to close. But life had to go on, and I had promised her that I would lead our pack into a future that honored everything she had taught me.The clearing was quiet, the air still with the weight of anticipation. The pack had gathered to honor Arlene, and as I stood before the gathered faces, I could feel her presence with me, as if she were standing right behind me, offering her silent support. I could almost hear her voice, whispering the words of strength I needed to carry on.The ceremony was simple, yet filled with reverence. The flowers we had picked from the fields, the candles that flickered with a soft light, and the incense that swirled through the air all spoke of love, loss, and
GWENThe moonlight cast a soft glow over the newly rebuilt pack lands, the air crisp and alive with the whispers of a future we were all striving toward. The sounds of construction had faded, replaced with a deeper kind of peace, one that had been hard-earned, fought for with the blood of our people and the weight of history on our shoulders.I had spent so many nights looking out over these lands, reflecting on what had been lost under Damien’s reign and what we were now building together. My heart still carried the scars of his betrayal, but I had made a promise to my people—to rebuild, to heal, and to lead them into a future where we could finally be free of the shadow he had cast over us.With Lucian by my side, that promise felt more like a vow I could keep.It had been weeks since the last of Damien’s forces had been rooted out, since we had finally reclaimed our territories. There were no more whispers of traitors hiding in the shadows, no more enemies creeping through the crac
GWENThe wind swept through the ruins of the once-great city, carrying with it the scent of fresh earth and rebuilding. Everywhere I looked, the landscape bore the marks of war—broken walls, shattered homes, the remnants of lives lost. But amidst the destruction, there was something else. Hope. It was growing, slowly but surely, as my people—my pack—began to rebuild what was lost.I stood at the edge of the newly constructed walls, my gaze sweeping over the horizon. The sun was rising, casting a golden glow on the charred remnants of Damien's reign. It was almost surreal to think about how far we had come, and how much we had been through. I had been forced into a role I never expected, thrust into the leadership of a pack torn apart by betrayal and bloodshed. Yet, here I was, standing strong, the weight of my people’s trust on my shoulders.Lucian stood beside me, his presence steady and grounding. His hand brushed against mine, a silent reminder that I wasn't alone in this. We were
GWENLucian’s scent, earthy and steady, with just a hint of spice, wrapped around me like a balm. He didn’t speak, just came to stand beside me, his broad shoulders silhouetted against the faint glow of the dying fire.“You’re brooding,” he said softly, breaking the silence.I huffed a breath, the corner of my mouth twitching in a half-hearted smile. “I prefer the term ‘reflecting.’”He chuckled, the sound low and rich, vibrating through the cool night air. He didn’t push me to speak, giving me the space I needed to sort through my thoughts. But the silence between us wasn’t empty, it was filled with the steady, unspoken connection we always shared.Finally, I exhaled deeply, letting the words I’d been holding back tumble out. “Do you ever wonder if... if we’re doing the right thing? If I’m doing the right thing?”He turned to face me, his dark eyes searching mine. “What brought that on?”I gestured vaguely toward the clearing. “Everything. The battle, the losses, and the decisions we
GWENThe sun dipped low in the sky, casting its warm, amber glow across the clearing as the pack gathered to honor our fallen. The air was thick with grief, mingling with the faint scent of earth and smoke from the makeshift pyres. Each face was etched with sorrow, yet there was a quiet sense of pride among us—a recognition of the strength it took to survive and protect our home.I stood at the center, my hands clasped tightly in front of me. Lucian stood beside me, his presence grounding me as I struggled to find the right words. My voice felt heavy, burdened by the weight of loss and the responsibility to keep our pack moving forward.The clearing felt alive with silence, the kind that pressed against your ears and made every thought louder. Wolves of all ranks and ages were gathered, their postures stiff, their eyes solemn. Mothers clutched their children close; warriors stood with heads bowed. The pyres, carefully built from branches and kindling, stood like solemn sentinels await
GWENAfter the whole saga with Elaine, it was time to addressed the ruthless Alpha. The forest was eerily quiet as we approached the rogue Alpha’s camp, the kind of quiet that sets your teeth on edge and makes you hyper-aware of every sound. Lucian walked ahead of me, his stride confident and steady, even though the tension radiating off him was impossible to miss. I stayed close, my senses sharp and ready. This wasn’t just any rogue we were dealing with. This was the Alpha who had dared to ally with Damien, who had promised reinforcements that could have devastated us.And now, he was about to face justice.We reached the edge of the clearing where the rogue’s camp was situated. My eyes swept over the scene—ragged wolves lounging near a smoldering fire, a few sharpening weapons, others pacing like caged animals. They were a sorry sight, but there was still danger in their unpredictability. The air was thick with the smell of unwashed bodies and stale aggression.Then he emerged. The
GWENThe battlefield was quiet now, starkly contrasting to the chaos that had reigned just hours ago. The storm Damien had summoned had dissipated, leaving a somber calm in its wake. The bodies of the fallen were being tended to, and the wounded were receiving care. Yet, amidst the aftermath of battle, another storm was brewing—a far more personal one.I stood at the center of the pack’s gathering, my Alpha aura still humming with power. The tension was palpable as two warriors dragged Elaine before me. She was disheveled and bruised, her hair matted with blood and dirt. Yet her eyes held no remorse, only a bitter defiance that made my stomach churn.The pack murmured angrily, their voices rising as they hurled accusations at her.“Traitor!”“She almost cost us everything!”“She deserves death!”I raised my hand, and silence fell instantly. I stared at Elaine, trying to reconcile the image of the loyal maid I once trusted with the venomous woman kneeling before me.“Elaine,” I began,