LIANNA POV The first time I thought about killing myself was the night of my mating ceremony. I married the Alpha of my pack, Ethan and I thought I had hit the jackpot. When we first found out we were mates, he was second in line and his brother Sebastian who happened to be my friend was to be the Alpha. Everyone congratulated me and told me how lucky I was to mate with a beta, but that didn’t matter to me, even if he was very poor, it wouldn’t have changed my love for him because his status didn’t matter to me. All I was after was his love. Lianna and Ethan, forever together. I couldn’t stop my tears as I closed my eyes reflecting on the past. I heard my wolf whimper and tried to comfort me. I was nineteen when I first met Ethan, he was studying abroad and had just graduated, and we quickly realized we were fated mates. Handsome and charming at 24 he instantly swept me off my feet, he was everything I dreamed of and my wolf and I couldn’t be happier. That night I thanked th
LIANNA'S POV Afterwards, I tearfully went back to my room to pack some clothes before Ethan sent me out with only the clothes on my back. As I shoved clothes into a duffel bag I came across a photograph taken of us at our mating ceremony. I picked it up and stared at it, I looked so happy with Ethan standing by my side not knowing what I was getting into. When I looked at Ethan's face it confirmed what I had always suspected, he never loved me at all, he was just pretending. While I was smiling at my new husband he was smiling at someone else, the waitress who appeared in the background of the picture. Tears began to gather in my eyes, even on our wedding day he would rather look at someone else and pretend I didn't exist. I put the picture aside and finished packing, I grabbed the duffel bag and went down the stairs where Ethan and his mistress were waiting for me. I kept my head down and tried to walk out the door but Ethan stopped me. "Come back here you cunt." I stilled
LIANNA’S POV "Lianna?" He was surprised to see me as well. We had been best friends since school even though he was several classes my senior and that was only because I had been doubly promoted several times. But we drifted apart when Ethan and I started dating. And then he just left with no goodbyes or explanations. "Oh my God." I smiled. "You look great." He had always been handsome but the past year had been good for him. His features were now more defined. His brown eyes looked almost dark now and his pink lips were fuller. His killer jaw was covered with a light stubble. His smile faded as he gave me a quick inspection with his eyes. Even before the man attacked me I already looked horrible. Dirty and tired and my eyes were likely swollen since I spent most of the day in tears now my clothes were in shambles and I had bruises all over my body "Let me take you home." He started toward his car parked on the other side of the road. "No no, you didn't have to, I'm sure you
LIANNA'S POV He started to pull away but I held him, I needed him right now. And I was scared of what he would do in his current state. Because at that moment, he looked like he was ready to kill Ethan for me. "No just stay with me. Stay and be my friend" And I felt him nod against my forehead. The next thing I remember I was waking up in the morning. I got up to pee and brush my teeth and when I checked the time it was 10:15 am. The feeling of sleeping in was a bit strange since Ethan always made me wake up at dawn to do house chores and cook and if there was nothing to do he would create things to do. As I turned on the tap, everything that happened yesterday came back rushing into my head and I had to press my fingers against my eyelids to stop myself from crying. I didn't want to give Sebastian any more reason to worry. Oh my God, how was I going to face him after yesterday? What would have happened if he hadn’t come along and saved me? I didn't want him to treat me
LIANNA'S POV "What?" Did I hear him correctly? "Marry me." He repeated smiling. "Fuck you." I spat at him and started to walk away. "Lianna wait." He said urgently. "I tell you what I've been through and you think it's cool to make a cruel joke like this." "No, it's not that. I would never do that." "Then what the fuck do you mean by that." "I mean it, Lianna. Mate with me." I stared at him blankly. "I mean it. Think about the advantages." "Advantages? What advantages? Do you want to solve my marriage problems with another one? Am I supposed to use one brother to cancel out the other? I'm already being called a gold-digging whore and now you want me to marry the elder brother of my ex-husband who happens to be the rich former Alpha. They would bury me alive." "Only if you let them. Ethan mistreated you, I would never do that I would show them just how valuable and important you are. And even if they still didn't like you no one would dare say a negative word to you, not eve
Lianna: I had said those words without thinking and now, I wasn't so sure if that's what I wanted. I didn't know how exactly to feel. I glanced at him as he swerved out of the Palace, his jaw clenched and his fingers tightly wrapped around the steering wheel. While I wanted to reach out to him and run my fingers through his hair, I knew it was an absolutely bad idea that wouldn't age well. And I didn't want anything like that. So I remained glued to my seat, replaying memories from minutes ago over and over again. I felt humiliated. Today's encounter was the final straw that broke the horse's back. Seeing Ethan look at me with so much disdain broke my heart further. He didn't even try to come to my rescue when Freya tossed that note for me to read out loud. I had thought he wanted me to stop reading it because he felt guilty for the position I had been in, but it turned out he was probably irritated by my voice and how pathetic I looked. Where did it all go wrong?
Lianna: I finally slept off. My eyes were really tired and droopy by then. I woke up later at night, breathing heavily as I clutched my chest. I had woken up from a nightmare and of course, Ethan was the one in my dreams, reminding me that I was worthless no matter how much I tried to find my worth. Leaning against the bed, I stared out of the window, into the dark night. The fear was crippling. So crippling I could barely breathe. I fought against the thoughts that dominated my mind but it was damn near impossible to get rid of them. I wished there was a way for me to actually just...be. Just fucking be. But I knew I had to sit in this feeling for as long as I could so every day I woke up, it would be less painful than the last. My stomach rumbled and I knew I was hungry. Climbing out of the bed, I padded my feet across the room and made my way out of the room. Not only was I hungry, I was thirsty. Eating a few snacks wasn't going to hurt. The whole suit was dark, s
Edward: As soon as I woke up the next morning, I headed straight for the Palace. My Beta, Harvey, had called the council elders together as there was an important meeting to be held. Lianna was still fast asleep and didn't even move an inch as I walked around that morning. It made me wonder how much she must have given up sleep to cater to my brother. I slowly started to loathe him. Lianna was the gentlest soul I ever knew. She was always smiling t everyone and trying to make everyone feel better. So why the fuck did he do all that to her? And they were mates? It was beyond me how he could do such to her. Fucking beyond me how the little brother I had thought to respect people turned into a monster. Fuck him. I climbed into my car and zoomed off towards the Palace. I arrived in less than ten minutes and handed my keys to one of the guards hanging around. "The elders are waiting," Harvey said as soon as I got to the entrance of the Palace. He fell into step w
Edward: The days had a peculiar way of stretching and condensing, leaving me caught somewhere between my duties as Alpha King and this strange sense of distraction that Lianna had recently become. It wasn’t intentional—at least, that’s what I told myself. Watching her grow into her role as Luna, seeing her ease into the people’s lives with each passing day, was oddly satisfying. She was finding her footing, though in the most unorthodox ways. It started with horse riding. It seemed like every day now, she was at the stables. I’d hear her laugh echo across the meadow or see her returning with Alistair and Ingrid, her cheeks flushed with exhilaration. I’d watch from my study window, the way her energy seemed infectious. Even the stable hands were more cheerful since her daily visits had become a routine. And she seemed to revel in the attention she was getting. She would show them tricks on the horse, then ride off with pride. Sometimes, she would jump into it with such daun
Lianna: The feeling of freedom and joy coursing through me as I rode the horse today was something I hadn’t felt in ages. It was like I’d reconnected with a part of myself I’d forgotten existed. The wind in my hair, the rhythmic gallop beneath me, and the sheer exhilaration of it all had lifted my spirits in a way nothing else could. Alistair had been unexpectedly good company too, his knowledge of the trails and lighthearted banter making the ride all the more enjoyable. He’d gone out of his way to ensure Ingrid and I were comfortable, and I couldn’t help but notice his attentiveness—his eyes lingering just a second too long, his smile a bit too warm. As we rode back, Ingrid leaned toward me, her voice a conspiratorial whisper. “He likes you, you know.” I shot her a sideways glance, feigning indifference. “Don’t be ridiculous.” She smirked, her eyes sparkling with mischief. “Oh, come on, Lianna. The man practically lit up every time you looked his way. You must have no
Edward: The elders had left hours ago, and I sat in the grand meeting hall, watching as the firelight cast shadows against the walls. My mind rallied around with everything we had discussed—the war, Ethan's refusal, the impossible choices ahead. Each thought was like a heavy stone pressing against my chest. I leaned back in the chair, running a hand through my hair. Thinking won’t solve anything, I told myself. The answers wouldn’t magically appear no matter how long I sat here and brooded. What I needed was clarity, and perhaps… a distraction. Lianna’s face came to mind almost instantly, the memory of her tears and avoidance from last night made me feel bad. I’d given her space, knowing it was what she needed, but now I wondered if it had been the right thing to do. Decision made, I stood, adjusting my jacket as I strode purposefully out of the hall. The palace corridors were quiet, save for the occasional echo of my boots against the marble floors. When I reached her cha
Lianna: I sat at the small table by the window, nursing a cup of tea as the soft aroma of the leaves filled the air. Ingrid was seated across from me, her lively chatter cutting through the silence. I could feel the remnants of last night's emotions still tugging at my heart. I couldn't shake off how I had acted at the restaurant. I hated that I had lost control. Edward had been nothing but patient and I hadn't even cared. “I feel so guilty, Ingrid,” I said, pushing my tea cup away and resting my chin in my hands. “I shouldn’t have acted that way to Edward. I was out of line. He’s got so much on his plate, and I added it.” Ingrid, ever the practical one, gave a dismissive wave. “Lianna, you’re overthinking. Edward knows what’s going on. He’ll understand when the time is right for you to apologize. Right now, you’ve got to let him deal with his pack matters. He’s been buried in that stuff ever since last night, so you’re better off letting him be.” I let out a long sigh,
Edward: I couldn’t keep the thoughts from swirling in my head as I sat there in my chambers, staring at the fire crackling in the hearth. The weight of it all pressed down on me—Ethan’s refusal to marry the Vampire Princess, the looming war, and the uncertainty that gnawed at my very soul. Ethan had always been stubborn, but this… this was something else entirely. I’d done everything to try and make him see reason. We had no choice, I kept telling myself. There was too much at stake. But Ethan didn’t seem to care. All he cared about was the throne, and that was something I wasn’t willing to relinquish. He may have been the first to take the throne, but I had worked for this. I had earned this place. I was the first born Alpha King, and nothing, not even Ethan’s refusal to honor his responsibilities, would take that from me. But the people… they feared a war. They would not tolerate it. Every day felt like a countdown to something catastrophic. I could feel it in my bones—t
Lianna: The silence in the car was suffocating, but I couldn’t bring myself to break it. My hands were clenched in my lap, fingers trembling as the drunken man’s words replayed in my mind. His voice echoed over and over, each vile accusation slicing through me like a jagged blade. Why would anyone think such? While msrried to Ethan, I barely saw the light of the day. I barely went out. My presence was barely shown outside enough for people to know who I really was. Was it Freya? Or had the maids who hated me even while I was treated awfully spread the news? Because that seemed to be the only reason that made sense to me because the hate was becoming too much for me to bear. Edward’s voice broke through my thoughts, calm and steady. “Lianna, don’t let that fool get to you. He was drunk, and his words meant nothing.” I didn’t respond. I couldn’t. The weight in my chest was too heavy, pressing down until it felt like I couldn’t breathe. I looked down at my lap and fought b
Edward: The atmosphere of the restaurant was welcoming enough, but it did little to soften the icy glares and hushed murmurs that followed us. I noticed the way the people stared at Lianna, disdain etched on their faces, their whispers heavy with judgment. It was infuriating, but I kept my composure. Let them look. Let them murmur. She deserved none of it, and if they couldn’t see her worth, it was their blindness, not hers. Lianna, however, seemed unaffected. She sat across from me, her shoulders straight, her chin lifted just enough to command respect without appearing aloof. When the waiter placed our dishes in front of us, she thanked him with a polite smile. Her poise, her grace—it was undeniable. I leaned forward, resting my arms on the table. “Does it bother you?” I asked softly. She raised an eyebrow, her fork hovering over her plate. “Does what bother me?” I nodded toward the room. “The stares. The whispers.” She shrugged, though there was a flash of somethi
Imogen: The room was suffocating. Ornate drapes danced across the walls as the wind blew, but they couldn't hide the rage being poured out beyond the door. My father's voice boomed, deep and sharp, startling me. "Insult after insult! HOW DARE THEY?" I paced from one end of my chambers to the other, fingers gripping the folds of my velvet gown. Each outburst of his fury made my heart race, not from fear of him, but of what his rage would lead to. The letter from the werewolf Pack was, in his eyes, nothing more than a slap in the face. And truthfully, I understood. But some part of me… some selfish, foolish part of me felt they deserved it. The disrespect they had shown my father couldn't be ignored. Still, my head was filled with other thoughts. Ethan. His name was like a bitter taste on my tongue. He had rejected me. Rejected my hand, rejected the union that could have mended this ever-growing rift between our kind. I stopped pacing and sank into the plush chair by the win
Lianna: Dinner with Edward. The thought alone was unnerving. The man had the uncanny ability to make me feel small and significant at the same time. As I adjusted the loose curls framing my face, I couldn't help but wonder what had prompted this outing. Dinner at the palace was routine, predictable even. But tonight? Tonight was different. Edward waited for me at the bottom of the grand staircase, his posture effortlessly regal. He had a small smile on his face. "You look beautiful," he said as his eyes swept over me, lingering for a moment longer than I was comfortable with. "Thank you," I replied, my voice quieter than I intended. "So, where exactly are we going?" He smirked, the corners of his lips tilting in that maddeningly smug way of his. "A restaurant in the heart of the Pack's village. Thought we could use a change of scenery." I frowned slightly. "Why not just have dinner here in the palace? It's more private, less… complicated." Edward chuckled, the sound