Lianna: The words carried a weight that went beyond their meaning. Safe. Was that what I felt? With him beside me, the shadows in the corners of the room seemed less menacing. The lingering fear from the nightmare began to ebb, replaced by a quiet warmth that spread through my chest. I shifted closer to him, unable to help myself. “Edward... thank you.” His lips quirked into a faint smile. “You don’t have to thank me. You’ve been through enough.” The silence that followed was comfortable, punctuated only by the sound of our breathing. “What was it about?” he asked softly, breaking the quiet. “The nightmare?” My voice wavered. “I don’t know. It was... I felt trapped. Like I couldn’t move or breathe. And there were people—faces I recognized, but they weren’t themselves. They wanted to hurt me. I tried to scream, but no sound came out.” I wanted to tell him really bayd that those faces belonged to Freya and Ethan. But it would only make things worse, so I kept silent
Lianna: The door clicked softly behind Edward as he left, and the quiet that followed felt heavy. Ingrid’s gaze lingered on the door for a moment before she turned to face me. Her expression softened, and there was an unspoken apology in her eyes. "I owe you an apology," she said, her voice quieter than usual. I furrowed my brow, confused. "What for?" She sighed and stepped closer, her hands clasped in front of her. "Yesterday. I... I should’ve stayed with you when we got to the hotel. I shouldn’t have left you alone to face all of that. I’m sorry." I shook my head, trying to brush it off. "It’s fine, Ingrid. I’m used to it. Besides, you had to go back home." "I should’ve stayed, Lianna," she insisted, her voice tinged with regret. "I’m your friend, and it wasn’t right to leave you when you were already feeling vulnerable. I’m truly sorry." I met her gaze and could see the sincerity in her eyes. "I understand. It’s not your fault, really." She nodded, but I cou
Edward: The room was quiet, save for the distant hum of the city below. I stood by the window, arms crossed tightly over my chest, staring out at the skyline without really seeing it. My reflection in the glass stared back at me, sharp and tense. The image suited how I felt—restless, angry, and most of all, concerned. Her voice from last night still lingered in my mind. The way it trembled as she recounted what had happened in the lobby. The way she tried to dismiss it, but I could see the shame in her eyes, the hurt she couldn’t quite hide. They’d called her a whore. A gold digger. They’d spoken about her like she was nothing, like she wasn’t about to be their Luna, my Luna. The soft creak of the door broke my thoughts, and I turned as Harvey stepped inside. He closed the door behind him, his expression sharp, but there was a faint flicker of curiosity in his eyes. "You called for me?" he asked, his voice low and steady. I nodded, gesturing toward the chair by the d
Lianna: It was almost laughable how well we had managed to convince everyone that we were madly in love. Edward and I had slipped into our roles seamlessly, like two actors born for the stage. His hand found mine in crowded spaces, his lips brushed against my temple during public events, and his deep, quiet voice softened whenever he spoke to me in front of others. To anyone watching, we were the picture of romance. A perfect couple. But that’s all it was—an act. At least, that’s what I kept telling myself. But sometimes, it felt so real. The other day at the gallery, he’d leaned down and whispered something into my ear. I couldn’t even remember what he’d said now, but the warmth of his breath and the way his fingers had grazed my lower back had sent a shiver through me. We’d been standing under the soft glow of the chandelier, surrounded by people, but for a moment, I couldn’t hear anything but the sound of my own heartbeat. When we walked out, he’d opened the car d
Ethan: The sound of distant laughter echoed through the halls, accompanied by the faint voices of workers busy at their tasks. My jaw tightened as I paced around my chambers, my boots striking the polished floor with sharp precision. Every corner of the Palace was being adorned for the coronation and wedding celebration. My brother’s coronation. His wedding. To her. I stopped near the window, shoving my hands into my pockets as I stared out at the sprawling grounds below. The flutter of servants carrying garlands, the sound of music rehearsals in the distance—it all grated against me. This should have been a day of relief, of finally shedding the burden of being Alpha and stepping into a quieter role. But not like this. Not with Lianna at the center of it all. The idea of her standing beside Edward, wearing the crown, and being called Luna again—it churned my stomach. She didn’t deserve it. Not after everything. Not after me. The door creaked open behind me, but I
Lianna: The morning of my wedding felt like stepping into a dream I wasn’t sure I wanted to have. My chambers buzzed with activity. Women floated in and out, carrying trays of food I couldn’t stomach and fabrics I’d already approved. "Hold still, Lianna," Ingrid said, pinning me with a sharp look as she worked on my hair. "I am still," I muttered, though the truth was my hands were trembling slightly. Ingrid arched a brow, but her lips quirked into a knowing smile. She didn’t comment, just kept weaving the delicate silver chains through my braid. They glimmered faintly, a nod to the moon, as was tradition for a werewolf wedding. The dress lay spread out on the bed, an intricate blend of white and silver that looked more like something from a fairy tale than a reality I was about to step into. Layers of soft, shimmering fabric cascaded like water, while intricate embroidery in the shape of crescent moons and wolves ran along the bodice. "Do you think I’m making a m
Lianna: The temple courtyard was alit with the soft glow of the soft lights to imitate the moon, the air thick with the mingling scents of incense and the delicate perfume of jalapeño. Edward’s hand was firm around mine as we descended the marble steps, the whispers and murmurs of the gathered crowd a constant hum in the background. In all honesty, it was a bit overwhelming. I’d always known the weight of being tied to an Alpha King, but nothing could have prepared me for the intensity of this moment. Dignitaries and Alpha Kings from far and wide had been invited, each one more powerful and intimidating than the last. And now, as Edward and I made our way down, they swarmed like moths to a flame, eager to catch his attention. "Edward!" one of them called out, stepping into our path with a broad smile. He barely spared me a glance as he extended a hand to Edward. "It’s been too long." Edward released my hand with a quick squeeze, turning to greet the man. "Alpha Gregory,
Edward: The temple air still lingered in my lungs, a mix of incense and the faint earthy undertone of old stone, but my thoughts were far from the ancient halls and the Alpha Kings I had entertained. My mind was with Lianna. Seeing her earlier, draped in white and gold, had left an impression on me that even the most pressing discussions couldn’t erase. She’d always been a woman who carried herself with a quiet dignity, someone who knew how to command respect without raising her voice. Today, though, there was something different about her—a radiance that went beyond her outward beauty. "Your Luna is quite the spectacle," one of the Alpha Kings’ wives had commented earlier, her voice thick with condescension. "She’s a woman of strength," I had replied, my tone steady. "She’s been through more than you could ever imagine and come out stronger for it." They hadn’t expected me to defend her. Their silence, though brief, was telling. Lianna had never been a source of sha
Lianna: Breakfast settled into an almost eerie quiet after Edward put Mariel in her place. A perfect, beautiful silence. I could sense Mariel’s wounded pride and Ethan’s resentment. Across the table, Mariel kept her head down, chewing mechanically and likely plotting new ways to make my life miserable. I didn’t care. She had bigger problems now. Like figuring out how to exist in a world where Edward no longer catered to her whims. I, on the other hand, looked positively radiant, cutting into my fruit with a pleased little smile. I didn’t say it, but I was reveling in the fact that Edward was the one who had humiliated Mariel instead of me. Not because I couldn’t have done it herself, but because Edward’s words had an impact that mine never would. Mariel could handle my hatred, but Edward’s indifference? That was a death sentence. Ethan was the only one not enjoying the moment. He was practically vibrating with anger, stabbing his food like it had personally offended h
Lianna: I had never felt this regal in my entire life. Every step I took down the long, gilded hallway was a declaration of self confidence. The maids paused in their duties, their gazes trailing after me with open admiration. The guards, usually stoic and detached, offered subtle nods of acknowledgment, their respect barely hidden behind their trained expressions. A smirk tugged at my lips. I was reveling in it, and why shouldn’t I? After the hell I had endured, the bruises I had earned, the blood I had shed, this moment, twas mine. Even with the dull ache threading through my joints, the soreness reminded me of my victory. I felt good. No, better than good. I felt untouchable. And if the gods were feeling particularly generous, Mariel would be waiting in the dining hall, seething, and barely keeping her composure as she drowned in the bitter taste of her own defeat. The thought alone nearly made me hum in delight. I pushed the grand doors open and stepped inside,
Lianna: Blood crusted against my skin, dried and flaking, but I walked through the halls like a queen. Warriors, maids, even the high-ranking guards who rarely acknowledged anything outside their turned to watch me pass. Some wore looks of shock, others admiration. A few dared to speak, their voices hushed but awed. "You fought like a beast, Luna." "I didn’t think anyone could beat that woman." "I knew she was strong, but this? This was something else." I smirked, head held high, spine straight despite the ache creeping into my muscles. Even with bruises blooming across my skin and blood drying on my lip, I felt untouchable. Behind me, Ingrid sighed heavily. "You are absolutely impossible, do you know that?" I chuckled, not slowing my pace. "I do, actually." She groaned in exasperation, quickening her steps to match mine. "Why, Lianna? Why did you do that?" I tilted my head, pretending to think about it. "Hmm... the thrill of battle? The sa
Edward: I'd woken to an empty bed. I stretched my arm across the mattress, my fingers meeting nothing but the lingering warmth Lianna had left behind. A slow smile tugged at my lips. She’d been up early. Again. It wasn’t surprising anymore. For weeks, she’d thrown herself into combat training, each session more intense than the last. I’d heard the whispers—about her skill, her sheer strength, how she was no longer just a woman learning to fight but a warrior in her own right. It amused me. It pleased me. She was taking this seriously, proving herself to everyone who thought she couldn’t. I leaned back against the pillows, stretching my arms over my head, allowing the quiet of the room to settle over me. Today was a court meeting day, which meant a long morning of listening to people complain about things I barely cared about. But at least breakfast would be worth it. I’d see her then. Maybe tease her a little. Chuckling to myself, I swung my legs o
Lianna: Pain. Sharp, searing and unrelenting moved through me as Mariel targeted my solar plexus. My body was screaming, every inch bruised. Blood spilled from my nose, staining my lips with its metallic taste. But I didn’t care. I had felt worse. The blows Mariel landed on me were nothing compared to the fire burning in my chest, the sheer fury fueling my every breath. She thought she was winning. She thought she had me down. Fool. I could hear the gasps, the shifting of feet, the numerous worried eyes on me, but they were background noise. Even Ingrid’s worried face barely registered in my mind. Edward stood at the sidelines, arms crossed, his jaw locked so tight I thought his teeth might snap. But he wasn’t stopping this. He couldn’t. Mariel smirked, her lips split at the corner, blood smeared along her cheek. “Look at you,” she sneered, rolling her shoulders, preparing for another round. “Flat on your back. You should be used to that by now.” I tasted i
Lianna: I woke tangled in Edward’s arms, and if it were another day, I would have gone back to sleep and enjoyed the comfort of his arms. But I’d had enough of lying still, enough of waiting for someone else to make the first move. I wasn’t going to be the woman who watched things happen to her anymore. Not today. Careful not to wake him, I eased out of his grasp. His hand slid down my side before falling away completely. I held my breath, pausing to be sure he stayed asleep. For a man who carried entire kingdoms on his shoulders, he looked annoyingly peaceful. I slipped out of bed, feet silent on the cold floor. The chill bit at my skin as I pulled on my training clothes—black leggings, a snug sleeveless top, and bandages wound tight around my wrists and knuckles. My boots were next, worn leather creaking softly as I laced them. I dragged my hair into a braid, tying it off with a sharp tug, and then slid out of the room without a sound. The hallway was empty. Eve
Lianna: I woke up to silence, the kind that draped over everything like a heavy wool blanket. Imogen’s soft snores were gone. She must have retreated to her room a while ago. Good for her. She had the sense to sleep through this misery. I, on the other hand, had the misfortune of being conscious. And thirsty. So damn thirsty. I swiped my palm across my face, grimacing at the stickiness on my skin from dried tears. No glass of water on the nightstand. Of course. No maid hovering about with one either. Why would they? I was supposed to be the Luna. Supposed to be cared for, respected. But it sure as hell didn’t feel like that tonight. With a muttered curse, I swung my legs over the bed, my bare feet hitting the cold marble floor. The chill bit into my skin, but I welcomed it. Pain was better than… this hollow ache inside. Wrapping my arms around myself, I padded toward the door. It creaked slightly as I eased it open and slipped out into the dim corridor. The palace
Edward: The moment Lianna’s breathing evened out, I rose from the edge of the bed and straightened. Her back was to me, her shoulders tight even in sleep, like she was bracing for another blow that wouldn’t come. Carefully, I pulled the covers higher over her bare shoulder. I stood there for a long minute, watching the gentle rise and fall of her back. My jaw clenched tight. None of this should’ve happened. Mariel never should’ve stepped foot in this house. And now, because I hadn’t dealt with her the moment she crossed my gates, Lianna was in this bed trying to convince herself I wasn’t another mistake. That wasn’t going to happen again. I shoved my hand through my hair, flexing my fingers to shake off the restless itch under my skin. I walked out, shutting the door behind me with a controlled click. Ingrid straightened from where she stood outside, but I waved her off before she could speak. “Stay here,” I ordered, and she nodded without protest. The cor
Ethan: The moment Edward stormed out of the room, I exhaled slowly and leaned back in my chair. My fingers tapped lazily on the stem of my wine glass as I watched Mariel standing there like she’d just been gutted. Honestly, I’d never loved a moment more. She blinked fast, like she was fighting tears but too damn proud to let them fall. That alone made me sit up straighter, lifting my glass to my lips as if I were toasting the disaster that had just unfolded. Mariel’s gaze slid to me, burning with something between frustration and grief. “Don’t say anything, Ethan,” she bit out, her voice tight, like it scraped her throat just getting the words out. “I swear, I can’t take it from you right now.” I smiled slowly. “Relax. I’ve got absolutely nothing to say.” I tilted my head, studying her with an idle curiosity I didn’t bother masking. “Just… wondering why it ended the way it did. Edward’s never exactly been chatty about you. Or anything, really. Guy’s tighter-lipped