Ethan: And yet again, I was destroying my room because I couldn't stand the fact that my brother had walked in here to insult me. Who did he think he was to speak to me in such a manner? I'd spent the past few years, ruling in his stead and making sure things went well. Did he think it was that easy to rule people like these? They were fucking ingrates who couldn't see that it was hard to rule when all the odds were against you. And to spite me in the face, he was getting married to Lianna? Was this some sort of jinx or something? Because it made no sense no matter how I tried to think about it. "Where's my wife?" I asked as soon as I walked out of my chambers. Since yesterday, I hadn't seen or spoken to her. She was still mad at me for what happened that night, but I couldn't care less. I needed her. The door swung open and she stepped out of her designated chamber, looking better than I'd ever seen. She had a full face of makeup and was dressed like she was atte
Lianna: Ingrid and I decided to take a tour of the Pack today. This was to help me get used to the stares and the gossip. So far, it was going quite well. Although the talks were there and people kept whispering negative things towards me, Ingrid was there to help. It wasn't exactly a comfortable encounter, but what could I do? Nothing. All I could do was get used to it. "You'll be coming out on your own really soon," she said as we made our way back to the hotel. "You'll have to be going out on your own really soon and honestly, it's going to be the best because you're going to go from hating it to not caring, then to enjoying it." I heaved a dreadful sigh. I really had nothing to say to her right now, but I really hoped she was right. It was almost dusk and people on the roads were becoming scantier. They had all retired back to their homes and I was quite glad as I didn't have to face anyone. Ingrid had a few other errands to attend to so she left just when we
Lianna: "I am here, Lianna," his voice came, soft and reassuring. "Don't be scared. Nothing is going to happen to you. I am here." I held onto him, breathing heavily and literally sobbing against his arms. He held me tight against him, but I didn't stop shaking until after a while. I finally calmed down, but the fear still remained. It was already midnight and it even scared me more. I stared across the room, at the light switch, where Ethan stood and I looked behind me, where Freya sat, but it was Edward holding onto me. "It felt so real," I began to sob softly. "I thought they were going to kill me. I couldn't move. I couldn't save myself. Oh, it's a dream. Nothing but a dream. But it felt so real. So real to the point where all I wanted to do was fucking run." "Do you want to tell me about it?" He asked, his voice soft and filled with worry. He tipped my chin towards his gaze, his lips parted slightly. Before I could even think, I reached up to him and pressed my
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
Edward I straightened my shoulders as I stepped back into the grand ballroom. I was extremely uncomfortable. I didn't want to be here right now but I shoved it aside, forcing a smile as my presence was immediately noticed. A few of the Alpha Kings, already deep into their drinks, raised their goblets in greeting. “Where the hell did you disappear to?” Aldric slurred, eyes gleaming with mischief. “I swear, you just ran off with your Luna in the dead of night. Don’t tell me you finally have a romantic bone in your body, Edward.” Laughter rippled through the group. I smirked, letting the teasing roll off my back. They had no idea what I had just seen, the bodies I had left behind. The last thing I needed was anyone suspecting something was wrong. “I had to show her something,” I said, taking a slow sip of my drink. “Something private.” I let the insinuation hang, and they roared with amusement. Aldric clapped me on the back, nearly spilling his wine. “Didn’t kn
The royal vehicle travelled down the dark roads as the rain drummed against the roof loud. It was silent inside and I sat motionless, staring at nothing, my hands clenched in my lap as I fought the grief clawing its way up my throat. The thought of Alistair’s death made my chest heavy, and no matter how much I tried to steady my breathing, the dread inside me only grew. Edward sat beside me. His presence was somewhat comforting even if I was mad at him. He had tried once go reach for my hand, but had pulled away. “Lianna,” he said softly. I didn’t answer. I couldn’t. The lump in my throat was too thick and my emotions were too raw to speak. I didn't want to sound brash. The thought of Alistair—his lifeless body the sheer wrongness of it—made my eyes brim with tears. A sob tore its way out of my throat before I could stop it, and then another, until I was shaking, unable to hold it in anymore. Edward stiffened beside me. I knew he wanted to comfort me, but he also k
Lianna: “Is that so?” The curious lady asked. Freya nodded and glared at me. “I wouldn't be speaking to her if I were you.” I excused myself before she could say anything else, and slipped away before anyone could see how uncomfortable she made me. If they had, they would have believed her truth. I needed space to think, to breathe. I left the party and hurried toward the courtyard, away from the party. Ingrid, who saw me leave, hurried after me. “She’s just trying to get to you,” Ingrid’s voice came as she appeared beside me. I turned to face her, forcing a weak smile that crumbled the moment her eyes met mine. “I’m not worried about her words,” I managed, my voice hollow. “It’s what she might do next.” Ingrid hesitated, her gaze faltering. The way she pressed her lips together made me suspect something had already gone wrong. “What is it?” I demanded, my voice sharper than intended. “It’s nothing—” “Don’t lie to me,” I interrupted, stepping
Freya: (Earlier That Day...) I paced my chambers, my heart pounding with every step I took. The walls seemed to close in on me, the dim light of the candles casting long, flickering shadows that danced like sinister spirits mocking my anxiety. Ethan had been gone for days. Not a word, not even the faintest whisper of his whereabouts. It was unlike him to go silent, especially when we were so close to victory. We had planned everything so meticulously—feeding the Vampire King lies, manipulating his rage to ignite a war that would leave Edward vulnerable. And with Lianna out of the picture, Edward’s weakness would be his undoing. Ethan was supposed to eliminate her or, at the very least, reduce her to a pitiful slave at the mercy of the vampires. Her absence was meant to disrupt Edward’s balance, leave him open to attack. That was our plan. Yet, here I was, pacing like a caged animal, drowning in unease. I could still hear Ethan telling me that everything would go smoothl
*CHAPTER 96* Lianna: The maids hovered around me, their hands deftly fastening the golden clasps of my gown. The fabric was rich against my skin—soft, silken, and impossibly luxurious. It felt foreign, this regality, like I was playing a part I had yet to fully understand. The mirror reflected an image I barely recognized. My hair was woven into an intricate braid crowned with delicate gold pins that sparkled beneath the flickering candlelight. My gown flowed elegantly around me, the deep emerald fabric cascading in perfect waves to the floor. It was Edward’s favorite color on me. He hadn’t said it aloud, but I’d caught the way his eyes lingered whenever I wore it. “You look breathtaking, Luna Lianna,” Ingrid teased, her voice dripping with playfulness. Her eyes sparkled mischievously, the corners of her lips curled into a knowing smile. “Edward won’t be able to keep his hands off you tonight.” “You’re impossible,” I muttered, but the butterflies in my stomach dan
Lianna was safe. Alive. The image of her standing amidst the crowd, her face a blend of shock and joy as they bowed to her, was seared into my mind. She was finally receiving the respect she deserved. My chest swelled, a warmth spreading through me, unlike anything I’d felt before. It was pride—raw, overwhelming pride for the woman who had been scorned and ridiculed yet still stood tall. My footsteps echoed through the grand hall as I made my way to the throne room. The air was cool, carrying the faint scent of cedarwood and incense, lingering from the victory rites performed earlier. The sunlight poured through the stained-glass windows, casting hues of crimson and gold across the polished marble floor. I ran my fingers along the intricate carvings on the throne’s armrest before seating myself. It felt different this time. The weight of the crown didn’t feel as heavy as it usually did. The elders stood before me, their faces solemn, expectant. Their robes were pristine, e
*CHAPTER 94* Lianna: The cheers were deafening as we returned to the palace. From the elders standing tall in their ceremonial robes to the youngest servants peeking from behind pillars, every soul was gathered, their faces painted with relief and gratitude. The air smelled of incense and wildflowers, a tribute to the victory they celebrated. I could hear the distant drums from the pack’s village, the rhythmic beats echoing joy. Edward walked ahead, his posture regal, his aura commanding. They called him the victor, the hero who ended the war. Their chants reverberated through the courtyard, praises flowing freely. But he lifted his hand, silencing them all. His eyes found mine, softening before he spoke. “It wasn’t me,” his voice rang clear, firm. “The one who stopped the war and saved countless lives is Lianna.” A hush fell over the crowd. I heard the whispers that began to grow within the crowd. Disbelief hung in the air like a heavy fog. An elder stepped forwar
*CHAPTER 93* Lianna: The battlefield had settled into an eerie calm. Blood soaked the earth, the metallic scent thick in the air, but the war was over. Wolves and vampires stood together, dazed, some still gripping weapons they no longer had reason to use. I took a slow breath, my chest rising and falling with residual energy. The power that had erupted from me still hummed faintly beneath my skin, but its intensity had faded, leaving behind exhaustion and something else—peace. For the first time in what felt like forever, there was no need to fight. Turning to the gathered warriors, I lifted my voice so that all could hear. "There will be no more war," I declared. "No more bloodshed. We have been deceived, but that ends today. From this moment on, we will choose peace over destruction. No more grudges. No more senseless fighting. We end it now." For a moment, silence stretched across the battlefield, as if my words needed time to settle into their bones. Then, slowly, w
*CHAPTER 92* Lianna: Darkness had a mentally draining side to it, one that could drive you to madness. It pressed down on me, cold and suffocating, curling around my limbs like shackles. I had stopped trying to fight it. What was the point? I was going to die here. The walls of the dungeon were damp, the stone beneath me rough and unforgiving. I had lost track of time—hours, days, maybe even weeks. It didn’t matter. My body was weak, my spirit drained. The first few days, I had tried to cling to hope, had told myself that Edward would come, that someone would find me. But now? Now, I just waited. For death. For anything that would end this torment. Because I knew no one was coming to save me and the earlier I embraced reality, the better for me. A faint sound echoed from the corridor, the slow, deliberate steps of someone approaching. I didn’t bother lifting my head. It was either food or another round of torment, and I didn’t have the strength to care.