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: I woke to the soft morning light filtering through the heavy curtains, my mind still groggy from the events of the day before. My first thought was of the wedding—how surreal it had all felt, like watching someone else’s life play out from a distance. The vows, the people, Edward… It felt like a dream, albeit one I couldn't escape. The room was quiet, save for the faint hum of the Palace stirring to life. I turned my head slightly and stared at the empty space beside me. Of course, Edward wasn’t there. He had his own chambers, a luxury afforded to us only because we were in the Royal Wing, far from the prying eyes of others. I rolled out of bed, my silk robe brushing against my skin as I tied it loosely around my waist. Just as I reached for the door to grab a glass of water, a knock startled me. When I opened it, Ingrid stood there, a bright grin on her face and a plate of cake in her hands. “Good morning, Mrs. Alpha King,” she teased, stepping inside without w
Lianna: The morning sun streamed through the wide glass windows, casting a warm glow over the sprawling gardens just beyond the walls. I paced the length of the sitting room, my fingers gripping the edge of a clipboard filled with notes. My nerves were eating me alive, though I’d perfected the art of looking calm and composed over the years. Today would test that skill more than ever. The tea afternoon with the ladies of the Pack. The words alone felt heavy, loaded with expectations I wasn’t sure I could meet. For days, I’d been preparing for this event, fussing over every detail. And yet, with each passing hour, I felt less ready. The dining hall where the maids were setting up was bustling with activity. Tables draped in fine lace were adorned with delicate floral centerpieces—roses, lavender, and sprigs of baby’s breath arranged in porcelain vases. Trays of finger sandwiches, tarts, and cakes were being placed on tiered stands alongside ornate teapots. Everything looked pe
Lianna: The air was warm, and fragrant with the scent of flowers and freshly brewed tea, but I felt none of its charm. I sat stiffly among the women gathered in the garden, their laughter ringing hollow in my ears. The tea party was going well, by all accounts. The tables were immaculate, the food perfect, and the games entertaining enough for the guests. But no one seemed interested in speaking with me beyond faux polite acknowledgments. I sipped my tea, my fingers tight around the delicate porcelain cup, and glanced toward the far side of the garden where a group of women were deep in conversation. Their voices were low, their expressions animated, and their laughter seemed to mock me. I wished Ingrid were here. She always knew how to make me feel at ease, how to bridge the gap between me and others. But I couldn’t keep depending on her for everything. I had to stand on my own as Luna. The games began shortly after the tea had been served. A servant brought out a set of
Edward: Negotiations had been dragging for days, and I was no closer to an agreement with the Vampire King than when we started. Every proposal I presented was met with polite refusals, thinly veiled insults, or counteroffers so ludicrous they might as well have been jokes. Resources, territory, military alliances—I’d put everything on the table, carefully sidestepping the topic of marriage between my brother, Ethan, and the Vampire Princess. It wasn’t that I thought it was a bad idea in principle. Politically, it made sense. But Ethan wouldn’t go along with it willingly, and the thought of forcing his hand didn’t sit right with me. So I focused on other options, trying to find a way to satisfy the King without binding my brother to a loveless union. The idea that things were going to go bad weighed heavily on me as I returned to the Palace. The sun was dipping low in the sky, casting long shadows over the gardens where Lianna’s tea party was in full swing. My thoughts drifte
Edward: After the wedding, I would have loved to spend time with Lianna. Catch on with our past and get to know each other better as it was really important if we were going to continue with this pretend thing. But there was so much to do. Ethan had left a lot of things in a mess, from finances to infrastructure to legal issues and hell, even the state of things in general. A cleansing snr routine ritual hadn't been held in a long time and I realised that the hunting days were insignificant now with no one commemorating the beginning of a new moon. "When was a hunt last held?" I asked Ethan's beta, Rian, whom he had abandoned after his position was taken. Rian was really eager to give me replies as it was obvious that he was extremely upset by how easily he had been discarded. He never got any compensation of the sort and I totally understood why he would be really upset. But that wasn't so much of my business as I was concerned about the affairs of the Pack. He sigh
Lianna: "You look really glowy this afternoon," Ingrid said as she took off my dress. "Based on what you said about the women being rude to you, you don't even look that offended, or like your day was ruined." I sighed. "Well, uhm, I'm not going to let them get to me. I'll have to get used to it until they eventually decide that it is time for them to stop talking about me." She nodded. "That's really impressive. I'm glad you're starting to grow a tough skin for real. I hate how they dampen your spirits because honestly, you don't deserve that." She pressed a kiss on my cheek and dumped my dress into a laundry basket. "What I am glad for is that the tea party went absolutely well. The decorations and meals were on point. If anyone starts to spread rumours about anything negative, they would have the media team to answer to." I turned and looked at her with raised brows. "Why the media team though? What have they got to do with this?" She patted my arm, chuckling as she pull
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.