CHAPTER 21: A Test of loyalty Jarrel waved a hand dismissively. "She won’t. Her emotions are a trap; they don't let her see things clearly and she is blinded by them. She is so much in need of revenge that it's affecting her focus. ““She’s going to mess up sometime soon, but I am here waiting for that moment when she does. Until then, let her play her little games. They mean nothing in the grand scheme of things."Magnus shook his head again, his worry evident in the lines of his face. "You’re playing a dangerous game, Jarrel. You’re allowing your mate to plot against you, to try and undermine your authority.”“ The pack is already uneasy. They see her change in behavior, and they wonder what’s going on. If she continues like this, she could turn them against you."Jarrel’s gaze hardened, his eyes glinting with a dangerous light. "Let her try," he said softly, his voice carrying an edge of menace. "Let her try to sway the pack, to turn them against me. They’ll see soon enough who
CHAPTER 22: The Fragile Alliance Jarrel sat at his desk, the weight of leadership pressing down on him as he reviewed the latest reports from the pack’s borders. His thoughts, however, kept drifting back to Hana. Despite her outward attempts to integrate into the pack and her efforts to appear as though she was accepting their bond, something in his gut told him she was hiding something. His instincts had never failed him before, but this time, they were up against the complex emotions of a mate—someone who should be trustworthy but who seemed to have her own agenda.His Beta, Magnus, entered the room with a grim expression on his face, his presence immediately drawing Jarrel’s attention away from the papers in front of him. "Magnus," Jarrel greeted, noticing the concern etched into his Beta’s features. "What is it?"Instead of taking a seat, Magnus continued his pattern of pacing back and forth when he was upset. With a heavy voice, he said, "It's Mia." "I just received word fro
CHAPTER 23: Doom In Mia’s room, the smell of illness hung heavy in the air like a poisonous cloud continuing to spread its infectious presence all over the objects in the room. The once energetic maid was now stunned and rigid on the bed with a pale ashen complexion and sunken eyes. She had difficulty breathing and her panting was a constant suffering of the death that she was gradually experiencing. Hana was standing beside the bed listening to every sound she could hear and feeling guilty for such thoughts. She had never intended for this to occur out of her own device. When she had sought out the wolfsbane, she had been thinking only of violent, vengeful actions – ending Jarrel’s murderous cycle, liberating herself from his grasp, as it were. And again and again, she had been thinking not of other people, other lives, other deaths, but of herself and her own suffering, her own need for revenge. But now, as she watched Mia’s life ebbing away, the guilt submerged her and gave
CHAPTER 24: The Unbearable Weight of RegretBut the only answer that ensued was the sound of Mia’s ragged, shallow breathing interrupted, at best, by the gentle rise and fall of her chest. As much as the two of them tried to swallow the bitter truth, the bitter truth could not be avoided anymore — Mia was to die, and Hana could not do anything to change it.For hours, Hana sat beside Mia, and all she could think of was how much she hated herself and wished she never made that decision. In her mind she went over all the events of the past few days and tried to find anything she could have done differently; something that could have made the outcome different. However, every choice she made brought her to this: she held the wolfsbane, she sought revenge.Hana was in no state to go on for very long before she began to become weary and fall asleep. Her eyes began to droop and her body was exhausted owing to the stress that her emotions had put on her. She struggled to keep her eyes open,
CHAPTER 25: Tears and Regret Hana felt like time completely stopped after Mia died; it has been a week without Mia already but she still acts as if there is nothing else to do but sit in silence remembering her friend had passed away. The walls that used to be her luxurious prison now close in around her suffocating with the weight of guilt and regret. It was as if each day bled into the next – an endless loop of sorrow from which she could not escape. Her bed was both comforter and torturer; the sheets were tangled together because of restless sleepless nights while pillows were soaked in tears without end.Every morning, one of the maids would bring food to Hana’s small table near the bed. Yet it repulsed her whenever she saw it. Eating seemed to mock her somehow just like if somebody brings fish while you are still hungry after your family has eaten all its food – as if by doing so, they should imply that their life could go on despite Mia being gone. She hardly touched any me
CHAPTER 26: Unbearable Grief The room was silent and motionless, the meal unaltered. Hana stayed still and couldn’t think about anything else apart from the burden of grief that was unbearable. She had become a prisoner to her own creation, unable to break free from the cage of sadness and shame.If only she could turn back time, and undo the terrible mistake she had made. But no way was that possible. All that remained was living with its aftermath no matter how painful it was for her.So she lay there shedding tears freely as if they were just water running down her face while holding so tightly to the weight of everything she had done. It was indeed a great error on her part hence consequences followed in the form of hardships faced thereafter by Hana. But there’s always a limit when it comes to suffering – this sort of feeling made life unbearable at times including right now when there was uncertainty about how much longer such a state could persistThe days blurred together ju
CHAPTER 27 : Emotional Distance With her gaze glued to the elaborate designs woven into the carpet underfoot, Hana stood at the edge of the bed. The beautiful glimmer of the moon peeking through the drapes formed lengthy shadows that danced across the walls, filling the room with a dull light. Behind her, she could hear Jarrel moving, the sound of linen rustling as he undressed, and the soft creak of the bed as he took a seat. But she stood there, expressionless, her thoughts safely tucked away behind a solid wall she had built around herself.In the days that followed Mia's passing, she discovered that she could no longer afford to show her feelings by showing them off. In order to endure here, in this life, she needed to become someone else—someone untouchable, someone who could endure the pain without flinching. She had built an emotional barrier around herself, a fortress that kept Jarrel at bay, even as he believed he was breaking her down."Hana," Jarrel's voice called out to
CHAPTER 28: Seahowl packHana stood outside Jarrel’s study, her body tense as she tried to quiet her breath. She hadn’t meant to eavesdrop. Jarrel's deep voice echoed through the door as she was heading down the corridor, and there was something about his tone that stopped her in her tracks. His words carried a weight she had never experienced before, a seriousness that made her skin tingle.She held her breath, listening intently.“I’ve been through every drawer, every hidden compartment, and still nothing,” Jarrel muttered, frustration lacing his words.Magnus’s voice was quieter, more thoughtful. “But the documents from Moonlight pack—they’re our only lead. Those papers were worth the bloodshed, Jarrel. We just haven’t found the right key yet.”Hana’s heart skipped a beat at the mention of Moonlight Pack. She knew little about its history, only that it had been invaded two years ago, right around the time Jarrel had taken power. The remnants of the pack had been absorbed into Sea
Chapter 161: Epilogue II: A Legacy of Love and Power The forest was alive with magic. Silver moonlight bathed the clearing, casting an ethereal glow over the gathered pack members who stood in awed silence. The air hummed with energy, a perfect blend of anticipation and reverence. This was no ordinary night. This was the wedding of two Alphas—an event that would forever mark the union of strength, love, and destiny. A ceremony that was held in the borders of SeaHowl and MoonLight Packs—a symbol for a united pack. Hana stood at the edge of the ceremony circle, her heart pounding with a mix of nerves and exhilaration. Her gown, spun from silken fabric that shimmered like the night sky, flowed around her like a dream. Intricate patterns of wolves and moons were embroidered in silver thread along the hem, a tribute to her lineage and power. Her long hair was adorned with a delicate crown of woven flowers, their soft fragrance mingling with the crisp scent of the forest. She felt
Chapter 160: Epilogue: Beneath the Endless Stars A year passed in a swift blur, and yet for Hana and Jarrel, every moment together was carefully etched in the timeless landscape of memory. Hana had taken over the role of an Alpha and they had rebuilt their lives with dedication, each morning a fresh start, and each evening a quiet promise renewed under the glow of a full moon. Now as they sat on the hill overlooking their land, the same land they had once fought to protect, they found a peace that neither had ever imagined. Hana lay nestled beside Jarrel, her head resting on his shoulder, fingers entwined with his as they looked out over the valley. The gentle hum of their pack moving about below filled the air, the sounds of laughter, chatter, and life blending into a beautiful harmony. Hana’s heart swelled with a joy that had replaced the scars of old. “Do you ever think about how far we’ve come?” she asked softly, her voice almost lost in the cool breeze that swept through
Chapter 159: A Promise and a Coronation Jarrel paced in his study, the anticipation swirling around him as he glanced toward the open window, where the first light of dawn hinted at a new day. His thoughts kept returning to Hana, her courage, and the path she had walked to bring the two packs—SeaHowl and Moonlight—closer together. He could hear the distant sounds of preparation from outside—the servants bustling about, the echo of laughter and chatter as SeaHowl and Moonlight members mingled. Today would mark a new chapter, one where Hana would be officially named Alpha Moonlight. But there was something else, a deeply personal step he’d waited for: proposing to her, this time on her terms, out of love rather than destiny’s pull. Magnus entered quietly, holding a small, ornate box in his hand. Jarrel looked up, a mixture of anticipation and anxiety flickering across his face. “Is that it?” Jarrel asked, his voice betraying a rare nervousness. Magnus grinned and handed him the
Chapter 158: The Reunion Under the Moonlight Jarrel stood in the castle’s open courtyard, his gaze distant as he stared up at the shimmering night sky. The moon hung full and bright above, casting a silvery glow over the garden. Beside him, Magnus stood patiently, watching his Alpha with concern. It had been months since Hana left, and while Jarrel had done his best to maintain a stoic demeanor, Magnus could see the cracks in his armor. “Don’t you think it’s high time you pay a visit to Hana, it’s been three months already, Alpha Jarrel,” Magnus said, his voice barely above a whisper as he feared for Jarrel’s reaction. Since she left he had found a way to bury himself in his study, attend meetings, and discuss the progress of the pack. After all the day's facade, after putting a fake smile for the pack to see, Magnus knew he still retired to Hana’s room at night to cry his heart out. Magnus waited for a response but didn’t get one, there was silence. “Maybe you stopped thin
Chapter 157: A Moment In the Stars for Us The meadow lay bathed in the golden hues of late afternoon, the sun’s rays filtering through the towering oaks at the edge of the clearing. A soft breeze stirred the wildflowers, carrying with it the faint, sweet scent of lavender. Hana stood at the edge of the field, her breath hitching as she took in the sight before her. Jarrel stood in the center of the meadow, his back to her, the light catching in his dark hair and casting a faint glow around his tall figure. For a moment, she hesitated, her heart pounding in her chest. This was real. He was real. As if sensing her presence, Jarrel turned. His green eyes locked onto hers, and the gentle smile that spread across his face was like the breaking of dawn. Without a word, he extended his hand, an unspoken invitation. Hana stepped forward, the soft grass brushing against her bare feet. She felt her nerves melt away with each step until, at last, she reached him. She slipped her hand into h
Chapter 156: Down the Childhood Memory “I don’t understand, uncle,” Hana replied, her voice quiet like the sounds of the water flowing by. Hana stood in silence afterwards, her uncle’s words echoing in her mind, refusing to settle. The man she was mated to—Jarrel—was her childhood friend. The revelation still struck like a cold blade to her chest, slicing through the layers of time and memory. “You’re wrong,” Hana whispered now, her voice trembling. Her fingers dug into her palm as if anchoring herself in the present. “It can’t be him. I don’t even remember his face.” Her uncle, a seasoned wolf with years of wisdom etched into his stern features, leaned forward. “You don’t remember because your parents forbade you from seeing him. They wanted to protect you from… from a bond they didn’t trust—A Sinful Bond. But Jarrel never forgot you Hana. He was there that night.” “That night” hung heavy in the air—unspoken but understood. The night her family was slaughtered. The night her pac
Chapter 155: The Return to MoonlightHana took a steadying breath as she stepped into the heart of the Moonlight Pack’s settlement, her hands clenching and unclenching by her sides. The familiar sights of her old home greeted her—the pack houses, the training fields, the watchtower stretching toward the sky like a sentinel over the pack. It had been two years since she’d last stood here, and yet very detail was as vivid as the day everything came crashing down.She had spent the previous day together with her uncle, Elder Bart. It was her uncle that opened her eyes and mind to the truth, it was her uncle that told her that her love with Jarrel was not an abomination. And now they were in the center of the pack to meet with the surviving members of the pack. It wasn’t long before the pack members arrived, one by one, troops by troops. Murmurs rippled through the cries as they gathered, eyes filled with a mixture of shock, curiosity, and, to her surprise, a hint of guilt. Hana’s return
Chapter 154: The Alpha’s ResolveJarrel sat in the leather chair at the heart of his study, eyes unfocused as she stared at the stacks of papers on his desk. He’d been here for hours, long before the afternoon sun had even considered taking over the sky. The heavy silence of his study felt oppressive, as if each dark corner of the room held fragments of his thoughts, and all of them pointed back to her. He clenched his jaw, forcing himself to look away from the window where, barely a day ago, he’d watched Hana leave. With a sharp intake of breath, Jarrel shuffled a pile of documents closer. Pack alliances, supply chain logistics, wolves deployment schedules—his duties were endless, enough to drown any other man in work, but Jarrel found no solace in them. The tasks felt hollow, devoid of meaning, as if every line, every number was merely an echo in his empty heart. His gaze drifted up, flickering to the intricately carved bird flute resting on the far side of the room. He hadn’t dar
Chapter 153: Return to the Forgotten Hana took a slow, tentative step into the heart of Moonlight territory. She felt as though she was stepping into place suspended in time, untouched by the years she’d been away. A familiar ache bloomed in her chest as her eyes traced over the trees, the old buildings, each stone and patch of earth seeming to carry the echoes of her past. A gentle breeze rustled through the branches, carrying the scent of pine and damp earth. Memories rushed to her like waves crashing against the shore, each one louder and clearer than the last. She could see herself, a younger version, running barefoot down the worn paths, laughing as her mother chased her, her father’s warm smile waiting as she stumbled into his arms. Hana’s breath hitched, her vision blurring as the weight of those memories pressed down on her, heavier than she’d expected. It had been two years—two years since she’d seen this place, her home. Yet, standing here now, it felt like she had never