Chapter 48: The Return to RealityHana had gone back to bed the previous night with her thoughts still heavy on her mind and her heart full of worry when she couldn’t find Jarrel by her side. Opening her eyes with a start in the first light of day, her mind was still heavy with the otherworldly realm clung to her like a shroud, making it difficult to shake off the sense of dread that had settled deep within her. Her breath came in ragged gasps as she lay there, staring up at the rough-hewn ceiling of the cabin. The sound of voices outside pulled her from the oppressive silence of her thoughts. The familiar bustle of pack life—the shuffling of feet, the low murmurs of conversation, the distant clatter of tools—seeped into her awareness, grounding her in the present. Slowly, she pushed herself up, wiping the cold sweat from her below.As she dressed, the echoes of the nightmare continued to whisper in the back of her mind, replaying the accusing looks, the harsh words, the overwhelming
Chapter 49: An Unlikely AllianceJarrel’s eyes narrowed as Hana approached him, her determination evident in every step. He could see it in the way her jaw was set, the way her eyes bore into his with a fire that was both familiar and newly ignited. She wasn’t going to back down, not this time.“Hana,” he began, his voice low and stern, “you can’t come with me to the front. It’s too dangerous.”But Hana was already shaking her head before he could finish. “I’m your mate, Jarrel. I have a right to stand by your side, no matter the danger.”Her words were firm, carrying an authority that caught him off guard. He’d always known she was strong, but this was different. There was something deeper, something unyielding that resonated with him on a level he couldn’t ignore.“Hana, you’re not thinking clearly,” he argued, though there was a hint of reluctance in his tone. “You’ve just been through a lot. You need to rest, to gather your strength.”She stepped closer, her gaze unwavering. “And
Chapter 50: Bonds of Fury. The journey to the front lines of the Sealhow pack’s territory was fraught with an undercurrent of tension. The powerful growl of engines cut through the silence, but neither Hana nor Jarrel spoke. The heavy silence between them was pregnant with thoughts unspoken, feelings raw and volatile. Magnus drove, his eyes fixed on the road, but the stiffness in his shoulders betrayed his discomfort. Jarrel stole glances at Hana, his mind racing. The events of the past few hours had left him unsettled, torn between his duty as Alpha and his instincts as a mate. He knew the tension between them would only escalate at the dungeon, where the captured prisoners—Hana’s people—were held.As they approached the front, the landscape became bleaker, more desolate. The dense trees gave way to barren fields, and the air grew heavy with the scent of blood and despair. When they finally arrived, the sight that greeted Hana made her heart lurch.The dungeon loomed ahead, a foreb
Chapter 51: Lines in the SandHana turned to Jarrel, her eyes still glowing fiercely. “As your Luna and your fated mate, I request that you release my people from their bondage and prison. They’ve suffered enough.”Jarrel hesitated, his eyes searching hers, looking for any sign of hesitation. But there was none. She stood before him, resolute, fierce, a true Alpha in her own right. He couldn’t deny the strength she exuded, nor could he ignore the bond that tied them together, a bond that went beyond pack, beyond duty. “As you wish,” he finally said, his voice low, a mix of respect and something more. “Your people will be released.”She turned to her former pack members, who watched her in stunned silence. “You can leave if you want to,” she said, her tone less harsh now, but still firm. “But I won’t be held responsible if something else happens to you.”With that, she turned and walked away, her footsteps echoing in the quiet dungeon. Jarrel watched her go, a strange mix of emotions
Chapter 52: Sands of TimeHana looked at him for a long moment, as if searching for something in his eyes. Then, with a sigh, she turned away from him, her gaze once again focused on the unknown again. “It’s not that simple, Jarrel. You can’t just undo the past. My people—they’ll never forgive you, and neither will I, not completely. But I’m tired of fighting, if holding onto all this anger. It’s eating me alive.”Jarrel moved closer, standing beside her, his eyes following her gaze to the sky. “Then let it go,” he said quietly. “Not for me, but for yourself. You don’t have to forgive me, Hana. But you need to find a way to move forward, for your own sake.”Hana’s shoulders slumped, and she closed her eyes, taking a deep breath. “I want to, Jarrel. I really do. But every time I try, I see their faces—my family, my friends. And I feel like I’m betraying them by even considering a life with you.”Jarrel’s heart twisted painfully at her words. He had always known that winning her trust,
Chapter 53: The Party The grand hall of the Sealhow pack’s mansion was alright with the glow of countless chandeliers, their crystal facets casting a soft, golden light over the gathered guests. The air was thick with the mingling scents of fine wines, savory dishes, and the subtle perfumes worn by the elite of the werewolf society. Laughter and conversation flowed freely, punctuated by the occasional clink of glasses as the pack’s most influential members gathered to celebrate another victory, another season, or perhaps simply their own status. Hana stood near the edge of the room, her back straight, shoulders tense. The dress Jarrel had chosen for her—deep emerald green that accentuated her dark hair and striking eyes—was elegant, almost regal. Yet, despite its beauty, she couldn’t shake the discomfort that came with wearing it. She felt out of place among the lavishly dressed women, all of whom seemed to have been born into this world of wealth and power, a world she had only r
Chapter 54: The Truth The cool night air hit Hana’s face as she stepped outside, her hand still enclosed in Jarrel’s firm grip. The darkness was a welcome relief from the stifling atmosphere inside the grand hall, where the whispers and judgments of the elite had started to chip away at her composure. The stars above were scattered across the sky like diamonds, offering a brief respite from the storm brewing in her mind. Jarrel led her to a secluded garden at the edge of the mansion’s grounds, where the sounds of the party faded into the background, leaving only the soft rustle of leaves and the distant call of an owl. He released her hand and turned to face her, his eyes searching hers as if trying to decipher the turmoil within.“Hana,” he began, his voice gentle yet laced with concern, “what’s really going on? I can tell something’s bothering you.”Hana hesitated, the words she wanted to say caught in her throat. She had always prided herself on being strong, on not showing weakn
Chapter 55: Confrontation with the BetaThe ride back to the castle was a silent one. Hana sat across from Jarrel, her mind heavy with the events of the night. She hadn’t expected the party to go smoothly, but the way those girls had openly disrespected her, especially with Jarrel present in that hall but oblivious to it, had unsettled her. What unsettled her more was the undercurrent of something dark—something more than just causal disdain. Beside her, Jarrel was stone-faced, his usual aura of authority radiating off him. His eyes were dark, sharp as he stared out of the window, but every now and then, Hana felt his gaze flicker toward her. The silence between them was thick, but not uncomfortable. It was just Jarrel’s way—calm before the storm.As the car pulled up to the castle gates, a figure stood waiting in the shadows. Jarrel tensed immediately, eyes narrowing as the figure stepped forward. It was a messenger from the council, dressed in dark robes, his face pale and grim.“A