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
Chapter 56: UnravelingThe tense silence between Hana and Magnus hung in the air, suffocating in its intensity. Hana’s chest heaved as she fought to control her emotions. The weight of his words, of her memories, pressed down on her like a heavy blanket she couldn’t escape.Magnus stood before her, unmoving, his jaw clenched tight as if he was trying to keep himself from saying more. His cold eyes bore into hers, filled with a deep-seated hatred she couldn’t fully understand.But she didn’t back down.Taking a deep breath, she wiped the last of her tears, standing straighter as she squared her shoulders. “I don’t care what you think of me,” she said, her voice steadier now. “I’m here because of fate, not by choice. And whether you accept or not, I am your Luna.”Magnus scoffed, his lips curling into a sneer. “Luna?” You think parading around as Jarrel’s little prize makes you Luna? You’re nothing more than his tool. He doesn’t care about you.”Hana’s fists clenched at her sides, but s
Chapter 57: Moments of SolaceThe night was calm, a stark contrast to the whirlwind of emotions Hana had just endured. Jarrel’s steady presence beside her was both a comfort and a source of confusion. After everything she’d been through—after all the tension with Magnus, the cruelty of the elites, and the endless struggle of trying to find her place in the Sealhow Pack—there was something soothing about simply being alone with him.As they walked down the long hallway of the castle, the stone walls dimly lit by sconces, neither of them said a word. The silence between them wasn’t uncomfortable, but rather filled with unspoken understanding. Jarrel had taken her hand at some point, his strong grip a silent promise that he wouldn’t let her go. They reached the door to their private quarters, and Jarrel opened it with ease, stepping aside to allow Hana to enter first. Once inside, she exhaled a breath she hadn’t realized she was holding. The room was spacious and warm, lit by a fire cra