Chapter 69: Betrayal in the ShadowsMagnus clenched his fists as he walked just ahead of Jarrel now, the dense forest closing in around them. His steps were deliberate, leading Jarrel away from the direction where Hana’s faint scent had disappeared. His heart pounded in his chest, not from the exertion of the search, but from the guilt that gnawed at him with every step.“You’re heading us in circles, Magnus,” Jarrel growled, his wolf hovering near the surface. Jarrel’s patience was running thin, the bond with Hana pulling him in another direction, but Magnus pressed forward. “I just think we should be thorough,” Magnus replied, forcing his voice to remain steady. “We can’t miss any details. It could lead us to her.”Jarrel’s eyes narrowed. His wolf stirred, suspicious now. Magnus had always been his most trusted ally—his beta, his brother in arms—but something felt off. Still, he didn’t argue. Not yet. As they moved deeper into the woods, the memories started creeping up on Magnus.
Chapter 70: A Trail of Betrayal.The wind was heavy now with the scent of the woods as Jarrel moved swiftly through the forest, his senses on high alert. His wolf form itched beneath his skin, eager to be set free, but Jarrel kept a tight hold on it. He couldn’t afford to lose control, not now. Not while Hana was still missing and Magnus was the key to finding her. His heart pounded in his chest, the primal need to find her gnawing at him with each passing second.Behind them, the pack warriors searched in scattered groups, their movements efficient, but there was a growing frustration among them. They had been combing the forest for a while now with no sign of her. Little scent, with no main trail. It was as if she had vanished at some point. But Jarrel knew better. Something wasn’t right, and it wasn’t just a fruitless search. He could feel it in his bones. He had a sixth sense for these things, especially when it came to Hana. Every time he questioned Magnus about the search, abou
Chapter 71: A Fragile PleaThe air inside the abandoned house was thick, suffocating, as Jarrel pushed through the doorway, his heart pounding in his chest. He had forced himself to keep a level head as he confronted Magnus, but now, all his thoughts were on one thing—Hana.His wolf growled, an impatient beast clawing beneath his skin as he scanned the dark room. There, in the far corner, bound and slumped on the chair, was Hana.For a split second, Jarrel froze. Her head was bent forward, her body still. Too still. “No, no, no.”He surged forward, dropping to his knees beside her. Her wrists were tightly bound, the ropes digging into her skin, leaving raw, angry marks. His hands shook as he reached for the ropes pulling at the knots with more force than necessary.“Hana….” His voice was a strained whisper, his throat tight as fear gripped him. “Please wake up.”She didn’t move. Her breathing was shallow, barely noticeable. Panic swelled inside him, but he pushed it down, focusing on
Chapter 72: Whispers from the MoonHana wandered through an endless darkness, the heavy silence weighing on her chest like a boulder. The world around her felt both familiar and alien, an abandoned forest with trees that twisted like nightmares. The air was damp, heavy with a fog that clung to her skin, chilling her to the bone. As she moved through the eerie terrain, her feet seemed to carry her without purpose, without direction. And then, she heard it.“Hana…”A voice, soft but unmistakable, floated on the wind, whispering her name. It was distant at first, barely a murmur, but it echoed through the forest like a haunting melody. Her heart began to race. She spun around, searching for the source of the voice, but saw nothing but the dense fog that encased her. “Hana…”There it was again, clearer now, almost urgent. Her breath hitched as she squinted through the thick mist, trying to catch a glimpse of whoever—or whatever—was calling her. She wanted to ignore it, to turn away and
Chapter 73: Drowning in ShadowsJarrel sat alone in his dimly lit chamber, the room filled with the stench of alcohol. Bottles were strewn across the floor, some shattered in his fury. His hand gripped a half-empty bottle of whiskey, the liquid sloshing in time with the erratic beat of his pulse. He tilted his head back, eyes glassy and unfocused, as he took another swig, the burn in his throat doing little to numb the ache in his chest. The drink was supposed to silence the guilt, but it never did. It only made the voices louder—the voices of the past, of his father, of his brother, of everyone who had been hurt by his hands. The voice inside that whispered he was nothing more than the monster they all feared.“She’s better off without me,” he muttered under his breath, though the words felt hollow. His jaw clenched as his thoughts spiraled, each one cutting deeper than the last. “I’m a fool to think I could ever be anything else.”His thoughts dragged him back to that night—the nig
Chapter 74: Under the Midnight SkyThe night was quiet, save for the soft rustle of leaves in the gentle breeze. The darkness outside Hana’s window beckoned, a silent invitation to the freedom she had been longing for since she had awakened. She had spent too long lying in that bed, pretending to be unconscious, pretending that everything was normal, when in truth, nothing about her life was normal anymore.She sat up slowly, careful not to make sound, her eyes darting toward the door. The castle was still. Everyone was likely asleep by now, and she doubted Jarrel was keeping watch at this late hour. She hadn’t seen him since she woke up but the words from the maid telling her that Jarrel had been miserable struck a chord in her mind. She couldn’t let him see her like this—not when her mind was tangled with questions, doubts and hate.Silently, Hana slipped from the bed, her bare feet pressing into the cool stone floor. She tiptoed across the room, the dim light of the moon filtering
Chapter 75: Tension UnleashedThe moon hung high in the sky, casting a silvery glow over the garden as Jarrel held Hana close. Her mind raced, heart hammering against her chest as the tension between them grew thick. For the first time in a long time, Hana stayed still and didn’t pull away. She couldn’t. Not when the heat from his body seeped into hers, not when the mate bond pulsed so strongly between them, drawing her in, whispering to her instincts.Hana’s breath hitched as Jarrel’s hand slid up her back, his touch tentative, as though he feared she would push him away at any moment. She didn’t, though. Her heart was still heavy with the weight of everything he had done, but in that moment, under the moonlight, the bond between them felt undeniable.She hated him, didn’t she?Her mind screamed for her to leave, to break the connection, but her body remained rooted, responding to the pull of the bond. Jarrel’s gaze was intense, filled with a mixture of emotions—regret, desire, and s
Chapter 76: Crossing BoundariesThe night air was cool as Jarrel carried Hana back toward the castle, their shared kiss still lingering between them. His mind was a whirlwind of conflicting emotions—guilt, desire, confusion. He had never expected to feel this way, not after everything they had gone through, not with her. But the bond between them was undeniable, tugging at him in ways he couldn’t resist, no matter how hard he tried.When they reached the hallway where their rooms split off, Jarrel hesitated, pausing outside her door. He lowered Hana gently to the ground, ready to let her go, ready to step away and leave the moment behind. His heart pounded in his chest as he looked down at her, searching for any sign that she regretted what had happened.But instead of walking into her room, Hana stood still, her eyes locking with his in the dim light of the corridor. There was a storm of emotions swirling behind those of eyes—pain, confusion, but also something else, something that m
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