Chapter 87: A Meeting of TempersJarrel stormed through the halls of the pack’s headquarters, his fists clenched at his sides as Magnus followed a few steps behind him. He was done with the tears and vulnerabilities of his situation with Hana, at least to the extent of showing it off to Magnus. What he needed was to put himself back together, bring back that stoic spirit and face this meeting with the elders head on. The echo of their footsteps bounced off the stone walls, but the usual reverence Jarrel felt for this place, where the weight of leadership often settled on his shoulders, was drowned out by the rage boiling inside him. Every step he too felt heavier, like each was pulling him deeper into a pit of anger and frustration that he was quickly losing control over. The thought of leaving Hana alone with her pain after everything she had confessed still twisted his gut. And now, he was forced to sit through another grueling meeting with the elders—elders who had only ever kno
Chapter 88: The Weight of GuiltJarrel slammed the door of his office so hard that the entire frame shook, the loud bang reverberating through the walls like a shot. His chest heaved, every breath harsh and ragged as if he had been running for miles. His hands trembled with fury, fists clenched so tightly that the tension ran up his arms, locking his muscles. His wolf was pacing inside him, restless, angry. The beast snarled, its frustration mirroring his own. The elders’ words kept echoing in his head, each one stinging more than the last.“Weak. Unfit to lead. A shadow of his father.”Jarrel growled low in his throat, a sound of pure frustration as he strode to his desk and slammed his fists down on it. The wood creaked under the force, but it wasn’t enough to silence the storm raging inside him. His entire body vibrated with the effort to keep his temper in check, to stop himself from losing control completely.“They dare.”His wolf’s voice rumbled in his mind, just as furious as
Chapter 89: Broken Hearts The following hours, the silence in Jarrel’s office was thick, suffocating. The air felt heavy, the kind of quiet that clung to the edges of his thoughts, making his mind spiral back to the pain of the hours before. His heart still ached from Hana’s words. Her tears, the raw emotion she had poured out, haunted him, digging into him deeper than any blade ever could. He was supposed to be her protector, her Alpha, yet all he had done was wound her. The guilt, the burning in his chest, was relentless. And what was worse, he knew he deserved every bit of it. Hana had confessed everything. She had revealed the anguish he had caused her, the pain that he had never fully acknowledged until it had come crashing down on him last night. He was the monster in her story, the one who had crushed everything she had known and loved, and left her to suffer in the aftermath. And no matter how much he tried to justify his actions, he couldn’t take back what had already b
Chapter 90: The Broken BridgeHana finally turned her head, her eyes red and swollen from crying. Her voice was quiet but sharp. “You can’t fix this, Jarrel.”Her words stung more than any blow could have. He swallowed hard, trying to keep the tremor in his voice steady. “I know I can’t erase the past. I can’t undo what I did, but I swear, I never meant to hurt you. I—”“Then why?” she whispered, her voice trembling. “Why did you have to kill them? Why did you destroy everything? Give me a logical reason why I should listen to whatever explanation you have.”Jarrel’s heart cracked open at the look in her eyes—the pain, the betrayal. She was right to ask the questions. He didn’t have answers. There was nothing he could say that would make it better. But he had to try. “I thought I was protecting my pack,” he said quietly. “I thought I was doing the right thing for myself. I didn’t have a choice or a say in it. It was either I do it or I pay with my life for starving my pack. But I see
Chapter 91: Shattered IllusionsJarrel’s heart dropped, the impact of her words hitting him like a tidal wave. He could feel the air leave his lungs, leaving him gasping for something, for anything, to hold onto.“I know,” he whispered, his voice broken. “I know I don’t deserve you. I don’t deserve your forgiveness or your love. But I still—”“Jarrel, please.” Her voice trembled with emotion as she cut him off, shaking her head. “You don’t get it. I can’t be with you because I can’t live with what you’ve done. I can’t pretend that everything is fine when it’s not. I can’t stand here and act like I don’t hate what you represent. What you are. Who you are.”Her words sliced through him like a dagger, each one cutting deeper than the last. He wanted to shout, to beg her to understand, but there was no point. He had no right to ask for her forgiveness, no right to demand anything from her.The room was suffocating, the silence between them louder than any words they could exchange. Jarrel
Chapter 92: The VoidJarrel didn’t even hear Magnus’s approach until the man was nearly at his side. “Jarrel,” Magnus said softly, but it was enough to pull him from his stupor.Jarrel didn’t look at him. He stared at the space where Hana had been, his eyes unseeing. His hands, resting on the desk, were clenched into fists. “I didn’t think she’d leave so soon,” Jarrel muttered, his voice rough.Magnus was quiet for a moment, his own emotions caught between sympathy and concern. “You two need to really talk,” he finally said. “I’m past talking,” Jarrel replied, his voice harder than before. His gaze finally lifted to meet Magnus’s, though his expression was one of sheer frustration. “She’s made up her mind. There’s nothing left for us to talk about.”“You know that’s not true.” Magnus’s voice was calm, measured, but there was an edge to it. “She’s hurting. You both are.”“Hurting?” Jarrel scoffed, his voice a mix of anger and disbelief. “She hates me, Magnus. She said she couldn’t l
Chapter 93: The Rising Tide The evening breeze blew through the windows in the hallway as Jarrel made his way to the front of the council chamber for yet another meeting. Despite Jarrel’s recent situation with Hana he still had to attend to the needs of his pack. As Alpha he had no right to break down and wallow in self guilt.The council chamber was unusually quiet, with the air thick with tension. Jarrel stood at the head of the room, staring down at the long table where his advisors and elders sat, their eyes filled with anxiety and impatience. The famine had been plaguing the pack for weeks now, and their once-prosperous businesses were crumbling. Even Jarrel, who always maintained his composure, felt the weight of desperation pressing on his shoulders.The elders shifted in their seats, uncomfortable but unwilling to be the first to speak. The silence dragged on until Magnus, who stood just behind Jarrel’s chair, cleared his throat. “We can’t keep going like this,” he said, his
Chapter 94: PressureJarrel left the council chamber with his mind churning, his muscles taut with frustration. The meeting had been a disaster. Raoul’s words echoed in his head, blending with the fears of his own people, the haunting presence of his father’s legacy, and the constant weight of Hana’s pain. He felt like a dam about to burst, his thoughts swirling in a chaotic storm.Magnus walked silently beside him, sensing the tension radiating from Jarrel. The elder’s insubordination had nearly triggered Jarrel’s wolf, and Magnus knew it wouldn’t take much more to set him off. Jarrel’s power and fury had always been volatile, but this time, it was dangerously close to the surface.“Raoul is pushing you on purpose,” Magnus said quietly as they turned down the dim hallway toward Jarrel’s office. “He wants to provoke a reaction.”Jarrel’s steps quickened, the words bouncing off his psyche like sparks igniting dry wood. “He’ll get more than that if he keeps testing me.”Magnus reached o
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