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 95: The Desperate GambitLater that night, Jarrel sat at his desk in his office, staring down at the pile of financial reports in front of him, his mind racing with ideas. The pack was teetering on the brink of financial ruin. The famine had stretched their resources thin, and with every failed venture, it became more apparent that the survival of his people depended on decisive action. But the kind of action that didn’t involve raiding other packs—a solution that the elders seemed to crave, despite the cost to their moral compass.He tapped his fingers on the edge of the desk, the weight of the responsibility pressing heavily on him. The numbers weren’t lying: they were bleeding money, and their pack businesses, which once thrived under his father’s brutal leadership, were now crumbling.There had to be another way. Something the elders weren’t seeing, something more sustainable than war.Magnus had been right—Jarrel had to find his own way out of this mess. He’d made up his
Chapter 96: The Whisper of Change The following day, the council gathered once more in the meeting hall. Jarrel stood at the head of the table, his posture firm, his expression unreadable. The elders, including Raoul, sat in their usual seats, waiting for him to speak. “I’ve called this meeting,” Jarrel began, his voice strong, “because we need a new strategy. I come in peace when I say raiding other packs is not the solution to our problems. It’s a temporary fix that will only lead to more enemies and more bloodshed.”Raoul’s lips curled into a sneer, but he remained silent. “I’ve outlined a plan to invest in our farmland,” Jarrel continued, laying out the papers in front of him. “We’re going to turn our focus toward sustainable agriculture. We’ll work with experts, bring in new workers if necessary, and start generating income from the land. This isn’t just about feeding the pack—it’s about creating a long-term solution to our financial problems.”One of the older council members
Chapter 97: The Brewing StormLater that night, Jarrel gathered his most trusted allies in his office—Magnus, Elena, and Corvin. The four of them were seated around a small round table, their expressions serious. The fire crackled in the hearth, casting long shadows on the walls. “I’ve made a decision,” Jarrel said, his voice firm. “We’re going to put the pack’s survival first, and that means doing something drastic. But we’re not raising other packs. We’re going to expand our reach—through alliances.”Magnus raised an eyebrow, leaning forward. “Alliances? With who?”“The neighboring packs,” Jarrel replied. “The smaller ones. They’re struggling just as much as we are with the famine, and they’re vulnerable. We offer them protection and stability in exchange for resources and mutual trade agreements.”Elena, the pack’s strategist, frowned. “It’s risky. Those packs have been keeping their distance from us for years, and after your father’s reign, they’re not exactly eager to trust anyo
Chapter 98: Stirrings of WarMorning broke, and the pack was already stirring with activity by the time Jarrel descended the stairs. The atmosphere in the manor was tense, but it was quieter than it had been the previous night. He could sense that the pack was waiting—for what, they didn’t know. But something was in the air, and they could all feel it. Jarrel made his way to the training grounds, where Elena was overseeing a group of young wolves sparring. She looked up as he approached, her sharp eyes catching his immediately. She dismissed the group with a wave of her hand, and they scattered, giving the Alpha and the pack strategists space to talk.“Alpha,” Elena greeted, wiping the sweat from her brow. “You’re up early.”“I didn’t sleep,” Jarrel admitted, folding his arms as he stood before her. “There’s something I need to discuss with you.” Elena’s expression shifted from casual to serious in an instant. “Go on.”Jarrel hesitated, then took a deep breath. “I need you to get cl
Chapter 99: The Rebellion WithinThe evening sky was painted in shades of purple and gold, but Hana couldn’t appreciate its beauty. She sat on the edge of the small bed in her chamber, staring blankly at the wall. The heavy silence pressed down on her, punctuated only by the occasional creak of the wooden floor beneath her feet. Her thoughts were a tangled mess, her emotions a storm that she couldn’t control. Since walking out on Jarrel, she hadn’t been able to think clearly. The weight of everything—her pack’s destruction, her family’s deaths, her fated bond with the man who had caused it all—was suffocating. And now, she had to face the fact that her heart was betraying her. Every time she tried to think of Jarrel as the monster he was, her mind drifted to the moments where he seemed more than that, moments where he seemed almost… vulnerable. Hana clenched her fists, her nails digging into her palms as she fought against the rising tide of conflicting emotions. How could she feel
Chapter 100: Fear of the AlphaThe dimly lit halls of the packhouse echoed with the hurried footsteps of the maids as they raced toward Jarrel’s office. Their faces were pale, their breaths ragged, and their hearts pounded with a terror that gripped them tighter with every step. They knew that disturbing the Alpha when he was in one of his darker moods was dangerous—more than dangerous. It was a death wish. But they had no choice. Hana’s refusal to eat, to even drink a sip of water, had gone on for too long. The maids had tried everything—pleading, begging, even threatening that the Alpha would punish them. But Hana remained unmoved. Now, they were left with no other option but to report her defiance to Jarrel. The older maid, Elara, clutched her apron tightly as she led the way. Her hands were trembling, and she could barely keep her voice steady as she spoke. “What do we do if he… if he—?”“We can’t think like that,” the younger maid, Mira, cut in, her voice just as shaky. “We jus
Chapter 101: The Breaking PointJarrel couldn’t bring himself to understand why Hana would want to hurt herself by starving. He knew she was angry and pissed at him for destroying her life, he knew—she had made that clear so why was she doing this? Why was she adding to his misery? Why was she hell bent on making him feel frustrated, confused, angry and sad? He couldn’t stand there feeling more and more agitated, he stormed through the halls of the manor, his footsteps echoing off the walls like the rumble of distant thunder. His face was a mask of cold fury, lips pressed into a tight line, muscles tense with barely controlled rage. The maids scurried out of his way as he approached, their eyes wide with fear, clutching the tray of untouched food in their trembling hands. One of them stepped forward, opening her mouth to speak, but Jarrel didn’t give her the chance. “Alpha, please—”He didn’t care what they all had to say. Whatever excuse they had, it would be worthless. Hana hadn’
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