Jonas' POV:It was almost midnight when I finally stumbled back to camp, the exhaustion catching up to me like the devil himself was on my heels… only a few more steps before I would collapse. I dragged myself forward, even though every fibre in my body was screaming in protest. My muscles were aching from the long run through the forest… which was more to punish myself than to train. I pushed harder with every mile, hoping my wolf would shut up, hoping the burn in my legs would drown out his voice.But of course, it was all useless.Before coming back, I had stopped by the stream nearby, but it had only pushed my wolf towards anger even after I had shifted back to my human self. ‘You deserve to drown.’He had hissed into my heart, while I stood waist- deep in the cold stream, washing the grime and blood off my skin. ‘You lost control. You broke her. What kind of leader are you?’I didn’t answer. I didn’t need to. We both knew what the truth was– I was a shitty commander, and even
Lexie's POV:I was sitting cross-legged on my bed, flipping through the scrapbook Andy had made for me, and for the first time in days, I felt like smiling. That little boy had poured his whole heart into it, just like he had been trying to cheer me up one way or another. He had gone through the trouble of gathering old pictures from Michael, mixed them with few of the recent ones we had taken as a family, and even got his classmates to write little notes for me. "You're brave like a lioness!”“Get well soon, Miss Lexie. Andy says you are the coolest sister-in-law!” “We are cheering you on Luna!”I laughed softly, my fingertips brushing over the page filled with crooked handwriting in colorful pens. Both Paul and Andy were trying so hard to lift my spirits, and the truth was, these two seemed like the only ones who could. I traced my fingers over a picture of Paul and me at the last pack gathering, his arm around my waist, my head resting against his shoulder. A small smile tugge
Katrine's POV:I couldn’t believe she had the audacity to claim I wasn’t understanding her. The nerve of that girl. That spoiled, pampered, oblivious girl sitting in her ivory tower, dripping in comfort and smiling like her world hadn’t crumbled at the same time as mine.I stormed out of that palace—no, that fortress—that Lexie now called home. A place so far removed from reality, it may as well have been in another universe. She hadn’t just left us behind in geography. She had left us in every way that mattered. She had no idea… no damn idea what I had endured because of her.And even if she did, I honestly didn’t think she had care.She made her choice. She chose him. And by choosing him, she threw me to the wolves. Or rather, into the jaws of a monster.I stumbled down the steps, fury blinding me. My fingernails dug into my palms as I walked faster, my breath coming out in sharp, hot bursts. I could still hear her voice. Her sweet, trembling, confused voice asking, What did I do wr
The baby-faced charm and beauty of Abby, who was the star of every room she walked into– at least in her own eyes– as fading rapidly. She was more like a shell of herself now. Her eyes were sunken, her skin pale from the cold and dampness of the dungeon, and her once steady voice trembled with each breath. But just when she thought it couldn’t get any worse, the sound of approaching footsteps echoed down the corridor, and her heart sank. Paul. He stepped into view, hands behind his back, a stern look in his eyes. “Are you ready to give me the answers now?” He spoke casually. Abby shook her head weakly. “I told you… I didn’t do anything. I just— I just pushed her. It was a moment of impulse, I wasn’t thinking—” Paul’s eyes hardened. “So still no confession.” He turned slightly. “Then you leave me no choice.” “No, please—” she started, but Paul raised a hand, and his men moved forward. Two of them yanked Abby to her feet. She struggled, weak as she was, but they overpowere
Lexie's knees buckled, triggering a wave of weakness to crash over her body the moment Katrine shoved her. Her fingers twitched helplessly as she stumbled back, disbelief painted across her features. That wasn’t supposed to happen. She had imagined so many different ways their meeting would go, but none of those things had happened. Instead, Katrine’s words had struck like daggers, stabbing into Lexie’s chest. “You have only ever seen my friendship, Lexie… but now you’ll see the strength of my enmity too.” Lexie’s lips had parted, a protest dying on her tongue. “You can pretend all you want, lie to everyone else… but you can’t lie to me. I know you. The truth you want to hide, it won’t stay hidden, not from a single soul. I have been supporting you every step of the way since we found you in the forest, mauled by that beast. And when you look at yourself today, don't forget that it's all because of my love. But you didn't care for it at all and now, you'll be ruined because of t
The grand hall of the Apollo Pack was lit brightly, with the pack members gathered under the brilliance of the sun emblem that hung proudly above the Alpha’s throne. Its golden rays were engraved into the wall of polished obsidian, catching the sunlight streaming through the high glass windows and casting blazing reflections across the marble floor. The crest was a symbol of glory, justice, and unwavering strength, and it seemed no less awe inspiring than the sun outdoors. Elders, betas, ranked warriors, and pack members stood shoulder to shoulder in the vast chamber. Robes of deep green, gray, and black marked their ranks, while the elders stood closest to the throne. Paul, dressed in a crisp black suit with the Apollo insignia stitched on his chest, sat on the grand throne, carved from dark oak and leather. Behind him, seated on the slightly smaller yet no less imposing chair, was his father, the former Alpha. His once fiery presence was slightly dulled by age, but he was s
Paul's POV:"No! Please! Mercy, Alpha!" The scream echoed through the hall, and soon after, a woman stumbled into the throne room, looking disheveled, breathless… desperation was carved into every line of her face. Her eyes scanned the crowd frantically before landing on Abby. With a strangled cry, she rushed forward, past the startled guards who reached out to stop her, but faltered at the look I gave them.Every member of my pack would have the right to speak to their Alpha, no matter how badly they have messed up. She dropped to her knees beside Abby, clutching her daughter like she was trying to hide her away from the eyes of the world, as if she could protect her from the judgment about to fall. Her frail arms wrapped tightly around Abby, rocking her as she sobbed uncontrollably. Meanwhile, Abby was looking at her with a blank look on her face. “My baby… no, no, please… Alpha! Please, don’t take her from me!”Her greying hair clung to her cheeks, which were damp with the pr
The stone halls of the Apollo estate were starting to brighten up as the day progressed, while Paul and Lexie walked back from the throne room. Their fingers were interlaced, and there was a lightness in her steps that hadn't been there for days. It wasn't much, but Paul noticed it. Lexie was quiet, but her silence wasn’t strained. There was a calmness in her presence now, and Paul knew why. The guilt that had weighed so heavily on her, unjust and suffocating, had finally been lifted. The punishment for Abby may not have been the harshest he could have delivered, but it had been just. More importantly, the truth had been revealed in public. Every member of the pack had seen the truth with their own eyes. That was all Lexie had wanted… to be heard and believed. The moment the door shut behind them and they entered the privacy of their chambers, Lexie turned and stepped into Paul’s chest, wrapping her arms around him tightly. Her cheek pressed against his heart, as if she nee
Lexie's POV: Moonlight poured through the glass panels above us, painting silver trails across the bed. It was perfect. Just me and my new husband… only the raw, aching certainty between us, that we belonged to each other. Utterly and forever. He let me down gently, but the way his fingers tightened briefly on my waist betrayed the hunger simmering just beneath his calm. And God, I wanted that hunger. I wanted to drown in it, to be claimed by it, to leave behind every last piece of the girl I had been before him. I pushed up on shaking arms, desperate to close the space between us, even though I was still shaking. The aftershocks from the orgasm he pulled out of me with nothing but his mouth and fingers left my whole body boneless, burning, needy. My dress was bunched up around my waist, and Paul's hands were still smoothing slow, worshipful paths along my thighs, as if he couldn't stop touching me even for a second. I didn’t want him to stop. I couldn’t have him stop.
Lexie's POV: My heart was ready to burst out of my chest with happiness. The Lexie who had gotten used to being invisible at best and a monster at her worst, was still unable to believe that all these people were here to celebrate her union with her mate. Mate, the word which had once been enough to trigger all my trauma, was now the reason for this happiness. My mate, my husband, my Alpha. Paul didn’t say anything as he laced his fingers with mine, pulling me gently but firmly toward the edge of the glowing boat. I followed without a word, my heart pounding harder with every step. The guests faded into the background; the laughter, the music, the ripple of the lake, all blurred into a haze behind us. All I could feel was the heat of his hand around mine, the promise in his touch. A small rowboat was waiting at the side, lit only by the soft spill of moonlight. Paul helped me get in first, his hands skimming my waist. I sucked in a breath, suddenly extremely aware of ever
Lexie's POV: As the vows were sealed and the ceremonial howl echoed through the forest, the mist parted like a curtain, revealing a sixth boat that had been hidden partially till now. It was an oval platform, white and sparkling as it was paneled with crystal, tethered at a slight distance from the others. The lake under it was glowing faintly, with silver fireflies lighting a path across the water. Without a word, Paul took my hand, leading me toward the waiting boat. As we stepped onto it, the guests on the other boats rose in expectant silence, eyes shimmering with magic and emotion. The music began to be played on wind instruments and ancient drums, echoing across the lake like a call to something primal and sacred. Paul's hand slipped into mine as we took our place in the center, and the moment we stepped onto the floor, it was like entering another world. The crystal beneath my bare feet was cool, as if the magic of its surroundings had made it come alive. Around us,
Author's POV: The wedding was to be held at the sacred Whispering Pines– a place with and bound by the blessings of the Moon Goddess. For generations, the royals of werewolf packs had come here to wed under the gaze of the stars, and Paul, despite his preference for modernity, had chosen to honor that tradition. The Lake of Elarion stretched before them like a sheet of silver, reflecting the full moon and scattering the waves everywhere. It was said that when vows were exchanged at this place, the Moon Goddess herself was a witness to it. Five great boats were floating on the glassy surface of the lake, carved from ancient redwood. Each boat gleamed under the starlight, connected by delicate bridges woven with strands of silver and red silk thread. The largest among them was at the center, draped in pale silk and adorned with cascades of white roses. At its heart, a crescent-shaped platform glowed faintly, etched with sacred runes by the Elder wolves. Nobles and emissaries fr
Lexie felt it the moment Paul carried her across the threshold—the heat, the burn, like her blood had turned molten. It wasn’t just the remnants of whatever Damien had slipped into her drink. No, this was something different. Something deeper. Hungrier. Like her body was screaming for only one thing—and it was him.But the strangest part?The moment Paul touched her—just lightly, just enough to tug at the strap of her heel—it was like her skin remembered cool water. His fingers were a balm on her fire. Her muscles eased, her breath hitched, and for a second, her mind stopped spinning.She whimpered when he pulled away, even slightly.“Lexie,” Paul murmured again, trying to move back, trying to do the right thing. Always trying to do the right thing.But she didn’t care about right.She cared about real.And right now, he was real.She grabbed his tie again, tugged him down until their noses almost brushed. “Stop pulling away,” she whispered. “Don’t you dare pull away from me.”He hesi
Lexie's POV:The warmth from the drink surged faster than I expected, like liquid fire wrapping around my nerves. My limbs felt sluggish, and Damien’s hand slipped farther along my back, his body edging in too close, the smirk on his face tightening.“Damien… stop! Stop right now!” I whispered, trying to pull away. My voice sounded far away, and muffled. He leaned in, his lips far too close to my face. “Oh, come on! An omega like you is getting the attention of not one but TWO powerful Alphas, Don’t act like you are not enjoying this…”I recoiled. My elbow tried to rise, to shove him away, but it was no use. I felt like I was moving in slow motion, and the reality was buzzing past way too quickly for me to react in time. "Shh!”He mock-soothed, dragging me closer. "Everyone’s watching. Wouldn’t want a scene, would we now! Already, your reputation as a Luna is at stake, now who would like a fake attention seeker on top of that? Because let me tell you! Sister in law, my reputation
Lexie's POV: The gala was a dream I hadn’t dared to picture just a few weeks ago.The grand hall was bathed in golden light, the chandeliers casting a soft glow over the guests, their laughter echoing like distant music. Paul and I stood at the center, surrounded by pack members offering warm smiles, kind words, and soft apologies. Everyone seemed eager to speak to us, to me? And for the first time in what felt like forever, I didn’t flinch from the attention. I had expected the memories to sting when they brought Abby up. And they did, just a little. But I didn’t let it show. I straightened my spine, met every gaze head-on, and responded with quiet grace. I wasn’t here to shrink into shadows anymore. I had survived, and I was ready to thrive. And for that, I was ready to do anything. Paul stood by my side, his hand never once letting go of mine, his silent support wrapping around me like a shield. I was aware of every inch of him—his calming presence, his warm strength, and the
The world had gone still again. Paul carried her to the bed, cradling her against his chest while Lexie's arms stayed wrapped around his neck, her face tucked close, and he could feel the aftershocks of her release still lingering in the way her body trembled against his.He laid her down carefully, crawling in beside her and pulling the blanket over them. She immediately shifted, nestling closer until her bare skin pressed fully against his, like she was afraid he might disappear if she let go.He wrapped an arm around her waist, tucking her tight against his chest. One leg hooked around hers, and his free hand found her back, fingertips tracing soft circles there. Her fingers slid along his stomach, drawing lazy, invisible patterns. Neither of them spoke for a while, coming down from their own highs. But the silence was filled with peace. Paul pressed a kiss to the crown of her head. “You okay?” He murmured, his voice already thick with sleep. Lexie nodded against his chest, h
The stone halls of the Apollo estate were starting to brighten up as the day progressed, while Paul and Lexie walked back from the throne room. Their fingers were interlaced, and there was a lightness in her steps that hadn't been there for days. It wasn't much, but Paul noticed it. Lexie was quiet, but her silence wasn’t strained. There was a calmness in her presence now, and Paul knew why. The guilt that had weighed so heavily on her, unjust and suffocating, had finally been lifted. The punishment for Abby may not have been the harshest he could have delivered, but it had been just. More importantly, the truth had been revealed in public. Every member of the pack had seen the truth with their own eyes. That was all Lexie had wanted… to be heard and believed. The moment the door shut behind them and they entered the privacy of their chambers, Lexie turned and stepped into Paul’s chest, wrapping her arms around him tightly. Her cheek pressed against his heart, as if she nee