"Oh no, not at all dear! On the contrary, I know he has been looking for you for so many years." My mother's voice, filled with pride, broke the bubble of fear. There was a distinct glow on her face as she spoke; "Your brother is considered to be a once-in-a-lifetime warrior, at the age of fourteen only! At first, he enrolled into the training program at school just because of his friends, but his instructor says that he has great potential. In fact, he has been selected by Alpha to train with the upper tier of wolves and once he becomes even stronger, he might be considered for the royal guard. He really wanted to see you, but Jonas was tied-up with training that takes up most of his day recently, because it seems like a war is coming." "A- a war?!" I repeated, a little surprised at the way my mother had mentioned it. "Yes, sweetie. Although the werewolf community has not seen a major war since your grandfather's time, neglecting minor skirmishes between packs and rogues, I th
After the conversation with my mother, I was feeling quite relieved about one aspect of my life, even though there was also the emotion of worry conflicting it. What my mother had told me towards the end, should I discuss it with Paul in detail? Apart from that, I had to find out the extent of Abby’s participation in the whole thing.‘Today was a good day after all, there are still many things that we need to talk about and sort out…but this is a kind of start towards reconciliation with my family anyway.’The thought brought a smile to my face as I opened the door to my room; but my smile dropped the moment I saw Nate. He was standing in the balcony of my room, with his elbows on the grill and his face towards the entrance to my room, and a soft smile had made its way to his face upon my entry.The same face that I had once thought of as my entire treasure, held the same smile that I had once been desperate to see, that once made me feel like I was capable of floating with joy. He wa
After hearing that , Nate looked at Lexie with an inscrutable expression of frustration and surprise, and left the corridor, stomping his feet.He found Paul standing at the foot of the stairway, with his face towards him and fire raging in his eyes. His jaw was set in anger, and Nate returned his stare before coming to a stop at the foot of the stairway."Where are you just coming from, Nate?"Nate's eyebrows shot up in surprise at the omission of his title as Alpha, but then he replied with a taunting smirk, while dropping Paul's title as well."Oh, nothing special, Paul. Just visiting an old friend, bringing up some old matters for the sake of reminiscing…I'm sure you know how it goes."Deciding that he did not want to engage in these covert tactics with Nate, Paul broached the topic straight away."I hope you have the good sense to know that you need to stay away from Lexie. You are a guest here, so it would be best if you don't force me to violate my boundaries of civility and f
My eyes were fixed on Paul's face as his eyes raked all over me like hot coals, setting me on fire once again without even needing to touch me in order to ignite my body from head to toe. I watched as he slowly dragged his gaze upwards, lingering for a few moments at my mid-thigh where the hem of the bath towel I had draped around myself lay, before finally coming to a stop at my face. I could sense his breathing hike before he quickly closed the distance that he himself had put between us, and hugged me. Circling his arms around my waist, he pulled me close to himself and softly brought his forehead to my level.In a very gentle voice, he said, "I'm gonna kiss you now, okay?"My mind had gone absolutely blank, and my lips were still buzzing from the last kiss. All I could do with my brain having partially melted in the heat of the moment, was to nod my head a little. And as soon as I did that, he reclaimed my lips with a ferocity that defied the gentleness of his tone.And the moment
Paul's POV:It was almost afternoon by the time I returned home the next day, and I wanted to see Lexie badly, regardless of what had happened last night between us. My beta, Jayson, had gone on a tour of the neighbouring packs to find out more about the rogue situation, but had ended up walking right in the middle of an ongoing skirmish. That was why he had sent me an urgent message last night, and now the situation was worsening by the minute.'I don't have time to act like a lovesick puppy right now…not when so many lives are at stake.'Thinking this, I parked my SUV in front of the gate and headed straight for my father's chambers.Knocking twice, I entered his room after announcing myself."Father? I need to discuss something urgent with you."He immediately sat up, and offered me a chair while saying, "Of course, son. What is the matter?""The Crescent pack has been attacked by a group of unknown rogues, as reported by my beta. They have sought our help to deal with the grave p
After my parents had left, I slowly got used to the new normal routine in the temporary absence of Paul, determined to show him a better version of myself.I continued to receive training from Jayson, who was slightly more strict than Paul when it came to training, but was also very thoughtful at the same time, explaining everything with lots of patience so that I wouldn't make mistakes again. But instead of training at the palace, we used to drive out to the fields a little farther away, so that I could get used to different surroundings and the unique challenges they presented. It was in one of these fields that I had collided with Jayson after Paul's party, and he had dragged me away to see the Alpha despite my protests. The memory made me laugh now, because I was certain that I would surely have been able to outrun him now, only, I didn't want to run anymore.While we had developed a good rapport, I could also feel my body growing significantly stronger. I could not just see it w
When Jayson brought the culprits to me in the throne room as per my wish, I was confronted with yet another surprise. At first, I was busy thinking about whether or not I might have encountered them during my stay in the pack, but as soon as I turned to see them, I found out that the three men were the same ones who were responsible for cornering me and beating me up at school a few weeks ago. However, on closer inspection, they seemed to be more like misguided adolescents than men, and outside of that framework where I had been the victim and they had been the perpetrators, they seemed to be significantly less intimidating. Nonetheless, renewed anger flowed through my veins when I remembered my helpless state and the pleas of help and mercy that they had ignored; they probably would have done the same thing to poor Kevin, had I not intervened. I finally opened my mouth after a few minutes of confusion persisted, during which they shared questioning glances as to why they had been
I was already quite pissed, after knowing the truth about Abby being the one behind all of this, but I was trying to keep my calm. Because first of all, I wanted to ask her about why she did whatever she had done with me.'But I have to wait for the perfect opportunity…'I had headed towards the school with this thought in mind. But perhaps it was a sign of everything falling into place around me and things taking my side, that I ran into Abby in the morning itself, at the time I entered school.I grabbed her by her wrist as I had already noticed her quickening her speed after seeing me, and dragged her to a corner so that I could have a good chat with her before the morning bell.She started to struggle in a dramatic way, but I refused to relent and instead directed my question at her, pulling a completely emotionless face and a stern tone."Abby, tell me one thing honestly. Are you the one behind my parents and Nate knowing about my whereabouts? Just accept that you are the one who
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
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 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
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