EMMELINE☆☆☆☆☆Ugh, I woke up feeling like a truck had run me over. My eyes felt heavy, and my body just wanted to stay glued to the mattress. I reached out my hand, but the other side of the bed was cold. Darius was already gone for his meeting. Of course, Mr. Important always had somewhere to be. I dragged myself out of bed and headed for the bathroom. A long, hot bath sounded like the only thing that could possibly make me feel human again.After my bath, I went to the dining room, and breakfast was already waiting for me. The usual spread – fruits, some toast, and that fancy tea Darius insisted on. I wasn’t really hungry, but I managed to eat a little something. I was feeling restless, cooped up in the house. So, I decided to take a short stroll in the gardens. The flowers were blooming, and the air was fresh. It was actually quite nice for a bit.But then, halfway through my walk, a wave of nausea hit me like a punch to the gut. I suddenly felt this urge to throw up, and before I
DARIUS☆☆☆☆☆☆Man, I couldn't stop the stupid grin plastered on my face if I tried. Sitting here in the meeting room with Dawson my beta, going over this damn invitation list for the banquet, every name we ticked off just made me feel lighter. Like a weight I didn't even know I was carrying had finally been lifted.“Think we’ve got everyone important, boss?” Dawson asked, his pen hovering over the last few names. He looked up at me, a small smile playing on his lips. He knew how happy I was. Everyone did. It was probably radiating off me like heat from a damn furnace.“Yeah, man, looks good,” I said, leaning back in my chair. “Anyone we missed, they can just… well, they can kick themselves later for not being on the list for the party of the century.” I chuckled, and Dawson joined in. It felt good, this easy laughter. It felt right.“Party of the century, huh?” Dawson repeated, shaking his head with a grin. “You’re really going all out, aren’t you?”“Damn right, I am!” I exclaimed, my
EMMELINE’S POV★★★★★★★★★Ugh, all that fancy food and forced smiles were starting to give me a stomach ache…I needed a quick escape to the ladies' room before I painted the pristine white tablecloth with my dinner. I told Darius I needed to pee – a totally believable excuse, right? – and slipped out of the banquet hall. The bathroom was down the hall, and I was just heading back, feeling a little bit better, when I noticed the music had stopped. Weird. Then I heard voices coming from a side room. Something felt… off. Like a really bad vibe was radiating from behind that closed door. My feet just stopped. I knew that voice. Michael’s. That slimy bastard.My heart started hammering against my ribs. How in the actual hell did he find out? I crept closer, my hands shaking. Peeking through the slightly ajar door, I saw a bunch of Alphas crammed in there, including those two absolute digusting devils, Alpha Crock and Alpha Mathias. Darius was standing tall in the middle of them, facing Mic
EMMELINE★☆★☆★☆This night had gone straight to hell. One moment, I was in a grand banquet hall, surrounded by laughter and music, and the next? I was running for my damn life through the dark forest, my lungs burning and my heart hammering against my ribs like a war drum.I had no shoes on now, no time to think, just raw survival instincts screaming at me to move faster. My dress was torn, catching on branches as I pushed through, but I didn’t stop. I couldn’t."FIND HER!" a voice roared behind me. "DON’T LET HER ESCAPE, DAMN IT!"Escape. That was the only thing on my mind. The forest was a maze of trees and shadows, every direction, every turn looking exactly like the last. I had no freaking clue where I was going, just a blind, desperate hope that I’d stumble across the Lycans estate before they caught me.I had to make it to the estate, not just to save myself but to also warn them. Sylas would know what to do. He had to. If I didn’t make it there… I don’t even want to imagine wha
EMMELINE★☆★☆★☆The rough hands of the lycan guards practically threw me inside. I landed hard on the cold stone floor, the air knocked right out of my lungs. I gasped, trying to suck in some air, my chest heaving like I’d run a marathon. Which, technically, I kind of had.“Emmeline! What the hell happened?” Sylas was instantly beside me, his strong hands gripping my shoulders, pulling me upright. His face was etched with worry, his eyes searching mine.It took a few ragged breaths, but I finally managed to choke out the words. “Michael… that son of a bitch… he exposed me. They know. They’re coming.” The last part came out in a shaky whisper, the reality of it all crashing down on me.Sylas’s grip tightened for a second, and his expression went dark, like a storm cloud rolling in. He lifted me as if I weighed nothing, despite the adrenaline still coursing through me, and gently placed me on a nearby chair. My legs felt like jelly, and I was still trembling.“I knew this day would come
MICHAEL’S POV★☆★☆★☆★☆★This was beautiful. Absolutely fucking beautiful. I stood a good distance away, close enough to feel the heat radiating off the flames, far enough to be safe from any stray arrows or desperate lunges. The estate, or whatever shithole the Lycans had been using as their hideout, was going up in smoke. Literally.The flames danced and writhed, licking at the night sky, turning the darkness into a grotesque orange glow. I could hear the crackling and popping of the wood, the frantic yelps and screams of the Lycans trapped inside. It was music to my ears. Sweet, sweet vengeance.While Darius was busy playing king back at his estate, trying to deal with those spineless Alphas, I was putting my real plan into action. The little drama in the hall had been a nice distraction, a way to get Darius focused on his own problems while I took care of his little pet project.He was so predictable, so blinded by that damn girl. He probably thought the Lycan bitch had run back to
EMMELINE’S POV★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆The battle raged on, the night filled with the sounds of violence. I fought like a demon, my body moving on instinct, fueled by a fierce protectiveness.The fight, the night… all of it was a goddamn nightmare.Smoke choked the air, making me cough and gag. Fire licked at the crumbling walls of the estate, casting eerie, dancing shadows. Blood was everywhere, staining the ground, the walls, even the air itself. I kept moving, adrenaline and pure stubbornness pushing me forward, but a sharp pain in my stomach made each step a fresh agony. I couldn’t stop though. Not with the kids huddled behind me, their small faces pale with terror.I saw Sylas still fighting, his movements growing slower, his strength waning. But he was still standing, still defending his people. He fought like a true leader, a true warrior, cutting down every one of Michael’s bastards that came near. But there were just too many of them. They kept pouring in, like some kind of relentless, b
DARIUS★★★★★★The grand doors of the banquet hall loomed before me, and I pushed them open, the heavy wood groaning in protest. Blood. So much fucking blood. It was all over me, a grim reminder of what I'd had to do. Behind me, Sylas grunted, carrying Michael's limp body like a sack of potatoes. The sight hit the Alphas gathered inside like a punch to the gut. Their eyes went wide, some paling, others narrowing in disbelief. My guards, the loyal and trusted ones, fanned out, blocking every exit. No one was going anywhere.Sylas dumped Michael's corpse in the center of the polished floor with a sickening thud. A collective gasp rippled through the room. Some of the softer Alphas turned away, their faces contorted with malice. Others, the ones who’d been itching for a fight, just glared at me, their eyes burning with hate. Let them.I took a step forward, the silence in the hall thick enough to choke on. "Michael is dead," I announced, my voice cutting through the tension. Each word fel
★DARIUS’ POV★●●●●●●●●●●●●●●The noise of the banquet hall faded behind us as I guided Emmeline towards our room. My hand rested on the small of her back, feeling the warmth of her through the thin fabric of her dress. Every step felt like walking on air, not just because of the wine, but because she was beside me. My Luna. The words still felt new, shiny, perfect.We got to the door, and I paused, turning her gently to face me. Her eyes, bright and sparkling from the evening, met mine. Oh moon goddess, she was beautiful. Not just in that dress, which looked incredible on her, but the way she was her. The way she smiled, the little crinkle at the corner of her eyes, the way she bit her lip when she was thinking. All of it."Finally," I murmured, my voice a little rougher than I intended. I reached up, cupping her face in my hands. "Finally, we're alone."She leaned into my touch, a soft sigh escaping her lips. "It was a wonderful banquet, Darius. Truly.""It was," I agreed, my thumbs
★★EMMELINE★★◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇Waking up felt like surfacing from a deep, dark ocean. My body ached, heavy with exhaustion, and my mind felt foggy, still replaying flashes of the night before. The sudden arrow, the shouts, Darius’s roar, Sylas pulling me away, the terrifying sounds of fighting echoing even in the safe room. It had been... a lot. More than a lot. It had been terrifying.I lay there for a long moment, just breathing, feeling the blessed silence of the room. No shouts, no sounds of struggle. Just the quiet hum of the house around me. Darius was asleep beside me, his arm heavy around my waist, his breathing deep and even. He looked exhausted too, lines of fatigue etched around his eyes even in sleep. He must have gone straight from dealing with the aftermath to checking on me, to finally collapsing here. My heart squeezed. He always put me first. Always.I carefully shifted, turning to face him. I gently traced the line of his jaw, the faint stubble there. He stirred slightly
☆DARIUS’S POV☆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆Today was the day. The Luna Moon ceremony. It wasn't just a ritual; it was a declaration. A binding of souls and pack under the sacred light of the full moon. For me it was practically a second mating ceremony, public and profound, solidifying Emmeline's place beside me, not just as my mate, but as our Luna. The air in the Estate grounds buzzed with anticipation, a vibrant energy that was both thrilling and, for me, laced with a dangerous tension.The invited guests had been arriving all morning, a steady stream of shifters from allied packs, respected elders, and our own people. Security was tighter than it had ever been. Every face was checked against lists, every person scanned. No one got in who wasn't supposed to be here. No slip-ups today. Not a single one.My eyes scanned the crowd constantly, not just for threats, but for my own people. They were there, scattered among the guests. My best fighters, my most trusted guards, dressed in finery instead o
★★EMMELINE’S POV★★Damn, I felt awful. Absolutely, completely, miserably awful. I was curled up on my bed, clutching my stomach like it was going to revolt again any second. It probably would. I'd already spent way too much time with my head over the porcelain gods this morning. My whole body ached, heavy with exhaustion, but sleep felt like a distant, cruel joke. And food? Don't even get me started on food. The mere thought of it sent a fresh wave of nausea rolling over me.There was a gentle knock on the door, and I managed a weak "Come in."A maid entered, carrying a tray. Even from across the room, I could smell the food. It wasn't strong, probably something bland the kitchen had prepared, knowing how I'd been. But still. One whiff was enough. My stomach churned violently.I swallowed hard, trying to keep it down. "It's okay, thank you," I said softly, trying to sound normal. It came out weak and shaky. "I... I don't think I can eat right now."The maid looked concerned, her gaze
★★DARIUS’S POV★★The implication of the scroll still felt heavy in my mind, even hours after I'd read it. Every word was etched into my memory. They weren't just planning an attack; they were planning to desecrate one of our most sacred nights, the Luna Moon ceremony. Arrogant bastards. But their arrogance was a weakness I could exploit.I stood by the large window in my meeting room, looking out at the territory I swore to protect. My Beta, Dawson, and Sylas were already seated, waiting. They knew something big was coming. They could feel it in the air, the same way I could. The tension had been building for weeks, but the scroll had given us clarity, a target, and a timeline.I turned, facing them, my gaze sweeping over their faces. Dawson, steady and loyal, always thinking of the practicalities. Sylas, sharp and strategic, his mind already dissecting possibilities."Alright," I started, my voice low but firm. "Let's talk about this scroll. What it says... it changes everything." I
★DARIUS★Damn it, looking at her sleeping there, all peaceful and shit, made my blood boil. Seraphine was locked up, should be scared out of her mind, but she looked like she was taking a damn nap on a Sunday afternoon. Not a twitch, not a sign of worry that she was rotting away in my cells. Any normal prisoner would've been screaming their innocence, begging for mercy, maybe even trying to pick the damn lock with a hairpin. But not her. Just this eerie calm that sent a shiver of unease down my spine.Just as I was about to lose my temper staring at her smug face, Dawson, my beta, showed up. He looked grim, holding a rolled-up scroll in his hand. “Alpha,” he said, his voice low, “we got him.”“Ronan Voss?” I asked, a knot of anticipation tightening in my gut.Dawson nodded. “Yeah. Tracked him down like you said. Wasn’t too keen on talking at first, but… well, you know how it goes.” He didn’t need to elaborate. We weren't exactly known for our gentle interrogation methods when push cam
☆EMMELINE☆Hearing that Seraphine was locked up and refusing to say a damn word, didn’t bring me any peace. Not even a single ounce of relief. Instead, a nasty knot tightened in my stomach, twisting with a fear that felt colder and sharper than anything before. It wasn’t over. I actually wanted her out. Gone. Either out of this Estate or just… six feet under—gone for good. There was something about her quietness, the way she hadn't broken down, hadn't begged or pleaded, that freaked me out way more than any of her damn lies. It was like she was just sitting there, biding her time, waiting for the perfect moment to strike. And that thought? It sent shivers down my spine.Later that night, when the rest of the Estate was probably settling down, I found myself walking towards the cells. My heart hammered against my ribs, a frantic drumbeat in the silence. What the hell was I doing? Darius had told me to stay away, to let him handle it. But I couldn’t shake this feeling, this gnawing anxi
DARIUS’ POV★★★★★★Emmeline was pacing in our bedroom, her frustration practically radiating off her in waves. "I told you, Darius! She's lying through her teeth! That whole story about the embarrassing letter and the list? Bullshit!"I watched her, my own anger simmering beneath the surface. I knew she was probably right. My gut had been screaming at me since she first told me about the man in the garden. But I had to play it smart. Rushing in with accusations based on a hunch wasn't going to get us anywhere."I know it feels that way, Em," I said, trying to keep my voice calm. "But we can't just throw her out. Not yet. We need to know what she knows, what she's up to.""Knowing what she knows has been going on for days now!" Emmeline exclaimed, throwing her hands up in exasperation. "And you know what else? I feel… uncomfortable around her. She's been making these little comments, these subtle threats… I don't like it, Darius. I really don't."My jaw tightened. Threats against Emmel
DARIUS’ POV★★★★★★At last, Seraphine arrived, flanked by the guards. They informed me that Beta Dawson had come to see me, and I told them to ask him to wait until I was done with Seraphine. Seraphine looked surprised, her normally calm expression slightly marred with a hint of confusion. “Darius? What is it?”"Who was the man you were talking to in the garden this morning?" I asked, my voice tight, trying to keep my anger in check.She blinked, her eyes wide and innocent. "Oh, that was just an old friend…he's a former soldier from my father's pack. He was just passing through and wanted to say hello.""Passing through and just happened to find you in our garden?" I challenged, my skepticism thick in the air."Well, yes," she said, her voice calm, almost too calm. "He knew I was staying here with you.""Did he?" I pressed. "Because Emmeline here saw him too. And she didn't get the impression it was just a casual hello."Seraphine turned to Emmeline, a hint of annoyance flashing in he