DARIUS★★☆★★The whole damn situation was a nightmare. A complete and utter nightmare. There I was, huddled in the woods like some kind of fugitive, with Sylas, Dawson, and a few of our best fighters. We’ve set up a makeshift camp, a pathetic excuse for a base of operations, while my Emmeline is trapped in my own damn house, thanks to that snake Kaelen.Dawson, bless his loyal heart, had spread out a map of the Estate on a fallen log. It was covered in all sorts of markings—known entrances, patrol routes, even some hidden pathways I hadn’t even known existed. The guy was a bloody genius when it came to this kind of stuff.“Alright, Darius,” Dawson said, his voice low and serious, “storming the front gates is out of the question. It’ll be a bloodbath. Kaelen’s got his men everywhere, thick as thieves. We don’t even know if Emmeline is safe. We can’t risk a direct assault without knowing her location and the layout inside.”I swear, I felt my blood boil. Not safe? My Emmeline? And my ba
KAELEN’S POV☆☆☆☆▪♧♧♧♧The mahogany table in the Estate’s meeting room gleamed under the dim chandelier light, reflecting the tense faces of the men gathered around it. I had tightened my grip on the Estate, replacing Darius’s loyalists with men I could trust. There were a few whispers of dissent, rumblings of discontent, and they needed to be crushed swiftly and decisively.I sat at the head of the long table, my gaze sweeping over the faces of my so-called allies. They looked at me, some with a semblance of respect, others with a flicker of doubt in their eyes. It was the doubt I needed to squash.“Darius,” I began, my voice calm, even, “ruled this Estate like it was his personal playground. Like we were his toys to command. He made decisions without consulting anyone, as if his word was law, and ours meant nothing. Did he ever once consider us, the strength of this territory, in his decisions?”A murmur rippled through the room. Good. They were listening, their resentment simmering
DARIUS’ POV☆☆☆☆☆☆I crept through the hidden tunnel, my heart pounding like a war drum, flanked by two of Sylas’s men who owed me more than a few favors. The passage was damp and dark, and every sound echoed in my ears as if warning me of what lay ahead. I had to be silent, every step measured, every breath controlled. My mind raced with thoughts of betrayal and impending danger.That snake. Kaelen. I’d been so blind. He wasn’t just some ordinary beta, no way. He had power, real power, and plans I never saw coming. He played me, the bastard. Pretended to be nothing, just another face in the crowd, while he was plotting, waiting for his chance to stab me in the back. And he took it. He actually did it.Now, his presence corrupted the estate like a cancer.I could see that changes had been made. The familiar architecture was still there, but it was overrun by new guards and unfamiliar symbols. It was clear that Kaelen had strong allies, ones I never expected him to have. I scanned the
DARIUS’S POV☆☆☆☆☆☆☆“Darius?” She whispered, her voice filled with disbelief.“Emmeline,” I breathed, my heart aching at the sight of her. She looked pale and thinner. Her eyes, usually so bright and full of life, were clouded with fear.“How… how did you get here?” she asked, taking a step towards me.“Who's there!?”A guard appeared in the doorway before I could respond, his eyes widening in alarm. I could see his eyes narrow as he reached for his weapon.“Intruder!” he yelled, raising his weapon.“Get behind me, Emmeline!” I shouted, pushing her back.The guard lunged, and I met him head-on. He was strong, but I was fueled by adrenaline and pure, unadulterated rage. We exchanged a few brutal blows. I blocked his punch and drove my fist into his gut. He doubled over, groaning. I didn’t wait—I kicked him in the side, sending him sprawling to the ground, his weapon clattering away.But the noise had attracted attention. I could hear more guards approaching, their heavy footsteps poun
EMMELINE’S POV☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆His roar shook the very air around me. I flinched, squeezing my eyes shut as the sound bounced off the walls of this… this prison. Vases shattered against the wall, the heavy wooden chair he’d been sitting on splintered into pieces as he hurled it across the room. I flinched with every crash, my heart hammering against my ribs like a trapped bird. Darius’s failed rescue attempt had lit a fire in him that I hadn’t seen before, a wild, uncontrollable rage that was now directed squarely at me, even though I hadn't done a damn thing.“You stupid girl!” he bellowed, his voice thick with fury. I didn’t dare open my eyes. I just curled in on myself, wishing I could disappear, become invisible.His footsteps came closer, heavy and menacing. I could feel his presence looming over me. “Look at me!” he snarled, and I finally forced my eyes open. His face was contorted with rage, his eyes blazing with a dangerous light.“That… that idiot!” He yelled, and another crash fo
DARIUS’ POV★★★★★★★Seriously, these damn stab wounds still throbbed like a bastard drum. Every time I shifted, it sent a jolt of pain through my side, but I couldn’t stay still. Emmeline needed me. The image of her terrified face when Kaelen’s goons dragged her away kept flashing in my mind. That bastard wasn't going to mark her under the full moon. I won’t let that happen.Sylas fussed over me, trying to get me to lie back down, but I waved him off. “I’m fine,” I lied, the words catching in my throat. Fine? I felt like I'd been ripped apart and put back together with rusty nails. But compared to what Emmeline must be going through, this pain was nothing.“You’re bleeding again, Darius,” Sylas said, his voice laced with concern. Lately he’s been my closest friend, more like my right-hand man. He knew the way I loved Emmeline, knew how much she meant to me. “Doesn’t matter,” I grunted, pushing myself up to a sitting position against the rough bark of a tree. The forest floor was damp
EMMELINE♣︎♣︎♣︎♧♣︎♣︎♣︎Ugh, these silver robes felt like they weighed a ton. Every step they made me take felt like dragging myself through thick mud. Weak and tired didn’t even begin to cover it. I was running on fumes, and those fumes were mostly made of sheer stubbornness and the tiny spark of hope that Darius would somehow, someway, find me.They shoved me into this room in the Estate that Kaelen had turned into his creepy ritual chamber. Firelight danced on the walls, making everything look all shadowy and ominous. And there he was, Kaelen, standing there like he owned the damn place, waiting for me. My stomach churned. I tried to keep my face blank, to not let him see how terrified I was, but it was hard. There were other men in the room with him, big and burly, and their presence just amplified the fear that was already clawing at my throat.Kaelen looked at me, a smug look on his face that made my blood boil despite my exhaustion.. “See? I told you she’d come willingly.” He sm
EMMELINE’S POV♣︎♣︎♣︎♣︎♣︎♧♣︎♣︎♣︎♣︎♣︎My heart leaped into my throat the second I saw the crimson stain blooming on Darius’s side. “No!” The word ripped from me, a raw, desperate sound. I wanted to run to him, to shield him, to somehow make the blood disappear, but his hand shot out, a silent command. “Stay back, Emmeline,” he grunted, his voice tight with pain.Stay back? How could I? He was bleeding, for goodness sake! My vision swam with unshed tears, and a cold dread coiled in my stomach. And then I saw him – Kaelen. That smug, hateful smile stretched across his face as he took slow, deliberate steps towards Darius. The sight of him, so pleased with himself, made my blood boil despite the terror gripping me.Darius, as stubborn as always, straightened up, his hand pressed against his bleeding side. He swayed a little, and my breath hitched. “You’ll die here, Darius,” Kaelen sneered, his voice laced with satisfaction. Then, he lunged.It happened so fast. One moment Kaelen was stand
★★EMMELINE★★◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇The door creaked open, and I looked up from where I was propped up on the pillows. It wasn't the usual hesitant young woman who'd been checking in. This time, a woman who looked like she'd seen more sunrises than I'd seen rainy days walked in. She was older, her face etched with lines that somehow made her look both tired and incredibly kind. She had a presence, you know? Like the quiet strength of an old tree.She introduced herself as Elara, the new midwife. Her voice was low and calm. "Luna," she said, giving me a small smile. "I'm here to check on you and the little one."I just nodded, feeling a bit shy. The other midwives had been nice enough, but they always seemed a bit... nervous around me. Elara didn't have that. She just felt... solid.She came closer to the bed, her movements slow and deliberate. She didn't rush anything. She sat down on the edge of the bed gently and reached for my wrist to check my pulse. Her hand felt warm and steady."How are
★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