KAIDENThe council meeting happened later than I expected. With the way the pack had been in chaos since I took a slave as my mate, I thought they would have called for this meeting much sooner.But anyway, here we were, gathered in my throne room. I sat on my throne, with my beta; Bradley, standing beside me.âMy King,â Elder Josef spoke up first. âYou are the Lycan King, and your word is final. But that doesnât change the fact that taking a slave as your mate may be a mistakeâŚâI cut him off, my cold gaze locking onto him. âAre you saying I made a mistake? That I donât know how to make the right decision?âElder Josefâs eyes widened in panic, and he quickly shook his head. âN-no, My King. Thatâs not what I meantâŚââMy King,â Elder Kane interjected, rising from his seat. âI believe what Elder Josef is trying to say is that your decision goes against the agreement your father âthe late Lycan Kingâ made with Timothy Grant when you and Isadora Grant were born. By mating with the slave
THAT SAME DAYAT ALPHA SLADEâS PACKHOUSEElder Kane stepped into Alpha Sladeâs packhouse, his face drawn with frustration. Timothy Grant was already seated at the long wooden dining table, rose up the moment he saw Elder Kane and extended his hand. Just like Elder Kane, he had a grave look on his face. âElder Kane.ââMr. Grant.â Elder Kane shook his hand firmly before taking a seat alongside Timothy Grant. His eyes flickered around the room, searching for any sign of Alpha Slade.âHeâll be joining us shortly,â Mr. Grant said, as if reading his thoughts. Then, his tone turned expectant. âHow did the council meeting go today? Any good news?âElder Kane let out a slow, measured breath before shaking his head. His stiff posture and the tension in his jaw said it all.âThe Lycan King is as stubborn as ever,â he muttered, his nostrils flaring. âOnce he makes up his mind, no one can change it. Not the council. Not his advisors. No one.â There was barely disguised bitterness in his tone as
KADENTHIRTEEN YEARS OLDKADEN AND RAYA AT TEN YEARS OLD.I walked toward Raya, who was kneeling outside the packhouse, her small shoulders shaking as she sobbed. Her hands clutched a lifeless bundle of white fur, her beloved pet rabbit, Miss Bon Bon. The moment I got closer, I saw the wound on the rabbitâs leg, a deep gash that made my stomach twist. One of the traps set around the packhouse must have caught it."What's the matter, Raya?" I asked softly, even though I already knew the answer.She lifted her teary eyes to me, her face red and blotchy from crying. "Kaiden⌠I think Miss Bon Bon is dead."Her voice trembled, breaking on the last word, and my heart ached at the sight of her misery. Raya loved that rabbit more than anything. She spent every morning feeding it, every afternoon playing with it, and every night making sure it had enough blankets in its little wooden hutch. It was her best friend, and now it was gone.I knelt beside her, reaching out to gently take the rabbit
CALANTHA THE NEXT DAYToday, I wanted to look my best for school. I had figured that maybe if I dressed well, I wouldnât be a target for bullying.Since I wasnât good at makeup, I kept it simple âjust a touch of mascara, some clear lip gloss, and my hair styled into soft waves. Even though it wasnât much, I liked how I looked. Smiling at my reflection, I felt a small sense of pride. Hopefully, things goes according to my plan today.A sudden knock on the door came, pulling me from my thoughts.âMy Luna,â a maidâs voice called from outside.âYes?â I answered, pausing as I adjusted my skirt.âThe chauffeur is waiting to take you to the academy, My Luna.ââAlright, Iâll be down in a second.â I smiled, even though she could not see me.âOkay, My Luna.â She said before I heard her footsteps fade down the hallway.Taking one last glance at myself, I smoothed out my knee-length skirt and adjusted my blouse. Then, grabbing my backpack, I stepped out of my room and made my way down the hall.
CALANTHA Despite still getting lingering stares from students, no one dared to approach me or throw any demeaning words my way. It was a relief. I had been on edge all morning, anticipating trouble in Kaidenâs absence, but for now, things seemed quite manageable. That didnât mean I was completely in the clear. From across the lecture hall, Isadoraâs friends shot daggers at me with their eyes, resentment heavy in their expressions. It was obvious that weâre still furious about what had happened in the bathroom the other day. I swallowed and looked away, my shoulders tensing. I really hope they let it go. I had only been trying to protect that poor girl from them. Why couldnât they just forgive and forget? But of course, that was wishful thinking. After classes and a short break for sports activities, I stood by my locker, organizing my books. Thankfully, the day had been uneventful so far. No direct confrontations, no harsh words. Maybe things really were settling down. Bang!
CALANTHAâM-Mr. GrantâŚâ I stammered as he strode toward me. He stopped just a few feet away, his hands clasped behind his back, with an unsettling smile stretching across his lips. A smile that never quite reached his cold, mischievous eyes.This was the first time Mr. Grant had ever smiled at me. The first time he had ever approached me alone.And that only made me more wary.What does he want from me?âIâve been waiting for you,â he said, his tone almost too casual. âI came to visit the Lycan King and thought I might as well wait around. See if I could bump into you.â His dark eyes gleamed with something unreadable. âAnd as luck would have it, here you are.âI swallowed hard, tension coiling in my stomach. I already knew that this was about Isadora.He wasnât here for small talk. He wasnât here to simply âbump into me.â If there was one thing I knew about the Grants, it was that they never âtalkedâ to me about anything.They beat me.They kicked me, threw me around like I was nothin
KAIDEN I paced the length of my chamber, restless and impatient, my mind spiraling with questions I had no answers to.Where the fuck was Tara?I had sent for her immediately after my encounter with Calantha, and every second that passed without her presence only fueled my frustration.I needed answers.Calantha had been right. Our bond was fake. It was nothing more than a fabricated connection. And even though I had marked her as mine, there were limits and restrictions that set us apart from true fated mates.One of those restrictions was that I wasnât supposed to be able to feel her emotions.And yet, I had.I could still remember it vividly. The panic that had slammed into me, the suffocating fear that had wrapped around my chest like a steel vice. It wasnât just a suspicion or some fleeting thought. I had felt it.Like those emotions were mine.And that was impossible.UnlessâŚNo.I clenched my jaw, forcing the thought out of my head just as a knock echoed through the room.My
CALANTHAKaiden was attending the academy with me today, now that he was feeling better.I kept my body angled away from him in the car as the chauffeur drove us toward the academy, my gaze fixed on the passing scenery outside the window. I wasnât looking at anything in particular âjust avoiding him. Avoiding his gaze, his presence, and any conversation that might start between us.I had promised myself I would keep my distance.I had to. I was a slave. A girl like me had no right to be anywhere near a Lycan King like him.I was here because of a contract, a deal that bound me to his world temporarily. And when it was over, I would disappear from his life as if I had never existed.Nothing more. Nothing less."Did you have breakfast this morning?"His voice came beside me, cutting through the silence. I still kept my eyes on the window, not relying him. "I didnât see you at the dining table.â He added when I didnât respond."I had breakfast in my room," I answered simply, my voice d
BRADLEYWhenever Hana called for an urgent talk, it was always one of two things. Either it was about the packâs security, or it was something personal about us.And judging by how cold she had been acting at the ball tonight, I knew it was personal.She didnât say a word as we walked into the hallway. Then, she stopped, turned around, and crossed her arms over her chest, her sharp gaze locking onto mine.I sighed, already exhausted. âWhat is it now?ââIf youâre not in the mood to talk, you donât have to.â Her tone was clipped, but the way she narrowed her eyes told me she was challenging me.I clenched my jaw. Really? She had practically dragged me out here when I told her I needed to help the Lycan King, and now she was acting like she didnât want to talk?I ran a hand down my face, trying to keep my patience. âIâm here, Hana. Say what you need to say.âShe hesitated for a moment, then spoke. âThe girl I saw you talking to on the balcony at the ball⌠Who was she?âHer question ca
CALANTHAJust as I had expected, by the time the ball was over, Kaiden was completely wasted. He had told Bradley not to bother him tonight, which meant I was the one stuck with the impossible task of getting him out of the hall. With one of his heavy arms slung over my shoulder, I struggled to steady him as we made our way out of the hall. He was so heavy that I kept stumbling under his weight, muttering curses under my breath. I wished Bradley or even my friends were here to help me.But they werenât.Eloise and Nyx had left earlier after we settled things with the maidâ aka Rykerâs little spy. Honestly, I wasnât even that surprised when she admitted he was the one behind it all. Ryker was insane and capable of the most ridiculous, childish things.To make sure Kaiden knew the real truth about what had happened, I had asked Nyx to record the maidâs confession on my phone. When I showed it to him later, he would finally see that I wasnât careless with the necklace and that it had be
RYKERMOMENTS LATER: AT RYKERâS RESIDENCE I clenched my jaw as I keyed in the password and shoved the door open, my eyes immediately scanning the room for Cross. When I spotted him by the wine cellar, casually pouring himself a drink, my blood boiled even more. I stormed toward him.Before he knew what was happening, I snatched the bottle from his hand and slammed it onto the counter, shooting him a murderous glare. But Cross looked completely unfazed. If anything, there was amusement in his eyes as he took a slow sip from his glass, never breaking eye contact.That smug expression only fueled my anger. Unsatisfied, I grabbed the glass from him and smashed it onto the floor, red wine splattering across the tiles. Cross still didnât flinch. He just kept watching me like I was some kind of comedy show.âYou sick bastard! What the hell was that stunt at the ball?!â I snapped, my voice rough with rage.Cross simply raised an eyebrow, arms crossing over his chest. âWhat stunt?âHis indi
CALANTHAâOh my God, El! Where have you been? Weâve been looking everywhere for you!â Nyx rushed toward Eloise the second we spotted her back at the party.The ball was back in full swing, and Kaiden had already ordered Cross to leave, but the uneasy feeling from earlier still clung to me. No matter how much I tried to shake it off, it wouldnât go away.As for Kaiden, he was beyond pissed. I could see him at the bar, drowning himself in drink after drink, his back turned to us as he threw back another shot. At this rate, he would be completely wasted by the time the night was over.âWhy? Did something happen?â Eloise asked, concern flashing across her face as she looked between Nyx and me, waiting for an answer.I couldnât even bring myself to speak. Instead, my gaze drifted back to Kaiden, watching as he gripped his glass tightly. This was all my fault, and the guilt was eating me alive.âYou bet something happened.â Nyx finally broke the silence, lowering her voice like she was afra
ELOISEI took a deep breath and took another sip straight from the wine bottle in my hand. Standing by the balcony, I stared into space.I had come with Nyx, but that traitor had ditched me the second Jameson asked her for a dance. I was happy for her, I really was. But I wouldnât lie, I felt alone.It reminded me of my fatherâs words, ones he had repeated far too often:âEloise, if you donât find someone to like or a potential mate soon, itâll be hard for you to secure a reputable match later on. And if that happens, Iâll have no choice but to send you to your motherâs in Elvira!âI flinched at the thought. Elvira was one of the poorest packs in the realm, my motherâs homeland and the place my mother had returned to after the divorce. She couldnât stay here because of her heartbreak after the divorce. Maybe that was why I had never fallen for anyone before. Not even a simple crush. Maybe I was afraid of ending up like her; alone, abandoned, and carrying the weight of a broken bond.
CALANTHAMoments later, Kaiden and I arrived at the ball, where two grand thrones awaited us at the center of the hall. As he held my hand and guided me toward my seat, my breath caught in my throat. This was the first time a throne had been prepared for me, and the sight of it sent a jolt of reality through me. I was no longer just an outsider trying to fit in. I was stepping fully into my role as Luna. As Queen.The moment we sat down, the crowd began to form a line, each person waiting their turn to bow before Kaiden. And before me.The hall was breathtaking, glittering under the golden chandeliers. Every guest was dressed in extravagant gowns and finely tailored suits. I was relieved that my own dress held its ground among the sea of elegance. Good to know I hadnât miscalculated my choice. Yet, despite my outward confidence, something in me still felt... off.No matter how beautifully I was dressed, how gracefully I held myself, deep down, I felt like an imposter. Like I didnât
CALANTHAThe Lunar Mask Ball was finally here.I stood before the full-length mirror in my room, as the maids fastened the final clasps of my dress. The gown was a masterpiece. Deep crimson and sculpted from silk that clung to every curve of my body. The plunging neckline left little to the imagination, teasing a generous view of my cleavage, while intricate beading cascaded down the bodice. The slit ran dangerously high, promising stolen glimpses of skin. It was bold and sinful. Perfect for a night like this.My auburn hair was styled into an elegant updo, with soft curls framing my face while the rest was twisted into a voluminous, intricate braid that fell over one shoulder. Delicate golden pins, shaped like crescent moons, gleamed within the strands, adding a touch of celestial charm. My makeup was just as daring. Smokey eyeshadow that made my olive green eyes stand out even more. A hint of blush on my high cheekbones. And lips painted a sultry shade of blood red. Since becomi
BRADLEYI took a step back, scanning the room with a satisfied nod. The bed was neatly made, scattered with soft rose petals, and the air smelled warm and inviting from the diffuser I had lit. On a small tray near the bed, I had set out two empty wine flutes alongside a bottle of red wine.Everything was perfect.Hana was finally coming home.After weeks of guarding the borders with her squad, Kaiden had finally granted her a well-deserved breakâ the one we had both been waiting for all year. As Gamma of the pack, she was hardly ever around. She spent most of her time overseeing security, training warriors, or preparing for battles we hadnât faced in years. It was rare to have her here, and now that she was back, I wasnât about to waste a second.Just as I was admiring my work, a soft knock echoed at my door and I already knew who it was.In excitement and anticipation, I rushed to open it, and the moment I saw Hana standing there, I pulled her into a tight hug. She laughed, trying t
CALANTHA THREE DAYS LATER Pinkie Boutique and Elite Clubâs grand launch day had finally arrived. Under normal circumstances, I might have been overwhelmed by the sheer number of women flooding into the store. But today? I already knew exactly whose handiwork this was, and honestly, I could barely contain my excitement. I had never truly expected Kaiden to go through with my outrageous demand, but the packed boutique was undeniable proof that he had. It made me wonder just how he had managed to coerce the council elders into making all the women in their households shop here. The thought of it almost made me laugh. Eloise and Nyx were helping me handle the endless stream of customers, their hands full as they dashed from one rack to another. At one point, Eloise, looking completely drained, walked up to me for a breather. Seeing her so exhausted amused me because, as an elite Alphaâs daughter, she wasnât exactly used to this kind of work. Yet she and Nyx had still offered to hel