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 Kaiden’s absence, but for now, things seemed quite manageable. That didn’t mean I was completely in the clear. From across the lecture hall, Isadora’s friends shot daggers at me with their eyes, resentment heavy in their expressions. It was obvious that we’re 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 couldn’t 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!
CALANTHA“M-Mr. Grant…” 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?“I’ve been waiting for you,” he said, his tone almost too casual. “I came to visit the Lycan King and thought I might as well wait around. See if I could bump into you.” His dark eyes gleamed with something unreadable. “And as luck would have it, here you are.”I swallowed hard, tension coiling in my stomach. I already knew that this was about Isadora.He wasn’t here for small talk. He wasn’t here to simply ‘bump into me.’ If there was one thing I knew about the Grants, it was that they never ‘talked’ 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 wasn’t 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 wasn’t just a suspicion or some fleeting thought. I had felt it.Like those emotions were mine.And that was impossible.Unless…No.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 wasn’t looking at anything in particular —just 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 didn’t see you at the dining table.” He added when I didn’t respond."I had breakfast in my room," I answered simply, my voice d
CALANTHAIn class, I tried my best not to look at Kaiden. But it was hard because every time my eyes so much as flickered in his direction, I caught him staring. Or rather, glaring.And each time, I immediately looked away.Focusing on the lesson was the only thing keeping me sane."So now, we will be doing a little practical," Ms. Thea, our teacher, announced. "You will be paired into groups of three, and each of you will test the potency of honey bee venom."As she spoke, she moved around the room, assigning partners. When she reached me, I listened intently, hoping I wouldn’t end up with someone insufferable."Luna Calantha, you will be paired with Olivia." Ms. Thea said, pointing to a chubby brunette sitting a few seats away.Olivia smiled and gave me a small wave. I was just about to smile back when Ms. Thea added…"And the third person in your group is Ryker Slade."I froze.My breath hitched as my eyes darted toward Ryker. He sat lazily in his chair, his lips curled in a smug,
CALANTHAI walked fast, my heart hammering in my chest and my breathing shallow. The image of Kaiden with Isadora burned into my mind. The last thing I had expected to see today or anytime, was the image of Isadora on her knees pleasuring Kaiden.Somehow, it made me very jealous. Although there was nothing going on between Kaiden and I, I felt this anger that the same way he had touched me and made me feel him was the same way he was allowing another girl to do that. I swallowed hard, pushing down the strange feeling in my stomach. Why was I even feeling this way? This was nothing more than so dumb, stupid feeling. Before I could take another step, I heard Kaiden’s voice behind me and his strong hand grabbed my wrist. "Calantha, wait. It’s not what you think.”His voice made the anger I was trying to push down, to rise again. I took a deep breath to steady my bereaved before turning around to face him with a fake, small smile on my face. “Hi, Kaiden.” I flashed him a smile ev
CALANTHA After school hours, Eloise and Nyx invited me to go shopping with them, and without a second thought, I agreed. I was still mad at Kaiden, so I didn’t bother telling him where I was going. If he cared, he could figure it out himself.As we wandered through the high-end boutiques, my phone buzzed repeatedly in my pocket. I didn’t need to check to know it was Kaiden calling. He was persistent, trying to reach me not just by phone but through the mind link as well. But each time he tried to connect, I shut him out.I knew I was playing with fire. Kaiden wasn’t the type to be ignored, and there would be hell to pay when I got back. But for the first time, I allowed myself to be reckless. To push aside all thoughts of duty and just have fun.After we finished shopping, we stopped at a cozy café to unwind. Over steaming cups of coffee, we discussed our business plans again, this time with more clarity and excitement.For the first time, I felt what it was like to be surrounded by
KAIDENIt was all my fault.If I hadn’t disconnected the mind link the first time she tried to reach out to me, none of this would have happened. I would have gotten to her before that bastard even laid his filthy hands on her.The guilt ate at me as I carried Calantha’s unconscious body into my room. Her weight felt too light in my arms, her body limp. She was always so full of life, always so damn stubborn. But now, she looked fragile. Too fragile.My mother rushed in behind me, her eyes filled with worry. She had seen me enter with Calantha and had followed without hesitation."I’ve called the physicians. They’re on their way," she said, and I could hear the slight tremor in her voice."She needs first aid treatment now," I replied, lowering Calantha onto the bed. I carefully removed the leather jacket I had wrapped around her. "Prepare what she needs, Mother."Without another word, my mother turned and hurried out of the room.Alone with Calantha, I let out a slow, shaky breath be
CALANTHA Kaiden and I were now at the quiet corner of a café, both of us dressed to go unnoticed. I was wearing baggy joggers and an oversized hoodie pulled low over my face. While Kaiden was in a leather jacket and a cap angled to shadow his features. Our disguise seemed to work as no one seemed to recognize us.As we sat waiting for our order to arrive, Kaiden kept tugging at his cap. At first, I tried to ignore it but later, I couldn’t help myself any longer.“You’re acting suspicious while trying not to look suspicious.” I muttered, shaking my head.He shot me a self‑satisfied grin. “I’m too handsome to hide completely. If someone looks close enough, they’ll spot me.”I rolled my eyes at his show off, just as our breakfast arrived. The server set steaming trays in front of us and hurried off. My stomach rumbled as I began to salivate.“Ooh, this looks amazing. I’m starving.”“You’re not starving. You’re just a glutton.” Kaiden said calmly, lifting a mug of coffee to his lips. W
THAT SAME DAYSHADOW MOON PACK: ALPHA SLADE’S PACKHOUSEThe guards bowed their heads as Hera entered the packhouse, flanked by her handmaidens. As they passed, every servant and maid halted work to lower their heads in respect. Hera, as chief priestess of the capital pack, was accustomed to this display of honor and the quiet fear it inspired.A guard led her through the grand hallway to the guest chamber, where Alpha Slade sat in earnest conversation with Mr. and Mrs. Grant. Her handmaidens waited outside and the moment the Grants spotted Hera, they rose and bowed their heads. Hera inclined her own in return, then offered a formal nod to Alpha Slade. His expression was too calm, and the faint curve of a sinister smile touched his lips.“Finally. The chief priestess shows up,” Alpha Slade said, motioning to the seat beside him at the table. Mr. and Mrs. Grant sat to his left. “Please, have a seat.”Hera walked to the table but instead of taking the seat he offered, she chose the fart
CALANTHAThat night, I couldn’t sleep. Even though Kaiden was in the living room and I was in my bedroom, knowing we shared the same roof left me restless. I tossed and turned, burying my face in my pillow with a frustrated groan.What the hell was wrong with me? I had vowed to move on, yet here I was, still feeling his presence so much, enough for it to even disrupt my sleep.Finally, I gave up on my bed and crept out for warm milk in the kitchen, hoping it would calm my nerves and finally put me to sleep. My feet hesitated in the hallway as I passed the living room where Kaiden was sleeping. I hated how anxious I felt just walking by his space.Once I stepped inside the living room, I froze at the sound of Kaiden’s harsh breathing and restrained whimpering. He was lying on the couch, shivering and murmuring names I didn’t recognize.“Raya… No… Please… No… Liam… No…”My heart thundered and I realized that he was in the grip of a nightmare. And a horrible one at that.I rushed to him
CALANTHAI sat stiffly on the couch, the TV series playing but my mind elsewhere. Although it was my favorite show, I couldn’t focus. Kaiden was seated so close beside me, and I felt his gaze on me every few seconds. The tension between us was overwhelmingly thick.After he had eaten the soup I made, he refused to go to bed and insisted on watching TV with me. I tried to convince him otherwise, but his stubbornness won. So here we were, side by side, barely any space between us. I doubted he was even watching, with the way his eyes kept drifting straight to me.Clearing my throat, I scooted over to create some distance but he slid right after, closing the gap again.“Are you kidding me?” I snapped, turning on him. Despite my frustration, he stayed unnervingly calm.“Everything okay?” He asked, pretending not to know what he was doing.“Cut the act.” I growled and backed up toward the couch’s edge. He followed.“Ugh, stop it!” I hissed, and this time his lips twisted into an amused sm
CALANTHA I had never seen Kaiden like this before and honestly, it scared me.He was looking at me like I was something priceless, like I meant the world to him. Like he was searching for something in me. That look in his eyes wasn’t the one I was used to. Kaiden’s eyes were always cold, sharp, and unpredictable. But now, they were soft and vulnerable. And that confused me.I didn’t expect him to show up at my doorstep. After everything. After all the silence. He didn’t stop me when I walked away, he never called, and never came after me. That made it clear that he didn’t want me. And I had forced myself to believe that. To believe that I was the fool for thinking we could have been something more.And now here he was, in my space, kissing me in the places he knew I liked to be kissed. Trying to wake up the same feelings he once buried deep inside me. Was this his plan? To make me feel everything all over again, just so he could walk away once more?That was why I gently pushed him
KAIDEN“Kaiden?”Calantha’s smile vanished as soon as she saw me. Her eyes widened, filled with shock and confusion.Even with the alcohol still fogging my head, I kept walking toward them. My eyes stayed locked on Cross, who looked annoyingly calm. “What the hell do you think you’re doing?” I snapped as I reached them.Calantha stood frozen beside us, completely thrown off by my sudden appearance here.“My King.” Cross greeted with a small bow, then stood straight again, a smug smile tugging at his lips.That smile. It made my blood boil.I clenched my fists hard at my sides, seconds away from breaking his face. But then a voice in my head reminded me…This isn’t why you came here. Don’t ruin it more with Calantha.“I ran into the Luna at the restaurant nearby,” Cross said, holding up a brown paper bag that smelled of food. Calantha held one too. “It felt wrong to let her walk back alone by this hour of the night. I was just being helpful.”His voice was calm, almost casual. But I
KAIDENThe anger I had been trying so hard to keep inside started bubbling again the moment I heard a knock at my door. My jaw clenched as the first thought crossed my mind. Ivy. That girl must have come back, even after I had humiliated her and kicked her out.The door opened before I could even respond, and my tension eased a little when I saw it was Bradley who walked in. He looked concerned, his brows furrowed as he stepped inside.“Did something happen between you and Councilman Leonard’s daughter?” he asked, glancing around the room before focusing on me.I was sitting on the edge of my bed, slowly sipping from a glass of wine. I didn’t answer him right away. I was still too angry, not just because of Ivy, but because of everything that had been building up inside me all day. Ivy had just added fuel to the fire.Bradley spoke again after a few seconds of silence.“I saw her crying in the hallway. From the way she looked and what she was wearing, I could tell she just came from
IVYA shaky breath slipped past my lips as I stepped into the chamber, relieved to find it empty. The Lycan King wasn’t here—at least, not yet. But I knew I couldn’t turn back. He could walk in at any moment.I used the little time I had to finally breathe, letting my eyes wander around the room. Everything was expensive and elegant. The antique paintings, the polished furniture, the rich color of the drapes. It all screamed power and wealth. He definitely had a taste for the finer things.Slowly, I began to pace, taking it all in with quiet awe.Then, out of nowhere, a deep voice shot through the silence making me almost jump out of my skin. “What the hell do you think you’re doing here?”I spun around so fast, only to face the Lycan King who was now standing just a few feet away, his hair damp and with droplets of water still sliding down his bare chest. The only thing covering him was a towel loosely wrapped around his waist.It was now clear that all the while I thought he was ou
IVYI sat quietly in front of the mirror in the guest room where I stayed at the packhouse. The maids surrounded me, gently working on my hair, styling it into soft, loose waves that flowed down my shoulders. While some focused on my hair, others applied light makeup to my face and dusted my body with powder. A sweet, floral perfume filled the air as they sprayed it over me, adding a hint of shimmer to my skin with body oil.They were getting me ready to meet the Lycan King.But as I stared at my reflection, my mind drifted to earlier today at the boutique. The moment I had walked in with Queen Adeline and finally saw her.The woman who had captured the Lycan King’s heart.In this my short stay at the packhouse, I had overheard Queen Adeline’s quiet conversations with the maids. She often asked for updates on a girl named Calantha. It didn’t take long for me to realize they were her eyes and ears; spying for her and reporting back every little detail. It made me wonder who Calantha