Marcus' POVRyan walked into my office, his face a shadow of the rough day he had. “What's wrong? Any news from Sally?” I asked, arching my back. “Yes, Alpha. He's found her her finally." That was the exact news I wanted to hear, as I just couldn't hide the smile that tugged at the corners of my lips."What do we do about Sally? We can't trust him. If he betrayed his pack to join forces with you, then it's possible he could snitch on you too." Ryan was beginning to think like me, and I was proud of him for that. If there was something the rest of my pack members knew me for, it was the fact that I don't work on the basis of trust. I consider anyone a potential enemy and will only team up with you when we have a common enemy, like what I was doing with Jacob.Being a Lycan had taught me that it's better to be feared than to be loved. "Keep an eye on him," my smile widened. "What about Sarah? Do we still have use for her?" Ryan probed."Of course we do," I stood to my feet. "She's g
Marcus' POVI walked out of his office with Ryan following behind. We marched straight to where Sarah had been tied, to break the news to her that we finally found Stephanie.Immediately, we entered into the place, I sensed that something was wrong. Some of the sentinels were standing in a circle, and it wasn't looking just ordinary.“What's going on here?” I asked.“We found her unconscious, lying in the ground." One of the Sentinels replied.I took the first few seconds trying to make sense of what had just happened. How on earth did Sarah untie herself and how did she end up on the ground unconscious?I stepped forward, pushing past the sentinels to see Sarah lying motionless on the ground. My mind raced as I knelt beside her. She was still breathing, but barely. How had this happened? There was no way Sarah could have broken lose from the ropes which were used to tie her. Something about her lying unconscious in the ground, wasn't just adding up and I needed answers."Who was gua
Sarah's POV "Sally! You?" My eyes almost popped out of their sockets. I never expected him to be there, to be the one telling me that I wouldn't make it out in one piece."Surprised?" Sally chuckled. "How come everyone seems so surprised to see me?"I was already seething with anger, seeing someone I had shared all my life's secrets with standing as a leader among my enemies.I had succeeded in pulling the sentinel to the gate and I was already close to getting away."Open the gates!" I yelled, pressing the dagger tighter on the sentinels neck."Don't do it!" Sally countered my warning. "You and I both know you don't have the guts to kill him," Sally let out a wild laughter.Sally was right. I wasn't the type who would just go about killing innocent people. I bit gritted my teeth, unable to accept the fact that my perfect escape plan had been ruined by Sally.I was still there at the gate with the sentinel still within my grip when Marcus and Ryan arrived. "Well, well, well," Marcus
Sarah's POVThe grip on my throat tightened, squeezing the air from my lungs, making my vision blur at the edges. I gasped, clawing at Marcus's hands, but it was useless. His cold eyes stared down at me, void of emotion, as if my pain was a mere inconvenience to him."We already know the location of your sister," Marcus hissed, his voice a cruel whisper. "So, very soon, you'll be reunited with her."A violent cough tore through my chest, and I doubled over, fighting for breath as my lungs screamed in agony. He loosened his grip just enough for me to catch a shallow breath before shoving me backward. I stumbled and crashed onto the bed, the impact jarring my body. Tears sprang to my eyes, more from the hopelessness of the situation than the physical pain.Marcus stood over me, his gaze predatory as he slowly began unbuttoning his shirt. A sickening grin spread across his face as he tossed his clothes to the floor. I trembled, backing away until my back hit the cold wall, but there was
Stephanie's POVI held my breath, pressing my body tightly against the cold stone wall as I peered around the corner. My heart pounded in my chest as I saw the sentinels stepping out of John’s office. Their faces were grim, and their voices were low as they exchanged words I couldn’t make out. Panic clawed at my insides. If they checked the CCTV cameras, it would be over. They’d know the truth. They’d know Sally came for me.I quickly ducked back into the shadows, praying they wouldn’t notice me. My mind raced, trying to think of a solution, but nothing came. The moment they discovered Sally had been here, everything would unravel. My secret will be revealed I needed to talk to her. Now.Without another thought, I sprinted down the hallway, keeping low, my footsteps as quiet as I could manage. My body was trembling with fear as I made my way to Diane’s room. She would know what to do. She had to.When I reached her door, I didn’t bother knocking. I pushed it open and stepped inside,
Reyna's POVI walked into Stephanie’s room quietly, not wanting to disturb her if she was resting. The room was dimly lit, and at first glance, it seemed like she hadn’t noticed me come in. She was sitting by the window, her gaze fixed somewhere far beyond the glass. Her posture was stiff, and something about the way she was sitting sent a chill down my spine.I approached her slowly, then gently placed a hand on her shoulder. She jumped, startled, as if I had pulled her out of some deep, dark thought. “Oh! I didn’t mean to scare you,” I said quickly, taking a step back. “Sorry, Steph.”She blinked, her eyes wide for a moment, but then she settled down, though her expression didn’t soften. She just gave me a weak nod before turning her gaze back toward the window, her fingers gripping the edge of the chair tightly. “Are you alright?” I asked, stepping closer again, noticing how her shoulders were tense. “You seem... off.”“No, I’m fine,” Stephanie said, her voice barely above a whis
Inside the Great HallThe enormous hall loomed over Lord Filipe, Lord Urich, and Lord Bernard as they stood near the entrance, their postures rigid and expressions dark with tension. The air between them felt thick, as if anticipation and uncertainty had manifested into something tangible.Lord Filipe, tall and broad-shouldered, folded his arms across his chest. “What do you think the issue is? Why would someone risk infiltrating the clan?” His voice held a quiet frustration.Lord Urich, the oldest among them with a silver mane of hair, narrowed his eyes. “It could be anyone. But one thing’s certain—someone was sent here for a reason, and they’ve succeeded in remaining hidden thus far.”Lord Bernard let out a low grunt of agreement. He was the most suspicious of the three, his sharp gaze shifting between them. “Whoever it is, they have help. No one sneaks into this place without some inside information. We need to find the leak.”The three lords shared a brief, uneasy glance. The idea
Sarah's POVThe door to the dungeon creaks open, and the heavy footsteps echo down the stone corridor. I know it’s him before I even see his face—Sally. The sound alone makes my stomach churn, but I keep my posture strong, even though my body aches from days of being locked up.Sally walks in, his grin as sickening as ever, his eyes glinting with malice. He stops right in front of me, towering over me like he owns the world. “You know,” he begins, his voice dripping with mockery, “I’ve already got the location of Stephanie. It’s only a matter of time before we bring her back here. Right where she belongs.”I don’t give him the reaction he’s looking for, but inside, fear grips me. If they find Steph, all I’ve done, all I’ve sacrificed, will be for nothing. I won’t let that happen.Sally’s smirk widens as he continues, “Your little hero act? All for nothing. She’ll be back, and both of you can rot together in this hellhole.”I meet his gaze, refusing to let him see any sign of weakness.
Diane's POV The moment the Moon Goddess assistant announced that Jake and Reyna were mates, my heart stopped. No. This couldn’t be happening. All my careful planning, my meticulous scheming—it was unraveling in front of me. I felt the blood drain from my face, replaced by a surge of hot, uncontrollable anger.Before I knew it, I was marching toward the DJ booth.“Stop the music!” I snapped, my voice slicing through the chatter and laughter like a blade.The music stopped abruptly, and the hall fell into a tense, awkward silence. Every pair of eyes turned to me, but I didn’t care. Let them stare. Let them gasp. I wasn’t going to let this stand.I turned my attention to the so-called assistant of the Moon Goddess, standing at the center of all this chaos. My voice was sharp, unwavering.“Why would you say such a thing?” I demanded, narrowing my eyes. “That’s a lie! I paid you to say something else!”A collective gasp rippled through the crowd, but I ignored it. I was too far gone to ca
Jake's POV The faint buzz of chatter outside John’s office drifted through the slightly ajar window, a reminder that the moonlight party was about to begin. I leaned back in the chair opposite his desk, trying to focus as John talked about the final inspection.“The decorations in the main hall are flawless,” John said, flipping through a stack of papers. “Food is already set, and the security team is stationed at key points. Everything’s coming together.”I nodded absentmindedly, my mind elsewhere. Seeing Reyna earlier had shaken me more than I cared to admit, and now, sitting here with John her supposed protector only made the tension inside me worse.“And after the party…” John trailed off, a small, almost shy smile playing on his lips as he leaned back in his chair.I raised an eyebrow. “What about after the party?”He hesitated for a moment before pulling a small velvet box out of his pocket. My stomach dropped as he opened it to reveal a simple but elegant silver ring, adorned
Jake's POV The knock at the door lingered in my mind as I stood there, my hand still gripping the doorknob. Behind me, Reyna was pressed against the wall, her chest heaving, her lips swollen from the kiss we’d just shared. The heat of the moment was still coursing through my veins, but I had to pull myself together.“Jake?” John called again, his tone sharper this time.I exhaled slowly, glancing over my shoulder at Reyna. Her wide eyes met mine, and for a moment, neither of us moved.“I’ll handle this,” I whispered to her, my voice low but firm.She nodded, biting her lip as I turned and opened the door just enough to step outside. John was standing there, arms crossed, looking impatient.“What’s so urgent?” I asked, keeping my tone neutral even though my mind was still spinning from what had just happened.“We need to finalize the plans for the moonlight party,” John said, his eyes narrowing slightly. “You weren’t at the briefing earlier.”“I was... preoccupied,” I replied, glancin
Reyna's POV The dress was breathtaking a flowing silver gown that shimmered with every movement, hugging my figure perfectly. Two makeup artists fluttered around me, adding the finishing touches to my makeup and styling my hair into elegant waves. Their chatter faded into the background as I stared at my reflection in the mirror. For a moment, I almost didn’t recognize myself.“Perfect,” one of them said, stepping back to admire their work. “You’re going to be the star of the party tonight.”I smiled politely, though my mind was elsewhere. Tonight wasn’t just about beauty or elegance it was about navigating a night filled with uncertainty and hidden motives.The door opened, and Stephanie walked in, already dressed in a sleek emerald-green gown that complemented her complexion perfectly. She looked stunning, and I couldn’t help but smile.“Reyna,” she gasped, placing a hand on her chest as she walked closer. “You look incredible.”I laughed softly. “Look who’s talking. You’re glowing
Marcus’s POVFrom my office window, I watched as Jacob stepped out of his car. His usual confident gait was evident, but there was an urgency in his stride that piqued my curiosity. He wasn’t the type to come unannounced unless there was something pressing.My fingers drummed against the desk as I waited for him to appear. Moments later, the door swung open, and Jacob strode in, his face tense.“Where’s Sarah?” he demanded without preamble, his tone sharp.I raised an eyebrow and leaned back in my chair, feigning indifference. “You don’t have the right to question me about Sarah. And besides,” I added, my voice lowering, “shouldn’t you be more concerned about getting your men ready? You’ve got a bigger problem at hand—your precious daughter, Reyna.”Jacob’s jaw clenched, but he didn’t back down. “I’ve heard rumors that Reyna has been spending time with Stephanie,” he said, his voice cutting through the tension. “And since Stephanie is Sarah’s sister, I need to know if you’ve been in c
Jake’s POVThe amber liquid swirled in my glass as I stared blankly at the bar counter. The mansion was quiet, save for the distant hum of activity as the staff prepared for tomorrow's moonlight party. I brought the glass to my lips, letting the alcohol burn its way down, but it did nothing to dull the storm in my mind.How did I get here? A few months ago, I didn’t care about anyone least of all any woman. Life was simpler then. No distractions, no attachments. But now? I couldn’t go a day without thinking about her.Reyna.Her name haunted my every waking moment. The way she laughed, the way her eyes lit up when she was happy, and even the way she frowned when something didn’t sit right with her. It all consumed me, and I hated myself for it.The door to the bar creaked open, and I glanced up to see Diane and her assistant step inside. Great. Just what I needed.Her sharp eyes landed on me immediately. “Jake,” she said, her voice laced with a mix of curiosity and disapproval. “Drink
Jake’s POVThe twilight air was calm as John and I sat on the porch, the sky streaked with hues of purple and orange. The clan had been unusually quiet lately, and for the first time in months, it felt like we could breathe. It was a rare moment of peace, and the upcoming moonlight party seemed like the perfect opportunity to celebrate.John leaned back in his chair, arms crossed behind his head. “Feels good, doesn’t it? No threats, no unnecessary drama. Just peace.”I nodded, my gaze fixed on the horizon. “Yeah, it’s been a long time coming. Let’s hope it stays this way.”He chuckled lightly. “Don’t jinx it, Jake. Trouble has a way of finding us when we least expect it.”We shared a laugh, but my thoughts were elsewhere. The party wasn’t just a celebration; it was a time for significant decisions. Decisions I wasn’t sure I was ready for.After a few moments of silence, I cleared my throat. “So… have you decided?”John raised an eyebrow. “Decided what?”“Who you want your mate to be,”
Reyna's POVSitting on my bed, I pulled my knees to my chest, staring out the window as I spoke to Stephanie. She was lounging on the chair near the dresser, brushing her hair but listening intently.“I know Diane set me up,” I said, breaking the silence. “She’s been waiting for any opportunity to embarrass me, but thankfully John didn’t give her the satisfaction.”Stephanie smirked and set her brush down. “You’re lucky John handled it so quickly. Diane’s schemes are getting ridiculous, but she won’t stop. You need to be on guard.”“I know,” I replied with a sigh. “I can’t let her get to me, though. That’s what she wants—to push me out of the way.”Stephanie tilted her head, studying me. “You’re stronger than her, Reyna. And let’s be honest, she’s desperate. It shows.”I smiled faintly at her encouragement, but my thoughts quickly drifted elsewhere. “By the way, have you seen Jake today?” I asked, trying to sound casual.Stephanie raised an eyebrow. “Not since dinner last night. Why?”
Diane’s POVThe next morning dawned crisp and clear, with the soft glow of the rising sun casting golden hues across the estate. I was already awake and bustling about before the first rays of light even pierced through the curtains. Today was the day of the Moonlight Party—a pivotal event, not just for the clan, but for me personally.Everything had to be perfect, and I would ensure that it was. This was my chance to solidify my position, to show everyone—especially John—that I was the right choice for him.I summoned my personal maid and gave her a long list of instructions. “Make sure the hall is spotless. The decorations must be flawless. The tables need to be set with the silverware I selected yesterday, and the flowers—only white lilies and red roses, nothing else.”“Yes, ma’am,” she replied obediently before scurrying off to fulfill my demands.Next, I sent for Stephanie. If Reyna was truly too “sick” to help, Stephanie would have to pick up the slack. I smirked at the thought