Stephanie’s POVThe moonlight filtered through my curtains, casting soft patterns on the wooden floor. I sat at the edge of my bed, my mind racing. Every event, every conversation, every glance from Reyna or Diane seemed like pieces of a puzzle I couldn’t quite fit together.The announcement at breakfast replayed in my mind. A moonlight party. Elders demanding mates be chosen. My stomach churned at the thought. There was something inherently political about these gatherings, a dance of power and influence that I’d never felt comfortable with.A soft knock on the door startled me. Before I could answer, the door creaked open, revealing Reyna.“Can’t sleep either?” she asked, stepping in without waiting for an invitation.I shook my head, motioning for her to sit. “There’s too much on my mind.”She sighed, sinking onto the chair by the window. “Tell me about it. Diane’s stares could burn holes in steel, and Jake…” She trailed off, her expression unreadable.I arched an eyebrow. “Jake?”
Sarah’s POVThe sharp pain in my feet was nothing compared to the fear pounding in my chest. The branches scratched my arms as I pushed through the dense woods, my breath coming in ragged gasps. Every step felt heavier than the last, and I couldn’t shake the feeling that someone—or something—was close behind me.I glanced over my shoulder for the hundredth time, my heart racing with every sound of snapping twigs or rustling leaves. Was Ryan still chasing me? His growls and screams had echoed in my ears earlier, but now the woods were eerily silent.When I finally felt like I couldn’t run any farther, I stopped and leaned against a thick tree. My legs trembled, and my lungs burned as I struggled to catch my breath. The moonlight trickled through the canopy above, casting ghostly patterns on the forest floor.I sank to the ground, resting my back against the tree. My hands trembled as I clutched the earth beneath me, grounding myself in its coolness. My body begged for sleep, but my min
John’s POVThe morning sun filtered through the tall windows of my office, casting streaks of gold across the polished wooden desk. I leaned back in my chair, my fingers drumming against the armrest as Diane and Jake entered. Diane's steps were sharp, her heels clicking against the floor with precision. Jake, ever composed, followed her, his face unreadable.I motioned for them to sit. "Let’s get straight to business."Diane perched on the edge of her seat, her eyes already gleaming with anticipation. She was always eager when it came to taking charge, but today, her eagerness annoyed me. I couldn’t pinpoint why, but perhaps it had to do with the calculated way she looked at me—as if she were waiting for me to say something she could twist in her favor.“We have two major events coming up,” I began, looking between them. “The Moonlight Party is in three nights, and the elders have sent word that the Mate Choosing Ceremony must happen alongside it.”Diane’s expression lit up briefly be
Reyna’s POVThe hallway was quiet as I closed the door to John’s office behind me. My heart raced, and I pressed my palm against my chest as if I could steady the erratic thumping.He had asked me to be his date.I shook my head, biting back a laugh at how ridiculous the situation was. Out of all the women in the clan, John had chosen me—a woman most people viewed as nothing more than a nuisance.“Is he serious?” I muttered under my breath as I walked toward the staircase, my mind whirling with questions.The Moonlight Party was a big deal, especially with the Mate Choosing Ceremony happening alongside it. It wasn’t just another social gathering—it was a declaration, a step toward something permanent. Why me? What was he trying to prove?I pushed open the door to my room and leaned against it, letting out a long sigh. My thoughts raced as I tried to piece together John’s motives. Was this just a way to get under Diane’s skin? She had been glaring daggers at me ever since Stephanie and
Jake’s POVThe sunlight streamed through the large windows of the council chamber, illuminating the old elder sitting across from me. Elder Gregor was the oldest in the clan, and his advice often carried more weight than anyone else's.He leaned forward, his silver eyebrows furrowing as he spoke. “Jake, the Moonlight Party isn’t just a celebration. It’s a calling, a chance for the Moon Goddess to guide us. John must choose a mate, but...” His voice trailed off, his gaze piercing mine.I knew where this was going.“But what?” I asked, my tone guarded.“But you need to consider your future too,” Gregor said firmly. “The clan cannot thrive with only one strong leader. You, as the beta, must also find a mate. The elders have been discussing this, and it’s time you took it seriously.”My chest tightened. I’d avoided this conversation for too long. Every mention of a mate felt like a noose tightening around my neck.“I’ll think about it,” I said curtly, rising from my chair.“Think quickly,
Diane’s POVI sat in the dimly lit room, the air thick with the scent of incense burning in the corner. The woman before me, clad in an outfit that mimicked the ceremonial attire of a Moon Goddess assistant, nodded silently as I spoke. Her eyes were sharp, calculating, and I knew I had chosen the right person for the task.“You understand your role?” I asked, my voice cold and firm.“Yes,” she replied, her tone steady.“Good.” I leaned forward, narrowing my eyes at her. “You will arrive at the Moonlight Party as the assistant to the Moon Goddess. You’ll make a grand entrance, enough to catch everyone’s attention, and then you’ll speak with authority. You’ll address the elders, the crowd, and most importantly, John.”The woman nodded again, her expression unreadable.“Make it clear that Reyna and Stephanie are threats to the clan,” I continued. “They’re outsiders, unfit to be considered as potential mates for John or anyone else of high status. They’ll bring nothing but trouble to our
Stephanie’s POVThe soft knock on my door drew my attention away from the book I’d been attempting to read. Before I could answer, the door creaked open, and Reyna peeked in."Can I come in?" she asked hesitantly."Of course." I set the book down and motioned for her to sit on the bed.Reyna walked in, looking more flustered than usual. She sat down and folded her hands in her lap, her fingers fidgeting nervously."What’s wrong?" I asked, leaning closer.She sighed heavily, her shoulders slumping. "It’s John and Jake."I raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "What about them?""John asked me to be his date for the Moonlight Party," she said, her cheeks tinged with pink. "And then Jake...he asked me too."I blinked, surprised. "Both of them? What did you say?"Reyna bit her lip, her gaze darting to the floor. "I accepted John’s offer, but when I told Jake...he didn’t take it well. He just walked out without saying anything. I think he’s angry with me."I couldn’t help but chuckle at her predic
Reyna's POVI sat on the edge of my bed, staring out the window as the moonlight spilled across the forest outside. My mind was a tangled mess of thoughts, mostly about the two men who had somehow taken over my every waking moment. I sighed and leaned back against the pillows, trying to push the confusion aside.A soft knock on the door pulled me from my thoughts.“Come in,” I called, though my voice lacked the usual warmth.The door opened, and my heart sank just a little. It was John. I had been hoping—no, wishing—it was Jake, but of course, it wasn’t.“Hey,” he said, stepping inside and closing the door gently behind him. “Stephanie told me you weren’t feeling well, so I thought I’d check on you.”I forced a small smile, not wanting to appear ungrateful. “Thanks, John. I’m fine, really. Just needed some time to myself.”He walked over and sat on the edge of my bed, his gaze soft and filled with concern. “You’ve been through a lot. It’s okay to take a breather.”I nodded, unable to
Stephanie’s POVThe familiar path to the pack’s gates felt different this time, though I couldn’t quite put my finger on why. I returned under the cover of the fading moonlight, weary but determined to act as if nothing had happened. Whatever Sarah and I had discussed earlier would remain between us at least until I could figure out my next steps.As I approached the gates, two sentinels stepped forward, their expressions unreadable.“Stephanie,” one of them said curtly, “Alpha John and Jake are waiting for you.”My steps faltered. “Waiting for me? Why?”Neither of them answered. They only exchanged a glance, their faces cold and void of emotion.“What happened?” I pressed, trying to ignore the sinking feeling in my chest.Again, no response.The silence sent my mind spinning, and my heart began to pound. Something was wrong very wrong. The atmosphere was colder, heavier, and every step toward the Alpha’s office felt like walking into a storm.I swallowed hard as I reached the door. I
Stephanie’s POVThe dense woods felt like they were closing in around me as I made my way down the narrow, winding trail. The darkness was oppressive, with only faint slivers of moonlight peeking through the towering trees. My pulse raced with every crunch of leaves beneath my boots.When I reached the small, hidden house nestled deep in the forest, I glanced around one last time to make sure I wasn’t followed. The familiar wooden door stood slightly ajar, its creak echoing as I knocked twice.The door opened, and Sarah’s wary face appeared. She motioned me inside quickly, shutting the door firmly behind me and bolting it.“Thanks for coming,” she said, her voice barely above a whisper.“I didn’t have much of a choice,” I replied, pulling off my scarf. The room was dim, lit only by a single oil lamp on a rickety table. “Sarah, we need to talk. You can’t keep hiding here forever.”She sighed, collapsing into a chair and motioning for me to do the same. “You think I don’t know that?” sh
Reyna's POV I sat on the edge of my bed, staring at the moonlight filtering through the curtains. My thoughts were a tangled mess, replaying every word and glance Stephanie had exchanged earlier. Who was Sarah? And why had Steph looked so startled when she saw me?I sighed, running a hand through my hair. Something wasn’t right, and I couldn’t shake the feeling that Steph was hiding something big. But what could it be? We had always been close, so why would she keep secrets now? My chest tightened as doubt crept in. Maybe I was overthinking it… or maybe not.I glanced at the clock on the wall. It was late, and exhaustion pulled at me, but my mind refused to rest. I stood and began preparing for bed, hoping sleep might offer some clarity. Slipping into my nightgown, I walked over to the vanity to brush my hair. As I stared at my reflection, I couldn’t help but notice how weary I looked. Tonight had been a whirlwind of revelations and emotions, and it was taking its toll.Just as I set
Reyna's POV Stephanie and I lounged on the plush sofa in the lounge, the faint hum of conversation and the occasional clink of glasses echoing in the background. The party still buzzed with energy downstairs, but we’d sought a quieter corner to talk. The topic of discussion was Diane her disgrace, her rage, and, of course, her current predicament.“I can’t believe Diane thought she could get away with it,” Stephanie said, shaking her head as she sipped her wine. “Paying the Moon Goddess’s assistant to lie? How desperate can she be?”“She’s lucky John didn’t do worse,” I said, crossing my arms. The image of Diane being dragged to the dungeon replayed in my mind, and I couldn’t suppress the small smile that tugged at my lips. “Honestly, it feels good knowing she’s finally facing the consequences of her actions.”Stephanie chuckled, her eyes glinting with amusement. “For once, we don’t have to watch our backs with her lurking around. She’s exactly where she belongs.”We shared a laugh,
Reyna's POV I stood frozen as John’s words echoed in the air, tension wrapping itself around the room like a suffocating fog.“Jake,” John said, his tone sharp and dismissive. “You’re interrupting my time with Reyna.”My breath hitched as Jake’s gaze flicked to me. His expression was unreadable, but there was a storm brewing in his eyes. I wanted to say something, to diffuse the growing tension, but my voice was caught in my throat. I looked at him helplessly, silently pleading for this confrontation to end before it spiraled out of control.Jake’s jaw tightened, and he nodded curtly. “I’d like to have a word with you when you’re done talking to her.”John smirked, clearly unfazed. “Of course. I’ll find you when I’m ready.”Without another word, Jake turned on his heel and left the room, the sound of the door clicking shut behind him amplifying the silence that followed. My heart was pounding, each beat louder than the last. I couldn’t bring myself to look at John, but I could feel h
Reyna's POV The moment I left the hall, the cool evening air hit my skin, a stark contrast to the suffocating tension inside. My heart was racing, and my mind was a whirlwind of emotions. The announcement from the Moon Goddess assistant replayed in my head like a haunting melody—Jake and I were mates. It was something I had never expected, something I wasn’t sure how to feel about.I kept walking, my heels clicking against the cobblestone path, needing to put as much distance as possible between myself and the chaos I had just escaped. My emotions were tangled—anger, confusion, guilt. And underlying it all was an inexplicable pull toward Jake that I couldn’t ignore, no matter how much I tried.“Reyna! Wait up!” Stephanie’s voice cut through my thoughts, and I stopped, turning to see her hurrying toward me, her dress billowing behind her.She reached me, slightly out of breath, and placed a hand on my arm. “What are you doing out here? You just ran out without saying a word.”“I neede
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