*Betrayal*Elara's POV:"I, Alpha Harden Edmund of the Scorpio pack, accept Caitlin Graham of the Dawn pack as my Luna. She is my true mate." When those words echoed, I dropped the glass in my hand, drawing everyone's attention in the ballroom. I was stunned, unable to comprehend what I had just heard. My fingers quivered in shock.Moments earlier, my loving and dotting boyfriend stood by my side on the balcony, professing his love for me and even mentioning he'd give up his position as Alpha of the Scorpio pack. I didn't expect this sudden change of heart when he publicly declared another woman as his true mate.I had been so excited when I was invited to tag along to the Dawn pack for the bouquet, and thought of it as a way to escape my already cruel life, and probably breathe in fresh air different from the one I'm used to. Caitlin was the daughter of Alpha Nicolas Graham of the Dawn pack and she usually visited our pack house along with her father. Our friendship started after she
*Healing*Elara's POV:As I tried to immerse myself in chores, the news of Caitlin and Harden's imminent mating ceremony struck me. I was told that we had to clean in preparation for the ceremony.Among my tasks, cleaning the usually unused West Wing of the mansion was assigned to me. While heading there, I spotted Caitlin and Alpha Harden approaching. I tried to prep talk myself. They were the ones who betrayed me.I shouldn't feel bothered right?.I shook off the feeling and prepared to push through this like everything was normal. "Elara!" I instinctively turned around, with my feet glued to the ground. There she was with Harden, their hands intertwined together with huge smiles plastered on their faces as he listened attentively to what she was saying until they reached where I stood."Hi, Elara." Her face had a smile which I couldn't tell was genuine as she asked me my whereabouts, "Where did you go throughout the night? After the announcement, I searched the whole mansion for yo
*Waiting*Elara's POV:My heart was wounded even though I tried to be strong while snow felt utterly defeated, we had lost the one we were meant to be with. As werewolves, our mates were supposed to know us deeply, understand, and care for us always without wanting anything in return. It's tough feeling knowing that we won't ever experience that kind of love from a destined partner since he chose another over us. I ended up being a wolf without a mate.But I shouldn't be sad about it. It's his loss for choosing Caitlin instead of his real partner just to impress the Dawn Pack.We ran until we could hardly breathe. Finally, we stopped at our pond, a place that brings us peace, and we howled sadly into the night. Snow felt really beaten down and hurt, so she retreated into my mind to heal, while I finally let myself cry a lot.That was the last I heard of her. I had hoped the effects would have lessoned by now since we broke our bond, but I wasn’t that lucky. But again, I shook off the
*Comeback to Me*Elara's POV:"You're awake," his hoarse voice said as he walked toward me. "Why did you stand under the rain? You should have just gone home instead of making yourself sick from the rain." Harden scolded, his slender fingers held my chin, pushing my face to the side as he inspected me. It felt awkward. What if the Luna arrived? She would misunderstand the scene. I slowly stepped back, letting him know I was uncomfortable with this.In self-realization, his hand hung in mid-air for a short while, clenching into a fist before he dropped it by his side. I could tell he was annoyed because his mood instantly changed. He was not the same person who cared if I was drenched in the rain a while ago."Why did you come here, Elara? I thought I already told you that Caitlin is my mate. You should stay away from our lives," he said."I didn't come here by choice. You made me come," I told him.He tittered, "How?""My father.""I never believed that there will come to be a day whe
*Saved* *Elara's POV*Morning arrived with a jolt. My head pounded, breaths ragged as I surfaced from unconsciousness. My aching body felt as though I had been dragged from a deep sea.I scanned the unfamiliar room, meeting the gaze of a striking blonde-haired stranger leaning against the door, cigarette and a bottle of alcohol in hand. He had many beautiful traits: blonde hair, grey eyes, a protruding nose, thin fine lips, a strong jawline, and a huge build of about 6.3 feet. He was more handsome than any man I'd seen. I looked away from him when it felt like I was gawking too much."Where am I? How did I get here?" I asked, disoriented and puzzled by the environment."You're awake? I'll get you something to eat," he replied, tossing the cigarette away and walking to the bedside.He reached out for the wet rag, which I hadn't noticed on my head, took it, dropped it in water, and then left the room for a short while. When he came back, he carried a tray of food with him, which he pl
*Replacement*"You should calm down. Maybe a little training would lighten your mood," he suggested and informed me that the private training room was ready to be used. Jack accompanied me there.I changed into my armor, picking my favorite sword and shield from the rack. After dressing, I threw a sword at Jack, inviting him to a sword match. He gladly accepted.I moved back a bit, setting my sword in front of me, and then, in an instant, rushed at Jack to strike him with my sword. He blocked the attack with his shield."Cool down, man. Do you want to hurt me?" Jack asked, his face still showing shock from almost having his head severed a while ago."Hold your sword properly," I replied, more like a warning."You have to get a hold of yourself, Harden. As the Alpha of the pack, you're not supposed to be seen acting this way, do you want to kill your beta??"I growled at him and then he knew I was more than serious. His grip on the sword tightened, ready to defend.This time I moved wi
*Help me*Before I could open the door, he did it himself. There he stood, a medium-sized towel loosely wrapped around his waist, droplets of water cascading from his hair down to his shoulders, abs and coming to settle in front of the v- line, my eyes widened as I followed the movement droplets of water settling and been absorbed by the towel hanging loosed in his lower waistI couldn't take my eyes off him, he was handsome seeing him up close I wouldn't lie, but there was something more to him, something compelling about this man, perhaps the fact that he was an Alpha and all she-wolves would be technically attracted to the Alpha.With another towel, he dried his hair with his thin lips protruding. Everything about this man exuded a commanding presence."Why did you come here?" he asked, his voice different from earlier—perhaps a figment of my imagination."Uhmm..." I faltered momentarily. He seemed about to shut the door in my face when I recalled why I'd come. Holding the door ope
*Finding Elara*The bond persisted, a tugging sensation resonating in my chest, an unspoken plea for her safety. It was my wolf who refused to sever the connection, an instinctual need to know she was alright."We'll find her soon," Jack affirmed, his eyes scanning the information laid out before us.The pain in my shoulder intensified, an unbearable weight of worry and yearning. One part of me longed to see her, to ensure she was safe while my conscience could only think about Caitlin's feelings. She wouldn't be happy to know that I still feel for another woman while we're together. We have to find a way to sever the bond."Find her, Jack. I need to know where she lives Check if she's doing well," I pleaded, desperation seeping into my voice."In the past few days, I've gathered some clues silently. There are whispers about an injured wolf seeking refuge in the Dawn Pack territory. It's not confirmed, but the injured matches Elara's description," Jack explained, heightening my intere
*A Future Worth Fighting For*The night was eerily silent when Arthur returned.Elara had spent the past few hours pacing the room, her nerves frayed, exhaustion clawing at her limbs. She had tried to distract herself—tidying the already spotless room, lighting candles to chase away the shadows, pressing her fingers against the cool glass of the window as she scanned the moonlit horizon for any sign of him.But no matter what she did, her heart pounded relentlessly, her mind tormented by the possibility that something had gone wrong. That he was lying somewhere, bleeding, alone. That she had let him walk into danger, and this time, he wouldn’t come back.Then the door burst open.Arthur stumbled inside, his towering frame a shadow against the dim light. Blood soaked his clothes, dark stains spreading across his torn shirt, his shoulders hunched as if the weight of the world pressed against his back. The strong Alpha who had left with fire in his eyes now looked like a man barely holdi
*The Choice We Make*The mansion loomed ahead, its grand façade a deceptive mask for the rot festering inside. Arthur barely registered the architectural splendor—his focus was singular. The heavy double doors creaked under his touch as he pushed them open, stepping inside the grand hall like room.The scent of aged whiskey and cigar smoke hung in the air, mingling with something far more insidious—the stench of deceit.Harden was waiting.Seated in a lavish parlor, he lounged on a high-backed leather chair, swirling a glass of amber liquid in his hand. He didn’t even look up as Arthur entered, though his sharp gaze flicked over the bloodstains marring Arthur’s torn shirt and the deep claw marks across his shoulder.“Ah, you're here," Harden said lazily, lifting his glass in greeting. “Want a shot?" His voice was casual, but his eyes held a glint of something else—calculated amusement.He already knew. An hour earlier, his men had informed him of the massacre outside the estate. He ha
*A Ruthless Choice*The moon hung low in the sky, a pale silver eye watching over the night. Arthur stood at the edge of his territory, his hands clenched into fists, his mind made up. Beside him was a group of powerful werewolves armed with weapons—blades and axes. Their faces were unreadable, their loyalty unwavering.They had questioned him at first, hesitated when he announced his plan to go with them. No Alpha should put himself at such risk for something that barely concerned them. But they had no idea that the pack harbored a traitor among them. Caitlin had made a deal with the devil, a deal that would soon cost them their territory if the continued to play dumb.Elara.She was the reason for everything. The reason his soul burned with fury. The reason he had abandoned the careful, restrained leader he once was and was now ready to spill blood.He remembered the last conversation he had with Elara before leaving. After trying everything she could to convince him not to go, she
*Blackmail*Arthur remained unfazed, his silence unwavering.Harden’s smirk faded.Nothing.No panic. No slip-up. No sign of fear.His fingers curled into fists at his sides, temper flaring. Arthur was too calm.of they continued playing cat and mouse, Arthur would only remain stoic.“You already know, don’t you?” Harden’s voice dropped to a near whisper, laced with accusation. “You know exactly what happened.”Arthur finally turned his head, meeting Harden’s gaze with a chilling stare.Harden inhaled sharply. A flicker of unease crawled up his spine. But he pushed it aside, forcing a slow grin to stretch across his face. He was already here, the least he could do is to not mess it up.“Fine,” he said. “If you want to keep your mouth shut, that’s your choice.” He stepped closer, voice dripping with venom. “But let me remind you of something, Arthur.” He paused, savoring the moment. “If another person finds out—if either of our families gets even a whisper of what happened tonight—Elara
*The Weight of Silence*Tension coiled in the air like an unspoken scream, pressing down on everyone waiting outside the emergency room.Arthur stood by the large glass window, staring into the distance. His broad shoulders were rigid, his hands buried deep in his pockets. The city stretched before him, a maze of glowing lights and moving cars—oblivious to the war waging inside this sterile, suffocating space. His reflection stared back at him, carved from stone, unmoved, unreadable. But the tight clench of his jaw, the way his fingers curled into fists inside his pockets, betrayed the storm raging in his soul.Harden slouched in one of the stiff plastic chairs, elbows propped on his knees, fingers interlocked. His wedding suit was wrinkled, his bowtie undone, his hair disheveled from the restless race of his fingers through it. His face was void of expression, but his dark eyes remained active, watchful and calculating.On the other side of the room, Caitlin’s mother stood near the n
*Hollow Eyes*Elara's POV:The faint music from the reception below drifted through the mansion’s grand halls, muffled but persistent, a reminder of the celebration happening downstairs. The glow of chandelier lights bathed the walls in a warm, golden hue, but the air on the upper floors felt cold, tense, and quiet.I stood by the tall window of one of the guest rooms, my arms crossed tightly against my chest, my gaze fixed on the stars outside. From up here, the distant laughter and clinking of glasses sounded almost mocking. I didn’t belong here. I wasn’t part of this world of false smiles and gilded promises—not anymore.Downstairs, Caitlin danced with her guests, radiant in her wedding dress, the picture of a perfect bride. Harden’s bride.A bitter laugh escaped me. It was hard to believe how far we’d come, how much had changed. Harden, who once promised me the world, was now bound to a woman like Caitlin. And Caitlin, as manipulative and cunning as she was, had won everything she
*Elara, Run Away With Me*Harden's POV:The ceremony had begun, yet I felt nothing but a heavy weight in my chest. The vows Caitlin and I exchanged were hollow—words that felt more like chains binding me to a fate I didn’t agree to. Back then, I didn't think it would be this hard to love any woman, but now, the mere admiration I had for Caitlin was all gone, and only one person filled my mind.My gaze kept drifting toward the crowd, toward her. Elara.She stood amidst the sea of faces, arms crossed, her posture a wall of indifference. Arthur loomed beside her, overprotective, his expression unreadable. But it wasn’t Arthur who held my attention; it was Elara. Her eyes didn’t flicker with anger, sadness, or even contempt. There was... nothing. It was as if I didn’t exist to her anymore.That emptiness in her gaze pierced deeper than any blade could. My heart clenched as I repeated the vows, my voice steady but devoid of any real conviction. Caitlin’s hand in mine felt cold, foreign. Th
*Working with the Devil*When Arthur arrived at his parents’ mansion, he didn’t bother exchanging pleasantries with anyone. He just barged up the stairs and made his way to Caitlin’s room.The door slammed open before Caitlin could even finish fastening her earrings. She spun to face Arthur, her eyes wide with both shock and indignation.“Arthur?” she snapped. “What—”He didn’t answer immediately, his icy gaze pinning her in place as he stepped inside and shut the door behind him.“Going out?” he asked, his eyes scanning everything and every corner of the room.“Cait, what have you been spending your time on?” he asked, his tone sharp, cutting straight to the point.At first, Caitlin didn’t respond. She was trying to reason what must have brought him here.“I’m talking to you, and I expect a response.” His voice sounded more like a warning.“What?” Caitlin scoffed, arms crossed as she got up. “You barge into my room and interrogate me? Are you serious right now?”“Answer me,” Arthur g
I Won't Leave YouThe meeting room buzzed with tension as Tony passed a load of documents, files, and pictures. Arthur stood at the head, his eyes narrowing at the pictures before him, turning them one after the other.“Alberto Grayson,” Tony began, flipping open the folder and showing the pages to Arthur. “I've confirmed he’s hiding in Scorpio territory under the guise of an investor. These photos are from his meetings in the past few days. I got them from someone who's on his tail too. We had to trade a lot for this, Alpha," Tony informed.When it came to Tony and Elias, Arthur didn't ask too many questions because they were reliable men who had always stood by his side and would only do things in his and the pack's interest.He spread a series of pictures across the table—from Alberto standing outside his mansion to meeting with different people, down to his meetings at diners. The faces were mostly unfamiliar, and Arthur wondered why these strange men were migrating with interest