Remind me why we are still not out of this place," Easton said.
"Luna might be needed anytime. I have to be present," Aurora stated nonchalantly. Easton glared at her and immediately knew she wasn’t as okay as she pretended to be. Even after the spectacle on the field, she had taken a moment to herself but still insisted they return to the halls because of her duties.
Duties for a position Maverick had just given to Phoebe in front of nearly everyone in the pack.
"That asshole," Easton muttered as they stood at the far end of the hall. There was no one around, and the dim light shrouded them in shadows. Hidden from plain view, they leaned against each other.
"He’s been like this ever since the mate awakening ceremony," Easton said, glaring at Maverick, who stood on stage giving a speech. A smile rested on Maverick’s lips as if he hadn’t just shattered someone’s world with his words and actions. "The petty bastard even used you not showing up as an excuse to reject you."
Aurora’s mind drifted back to the mate awakening ceremony three years ago. She had promised to meet Maverick that night, but her mother sabotaged her with endless chores. With her mother’s watchful eyes on her, sneaking out had been impossible and far too dangerous.
Even though the ceremony combined the mating ritual and Maverick’s crowning as Alpha, the council had insisted he train for his position for another two to three years before gaining full authority. They had little trust in a young man ruling over them, so what would they have thought of his relationship with Aurora?
When she confronted Maverick the next morning, he avoided her gaze. His expression was cold, filled with mild disgust, and for a fleeting moment, there was a flicker of hatred. He said nothing, simply stepping past her and walking away.
That action hurt her deeply.
Later that evening, on stage, a council member had asked Maverick if he had found his mate. Though both of them felt the bond and knew the truth, Maverick had lied.
"No, I haven’t seen her, and I don’t think she’s here tonight," he had said.
Aurora’s heart had slammed against her ribcage, and she swore it stopped for a moment.
Now, three years later, Aurora's attention returned to Maverick, still talking on stage with the same composed demeanor. He looked as carefree and happy as he had that night.
"You’re strong, Aurora. Hell, you’re one of the strongest women I know. Why can’t you just let this go and leave it all behind? You should’ve moved on by now," Easton said gently. His eyes held a pity that Aurora hated to see, and she forced a sad smile.
Easton understood how much it all tore her apart, but Aurora knew leaving wouldn’t solve anything.
"The stronger the force, the stronger the weakness when the support is gone," she said, her voice hoarse. "I love Maverick more than I love myself, and I hate myself for it. It’s like I need him, somehow. I’m scared of leaving this behind. A part of me still hopes he’ll look at me the way he used to. That he’ll get lonely, miss us, and come back. I know I should move on. Maybe I will someday. But right now, I just can’t."
Easton reached out to comfort her. He noticed a brunette trying to approach them and shot her a glare, making her shrink back.
"You’re not wrong for feeling this way," he reassured her.
—
The scene on stage shifted as Maverick concluded his speech.
"Thank you all for being here," Maverick said. "This alliance wouldn’t be possible without your support. I’m grateful to the pack members and former leaders. And I want to express special gratitude to Ms. Phoebe Brian for her immense contributions. None of this would have been possible without her."
Maverick turned to place a kiss on Phoebe’s cheek, and the crowd erupted in cheers. His gaze lingered on Aurora as he did it.
Aurora went stiff, and Easton wrapped an arm around her shoulder protectively. He glared at Maverick, seething. Although Maverick had flaunted Phoebe before, this was the first time he displayed affection so openly.
Aurora and Maverick’s eyes met briefly. She thought she saw something unusual in his expression, but before she could decipher it, Easton pulled her away, and she let him.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
When Aurora and Easton returned to the pack house, something felt off. The pack members they passed stared at Aurora with mocking, knowing expressions. At first, they ignored it, but the continued looks became unsettling.
"Any idea what’s going on?" Aurora asked.
"No," Easton replied with a shrug. "We’ve been in the attic since we left the main hall this afternoon."
Aurora glanced at the sky, now dark with a full moon hanging bright above them.
As they approached the packed house, Tessie stood by the door. Her eyes lit up when she spotted them.
"The Alpha and the others are waiting for you at the small field behind the pack house," Tessie said disdainfully. "You’re required there as soon as your little sexcapades are done."
Easton scoffed, but Aurora merely nodded. Tessie smirked, looking pleased with herself.
"Let’s go, Aurora," Easton said, holding her arm gently as they brushed past Tessie.
When they reached the field, Aurora’s heart sank. Awaiting her were the former pack leaders, the council, her family, and Maverick seated beside Phoebe. Witches stood among them, their dark attire and runic symbols unmistakable.
"This can’t be good," Easton murmured, his steps faltering. Aurora dragged him along, ready to face whatever awaited her—or so she thought.
Her mother stepped forward, a small smile on her lips. "Since you’ve been frolicking with Easton, the Alpha has decided to grant you freedom. These witches are here to break the bond between you and Maverick."
Aurora stood frozen as the weight of her mother’s words hit her. Breaking the bond? Her heart pounded in her chest, and her hands clenched into fists at her sides.
Easton, however, was livid. "You’ve finally decided to kill her, haven’t you?" he snarled, his glare fixed on Maverick. "You—spineless, selfish Alpha! First, you turned your back on her for no reason, and now this? Aurora’s wolf is the weakest in the pack! Breaking the bond will kill her!"
He turned to the former pack leaders and council members, his voice dripping with venom. "You’re all pathetic! You follow whatever idiotic plan this so-called Alpha comes up with. Aurora gave everything for this pack—endured your sneers, held her tongue when you talked down to her, and always put you all above herself. And now this? This is how you repay her?"
The former Beta rose in anger, about to rebuke Easton, but stopped when Aurora began to laugh. The sound was hollow and hysterical, her shoulders shaking as she tilted her head back.
“No wonder you had this ear splitting grin that is unfit on your face. You must be very happy to get rid of the bastard you never wanted, the walking evidence that you were raped by a wizard.” Aurora scoffs at her mother after she breaks out of her spell before turning to the witches. "Is the array ready?" Her voice is sharp and cutting.
One of the witches nodded sympathetically. "Yes, it’s ready."
"Then let’s get this over with," Aurora said, her tone devoid of emotion.
"Aurora!" Easton’s voice cracked with desperation as he reached for her. Aurora was the only thing that made life worth living for her, she was the one that was always there through the dark gloomy days, shining lights into his life. He didn't know if he would forgive himself if something happened to her in front of him.
Aurora turned to him with a faint smile. "Don’t worry, Easton. I won’t die on you," she said softly. Her gaze then flicked to Maverick, who stared back at her with an unreadable expression. His fists were clenched, his jaw tight, and his eyes filled with a thousand emotions he refused to let show.
Maverick tried to convince himself this was for the best. That freeing Aurora from their bond would allow her to find peace. But doubt gnawed at him. What if the ritual went wrong? What if it killed her? He hadn’t meant to hurt her—he only wanted to protect her.
It was the only way he could protect her from the immense doom that would befall her, he had helped her groom the pain for three years in order to make sure she finds it bearable when she confronts all the pain she would face in the coming years. Not breaking this bond and letting go would only resort to one thing for her — death.
A gruesome death.
Aurora and Maverick stepped into the array as instructed. The witches began chanting, their voices a haunting symphony of ancient words. Aurora forced herself to detach from her surroundings, her mind drifting elsewhere as the ritual unfolded.
Then the pain began.
A blinding, searing agony shot through Aurora’s body. A scream tore from her lungs as it felt like her very soul was being ripped apart. Her limbs burned as though needles and blades pierced her flesh, and the mark on her neck, where the bond had been sealed, throbbed with unbearable heat.
"Aurora!" Easton shouted, moving to rush to her side, but a witch raised a hand, warning him to stay back.
Aurora’s screams filled the air, raw and guttural, until suddenly, they ceased. Her body hung in the air, suspended by some unseen force. Her eyes were wide and glassy, her fists clenched tightly. Then, with a final incantation, the witches finished the ritual.
Both Aurora and Maverick were thrown backward by the force of the severed bond. Alec caught Maverick as he stumbled, while Easton caught Aurora’s limp form.
Easton exhaled shakily, relief washing over him as he checked Aurora’s pulse. She was still alive but barely conscious, her face pale and drawn.
No one else noticed, but Maverick also let out a breath of relief when he saw Aurora was alive. He shouldn't end up leading her to her death when it was exactly what he wanted to steer her away from.
"It is done," one of the witches announced solemnly. "Alpha Maverick Stuart Prill and Luna Aurora Amy Wells are no longer bound to each other."
The council and former leaders nodded in satisfaction. Phoebe smiled triumphantly, her hand resting possessively on Maverick’s arm but he shrugs it off. Aurora, however, remained silent in Easton’s arms, her chest rising and falling weakly.
"You’re all monsters," Easton spat, his voice trembling with fury. "Every single one of you."
He carefully lifted Aurora, cradling her as though she might shatter. "I’m taking her away from this hellhole," he growled, his glare daring anyone to stop him.
No one moved. Not even Maverick.
As Easton moved Aurora away, Maverick’s gaze lingered on her as she tried to stabilize her breathing and gain some energy. His heart twisted painfully, the weight of his decision settling heavily on his shoulders.
For the first time, he wasn’t sure he had done the right thing.
Aurora staggered for a bit before she managed to stand on her feet perfectly. Everyone present was shocked that she could even stand.“I’ve endured too much in this pack to stay another second. Hypocritical leaders, selfish members, and you—my mate—who failed me most. Keep your lies, your cruelty, and your title. I’m done.” Her eyes are cold and unfeeling. “All of you can dive headfirst into hell. I’m leaving this shithole of yours, and you can keep it for the rest of your life!” she spat angrily, despite the immense pain she felt. Turning on her heel, she began to walk away. Easton immediately followed her.Maverick also left the scene, his expression pained as he watched Aurora walk away. He seemed to have difficulty breathing; his eyes were bloodshot, and his hands were trembling. But no one noticed him leave.The pack councils and members attempted to follow her, but Alec shook his head at them, and they reluctantly stood down, watching as Aurora left the field—out of Moonlight Pac
How many people did it take for an unwarranted headache to sizzle up in one’s head and prick at one’s nerves?That had been the question the women Aurora was out in the woods with had asked each other just moments before. They’d all had different answers, and the numbers varied widely, but one thing united them despite their differences:For Aurora, there was no number. No matter how many people it took, no matter how irritating or intimidating they were, no one could shake the rock that was Aurora. She had agreed with a smile on her lips.How wrong they had been.Aurora had never thought she would see him again. They might cross paths someday, but it wasn’t supposed to be now. And even if they did meet, she wasn’t supposed to feel anything.But as she looked at his face, she froze. A lump rose in her throat, a barricade of conflicting emotions she hadn’t felt in the last five years crashing over her—emotions she had thought locked away. They bubbled to the surface as his hypnotizing b
Maverick gave a subtle mental nod when Layla pointed out that Aurora had been using a scent-masking spell since entering the room. It finally made sense. That was why he couldn’t smell her when she walked in or even now. But when Aurora muttered something under her breath, her scent broke through the spell, overwhelming his senses.The scent hit him all at once—too much, too fast. She smelled like the ocean breeze, the kind that brushed against your skin while standing by the sea with a seashell in hand. It was a scent he had always liked.For a werewolf like him, who spent most of his time in the woods, forests, and small towns, her scent was a welcome change. It calmed him. But as it teased his heightened senses, it awakened something deeper. His wolf stirred, thrilled by the possibility of finding another mate. Yet that joy dimmed almost instantly, replaced by anguish.His wolf recognized her. This was the same soul that had once hurt them, the same one they had broken the bond with
Layla had led them from their room that morning. Maverick and Alec had just finished dressing when the bubbly woman had knocked on their door. She had said that she couldn’t let them stay cooped up inside their room while she could show them the beauty of their pack.“Is it really necessary that you come and get us so early in the morning?” Alec had grumbled, and Layla bopped her head.“Of course. It is absolutely necessary. You people have already woken up and gotten dressed, and all you would do is stare at your phones and laptops in your room before we had to talk again at the meeting.” She replied with a wide smile.“And does it have to be only us? There are others too.” Alec said, and Layla rolled her eyes at him.“You are the ones I find most likable among them all, except for that beautiful brunette and her sidekick, of course, but a woman must get her beauty sleep. I heard she’s the pack's doctor. She must have a lot on her hands already, poor thing must study till late at nigh
“Fucking Zach delayed the documentation of the contract. Apparently, there was some glitch in the system, so Alpha Maverick and his representative had to stay a few more days. Tell your freaking Beta to act like one, Easton!” Layla snapped, her voice dripping with irritation. Aurora rolled her eyes at the drama queen, while Easton ignored her completely, engrossed in the video game on his phone.A lot had changed over the years, but not Easton’s love for games. He could sit with that phone from morning till night without growing bored. Hilton didn’t discourage him, either—in fact, he often joined in. Aurora often wondered how they managed to get anything done as the Alpha and Delta of the rogue pack.“Don’t you like their presence here?” Hilton asked casually, not even glancing up from where he sat, while Aurora sank comfortably into the beanbag.“I definitely don’t,” Easton muttered, earning a glare from Layla.“Of course you don’t, but I do. Why wouldn’t I like that hunk parading aro
Maverick stared at all the members of the supposedly ‘cruel’ pack and tried to pin that word with the image and actions of the people all around him, but it didn’t make any sense.They were all supposed to have scars when they tried to initiate themselves into the pack, hurting themselves for fun, but here they all were, gathered around a grown man who had tumbled in the field and hurt his toe, as if that wasn’t normal even for humans, let alone werewolves. But these people were rogues—the worst kind of werewolves. The first instinct of others when they saw rogues was to attack, and a lot followed that instinct.Then, they weren’t supposed to be offering sweet cookies to members of a rival pack, not supposed to get chummy with them. Neither were they supposed to be this happy about two of them finding their mates. They practically dragged them to build tents with them, cracking jokes like they had been buddies their entire lives.The kids here—rogues, werewolves, and hybrids—weren’t su
“It was late now, and they should just head back; there was no use staying around,” Layla said, and Aurora removed her hands from Kael’s when she was steady on her feet. She wasn’t going to accept help down the hill, and Kael understood that.“Thanks, Kael,” she said with a small smile, and Kael nodded with another smile of his own. He was happy to be of help, and the fact that she chose him instead of the asshole opposite already made him over the moon. She turned to Layla, and they both started to walk away.Maverick kept to himself since then, while Kael looked so proud of himself. Aurora had a blank expression, like she didn’t realize what she was doing, or maybe she didn’t care. But Layla never looked so pissed; she kept shooting glares at Kael, who straight up ignored them.They didn’t get the wild boar, and it was getting very dark, so everyone decided to listen to Layla.Aurora and Layla were the first to leave, hand in hand.Maverick wanted to just go to his room and sleep the
“Fortunately, no one was dead,” Sadie said, and everyone took a huge breath of relief. “But a lot were injured. The amount of major injuries alone was fifty-seven.” Sadie replied without mincing words. Easton came to stand beside Aurora and held her hands in his for comfort while Alec came to Maverick's side.“There were minor injuries?” Layla asked, and Hilda nodded.“A lot of that,” Hilda said.“But all of them needed treatment,” she glanced at the ruined clinic. “As soon as possible.”Kael and a man came out of the pack house. Maverick guessed that they must have gone to check the level of damage.“The situation was worse inside. The only place miraculously untouched was the main office. All the files were safe, but not the rooms. It couldn't be managed for the time being,” Kael informed, and Aurora sucked in a breath. They must have wanted to keep the members of the pack there for a bit until they tried to find a way, but they weren’t seeing anything.“The fire wasn't natural, righ
The hall was filled to the brim with grinning pack members who awaited the day’s event. It seemed to them that the satisfaction they have always wanted was making their ways to them.It was the Luna Coronation Ceremony.Aurora was finally going to be officially recognized as the Luna of the Moonlight Pack, while this made a lot of pack members happy, it also made them very busy, it wasn't like they could have their Luna-to-be preparing everything or anything.Sadie was the one that took charge of the event with Sally, both of them ordering workers around, trying to get things rounded up.Out of everyone who was going about, Sally could be said to be the happiest. After resigning to date about the death of their son, both the former Alpha and Sally had alienated themselves from the pack when they heard the demise of Maverick.According to them, seeing the pack reminded them of the wound that would never scar. It was right there and then that Aurora earned the respect of the former Alpha
“I am so sorry that she escaped, Aurora.” Mani apologized and Aurora just waved her off.“I told you that it is alright.” Aurora replied. “Besides, you were doing something else when she escaped, we would have been able to find her later but delay might have been very bad in the spell breaking. I really appreciate your help, Mani. Thank you so much.”Mani smiled back at Aurora and nodded. It was nice to see Aurora’s face having another emotion other than the blankness that she had mastered over the years, it was amazing yet shocking how a person could have an effect over another person.Aurora’s eyes have become brighter and she seemed to have found more meaning to life, she clung to Maverick who was sitting beside him and the smile had never left her eyes, it was truly a gratifying thing to watch.“We helped in that matter together,” Daphne said from where she stood. She had spent the night at their house while insisting that the rest of the witch council would be after her head afte
“Were you able to find Maverick?” Easton asked as soon as she was in front of the house, he was talking with Alec about Pack matters and since Ferix was helping him too, it seemed to be urgent.“HI Aurora,” Ferix greeted and she nodded.“We were able to find him and he knows who Phoebe is but he also didn’t want to have anything to do with me.”“Talk about some big misfortune, it is making me want to wring Phoebe’s head.” Ferix snorted.“Me too.” Easton added.“That makes three of us, but I have something to do now,” Aurora said and entered the house.“Isn’t Daphne here?” Aurora stared around the whole place and turned to Regina when she found no sight of the woman she was looking for.“I thought she followed you? Didn’t you go to look for Phoebe and Alpha together?” Regina asked and Aurora sighed. “She told me that you already picked the location or something around that line.”“I had no idea that she followed me but I doubt that she hadn’t run away,” Aurora murmured to herself befor
Maverick stared at Phoebe who had shifted back to human form in devastation and betrayal, he couldn’t even manage anger with the reeling that was going on in his head, though, there was no way to prove it everything that Aurora was saying was true about him was something that clashed and overturned everything that he had always believed in.He was supposed to be an hunter but here he discovered that he belonged to the species that he had been ordering and the woman who he had always thought was his best friend lied about everything to him and was his enemy, a woman who was very desperate and would do anything and everything to keep him by her side.“It is a lie Maverick! You are not a werewolf! Aren’t you supposed to feel your wolf if you were one since all these days? She is your ex, she betrayed you before and would do anything to separate us again,” Phoebe insisted.“Why should I lie about something like that if I have gone to someone that I liked? I wouldn’t be back here looking f
Phoebe stared at Maverick who was walking with slumped shoulder while also carrying Robb on his shoulder, she had suggested that they leave the place as soon as possible but he had refused and told her that Robb had always told him that if he ever died one day, he wanted to be buried at the back of his little place.Damn man was jeopardizing her plan even when he was dead after pushing Maverick to pursue Aurora when he was alive.“Maverick.” She called but he only continued walking ahead.“I don’t want to talk to anyone right now,” Maverick replied and she frowned in anger.It was bad enough that they had to make a stop at their place but now he was even ignoring her, it was draining the energy that would have made her excited that she drove a wedge between him and Aurora. The bitch didn’t even show up and she was sure that Mani would have told him about everything that happened.She stared ahead and a smirk appeared on her lips. Sure, the plan wasn’t working the way she was working b
Maverick searched around the forest with a bit of panic striking his nerve, there was something bad about the nerves that kept crawling up his nerve, it was like danger was just lurking around the corner. It didn’t help matters that neither Cara nor Robb were around, he hadn’t seen Robb since he said that he had to get something from the woods and he had absolutely no idea what was going on.“Maverick!” He heard Cara’s voice in the distance and immediately turned to the direction. “Maverick!”He could see her running towards him and he hurried over to her and that was when he noticed the panic that was on her face.“Cara, what is wrong?” He asked and she tried to regulate her breathing.She huffed for a bit before she started talking breathlessly. “Maverick! Robb is dead!”“What?!” He asked with widened eyes. He moved closer to her and smelled her body before his eyes almost narrowed into slits.“Fucking werewolves!” He growled. “Lead the way!”Cara nodded and the two of them broke in
Daphne hastened her step as soon as she was in a darker part of the alley, she had been having the feeling that someone had been following her as soon as she left the pub and her instinct continued to tell her not to stay and find out who the person was because it was dangerous.She ran and took another corner but she was stopped by something and before she could react, she was punched in the stomach and sent sprawling on the floor.She hated combat the most, she preferred when she wielded her magic so she tried to gather some energy from around her but she found out that she couldn’t do anything of the sort.“Escaping now, aren’t you?” She heard in front of her and saw Mani standing there with her hands folded across her chest.“What the hell do you think that you are doing?” Daphne scoffed. “Do you think that you are something simply because you crossed over to that bitch’s side? I could end her if I wanted.”“Well, you can tell her better than when we meet her,” Mani said plainly a
“What could have made you come to see me tonight?” Daphne asked with a smirk as soon as Phoebe sat down in front of her, they were at the town pub where they usually meet up, it was late at night and both of them were wearing something that covered their face in order not to be recognized.“What else other than the fact that Maverick is almost driving me crazy?” She groaned in annoyance and Daphne raised a brow at her.“Oh? He can make you angry? I thought that you were having the best time of your life?” Daphne asked and Phoebe glared at her but it couldn't be said for a fact whether she saw it because both of them were deep at the darkest corner, the flicker of dim red light reaching them once in a while.“I was, until Aurora appeared out of the blue and now they met and he wouldn’t keep his mouth shut about her for the briefest minute.”“I told you that separating two mated people isn’t going to be easy,” Daphne shrugged and Phoebe glared at her once again.“She was supposed to be
“You would believe who we saw today,” Ferix said and Aurora raised a brow at her.“Who?”“It was Phoebe and Daphne, caught red-handed with her memory because she was talking about you,” Regina replied.“She saw both of you?” Aurora asked Easton and Ferix who nodded.“Yeah. I took Regina along because why not? She wasn’t able to keep her cool when she saw all of us and it was visible in her face that she recognized all of us, she even said my name,” Easton replied. “We were just going to scout out the place of the council but we couldn’t find and decided to come home but we met yours truly on the way and she kept ranting about you being back to take her man.”“Is that bitch high on a big dose of delusions?” Sadie asked with disgust. She remembered the time she had treated and had mistakenly thought she was normal like everyone else, who knew that she was just bat shit crazy. “How is he her man when he is clearly Aurora’s mate?”“Then the big picture is getting clearer. Daphne is one of