CHAPTER 20: I CAN DEFEND MYSELF KAELAN:By the time I reached the castle, it was already dark. I scanned the surroundings and when I found no sign of chaos, I shifted back to my human form. I walked into my study and collapsed on the sofa, feeling totally drained. The events of today were definitely something to worry about and it weighed heavily on my shoulders. I sat in my study, and stared at the map of our territory spread out before me. Duncan soon walked in and stood nearby, his expression grim."The timing of this attack," I said, breaking the silence. "It’s too convenient."Duncan nodded. "You’re thinking someone inside the pack tipped them off?""Not just anyone," I said, my jaw tightening. "A member of the displeased Council members might have thought to put me on edge."Duncan’s eyes widened. "That’s a serious accusation, Alpha.""I don’t make accusations lightly," I said. "Think about it, Duncan . They’ve been pushing for Everly’s exile, claiming she’s a threat to the p
CHAPTER 21: LOOK WHO'S HERE KAELAN:Everly and I walked into my room and I made her sit on the bed while I pulled a chair and sat opposite her.She looked a bit upset and I tried to guess why. The only explanation I could come up with was my refusal to let her go to battle with me.“You know, Everly, time will come when we'll go to battles together, side by side, defending our throne, our people and our love. But there's no need to rush. You need to learn and be incorporated into our ways of doing things.”When I saw how she shivered, I put a jacket over her shoulders and led her closer to the fireplace. We both felt warm as we sat down by the fireplace, my thumb brushing over her knuckles. "You’re important to me, Everly," I said softly. "I don’t want to see you hurt."She looked up at me, her eyes searching mine. "I’m not used to someone caring so much," she admitted."You’ll have to get used to it," I said, a smile tugging at my lips.Reaching into my pocket, I pulled out a sleek
CHAPTER 22: SHE'S PRIMORDIAL EVERLY:I put on the Lavender dress I bought from the market and moved closer to the mirror. I stood and admired myself as the dress hugged my curves. Given the way I was raised, living a life of luxury was something I didn't know I could indulge in. Now , I felt so feminine and elegant and ultimately… beautiful. Someone knocked at the door and snapped me out of my thoughts. Before I could answer, Kaelan walked in. His commanding presence filled the room, and his sharp gaze immediately landed on me.“You’re rying on your new clothes?” he asked, smiling as his eyes roamed over me.I felt my cheeks flush. “I, uh… yes. Just wanted to see if they fit.”“That dress fit perfectly,” he said, with a low and husky voice. He walked over to where I was and wrapped his arms around my waist, pulling me into his chest. The warmth of his touch sent a shiver down my spine.“I hope you enjoyed your day, my future Luna?” he asked. His thumb caressed my cheek, and his gol
CHAPTER 23: THE AWAKENING RITUAL EVERLY:The priestess directed me to the altar. “Kneel. The awakening ritual will reveal the extent of your power.”I was reluctant and my heart beat kept increasing. Kaelan’s voice was soft beside me. “I’m here, Everly. You don’t have to be afraid.”I summoned courage, moved forward and knelt down. I wasn't afraid anymore but I knew my life will never remain the same.I found it hard to look into the shimmering eyes of the priestess. It was like molten ice and somehow unnatural. She pointed to the stone altar at the center of the room and told me to go there.“Lie down, child,” she said. “The awakening ritual requires your full submission to the moon’s power.”I felt reluctant and looked back at Kaelan, hoping he could reassure me. He stood tall, his golden eyes locked on meHe was silent but I knew he was solidly behind me.“I'm here with you,” he murmured, not taking his eyes off me . “I’m not going anywhere.”Swallowing hard, I nodded and sprawle
CHAPTER 24: POISONED WITH THE WOLFSBANE EVERLY:The words of the priestess made me anxious. “What do you mean?”“You will know when the time comes,” she said cryptically. “Trust your instincts, child. They will guide you.”Kaelan placed a protective arm around me as we left the temple. I looked up at him as we made our way home. “I don't know, Kaelan, but I think I believe everything she said.”“Me too. And I believe in you.” he said as he kissed my forehead.As we stepped into the threshold of the castle, Seraphina stepped forward boldly and gave Kaelan a hug.I was very exhausted and even feared I might collapse any moment. The ritual had drained every strength in me and I couldn't wait to enjoy the comfort of my bed. But as we approached the grand doors of the castle, I heard a woman’s voice.“Alpha!”Then Seraphina just appeared from no where and threw her arms around him.I froze, the sight rooting me in place.“Seraphina,” Kaelan said in a casual way. He didn’t return her embr
CHAPTER 25: I BELIEVE YOU EVERLY:His jaw tightened, and for a moment, I thought he might explode. Instead, he took a deep breath, visibly calming himself.“Seraphina was pleading with me to release her mother,” he said evenly. “That’s all.”I scoffed. “She was practically glued to your body.”“I didn’t encourage it,” he countered. “And I didn’t touch her. I would never touch her, Everly.”I wanted to believe him, but the knot in my chest wouldn’t loosen. “It didn’t look that way.”He took my hand and led me to my bedroom. Placing his hands gently on my shoulders, he said with a soft voice, “Look at me, you know me better than this. You think I’d betray you? After what we've just been through?”The knot in my chest loosened a bit. “Seraphina is beautiful, Kaelan. Probably too beautiful for you to resist.” I turned away from him. “I think you like her. Maybe not as much as she desires but you certainly feel something for….”His eyes darkened, and before I could finish, he pulled me in
CHAPTER 26: KILL HER!EVERLY:Minutes later, the kitchen staff was rounded up and brought to the main hall. Ava, the cook, stood trembling, while Maria, my maid, twisted her fingers nervously.Kaelan’s voice was like a whip as he addressed them. "Who prepared Everly's lunch today?""I… I did, my king," Ava stammered."And who served it?"Maria stepped forward hesitantly. "It was me, Your Majesty. But I only brought the tray from the kitchen. I didn’t touch the food."Kaelan’s piercing gaze swept over them both. "If either of you is lying, I will find out. Do not test me.""I swear, I'm innocent," Maria cried, tears streaming down her face.I stepped forward, placing a hand on Kaelan’s arm. "Kaelan, I’ve known these.two for months. Let’s dig deeper before convicting them."He tightened his jaw but nodded. "Fine. But we can't let them go yet. They have to be kept in a cell until the investigation is over. if they’re innocent, someone else is guilty.”Kaelan ordered the guards to sweep t
CHAPTER 1: FINDING MY MATE.EVERLY:I’ve always felt invisible in Silver Cross pack—especially with the way my father treated me. He has transferred his hatred for my mother whom he considered cursed to me. My mother was Wolfless and so am I. Or so I thought. Since after my mother's death, I've known nothing but rejection and hatred.My father was the Beta to Alpha Viktor, the Alpha of Silver Cross pack and the pack wasn't doing so well. Since he married Elena, my stepmom, who moved in with her daughter, Isabella, my father's rejection of me has doubled. They made it a duty to make sure I was always unhappy. I had hoped that once I turned 18 years old, I would find my mate and move out of the house.Well, I found my mate and was so elated about it. It was late in the evening and I suddenly felt the puIl of the mate bond. I followed the scent of the mate bond to the Alpha's castle and when I got closer to him, we both could feel the electrical spack between us. Alpha Viktor was sea
CHAPTER 26: KILL HER!EVERLY:Minutes later, the kitchen staff was rounded up and brought to the main hall. Ava, the cook, stood trembling, while Maria, my maid, twisted her fingers nervously.Kaelan’s voice was like a whip as he addressed them. "Who prepared Everly's lunch today?""I… I did, my king," Ava stammered."And who served it?"Maria stepped forward hesitantly. "It was me, Your Majesty. But I only brought the tray from the kitchen. I didn’t touch the food."Kaelan’s piercing gaze swept over them both. "If either of you is lying, I will find out. Do not test me.""I swear, I'm innocent," Maria cried, tears streaming down her face.I stepped forward, placing a hand on Kaelan’s arm. "Kaelan, I’ve known these.two for months. Let’s dig deeper before convicting them."He tightened his jaw but nodded. "Fine. But we can't let them go yet. They have to be kept in a cell until the investigation is over. if they’re innocent, someone else is guilty.”Kaelan ordered the guards to sweep t
CHAPTER 25: I BELIEVE YOU EVERLY:His jaw tightened, and for a moment, I thought he might explode. Instead, he took a deep breath, visibly calming himself.“Seraphina was pleading with me to release her mother,” he said evenly. “That’s all.”I scoffed. “She was practically glued to your body.”“I didn’t encourage it,” he countered. “And I didn’t touch her. I would never touch her, Everly.”I wanted to believe him, but the knot in my chest wouldn’t loosen. “It didn’t look that way.”He took my hand and led me to my bedroom. Placing his hands gently on my shoulders, he said with a soft voice, “Look at me, you know me better than this. You think I’d betray you? After what we've just been through?”The knot in my chest loosened a bit. “Seraphina is beautiful, Kaelan. Probably too beautiful for you to resist.” I turned away from him. “I think you like her. Maybe not as much as she desires but you certainly feel something for….”His eyes darkened, and before I could finish, he pulled me in
CHAPTER 24: POISONED WITH THE WOLFSBANE EVERLY:The words of the priestess made me anxious. “What do you mean?”“You will know when the time comes,” she said cryptically. “Trust your instincts, child. They will guide you.”Kaelan placed a protective arm around me as we left the temple. I looked up at him as we made our way home. “I don't know, Kaelan, but I think I believe everything she said.”“Me too. And I believe in you.” he said as he kissed my forehead.As we stepped into the threshold of the castle, Seraphina stepped forward boldly and gave Kaelan a hug.I was very exhausted and even feared I might collapse any moment. The ritual had drained every strength in me and I couldn't wait to enjoy the comfort of my bed. But as we approached the grand doors of the castle, I heard a woman’s voice.“Alpha!”Then Seraphina just appeared from no where and threw her arms around him.I froze, the sight rooting me in place.“Seraphina,” Kaelan said in a casual way. He didn’t return her embr
CHAPTER 23: THE AWAKENING RITUAL EVERLY:The priestess directed me to the altar. “Kneel. The awakening ritual will reveal the extent of your power.”I was reluctant and my heart beat kept increasing. Kaelan’s voice was soft beside me. “I’m here, Everly. You don’t have to be afraid.”I summoned courage, moved forward and knelt down. I wasn't afraid anymore but I knew my life will never remain the same.I found it hard to look into the shimmering eyes of the priestess. It was like molten ice and somehow unnatural. She pointed to the stone altar at the center of the room and told me to go there.“Lie down, child,” she said. “The awakening ritual requires your full submission to the moon’s power.”I felt reluctant and looked back at Kaelan, hoping he could reassure me. He stood tall, his golden eyes locked on meHe was silent but I knew he was solidly behind me.“I'm here with you,” he murmured, not taking his eyes off me . “I’m not going anywhere.”Swallowing hard, I nodded and sprawle
CHAPTER 22: SHE'S PRIMORDIAL EVERLY:I put on the Lavender dress I bought from the market and moved closer to the mirror. I stood and admired myself as the dress hugged my curves. Given the way I was raised, living a life of luxury was something I didn't know I could indulge in. Now , I felt so feminine and elegant and ultimately… beautiful. Someone knocked at the door and snapped me out of my thoughts. Before I could answer, Kaelan walked in. His commanding presence filled the room, and his sharp gaze immediately landed on me.“You’re rying on your new clothes?” he asked, smiling as his eyes roamed over me.I felt my cheeks flush. “I, uh… yes. Just wanted to see if they fit.”“That dress fit perfectly,” he said, with a low and husky voice. He walked over to where I was and wrapped his arms around my waist, pulling me into his chest. The warmth of his touch sent a shiver down my spine.“I hope you enjoyed your day, my future Luna?” he asked. His thumb caressed my cheek, and his gol
CHAPTER 21: LOOK WHO'S HERE KAELAN:Everly and I walked into my room and I made her sit on the bed while I pulled a chair and sat opposite her.She looked a bit upset and I tried to guess why. The only explanation I could come up with was my refusal to let her go to battle with me.“You know, Everly, time will come when we'll go to battles together, side by side, defending our throne, our people and our love. But there's no need to rush. You need to learn and be incorporated into our ways of doing things.”When I saw how she shivered, I put a jacket over her shoulders and led her closer to the fireplace. We both felt warm as we sat down by the fireplace, my thumb brushing over her knuckles. "You’re important to me, Everly," I said softly. "I don’t want to see you hurt."She looked up at me, her eyes searching mine. "I’m not used to someone caring so much," she admitted."You’ll have to get used to it," I said, a smile tugging at my lips.Reaching into my pocket, I pulled out a sleek
CHAPTER 20: I CAN DEFEND MYSELF KAELAN:By the time I reached the castle, it was already dark. I scanned the surroundings and when I found no sign of chaos, I shifted back to my human form. I walked into my study and collapsed on the sofa, feeling totally drained. The events of today were definitely something to worry about and it weighed heavily on my shoulders. I sat in my study, and stared at the map of our territory spread out before me. Duncan soon walked in and stood nearby, his expression grim."The timing of this attack," I said, breaking the silence. "It’s too convenient."Duncan nodded. "You’re thinking someone inside the pack tipped them off?""Not just anyone," I said, my jaw tightening. "A member of the displeased Council members might have thought to put me on edge."Duncan’s eyes widened. "That’s a serious accusation, Alpha.""I don’t make accusations lightly," I said. "Think about it, Duncan . They’ve been pushing for Everly’s exile, claiming she’s a threat to the p
CHAPTER 19: CHASING OFF THE ROGUES KAELAN:I watched Duncan as his chest heaved. “What's the matter, Duncan?”"Alpha!" he exclaimed, bowing briefly before he straightened, "We've got some rogues near the southern border. They’ve already crossed into our territory."My body tensed instantly. Today seemed to be a bad day. I had just gotten off arguing with the elders and now this? "How many are they?""At least twenty," Duncan said. "But there could be more. Marcus appears to be... organizing them."Marcus. This is a bit serious. Rogues were typically scattered, and disorganized, and most times they acted on impulse. The fact that Marcus was involved meant they have strategized and that could be trouble.I turned to Everly, “I've got to go, my love.”“Can I come with you?”“No. Not even in your dream.”“But I could be of help,” she said with pleading eyes. “Please.”“The answer is no. Go get some rest, I can handle it.”I watched as she pouted and walked away reluctantly. Then I tu
CHAPTER 18: AN ALPHA COMMAND EVERLY:I went downstairs looking for Kaelan since he wasn't in his room and neither was he in the library.I was almost heading to the gardens when I heard muffled voices of the elders in the Council Chambers. Out of curiosity, I stood and listened, pressing my ears to the wall."Everly is a threat!" Miriam’s voice was sharp, and the way she spoke about me felt like a stab to my heart. “What she did today is nothing but witchcraft. You’re risking the pack for whatever feelings you think you have for.""I will not banish her," Kaelan replied, his voice firm and unwavering. "She’s under my protection, and she has done nothing to harm this pack. I will make her my Luna.”I felt my heartbeat quicken in fear. Luna. The way the elders spoke ill of me, made me sick to my stomach and I suddenly felt that I didn't want to be part of this pack anymore.Kaelan’s pack didn’t trust me. They didn't want me. I was a stranger, an outsider, and my presence was causing