CHAPTER 37: YOU SHOULD'VE BEEN THE ONE DEADEVERLY:I froze in my tracks when I saw him.Viktor.He stood before me grinning. “I knew you would be stupid enough to come out here.” he said, his voice dripping with mockery. "I’ve been waiting for this moment."My heart pounded as I thought of the best line of defence. His men grabbed me, but I forced myself to stay calm. I had to think of a way of escape. And if I can't, Kaelan would come for me.—The cold stone floor bit into my skin, and the smell of damp earth filled my nostrils. I glanced around but had no idea where I was. My hands were tied behind me, and the ropes dug into my wrists, but the ache in my chest was far worse. I had failed Kaelan. They’d dragged me away like some helpless prey. But I wasn’t helpless, though. I was Kaelan’s gifted mate, his Luna. I had to fight.The door to the dimly lit room creaked open, and a tall, imposing figure stepped inside followed by another man. I recognized them instantly—Alpha Viktor a
CHAPTER 38: WHERE’S SHE?KAELAN:Everly's scent trail was faint but I was certain about it, wild flowers and rain soaked earth. It was uniquely hers. My warriors and I had tracked Everly’s captors through the dense forest. My wolf was on edge, pacing and snarling, desperate to break free and find my mate.Viktor. I should have known. The arrogant fool had always been a thorn in my side, and now he’d gone too far.We reached the edge of his territory, and I motioned for my warriors to halt. This wasn’t a battle I could afford to lose, and charging in recklessly would only put Everly in more danger."Spread out," I ordered. "Surround the perimeter. Don't allow anyone to leave the pack or go in without my permission."I hastened forward, shifting seamlessly into my wolf form. My senses sharpened, and the faint scent of Everly hit me again. My vision blurred with rage, but I forced myself to focus.As I crept through the underbrush, I caught sight of a small cabin, dim light flickering
CHAPTER 39: BACK TO LIFE EVERLY:The fallen warriors were kept in a temple built in the middle of the forbidden forest. I wanted to give it a trial, bringing them back to life, using my powers.I stood before the body of the first fallen warrior and stretched forth my hands. They glowed, radiating powerful energy. My eyes were tightly shut as I moved around..A short while later, I drew a big circle using a mixture of wolf's blood and ash. The body of one of the fallen warriors was placed in the centre of the circle.I knelt beside the circle, my hands trembling as I clutched a ceremonial dagger. The rate of my heartbeat tripled, but I couldn’t back down now. I closed my eyes and began to chant in an ancient language, a language I didn't even know. As my voice grew louder, and the energy around me increased . The wind howled through the trees, and my body shook violently. I pressed the dagger to my palm, and made a tiny cut, to draw blood. I let a drop of blood drip onto the body
CHAPTER 40: MIRACLE WORKER KAELAN:As we drove back to the pack, I felt peaceful, knowing that my mate was happy. Everly sat beside me, and rested her hand lightly on mine. The evening had been exactly what we needed—time to relax after the chaos of the last few days.As we approached the pack grounds, I saw fireworks and heard sounds of laughter and music. The gates were wide open, and dozens of pack members were gathered, singing and dancing.“What’s going on?” Everly asked, her brows furrowed in confusion.“I don’t know,” I admitted, and pulled the car to a stop. “Stay close to me.”As soon as we got out of the car, the crowd began to cheer. Pack members rushed toward us, bowing profusely. Their expressions were filled with awe and gratitude.“Alpha! Luna!” one of the warriors called out happily. “You’ve returned!”Everly glanced at me curiously. “Did we miss something?”Before I could respond, an elderly woman rushed forward, and clutched Everly’s hand. “Supreme Luna, thank you.
CHAPTER 41: WHAT DO YOU WANT HERE ?EVERLY:I watched in utter surprise as the mask was ripped off, revealing Seraphina’s face. I gasped and turned to Kaelan. “I thought she was gone for good.”Kaelan didn't answer me. Rather, he turned to the guards, “Take her to the dungeon immediately.”Seraphina struggled while she was being taken away. “Alpha Kaelan, you will never have children for rejecting my child.”I gasped and glanced up at Kaelan who hardened his expression and said nothing. I turned and stormed out of the hall. Kaelan tried to stop me but I slapped his hand off.In my haste, I bumped into two women. I had almost passed when I suddenly paused, and remained frozen in my tracks.My heart sank. Isabella. Elena. What could they possibly want? After all they had done, how dare they show their faces here?“What do you want here?” I said curtly, glaring at them. My voice was colder than I intended, but I couldn’t help it.I glared at Isabella, with her golden hair perfectly st
CHAPTER 42: II DIDN'T KNOW HOW TO EXPLAIN IT EVERLY:I woke up the next day and decided to stay in my room. Kaelan didn't come to explain things to me after Seraphina's outburst last night. What the hell was she really talking about? What child of hers did Kaelan reject? Had they been together before Kaelan and I met?A thousand and one questions gnawed at me and I need answers before I lose my mind. As if that wasn't enough trouble already, I've gone and welcomed my enemies into my own home. I just couldn't shake the feeling that I've made a big mistake.The door suddenly opened and Kaelan stepped in.“You’re overthinking again,” he said as he entered the room with a cup of coffee in each hand. He handed one to me before taking a seat beside me.“Wouldn’t you overthink if you were in my shoes? I can’t help it,” I admitted, taking a sip. “You’re yet to explain what the heck Seraphina was ranting about last night. Don't I deserve an explanation?”Kaelan set his glass down and took m
CHAPTER 43: ISABELLA BOTHERING ME EVERLY:Kaelan glanced over his shoulder at me and whispered “Isabella”I looked away and didn't say a word.Kaelan ushered her in."Good morning, Everly," Isabella said, with such a sweet tone that made my teeth ache. She entered my room carrying a silver tray. The aroma of freshly baked bread wafted through the air. "I made this for you. Thought you might enjoy a personal touch."I arched a brow, and set my teacup down slowly. "You made this? Yourself?"She nodded enthusiastically, her blonde curls bouncing. "I did! I woke up early just to prepare it. I wanted to show you how sorry I am for everything."Kaelan took a seat and exchanged a glance with me. He looked skeptical and bored with Isabella’s show. I gave her a tight smile. "Thank you, Isabella. You can leave it on the table." I pointed to the table in a corner. She hesitated, and continued to hold the tray as if her life depended on it. "Actually," she said softly, "I really, really want
CHAPTER 43: ISABELLA BOTHERING ME EVERLY:Kaelan glanced over his shoulder at me and whispered “Isabella”I looked away and didn't say a word.Kaelan ushered her in."Good morning, Everly," Isabella said, with such a sweet tone that made my teeth ache. She entered my room carrying a silver tray. The aroma of freshly baked bread wafted through the air. "I made this for you. Thought you might enjoy a personal touch."I arched a brow, and set my teacup down slowly. "You made this? Yourself?"She nodded enthusiastically, her blonde curls bouncing. "I did! I woke up early just to prepare it. I wanted to show you how sorry I am for everything."Kaelan took a seat and exchanged a glance with me. He looked skeptical and bored with Isabella’s show. I gave her a tight smile. "Thank you, Isabella. You can leave it on the table." I pointed to the table in a corner. She hesitated, and continued to hold the tray as if her life depended on it. "Actually," she said softly, "I really, really want
EPILOGUE It was the full moon and the gentle breeze stirred the trees, making the palace look very alluring.Crescent Moon has been peaceful for so many months now. This was a hard-earned peace. The occupants of this pack and palace had gone through years of struggle, sacrifice and resilience.Kaelan stood on the balcony of his chambers, and surveyed the vast territory he now ruled. The once-fractured packs of the country were now unified under his reign, and Crescent Moon had become a beacon of progress. He had built industries that now flourished, and provided security and wealth, while the werewolf college he had also recently built ensured that future generations were educated in both the ways of the world and the sacred traditions of their kind.He heard the soft giggle of his toddler and turned to see Everly standing in the doorway. Her eyes were filled with warmth as she carried her son, Maxine in her arms.Maxine was now a vibrant toddler with wild curls and eyes as deep and
CHAPTER 159: THE HEIR IS HERE EVERLY:When Kaelan returned in the evening and learnt about the Carter incident, he became very angry with me.“I told you not to leave our chambers. What did you go to the clinic for?”“I'm sorry, Kaelan. I only wanted to comfort the boy.” I explained.“And what did you get in return, huh? You almost had yourself killed with my pup in your womb.”“Oh, this is all about protecting your pup,” I said calmly.“Don't get me more upset than I already am,. Everly,” he said coldly and stormed out of our room.A moment later, I heard him yelling at someone downstairs and when I looked through the balcony, I saw him yelling at Owen. He told him he was incompetent and couldn't handle a simple task of protecting the Luna.Owen was on his knees begging.I wanted to go downstairs to explain things further but I knew it would make him even more furious. So I held my breath and wished he could calm down. He did calm down eventually but things never remained the same
CHAPTER 158: DUNCAN IS DEAD EVERLY:When we left the clinic, Kaelan decided to go to the library to check things out. He was going through some reports when Owen knocked.“Come in,” he responded impatiently.Owen walked in with hesitant steps. “Alpha, Duncan request an audience with you.”Kaelan closed the file in his desk and turned to him. “Is this some kind of a joke? Do you really think I'm jobless? You should know the rules, Owen. I don't go about entertaining wolves from the dungeon.”Owen bowed. “I'm sorry, Alpha.” And then left the room.We spent a few more minutes in the library and then went upstairs. From this moment onward, Kaelan became clingy. He never let me out of his sight. It has been weeks since the rogues abducted me from the market and almost killed me but I still had nightmares. Kaelan was worried and decided that we should seek the help of a certain witch. But I didn't want to go.I couldn't visit a witch with a pup in my womb. Kaelan decided to go alone. I
CHAPTER 157: ARTIFICIAL FINGERS?EVERLY Viktor let go of my hand when we stepped out of the cell where the rogues had kept me. The building was hidden in a remote forest and I wondered how Viktor was able to locate this place.“I didn't come alone,” he said as if he read my mind. “There are ten Lycans out there, destroying the rogues.”He led me through a hidden path and I saw a car in the distance, waiting.“You brought a car.” I was pleasantly surprised.“Yes, I know you can't shift because of the pregnancy and walking more than twenty miles back to Crescent Moon would be dangerous for you and the pup.”I was impressed with Viktor's thoughtfulness. Who would've thought that the werewolf’s greatest villain had such a good side.I got into the car as soon as we got there and Bennett drove the car away.Beauty was at the gate of the car, pacing. She knew Viktor and the Lycans had gone to rescue and she was obviously anxious. I told Bennett to stop so I could go down. Beauty ran into
CHAPTER 156: YOU TOOK A BLADE FOR ME EVERLY:Kaelan had been gone for three days.The palace felt empty without him, and each second, I looked forward to his return. It doesn't even matter that Beauty was always in my room, keeping me company.To distract myself, I decided to go shopping with Beauty. “I need some fresh air,” I told her that morning. “And I'm yet to buy baby stroller. Maybe I will see the one I like in the market today.”She grinned. “Sure. Can I come with you?”“Of course,.you can. Kaelan will be mad if he finds out I went to the market alone,” I told her.“Then we need to take some guards,” Beauty suggested. “Just for protection.”I nodded. “Okay. Two or three guards will do.”Beauty went downstairs and informed Owen that we needed three guards to escort us to the market. He made them available immediately.I told the guards to wait in the car when we arrived at the market. I didn't want what happened the last time Beauty and I came to the market to repeat itself ag
CHAPTER 155: YOU'RE WELCOME, BABEEVERLY:I felt so furious hearing Kaelan talk about my past in that manner. I don't know if it's the pregnancy hormones but I get easily annoyed these days.I didn't make a fuss. I simply left him in the kitchen and retreated to my room. I always did that whenever Kaelan annoyed me.“Luna, I'm sorry,” he said as he entered my room, a few minutes later, looking worried. “I didn't mean to hurt your feelings.”“You don't always mean to hurt me but you always do,” I replied dryly.I was busy knitting a cap for my unborn pup. Kaelan wrapped his arms around my shoulders and buried his head in my neck.“Don't be annoyed, my Luna.”I didn't utter another word.The silence between us grew awkward.“I'm planning on going for a short business trip.” he whispered.I dropped the pins and turned to him. “Oh I get it. You're fed up with me and now you want to abandon me with your pup in my womb.”Kaelan withdrew his arms from my shoulders and gazed into my eyes. “Ho
CHAPTER 154: I DESERVE WORSEKAELAN:I instructed Owen to take off Viktor's shackles and get him a room in the warrior's lounge. I provided a few pieces of clothing and some toiletries for him. He looked too haggard and really needed to clean up.“I will never again fail you, Alpha.” Viktor couldn't stop expressing his gratitude.But I didn't let my guard down.For days, I kept a keen watch over Viktor, trying to see if there was a reason to doubt him. But there was none yet.Perhaps I needed to put him through a test. And I wasn’t going to make it easy.This morning, Everly curled her arms around me, sleeping soundly. I gazed at her beautiful face. It looked a bit fragile and I couldn't help but plant a wet kiss on her lips.Then I untangled her arms and got out of bed. I headed straight to the tiny room I had given Viktor in the warrior’s lounge.Most of my warriors weren't happy about sharing the lounge with the same terrorist Alpha who had seen to the death of so many Lycans in C
CHAPTER 153: THE OATH OF A FALLEN ALPHAKAELAN:That same evening, I had a series of meetings with the new packs that wanted to join our league.Luckily, Everly was in a good mood and I didn't have to deal with her mood swings.But Viktor wasn't done getting on my nerves. Why would Viktor request an audience with me after all the terrible things he had done?I can be ruthless when I want to. But I can also be considerate. It wouldn't hurt just to hear him out.Owen was in the library with me, waiting for my response. “So what does he want?” I asked, barely looking up from the reports on my desk.“He says he wants to apologize.” Owen informed me.Viktor wants to apologize? That's interesting! For a moment, I didn't say a word.Everly was on the couch, reading a book on pregnancy. She looked up suddenly. “Maybe you should hear him out.”I scoffed. “You think he’s changed?”“I think he has nothing left to lose,” she said simply.That was true.Viktor had lost his pack, his status, his
CHAPTER 152: THE SCHEMER’S LAST TRICKKAELAN:Evan had organised an after party but Kaelan and I didn't bother to attend. We have duties to perform and I needed to leave before my pregnancy hormones start acting up.Kaelan drove us back to Crescent Moon and as soon as we saw Owen, standing by the gate, looking grim, I knew something was up.Kaelan pulled to a halt and whined down the glass. “Is there a problem?”.Owen sighed as he scratched his head. “It’s Viktor. He’s throwing a fit in the dungeon.”I frowned. Viktor? We had almost forgotten that he existed. He had withdrawn to his shell after he lost all his ten fingers.Kaelan also frowned. “And I'm supposed to be bothered about that?”“Alpha, Viktor has been making a fuse all day,” Owen reported, looking annoyed. “Everyone is fed up with his tantrum.”Kaelan stepped down from the car, crossed his arms and leaned on the car. I stepped down too but I didn't go to him. I was tired and wanted to go upstairs. The way I rubbed my stoma