(ARIELLE'S POV)The ride back to the packhouse was one of the most agonizing experiences I’d ever endured. Sofia did everything possible to upset me. She seemed determined to test my patience. She was all over Nicholas, she clung to him, like ivy on a tree, fussing over him and throwing coy glances in my direction as if staking a claim that wasn’t hers to make.She was either dabbing his face with a handkerchief or playfully throwing her arms around him. "Can you play some music, Nicholas I'm bored," her loud voice suddenly sounded, breaking the silence in the car.Nicholas, ever patient, glanced at her in the rearview mirror. "What do you want to listen to?""That old song we used to love, I Will Always Love You, by Whitney Houston", Sofia replied with a pout.Nicholas's jaw tensed. "I don’t have it anymore." He replied with his eyes fixed on the road."You have to be kidding", Her laughter was sharp."How could you get rid of something so meaningful to us?" She pouted, appearing
(ARIELLE'S POV)I shot Nicholas, a confused look, expecting some sort of explanation, but he just brushed me off, his focus shifting to Sofia instead.What in the Moon Goddess' name?Don't tell me Nicholas agreed to accommodate Sofia in our home without informing and discussing it with me?"Agreement?" I repeated, my voice firmer and demanding, holding the authority of a Luna. "Tell me, what agreement, Nicholas?""Watch your tone, Renna," Nicholas growled low, his eyes flashing with dominance then he glanced over at Sofia. "We talked about this earlier.""Talked about what?" I demanded, the irritation building like a storm. "You can’t just invite someone into our packhouse without discussing it with me first. I’m your mate!"Sofia stepped forward, her hand resting protectively on her stomach. A subtle ploy for sympathy, no doubt. "Nicholas, tell her," she said softly, slipping her fingers into his. "We agreed that I could stay here until I get back on my feet and find a place of my ow
(RENNA'S POV)I was roused from sleep by a gentle tap. My eyes fluttered open, and I saw Nicholas leaning over me. His eyes glowed faintly in the dim light, a telltale sign of his wolf lingering close to the surface.“Dinner is ready, my mate,” he murmured, his voice deep and warm, as he pressed a soft kiss to my forehead.“Dinner?” I sat up quickly, disoriented. “What time is it?” I glanced at the window, noticing the dark expanse of the forest beyond but the bedside lamp illuminated the room with a cozy glow.Nicholas chuckled, a rumble that always reminded me of a distant growl. “You’ve been asleep for four hours, love. That’s rare for you. Come to think of it, you never slept this much. Are you feeling alright?”I hesitated before nodding. “I’m fine,” I said quickly, brushing off his concern. The truth was, my newfound exhaustion and bouts of weakness likely had something to do with the bond deepening between me and our unborn pup. But I wasn’t ready to share that secret with Nic
(ARIELLE'S POV)I knew what I was about to do was wrong, going against the principles of the Luna I was raised to be, but I couldn’t stop myself. My hands moved on their own as I typed in his password. Nicholas, had once mentioned in the car that his password was my name, right?. Well, now was the time to find out.I typed my name, and to my amazement, his phone unlocked. My fingers hovered over the screen for a moment before I clicked onto the message box specifically Sofia’s thread.The words on the screen made my blood run cold immediately."Hey, are you done bathing?"“Will you come keep me company after you're done? The forest is beautiful under the moonlight tonight.”"Why aren't you responding? Is Renna awake?""Are you ignoring me?""Nicholas!!!"“I can’t sleep. Come down, and let’s go outside to watch the moon rise like we did when we were pups.”"You promised me at the pack infirmary's garden that we would stargaze, remember?"Angrily, I muted the phone and dropped it back
RENNA'S POV I felt the tension ripple through Nicholas's body beside me. His normally warm presence turned cold, his muscles rigid like a predator cornered. I knew I had crossed an invisible line. The question was, how would the Alpha in him respond? “Oh, I think I might have stood next to another female wolf accidentally,” He spoke up after a while, trying to sound nonchalant but his tone was too casual to be believable.A searing pain shot through my chest, not from anger but from the bond we shared. Mates could sense deception, and the bitter taste of his lie stung more than I could handle. Vanilla. The scent clung to him, but it wasn’t mine. My scent was lavender. That fragrance belonged to someone else—Sofia, he probably got it when she leaned her head on his shoulder.“Is something wrong, Renna?” His deep voice was softer now, laced with a calm that belied his true emotions.What could I say? What could I possibly say to the Alpha of the pack without shattering everything? Wha
(RENNA'S POV)At the close of the pack dining hall meeting, Alpha Nicholas was already waiting outside the pack’s dining hall to drive me home." Alpha Nicholas is here," Rebecca announced her head peeking through my office door."Go away, Rebecca," I replied smiling."Alright, alright, luna" Rebecca giggled and left.I hurriedly packed up; I would rather not keep Nicholas waiting. Stepping outside, I found him leaning against his sleek black car, radiating dominance. Even in the moonlight, his eyes seemed to glow, a reminder of the wolf within."And how was your day, my Luna?" he asked, the moment I got to him, his deep voice sending a shiver through me."Hectic as usual," I replied, handing him my bag."You wouldn't stop even if I commanded you, would you?" he teased, his lips twitching into a smirk."Not in this lifetime," I said with a grin. My role as the pack's senior chef was everything to me, and he knew it."Here, let me help you get in," He murmured, his voice softening as
RENNA'S POV)I stormed into the packhouse, the air around me crackling with the tension I carried. Shockingly Sofia, was seated in the living room, her eyes fixed on a reality show playing on the massive TV.She glanced at me briefly, her expression indifferent, before turning her focus back to the screen. Fine, if she wanted to play the ignore game, I was up for it too. I continued toward the grand staircase that led to my room.Just as my foot touched the last step, Sofia’s voice rang out."Nicholas”I froze in my tracks, my wolf stirring uneasily within me. Turning back, I saw her leap from the couch and fling herself into his arms as he stepped into the room.“I’ve missed you, Alpha. Are you alright? Have you been overworking yourself? Are you stressed?” Sofia fussed, her hands roaming over his chest and arms.Nicholas didn’t move, he stood stiffly, his voice cold but commanding. “Sofia. Stop it. Mind your actions.”I heard him speak but he didn’t push her away. He didn’t growl or
(RENNA'S POV)Awed!That was how I felt as Nicholas pulled his sleek black SUV into the Pack's grand estate. As I peered out the window of the car, I couldn't help the gasp that escaped my mouth. The massive structure ahead of us shimmered under the pale light of the full moon. The towering packhouse, built of silver stone and glass, seemed to glow ethereally, a testament to the immense power and wealth of its Alpha.Nicholas, the Alpha himself, chuckled softly as he turned off the car's engine. He stepped out with effortless grace, opening my door before I could even reach for the handle. His touch was warm as he offered his hand, steadying me as I climbed out."Welcome to your new home, Luna," he said, his deep voice laced with pride and warmth.I swallowed, overwhelmed by the majesty of it all. I took in more details of the hotel's surroundings properly. The estate was breathtaking: cascading fountains framed the grand entrance, surrounded by manicured lawns glowing softly under
RENNA'S POV)You don’t mean it!" Ashley exclaimed, her voice full of disbelief, making me smile despite the weight on my chest."I can imagine the look on her face," She added trying to keep her voice light.The instant I’d arrived at the office, I’d dialed Ashley to fill her in on what had happened that morning. Sofia’s overconfidence had truly shocked me, and for a moment, I thought she might lash out. But Nicholas … Nicholas had done something unexpected. He had stood firm and denied her, leaving her speechless."For a moment, I feared she was going to lunge at me in anger. She was so shocked. I guess being turned down when she was used to having her way was not such a good experience for her.""I know, right? Alpha Nicholas deserves a pat on the back. He should do that often. Let her know she can't always have her way," Ashley squealed."I wish he could continue this way," I said, my voice suddenly losing some of its brightness. "It hurts to see him fluctuate all the time. This ti
RENNA'S POV I watched Nicholas pause, his eyes widening like saucers, and almost bulging out of their sockets.His wolf stirred beneath the surface, a warning in the depths of his gaze, but I wasn't intimidated. I needed to hear his response.Silence hung between us, thick with the weight of unspoken words."What did you say?" he demanded, his voice icy and clipped, the Alpha inside him struggling for control."Do you still want to be with her?" I asked again. When I said "her," his wolf growled in the back of his mind, and I saw the shift in his eyes. He knew exactly who I was referring to."Pardon me. You're not making any sense," he muttered, his words strained."Fine, I’ll spell it out for you," I said, stepping closer, forcing him to face me. I was suddenly bored and wanted to cut to the chase. "I’ve been doing a lot of thinking lately and figured out some things. If you can’t let go of Sofia, then I will set you free to be with her. I won’t stand in the way of your bond with he
RENNA'S POV)Ok. Here he played this 'charming mate' card again.I stood rooted to the spot, contemplating my response.Truth was, I had made no plans on returning to the pack house today. Even though I knew I was going to return eventually, it just wasn't today."Nicholas, I don't think I want to come home today," I blurted.His brows furrowed, his Alpha presence flaring. "Why? You're still mad at me, aren't you? Come on, Renna. I promise to explain everything to you if you come home with me."I hesitated. Did he mean explain? Or make more excuses?"But....", I started."No buts, Renna", He said, his voice carrying the weight of an Alpha’s command. "Please, come home. You can't run from your fated mate."I rolled my eyes. "Yeah, a home invaded by a stranger," I murmured under my breath. His sharp gaze snapped to mine. "What did you just say?""I said nothing."Just then, Rebecca walked past, her eyes flickering between us before she waved cheerfully. I groaned inwardly. The last th
RENNA'S POV)Ok. Here he played this 'charming mate' card again.I stood rooted to the spot, contemplating my response.Truth was, I had made no plans on returning to the pack house today. Even though I knew I was going to return eventually, it just wasn't today."Nicholas, I don't think I want to come home today," I blurted.His brows furrowed, his Alpha presence flaring. "Why? You're still mad at me, aren't you? Come on, Renna. I promise to explain everything to you if you come home with me."I hesitated. Did he mean explain? Or make more excuses?"But....", I started."No buts, Renna", He said, his voice carrying the weight of an Alpha’s command. "Please, come home. You can't run from your fated mate."I rolled my eyes. "Yeah, a home invaded by a stranger," I murmured under my breath. His sharp gaze snapped to mine. "What did you just say?""I said nothing."Just then, Rebecca walked past, her eyes flickering between us before she waved cheerfully. I groaned inwardly. The last th
(RENNA'S POV)The next day was Sunday, and I was grateful it was not a work day. When I roused from sleep, all I did was shower, have breakfast and watch TV as Ashley wouldn't let me raise a pin."Hey," she squeezed my shoulder gently, sliding onto the couch next to me. "What's going on?""Hey," I spared her a glance and returned my eyes back to the TV. "You're done?"The aim of the question was because Ashley had risen at the crack of dawn to prune the flowers flanking her house entrance, and I wanted to ascertain if she was done."Yup, yup. The flowers look neater now." She said grinning."You should go have breakfast", I suggested, still focused on the show. "You've been working for hours," I added."Well, you've been engrossed on the TV that you didn't realize that I finished pruning the flowers a while ago, have showered, changed into fresh clothes and even had breakfast. Gosh! Are all pregnant lunas this lazy and less observant?" Ashley chuckled.I paused. "Wait, what?" I asked,
(RENNA'S POV)I paused, trying to process Ashley's words. Slowly, I locked my gaze with hers. She couldn't be serious."You're kidding, right?", My voice was calm, but my wolf stirred uneasily within me."Do I look like I am?" Ashley retorted, her voice firm and serious.I exhaled, my claws threatening to extend as frustration built inside me.Reject Nicholas? The very thought felt unnatural, like severing a bond that was imprinted into my soul. My mind raced, my wolf growling at the mere idea. Why would I even consider it? Nicholas was my mate. I had fought through every challenge to make this union work.I shook my head, forcing out a bitter chuckle. "I don’t think you’re serious, Ash," I said, though even I could hear the slight tremor in my voice.Ashley folded her arms. "I’m very serious, Renna. You can’t keep being the mate Nicholas second-guesses. You’re his fated mate, the rightful Luna of this pack. If he’s still tangled up with Sofia, then let him go. He is a grown up Alpha,
(RENNA'S POV)After Nicholas left, I was restless, my wolf pacing inside me. What could be wrong with Sofia? I wondered. Something about the situation with Sofia felt… off. It hadn’t even been a full day since Nicholas and I left the packhouse, and suddenly she was ill with stomach pain?! My instincts screamed at me, but I pushed the doubts away.I tried to distract myself with the thought that Nicholas will handle the situation, but my mind wouldn't budge. For a moment, I suspected foul play. What if it was a play by Sofia to lure Nicholas back to the pack house as she never wanted him to leave in the first place?What if she was manipulating him?!I shook my head, dismissing the thought. I didn't want to look paranoid and insecure. If she was pretending, she wouldn't involve Nicholas's mother, right? The more I thought about everything, the restless I became.Then a thought struck me; what if the situation was critical and more than Nicholas could handle? I jerked up from the bed th
(NICHOLAS'S POV)"Nicholas, we have a problem. Where the hell are you even?."My mother’s voice rang through the pack link, sharp and urgent. A low growl rumbled in my chest as I sat up, my wolf immediately on edge."What is it?" I responded, already feeling my heart rate spike."Sofia just called me. She's in pain, Nicholas. She said her stomach is hurting…"My blood ran cold. Pain? Sofia?"You have to leave wherever you are, and whatever you're doing. You need to come home now! Nothing must happen to—"I didn’t wait to hear the rest. I severed the link and bolted out of bed, my wolf howling in alarm. I was immediately thrown into a state of panic, as I scrambled to gather my clothes on the floor."What's wrong?" Renna's voice sounded behind me. I hadn't realized when she left the bed. My mind was filled and racing with worst-case scenarios."You're making me scared. What happened? Who was mind linked you?" Renna's voice broke into my thoughts again. This time, she was now standing
RENNA'S POV A bile rose in the pit of my stomach as Nicholas stormed out of the pack's restaurant, his shoulders taut with tension. Whatever notification had popped up on his phone had clearly shaken him to his core. The connection between us as mates, raw and unfiltered, made his emotions ripple through me like a shockwave. I tried to keep eating, but the knot forming in my stomach wouldn’t let me."What notification could have arrived in his phone that made his countenance change in seconds?", I wondered.I turned around and craned my neck in the direction he took, hoping to get a glimpse of him, but I saw nothing. My wolf was already growling low in frustration. What could have unsettled him like that? I wondered. For a moment, I thought of going after him to spy, but thought against it. I would rather wait for him to return and inquire what the notification he received was about. And so I waited. A few minutes later, he returned, his footsteps heavy but controlled. “I’m sorry,”