(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 Jared returned with our bag, and took it to the closet. His commanding presence, as always, sent a shiver through me. Alpha or not, he had a way of dominating every room he stepped into."I don't want you stressed," he said, his voice firm yet soft, as he walked back toward me.I arched a brow, feigning a frown. "Don’t tell me you dragged me out to this secluded pack resort just to make me lazy." I murmured. He smirked, his eyes flashing with the faintest hint of gold, his wolf always close to the surface. "I brought you here to spoil my mate silly," he said, his tone dropping into the deep growl that made my heart race."Well, ...." I said with a sly grin, "that sounds like something I would love to indulge in." I added, all smiles."Perfect," He replied, leaning away. "I’ve arranged everything. After I unpack we brought, we will head to the pack’s spa. You’ve been running yourself ragged lately. Between council meetings and rogue patrols, your muscles are overdue for s
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,”
(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)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
(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)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)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)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,”