Tristan POVAfter speaking to Raina in the cell, I became convinced she hadn't poisoned the pastries. I needed to identify the real culprit, and my thoughts turned to the baker; perhaps she was a loyalist to Dean. There were many such individuals lurking around, feigning submission to me. My mission was to root them out. I extracted the truth from the baker using extreme methods. Though her confession exonerated Raina as I had hoped, she refused to name her accomplice, claiming she acted alone. I knew this couldn't be true. One nagging detail was why Natasha requested pastries that morning. Either she was involved, or the baker seized an unexpected opportunity to target me. I might have suspected Natasha, but her near-death experience after eating the cookies ruled that out. I realised I needed to be extremely cautious. As much as I hated to admit it, the safest option was to eat only what Raina prepared. I called Jared, one of the men who helped me take over the pack. He was my tru
Raina's POVThe news about my siblings had brought me joy. Suddenly I felt lifted. My troubles were distant. I took solace in the fact that they would not suffer anymore. I was grateful, and I thanked the stars. To celebrate I decided to go to the lake in the forest. It had been a long time since I had been there. It carried good memories that I would cherish all my life, so I didn't go there again: I didn't want to have bad memories there. My sibling's freedom was a welcomed development worthy of celebration.Tonight was peaceful, and the stars adorned the sky beautifully. I sat on the grass and looked at the moon's reflection on the water. It was a beautiful sight. I wanted to freeze time and remain in that moment."Dear Mother, I wished you wrote my story differently, but I am grateful for the respite," I said and smiled at the moon in the sky. I knew one day I would be free, if not physically, then in spirit, and there would be no more chains to bind me.I heard someone in the bus
Tristan's POVMy head hurt. It felt like I had been hit and suffered a concussion. I tried to recollect what happened to me. I was on my way back from hunting when I was attacked by six men. Thinking I could take the attackers, I decided to fight, but they had come prepared. They didn't even shift. They had masks on, so I couldn't see their faces. I didn't know who had attacked me until I was stabbed with a silver knife. It was Jason the brute. I could smell him. I had to pretend to be dead. They ran away.Since I took back the Ironclaw Region, some Dean supporters have been trying to get me out of the picture, just as always.While I recollected the incident, I realised I had linked Raina, and she was the one who tended to me. I gradually sat in bed and realised I was in the pack house. Getting off the bed, I stepped on something on the floor, and the whimper let me know it was someone.I didn't need to guess who it was. Even though she rejected me, our bond still lingered because
Raina's POV When Tristan told me I could take the day off, I was surprised at his kindness. I hadn't rested since he returned and took over the pack. It had been chaotic for me. I wondered what was going on with him. As I walked towards my room, I remembered his situation last night. Honestly, I was horrified. Whoever attacked him was only going to make a bad situation worse. I could see it in his eyes. What gnawed at my mind was why he didn't go home to Natasha or let the doctor tend to him. Why was I the first person he called? Did he trust me, or was I a suspect? One would never know with Tristan, but I knew I needed to be careful. As much as I was excited about taking the day off, the lack of sleep made it impossible for me to enjoy it. When I entered my room, I went straight to bed. Unfortunately, sleep eluded me for a while. I pondered about my siblings, wondering how they were doing. I couldn't use a phone for communication, so I only hoped they were fine. Now that they
Raina's POVSoon, we arrived at the shelter. It was close to the Alpha's compound. Alighting, I awaited my orders. Tristan did not say anything, so I just followed him. When we got to the settlement, I was surprised that the place had more people than the last time I visited, a year ago, with Dean's mother. I had come here as their future Luna; today, Tristan has brought me as a slave. "What are you doing just standing there? Get to work," Tristan said, and I had no clue what he wanted me to do. "Speak to them and find out about their needs. Make sure you do not miss any detail, am I clear?" he said, and I nodded. That was Natasha's duty, not mine, but I dared not argue with him. "Luna Raina," a little girl said, and I became rigid. Tristan turned to look at me, and I wanted to jump out of my skin. The girl rushed at me and hugged my legs. "I missed you. You promised you'd bring me chocolate, but you never came back," she said, and I squatted immediately. "I am sorry, littl
Tristan's POV I was sitting in my office when I suddenly felt uneasy. My wolf was restless, and so was I. Alec was with me, and he noticed. "What is the matter, Alpha?" he asked me. "I don't know. I feel uneasy," I confessed, and he frowned, unsure what to tell me. Something tugged at my senses as if someone in my pack was trying to link me but was unsuccessful. And then a soft whisper rang in my mind. "Tristan, help me," I knew the voice. It was Raina. She never links me, so it must have been serious. I got up from my chair and started rushing to my house. Alec followed. When I arrived, there was smoke everywhere and no guards in sight. Where had they gone? Panic set in as I feared that Raina might be trapped inside the building. I started moving forward, and Alec tried to stop me, but I growled at him, barely holding onto my composure. I prayed she wasn't inside, prayed she wasn't hurt. I rushed in, and the smoke engulfed me. It was toxic—I could feel it. Holding my bre
Tristan's POV I watched as the doctor and nurses attended to Raina. They set up an intravenous line to administer medications and were carefully treating her burns. The poison must have suppressed her wolf abilities, which explains why she wasn't healing. "What's the situation?" I asked the doctor, my voice tense with worry. "Wolfsbane in gaseous form," he replied. "We're trying to flush the poisonous gases out of her system, but I'm not sure it will work. She inhaled too many toxic substances. Besides wolfsbane, there's carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, and some particulate matter. She also has traces of aldehydes, sulfur dioxide, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, benzene, silver metal, and dioxin—all highly poisonous to her and her wolf." "So what are you doing to heal her?" I demanded, my desperation palpable. All I wanted was to know she would be alright. "We're flushing her system to the best of our ability and countering the poison," he explained, but his words lacked
Raina's POV My throat was dry. I was still in darkness, and my eyelids felt heavy. My body ached. I was weak, and I struggled to open my eyes. Then I heard Tristan's voice. He was arguing with someone. "It's been three fucking days now, and nothing!. I swear if she doesn't wake up, I will destroy you and everything you hold dear!" I heard him say. I wondered who he was threatening and why he was so angry. Tristan never used to have temper issues, though people often tested his patience. It took a lot to provoke him into losing his cool. But ever since he returned, his fuse has been short, and he loses his temper at the slightest provocation. Remembering all that had transpired since he returned, I wasn't eager to open my eyes. I wanted to enjoy the peace a little longer before I was plunged back into hell again. I swallowed, and my throat hurt. "Head Maid Raina," I heard a voice say, and I wondered who it was. I guess it was time to finally try to open my eyes. It was har
Raina's POVTwo Year LaterThe new trade law indeed favoured our people; there were jobs and new processing plants and factories under construction in Ironclaw. All illegal business activities were discontinued in Ironclaw. People that had left in search of greener pastures had returned. The other regions were not impoverished as the dead kings had feared, but wealth was evenly distributed, and more opportunities were created. The Nighthowler territory was being built, and it was almost completed. Former Nighthowlers emerged from everywhere to come home, and Tristan built his palace there. It was nothing big but a semblance to the type of home he promised to build for me while we sat at the lake when we were teenagers, and he promised me the world. We had recollected most of our promises and fulfilled the ones within our capacity.One of the most surprising things that happened after the battle with the evil kings was finding out that Alisia and Dean were fated. What were the odds
Raina's POVEverything had happened so fast, and somehow, the fear we might not survive had dissipated as we realised we were all fortunate to keep our lives. Luna Lisa was rushed to the hospital, but my mother said she would be fine. While Tristan discussed with the allies of the other royal families that had helped us take down the Kings, Dean walked to me to talk. It was an inevitable discussion, and I didn't know what angle it would take, but I braced myself for it. Clutching the robe around my body, I waited for him."Hey," he said, and I looked at him. We hadn't spoken since he woke up, and to think Alisia and I were the ones that found them."Rainy," he said, calling me how he referred to me often."I guess fate never lies," he said, and I looked at him. His eyes had a sadness and longing that I knew I could never alleviate."I never got to thank you for saving me and my mother. Alec told me how you and Alisia risked your lives to save us. I am grateful," he said, and I nodded.
Tristan's POVAmidst the chaos, my mother's wolf, a regal silver beast, went after King Lucian. She was a blur of fury, her claws and teeth tearing through his guards. Lucian's mottled brown wolf tried to fight back, but my mother was relentless. She bit down on his neck, and with a savage twist, she snapped it. Lucian's body crumpled to the floor, lifeless.Alec and Jared fought together, a formidable pair. Abel and his men tried to hold them off but were overwhelmed. Alec's powerful jaws crushed skulls and severed limbs, while Jared's speed and agility made him a blur of death. Abel's wolf fell beneath their combined assault, his body torn apart.The battle raged on, brutal and bloody. Some enemy wolves tried to escape, but the exits were barred. They were trapped, forced to face their doom. Ian Braxon and the rest of the Ironclaw alphas fought with savage grace, their wolves cutting through the remaining guards and assassins.Dean's wolf, covered in blood, finally brought down King
Tristan's POVThe air in the banquet hall grew thick with tension as I signalled for the doors and windows to be shut. The heavy thud and clatter echoed ominously, and I saw the flicker of realisation in the eyes of King Lucian, King Rufus, and King Oswald. Their arrogance had blinded them to the trap they had walked into. The time for pleasantries was over. Tonight, their reign of terror would end.Dean and our mother stood among the guests, their disguises blending seamlessly. Their eyes met mine, and a silent understanding passed between us. Our allies within the royal families were poised to act. The alphas of Ironclaw, Ian, Braxon, and their men were ready. The plan was in motion.King Lucian's laughter died in his throat as I bared my teeth in a feral grin. "Welcome to Ironclaw, gentlemen," I said, my voice dripping with menace. "You will not leave this hall alive."The assassins, led by Reuben and Abel, moved swiftly to protect the three kings and their families. But we were r
Tristan, POVThe day of the event was finally upon us. We positioned our men about the place, and the banquet hall was prepared.The Ironclaw alphas arrived at the venue, and soon, the three kings and some of their family members were around. Our moles, and hopefully the future kings, were there, too. There was a look of arrogance in King Lucian's eyes. King Rufus was friendly, but I knew he didn't mean well either. King Oswald was unreadable, but it didn't matter. We were still going to carry out our plan. Their reign of terror would end tonight.The kings brought us gifts and sat at their tables with their wives. Raina and I were there too. I noticed King Rufus's eyes linger on Raina. She was looking stunning. Some effort was made in her beautiful cream seductive gown. That showed cleavage and skin. She was a walking temptation. Her lips were red, and her eyes were ice blue. Her dark hair made her skin a lot paler. They had never seen such beauty, and she was mine. King Oswald's han
Tristan POVWe were still talking when my mother decided to grace us with her presence. The entire place was silent. It wasn't news anymore that she was a true Knight and not my father, as they had all expected. She was still royalty. It is in her blood."And while you are at it, I want my pound of flesh from Lucian. He was the one who started this nonsense. His father had agreed to improve on the trade deal. I remember the day his father and mine signed the agreement, but Lucian was too greedy. When he came into power, he knew how much he would lose in revenue and couldn't have it, so he instigated the other three against Ethan. Randolph did not join in and was shunned and excluded for that purpose. They frustrated Ethan's effort and finally used Darius and some of you to silence the man. Then, soon, when Darius realised he wasn't being treated as an equal, he decided to rise above his station. They sent the enclave to keep him in check since they were the ones that placed him there.
Tristan POV I woke up in the morning energised and ready to face the future. Alec had reached out to his friend in Renhall, and we had a plan. Dean also contacted a family member of King Oswald. I couldn't believe my brother was helping me. Instead of working against one another, we were working together. He promised to gather his own men. Although Dean was lazy with responsibilities, he was a good fighter. He just didn't like fighting, but I noticed something had changed. There was a maturity and new resolve in him. He had the look I had in my eyes now. I guess we were even somehow. The alphas arrived in the morning and were shocked to see Dean and me working together. I introduced Dean to them in his new Royal capacity, and they were happy. Ian was the most happy. Braxon was pissed to learn about the cottage in the woods at his border. I honestly did not think he was a traitor, knowing that many illegal activities were being perpetrated in Irconclaw; the kings had their goons ev
Raina's POVI didn't leave Elisabeth until the evening. We ate together, and I kept her company. My mother and Mrs Lana, former Delta's wife, came to join us. Dean never showed up, but Jared told me Tristan was with Dean. I guess they needed the privacy and time to mend their nonexistent relationship. Hopefully, they would get it right this time. When it was time to return home, I heard Tristan's voice in my mind."Join me at the lake, Blue Eyes," he said, and I felt butterflies. I always looked forward to spending time with Tristan. Having missed him since his mother and brother were found, I was glad to finally have him to myself now that they were awake.I left Elsiabeth's house and headed to the lake. I contemplated dressing up first but was too eager and headed to the lake instead. Upon getting there, I was surprised. Tristan was on a picnic mat with a basket, staring at the still water that reflected the shape of the full moon. His profile was handsomely illuminated by the m
Raina's POVLearning that Dean and Luna Elisabeth had pulled through and had woken up made me both glad and worried at the same time. Glad that they were fine, worried about the trouble they might cause. I know it would be impolite not to pay the former Luna respect. So I bought a flower and headed to King Darius's house, where I knew they were staying. Luckily for them, Tristan had kept the place clean, so it wasn't in disrepair, and Luna Elisabeth could easily move in. I bought her a bouquet of white carnations and a box of pistachio cookies, her favourite. This time, I watched them pack the cookies in my presence and seal the pastries in the box. I can't have risked my life to save the woman only to serve her poison. Knowing how she was and what she had gone through gave me a new level of respect for her, but I was still not over how she threatened me to be with Dean. I guess I would always have that grudge against her. It was understandable; after all, it ruined my life.When I g