The next morning, the air was thick with tension. Everything that happened last night felt like a storm had passed, leaving only a strange silence behind. I still felt the power inside me, like it was now a part of me that I couldn’t ignore.Carlos hadn’t said much to me since our moment on the balcony. He seemed distant, lost in his own thoughts. I couldn’t tell if it was fear, worry, or something else, but I could see it in his eyes.The morning was cool, with a pale gray sky as I stood by the window. I couldn’t shake the feeling that something was coming. It wasn’t just the rogue wolves from last night, but there was something bigger at play.I sighed, trying to push away the nerves. The room was silent, too silent, until I heard the soft click of the door behind me.Carlos.I turned and saw him standing in the doorway, his posture stiff, almost like he was waiting for me to let him in.“You’re awake,” he said, his voice flat.“I didn’t sleep much,” I admitted. “I’m still… not used
The tension in the room was heavy as Carlos stared at the dagger in the guard’s hand. His jaw was tight, and his eyes were full of anger. I didn’t fully understand what was happening, but I could tell this wasn’t just a simple threat and it was something much more serious.Carlos spoke in a cold voice. “Where did you find this?”The guard hesitated, looking nervous. “In the woods, near the border of our land. Someone left it for us to find.”Carlos’s eyes narrowed, filled with both anger and thought. The Bloodmoon Clan wasn’t just any pack; they were old, ruthless, and tied to the darkest parts of werewolf history. If they were involved, it meant big trouble.“Get rid of it right away,” Carlos ordered sharply. “I don’t want it near me or anyone here.”The guard nodded and left quickly.Carlos didn’t move. He stood still, staring at the door, deep in thought. I could feel his unease. He was worried and already thinking about how to protect us. He wasn’t going to let whatever was coming
The lawyer kept talking, but I couldn’t focus, my heartbeat was too loud in my ears.Ten million dollars.That’s what they were offering me to marry a total stranger. For just one year. No love, no emotions, and no say in the matter.I looked at the thick envelope on the table, my fingers shaking as I reached for it. Fear and desperation twisted in my chest. I didn’t know anything about Carlos Clark, except that he was rich, powerful, and cold enough to solve problems with money.Now, it seemed I was one of those problems."Miss Dominic," the lawyer said, fixing his tie neatly, "Mr. Clark wants your answer within an hour. If you say no, the offer is gone for good."Say no? I wished I could.But the debt collectors had already shown up at our door twice. My father’s bad choices had left us drowning, and those men didn’t accept late payments. They wanted their money or someone to pay in blood.I didn’t even get to say goodbye to the old me, because she disappeared the moment I signed tha
The mansion was too quiet.Every room was spotless, cold, and way too big. After breakfast the next morning, I walked through the halls not sure if I was exploring or just trying to feel normal again. Anything to remind myself I was still human, not just a kept pet in a stranger’s house.Lily had told me not to wander too far and Carlos said not to leave the house.But no one said I couldn’t walk around inside.Sunlight poured through the tall windows, casting long shadows on the marble floor. I passed rows of bookshelves filled with thick, old books I couldn’t understand, paintings of serious-looking people, and a bunch of closed, some locked doors.One door at the end of a narrow hallway caught my attention. It was made of dark wood, covered in strange carvings I didn’t recognize. Unlike the others, it felt… different. Though It was locked, still, I tried the handle but it didn’t move.Then a voice behind me made me jump.“You shouldn’t be here.”I quickly turned around. Carlos was s
The next morning, Lily came into my room carrying a dress that shimmered so beautifully. It was silver, thin, and sleeveless, with threads that glowed faintly under the sun. When I touched the fabric, it felt cold against my skin.“You’ll wear this tonight,” she said, placing it on the bed. “For the full moon ceremony.”I frowned. “What exactly is the ceremony?”Lily hesitated. “It’s the night your bond is shown to the pack. The Alpha introduces his mate under the moon. They must accept you… or not.”“Or not?” I repeated, alarmed.She looked away. “The pack is loyal to Carlos, but they’re wolves. If they sense weakness or if they think you don’t belong here, it won’t be easy.”I didn’t ask what “not easy” meant. I already had a bad feeling in my chest.***Carlos didn’t say a word to me all day. He was busy getting ready with his Beta, someone I hadn’t seen yet. Still, I could feel when he was nearby. It was strange, but the collar on my neck would get warm whenever he was close, almos
I couldn’t sleep after what Carlos said.“What scares me is what you’ll become… once the bond is complete.”What did he mean by that? I didn’t feel powerful or scary. I just felt confused, unsure of who I was and who I was turning into.The night was cool, but it didn’t calm the heat burning inside me. I stepped out onto the balcony outside my room. The sky was clear, stars twinkling softly. The moon was nearly full, and its light felt like a gentle touch on my skin.I closed my eyes and took a deep breath, then I sensed Carlos' presence.His scent reached me like pine trees and smoke, deep and familiar. My body tensed right before he spoke from behind me.“You shouldn’t be out here.”I turned around and saw him at the door. He was wearing dark clothes, and his hair was messy like he’d just come from a run or a fight.“I couldn’t sleep,” I said. “It’s like you’re always with me, even when you’re not here.”He came closer, his eyes meeting mine. “That’s the bond. It’s starting to awaken
The fire in the sitting room crackled quietly, casting soft light on the walls. I sat curled up in a big leather chair with a blanket around me, but I still felt cold inside.Everything felt different after the gathering in the forest.Carlos didn’t say much on the way back. He seemed distant again, like he was holding something in.Like a storm waiting to happen.I kept hearing the elder’s words in my head.“You carry old blood. The moon recognizes you.”What did that mean?I didn’t feel powerful. I still felt like me, human, scared, and confused by this world I never asked to be part of.I got up and walked to the window. The moon was lower now, its light shining through the trees, while my chest felt tight again like something inside me was reaching for it.The door opened behind me. I didn’t need to turn around. I knew it was Carlos.His steps were slow and steady. When he stopped next to me, I could feel his warmth even through the blanket.““I heard you didn’t eat dinner,” Carlos
The sun was starting to go down, shining a soft golden light over the open space. I sat on the stone bench where Carlos had left me. His silver ring still felt cold on my finger. Everything around me was quiet, too quiet. The kind of quiet that makes you feel like someone’s watching you.I told myself not to panic.Carlos hadn’t been gone long, but it already felt like forever.I stared at the trees, hoping he’d come back any second. Every little sound made my heart beat faster.Then I heard a stick break somewhere nearby.So I jumped to my feet. “Carlos?”No reply.I slowly turned around, my body tense. That warm, electric feeling I had earlier was gone. I was completely alone and vulnerable.Then I saw a tall man standing at the edge of the woods, wearing dark clothes. His eyes had a faint amber glow in the fading light.He wasn’t Carlos.And he definitely wasn’t human.“Who are you?” I asked, stepping back.The man tilted his head and gave a small smile.“So it’s true. The Alpha has
The tension in the room was heavy as Carlos stared at the dagger in the guard’s hand. His jaw was tight, and his eyes were full of anger. I didn’t fully understand what was happening, but I could tell this wasn’t just a simple threat and it was something much more serious.Carlos spoke in a cold voice. “Where did you find this?”The guard hesitated, looking nervous. “In the woods, near the border of our land. Someone left it for us to find.”Carlos’s eyes narrowed, filled with both anger and thought. The Bloodmoon Clan wasn’t just any pack; they were old, ruthless, and tied to the darkest parts of werewolf history. If they were involved, it meant big trouble.“Get rid of it right away,” Carlos ordered sharply. “I don’t want it near me or anyone here.”The guard nodded and left quickly.Carlos didn’t move. He stood still, staring at the door, deep in thought. I could feel his unease. He was worried and already thinking about how to protect us. He wasn’t going to let whatever was coming
The next morning, the air was thick with tension. Everything that happened last night felt like a storm had passed, leaving only a strange silence behind. I still felt the power inside me, like it was now a part of me that I couldn’t ignore.Carlos hadn’t said much to me since our moment on the balcony. He seemed distant, lost in his own thoughts. I couldn’t tell if it was fear, worry, or something else, but I could see it in his eyes.The morning was cool, with a pale gray sky as I stood by the window. I couldn’t shake the feeling that something was coming. It wasn’t just the rogue wolves from last night, but there was something bigger at play.I sighed, trying to push away the nerves. The room was silent, too silent, until I heard the soft click of the door behind me.Carlos.I turned and saw him standing in the doorway, his posture stiff, almost like he was waiting for me to let him in.“You’re awake,” he said, his voice flat.“I didn’t sleep much,” I admitted. “I’m still… not used
Carlos had just left the room when I suddenly felt something shift inside me. Not the floor but me. Like something was waking up under my skin. My body tingles and my senses become sharper.I wasn’t just feeling things. I was sensing them.I turned to the window with the feeling that someone was watching me. I could feel it.Carlos said the mansion was safe and guarded, but my instincts told me otherwise.I rushed to the door and found a young guard standing there. His eyes looked tired and unfocused.“Did you feel that?” I asked.He looked confused. “Feel what, ma’am?”“Someone’s out there. Watching.”He shook his head. He didn’t feel it like I did.I didn’t wait. I grabbed a coat and ran down the stairs, my heart racing. I rushed through the hallway and out the back door into the garden.I scanned the trees and a tall figure in a hood stood at the edge of the forest, just outside the mansion’s protected area.They didn’t move, they just watched me.I stepped forward, hands clenched.
The moon hung high above the mansion, covering everything in a soft silver light. Every shadow looked like it was moving. Every small breeze felt like a warning.Carlos and I moved quietly through the hallways. My heart was pounding like a drum. I held the small blade he gave me tightly, even though my hands were shaking.We walked past two of his guards, they were in wolf form, tense, pacing near the back door.“No signs of anyone yet,” one of them said.Carlos nodded but didn’t stop. “They’re not coming for the guards. They’re coming for her.”I felt a chill. “Why me? What do they want?”Carlos didn’t answer.He walked to a tall bookshelf, pushed it aside, and revealed a hidden door. Behind it was a narrow staircase I hadn’t seen before. As we walked down, the air got colder. It smelled like earth, ashes, and old herbs.At the bottom, there was a big metal door. Carlos took a key from a chain around his neck and unlocked it.“This room used to belong to the Moon Priestess,” he said,
I couldn’t sleep that night.I just lay in bed, staring at the note on my table.“They will come when the moon is full. Do not trust the council. Watch your back, Luna.”Luna?Someone out there knew who I really was. They knew I wasn’t just Carlos’s wife through a contract. They believed I had a real purpose… a title perhaps. But who were they? And why warn me about the council?As the moonlight shone through the window, the air around me started to feel different. I felt a strange energy, like tiny sparks running over my skin. The full moon was rising, and I could feel something waking up inside me.I put on a robe and walked quietly down the hall to Carlos’s study. I needed answers. I was done with secrets.The door was slightly open, and I found Carlos near the fireplace, his shirt partly unbuttoned. When he saw me, he turned quickly.“You should be resting.”I stepped inside and held out the note. “This was on my bedside table.”He took it, read it, and his jaw tightened. “Who gave
The sun was starting to go down, shining a soft golden light over the open space. I sat on the stone bench where Carlos had left me. His silver ring still felt cold on my finger. Everything around me was quiet, too quiet. The kind of quiet that makes you feel like someone’s watching you.I told myself not to panic.Carlos hadn’t been gone long, but it already felt like forever.I stared at the trees, hoping he’d come back any second. Every little sound made my heart beat faster.Then I heard a stick break somewhere nearby.So I jumped to my feet. “Carlos?”No reply.I slowly turned around, my body tense. That warm, electric feeling I had earlier was gone. I was completely alone and vulnerable.Then I saw a tall man standing at the edge of the woods, wearing dark clothes. His eyes had a faint amber glow in the fading light.He wasn’t Carlos.And he definitely wasn’t human.“Who are you?” I asked, stepping back.The man tilted his head and gave a small smile.“So it’s true. The Alpha has
The fire in the sitting room crackled quietly, casting soft light on the walls. I sat curled up in a big leather chair with a blanket around me, but I still felt cold inside.Everything felt different after the gathering in the forest.Carlos didn’t say much on the way back. He seemed distant again, like he was holding something in.Like a storm waiting to happen.I kept hearing the elder’s words in my head.“You carry old blood. The moon recognizes you.”What did that mean?I didn’t feel powerful. I still felt like me, human, scared, and confused by this world I never asked to be part of.I got up and walked to the window. The moon was lower now, its light shining through the trees, while my chest felt tight again like something inside me was reaching for it.The door opened behind me. I didn’t need to turn around. I knew it was Carlos.His steps were slow and steady. When he stopped next to me, I could feel his warmth even through the blanket.““I heard you didn’t eat dinner,” Carlos
I couldn’t sleep after what Carlos said.“What scares me is what you’ll become… once the bond is complete.”What did he mean by that? I didn’t feel powerful or scary. I just felt confused, unsure of who I was and who I was turning into.The night was cool, but it didn’t calm the heat burning inside me. I stepped out onto the balcony outside my room. The sky was clear, stars twinkling softly. The moon was nearly full, and its light felt like a gentle touch on my skin.I closed my eyes and took a deep breath, then I sensed Carlos' presence.His scent reached me like pine trees and smoke, deep and familiar. My body tensed right before he spoke from behind me.“You shouldn’t be out here.”I turned around and saw him at the door. He was wearing dark clothes, and his hair was messy like he’d just come from a run or a fight.“I couldn’t sleep,” I said. “It’s like you’re always with me, even when you’re not here.”He came closer, his eyes meeting mine. “That’s the bond. It’s starting to awaken
The next morning, Lily came into my room carrying a dress that shimmered so beautifully. It was silver, thin, and sleeveless, with threads that glowed faintly under the sun. When I touched the fabric, it felt cold against my skin.“You’ll wear this tonight,” she said, placing it on the bed. “For the full moon ceremony.”I frowned. “What exactly is the ceremony?”Lily hesitated. “It’s the night your bond is shown to the pack. The Alpha introduces his mate under the moon. They must accept you… or not.”“Or not?” I repeated, alarmed.She looked away. “The pack is loyal to Carlos, but they’re wolves. If they sense weakness or if they think you don’t belong here, it won’t be easy.”I didn’t ask what “not easy” meant. I already had a bad feeling in my chest.***Carlos didn’t say a word to me all day. He was busy getting ready with his Beta, someone I hadn’t seen yet. Still, I could feel when he was nearby. It was strange, but the collar on my neck would get warm whenever he was close, almos