Tiara's POVWe were out to gather fresh herbs. The healer had been introduced to me and I, to her. She was nice, and she was devoted to her job as the ForestHowl pack healer. Now I was glad to be of help to her, helping fetch herbs with the other lady, Laina, who occasionally helped out. The soft hum of insects filled the air, blending with the occasional rustling of leaves as a gentle breeze swept through the tall grass.I wiped my forehead, brushing away the light sheen of sweat forming on my skin. The scent of fresh earth mixed with the aroma of herbs, surrounding me as I carefully plucked feverfew leaves and placed them in the woven basket beside me.Memphis had given us clear instructions before wandering off to another part of the field. She trusted us to gather what was needed while she searched for rarer herbs further away.I wasn’t alone.Laina worked beside me, carefully sorting through the plants. She was a quiet woman, older than me by several years, with kind eyes and a
Phoebe's POVI had been quiet for too long.That was a mistake.Days had passed since Tiara was taken to ForestHowl, and each day, the unease inside me grew stronger.At first, I had convinced myself it didn’t matter. That Tiara would remain what she had always been—insignificant. A weak girl who had never posed a threat, someone who would fade into the background no matter where she was.But I was wrong.The more I thought about it, the clearer it became. Tiara wasn’t just gone.She was getting to the position that I'd always wanted to be..she was getting to the point that I'd always dreamed about. I was the one who had always wanted to marry the most powerful Alpha within our werewolf community. I was the one who had tried to get Alpha Nicholas’ attention and tried to make him see me. I was the one who understood what it meant to be in the position of power that I was now afraid that Tiara would take over.That changed everything.I didn’t have to be told that Alpha Nicholas had alr
Tiara’s POV The full moon hung high, illuminating the village of ForestHowl with a silver glow. The air was thick with excitement, an almost electric energy pulsing through the gathered crowd.I stood at the edge, watching silently as warriors prepared for the sacred hunt.Nicholas had insisted I come.I wasn’t sure why. I wasn’t a hunter. I wasn’t even one of them.Yet, here I was, standing among a pack that wasn’t mine, watching as the strongest prepared to prove themselves under the full moon.Laughter and chatter filled the night, wolves greeting each other, stretching their limbs, rolling their shoulders in preparation.Some of the women were watching the men closely, their eyes filled with admiration.I pretended not to notice.Nicholas stood at the center of it all, exuding dominance without even trying.Even from where I stood, I could feel the weight of his presence.His Beta, Wright, stood beside him, discussing something in hushed tones.Then, as if sensing my gaze, Nichol
Phoebe's POVI stood at the top of the stairs, arms crossed as I watched Nina scrubbing the floors below.It wasn’t enough.Not yet.Tapping my nails against my sleeve, I narrowed my eyes. She was working too well—too efficiently. There was no struggle. No exhaustion.That wouldn’t do.I descended the staircase slowly, ensuring each step echoed against the polished wood. My heels clicked, sharp and deliberate.Nina heard me approaching but didn’t stop working.Typical.She always acted obedient, always lowered her gaze as if she knew her place. But I knew better.This girl—this nobody—had been brought into the family out of misplaced kindness. And yet, somehow, she still had people on her side.I stopped just behind her.“Get up,” I ordered.She straightened, wiping her hands on her apron, her head slightly bowed. “Yes, Luna Phoebe.”The title was meaningless, but I let it slide.For now.I stepped closer, lowering my voice.“The entire eastern wing needs cleaning,” I said smoothly. “
Tiara's POVThe halls of the pack house were quiet as I walked, the soft glow of the torches lining the walls illuminating the walls and sending a warm light over the wooden floors. It had become a habit of mine, walking late at night when the house was still. It was the only time I could think without interruptions. It was the time I could get to look at things more keenly without worrying that I was bring trailed by eyes.But tonight, as I passed Nicholas’s office, I noticed something unusual.The door was slightly open—unlike the other times when I'd tried to reach him but saw the doors firmly shut—the warm light from inside spilling into the dim hallway. I paused, unsure if I should continue past or peek in. My fingers hesitated over the doorframe before I gently pushed it open a little more.Nicholas was sitting at his desk, a glass in his hand, a bottle of whiskey beside him. He was staring at nothing in particular, lost in thought. His usual strong posture was gone, his shoulde
Tiara's POVThe pack house was large, full of people, yet I felt alone.I sat on my bed, staring at the ceiling, willing the feeling to go away. It was strange how, even in a place where I was treated better than I had ever been in MoonCrown, I still felt this emptiness. Maybe it was because I didn’t have Nina.I missed her. I missed her quiet smiles, her soft reassurances when everything felt overwhelming. She had been my only friend, the only person who had stood by me even when it was dangerous to do so. Now, she was still in MoonCrown, probably struggling under Phoebe’s cruel watch, and I was here, safe but alone.A thought crept into my mind, hesitant but persistent. Would Alpha Nicholas let me bring her here? Would he allow her to leave MoonCrown and come to ForestHowl? I knew it wasn’t that simple, but the idea of having her here, of not feeling so alone, made my chest tighten with longing.I sighed and sat up, rubbing my hands over my arms. It was selfish to even think about a
Tiara's POVI stood in front of Alpha Nicholas’s desk, my hands curling into fists at my sides. My chest felt tight, but I forced myself to speak clearly. "Please," I said. "Bring Nina here. She has no one in MoonCrown. Phoebe and Luna Victoria won’t stop making her suffer."Alpha Nicholas sat back in his chair, watching me. He didn't say anything right away. His expression didn’t change, but I knew he was thinking. He never rushed decisions. That was something I had learned about him. He liked to weigh everything before acting.Not because he couldn't just make any decisions, but because he understood how not to abuse the authority he had over those under him.After what felt like forever, he finally spoke. "You want me to take someone from MoonCrown," he said. "Even though she is part of that pack."I straightened my back. "She doesn’t belong there," I said quickly. "She is treated like she’s worthless. She doesn’t have family, she doesn’t have anyone looking out for her. She’s alon
Alpha Nicholas’s POVTwo days after my conversation with Tiara, I rode to the MoonCrown pack. I hadn’t promised her I would take Nina, but I had promised to do something. That was enough to make the trip necessary.The ride was long, but it gave me time to think. Tiara’s words still echoed in my mind. She had spoken with conviction, determination. She had changed since arriving in ForestHowl. At first, she barely spoke, unsure of her place. Now, she stood before me, demanding something without hesitation. It wasn’t just about Nina. She insisted it was about what was right.When I arrived at MoonCrown, the royal pack house stood as imposing as ever. The guards at the gate stepped aside without hesitation. They knew better than to question my presence. Alpha Darius had already been informed of my visit, and within minutes, I was led inside to meet him and his family.Darius sat at the head of the long meeting table in the grand hall. His expression was unreadable as I took my seat acros
Tiara's POV I woke up still feeling sore from the previous night. I couldn’t shake the feeling that Phoebe and Ryker were both involved in something, working together in ways I hadn’t fully understood before. Ryker, always nearby, his eyes constantly scanning the room. Phoebe, too, had been acting oddly, especially after what happened last night. I needed proof. I had to watch them closely, just as Ryker had once done to me.As the day stretched on, I kept my distance, keeping an eye on their every move. Ryker always seemed to be near Phoebe, never far from her. There was something about their connection that didn’t sit right with me.I had to find out more. But I knew I couldn’t confront them directly. I needed something solid, something I could use to expose whatever they were hiding. They had to slip up. I had to be patient.The sound of my name pulled me from my thoughts. "Tiara," a voice called from the hallway, and I turned to see one of the servants standing at the door. "Al
Tiara's POV He didn’t waste any time. Nicholas stood up and turned to his warriors. His voice rang out strong, cutting through the chaos in the hallway. “Search the pack house,” he commanded, his tone firm. “Find whoever entered this pack and attacked someone under my protection. They are not to touch anyone here.”The guards, sharp and ready, nodded and quickly dispersed, moving throughout the pack house to search every corner. The air seemed to hum with energy as they went to work, the sound of their footsteps echoing off the walls. My mind was still reeling from the attack, and I couldn’t help but watch them, hoping they’d find whoever had hurt me. Nicholas had spoken with such confidence, such authority, that I knew he wasn’t going to let this go.Nicholas turned his attention back to me. He crouched down beside me, his presence suddenly more intense. His golden eyes found mine, and for a moment, I felt like he was looking right through me. “Did you recognize their voice?” he ask
Tiara's POV The noise around me was overwhelming. Guards were shouting, trying to make sense of the situation, but their voices only added to the confusion. My mind was still spinning, still trying to grasp what had happened to me. My body felt weak, and the fear I’d felt earlier still lingered in my chest, making it hard to think straight.I could barely make out the words of the guards. They were speaking to Phoebe and Luna Victoria, trying to get them to back away, to calm down. But nothing seemed to stop the chaos until a deep, commanding voice rang out, cutting through the noise like a knife.“Enough.”It was Alpha Nicholas. His voice, calm and powerful, immediately silenced everyone in the hallway. I looked up, startled by how quickly everything had quieted down. I wasn’t sure how much time had passed since I’d first collapsed to the ground, but it didn’t matter now. The moment Nicholas stepped forward, his presence seemed to settle the air around us.His golden eyes swept over
Tiara's POV I rubbed my arms, trying to calm the frantic thoughts that raced through my head. The cold floor beneath me only made me feel more vulnerable. I wanted to cry, to scream, but no sound came. My throat ached from the cloth that had been shoved into my mouth, the harshness of it still making it difficult to swallow. The taste of it lingered, bitter and foreign, and the fear still gripped my chest.Just as I was about to gather the strength to stand, I heard the sound of hurried footsteps coming down the hallway. I froze, holding my breath. Who could it be? The footsteps grew louder until a voice called out my name.“Tiara!”It was Phoebe’s voice, sharp and worried. I turned toward the sound, trying to focus, but my vision was still blurry. I couldn’t see her, not clearly. I could only hear her footsteps getting closer, and then, before I could react, I felt her hands on my shoulders. She crouched down next to me, her grip firm but shaky.“Oh my God, tell me what happened!” P
Tiara's POV That evening, I felt a tight knot in my stomach as I walked through the dimly lit hallway. The air around me was quiet, almost too still. The house was unusually calm—most of the pack’s warriors were either out training or resting after a long day, leaving the halls empty and echoing. I had been walking in silence for what felt like ages, my footsteps soft against the cold stone floor. The goal was simple. Find Alpha Nicholas, tell him everything, and make sure he understood the threat I was feeling.I was nervous. I couldn’t deny that. But the thought of Ryker and whatever he might be planning made the worry seem small. I needed to speak to Nicholas. I had to. If Ryker was truly dangerous, I couldn’t let him get away with it. I had to trust my instincts, even though everything inside me screamed that something was wrong. My steps were measured, careful, as I neared the entrance to the training ground. The heavy wooden door was only a few paces away, but something in the
Tiara's POVWhat if I was just overthinking things?I had to admit that the whole situation felt wrong, but I didn’t know how to explain it. Was Ryker a threat? Or was I being paranoid? And then there was Phoebe. I couldn’t help but wonder what was really going on between her and Ryker. Was she flirting with him? Was there something more sinister happening? My wolf growled uneasily at the thought, but I didn’t know what to make of it. I couldn’t confront Phoebe or Ryker directly—what if I was wrong? What if I was overreacting?I heard the soft creak of the door, and I looked up to see Nina standing there. Her face was soft, filled with concern, and she stepped inside without a word. I gestured to the bed beside me. “Hey, come sit.”She crossed the room and sat down next to me, her eyes taking in my tense posture. She didn’t say anything at first, but I could tell she could tell something was off. “What’s going on, Tiara?” she asked quietly.I let out a deep breath, trying to gather my
Tiara's POVRyker was still everywhere I went.It was becoming harder to ignore him. His presence, his eyes, had followed me everywhere. At first, I thought it might be paranoia, but now, I was sure. He was always there, lurking in the background, making me feel uneasy.I had tried to avoid the places where I had noticed him before—avoiding the garden, the pack’s dining hall, and even the training grounds. But it never worked. No matter what path I took, he seemed to be waiting somewhere, always too close, his watchful eyes on me. The more I tried to ignore it, the more it seemed to consume my thoughts.So, today, I decided to take a walk through the park. The fresh air, the open space—it usually helped clear my mind. The scent of flowers filled the air, and the soft rustle of leaves above me was soothing. For a moment, I allowed myself to relax, letting my guard down. The sun was shining through the trees, and I could feel its warmth on my face.I took a deep breath, inhaling the swe
Tiara's POVFor days, I felt the pair of eyes on me each time I stepped out of the house.Ryker, one of the guards, seemed to be everywhere I went. At first, I brushed it off. He was a guard, after all. It made sense that he would be around, keeping an eye on things. But the longer it went on, the more I realized it wasn’t just a coincidence. Every time I turned around, I caught him looking at me. Sometimes he pretended to be busy, talking to other guards or inspecting the grounds, but his eyes always followed me. I could feel the weight of his gaze, and it made my skin crawl.I was walking with Nina in the fields, I stopped for a moment, taking in the view of the open field.Ryker was behind me now, and I could sense him standing off to the side, his watchful eyes never leaving me. It was as though no matter where I went, he was always there, lurking in the background. My wolf stirred uneasily, a quiet growl rising in the back of my throat. Something about it didn’t feel right.“You’
Tiara's POVI sat by the window in my room, nursing a mug of coffee. I kept replaying the events of the night before, over and over again. I couldn’t dismiss the way his eyes had lingered on me, the softness in his voice when he told me to go to bed.But I wasn’t sure if it meant anything. Nicholas wasn’t the type to show weakness, and I had no idea if what I had seen in him was a sign of something more or just a fleeting moment.“Tiara, you’re quiet today,” Nina said, settling down across from me with a wide smile on her face. She looked at me, practically glowing with excitement, her eyes bright and expectant.I took a deep breath, setting my mug down, and met her gaze. “It’s nothing,” I muttered, trying to dismiss the thought. But Nina wasn’t about to let me off the hook that easily.“You’ve been thinking about last night, haven’t you?” she asked, leaning forward eagerly. “You can’t hide it from me, Tiara. I know you. I can see it on your face.”I bit my lip, unsure of how to respo