Tiara’s POV I was still getting myself familiar with the ForestHowl pack house. It was my new home and I didn't want to leave things to chance. Once, Nina and I had had our walk around the pack house and had discovered an old mine within the pack house. There was a small door that led directly to the abandoned mine. We didn't do anything about this knowledge. We were simply satisfied that we knew this. There was a lot more to learn and the presence of Phoebe and my step mother didn't stop my evening tours around the pack house. I walked down the hall, looking at both sides of the far walls as I went. And then suddenly, I came to a sudden halt. Phoebe stood in the middle of the hall, arms crossed, blocking my way. Unlike earlier, there was no fake kindness in her expression. She did not bother with polite smiles or forced sweetness. Her true feelings were on full display—disdain, irritation, and something else she probably did not want to admit. Jealousy. I said nothing a
Tiara’s POV I was still getting myself familiar with the ForestHowl pack house. It was my new home and I didn't want to leave things to chance. Once, Nina and I had had our walk around the pack house and had discovered an old mine within the pack house. There was a small door that led directly to the abandoned mine. We didn't do anything about this knowledge. We were simply satisfied that we knew this. There was a lot more to learn and the presence of Phoebe and my step mother didn't stop my evening tours around the pack house. I walked down the hall, looking at both sides of the far walls as I went. And then suddenly, I came to a sudden halt. Phoebe stood in the middle of the hall, arms crossed, blocking my way. Unlike earlier, there was no fake kindness in her expression. She did not bother with polite smiles or forced sweetness. Her true feelings were on full display—disdain, irritation, and something else she probably did not want to admit. Jealousy. I said nothing a
TIARA'S POVIt was my eighteenth birthday and I was supposed to transform into my wolf form for the first time.But the cell was hardly the place for it. It was so dark I could not see myself.I curled into myself on the damp floor of the cell, the stone beneath me unforgiving. It had been hours—maybe a few days—since they locked me here. Time meant nothing in this darkness. The only sound was my shallow breathing, echoing off the cold walls. The walls were so thick and cold I could hardly bring myself to lean on it. They hated me. All of them.The pack, my family, everyone. To them, I was the cursed one, the girl with the star-shaped birthmark on her neck. My fingers brushed against the mark, the raised skin a permanent reminder of what they said I was—a bringer of misfortune. They whispered that my mother, the former Luna, had died because of me. That the moment I came into this world, she left it. And so, they punished me for simply existing. My father, alpha Darius of the MoonCro
TIARA'S POVThe sounds of laughter and music echoed through the pack house. Tonight was a celebration, though I didn’t know what exactly we were celebrating. It didn’t matter. These events were never for me. My role was always the same: invisible, unnoticed, and burdened with the endless tasks of a servant.In the small servant quarters, I stood behind Phoebe as she examined herself in the mirror. The dress she had chosen for the night was stunning—soft satin in deep emerald that clung to her figure and shone with every movement. Her curls framed her face like a halo, though her cruel smile reminded me she was anything but angelic."Tiara," she snapped, her sharp tone pulling me out of my thoughts. "Stop standing there like a fool and help me lace this up!"I stepped forward, my fingers fumbling with the delicate ties of her dress. She smacked my hand away with a huff. "Are you completely useless? Honestly, I don’t know why Father hasn’t just thrown you out yet. A dimwit like you is
TIARA'S POVTears streamed down my face, my vision blurred as I stumbled through the dark corridors of the pack house. The sounds of laughter and music from the hall still echoed faintly behind me, a cruel reminder of the world I would never belong to. My heart pounded in my chest as I made my way to the only person I thought could give me answers: My father. Alpha Darius. It was true that he didn't love or want me, but for answers, he owed me. He was in his study, seated at the grand oak table with his beta, discussing matters of the pack. Usually, the parties were hosted by Victoria just so she could showcase Phoebe. The alpha hardly participated unless it was important.The room smelled of leather and wood polish, but the air was heavy with the weight of authority. My father looked up as I entered, his expression turning cold as soon as his eyes landed on me."Tiara," he said, his tone sharp. "What are you doing here? This is no place for you."I ignored his words. I clasped m
TIARA'S POVI was summoned early in the morning. The knock on the door of my small, cold room startled me awake. I wasn’t used to visitors unless it was Nina, and she never knocked. The guard outside didn’t bother to explain, just muttered something about the elders and my father.Dread settled in my chest as I dressed quickly, pulling on the same tattered gown I had worn the day before at the party. It was the best I had, despite its many stitches. It didn’t matter what I looked like; they wouldn’t care. They never did.When I arrived at the great hall, the atmosphere was heavy. The elders sat in a semicircle, their faces solemn and unreadable. My father stood at the center, tall and imposing, while Victoria and Phoebe flanked him like a queen and her princess. Phoebe’s smile was smug, her dress perfect and dazzling as usual. Once again, I found myself doing a mental comparison of the both of us. This was the life we were both supposed to have, but somehow, I felt like a speck of d
NICHOLAS: ALPHA OF THE FORESTHOWL PACKThe woods had always been my sanctuary. Ever since I lost her, my mate, this was where I found solace—a space where the towering trees and gentle rustle of leaves allowed me to breathe, even if only for a moment. Away from pack duties. The pain of her absence never truly faded, but the forest’s quiet strength reminded me that life, no matter how cruel, continued.I walked along the familiar path, the moonlight filtering through the dense canopy above. My wolf stirred within me, restless as always, but I kept him leashed. He and I had been at odds since her death. He wanted to move, to fight, to feel alive. I wanted to grieve in peace.I stopped by a clearing, leaning against a tree as my thoughts consumed me. The moon hung low, bathing the forest in its silvery glow. My heart ached, a dull, constant pain I had grown used to, yet I couldn’t bring myself to let it go.A sudden rustling snapped me out of my reverie. My wolf perked up instantly, hi
NICHOLAS’ POV The MoonCrown pack’s territory was quiet as I approached. But despite the calmness of the surrounding, I felt an unease. It wasn’t the looming threat of rogues that concerned me. No, my thoughts were entirely occupied by her. Tiara. Her name haunted me since our meeting in the woods. My wolf had pleaded with me to not let her go, because of the strong force of attraction that I felt for her. But I had to. I couldn't keep her only after meeting her once. I hadn’t been able to forget the desperation in her voice, the bruises on her body, or the way she trembled when she cried. A part of me had wanted to storm the MoonCrown pack then and there, but I knew patience was key. Now, Alpha Darius himself had come to me, asking for support. It was the perfect opportunity to see for myself how she was faring. This pack meeting was indeed needed. The pack house loomed ahead, a grand structure that stood as a symbol of power and pride. It was well-maintained, its high windows gle
Tiara’s POV I was still getting myself familiar with the ForestHowl pack house. It was my new home and I didn't want to leave things to chance. Once, Nina and I had had our walk around the pack house and had discovered an old mine within the pack house. There was a small door that led directly to the abandoned mine. We didn't do anything about this knowledge. We were simply satisfied that we knew this. There was a lot more to learn and the presence of Phoebe and my step mother didn't stop my evening tours around the pack house. I walked down the hall, looking at both sides of the far walls as I went. And then suddenly, I came to a sudden halt. Phoebe stood in the middle of the hall, arms crossed, blocking my way. Unlike earlier, there was no fake kindness in her expression. She did not bother with polite smiles or forced sweetness. Her true feelings were on full display—disdain, irritation, and something else she probably did not want to admit. Jealousy. I said nothing a
Tiara’s POV I was still getting myself familiar with the ForestHowl pack house. It was my new home and I didn't want to leave things to chance. Once, Nina and I had had our walk around the pack house and had discovered an old mine within the pack house. There was a small door that led directly to the abandoned mine. We didn't do anything about this knowledge. We were simply satisfied that we knew this. There was a lot more to learn and the presence of Phoebe and my step mother didn't stop my evening tours around the pack house. I walked down the hall, looking at both sides of the far walls as I went. And then suddenly, I came to a sudden halt. Phoebe stood in the middle of the hall, arms crossed, blocking my way. Unlike earlier, there was no fake kindness in her expression. She did not bother with polite smiles or forced sweetness. Her true feelings were on full display—disdain, irritation, and something else she probably did not want to admit. Jealousy. I said nothing a
Tiara’s POV I was still getting myself familiar with the ForestHowl pack house. It was my new home and I didn't want to leave things to chance. Once, Nina and I had had our walk around the pack house and had discovered an old mine within the pack house. There was a small door that led directly to the abandoned mine. We didn't do anything about this knowledge. We were simply satisfied that we knew this. There was a lot more to learn and the presence of Phoebe and my step mother didn't stop my evening tours around the pack house. I walked down the hall, looking at both sides of the far walls as I went. And then suddenly, I came to a sudden halt. Phoebe stood in the middle of the hall, arms crossed, blocking my way. Unlike earlier, there was no fake kindness in her expression. She did not bother with polite smiles or forced sweetness. Her true feelings were on full display—disdain, irritation, and something else she probably did not want to admit. Jealousy. I said nothing at first
Tiara’s POVI was still getting myself familiar with the ForestHowl pack house. It was my new home and I didn't want to leave things to chance. Once, Nina and I had had our walk around the pack house and had discovered an old mine within the pack house. There was a small door that led directly to the abandoned mine.We didn't do anything about this knowledge. We were simply satisfied that we knew this. There was a lot more to learn and the presence of Phoebe and my step mother didn't stop my evening tours around the pack house.I walked down the hall, looking at both sides of the far walls as I went. And then suddenly, I came to a sudden halt.Phoebe stood in the middle of the hall, arms crossed, blocking my way.Unlike earlier, there was no fake kindness in her expression. She did not bother with polite smiles or forced sweetness. Her true feelings were on full display—disdain, irritation, and something else she probably did not want to admit.Jealousy.I said nothing at first, simpl
Tiara’s POVNina and I had not talked about Luna Victoria and Phoebe again after she'd left us. She didn't ask me what they'd talked about after she left. Knowing Nina, she had probably guessed correctly on what they'd talked about.The pack was at peace, yet, despite the peaceful surroundings, my attention was drawn to something far less pleasant—Phoebe.She had spent the entire morning lingering near Nicholas, her presence as persistent as a mosquito that refused to be swatted away.Everywhere he went, she was there.She followed him through the training grounds, standing just outside the sparring ring as he observed his warriors. She loitered near the pack house, pretending to admire the grand structure while stealing glances at him. During meals, she made sure to sit as close as possible, her voice sugary sweet as she tried to pull him into conversation.It was obvious what she was doing.She was trying to win him over.She laughed at things that were barely amusing, her voice lig
Tiara’s POVPhoebe and Luna Victoria were in ForestHowl as unexpected guests.I had not seen them yet, but I knew they were here. Their presence was not something that could go unnoticed. Even without meeting them, I could already feel their intentions.They had come with smiles, with carefully chosen words, but I knew the truth.They wanted to see me. And they wanted to see Nina.When Nicholas called for me that morning, I had already expected it.“They asked to see you both,” he said, standing near the large window of his office. His voice was steady, calm. “They claim they want to make sure you are at peace.”I did not react immediately, letting the words settle.Nicholas watched me, his expression unreadable. “I told them they could.”A part of me wanted to scoff at their sudden concern. I had lived in MoonCrown for years. Not once had they ever looked at me with kindness. Now, after all that had happened, they wanted to check on me?But I did not let my emotions show.Nicholas le
Phoebe’s POV I walked beside my mother through the quiet hallways of the pack house, my steps light against the polished wooden floors. The air carried the scent of burning wood and freshly brewed tea, but I barely noticed. My thoughts were elsewhere, focused entirely on what lay ahead. Everything depended on this meeting. If we failed to convince my father, Alpha Darius, all our efforts would be for nothing. Our plans would crumble before they could even begin. We had rehearsed our words repeatedly, ensuring that we sounded as genuine as possible. If there was even a hint of dishonesty, Alpha Darius would catch it. He was sharp, and he was not easily deceived. But then, I trusted my mother. Over the years, I'd seen how she easily manipulated him. Sometimes it was glaring that she was manipulating him, but he would let her have her way. I'd always loved that my mother was constantly on the winning end. There was nothing she ever asked of him that he didn't do for her, or simply gi
Phoebe’s POVI walked beside my mother through the quiet hallways of the pack house, my steps light against the polished wooden floors. The air carried the scent of burning wood and freshly brewed tea, but I barely noticed. My thoughts were elsewhere, focused entirely on what lay ahead.Everything depended on this meeting. If we failed to convince my father, Alpha Darius, all our efforts would be for nothing. Our plans would crumble before they could even begin. We had rehearsed our words repeatedly, ensuring that we sounded as genuine as possible. If there was even a hint of dishonesty, Alpha Darius would catch it. He was sharp, and he was not easily deceived. But then, I trusted my mother. Over the years, I'd seen how she easily manipulated him. Sometimes it was glaring that she was manipulating him, but he would let her have her way. I'd always loved that my mother was constantly on the winning end. There was nothing she ever asked of him that he didn't do for her, or simply give
Phoebe’s POVI stormed into my mother’s room, barely holding back my frustration. My chest felt tight with anger, and I could feel my nails digging into my palms as I clenched my fists. The very thought of Alpha Nicholas taking Nina away made my blood boil, bud I was living that reality. She had been whisked off to go and be with Tiara in their new paradise and I couldn't think of anything more disgusting and annoying. I had worked too hard, endured too much, only to watch things slip from my control. More than ever, it seemed my mother was doing nothing to change how things had suddenly gone. My mother sat in her chair near the window, dressed in her usual elegant robes, her expression unreadable. She was always calm these days, always composed, but I knew she was just as furious as I was. She hated losing and this was our loss. "I can’t believe this!" I blurted, pacing the room. "How could he take Nina? How could father, of the MoonCrown pack allow it? She belongs in MoonCrown!"