“Hi!” I greeted with a warm smile as I stepped into Austin's room.“Hi, Selena!” Blair replied with her smile just as warm-hearted as I remembered. A sense of relief washed over me—she hadn’t changed.I glanced at Austin, who was still cuddled in her arms, and hesitated, silently asking through my eyes if I could come closer. My heart ached at the bittersweet moment—I had to ask for permission to be near my own son. Such a cruel twist of fate.Blair nodded with an encouraging smile, and I moved toward Austin. “Hey, baby boy,” I whispered softly, brushing my fingers through his hair.He stirred, lifting his head and blinking up at me with sleepy eyes. “Ready for school?” I asked gently, smiling at him.“No, I still have to get ready,” he said, his lips forming an adorable pout.“Aww, then let’s get started, honey,” I said, scooping him up from Blair’s arms. To my immense relief, he didn’t protest. My son—he must have felt his mother’s love, as deep and unconditional as ever.I carried
*Selena*"Why would I marry your daughter?" I heard a deep, sexy voice emanating from my father's office."If you meet her, you will like her. She is pretty and has been training to be a good and perfect Luna. She would be a perfect wife and mate. She is a very calm and obedient girl," my father's voice pleaded, and I couldn't help but wince at his words.Which daughter was he talking about? My younger sister, Anne, was only fifteen – he couldn't possibly be considering marrying her off already, right? The acceptable minimum age for werewolf marriages was sixteen. So, it dawned on me that they must be talking about me, as I had turned eighteen just last month."Still, Alpha Albert, I don't buy your words. Why would I marry a wolfless girl just to make this filthy alliance with your pack?" The same deep, husky voice responded with arrogance.Alliance?!Curiosity gnawed at me as I tried to decipher the situation. Who was this man who seemed so dismissive of my father's offer, yet held su
*Selena*He sent his car to pick me up for the date. Not that I expected him to come himself. Of course, the almighty Alpha King couldn’t be bothered to do something as simple as that.When I arrived at the restaurant, I stopped dead in my tracks. The entire place was empty. Reserved. For us.In the center of the room, a table sat perfectly set, glowing under soft candlelight. My eyes immediately landed on him—Alpha Zander Blake. He was already sitting there, dressed in a black tuxedo that looked like it was tailored just for him. Because of course it was. I hated how unfairly handsome he looked. The cold-hearted monster somehow managed to look like he’d stepped out of a dream.“Alpha,” I mumbled, walking toward the table.He didn’t stand. Didn’t offer so much as a smile. Typical. The waiter pulled out my chair, and I sat down across from him, pretending I wasn’t the least bit impressed. But I couldn’t help it—I glanced around, taking in the sheer extravagance of it all. The place was
*Selena***ONE YEAR LATER**"Congratulations, Luna! You're pregnant!" The doctor's words kept ringing in my mind, filling me with joy as I made my way to my mate, the Alpha King's office, to tell him the good news.After many tries, I was finally going to have my Alpha's pup. Zander and I had wanted a baby for so long since we had mated. But every time I got pregnant, it ended sadly with heartbreaking miscarriages, losing my precious pups.This time, when I realized I had missed my periods, I decided to keep it to myself. I didn't want Zander to go through the pain and disappointment of another loss.I kept my pregnancy hidden from everyone, waiting for the right time. It wasn't until three months had passed that I went for a check-up, hoping for good news. When the doctor confirmed that the baby was growing healthy and strong, tears of happiness flowed from my eyes. I couldn't contain my joy, rushing to share this incredible news with my mate.I was going to knock on the door, but my
*Selena*A grand conference had descended upon the Moonglow pack, nestled in the heart of the North. Known far and wide as the largest and most prestigious pack, it stood under the rule of none other than the Alpha King himself, Zander Blake. Alphas from every corner of the world converged upon this sacred ground, drawn by the significance of the gathering. And at the helm of it all, leading the congregation, was the formidable figure of Alpha King Zander Blake.I wiped away my tears, summoning the strength to compose myself. Taking a deep breath, I hurried towards the conference hall. The pain of betrayal made it challenging to drag my weary body forward. Tears persisted, blurring my vision and momentarily blinding me. Nonetheless, I fought against them, pushing them back."Luna Queen, I'm sorry, but you can't enter. The conference has already begun, and I've been instructed not to let anyone in," the guard pleaded, attempting to prevent me from entering. However, as the Luna Queen,
*Selena* **Four years later**I stared helplessly at the stack of cash in my hand. We had half a month to get by with this meager amount, and it would be incredibly difficult."Ugh!" I groaned, running my hand through my hair before placing the cash back in the box where I kept it in my room.My bank account was already empty, and without a proper job, I had no idea how I would provide for my family next month. Austin's birthday was just three months away, and the thought of failing him made me feel like a complete failure as a mother. My baby boy had asked for a game as a birthday gift, and I couldn’t even afford to give him that.Damn it. I felt so miserable, and my fate seemed even crueler than my circumstances.I worked multiple part-time jobs, barely earning enough to cover our basic necessities, let alone any luxuries. The weight of my failures bore down on me even more because Austin wasn’t just any child—he was a prince, an heir, and carried alpha blood. It broke my heart to s
I struggled to calm the tumultuous emotions swirling within me, feeling like a storm was about to engulf me. Yet, I couldn't help but steal a glance at my son, who was blissfully playing with building blocks. My heart suddenly brimmed with love and tenderness at the sight of him. After losing everything, Austin had become my reason to keep going. Nothing in this world was more precious to me than him. I was aware that my thoughts could be irrational at times, but I couldn't help being frightened for him. The fear of Zander discovering Austin's existence and the potential consequences consumed me.Suddenly, my breaths became shallow, and panic threatened to overtake me. I struggled to keep it together and reached for a glass of cold water, attempting to regain control. Sitting down, I closed my eyes, trying to focus on the good memories to calm myself.Gradually, my breathing steadied, and my heart resumed its normal rhythm. I glanced at the time and realized I was running late for my
*Selena*To travel to the North, I needed a flight ticket, and with the little money I had, I had no choice but to borrow some from my friends at the bar where I worked. I promised them I’d pay it back as soon as I got my paycheck.With a heavy heart, I said goodbye to my son and uncle before leaving for the Wild Howl Pack.Standing in front of the hotel where my interview for the housekeeping staff position was scheduled, I took a deep breath and put on a confident smile before stepping inside. This wasn’t just any hotel; it was the only eight-star hotel in the world, catering exclusively to the wealthiest clients. The pay was generous, and they didn’t require a degree—just experience.With my background as a janitor and bartender, I felt certain I could land this job. It finally seemed like the goddess had heard my prayers.When I entered the hall and saw at least fifty candidates competing for just ten vacancies, I must admit, I felt a little nervous. But I needed this job desperate
“Hi!” I greeted with a warm smile as I stepped into Austin's room.“Hi, Selena!” Blair replied with her smile just as warm-hearted as I remembered. A sense of relief washed over me—she hadn’t changed.I glanced at Austin, who was still cuddled in her arms, and hesitated, silently asking through my eyes if I could come closer. My heart ached at the bittersweet moment—I had to ask for permission to be near my own son. Such a cruel twist of fate.Blair nodded with an encouraging smile, and I moved toward Austin. “Hey, baby boy,” I whispered softly, brushing my fingers through his hair.He stirred, lifting his head and blinking up at me with sleepy eyes. “Ready for school?” I asked gently, smiling at him.“No, I still have to get ready,” he said, his lips forming an adorable pout.“Aww, then let’s get started, honey,” I said, scooping him up from Blair’s arms. To my immense relief, he didn’t protest. My son—he must have felt his mother’s love, as deep and unconditional as ever.I carried
His movements became more urgent as he unbuttoned the shirt I wore—his shirt. His tongue flicked over the swell of my breast, drawing a gasp from me as my body instinctively arched beneath him. But suddenly, a sharp knock on the door shattered the moment, jolting us both back to reality.“Someone’s knocking on the door,” I murmured, trying to squirm free from his hold, though it seemed he had no intention of stopping.“Don’t listen,” he groaned, his hand gripping my other breast as he pushed the fabric of the shirt lower, revealing more of me to his hungry gaze.My breathing hitched as his lips found my hardened nipple, drawing a shiver through my body. “What if... what if it’s Austin?” I managed to whisper, my voice trembling. Memories of our baby boy coming into our room in the mornings flashed through my mind, making my heart race for an entirely different reason.Zander lifted his head slightly, his lips still hovering over their target as he whispered, “I have Blair and Mother to
“You’re not serious, are you?” I snapped, narrowing my eyes in annoyance.Zander watched me for a moment, his expression confused, before realization dawned on him.“Why can’t I sleep here? It’s my bed,” he shot back, his tone calm but firm.I blinked at him in disbelief as he walked to the other side of the bed, sat down, and stretched out his long legs. He leaned back, adjusting his pillows with casual ease.“But… but you said you wouldn’t come closer,” I muttered nervously, clutching the cover tightly to my chest.He glanced at me, amusement dancing in his eyes. His blue irises sparkled with mischief, and in that moment, I knew I was in trouble.“The bed is big enough, and I’ll stay on my side,” he declared, his tone laced with playful arrogance. “I promised I wouldn’t touch you, and Alpha Zander is true to his word.”His confidence, combined with that mischievous glint in his eyes, made my heart race.I narrowed my eyes, not buying his convincing act for a second. Without a word,
I sat on the edge of the guest room bed, glancing around. Everything here felt so familiar, yet at the same time, it felt like I didn’t belong. What had happened in such a short time that made me feel so lost in what was once my home? Or... was it even my home anymore? I let out a sigh, still wrestling with the unanswered questions swirling in my mind.Zander left for the pack office to handle some work with Maddox, and Blair took Austin with her. As if things couldn’t get more complicated, I discovered that my father, stepmother, and half-sister were also here when I returned. Now, I had to live with them in the pack house as well.To my shock, none of them remembered me—not even my own father. To make matters worse, they all seemed to despise me the moment Zander introduced me as his mate. Their resentment stemmed from their desire for Anne to be with the alpha king instead.What luck I had.Slumping back onto the bed, I stared blankly at the ceiling, trying to quiet my thoughts. Su
Though Mother wasn’t pleased with my decision, she refrained from voicing her disapproval. She knew that no amount of arguing would change my mind, especially after the council had formally sealed the agreement.Zander approached me, holding Austin’s small hand, and my heart ached with the overwhelming need to embrace my son. Maddox and Blair followed closely behind, their expressions unreadable.“Austin, this is Selena,” Zander said gently, crouching to meet our son’s gaze. “She’s going to live with us now.”Austin’s curious eyes studied me with a mix of confusion and innocence. I offered him a soft smile, silently praying that some part of his heart would recognize me—perhaps just a trace of the bond we shared, the blood and flesh that connected us, would make him realize who I was.“Why will she live with us?” Austin asked, tilting his head toward his father.His words pierced through me, and I sighed deeply, the weight of despair settling over my chest. My baby boy didn’t recogniz
I followed Selena silently toward the council courtroom, my eyes fixed on her back. It was as though I were trying to see through her, to reach the depths of her soul—but it was a futile attempt.Lyon was just as restless as I was and the uncertainty of what Selena would announce as her decision before the council made both of us anxious. Selena entered the courtroom first, her steps graceful yet determined. I followed a few paces behind, watching as she moved with quiet confidence and grace. She took her seat beside the High Priestess, while I settled into a row just behind her. Despite the physical distance between us, I could sense her awareness of my presence. Her subtle shifts in posture and the faint tension in her shoulders told me she knew I was there.The council head entered the courtroom, and everyone rose in respect. He was an elder of the werewolf community, a figure of immense authority and wisdom, with over two centuries of experience. Known for his unparalleled powers
*Zander*I knew the moment she averted her eyes that she had made up her mind to reject me. The thought of losing her was terrifying, a fear I couldn’t even put into words. My heart pounded in my chest, each beat louder than the last.But when our lips finally met, I felt the resistance she had been holding onto dissolve. The mate bond between us surged to life, undeniable and overwhelming. Lyon growled in my head, so overcome with love for our mate that he wanted to take over, to mark her, to make her ours forever.Goddess, the moment I saw her in that silvery bridal gown, I had wanted to do this. She looked so breathtaking, so irresistibly stunning, I couldn’t think of anything else. I wanted to forget about the trial and take her to the wedding hall, marry her, make her my wife, mate with her, impregnate her, and make her have my pup. Catching her lower lip between my teeth, I tugged harder, unable to get enough of her. She moaned softly, and I deepened the kiss, our lips overlapp
"Alpha King Zander is already betrothed to Alpha Albert’s daughter, and Queen Selena is promised to God Kaelvor. It’s only fair to proceed with the planned arrangements and not disrupt them simply because the Alpha King suddenly realized he is the mate of our queen," the High Priestess argued firmly in my favor. She cast a sharp, instructive glance my way, urging me to speak. But I remained silent, unsure why I felt compelled to hold my tongue."High Priestess, how can you say that?" Zander retorted, his tone filled with fury. My gaze lingered on the imposing figure of my mate, the Alpha King, as tension filled the air. A deep unease settled in my chest, knowing that a conflict between my mother and my mate was brewing. If it came to a confrontation, whose side would I even take?"You know what a mate means to us werewolves!" Zander’s thunderous voice echoed through the hall, his words cutting through the murmur of the council like a blade."The times have changed, Alpha King," my mot
*Selena*The wedding was halted, and when I was summoned to appear before the Council for my trial, I didn’t even have time to change out of my wedding dress—a traditional royal attire of the Lunar Realm.I glanced down at the silver blouse, its snug fit and intricate embroidery catching the light. The flowing silk skirt swayed gracefully around my legs as I moved and its elegance was undeniable. A delicate veil, pinned at the crown of my hair, trailed behind me, secured by a crescent moon clip. The diamond jewelry I wore sparkled brilliantly, perfectly complementing the attire and completing the regal look.I must have looked like the most beautiful bride today because Zander’s gaze hadn’t faltered for even a second since it landed on me. His expression was one of pure astonishment, his eyes wide and unblinking. My cheeks grew warm, and I was certain they were flushed as red as a ripe tomato. His gaze roamed over me, slow and deliberate, filled with raw hunger.I fought the urge to s