*Selena*I stood there, watching over my family and pack members, all of us buzzing with excitement. After what felt like an eternity, there was finally something to celebrate in the Moonglow pack. The entire pack sparkled under the twinkling lights, beautifully decorated for the occasion. Even the neighboring packs and their alphas had been invited to witness this royal event—the wedding of the Alpha King's sister and his Beta.At long last, Blair and Maddox were getting married before the Moon Goddess. They had endured so much, and fate had been cruel to them. In some ways, we were even responsible for delaying their wedding, as our lives and our pack had been tangled in one mess after another. But that was all behind us now.We stood together, watching the happy couple exchange vows, accepting each other as mates under the blessings of the Goddess. However, according to the ritual to correct Maddox's past mistake, they couldn’t mate until the next full moon. In the past, Maddox had
“Selena!”“Selena!”Someone was calling my name, their voice desperate, shaking me frantically.But I couldn’t pull myself out of the world I seemed trapped in.“Selena!”That familiar voice, rich and soothing with a magical pull, pierced through the terrifying scene in my mind. It dragged me out of the nightmare that played like a vision before my open eyes. I snapped back to reality, gasping as if surfacing from deep water.“Selena,” Zander's firm hand held mine, anchoring me. I turned to see his worried face, his piercing eyes filled with fear. “Are you okay?” he asked, his voice soft but urgent.I exhaled loudly, realizing I had been holding my breath for what felt like an eternity. My gaze darted around, trying to ground myself. The event was still unfolding smoothly. Everyone was safe, and no one seemed harmed.Blair and Maddox stood before me, their expressions frozen in stunned disbelief. Zander’s mother held Austin tightly, his small cries reaching my ears—likely a reaction to
“No, she can’t go just like that,” Zander’s authoritative voice cut through the tense air before I could even respond. He stepped forward, pulling me protectively behind him, his stance firm and unyielding.“Alpha King,” my mother replied, her tone calm but resolute. “This is her fate, and we cannot change it. She must go to the Lunar Realm. She belongs there. Her people are waiting for her.”Her words made me frown in confusion. My people? What did that even mean?“Mother, I belong where my family is—where my mate is,” I protested, stepping forward. “I understand that the people in the Lunar Realm need my help, but that is not my home.”My mother didn’t respond immediately. Instead, she smiled softly as if hiding a lot behind that. “Let’s go, Selena,” she said gently, reaching out to hold my hand.I hesitated but eventually stepped toward her.“No, Selena, don’t go!” Zander’s voice, raw with desperation, stopped me in my tracks. “My heart says something isn't right.”I turned to look
*Zander*My wolf, Lyon, was as restless as I was without our mate. It had been almost a week, and there was no word from Selena—no message, no news, nothing. The Lunar Realm was hidden from the eyes of other shifters, accessible only to immortals, which left me in unbearable uncertainty. Every day, I waited, hoping that tomorrow would bring some sign of her, some contact. But as the days passed, the unease in my heart only grew stronger, gnawing at me like an unstoppable storm.Austin missed his mother terribly, his innocent questions piercing my resolve. There was no way Selena would willingly stay away from our son. She loved him too much. Whatever was keeping her away, I knew it wasn’t by her choice. A dark determination filled me—if anyone in the Lunar Realm had harmed her, I would destroy the entire realm myself to get her back.But anger alone wouldn’t bring her home. The only way to find out what had happened to my mate was to reach out to the one person who might know something
*Selena*Arena and I were no longer on speaking terms. I refused to acknowledge her since she had sided with the High Priestess, willingly accepting the Lunar Realm as our destiny. She was adamant about staying to save the world and its people, a decision she made without my consent. The thought of her selflessness infuriated me—I didn’t care about saving the world if it meant being separated from my mate and my family. Yet, Arena remained resolute, convinced it was her destiny to be the savior of the Lunar Realm and, ultimately, the universe.The High Priestess had told me that the only way to return to my family’s world was by ensuring the Lunar Realm’s future was secure. Determined to reunite with Zander and my son, I pieced together a solution. If I could convince the God of Destruction to vow never to harm the Lunar Realm, the balance would be preserved, and I could go home. It was a bold idea, perhaps reckless, but it was my only hope. Resolving to act, I decided to seek an audie
My eyes nearly bulged out of their sockets at his proposal. Was he not aware of Alpha King Zander Blake, my mate? How could he not know?“I am already married to Alpha King Zander Blake,” I informed the God of Destruction. “He is my mate.”“That’s not a problem,” he replied nonchalantly, shocking me even further. “You can reject him and divorce him. However, your marriage holds no validity in the Lunar Realm or for a goddess. You can marry me without his consent.”What?!“No,” I said, shaking my head, my heart recoiling at the very thought. “I love my mate and cannot marry someone else. I will never cheat on him,” I stated firmly, my voice unwavering despite the pressure of his godly presence.God Kaelvor’s expression turned indifferent as he gazed at me with unrelenting intensity. “Then I cannot promise the safety of the Lunar Realm,” he said, his tone cold and impassive. “The choice is yours—your mate or the survival of the Lunar people and the preservation of the realm.” Though his
“No, Mother,” I interrupted, my voice firm. “Just stop making decisions on my behalf.”Her calm expression didn’t waver as she turned to me, and I couldn’t help but feel both anger and disbelief. How could she remain so composed in every situation? More importantly, how could she consistently make decisions for me as if I had no agency?She was my mother, yes, but she had left me with my father and his wife—whom I’d believed to be my real mother for most of my life. Now, after all these years, she had appeared out of nowhere, assuming that a few explanations would magically erase the pain of abandonment and make everything normal again. Worse still, she thought she could control my life when I was the one destined to rule the Lunar Realm—such irony.“Selena, believe me,” my mother said in her ever-serene voice, as though her words alone could soothe away all objections. “This is for your good and the good of the realm.”“No, Mother, you have to understand this time,” I argued, my voic
*Zander*“Dad! Look what I found in your drawer!” Austin exclaimed as he bounded into the room, holding up a scarf.I took it from his hands, examining it closely, trying to recall how it could have ended up in my drawer. But no matter how much I searched my memory, I couldn’t place it.“Whose scarf is it?” he asked again, his curiosity unrelenting.“It might be your grandmother’s,” I replied thoughtfully, still turning it over in my hands.“Nope! I asked her already, and she said it’s not hers either,” Austin countered with a confident shake of his head.“Okay, then it might belong to your Aunt Blair,” I said, laughing at his determination. He nodded, pursing his lips with a sense of accomplishment, as though he had just solved a grand mystery.“Well, case solved, Sherlock Holmes!” I teased, handing the scarf back to him.Austin giggled as he grabbed it, tugging playfully to pull it from my hand. Yet, as he did, a strange tugging sensation echoed in my chest. Something about this sca
Austin was burning with a fever! Knowing my baby boy was in pain, I couldn't stay there any longer. Before Zander could say anything, I dashed toward Austin's room. As soon as I opened the door, his desperate cries echoed through the air."Mom! Mom!"Anne and Blair were sitting beside him, trying to comfort him, but their efforts were in vain. Anne gently caressed his forehead, but he angrily shrugged her hand away.“No! I want my mom!” he wailed.My eyes stung with tears, and all my resolve shattered seeing him in such a condition, needing me more than ever. I couldn’t stop myself. Nothing and no one could hold me back now.“Yes, sweetie,” I whispered, my lips trembling as I rushed to his side. Blair got up from the bed, giving me space to sit beside my son.“Mom is here,” I assured him, placing my hand on his head. Leaning, I kissed his forehead, silently praying in my heart. The moment I touched him, I broke into tears, feeling the intense heat radiating from his tiny body—my baby
My heart pounded so loudly in my chest as I recalled my vision of Zander as the Dark Alpha.Oh, Moon Goddess, why this confusion? Why was I being tested so relentlessly by life? I closed my eyes, trying to focus, hoping to summon another vision—something, anything—that could offer clarity. But nothing came. Was it something that happened on its own? Could I not control it?Oh Goddess! How much more did I have to learn about this new identity, this new life? And yet, here I was, burdened with a mountain of problems to face all at once. What was I supposed to do?I rubbed my head in frustration just as the study door was yanked open, and Zander’s commanding presence filled the room.“What are you doing here, mate?” His deep, threatening voice sent a shiver down my spine as his piercing eyes locked on mine, each step he took toward me brimming with raw dominance."I came here to learn more about your pack, Alpha," I replied softly, breaking eye contact and looking away so he wouldn’t see
I watched as a male omega handed Zander a T-shirt. He nodded in appreciation and walked off with Maddox, who had also finished his session for the day. Blair turned to me with a mischievous smile, her eyes glinting with playful intent."So, how was it?" she teased, winking at me knowingly."What? Your alpha brother is a good trainer, you know," I said, trying to dodge her question, feeling the heat rise to my cheeks."Oh, yeah?!" she laughed. "Tell me something about it!" Her grin widened as she shrugged nonchalantly, clearly enjoying my flustered state.Before I could muster a reply, Anne's voice cut through the moment like a sharp blade. "Selena, how shameless you are!"Startled, I turned to find her standing behind me, her face contorted with fury."What's wrong, Anne?" I asked with genuine concern, though her anger made me uneasy."What's wrong?" she spat, her scowl deepening. "What's wrong?! Huh?" Her teeth clenched as she stepped closer. "You snatched my fiancé, and now he's can
I swear I saw the possessiveness swirling in his blue orbs as he stepped closer.“As you wish, mate,” Zander's voice turned husky, his possessive eyes raking over me as he grabbed my wrist and led me to the training area.By now, everyone had gathered around the practice area where their alpha was going to train me. Meeting his eyes with confidence, I grabbed the hem of my white top and was about to pull it over my head when he grabbed my hand.“Don’t!” he ordered sharply. “You can practise in these clothes.”I smirked. Two could play this game, Alpha.He didn’t bother covering himself in front of the hungry eyes of the she-wolves, yet he wanted me to stay modest. Such a hypocrite.“But my clothes will get muddy,” I pouted, letting my voice drop just enough to hint at the mischief dancing in my mind.“They won’t,” Zander replied curtly, his gaze narrowing. “I’ll be careful.”Oh, my Alpha—pretending not to care but still caring. It was adorable, really.“So,” I murmured, tilting my hea
Zander finished training with the male warriors, and now it was time for the female warriors to begin their session. The female warrior trainer stepped forward as Zander walked out of the wrestling ground, accepting a towel handed to him by one of the male omegas on duty at the training grounds to attend to the Alpha and other officers.In the far corner, Maddox was practicing in another training area, and I couldn’t help but notice Blair’s eyes fixed on him.Watching Blair and Maddox’s love story unfold right before me was so sweet; it felt like witnessing a romantic tale come to life.But my happy moment disturbed when I heard the voice of one of the female warriors.“Alpha, can we not have the honor of your training as well? Or is your perfection reserved only for the male warriors?”My eyes darted from the female warrior to Zander, whose expression was unreadable and stern.“Of course, I will train you. For an Alpha, all his warriors are equal,” Zander declared firmly.His words b
*Selena*I thought he would jump at the opportunity after hearing my proposition, but what happened was the exact opposite of my expectations.“You’ll get your laptop today,” he said in a dismissive tone, and I was left utterly shocked.“Are you sure you don’t want anything in return?” I asked, my voice dropping to a teasing whisper as I observed him intently. But he didn’t even glance in my direction.“I’ve had a long day. I want to rest,” he said, his tone detached, leaving my jaw practically on the floor.My mate—Alpha King Zander Blake—refused the kiss. Refused me. He didn't know but I might have been willing to offer more than just a kiss if he had pressed.What was that? Did he hit his head somewhere, or was something seriously wrong with him?Seeing that his mood wasn’t good, I quietly followed him to the room. Without a word, he entered the bathroom, leaving me alone. I stared at the closed bathroom door for a few moments before walking over to the cupboard, selecting his clot
I stood before my pack house, my legs threatening to give out beneath me as my heart and mind waged war against each other.‘Come on, Zander. Do you really think Selena is behind those deaths?’ Lyon growled in frustration. ‘I’m not ready to believe she could do something like that.’I let out a long sigh, a wave of defeat washing over me. I didn’t want to believe it either. But as a ruler, I couldn’t ignore the facts—and the facts were pointing in a direction I couldn't refuse to accept.Taking a deep, steadying breath, I pushed open the doors and entered the pack house. The sight that greeted me eased a fraction of the weight on my chest.Austin’s cheerful laughter filled the room as he sat cross-legged on the floor, his tiny hands gripping crayons. Anne knelt beside him, patiently helping him with his kindergarten coloring assignment. Seeing my son happy melted away some of the stress that had been clawing at me, even if only for a moment."Zander," Anne greeted me with a warm smile
*Zander*I received a mind link from the border security team, alerting me that something was wrong. Without wasting a second, I rushed to the headquarters. The air was thick with tension as I entered, and the grim faces of my team only deepened my unease.“Report,” I commanded, my voice sharp as I approached Freya, who stood examining the scene on the monitors.Freya’s expression was grim. “Alpha, we found several people dead in the peripheral regions. Their bodies were discovered in strange and unnatural conditions.”“What do you mean by unnatural?” I demanded, my brows furrowing.“It’s unlike anything we’ve seen before,” she admitted hesitantly. “At first glance, it resembles a plague, but we haven’t been able to identify the cause or source. The tests are inconclusive.”I clenched my fists, anger boiling beneath the surface. “I didn’t appoint the best team to hear vague explanations, Freya,” I growled, my voice carrying the weight of my frustration. “You’re the best in your fields
Author’s POV.After Selena returned to the Moonglow pack, the High Priestess decided it was time to seek an audience with the Moon Goddess. She ascended to Asgard, the celestial realm where the gods and goddesses convened, their thrones casting an ethereal glow over the star-studded expanse.The chamber was a grand spectacle, with a sky-like dome swirling with constellations, the air shimmering with divine energy. Seated on their ornate thrones were the gods of the realms.Kaelvor’s deep voice echoed through the hall as his piercing gaze fell upon the High Priestess. “Why did you send Selena back? What about the wedding?!” he snapped, his tone heavy with impatience. The High Priestess lowered her hood, revealing a calm yet resolute expression. “I tried to stop her, but she wouldn’t stay,” she replied, her voice steady and composed.Sylvara, the serene goddess of wisdom, tilted her head in curiosity, her silver hair flowing like moonlight. “You’re aware the day of sacrifice is drawin