*Selena*Sitting in my dimly lit room, I could feel the anticipation building as I opened my laptop. The anonymous client of mine hadn't contacted me in two days. The screen flickered to life, and within seconds, a text message appeared from the anonymous client. My heart glinted with hope as I read the words:* Help is there. Get back into action.*I leaned back in my chair, absorbing the gravity of those few words. Tonight was the night, the moment when I had to prove my worth by breaking into the world's most secure system. It was a challenge that only a genius hacker like myself could undertake. With a sense of determination burning in my chest, I knew I had to seize this opportunity.Time seemed to slow down as I glanced at the clock on my desk. I could feel the nervousness trying to rise in my heart again, but I pushed it down with the realization that I had help in the pack house who would handle the cruel Alpha King from reaching me. Midnight approached the critical hour when
*Selena*I shifted uncomfortably, acutely aware of the evidence of my arousal that surely lingered in the air. The flush that colored my cheeks intensified, a vivid display of my embarrassment at the thought of him discovering my desires."It is healed," he declared, finally releasing my finger with a slight pop.The contrast between his cold personality and the soft whisper of his voice sent shivers down my spine. As my attention shifted from the overwhelming sensation he had ignited within me, I noticed that the pain was gone. My finger appeared as if it had never been burned, the skin restored and unblemished.Taking charge effortlessly, Zander promptly switched off the gas burner. The ramen was ready. Trying to regain composure, I mustered the strength to speak."Umm... I will serve it quickly. Please have a seat," I offered, attempting to keep my voice steady, though it still trembled with the aftershocks of our intense encounter."No need. I am getting late for the patrol shift,
*Zander*"Mother, Selena is here for personal reasons, and Avery can explain it to you better, as Selena is working under her," I dismissed it furiously."But it is not a wise choice to keep her in this pack, knowing everything about her traitor family," my mother warned, her concern evident."Selena has been cleared of any involvement in her family's crimes," I replied earnestly, withholding the whole truth of her actions.I knew what she had done in the past, and I ignored it because it was not a big crime to help her family financially. She was secretly sending money to her father's pack, though they were involved in many criminal activities. But it was against the law of my pack. When I found out, I burned all evidence of her wrongdoing, not wanting her to be disgraced by her own people as she was their Luna. I did it for both my people and her."We didn't find any evidence linking her to the crimes. It would be unjust to act without proof," I described."Why are you defending her?
*Blair*Maddox was busy in a serious conversation with Zander and the Vampire Prince. Sensing my presence, Maddox's head snapped in my direction and our eyes locked. At that moment, time seemed to stand still. The realization hit me like a bolt of lightning, and I could see the same recognition mirrored in Maddox's eyes. However, before I could approach him, I watched as his smile faltered, replaced by panic and apprehension. He excused himself from the conversation he was engaged in with my brother and the Vampire Prince and quickly retreated in the opposite direction.As Maddox disappeared into the crowd, I stood there, rooted to the spot, feeling a mixture of confusion, disappointment, and a strange longing I couldn't quite explain. It was as if a veil had been lifted, revealing a hidden connection I had never been aware of.Determined to confront Maddox and seek answers, I pushed through the crowd, my red dress swishing around me, catching the attention of some curious onlookers.
*Selena*Blair looked exhausted, her shoulders slumped, and her eyes were wet and sad. I knew she had been going through a tough time."Blair, you know, you can always count on me. Talk to me whenever you want," I suggested, reaching out to gently place a hand on her arm. I wanted her to know that I was there for her, ready to listen whenever she needed to vent her pain."Thank you, Selena," Blair sighed, looking at me softly. "Please don't tell anyone about it. Especially not Zander. I..." She hesitated as if struggling to find the right words. "I don't want anyone to feel pity on me."Liar!I knew she was trying to save Maddox from trouble. Zander was very protective of his baby sister.However, I gave her a knowing smile and raised a finger to my lips, gesturing to zip them shut. It was not my place to tell her brother about her secret."But you have to help me in return," I shrugged, lifting a brow while giving her a sly smile.Blair looked at me, amused and curious. "What?" she
*Zander*I had to let go of Selena because I received a mind link from Maddox."Alpha, Vampire Prince Damon is waiting for you in your office."Lyon growled in frustration. He wanted to know what hidden motives our ex-mate had, but due to the urgency of the matter, I had to leave. However, before departing, I made sure to remind her that our business wasn't finished.Vampires and werewolves were always eternal enemies locked in a blood feud spanning centuries. What could possibly bring the Vampire Prince to my doorstep? I knew better than to trust those bloodsucking creatures of the night, yet I couldn't help but be intrigued by his intentions behind this peace pact proposal.With determination, I swiftly departed from the pack house. Striding purposefully through the hallways and opening the door to my office, I took in the sight before me. Vampire Prince Damon stood in the center, emanating an aura of icy elegance. His blond hair cascaded down his shoulders, framing a face masking a
*Damon*After my disastrous meeting with Zander, I decided to inspect his pack, hoping to find something to grab my attention after a bad day. Zander was known for his stubbornness and arrogance. I didn't think he would easily agree to the peace pact on our conditions. But that was why I was here: to convince him.As I walked through the bustling crowd, my heart fluttered with anticipation. Would I catch a glimpse of the source of my happiness there?"Arabella!" I called out with a wide grin, confidently striding towards her."Prince Damon, you forgot again," she said, smiling and subtly shaking her head. "I am Selena."Her smile remained as captivating as ever, and for a moment, I was utterly dazed. Lost in her beauty, I had to shake myself back to reality. How could I not have found her till now? She was a sight to behold.Shaking my head, a chuckle escaped my throat. "My apologies, goddess," I said, leaning in closer to her, my gaze fixed on her stunning hazel eyes.Selena giggled
*Selena*Blair and I returned to the pack house, tired from her shopping spree. As soon as we arrived, I seized the opportunity and made my way swiftly to Zander's room. Earlier, I had managed to imprint the key so that I could create a duplicate at a later time when I found a moment to spare from my daily responsibilities. With this duplicate key in my possession, accessing the data room would no longer be an issue.Patiently, I bided my time, waiting for nightfall when the entire pack house would retire to their beds, enveloped in deep slumber. It was during this period that the guards' shifts were scheduled to change, presenting the perfect opportunity for me to make my move. As the hours ticked by, I maintained a watchful eye, ensuring that the pack house was shrouded in silence and stillness. The quietude of the night served as my ally, granting me the freedom to proceed undetected toward my objective. With each passing minute, anticipation coursed through my veins, heightening
“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