Lucien’s POVDamien’s smirk lingered like the stench of a rotting carcass, his eyes glittering with cruel amusement. I stood firm, fists clenched, watching every shift in his stance, every flicker in his gaze.“You have something I want,” Damien repeated, his tone dripping with mockery.I narrowed my eyes. “Spit it out, Damien, before I lose what little patience I have.”“Ah, such hostility. Must we always resort to threats?” He chuckled, taking a deliberate step closer. Ryder shifted beside me, his blade inching higher, but I held out a hand, signaling him to stay put.“What is it you’re after?” I demanded.Damien’s grin widened. “Seraphine.”Her name hit me like a slap. My wolf, Thorin, surged to the surface, a growl rumbling in my chest. She is mine. My Luna. My mate. How dare he even say her name?“You’re testing my limits, Damien,” I said, my voice low and dangerous.“Oh, am I?” Damien feigned innocence, placing a hand over his chest. “I’m merely stating facts, Lucien. Seraphine
Seraphine’s POVThe barking of dogs echoed through the air as the hunting party returned. Their excited yelps mixed with the steady clatter of hooves on the dirt path. I could hear the hunters shouting commands to control the animals, their voices blending with the cheerful chatter of men celebrating a successful hunt.I stood by the window, peeking out through the slightly parted curtains. Lucien was at the front of the group, his broad shoulders squared, his face stern yet calm. His black cloak billowed slightly in the breeze, and the pack seemed to follow him with a sense of pride and purpose.But all I felt was a searing, gut-wrenching hate.It wasn’t just a fleeting annoyance or a passing disagreement. No, this was something far deeper—darker. A fire blazed within my chest as I watched him. Everything about him—his presence, his self-assured stance—felt like an insult. His confidence wasn’t just confidence; it was a taunt, a silent challenge aimed directly at me, igniting emotion
Lucien’s POVI went to my office and sat down heavily in my chair, staring at the polished surface of my desk. The hunt’s success should have left me satisfied, but my mind was clouded. Something felt wrong—off, even—and I couldn’t shake it.What’s going on? I thought, drumming my fingers on the wood. My wolf, Thorin, stirred in my mind, his presence steady but intrudign into my thoughts.“Why is this troubling you? Get it off your mind!” Thorin’s deep voice growled, his irritation evident.I sighed, leaning back in my chair. I can’t, Thorin. It’s… complicated.“Complicated? Since when do you let complications get the better of you? You’re Lucien, Alpha of the Crescent Moon Pack! Speak it.”I hesitated before finally saying, It’s Damien.Thorin growled low, a sound of displeasure. “That rat. What did he say this time?”He came here while we were on the hunt. Had the audacity to stand on my land and claim that Seraphine… my Luna… was supporting his cause.Silence fell in my mind for a
Lucien’s POV“Chill out, man!” I shouted back at Thorin, pacing the room with growing frustration.“You’re snapping at me now?” Thorin’s growl echoed in my mind. “What’s next? You gonna howl at the moon in frustration? Pull yourself together!”I stopped mid-step, pinching the bridge of my nose. “Listen,” I said, my voice strained but calm. “I love Seraphine. I know she loves me back just as much—probably even more. She’s just having a hard time expressing it. You know why.”Thorin scoffed. “Oh, please. Do enlighten me, Alpha Wise-and-Lovesick.”I sighed deeply, sinking into the chair behind my desk. “She’s been through so much, Thorin. You know her past. The way she was mistreated—manipulated, betrayed—it shaped who she is. It’s not easy for her to trust, to open up completely. That’s why she’s reserved. It’s her defense mechanism.”Thorin laughed dryly. “Really? That’s what you’re telling yourself now? That she’s reserved because of her past?”“Yes!” I snapped, slamming my palm agains
Seraphine’s POVI hurried back to my room, my heart pounding like a war drum.“Damn!” I whispered harshly to myself, slamming the door shut behind me. Leaning against it, I took a shaky breath, trying to calm down.“That was so close,” I muttered, staring blankly at the ceiling.I had gone to Lucien’s office to drop off the attic key. I figured he’d still be out with his hunting pack, and I could slip in and out without anyone noticing. But when I opened that door and saw him sitting there…“Fuck!” I groaned, pushing off the door and rushing into the bathroom.The cold water hit my face like a shockwave, but it did little to settle my nerves. I grabbed the edges of the sink, staring at my reflection. My damp hair clung to my cheeks, and my eyes were wide with panic.“Did he notice how much I was shaking?” I whispered, my voice barely audible. “Did he see when I hid the attic key behind my back?”The memory replayed in my mind. I had shoved the key into my pocket so quickly I wasn’t su
Lucien’s POVI just stood there in the garden, staring after her, my heart pounding in my chest. What the hell had just happened? My fists clenched as her words echoed in my head."I don’t owe you an explanation!""Maybe you don’t deserve to."Did Seraphine just walk out on me? My mate? Is she mad?!“I told you,” Thorin, my wolf, growled. “Something’s off with her. You need to stay sharp, Lucien.”“Just shut it!” I snapped, my voice trembling with anger.A few maids were passing by the garden and froze, their eyes wide with concern. “Anything the matter, Alpha?” one of them asked timidly.“Get out!” I barked, my voice like a whip. They scurried away without another word, leaving me alone with my boiling frustration.Thorin growled low in my mind. “You’re making a mistake, Lucien. You should be watching her, not standing here sulking.”“Enough,” I muttered under my breath as I stormed toward the main house.“I’m serious,” Thorin persisted. “She’s hiding something, and Damien knows more
Lucien’s POVRyder was waiting for me outside the hall. “How did it go?” he asked.I shook my head. “They’re meddling where they shouldn’t.”He frowned. “What did they say?”“They think Seraphine’s behavior is tied to Damien,” I said bitterly. “As if I didn’t already have enough to deal with.”Ryder’s expression darkened. “Do you think they’re right?”“I don’t know,” I admitted, my voice strained. “But I can’t let this spiral out of control. If they keep questioning her loyalty, it’ll only make things worse.”“What do you want to do?” Ryder asked.I paused, considering my options. “Keep watching Damien. If he steps foot on our land, I want to know immediately. And keep an eye on Seraphine, but discreetly. I don’t want her feeling like she’s under surveillance.”“Understood,” Ryder said with a nod.“And Ryder…”“Yes, Alpha?”“Find out what the pack is saying,” I added. “If these rumors are spreading, I want to know who started them.”“Of course,” Ryder said before heading off.I stood
Lucien’s POV“Next case!” I shouted, my voice booming through the courtroom. The sound of my command lingered in the air as I sat back heavily on my throne in the court room.I had been under a lot of pressure these past few days, trying to keep everything together. My mind was constantly occupied with Seraphine, the rumors, and the endless list of issues that kept piling up. I hadn’t had the time to really focus on the cases as they came, so today, I decided I’d be present. It was time to clear up the backlog. The pack depended on me to handle the cases, and the elders couldn’t do much without my presence.The room fell silent for a moment before the next case was brought in.As usual, Seraphine’s seat remained empty. I glanced at the spot where she normally sat, a sharp pang of frustration cutting through me. It had been weeks since she’d been down here in the courtroom with me. She always had an excuse—usually about how she didn’t want to judge a pack that would never accept her. I
Lucien’s POV“Next case!” I shouted, my voice booming through the courtroom. The sound of my command lingered in the air as I sat back heavily on my throne in the court room.I had been under a lot of pressure these past few days, trying to keep everything together. My mind was constantly occupied with Seraphine, the rumors, and the endless list of issues that kept piling up. I hadn’t had the time to really focus on the cases as they came, so today, I decided I’d be present. It was time to clear up the backlog. The pack depended on me to handle the cases, and the elders couldn’t do much without my presence.The room fell silent for a moment before the next case was brought in.As usual, Seraphine’s seat remained empty. I glanced at the spot where she normally sat, a sharp pang of frustration cutting through me. It had been weeks since she’d been down here in the courtroom with me. She always had an excuse—usually about how she didn’t want to judge a pack that would never accept her. I
Lucien’s POVRyder was waiting for me outside the hall. “How did it go?” he asked.I shook my head. “They’re meddling where they shouldn’t.”He frowned. “What did they say?”“They think Seraphine’s behavior is tied to Damien,” I said bitterly. “As if I didn’t already have enough to deal with.”Ryder’s expression darkened. “Do you think they’re right?”“I don’t know,” I admitted, my voice strained. “But I can’t let this spiral out of control. If they keep questioning her loyalty, it’ll only make things worse.”“What do you want to do?” Ryder asked.I paused, considering my options. “Keep watching Damien. If he steps foot on our land, I want to know immediately. And keep an eye on Seraphine, but discreetly. I don’t want her feeling like she’s under surveillance.”“Understood,” Ryder said with a nod.“And Ryder…”“Yes, Alpha?”“Find out what the pack is saying,” I added. “If these rumors are spreading, I want to know who started them.”“Of course,” Ryder said before heading off.I stood
Lucien’s POVI just stood there in the garden, staring after her, my heart pounding in my chest. What the hell had just happened? My fists clenched as her words echoed in my head."I don’t owe you an explanation!""Maybe you don’t deserve to."Did Seraphine just walk out on me? My mate? Is she mad?!“I told you,” Thorin, my wolf, growled. “Something’s off with her. You need to stay sharp, Lucien.”“Just shut it!” I snapped, my voice trembling with anger.A few maids were passing by the garden and froze, their eyes wide with concern. “Anything the matter, Alpha?” one of them asked timidly.“Get out!” I barked, my voice like a whip. They scurried away without another word, leaving me alone with my boiling frustration.Thorin growled low in my mind. “You’re making a mistake, Lucien. You should be watching her, not standing here sulking.”“Enough,” I muttered under my breath as I stormed toward the main house.“I’m serious,” Thorin persisted. “She’s hiding something, and Damien knows more
Seraphine’s POVI hurried back to my room, my heart pounding like a war drum.“Damn!” I whispered harshly to myself, slamming the door shut behind me. Leaning against it, I took a shaky breath, trying to calm down.“That was so close,” I muttered, staring blankly at the ceiling.I had gone to Lucien’s office to drop off the attic key. I figured he’d still be out with his hunting pack, and I could slip in and out without anyone noticing. But when I opened that door and saw him sitting there…“Fuck!” I groaned, pushing off the door and rushing into the bathroom.The cold water hit my face like a shockwave, but it did little to settle my nerves. I grabbed the edges of the sink, staring at my reflection. My damp hair clung to my cheeks, and my eyes were wide with panic.“Did he notice how much I was shaking?” I whispered, my voice barely audible. “Did he see when I hid the attic key behind my back?”The memory replayed in my mind. I had shoved the key into my pocket so quickly I wasn’t su
Lucien’s POV“Chill out, man!” I shouted back at Thorin, pacing the room with growing frustration.“You’re snapping at me now?” Thorin’s growl echoed in my mind. “What’s next? You gonna howl at the moon in frustration? Pull yourself together!”I stopped mid-step, pinching the bridge of my nose. “Listen,” I said, my voice strained but calm. “I love Seraphine. I know she loves me back just as much—probably even more. She’s just having a hard time expressing it. You know why.”Thorin scoffed. “Oh, please. Do enlighten me, Alpha Wise-and-Lovesick.”I sighed deeply, sinking into the chair behind my desk. “She’s been through so much, Thorin. You know her past. The way she was mistreated—manipulated, betrayed—it shaped who she is. It’s not easy for her to trust, to open up completely. That’s why she’s reserved. It’s her defense mechanism.”Thorin laughed dryly. “Really? That’s what you’re telling yourself now? That she’s reserved because of her past?”“Yes!” I snapped, slamming my palm agains
Lucien’s POVI went to my office and sat down heavily in my chair, staring at the polished surface of my desk. The hunt’s success should have left me satisfied, but my mind was clouded. Something felt wrong—off, even—and I couldn’t shake it.What’s going on? I thought, drumming my fingers on the wood. My wolf, Thorin, stirred in my mind, his presence steady but intrudign into my thoughts.“Why is this troubling you? Get it off your mind!” Thorin’s deep voice growled, his irritation evident.I sighed, leaning back in my chair. I can’t, Thorin. It’s… complicated.“Complicated? Since when do you let complications get the better of you? You’re Lucien, Alpha of the Crescent Moon Pack! Speak it.”I hesitated before finally saying, It’s Damien.Thorin growled low, a sound of displeasure. “That rat. What did he say this time?”He came here while we were on the hunt. Had the audacity to stand on my land and claim that Seraphine… my Luna… was supporting his cause.Silence fell in my mind for a
Seraphine’s POVThe barking of dogs echoed through the air as the hunting party returned. Their excited yelps mixed with the steady clatter of hooves on the dirt path. I could hear the hunters shouting commands to control the animals, their voices blending with the cheerful chatter of men celebrating a successful hunt.I stood by the window, peeking out through the slightly parted curtains. Lucien was at the front of the group, his broad shoulders squared, his face stern yet calm. His black cloak billowed slightly in the breeze, and the pack seemed to follow him with a sense of pride and purpose.But all I felt was a searing, gut-wrenching hate.It wasn’t just a fleeting annoyance or a passing disagreement. No, this was something far deeper—darker. A fire blazed within my chest as I watched him. Everything about him—his presence, his self-assured stance—felt like an insult. His confidence wasn’t just confidence; it was a taunt, a silent challenge aimed directly at me, igniting emotion
Lucien’s POVDamien’s smirk lingered like the stench of a rotting carcass, his eyes glittering with cruel amusement. I stood firm, fists clenched, watching every shift in his stance, every flicker in his gaze.“You have something I want,” Damien repeated, his tone dripping with mockery.I narrowed my eyes. “Spit it out, Damien, before I lose what little patience I have.”“Ah, such hostility. Must we always resort to threats?” He chuckled, taking a deliberate step closer. Ryder shifted beside me, his blade inching higher, but I held out a hand, signaling him to stay put.“What is it you’re after?” I demanded.Damien’s grin widened. “Seraphine.”Her name hit me like a slap. My wolf, Thorin, surged to the surface, a growl rumbling in my chest. She is mine. My Luna. My mate. How dare he even say her name?“You’re testing my limits, Damien,” I said, my voice low and dangerous.“Oh, am I?” Damien feigned innocence, placing a hand over his chest. “I’m merely stating facts, Lucien. Seraphine
Lucien’s POV“Gather all the meat we’ve hunted. We leave for the pack by dawn,” I said, my voice carrying over the quiet hum of the camp.Ryder and the others immediately set to work, their movements quick and practiced. The past four days in the woods had been grueling, but productive. The pile of game—rabbits, deer, and wild boars—was a testament to our efforts. Winter was on its way, and the pack needed every ounce of food we could bring back.I turned and headed back to my tent, pulling aside the heavy canvas flap. Inside, the air was warm, a small brazier glowing faintly in the corner. I poured a small measure of whiskey into a tin cup and sat down heavily on the cot.“Four days out here,” Thorin, my wolf, mused, his voice echoing in my mind. “We’ve done well. Better than I expected.”“Luck was on our side,” I replied, taking a sip. “Not a single beast after that first night.”“Luck?” Thorin huffed. “That wasn’t luck. We would’ve torn anything else apart.”I smirked. “Would we? Y