Rune’s POVThe days without Alora dragged on, each one more tortuous than the last. The emptiness she left behind gnawed at me, a constant ache that no amount of work or distraction could dull. I would find myself staring out of my office window, my mind wandering back to the last time I saw her. The image of her smiling at Dylan haunted me, a bitter reminder that she was somewhere out there, out of my reach. Weeks passed, and with them came a growing sense of dread that something was terribly wrong. It wasn’t just the void Alora had left in my life; it was the pack itself. I tried to focus on my duties, to manage the pack as best as I could, but things were starting to unravel. The first sign was subtle, a few packs reaching out, stating they were reconsidering their alliance with us. It was unusual, but I didn’t think much of it at first. After all, alliances could be fickle, and I was confident that I could smooth things over.But then, more packs followed suit. The rejections
Alora’s POVThe morning light filtered through the windows as I breezed into the kitchen, the familiar scent of sizzling bacon and fresh bread wafting through the air. It had been a few weeks since I started working at the restaurant, and every day felt like a small victory. The kitchen was alive with the clatter of pots and pans, the hiss of steam, and the soft hum of conversations among the helpers. Maria’s Place. That’s what the restaurant was called, named after its owner, Maria, who had been running the place for as long as anyone in the neighborhood could remember. It was a quaint little spot, tucked away on a quiet street, but ever since I started working here, it seemed like the whole town couldn’t get enough of it.“Morning, Alora!” one of the helpers called out, a grin spreading across his face as he flipped a pancake onto a plate. “Morning!” I replied, tying my apron around my waist as I joined them at the counter. The morning rush was already in full swing, and the en
Rune’s POVI stood at the edge of the dais, my eyes scanning the crowd that had gathered to witness this charade. The sun beat down on us, casting long shadows over the pack members below. I knew what they saw when they looked at me, the Alpha, strong and unyielding, in control of everything and everyone around me. But they had no idea of the storm raging inside me.Beside me, Sienna grinned like the queen she thought she was, her smile wide and radiant as she waved at the familiar faces in the crowd. Her brunette hair shimmered in the sunlight, her eyes glowing with an excitement that made me sick to my core. She looked like she belonged here, standing next to me as if this was her rightful place. But every time I looked at her, I felt nothing but a deep, burning hatred.I hate her.The intensity of that hatred has grown with each passing day, feeding off my frustration and grief. It wasn’t just the fact that she was standing here next to me, pretending to be something she could ne
Third Person’s POVSienna reclined on the edge of Rune's bed, her body draped in the finest lace lingerie that hugged her curves perfectly. The soft fabric, delicate and alluring, made her feel powerful, every inch the seductress she knew she was. Her lips curved into a satisfied smile as she glanced around the room, the opulence of it a stark contrast to the simplicity of her usual surroundings. She had never felt more content, more in control, than she did at this moment.The mating ceremony had been completed just hours ago. The pack celebrated, congratulating her on becoming the new Luna, even though Rune had stubbornly refused to mark her neck. She had expected that, of course. Rune was nothing if not obstinate, especially when it came to her. But that was fine. She had time. The bond was sealed, and in the eyes of the pack, they were as good as mated. The mark could come later. For now, she reveled in her triumph. The plan had worked flawlessly, and Rune had no idea just how
Alora’s POV Managing the restaurant was a task I had come to love, even with the weight of responsibility growing heavier on my shoulders each day. After Maria's passing, I had taken on the mantle of running the place, a job that required more energy and focus than I had ever anticipated. The days were long, filled with the constant demands of customers, the endless orders from the kitchen, and the steady stream of workers who looked to me for direction. But it was also a task that grounded me, giving me purpose and keeping my mind off other things… things that were better left buried. The restaurant—Maria’s beloved creation—had become my sanctuary. I poured everything I had into keeping it running smoothly, ensuring that her legacy lived on. The staff, most of whom had been with Maria for years, were like a family to me now. They had welcomed me into their fold, trusting my judgment and following my lead. It wasn’t easy, but somehow, we made it work. “Morning, Hazel!” Lucy g
Rune’s POV The alliances that once seemed so unshakable were now crumbling before my eyes, and I was left trying to hold together the fraying threads of our relationships with the other packs. The tension had been growing for weeks, with whispers of dissatisfaction and subtle shifts in loyalty. What had once been a solid network of support was now a web of uncertainty, and it was my responsibility to prevent everything from falling apart. I had spent countless hours in meetings, poring over agreements and trying to understand what had gone wrong. Why were the packs suddenly distancing themselves? I couldn’t afford to let our alliances collapse; the stability of everything we had worked for depended on it. And yet, every conversation seemed to bring more questions than answers. Frustration gnawed at me as I prepared for yet another journey, this time to visit each of the packs in person. The first stop was a pack known for its strength and loyalty, at least, they had been loyal
Alora’s POVMy body jerked awake, but I couldn't move. My chest was heaving, my breath coming in short, ragged gasps as I tried to calm myself. The nightmare was still clinging to me, thick and suffocating, like a shroud I couldn't shake off. My mind raced with the images, the ethereal women with silver hair, their eyes glowing with an unnatural light, their voices whispering things I could barely comprehend.Your Majesty... We will make him pay.The words echoed in my mind, sending a shiver down my spine. I was drenched in sweat, my body trembling uncontrollably. I couldn’t tell if it was from fear, exhaustion, or something else entirely. What was happening to me? Why were these women haunting my dreams, and what did they want from me? I wasn’t their queen. I was just Alora… broken, bruised, barely holding on.The girl everyone wants nothing to do with. The girl her parents abandoned because they found out she wasn’t their biological daughter. Nothing hurts more than this. I tried
Rune’s POVBy the time I finally returned to the pack, my body was beyond exhaustion. My muscles ached, my head pounded, and all I wanted was a moment of peace to collect my thoughts. The journey had been grueling, both physically and mentally, as I tried to salvage the crumbling alliances that once held the pack's power secure. But despite my best efforts, the Alphas I met with wouldn’t budge. They offered polite refusals, their eyes betraying a deeper reluctance, as if something unseen was forcing their hand. It was frustrating, maddening even, to see them speak with a strange mixture of regret and resignation, as if they were bound by chains I couldn’t see.I had barely stepped into the pack house when Sienna appeared, her presence like a viper in the shadows. She was draped in a silk robe that barely clung to her body, the fabric slipping down her shoulders in a way that was anything but accidental. Her lips curled into a smile that didn’t reach her eyes, a predatory gleam ther