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
Alora’s POV I stood in front of the mirror, gently running my fingers over my baby bump. A smile tugged at the corners of my lips as I marveled at the little life growing inside of me. It was surreal, this feeling of anticipation and love that bubbled up inside me. Despite everything, the nightmares, this was something pure, something mine. A tiny heartbeat, reminding me that there was still something good in this world, even if it was just the two of us. I leaned back a little, studying the way my body had changed. My belly had grown more noticeable in the past few weeks, rounding out in a way that made it impossible to hide. Not that I wanted to anymore. This was my baby, my future, and for once, I allowed myself to feel a flicker of excitement. It was about time to start preparing for the little one’s arrival. The thought of shopping for baby clothes, cribs, and all the other necessities crossed my mind. I hadn’t done any of it yet, too preoccupied with the pack’s issues a
Rune’s POV I walked through the dense trees that led to the small wooden cabin tucked away at the edge of our territory, feeling the familiar crunch of leaves underfoot. The air was cool, carrying the scent of pine and damp earth, but none of that could ease the knot tightening in my chest. I hadn't visited the Prophetess in weeks, and considering the mess that my life had become, I had a feeling she'd give me hell for it. She was old—probably older than anyone in the pack knew. Blind too, but still stronger than most men. Her wiry frame moved like it carried the strength of three wolves, and no one doubted that the Moon Goddess had chosen her for a reason. Even though she could no longer see, she saw through all of us, and I had always appreciated that about her. No one could lie to the Prophetess.I knocked on the worn door, half-expecting her to shout at me before I could even enter. Sure enough, her raspy voice called out from within, “Took you long enough, pup. Thought you'd
Alora’s POV The nightmare came like a suffocating fog, thick and choking. I was trapped in it before I even realized I was dreaming. My surroundings shifted and blurred, a twisting mess of shadow and light. And there, in the distance, stood Rune. He wasn’t the Rune I once knew. He wasn’t the brother who’d doted on me in childhood, with his warm smiles and protective embrace. No, this Rune was a monster. His eyes glowed an unnatural red, piercing through the darkness. I tried to move, to run, but my body was frozen, as though invisible chains bound me to the ground. Panic surged through me, my breath quickening as I struggled against the invisible force holding me in place. Rune stepped closer, his presence swallowing up everything around me. The closer he got, the darker it became, until the world seemed to disappear entirely, leaving just the two of us. His eyes locked onto mine, and I could feel the weight of his gaze, heavy and cold. It seeped into my skin, curling around