The Alpha's Moon (Stories Beyond This Universe 1)

“We’ll get out of here soon. I promise.” Mira murmured over and over again as she treated Francesca’s wounds. They were back in the bedroom, ordered by their Alpha to step out after the whole ordeal at the dining room. Francesca’s breath hitched as she remembered what had happened. Stefano did not even look remorseful at what he did. He meant to kill, and it did not make a difference if it were Francesca or Carmel who had taken the hit. Carmel. Poor little Carmel. She was so young and full of hope. She did not deserve to be lying cold and dead on the floor like that. “Are you breaking down again?” Gianna said, removing herself from against the wall and grabbing Francesca by the shoulders, “You have to be strong. Do you know how Mira and I survived being married to that bastard for so long? We rein in our emotions. The biggest mistake you can make in front of Stefano is to show him your tears.” 

Strong arms pulled Francesca back away from certain death and she heard the song again, this time emanating so strongly from the one who held her. Her back was flushed into his front, so tight Francesca could feel the sinews of his muscles and the harsh pounding of his heart against her. "Did you really think I would just let you do this? I don't even know your name." His voice sounded behind her, rich and deep. It brought a chill to her spine. Francesca closed her eyes, feeling all tension drain from her body. She tilted her head up towards his and he held her waist tighter, bringing his forehead down between the crook of her neck and shoulder. Francesca felt something wet touch her skin and she realized that he was crying, too. "What's your name?" Her mate whispered softly and she felt that slight movement of his mouth against her skin. Her wolf sighed in pleasure, and she murmured, "Francesca." "Francesca." He repeated so revere

Francesca usually did not like to socialize, but after meeting Tristan earlier, she needed to immediately wash off his scent from her skin. It was exhausting, trying to keep up with superficial conversations that drop as soon as you utter the first word. She didn't know how Betas, the Packs' advisers, go about doing it every day. Still, Francesca trudged on, also hoping that the activity would help her forget Tristan's plan in the meantime. She'll worry about it when it's time to.  "So, how long have you been married to Alpha Stefano?" one of the guests in front of her asked. From her accent, Francesca could guess she was from the Brooklyn pack. She forgot the girl's name seconds ago though.  "Three years."  "How is it?"  Francesca hesitated. She didn't know whether to laugh or cry at the ignorance.  As if summoned by the topic of the conversation, Francesca sensed Stefano creep behind her, whispering in her ear, "Are

She's beautiful, and not in the drop-dead gorgeous kind of way, which Tristan had always found to be unsettling. She's beautiful in the quietest way, if that made any sense. Like how the full moon just sits there in the sky, every night, calm and serene, yet you can't help but notice it. Even her name was beautiful. Francesca. Tristan shook his head. That was so...cheesy. When did he start thinking like this? Apparently, she made him all gooey too, aside from being absolutely angry.   "Fuck." Tristan muttered to himself, remembering how furious he was when he learned that Francesca was Stefano's wife. His father used to say that an Alpha generally lives his life not knowing when he will find his mate, but when he does, it would be the most glorious thing to happen in his life. Francesca did not only bring Tristan that joy. She also brought him devastation. But their connection was a promise that could never be broken, and Tristan was hell-bent on wi

"It needed to be done," Francesca said as she stared in the mirror. She was still in her wedding dress, even an hour after her Christian wedding with Stefano because her husband had asked her to. Though raised a Christian herself, Francesca could not help but feel relieved that it was the only tie she had with the Alpha. They were not mates so they could not be married at the altar of the moon goddess. And for a werewolf, that was what mattered the most. She could get out of the arrangement easier.  "It didn't have to be you, Cheska." Julio Lopez frowned behind her. Julio was her Dad's friend and became her guardian since his death. He was a balding man in his fifties, with permanent worry lines on his forehead, brought about by being in charge of a ward as reckless and as brave as Francesca, he always said.  "You know none of the others wanted to do it, Uncle. I had no choice." Francesca told Julio, "It's the only chance we have of fr