AXEL I needed her to feel at ease around me, to trust me implicitly, and to obey my every command without hesitation. That's what I craved. She smiled back at me, revealing her flawless teeth, and for a moment, I felt a spark of excitement; this wasn't just going to be another revenge; it would be an exciting journey.I couldn't help but wonder why that asshole had left her. The new Luna, the woman I'd seen earlier, was a far cry from the genuine article. All she seemed to care about was power, and it was painfully obvious. The fool probably thought she loved him, but I wasn't buying it.It was laughably obvious, and yet he claimed to be an alpha? It was a joke. He couldn't even detect the most basic of manipulations, and that was a pathetic display of leadership. What a shame.Perhaps fate had other plans; events had fallen in order to bring her into my life at the perfect moment. It was as if fate itself had conspired to deliver her into my hands, and I couldn't help but feel a sen
ELIANAI sprinted for my life, desperate to escape the two enormous wolves hot on my heels. With every passing second, they closed in, their panting growing louder. My heart racing, I pushed my legs to their limit, but they felt like lead, threatening to buckle beneath me. Refusing to give in, I summoned every last ounce of strength and kept running.Although the larger wolf was closing in on me, I found myself fixated on the smaller one. Despite the bigger wolf's proximity, I felt a greater sense of fear towards the smaller one.Just as the larger wolf was about to pounce, I braced myself for impact. But instead of attacking me, it gently swept me up in its thick, luxurious blue fur. The unexpected tenderness brought instant relief, soothing the temporary pain and leaving me stunned.We thought we'd escaped, the large blue-furred wolf and I fleeing together from the relentless pursuit of the smaller wolf. But soon, the smaller wolf caught up, and to my shock, the tables turned. The l
ELIANAAxel reappeared in an instant, his eyes scanning the room as he took in the scene. "What's wrong?" he asked, his brow furrowed with concern.I was still gasping for breath, my chest heaving up and down. Axel's gaze locked onto mine, and he sat down beside me on the bed, his movements fluid and gentle. He shifted closer, his presence a comforting warmth that enveloped me.Axel's hand gently lifted my chin, guiding my gaze to meet his. I was certain he could see the fear lingering in my eyes, but he searched for something more. "What happened?" he asked again, his tone laced with concern, yet edged with a hint of frustration that I wasn't opening up to him. His eyes seemed to bore into mine."I... I had a nightmare," I admitted, feeling an overwhelming urge to rest my head on Axel's chest, but hesitating, unsure if it was too intimate.Axel's brow arched in curiosity. "A nightmare, huh? What happened in the nightmare, exactly?" he pressed, his eyes locked onto mine.Just as I was
ELIANASo, you want to hear a love story? Well, mine's not for the faint of heart. It's a tale of forbidden love, creepy curses, and a whole lot of heartache. My name is Eliana Astrid, and I'm a werewolf with a curse to bear. Buckle up, because this story is about to take a dark and twisted turn.**********"You wicked woman!" Former Luna, Calantha, bellowed, her voice like thunder, I couldn't help but recoil. "Why do you refuse to bear the alpha an heir?" She leaned in, lowering her voice to sound even more menacing, "Have you no care about the Pack's future? Why are you trying to prove to everyone that you're truly cursed?" My wolf bristled at her words, but I forced her to stay calm. This was a confrontation I had to endure, a ritual of sorts.I spoke in a low tone, my eyes cast downward. "I'm trying my best." The weight of my words hung in the air, a reminder of my failure. As the alpha's mate, I had been married to Gabriel for three years, yet I had been unable to fulfill my most
002ELIANA I woke up the next morning feeling completely drained. I wished I could just wake up from this crazy dream, but unfortunately, I couldn't.I couldn't shake the memory of the ridiculously handsome man from the nightclub, but I tried to ignore it. I had bigger problems to worry about.I got out of bed and caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror. I barely recognized the person staring back at me. I checked the clock on the wall—it was six AM. Gabriel was nowhere to be found. I didn't need to ask where he was. The answer was obvious.The door creaked open, and he walked in. Seeing him again hurt even more than I expected. Our eyes met, and my heart sank.He broke the silence, his voice devoid of warmth. "My beta informed me that you visited our headquarters. What was the purpose of your visit?” I felt a pang in my heart as I noticed the change in him. He was different, and it hurt. Usually, he'd greet me with a kiss or some affection, but tonight, there was nothing.I shook
ELIANA Overwhelmed and utterly bewildered, I stood frozen, grappling with Gabriel's rejection. Folding clothes mechanically, my mind replayed my father's haunting words: "The love he claims to have for you will soon die." His disdainful tone echoed, conjuring painful childhood memories and unleashing a fresh wave of tears.With a heavy heart, I reluctantly dragged my box out of the compound, casting one final glance at the life I was leaving behind. The stark reality of my departure settled in, and I fought back tears, blinking uncontrollably to stem the emotional tide.The permanence of my departure was almost too much to bear, and I struggled to accept the finality of it all, my mind numbing the pain by convincing me it was just a temporary goodbye.As I settled into my ride, headed back to the chaos I thought I'd escaped forever, I felt a pang of despair. The ride seemed to fly by, and I wished it could last forever—a fleeting refuge from the sorrow that awaited me.Gazing up at t
ELIANAI adorned myself with gold jewelry, secured my hair into a sleek ponytail, and added subtle touches of makeup. Just then, a knock at the door broke the silence.I swiftly finished applying the blush, slipped into my black stilettos, grabbed my black purse, and hurriedly exited my room.I crossed my fingers, wishing myself luck; I let out a deep sigh and, with a sense of resignation, stepped outside.A deep, baritone voice greeted me as I stepped out. "I've been instructed to escort you to the ceremony."I nodded with a faint smile on my lips and followed him to the parking lot. We exited the room, the evening air enveloping us as we walked toward the waiting vehicle.As I stepped out of the car, the melody of music enveloped me, but my nerves intensified. My father's haunting words still lingered: "If no one is attracted to you, you'll end up on the streets."I strutted in confidently, but my face unexpectedly collided with a firm chest. The enticing aroma of his Tom Ford Noir
AXELShe remained oblivious, unaware of my true identity as the Lycan King. I preferred it that way. Her ignorance would facilitate my goals. Our encounter had laid the groundwork perfectly. Now, patience and strategy would seal her fate.I dragged Eliana away from the woman's toxic presence, my firm grip slowly easing to avoid bruising her delicate hand. My protective instincts still simmered, but I softened my hold, ensuring her comfort.Eliana's blue eyes met mine, filled with gratitude. "Thank you," she whispered, a hint of embarrassment coloring her cheeks. I shifted my gaze, respecting her vulnerability, but my awareness of her remained."For?" I asked. She looked at me, slightly perplexed. I knew why she was thanking me. I just wanted to hear her soft, silky voice again, a sweet resonance I couldn't get enough of.I mentally recoiled, self-rebuke kicking in. 'Get a hold of yourself, Axel. She is the enemy's daughter.' Her allure was just a threat.Her voice broke me out of rev
ELIANAAxel reappeared in an instant, his eyes scanning the room as he took in the scene. "What's wrong?" he asked, his brow furrowed with concern.I was still gasping for breath, my chest heaving up and down. Axel's gaze locked onto mine, and he sat down beside me on the bed, his movements fluid and gentle. He shifted closer, his presence a comforting warmth that enveloped me.Axel's hand gently lifted my chin, guiding my gaze to meet his. I was certain he could see the fear lingering in my eyes, but he searched for something more. "What happened?" he asked again, his tone laced with concern, yet edged with a hint of frustration that I wasn't opening up to him. His eyes seemed to bore into mine."I... I had a nightmare," I admitted, feeling an overwhelming urge to rest my head on Axel's chest, but hesitating, unsure if it was too intimate.Axel's brow arched in curiosity. "A nightmare, huh? What happened in the nightmare, exactly?" he pressed, his eyes locked onto mine.Just as I was
ELIANAI sprinted for my life, desperate to escape the two enormous wolves hot on my heels. With every passing second, they closed in, their panting growing louder. My heart racing, I pushed my legs to their limit, but they felt like lead, threatening to buckle beneath me. Refusing to give in, I summoned every last ounce of strength and kept running.Although the larger wolf was closing in on me, I found myself fixated on the smaller one. Despite the bigger wolf's proximity, I felt a greater sense of fear towards the smaller one.Just as the larger wolf was about to pounce, I braced myself for impact. But instead of attacking me, it gently swept me up in its thick, luxurious blue fur. The unexpected tenderness brought instant relief, soothing the temporary pain and leaving me stunned.We thought we'd escaped, the large blue-furred wolf and I fleeing together from the relentless pursuit of the smaller wolf. But soon, the smaller wolf caught up, and to my shock, the tables turned. The l
AXEL I needed her to feel at ease around me, to trust me implicitly, and to obey my every command without hesitation. That's what I craved. She smiled back at me, revealing her flawless teeth, and for a moment, I felt a spark of excitement; this wasn't just going to be another revenge; it would be an exciting journey.I couldn't help but wonder why that asshole had left her. The new Luna, the woman I'd seen earlier, was a far cry from the genuine article. All she seemed to care about was power, and it was painfully obvious. The fool probably thought she loved him, but I wasn't buying it.It was laughably obvious, and yet he claimed to be an alpha? It was a joke. He couldn't even detect the most basic of manipulations, and that was a pathetic display of leadership. What a shame.Perhaps fate had other plans; events had fallen in order to bring her into my life at the perfect moment. It was as if fate itself had conspired to deliver her into my hands, and I couldn't help but feel a sen
ELIANAAxel's beta emerged from the corner, bowing slightly as he took in our surroundings. "Any issues?" Axel asked.His stern face was back, his expression unreadable. "No," his beta replied, his voice low. “But there is some information I want to pass”“Okay, go on.”The beta leaned in closer to Axel, presumably to whisper the details in his ear. But Axel's gaze never left mine. Instead, he commanded, "Spill."His voice was firm and authoritative, filling the space around us. It was as if he didn't care if I heard the conversation or not.My heart sank. Was it my father? Had they finally caught up with me? But before I could worry more, the news was released: "The Alpha of the Nightshade Pack is making his new mate Luna."My heart dropped like a stone. Axel's gaze locked onto mine, searching for my reaction. I tried to appear strong, to mask my emotions, but a sharp pain pierced my chest, threatening to expose my true feelings."The Luna ceremony will be held in the next full moon,
***33 YEARS AGOThe sky was a deep, foreboding grey, like a physical manifestation of the unease that settled over the land. Just minutes ago, the sun had been out and clear on the Nightshade Pack's territory, warming the earth beneath their feet. But now, the air was electric with anticipation, the thunder booming and crackling through the air.It was a storm like no other, one that seemed to draw the very breath from the atmosphere. The pack's elders would later tell stories of a similar storm, one that had ravaged their lands centuries ago when the ruthless Lycan King Azrael had met his end.But this storm felt different. The thunder seemed to vibrate through every molecule of air, the lightning illuminating the dark clouds in eerie, pulsing flashes. The storm's intensity was palpable, and it seemed to be building towards something - a reckoning, a revelation, or a transformation that would change the Nightshade Pack's world forever.Sophia's faint shout echoed through the empty r
AxelI slammed the plates into the kitchen cabinets, the clatter echoing through the room as I struggled to contain the anger boiling inside me. My hands trembled with rage, my fingers clenched into fists as I fought to maintain a fragile grip on my temper.Everything was going well. I hope Anastasia doesn't ruin it for me. If she does, I would thirst for the last of her blood.I gritted my teeth, my anger simmering just below the surface. I had thought my beta had everything under control, but now I wasn't so sure. One of them had escaped, and I had a sinking feeling that they might have made contact with her.I was certain it was Anastasia.She had chosen to keep secrets from me, to lie about the issues brewing within my own walls. The audacity was staggering. Once she left, I would confirm whether any of them had been involved, and if so, there would be consequences.Eliana's actions only made my suspicions stronger. Her deception and dishonesty were proof that I needed to take dra
ELIANAAxel emerged from the corner, his eyes scanning the hallway with an unnerving intensity. His gaze followed the path the stranger had taken, and for a fleeting moment, I thought I saw a flicker of recognition - in his eyes.Axel's gaze shifted back to me, his eyes narrowing slightly as he asked, "Was anyone here?"I hesitated, unsure of how to respond. My eyes darted around to the empty hallway as if searching for an answer. The stranger's sudden departure had left an uncomfortable silence, and I felt caught in the middle, unsure of what to reveal or conceal.I opened my mouth to speak, but the words caught in my throat. Axel's intense stare made me feel like I was withholding a secret, even though I wasn't entirely sure what was going on."Ummm, no," I stammered, the words tumbling out before I could reconsider. I wasn't sure if I had just made a terrible mistake by lying, but it was the best I could come up with on short notice.My mind was a jumble of conflicting emotions and
ELIANA"Then why are you here?" she asked, her eyes darting backward every few seconds, as if she feared being ambushed. There was something undeniably odd about her, and I found myself growing increasingly uneasy.Her question caught me off guard, and I felt a spark of defensiveness ignite within me. Did I need permission to be at Axel's? "I'm here with Axel," I said, arching my brow in query. "Is there a problem?"The moment Axel's name left my lips, the stranger's expression transformed. Fear flashed across her face, her eyes widening in alarm. Even I, not exactly skilled at reading expressions, couldn't miss the terror etched on her features.She glanced over her shoulder again, her fear intensifying. Her gaze darted around the room, as if she expected Axel to materialize at any moment. The air seemed to thicken with tension, and I sensed a dark undercurrent lurking beneath the surface."He's not interested in you," she whispered intensely, her eyes locked on mine with a desperat
ELIANAI forced down the food Axel had served me, my expression a strained smile that hid the turmoil brewing inside. My senses were numb, and the flavors on my plate might as well have been cardboard. I ate slowly, my eyes scanning the room with anxiety and distraction.Minutes ticked by, and Axel still hadn't returned. His sudden departure after the weird conversation had left me bewildered. I fidgeted in my chair, my unease growing with each passing second. What was taking him so long?Alessia's absence only added to my growing unease. I couldn't help but feel a pang of longing for her return. Her presence had become a comforting constant, and without her, the room felt emptier and darker. I sent a silent plea to the moon goddess, my heart aching: ‘Please, bring her back to me.’As the minutes dragged on, Axel's prolonged absence began to gnaw at me. I was done with my food, and the silence was starting to feel oppressive. My mind wandered to the possibility of going after him, but