AUTHOR’S POV
Eliza got down from her car and walked up to the massive building in front of her.
White marble walls with black trimmings and huge columns stared back at her, highlighting the power and opulence that this one building held.
Its importance and stance was empowering and yet unnerving at the same time.
This was the castle of the Lycan King. The centre of power of the Lycan Kingdom.
She took a deep breath and calmed herself.
Even though she wanted to go in there with guns blazing for the decision the king made concerning Derek and Maya, she had to keep herself in check.
He was her king after all and she was not willing to die because of a reckless mistake.
With a calm demeanor, Eliza walked up the stairs, wanting to go in to have an audience with the king but as soon as she reached the doors, she was stopped by the two guards who stood watch.
“What is your purpose here?” One of the guards asked, his eyes narrowing at Eliza.
“I am the Luna of the Silver Moon Pack and I request an audience with the Lycan King. It is of utmost importance that I see him immediately.” She responded, knowing fully well that no one, even an Alpha comes to see the king without making an appointment for a hearing.
But she was here on a whim and tried to use her now vague status to gain entrance.
Eliza watched the men, hoping that they would cave into her request and allow her enter the castle but they squinted at her, their mouths pursed from her words.
“Was a hearing appointment made?” The other questioned.
“There wasn’t. Like I said, what I have to say to the Lycan King is important.” She argued, her shoulders tense. She needed this to work.
The guards shared a look for a moment before one of them spoke up.
“Very well. You shall wait here and I will inform the king of your arrival.”
With that, the man who just spoke turned around and walked in through the gates, leaving Eliza and the lone guard alone in uncomfortable silence.
The guard walked into the castle past the several layers of security before coming to a halt before two huge oak doors, engraved with actual gold.
He gave a nod to his colleagues who stood watch outside the door.
Their silent words, giving them understanding of what needed to be done.
After all, the outdoor guards only came in when someone needed an audience with the king.
The guards opened the door, allowing the main guard entrance.
He walked in, his eyes trained on the ground as no one without high rankings were allowed to lay their eyes on the king without permission.
“Praise be to the Lykan King.” The guard greeted.
“What do you have to tell me?” King Kyle, the Lykan king spoke, his voice thundering in the room as his eyes roamed the file in his hands.
“A Luna is here to see you. She is from the Silver Moon Pack.”
The king paused his reading and looked up at the guard, knowing fully well who was at his gates.
Eliza.
There was only one reason why she would be here. His recent annulment of her marriage to Alpha Derek.
To him, she was here to beg for his decision to be revoked. An act that he would not go through with.
“She can wait outside until I’m done here. I don’t want to be disturbed.” King Kyle said with a sigh, returning back to his work.
“Of course your majesty.” The guard replied with a bow before leaving the room and going back to his post.
In about twenty minutes of him leaving the front gates, the guard arrived, a stoic look on his face.
“You are to wait here until you are called.” He announced, causing Eliza to frown. She didn’t have much time.
“Did you tell him who I was?” She asked, wanting to go in as quickly as possible.
The guard gave her a look before facing forward, choosing to ignore her for the rest of the time being.
“Excuse me.” Eliza spoke up again, her nose flaring but when she noticed that the man was not going to say anything else to her, she huffed and settled down, opting to stay.
After all, how long would it take for her to be allowed in?
*
Eliza groaned for the millionth time that day, the heat getting to her.
She had waited for hours, her patience tested by the deliberate delay.
The palace guards stood like statues, their expressions unchanging, clearly following orders to keep her waiting.
Eliza knew exactly why.
King Kyle assumed she had come to beg, to plead for mercy, to reverse the impending marriage of Derek and Maya.
Little did he know, she was here for something far more calculated. Something she wanted more than being tied to her cheating husband.
Hours passed. The sun moved across the sky, casting long shadows on the ornate palace grounds.
Finally, a guard approached her.
"The Lycan King will see you now," he announced, his voice devoid of emotion.
With a frown, Eliza walked with him through the gates as he led her to the throne room.
The room was immense, with high ceilings and walls adorned with historical tapestries depicting past Lycan rulers.
King Kyle sat on an elaborate throne, his presence commanding and intimidating.
"Eliza," he spoke, his voice deep and measured, "I understand you've come about your husband's pending marriage."
She met his gaze steadily, her voice calm.
"King Kyle.” She acknowledged him with a bow. “I've come to request your official intervention in my divorce proceedings. Not to stop it but to help in the dissolution."
A slight raise of an eyebrow was the only indication of his surprise. This was not what he was expecting.
"Go on," he prompted.
"I request that you personally oversee the bond dissolution ceremony," Eliza stated clearly. "And I ask that you send official representatives to adjudicate the fair division of my assets."
The room fell silent.
King Kyle studied her for a long moment, and then a spark of recognition crossed his features. "Under normal circumstances, I would have laughed at your request but due to your father and brother's services to the Lycan Kingdom, I will consider this." he said finally. "Their contributions were significant and the price they paid was far more than enough of any man."
He paused, and Eliza held her breath.
"In regards to this, your requests are granted," he declared, a small smile on his rugged face.
Relief washed over Eliza, though she maintained her composure. She had thought that this was going to be a battle but it was as easy as anything.
It was a personal victory and a strategic move to not only secure herself but to also spite her husband.
With a smirk and one last bow, the king dismissed her and Eliza left.
.
After leaving the palace, Eliza felt a sense of liberation she hadn't experienced in months. The weight of her failed marriage seemed to lift with each step.
On a whim, she decided to visit the mall—a business venture she had personally invested in and frequently monitored.
As soon as she walked in, the mall's manager walked up to her and greeted her nervously.
"Luna Eliza, what an unexpected pleasure." He mumbled under his breath.
"Walk with me," Eliza commanded, her keen eye already catching several problems in the store.
She pointed out the problems, urging the manager to take note of them all and fix them before the end of the day.
The manager listened intently, nodding as he jotted it all down.
"We'll address these immediately, Luna. Thank you for bringing them to our attention."
With business matters handled, Eliza began browsing the shops. Since she was there, she might as well shop.
She was examining a display of designer handbags when a familiar voice made her blood run cold.
"Well, well. Look who's here." The irritating voice said, pulling Eliza’s attention from the purses.
Derek stood mere feet away with a smiling Maya clinging to his arm.
Eliza licked her lips, her hand tightened around the handbag she was holding.
Of all the people she would have bumped into today, it just had to be them.
Regardless, she was in a good mood after her talk with the king.
This day was about to get far more interesting.
DEREK’s POVI had always pursued Eliza for two fundamental reasons: her substantial wealth and her undeniable beauty.Not that her beauty meant much to me. It was nothing more than a superficial attribute.She was merely a trophy, a means to an end. A means that I had no choice but to use.The truth was, I despised everything about her role as a housewife.What contribution did such women make to the Lycan Kingdom? Nothing. Absolutely nothing.Luna’s like her were decorative at best and a burden at worst.Eliza was the epitome of everything I found frustrating about traditional pack dynamics—women who existed in the shadows of their husbands, contributing nothing to the pack's strength or survival but yet reaping the rewards of where they did not sow.The only thing they were held on a pedestal for was siring heirs to the throne or just as the children of the Alpha of the pack.That mentality had made Eliza unbearable.We didn’t spend a day together since we got married but I couldn’t
ELIZA’S POVI hadn't expected to run into Derek and Maya at all.The mall had always been somewhat my sanctuary—a place where I could analyze business operations, browse quietly, and momentarily escape.It was a place of peace especially since I knew that Derek wouldn’t ever set foot in the place.However, it turned out today I was wrong.When they appeared, I chose to ignore them first.My mother had always taught me that dignity was a weapon more powerful than any harsh words.But Maya, it seemed, didn’t learn such a lesson while growing up because her shrill voice called out to me."Look who's here," she sneered, her voice dripping with malice. “I didn’t think that you had enough money to shop in a place like this Eliza especially with the divorce so close at hand.” Maya jeered, thinking that she had landed a hit to my ego.I still ignored her, dropping the purse in my hand and reaching for another item to check the quality. It seemed like my lack of attention angered Derek because
ELIZA’S POVFinally the D-Day that I had been waiting for had arrived.It was the day that Derek, Maya and I were to appear before the Lycan king for the annulment ceremony.The day that I was ready to make my own when I triumphed over Derek.Well, at night, seeing that the moon was already high up in the sky.It seemed unreal at the moment but I couldn't help but smile when I walked up the stairs of the castle, ready to get my victory.As I walked in, the walls and ambience of the castle still drew me in, not changed at all from how it was the last time I came here.Regardless of my excitement, the palace halls seemed to close in around me, each step echoing with the weight of months of betrayal and frustration.Betrayal carried out by the man I called my husband.I shook my head, my blood warming up when I heard that shrill voice of the people I hated most in this world.“I see you made it." Derek’s voice cut through the awkward silence as we came to a stop in front of the doors of
ALEXANDER’S POVI remembered how the wind rushed past me, my wolf's energy intertwining with my own and driving me forward with an urgency that bordered on desperation.Every muscle, every instinct screamed that I needed to return to the capital—to her.I swerved my car around a bend, not bothering to check if anyone was coming. I had one thought on my mind.I needed to get to Eliza.I needed to see her.Memories of Eliza cascaded through my mind like fragmented scenes from a dream as I speed through the highways.Her strength, her fire, the way she had once looked at me—before everything fell apart.The way she commanded our legions when we trained. I can remember it vividly.“Close the flanks. Don't let the enemy through the gates.” She commanded as we were about to be raided on a journey.The troops followed her every command and although I wasn't there for the fight, the troops came back unscathed, praising her for her leadership.It was another one of the reasons that I was drawn
ELIZA’S POV“I challenge you to a duel. A tribute to win her favor.” The mystery man said to Derek, his sword drawn and aimed for my ex-husband’s jugular.Derek’s face went pale for a moment before he grimaced, shocked that the man had the audacity to challenge him to a fight because of me.His eyes were trained on the blade, watching for any sign of attacks but I could smell the hint of fear that radiated off him.His opponent was stronger. Derek wouldn’t stand a chance and he knew it.I smiled to myself, amused by the attempt of this man to do everything to win me over even if it meant cutting Derek down in the presence of our king.I couldn’t help but admire his boldness, even if I didn’t want blood spilled over me.His body was taut as his blade stood high and I could clearly see that he was strong. He looked impressive, wielding that sword regardless of who he was about to cut down for my hand in marriage.I stopped smiling, mentally berating myself for thinking of him in such a
ELIZA’S POVThe early morning sun cast long shadows across the palace courtyard as I walked out of the building, purse in hand and a proud look on my face.I had a pep in my step as I walked down those steps, my heart high that I had gotten what I wanted from the meeting with the king.It wasn’t everything I wanted but it was a step in the right direction.My morning was going great but just as the universe always reminds me, there’s always evil lurking around. A notion that was made evident by the voice that reached my ears."Leaving so soon, little mutt?" Derek’s mundane voice scraped against my nerves like nails on a chalkboard.I didn’t need to turn around to picture the smirk on his face or the way that Maya would be clinging to his arm like a designer accessory even though they had just received the shock of their life.My wolf stirred beneath my skin, her hackles raised in apprehension.“Tear them limb from limb. Let’s show them what we’re capable of Eliza.” She said to me, her
ELIZA’S POV“We need to talk.” I spoke into the phone, wanting to get to the bottom of Derek’s abusive call. He couldn’t accuse me of trying to harm his mother when I had no hand in it.“Eliza?” Diana’s voice came through the phone, her voice sounding weaker than when I left her and yet still snarky.“It’s me. What’s going on? Your son called me.” I told her, shifting in the tub.Diana’s once calm voice went sharp as she spoke up again.“What’s going on?” She seemed to ask through gritted teeth. “Dr. Ardan is gone.” Diana ended, her breathing on the other line getting heavy.The venom in her tone didn’t surprise me considering the way we left things but it still stung. Just a bit."Gone?" I asked, puzzled at her words. "What do you mean, gone?""What do you think I mean?" Diana snapped at me, causing me to roll my eyes."He packed up and left, just like you did. No warning, no explanation. Just... gone.""So Ardan just... left?" I asked, surprised at the revelation.Ardan had been loy
ELIZA’S POVMy heels clicked across the tiled floor as I entered the damned building once more.My last home in the Crescent Moon Pack.Yes, I had come back to fulfill some rites and although it was needed, I couldn’t fully say that I wanted to be here.I walked through the lobby, getting some looks and or greeting from some of the staff that passed.I was about to make my way to the guest room when one of the staff walked up to me, her head bowed in respect.“Luna, uh, I mean…” She stuttered, not really sure what to call me again when the news of my annulment from the Alpha had spread far and wide in the pack.“Eliza will do.” I informed her, not wanting to put her in such a difficult situation. She seemed to calm down with my words and looked up at me.“Alpha Derek’s mother, Mrs. Diana, wishes to see you in her chambers.” She told me.“Now?” I asked her, frustrated that I was being summoned when I just got here.The woman gave me a nod that made me frown.“Very well then. Can you he
ELIZA’S POVMy first curled around the head of my knife ready to be unsheathed as I ran to the middle of the battlefield.My heart, pounding like the war drum sounding some miles away.An arrow, almost immediately, flew over my head piercing into the throat of the man standing before me and I watched as he fell to ground knees first as blood gushed out from his throat.'Run Eliza. Run!' I turned my head to the direction of the voice but the primal and brutal snarls surrounding me prevented me from seeing who it was.'Eliza! By the goddess run!' It was Mom's voice.This time, I didn't need any confirmation to know it was her.But what was Mom doing at the battlefield?I quickly turned to the direction of her voice and saw her standing in the middle of fallen warriors, her dress soaked in blood; blood so thick I could taste the coppery thang in my throat.'Mom, run!' I yelled but my shouts barely escaped my throat. Two men from her left and right were approaching her fast and she was un
ELIZA’S POVI wandered aimlessly through the pack grounds, trying to calm my racing heart after that encounter with Alexander.His scent still lingered in my nostrils, making it impossible to think clearly. I shook my head, trying to clear my mind and focus on what is actually important to me. Saving my pack."You're acting like a teenage pup with her first crush," my wolf teased, her tone light and playful. "We're a strong, independent Alpha female. We should be enjoying our freedom, not running away from an attractive male.""I'm not running," I muttered, though my hasty retreat said otherwise."Oh? So what do you call that graceful sprint just now?" She laughed. "Face it, his Alpha aura affects us. Affects you. There's nothing wrong with that.""It doesn't affect me. I just need to stay away from him for some time." I retorted, not liking what she was hinting at."We're single Eliza. We have no mate. Isn't it unfair that Derek has a new plaything and we are left to wander through t
ELIZA’S POVMy heart constricted as I stood before what remains of my childhood home.The pack house, once proud and magnificent, now stood in haunting ruins.Crumbling walls told stories of neglect, while weeds thrust through cracks in the courtyard stones like nature's slow-moving revenge.The sight brought tears to my eyes, but I forced them back. I couldn’t show weakness, not now. I walk through the ruins until the pack members and I reach a suitable place in the middle of it all, my back turning to the home I left behind to address my new pack.The gathered wolves watched me with expectant eyes as I began to speak. My voice trembled at first, but grew stronger as I recounted the tale that had haunted my dreams for years."It happened on a night like any other," I told them, the memories fresh as yesterday's wounds. "My father was holding council with the pack elders. My brother was training the younger wolves. None of us saw the Western Plains attack coming."A young wolf, barely
ELIZA’S POVI caught Lily's eye across the room as the settlement papers were signed. A subtle nod passed between us – it was time.My heart pounded as I stood, knowing what came next would change everything."I request all pack members to gather immediately," I announced, my voice carrying the authority I'd earned.I watched as Derek's face contorted in confusion, clearly not expecting this turn of events."You don't have the right to request such a thing. You are no longer the Luna of the pack and therefore the pack no longer answers to you.""I never addressed the pack when our marriage was annulled. It was my right and since I never did that, I request to do it now." I shot back, but Derek scoffed."You lost that right when you...""You mean when you had an affair and brought back another woman to the pack?" Alexander butted in. I was thankful for the backup but he needed to let me fight my own battles.Due to these words, Derek's lips went into a straight line, the poke at his ow
DEREK’S POVI paced in my quarters, my hands shaking with barely contained rage.This wasn't how today was supposed to go.When I had walked into that settlement meeting, I had expected Eliza to grovel at my feet for mercy, to show some kind of desperation.Instead, that bastard Alexander had swept in like an avenging angel and turned everything on its head.I was the one who left empty-handed and with shame hanging over my head.Three million dollars.The number echoed in my mind like a death knell. I sucked at my teeth, wondering how this had happened.I was an Alpha of the pack for God's sake.A celebrated general, personally praised by the king for my efforts in the war, and yet I found myself in debt to the woman I had cast aside.It wasn't fair.If Alexander hadn't shown up when he did, then I might have been able to convince the auditor.The memory of Alexander's arrival made my blood boil.The way he had strode into that room, emanating power and authority, had immediately shi
ELIZA’S POV"What is going on here?!" The commanding voice filled up the room, making us freeze in our tracks but still turn to see who stood there.It was Alexander.He stood in the doorway, his broad shoulders filling the frame.His grey eyes, sharp as steel, took in the scene before him – Derek's aggressive stance, my defensive position, Lily's reddened wrist, and the scattered documents between us.His gaze held authority, the kind that made even the most dominant wolves yield.A gaze that made even me stop in my tracks."I asked a question," Alexander's voice dropped lower, more dangerous as he looked between us."Would someone care to explain why a simple property settlement meeting has devolved into this?"The air had thickened with authority the moment Alexander entered the room.My wolf stirred, releasing a pleased rumble deep in my chest at his arrival.I hadn't expected him here at Crescent Moon Pack, but I couldn't deny the sudden feeling of security his presence brought.
ALEXANDER’S POVHOURS EARLIERI stood at the top of the stairs watching Eliza’s retreating figure as well as Derek and his new woman as they walked away, leaving the castle.As soon as Eliza got into a car and drove away, I turned around, entering the building once more with my thoughts running through some things.As I walked through the hallways back to the throne room, I reflected on recent events.Pride swelled in my chest when I thought of Eliza's growth.She had evolved into everything I'd hoped for in a mate - her strength and determination apparent in every calculated move she'd made against Derek's corruption.The punishment from the King for Derek was disappointingly mild in my opinion compared to what he had done to Eliza but it was something.Letting Eliza move forward with her plans to rebuild her pack and also sharing the assets that they shared as he saw fit was a good blow to Derek’s ego.Yet I couldn't deny that his hubris had presented an unexpected gift - a chance t
ELIZA’S POVI felt a familiar presence brush against my mind as I initiated a mind link with Lily.If the financial auditor wanted to see the evidence that I had then he would get it all.The connection from the link with my former assistant hummed with urgency as I sent my silent command."Luna Eliza. What do you need me to do?" Lily asked me as soon as she felt the link, not wasting time to question why I was even contacting her in the first place."I need all the financial documents that record how much of my money and investments that I have put into the pack," I told her."You mean the secured documents?" She tried to confirm. I feigned a nod and replied."Yes. Those documents.""I'll have them up shortly," Lily informed me before I ended the link and paid attention to the scene in front of me.I didn't bother to tell Lily where I was because within minutes, she appeared at the door, clutching a thick folder of financial records to her chest.The link worked in a way that whoever
ELIZA’S POVMy heels clicked across the tiled floor as I entered the damned building once more.My last home in the Crescent Moon Pack.Yes, I had come back to fulfill some rites and although it was needed, I couldn’t fully say that I wanted to be here.I walked through the lobby, getting some looks and or greeting from some of the staff that passed.I was about to make my way to the guest room when one of the staff walked up to me, her head bowed in respect.“Luna, uh, I mean…” She stuttered, not really sure what to call me again when the news of my annulment from the Alpha had spread far and wide in the pack.“Eliza will do.” I informed her, not wanting to put her in such a difficult situation. She seemed to calm down with my words and looked up at me.“Alpha Derek’s mother, Mrs. Diana, wishes to see you in her chambers.” She told me.“Now?” I asked her, frustrated that I was being summoned when I just got here.The woman gave me a nod that made me frown.“Very well then. Can you he