ALPHA LUCIUS'S POVI summoned Ayra to my chambers, my expression unreadable as she entered. "Why did you disrespect Nana?" I demanded, my voice sharp with irritation.Ayra remained silent, her defiance fueling the flame of my anger. I despised insolence, especially when directed towards someone as loyal as Nana. But Ayra's silence only goaded me further."You dare not answer me?" I seethed, my patience thinning with each passing moment.Still, Ayra refused to speak, her eyes locked on mine with a stubbornness that grated on my nerves. She would learn that defiance was a luxury she couldn't afford.With a wave of my hand, I signaled for her punishment. Ayra's eyes widened in alarm as my guards approached, ready to carry out my orders."You have crossed a line, Ayra," I sneered, my voice dripping with disdain. "And you will pay the price."The punishment was severe, perhaps more so than she had anticipated. But I had no tolerance for disrespect, especially from those who sought to underm
VESTA'S POVI woke up to the first rays of dawn peeking through the curtains, casting a warm glow across the room. It was my first day as a pack warrior, and I had been assigned to patrol duty. As I stretched and yawned, I couldn't help but feel a flutter of excitement mixed with nerves.Dom, one of the seasoned warriors, had taken it upon himself to advise me throughout the day, despite not being in the same unit. I appreciated his gesture, but I assured him I was fine on my own. He had a tendency to be overprotective, something I wasn't particularly fond of."Morning, Lila," Dom greeted as he entered the room, carrying a plate piled high with pancakes and fruit. "I made you breakfast before I head back to the office."I grinned at him, appreciating his effort. "Thanks, Dom. You didn't have to, but I won't say no to pancakes."He chuckled and placed the plate in front of me. "I know you said you're fine, but remember, if you ever need help, I'm just a howl away."I rolled my eyes play
ALPHA LUCIUS'S POVI sat on my throne, a commanding presence in the grand hall of the pack palace. My gaze was steely, my posture rigid as I watched the bustling activity below. I was the alpha king, feared by all, and I ruled with an iron fist.Suddenly, the doors to the hall swung open, and Nana, my trusted sage, entered, her expression grave. She approached me with determined strides, her eyes fixed on mine."Nana," I greeted, my voice low and authoritative. "What brings you to my throne room?"Nana bowed respectfully before speaking, her tone measured. "My king, I come to speak to you regarding Ayra."I raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "What about her?"Nana took a deep breath before continuing. "She has learned her lesson, my king. The punishment you have inflicted upon her has been severe, and I believe she now understands the error of her ways."I regarded Nana with a calculating gaze, weighing her words carefully. "And what lesson would that be, Nana?""That she must show respect
ALPHA LUCIUS'S POVThe meeting with the cabinet members was proceeding smoothly until Marcus, my beta, barged into the room with an urgency that demanded my immediate attention. His usually composed demeanor was replaced by a sense of urgency that I could not ignore."How important is it?" I inquired, my voice a low rumble that filled the room with authority.Marcus swallowed, his gaze flickering with a mixture of apprehension and determination. "Very, very important, Your Majesty," he replied, his words punctuated by the gravity of the situation.With a curt nod, I excused myself from the council chamber, leaving behind the murmurs of my advisors as I followed Marcus to a secluded chamber where a private investigator awaited.The investigator stood tall and confident, his demeanor a stark contrast to the tension that permeated the room. He wasted no time in getting to the heart of the matter, his words measured and deliberate."Your Majesty, after months of relentless pursuit, I have
VESTA'S POVThe night was alive with chaos as Ellie and I raced through the streets, the wail of sirens piercing the air. Smoke billowed from a building ahead, flames licking at the darkness like hungry beasts. Without a second thought, we leaped into action, our training kicking in as we rushed to aid those trapped within."Stay close, Ellie," I called out over the roar of the fire, my voice steady despite the adrenaline coursing through my veins.Together, we navigated the inferno, our senses honed to the danger that lurked around every corner. With swift precision, we located the trapped occupants, guiding them to safety with practiced ease.As we led a group of survivors to safety, one of the women paused, her gaze lingering on me with a flicker of recognition in her eyes. "You look awfully familiar," she remarked, her voice tinged with curiosity.I forced a smile, masking the unease that churned within me. "I don't think so," I replied, my tone light despite the weight of her scru
AYRA'S POVThe delicate scent of the flowers invaded my chambers, a stark contrast to the cold stone walls that surrounded me. I eyed the bouquet warily, suspicion knotting in the pit of my stomach. What game was Lucius playing now?With a sigh, I pushed the flowers aside, refusing to let his manipulative gestures sway me. I knew better than to trust anything that came from him. But still, a small part of me couldn't help but wonder what his intentions were.Before I could dwell on it further, Nana, my faithful advisor, entered the room with a smile plastered on her wrinkled face. "Good news, my dear," she chirped, her voice grating on my nerves. "His Majesty has granted you the entire week off from your Luna trainings. You deserve some rest and relaxation."I blinked in surprise, caught off guard by Lucius's unexpected generosity. What was he playing at? Was this some sort of ploy to lower my guard?As Nana bustled about, making arrangements for my week of leisure, I couldn't shake th
AYRA'S POVI received the notice with mixed emotions. Moving into the same wing as Alpha Lucius wasn't exactly what I had in mind, but I couldn't let my feelings cloud my judgment. Nana's confirmation that I was now worthy of being a Luna Queen brought a surge of gratitude, though it was tempered by the knowledge of what lay ahead. I thanked them both profusely, masking my true intentions behind a facade of sincerity.As I entered the wing, a sense of anticipation mingled with apprehension. Lucius awaited me, his presence a looming shadow in my mind. I squared my shoulders, steeling myself for the encounter."Ah, Ayra," Lucius greeted me with a charming smile, though I could see the flicker of something else in his eyes. "Welcome to your new quarters. I trust everything is to your liking?"I nodded, forcing a polite smile. "Yes, thank you, Alpha Lucius. The accommodations are quite satisfactory.""Good, good," he said, his tone casual as he gestured around the room. "If there's anythin
VESTA'S POVThe air between Dom and me crackled with tension as we continued to avoid each other, a careful dance of avoidance that we had perfected over the past few weeks. I had made a conscious decision to distance myself from him, needing time to sort through the mess of emotions swirling inside me before I could face him again. It wasn't easy, but I couldn't risk my secret being exposed, not when the consequences could be so dire.Instead, I threw myself into my work, finding solace in the familiar routines of pack life. Ellie, my partner in crime, kept me company, her easygoing nature a welcome distraction from the turmoil brewing beneath the surface.As we made our way to the hospital to check on the victims of the recent fire, I couldn't shake the sense of unease that gnawed at my insides. What if I ran into her again? The woman who had seen through my carefully constructed facade and threatened to expose me for the fraud that I was.As Ellie and I entered the bustling hospital