Twelve o'clock at night.The full moon moved higher and the air dropped dramatically. Rachel lay still on her bed, her gaze fixed on the window that showed the side view of the palace. The roses seemed to sway lightly in the wind.Rachel could not sleep.The baby was fast asleep in the bassinet, but she couldn't close her eyes for a minute. Something was nagging at the back of her mind, and she didn't know what.After the celebration party at Pack Leinz was over, Kennedy said goodbye to patrol the neighborhood. He told Rachel to rest, but she wasn't sleepy at all.She felt uncomfortable and restless. Something was wrong. But what?Rachel finally got out of bed. Hesitating, she walked to the door and opened it. Her irises looked along the very dark and deserted hallway.Was everyone asleep?Kennedy had taken her around the palace and shown her many places. And now, her mind was on the backyard of the palace. Could she go there?Maybe she could get some fresh air for a while.Rachel was
"Are you still thinking about what happened before?"Kennedy approached Rachel who was standing in front of the mirror. He had just finished cleaning himself and changed the clothes. But when she wanted to sleep, Kennedy found Rachel daydreaming.Gently, Kennedy took the woman's body into his arms. Rachel flinched somewhat at the sudden movement, but then relaxed as Kennedy's large hand stroked her head."I know you're still in shock from what happened, but from now on, can you put your trust in me?" Kennedy murmured above Rachel's head.Rachel was silent for a long time, feeling confused with herself. But who else could she trust if not Kennedy? Who could help her and her baby?No one, not even her own biological father.The only choice she had was Kennedy.And once again, the man proved that he could protect Rachel."I promise to protect you and your baby," Kennedy continued when Rachel didn't speak.To be honest, Kennedy was feeling anxious right now. There were a lot of bad things
Fall had arrived.A season where her father sold her to King Alpha Brandon. The season of their big wedding.Back then, Rachel thought her miserable life had changed. When she saw the burning love in Brandon's eyes, she thought she had found her true mate.She was so naive.She was so stupid that she didn't realize Brandon's foul intentions to kill her. If she hadn't known that, would she not be able to see her baby now?Perhaps she had become a corpse, while her baby lived in agony with the cruel Brandon. 'No', she thought gloomily. Why was she thinking about that incident again?Rachel sighed and rested her head against the cold window. She tried to calm herself down, and after a while, she decided to organize her dresses.Time seemed to pass quickly that morning.As lunch progressed, Kennedy appeared and again engaged Rachel in a discussion about Alpha Brandon.Their conversation that morning wafted away like a passing autumn breeze, as Rachel still felt confused.However, Kennedy,
After the approval Rachel took from their discussion, Kennedy did not delay in starting to train the woman.First of all, they learned to process Rachel's emotions so that she wouldn't be so easily affected by Brandon again."Imagine Brandon is in your head and you are talking to him directly." Kennedy instructed from a distance, while Rachel stood right in the middle of the meadow.It was not far from the palace, one of the Alpha's private fields.Rachel stood right in the middle of the meadow surrounded by giant redwood trees. The leaves were dense and formed a canopy-protecting them from the harsh midday sun.Rachel would begin to try to control her emotions so that she could focus when she faced Brandon.Brandon was the strongest King Alpha with intuition and strength unlike any other alpha. So far, no alpha from their federation had managed to defeat the man, so what Rachel and Kennedy were about to do would not be easy.Rachel began to follow Kennedy's instructions and closed he
The news of the death penalty that Guezz received has spread widely to other packs.The news spread like a fire that burns firewood, because this is the first time Pack Manowi has held a death penalty since 1000 years of existence.There were many rumors circulating, but one thing was certain, they only focused on discussing Brandon's cruelty without looking for clear reasons behind his actions.Talk of how cruel Brandon had been to kill a 'defenseless omega' became the main topic. Everyone who spread the news kept adding spice to make the story sound more interesting. Until then, the news reached the ears of the residents of Pack Leinz.'Guezz was sentenced to death by Brandon for defending his daughter who escaped from Alpha Brandon's cruelty'.Rachel, who had been practicing, became unfocused when she heard the news. Her whole body was trembling and she would have fallen backwards, if Kennedy hadn't hurriedly restrained her."Are you okay, dear?" asked Kennedy worriedly.Rachel sho
"How is it now? Were you able to hit the target board perfectly without missing a beat?"Rachel looked at the arrow in her hand, then at Kennedy who was carrying the hunted fox. They had been practicing non-stop for a week, and the last part was to make sure Rachel could hit the bull's-eye. She was getting more and more excited about practicing, especially since her power control was already qualified to fight Brandon."Yes, I'm sure I can do it," Rachel said.Kennedy grinned happily, then hung the dead fox in her hands from one of the trees. It was very far and high from Rachel's position."If you can hit that fox in the eye, then your training is complete." Kennedy moved away from the target tree and nodded at the woman.Rachel suddenly felt nervous, considering this was her first time shooting at a living creature. Usually only target boards or fruits."Come on darling, prove your ability to kill that vile bastard named Brandon." Kennedy deliberately turned up the heat at Rachel's
The arrow shot straight into Brandon's back.Rachel's smile automatically grew, but then faded as the arrow bounced off. Her eyes widened in shock as she realized that the man was wearing armor under his cloak.The man turned his head quickly. His sharp eyes seemed to glow in the darkness. Rachel's shock grew when she saw the man's face.He was not Brandon, but Victor.She was wrong. She had made a big mistake!Rachel only focused on the man's broad back, which reminded her of Brandon's posture. Brandon always wore thick, wide robes, and now, she was mistaken just because Victor was wearing similar clothes.'Fool!'Rachel cursed herself and took a lightning-fast step back. Unfortunately, Victor who had seen her presence did not stay still.The man turned into a wolf and Rachel ran with all her might. Her heart was beating like a gong as she jumped over a tall rose bush."Stop right there! I said stop!"Rachel jumped towards the palace wall, but instead of making it out, her body felt
"Alpha Brandon? What do you mean by stop? This woman is a traitor!"Beta Victor gave his Alpha a questioning look. He didn't understand why Brandon still felt sorry for Rachel who had hurt him.He had seen how Brandon suffered for months, just to find Rachel's whereabouts. Then after being cruelly rejected, he still wanted her?Victor certainly didn't understand how Brandon felt about Rachel. But as Brandon's loyal Beta, he didn't want him to get caught up in Rachel's temptation again."Alpha...""Let me handle everything, Victor," Brandon said with his gaze not leaving Rachel's face. He didn't look at Victor at all and motioned the man to leave with his hand.Victor had no choice but to nod, although he still couldn't get over what Brandon was doing."Sweety." Brandon approached slowly, his eyes tracing Rachel's disheveled appearance, then stopping at her wounded stomach."DON'T COME ANY CLOSER!" Rachel roared. Her eyes blazed with anger, causing Brandon to stop in his tracks. The lo
"With this, I, King Alpha Brandon Matthew, officially hand over my leadership to my son—Armani Matthew, on his 20th birthday!"Applause immediately filled the room. Brandon and Rachel stepped forward with wide smiles, placing the crown and the Pack Manowi emblem ring on Armani’s finger.The coronation celebration was held on the exact day of Armani’s birthday. All the members of Pack Manowi, Pack Canis, and Pack Leinz were invited—not just the Alphas with authority.The festive atmosphere filled the grand hall, which had been lavishly decorated. Golden chandeliers illuminated the room, while exquisite food and drinks were served for the guests.The hall was nearly packed; everyone seemed eager to witness the coronation of the heir to the throne.Armani had grown into a strikingly handsome young man, exuding charisma and authority. His strong leadership aura commanded respect, even from much older Alphas.Although only 20, Armani had already won numerous tournaments and duels, proving
The cold wind carried a mist that blurred the view ahead. The forest Viviane traversed grew denser, with towering hawthorn trees lining her path.The sunlight could no longer penetrate the thick canopy of interwoven branches. Though it was still morning, the place resembled a moonless night.Viviane wiped the sweat from her forehead and glanced at Volkov, who was sleeping soundly in her arms. The distinct scent of trees after the rain had lulled him to sleep. The place was damp and quite chilly, prompting her to find a better spot to rest."Where are we heading, Miss Viviane?" Gonder asked, scanning the unfamiliar surroundings. He and his wife were both weary and hungry, but they had found nothing edible along the way.Viviane sighed tiredly. "We should head west, toward where the sun sets."Gonder and Suzy nodded, having no other suggestion for their destination. Leading the way, Viviane secretly felt unsure of where to go, but she couldn’t afford to show her hesitation.Suddenly, so
"Take them all out. Today, they will be taken to the border." That morning, Brandon immediately gave orders to his Beta. Following his claim and official proclamation, Brandon wanted Viviane and her followers to leave Pack Leinz immediately. Victor nodded obediently and hurried to the dungeon. Brandon then turned to Rachel, who was seated beside him. Her face was furrowed, lost in thought. “Sweety, are you alright?” “Mm, yes.” Rachel snapped out of her thoughts and pulled the corners of her lips into a smile. “I was just... just thinking about Viviane's departure and…” “What is it? Are you worried?” Brandon asked, raising an eyebrow. Rachel fiddled with the ribbon of her gown and nodded. “A little. I’m afraid she might do something after Kennedy’s death. She’s skilled at concocting poisons, and... I’m just scared she might seek revenge,” Rachel admitted, rubbing her neck uneasily. She wasn’t sure why she was suddenly dwelling on it, especially since Viviane was just an ordinary
Rachel and Armani sprinted through the forest, their hearts pounding with both anticipation and joy. Rachel had heard from the Moon Goddess that Brandon had triumphed over Kennedy in their duel. He had taken control of Pack Leinz following Kennedy’s death in their battle. Initially, Rachel was deeply worried, knowing Kennedy and Viviane often resorted to underhanded tactics. But she was also aware that Brandon’s strength was unmatched. “Mom, are we almost there?” Armani asked, matching his mother’s pace as they navigated the dense forest. The pungent smell of moss lingered in the air after a light drizzle had fallen just moments before. “Almost there, sweetheart,” Rachel replied. “Are you tired?” “Not at all!” Armani exclaimed, shaking his head with a determined look that made Rachel chuckle. “I’m the heir to Pack Manowi, strong like my father. There’s no way I’d feel tired.” Rachel let out a soft laugh, gently patting the top of Armani’s head, charmed by his confidence. “In th
Brandon made the announcement in a booming voice, addressing the guards, servants, Beta Gonder, Beta Suzy, Viviane, and her nine-year-old son—Volkov Li. He stood before Kennedy’s throne, with Victor positioned just below the steps. Everyone knelt before Brandon, affirming his claim over Pack Leinz. Viviane and Kennedy’s two Betas were forced to kneel under the pressure of Brandon’s overwhelming power. Viviane clenched her fists, her fury still burning deep within. Her tears had dried, but her heart was shattered beyond repair. She knew her life would change drastically after Kennedy’s death, but now she had one single purpose. She had to avenge Kennedy. She had to kill Brandon mercilessly, just as he had done to her husband. Viviane glanced at her son, who was bowing his head beside her. His face was pale and downcast, his lips sealed tight for hours. He was still deeply shaken by Kennedy’s death and Brandon’s claim over the pack that should have been inherited by Volkov. All he
"Viviane..." Kennedy struggled to speak, his voice barely audible. He coughed violently, more blood pouring from his mouth and staining his chin and neck. Viviane was hysterical, her cries echoing in the tense silence. "No! Don’t say that! Healers! Where are the healers?!" she screamed, tears streaming uncontrollably down her cheeks. "Someone call the healers now! Why are all of you just standing there?!" "No... Viviane... I don’t think... I can hold on... any longer," Kennedy stammered, his voice faltering. His trembling hand lay weakly in Viviane’s grip, his chest rising and falling rapidly. Viviane sobbed harder, her tears falling on Kennedy’s pale face. She clung to him desperately, her world unraveling as her husband teetered on the brink of death. Around them, the crowd remained silent, their expressions grim. No one dared move or utter a word; they all knew there was nothing they could do now. Kennedy's defeat was absolute. Blood continued to pour from Kennedy’s mouth, stai
“What did you just say, you bastard?!” Brandon growled deeply. Kennedy chuckled and pressed his hand against Brandon’s chest, forcing him to remain pitifully pinned down. “Yes, because soon enough, that poison will make you wither away, slowly destroying your organs,” Kennedy whispered. Brandon’s eyes widened in shock at those words. He struggled to free himself from Kennedy’s hold, but his strength had mysteriously vanished. Something was wrong in their duel. The poison. It was the poison that had rendered him this weak. Brandon’s gaze darted to the tip of Kennedy’s spear lying beside him, glistening with a clear liquid. He had been so focused on Kennedy that he had failed to notice the details of the weapon. Brandon cursed himself inwardly for being so careless. How could he forget Kennedy’s cunning nature—and that of his wife? Especially after Rachel’s own experience of being struck by a poisoned arrow. Brandon should have realized it earlier. They would do anything to win.
After calming herself, Viviane followed Kennedy to the front courtyard of the palace. There, Brandon stood fully armored, facing off against Kennedy. A silver sword, famed for its magical properties, hung at his waist. His gaze locked onto Kennedy, who didn’t look away either. The tension in the courtyard of Pack Leinz was palpable, creating an eerie atmosphere. Moments passed in silence, intensifying the suspense. A gentle breeze blew, causing the hairs on everyone’s necks to stand on end. Both Betas and the guards watched each other cautiously. Some of them were breathing shallowly, waiting for these two top-ranked Alphas to break the silence. Finally, Brandon let out a sharp breath and spoke, "I’ve come here to challenge you honorably! A one-on-one duel using the full extent of our Alpha powers. Win or lose, the stakes are Pack Manowi and Pack Leinz." Kennedy narrowed his eyes and smirked. "Are you serious about your offer?" "Of course." Brandon grinned. "I’m not one to make f
As usual, Armani was busy with his morning training routine. Rachel was trying to sew a cloak for Armani when Brandon entered the room, his face serious. Rachel quickly set down the fabric in her hands and looked at her husband. “Brandon?” “Sweety, I need to talk to you about something important,” Brandon said, taking a seat in front of Rachel. Rachel frowned. “What is it?” Brandon cleared his throat, hesitating for a moment as if unsure about how to deliver his plan. But his resolve was firm today. “I’m going to the Pack Leinz territory to challenge Kennedy to a duel.” “What?” “I know you might think I’ve let it go, but I haven’t, Rachel. My plan for revenge remains unchanged,” Brandon explained, quickly taking Rachel’s hand in his. “But you don’t need to worry. This isn’t a war involving our entire pack, just a one-on-one duel between me and Kennedy. I can’t let him keep acting recklessly and harassing you.” Rachel looked concerned, biting her lower lip as she gazed at Brand