Anita's POV I woke up the next morning feeling the sharp ache in my leg, a throbbing reminder of everything that had happened the night before. I glanced down to see my leg tightly wrapped in bandages, immobilized. The pain was unbearable, making me wonder if I had broken more than just my ankle. My mind flashed back to last night, remembering how Maya had taken care of me despite my anger and constant refusals. She didn’t have to do that, I thought, a pang of guilt crossing my heart. I had pushed her away, shouted at her, yet she had stayed. Maybe she really did want to be my friend, but that didn’t mean I could trust her. I wasn’t ready for friendship. Not when I knew what it felt like to be abandoned, to be betrayed. Slowly, I forced myself up, rubbing my face to clear away the grogginess. I had chores to do, despite my injured leg. I couldn’t afford to stay in bed all day. Madame Betty wouldn’t allow it. And though my leg screamed in pain, I managed to put on my slippers, dragg
Luna Nora POV As I slowly made my way back to my room, my thoughts were racing, each one more troubling than the last. Could I have heard Alpha Orion correctly? Could the maids be right? The idea of Alpha Orion declaring that Anita is no longer a slave shook me to my core. That can’t be true. If he strips her of her slave status, then my position as Luna is under threat. I’ve worked tirelessly to maintain my place, to solidify Darius’ position as the rightful heir. I will not step down. Not for Alpha Orion, not for anyone. I felt a mix of anger and fear as I reached my bedroom, shutting the door behind me with a heavy thud. I sat on the edge of my bed, my hands trembling as they clenched the sheets. How could this be happening? How could Alpha Orion so blatantly disrespect me, stripping me of my power in front of the entire palace by elevating Anita? He was undermining everything I’ve built, everything I’ve sacrificed. I clenched my teeth, thinking of how Madame Betty had been humi
Luna Nora POV I don't know why Darius keeps acting this way. Why does he refuse to see the truth? Why can’t he understand that if we don’t act now, we’ll be forgotten? He’s acting like it’s impossible to take his brother's place, like we’re powerless in this situation. I wanted to scream at him, shake him until he understood the urgency of what I was saying. “Why are you acting like this, Darius?” I muttered under my breath. “Do you want us to fade into obscurity, to be erased from the history of this palace? To become a footnote in the lives of these wolves while Anita takes everything that should belong to us?” My voice trembled with frustration as I watched him, hoping, praying that something would break through his thick skull. He simply stood there, shaking his head. His calm demeanor drove me to the edge. “Mom,” Darius said with a tired sigh, “you can’t force me to change. You can’t keep telling me that Alpha Orion will push us out. He wouldn’t do that. He’s my brother too, r
Darius POV I know I’m not supposed to listen to my mother’s words. I’ve promised myself countless times that I wouldn’t let her manipulations sway me. I’d told myself I would act with my own mind, with my own principles. But something about the way she sounded last night…it made me worried. There was an undeniable desperation in her voice, a warning that I couldn’t shake off. It felt like she could see something I couldn’t—that we were about to lose everything. But how could that be possible? We’re royalty. We’ve always been royalty, and we always will be. I willingly gave up my chance to become Alpha so that my brother, Alpha Orion, could lead the pack. I trusted him to hold that position with honor and keep the family intact. But then my mother’s words echoed in my mind again. "Why would he want to dethrone her from being Luna? Why now?" I couldn’t shake it. Why would Orion strip my mother of her position as Luna just to make Anita Luna? Why couldn’t he marry Anita and still leav
Anita POV “How can they just come to me and expect me to believe whatever they say?” It had been hours now since the change in my life. No work, no chores, no orders—they’d moved me from the slave quarters to one of the concubine’s chambers. I was stunned. Confused, really. Why was this happening? What did I do to deserve this sudden elevation? They said I was now "privileged." Madame Betty had dropped that word like a gift at my feet, but it felt more like a trap. I don’t trust it. I can’t trust it. It didn’t feel real, like none of this was real. I sat down for dinner, alone at a private table, away from the other maids. They treated me differently now. Even the way they looked at me had changed—some with jealousy, some with confusion, but most with judgment. I didn’t want any of it. I didn’t ask for any of it. The more I thought about it, the more I realized I couldn’t stay like this. This wasn’t me. I’m not meant for this. All I wanted was peace, but here I was, getting caught
Alpha Orion POV I don't know why, but no matter what I do, Anita always finds a way to annoy me. Every word, every action—it's like she's determined to push me to my limits. I try to offer her a higher position, a life beyond the chains of servitude, yet she dares to drag her feet, insisting she doesn't want it. She even asked to go back to the slave quarters! Can you believe it? After all I've done to lift her from that wretched place, she rejects me. I know I wasn’t supposed to yell at her. I know I wasn’t supposed to lose control. But how could I not? Frustration burns through me like fire, and she stands there, defiant. Every word she speaks is like a thorn in my chest. I’m trying to give her a life so many others would kill for, yet she throws it all away like it's nothing. She stands there, eyes filled with something I can’t quite place—hurt? Anger? Fear? And still, she defies me. I remember watching her get harassed by Luna Nora, feeling powerless, but now I'm taking action—
Alpha Orion POV Anita wasn’t rejecting the idea because she liked being poor or because she didn't want a better life. She was rejecting me because she was slowly losing feelings for me. That realization gnawed at my insides like poison. The blame—no, the fault—rested solely on Darius. My fists clenched tightly, and I had to hide my hands behind my back so Anita wouldn’t see how angry I was. The thought of Darius slipping into her heart, taking what was rightfully mine, made my blood boil. I wanted to crush him—to destroy him—but I knew I couldn’t let that rage show. Instead, I had to be strategic. Luna Nora. That was the key. I’d take everything from her. She’d lose her position, and with it, Darius would lose his power too. They both thought they could stand in my way? They were wrong. I looked at Anita, offering her a forced smile. She looked puzzled, unsure, but there was relief in her eyes. I placed a hand gently on her shoulder. “You don’t have to worry, Anita. I won’t stress
Luna Nora POV The moment I walked into the council room, my stomach churned with anticipation. I knew Alpha Orion was about to make his move—his betrayal. And as I sat there, waiting for it all to unfold, I steeled myself for the inevitable. I was about to lose everything I had worked for, everything I had sacrificed for this pack. But I couldn’t show my fear. I couldn’t let anyone see that this moment terrified me to my core. Not Darius, not the council members, and certainly not Anita. Alpha Orion cleared his throat, his voice echoing across the chamber, and the council members bowed respectfully. I refused to move. He didn’t deserve my respect. Not after what he was about to do. His gaze softened as it landed on Anita, and I knew, without a shadow of a doubt, that this was the moment he would announce my downfall. I clenched my fists under the table, feeling the weight of his betrayal like a noose tightening around my neck. I waited for him to speak, each word from his mouth like
Alpha Orion povMy mind reeled from the events unfolding around me, the realization that Luna Nora was capable of such darkness pressing down on me like a weight I couldn’t shake. But I couldn't afford to let that weight pin me down. I had one mission—find Anita. Whatever it took, wherever she was, I would bring her back. The tangled webs Luna Nora had woven would have to wait. Right now, my heart and mind had only one target.I sat on my bed for a moment, the silence thick as I ran my hands through my hair. "How would I find her? She said she might go missing, but I never expected it to happen so suddenly," I murmured, frustration clawing at me.Then a thought struck me—her scent. My wolf surged to life, knowing that if anything could lead me to her, it would be the bond we shared. Rising, I left my room, moving with purpose toward the garage. My Beta trailed behind, as steady and loyal as ever, and I could feel Luna Nora’s gaze watching from the shadows, the corners of her mouth cur
Alpha Orion povDespite my best efforts, sleep remained a distant memory, evading me like a ghost in the night. No matter how tightly I closed my eyes, the unsettling feeling lingered. Frustration built as I glanced at the clock—just past midnight. An unfamiliar dread gnawed at me, and I had no explanation for it.Taking a deep breath, I forced myself to relax, telling myself that everything was fine, that I could rest easy. But my wolf stirred, an urgent instinct pushing me up from the bed. I paced to the window, throwing it open to breathe in the crisp night air. And then I caught it—a faint trace of Anita's scent. It was like a whisper, but it drew me in, rekindling a longing that I tried so hard to suppress. I missed her more than I’d ever allow myself to admit.Clenching the windowsill, I held back the desire to storm to her room, to see her, to reassure myself that she was there and safe. No, I have to control this. She needed to know that my love for her went beyond any physica
Darius povThere was something off about the way Maya looked at me earlier. The nervous glances, the way Anita seemed wary when Maya entered the room… They were hiding something. I felt it in my bones, and it was only a matter of time before I found out what.I headed down the hall and knocked on my mother’s door, feeling my own frustration simmering beneath the surface. She opened it quickly, her expression frantic, her movements erratic as she tossed books and papers aside, clearly searching for something. I locked the door behind me, hoping to give her a sense of privacy, though the sight of her disarrayed room sent a spike of worry through me.She looked at me, her face pale and eyes wide with fear, almost as if she were on the brink of tears. “Darius… someone’s betrayed us,” she whispered, her voice shaking. “Someone was listening. They’ve taken my diary—my diary, Darius. All my secrets, all our plans, everything is in there. If Alpha Orion gets his hands on it, everything we’ve
Anita povAfter warning Orion, I knew I had done all I could. The decision to believe me rested with him, and for now, I would let him handle things as he saw fit. As much as I longed for his touch, his closeness, and the warmth we once shared, his focus was elsewhere, consumed by the demands of his pack. I couldn’t bear to add to his burdens. So, I returned to my chambers, determined to give him space, even though it tore at my heart.I waited restlessly for Maya’s return. Evening began to settle, and finally, I heard that Darius, Luna Nora, and Maya had arrived back at the palace. No one else seemed to think much of it, but every instinct in me was on high alert. I knew Maya was taking dangerous risks to help me, and I needed to ensure she remained safe. She’d promised to pass along Luna Nora’s diary code and any final information about their plans to eliminate Orion. But as the minutes dragged on, doubt gnawed at me. It had been hours since they’d returned, and still, Maya hadn’t c
Anita povThe palace was eerily quiet. It seemed everyone had somewhere else to be today. Even Maya was gone, having followed Darius and Luna Nora out on some mysterious errand. Alpha Orion, too, was occupied. His Beta had returned with what I imagined was critical news, leaving him tied up in urgent matters. For once, I found myself truly alone, with no one to talk to and nothing to occupy my mind but restless thoughts.I sighed, making my way to the dining hall. Sitting down to lunch, I couldn’t shake the pang of unease that had lingered since morning. As I picked at my food, my phone buzzed with a new message. It was from Maya. I opened it quickly, feeling a strange thrill of both dread and curiosity. Maya had told me plenty of secrets before, but something felt different about this.The message read: “Warn Alpha Orion. His life is in danger this week. And… Anita, they’re planning to kidnap you. Darius has arranged it, and it will happen in two days.”I felt my heart skip, the bloo
Maya povAs I sat quietly in the carriage, my mind raced with plans and calculations. I’d uncovered Darius's intentions, yet the real challenge would be trying to unravel his plan, to find some way to divert him from his path. I took a deep breath, rehearsing the words that I hoped would plant seeds of doubt in his mind. This had to work.“Darius, have you thought about the consequences of kidnapping Anita?” I began, my voice careful and measured. “The bond she shares with Alpha Orion is still incredibly strong. Her inner wolf could easily reach out to him, revealing her location, or he might even be able to sniff her out with time. That’s the thing about mate bonds… they’re stronger than most realize.”Darius's hands gripped the steering wheel, his fingers drumming in agitation as I spoke. I watched his jaw tighten, frustration flashing in his eyes. He turned to me sharply, a bitter smile tugging at his lips. "Do you think I haven’t considered that? I’ve already made preparations. I
Maya povI pressed myself against the wall outside Luna Nora’s chambers, heart pounding as I strained to hear every word that passed between her and Alpha Darius. My breaths came shallow and quick, barely keeping pace with the shock that coursed through me as their conversation unfolded. Darius had finally reached the edge, and from the sound of it, he was ready to plunge into the abyss, dragging anyone in his path down with him. I gritted my teeth, swallowing down the fear that bubbled up. Anita wouldn’t last long under this relentless hatred; in fact, I wasn’t even sure she’d survive the week.I clapped a hand over my mouth, stifling a gasp that threatened to escape, glancing around to ensure no one saw me. Fortunately, the layout of Luna Nora’s rooms provided just enough cover, thanks to the heavy stone walls that shielded me from view. Even if a guard passed by, they wouldn’t easily notice me standing here. I had to be silent and invisible—a shadow in the dark.Just as I thought t
Darius povPacing around my room, my mind was a chaotic storm, and no amount of pacing could tame it. For once, I felt utterly cornered. Every move I’d made, every calculated risk, every attempt to push Orion down had somehow slipped through my fingers. And here I was, empty-handed and with no Plan B in sight. The frustration was a gnawing ache in my chest, and I knew, deep down, I couldn’t face this alone. I needed guidance—a plan, a ruthless strategy. Without thinking twice, I made my way to the one person who had always known what to do.I knocked on my mother’s door, heart pounding with both frustration and a grudging sense of relief. She opened the door immediately, her piercing gaze slicing through me. She was dressed elegantly, her dark hair pulled back with the grace and dignity of someone ready for battle. I felt her scrutinizing look sweep over me, lingering on the tension in my jaw, the pleading in my eyes. For the first time in what felt like ages, I was back in her presen
Alpha Orion’s povSitting alone in the darkened room, my gaze fell to the shadows on the wall, shapes cast by the faint, flickering candlelight. Patience had always been a virtue I possessed, but tonight, it felt like a thin thread stretched too tight, one more whisper away from snapping. I could feel the tension in my bones, the gnawing anxiety as I waited for my Beta. I had sent him on a mission, one so secret that even Anita knew nothing about it. Ever since that damned banquet, where everything felt… off, I knew I couldn’t ignore the quiet, insidious changes I sensed in Alpha Ethan. Something was wrong, terribly wrong, and I intended to uncover every piece of it, even if it led me down a dangerous path.And then there was Darius. His mask of loyalty had slipped just enough to reveal his true intentions, ones I had been too blind to see until now. His betrayal simmered in my mind like poison. I clenched my fists, the thought of his schemes roiling in my gut. Darius didn’t want what