Anita POVI won’t lie—last night was pure chaos. The meeting, the arguments, Luna Nora confronting me—it all felt overwhelming. I thought about it as I lay in bed, staring up at the ceiling. What a whirlwind my life had become. I was exhausted, mentally and physically. But what choice did I have other than to brace myself and keep going? Even as the new day arrived, I woke up early out of habit, but with nothing to do now, it felt strange. The reality was unsettling. I used to fill my days with endless tasks, but now, all I could do was wait around to be summoned, wait for the maids to come in and dress me. It was a constant reminder of the unwanted role I’d been given.When the maids arrived, they shot me looks of irritation, and some even rolled their eyes, as if I’d stolen something precious from them. But I ignored it. I was living the life I had once dreamed of, even if it came with hostility from nearly everyone around me. But the truth was, this life was a double-edged sword.
Maya’s POVI don’t know what has come over me lately. I can't even pinpoint what's wrong, but it’s as if I’m spiraling deeper into a complicated mess of my own making. I used to feel lucky—privileged even—that Alpha Etan chose me to spy on Alpha Orion and Darius. He trusted me to manipulate Anita, to bring her close as a friend while ensuring Alpha Orion loses his power. That’s a task only the cunning can handle, I thought. Yet, here I am, feeling tangled in my own web.At first, I was confident. Despite having no idea how I’d execute this plan, there was a part of me that believed I could make it happen. But I had no clue it would be this hard. Winning over Anita has proven almost impossible. I can't understand what happened to her; it’s as if she put up walls that are impenetrable. Once, she was my closest friend. I genuinely cared for her and saw her as my sister. Now, I can barely recognize the distance between us.The day she announced her plans to leave, a void opened up in my c
Alpha Orion’s POVWhen I made the decision to make Anita my Luna, to crown her as the heart of this Pack, I never imagined it would lead us here—to this strange, painful distance. I thought it would be simple, that she would step into the role naturally, her presence strengthening both me and the Pack. But now, as I sit here, running through everything in my mind, I can’t shake the feeling that I’ve somehow become her enemy. How did things spiral so quickly?Her words from last night echoed in my mind, heavy and sharp. She looked at me, eyes filled with a quiet resignation, and said, “I don’t want to be involved in any more problems. I just want peace.” And yet, in my insistence, I took that peace from her.I forced her into a position she never asked for, drowning her desires in my own ambitions. I remember the way she looked at us during that council meeting—confused, vulnerable, lost. She was too polite to voice her true feelings, yet I pressed on, oblivious to her silence. I kept
Alpha Orion’s POVI held my tongue, refusing to let Luna Nora’s taunts provoke me. I could feel her watching me, waiting for a reaction, but I wouldn’t give her the satisfaction. Instead, I walked past her, my patience unwavering as I positioned myself on the veranda, leaning against the stone wall. She hissed loudly, clearly frustrated, but I didn’t even flinch. I wasn’t about to let her get under my skin.Minutes ticked by, and still no sign of Anita. A flicker of worry began to grow in my chest, a feeling I couldn’t quite shake. I knew I couldn’t call a search party without raising questions, without looking like a fool for panicking over her absence. But the uncertainty gnawed at me. My gut told me something was wrong, and that was enough. I made up my mind—I’d find her myself.I stormed into the palace garage, where a few drivers lingered, sharing drinks and conversation. As I stepped in, they snapped to attention, one of them moving to open my favorite car. But I stopped him, ra
Alpha Orion’s POVAnita’s voice trembled as she spoke, each word laced with a fear that pierced through me. “I didn’t hear or see anything specific,” she stammered, her voice barely a whisper, “but I just… I need you to be careful. There are things… things you don’t expect, and I can’t shake the feeling that something terrible is coming for you. I don’t know how to protect you from it. I just want to keep you safe, but I don’t know how anymore. I feel like I’m losing my mind.”Suddenly, she broke down, her composure unraveling as tears spilled down her cheeks. Even though she had been trying to push me away, I couldn’t ignore her pain. I stepped closer, wrapping my arms around her as she clung to me, shaking, her body cold and exhausted from her ordeal. “Anita,” I murmured gently, running my hand through her hair, “please, don’t keep this from me. Tell me what you know, what you heard. I’m here, and I promise, whatever it is, I’ll protect you. I won’t let anything hurt you.” She loo
Anita’s POVThe moment I left Alpha Orion’s presence, I could barely keep myself together. I ran straight to my room, slamming the door behind me and locking it with trembling hands. As I sank to the floor, curling up in a corner, my fingers tangled desperately in my hair. My heart raced as the events of the day replayed in my mind like a dark, relentless storm. Everything felt unreal, a twisted nightmare from which I couldn’t escape.Did I really hear what I think I heard? The realization hit me again, heavy and suffocating. Luna Nora—she’s the root of all of this. She’s the one pulling the strings, orchestrating this entire plot against Alpha Orion. And he has no idea.A cold shiver ran down my spine. I couldn’t believe that someone Orion trusted had betrayed him so completely. She’s scheming to tear down his life, to ruin everything he’s worked so hard to protect. And the worst part? She’s using me as the weapon in her twisted game, setting me up as bait to shatter whatever bond re
Darius’s POVI felt trapped, suffocated by the walls of this palace that once felt like a home but now seemed like a prison. My mother—her relentless pressure was wearing me down, twisting my thoughts. She kept pushing me, manipulating me to do things I didn’t want to do, to betray Alpha Orion. And it terrified me because I knew myself. There would come a moment when I’d lose control, when her words would seep into my mind like poison. If I gave in, I’d lose myself completely.I can’t let that happen. I won’t betray him.I packed my belongings quickly, each item thrown into my suitcase a small act of defiance. This palace no longer held anything for me. I’d leave, just as I did before, disappearing into the shadows where no one could reach me. The idea brought a strange, bittersweet relief—a freedom I had longed for. I was here for Anita, but she’s slipping further away. If she was gone, why stay? Why continue listening to my mother’s venomous words telling me I could be better than O
Darius’s POVI kept my face impassive as I followed Alpha Etan and the council members, even as resentment simmered beneath my calm exterior. They led me down a narrow path, deeper into the forest until we approached an old, hidden building I’d never noticed before. The sight of it sent a shiver through me. How could I not have known this place existed? I kept silent, unwilling to let them see my discomfort, as they ushered me inside.The room we entered was dimly lit, shadows clinging to the corners. A crowd had already gathered, their faces concealed behind masks. The anonymity gave the gathering an eerie, almost ritualistic feeling, and I felt out of place, like a stranger trespassing in a dark secret. A man handed me a mask as I took a seat beside Alpha Etan, who wore no disguise. He seemed to revel in his defiance, sitting openly among his followers as if daring anyone to call him out.I put on the mask, feeling a strange disquiet settle over me. Did Etan somehow see something in