Luna Nora POVAfter Alpha Orion had finally succeeded in humiliating meâdoing exactly what he wantedâDarius did nothing. That betrayal pierced through me. He just stood there, silent, when he shouldâve stood up for me. I was furious beyond words, but I had no right to speak, not anymore. I could feel the councilâs eyes on me, watching, waiting for my reaction. If I wanted to keep any semblance of dignity within the palace, if I wanted to be respected even a little, I had no choice but to play along and accept Orionâs decision.But deep inside, I was boiling. He had stripped me of everythingâmy power, my title, my respectâall in one fell swoop. And for what? For that lowly slave girl, Anita? It felt like a nightmare I couldnât wake up from. The more I thought about it, the more the rage inside me festered. My position, my throne as Luna, was gone. But that didn't mean I was defeated. No. I still had a weapon, and that weapon was Darius. I saw the anger and vengeance in his eyes before
Luna Nora POVIt is hard to get close to Anita. She hates me, though I can't pinpoint the exact reason. Maybe itâs everything Iâve done, or maybe itâs because she senses the danger I represent. But I donât care. Iâll still go to her room and try to strike up a conversation, to pretend Iâm trying to make peace. If my attempt fails, Maya will step in and do whatever it takes. Maya has her own anger brewing towards Anita, and while I act like Iâm trying to support her, she will lash out, creating the illusion that Iâm the good one. Anita will believe I want the best for her, and thatâs when weâll have her right where we want her. I couldnât help but laugh at the brilliance of Mayaâs plan. Sheâs clever, and with her by my side, this whole thing might actually work.As I sat there, thinking through our next steps, a knock sounded on my door. I assumed it was Maya returning with more updates, but to my surprise, it was Darius, his face tight with anger.âMom, what the hell were you doing o
Luna Nora POV The next morning, I wasted no time. I needed to go to Adamâs place, and fast. It wasnât close, and Iâd be driving alone, but that didnât matter. The only thing on my mind was finding a solutionâsomething that could end this nightmare. I rushed through my breakfast, though the tension at the dining table was unbearable. Alpha Orion and Darius barely exchanged glances, their hostility thick in the air. Anita, now seated at the table with us, made it all the worse. It was as though every gaze was a dagger being thrown across the table. Even Darius' fiancÃĐe sat stiff, glaring at Anita with simmering jealousy. But none of that mattered to me now. My focus was on Adam. He had to find a way to fix this mess. I needed answers, and I needed them now. I slipped out of the dining hall without saying a word, knowing neither Darius nor Alpha Orion would notice my absence. They were too consumed by their own dramas, their eyes fixed on Anita as though she were the center of thei
Anita POVI wonât lieâlast night was pure chaos. The meeting, the arguments, Luna Nora confronting meâit 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 Iâd been given.When the maids arrived, they shot me looks of irritation, and some even rolled their eyes, as if Iâd 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.
Mayaâs POVI donât know what has come over me lately. I can't even pinpoint what's wrong, but itâs as if Iâm spiraling deeper into a complicated mess of my own making. I used to feel luckyâprivileged evenâthat 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. Thatâs 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 Iâd 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; itâs 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 Orionâs 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 hereâto 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 canât shake the feeling that Iâve 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, âI donât want to be involved in any more problems. I just want peace.â 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 meetingâconfused, vulnerable, lost. She was too polite to voice her true feelings, yet I pressed on, oblivious to her silence. I kept
Alpha Orionâs POVI held my tongue, refusing to let Luna Noraâs taunts provoke me. I could feel her watching me, waiting for a reaction, but I wouldnât 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 didnât even flinch. I wasnât 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 couldnât quite shake. I knew I couldnât 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 mindâIâd 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 Orionâs POVAnitaâs voice trembled as she spoke, each word laced with a fear that pierced through me. âI didnât hear or see anything specific,â she stammered, her voice barely a whisper, âbut I justâĶ I need you to be careful. There are thingsâĶ things you donât expect, and I canât shake the feeling that something terrible is coming for you. I donât know how to protect you from it. I just want to keep you safe, but I donât know how anymore. I feel like Iâm losing my mind.âSuddenly, she broke down, her composure unraveling as tears spilled down her cheeks. Even though she had been trying to push me away, I couldnât 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. âAnita,â I murmured gently, running my hand through her hair, âplease, donât keep this from me. Tell me what you know, what you heard. Iâm here, and I promise, whatever it is, Iâll protect you. I wonât let anything hurt you.â She loo
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 couldnât shake. But I couldn't afford to let that weight pin me down. I had one missionâfind 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 meâher 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 Noraâs 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 clockâjust 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 itâa 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 Iâd 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 roomâĶ 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 motherâs 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. âDariusâĶ someoneâs betrayed us,â she whispered, her voice shaking. âSomeone was listening. Theyâve taken my diaryâmy diary, Darius. All my secrets, all our plans, everything is in there. If Alpha Orion gets his hands on it, everything weâve
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 couldnât 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 Mayaâs 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. Sheâd promised to pass along Luna Noraâs 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 theyâd returned, and still, Maya hadnât 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 couldnât 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: âWarn Alpha Orion. His life is in danger this week. AndâĶ Anita, theyâre planning to kidnap you. Darius has arranged it, and it will happen in two days.âI felt my heart skip, the bloo
Maya povAs I sat quietly in the carriage, my mind raced with plans and calculations. Iâd 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.âDarius, have you thought about the consequences of kidnapping Anita?â I began, my voice careful and measured. âThe 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. Thatâs the thing about mate bondsâĶ theyâre stronger than most realize.âDarius'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 havenât considered that? Iâve already made preparations. I
Maya povI pressed myself against the wall outside Luna Noraâs 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 wouldnât last long under this relentless hatred; in fact, I wasnât even sure sheâd 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 Noraâs rooms provided just enough cover, thanks to the heavy stone walls that shielded me from view. Even if a guard passed by, they wouldnât easily notice me standing here. I had to be silent and invisibleâa 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 Iâd 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 couldnât face this alone. I needed guidanceâa 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 motherâs 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 Orionâs 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 feltâĶ off, I knew I couldnât 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 didnât want what