Anita POVWatching them all argue together, I couldn't help but feel a deep sadness welling up inside me. This wasn’t how I imagined things would turn out. I never wanted Darius and Alpha Orion to fight, not over me, not over anything. All I wanted was for them to find peace with each other, but now, that peace seemed so far out of reach.I felt like a stone, stuck in place, forced to watch the growing tension between the two brothers as it tore them apart. I knew deep down that this was all part of Luna Nora’s plan. It was obvious in the way she smiled at me, a sly, satisfied grin that told me everything was going exactly as she wanted. She was enjoying this, watching Alpha Orion and Darius clash. I hated that I was at the center of it all, but there was nothing I could do to stop it.Darius looked at me with pity, as if he knew the burden I carried, but I couldn’t move. I couldn’t speak up. If I said anything now, I would only offend Alpha Orion further, and I knew he was already on
Luna Nora POVAfter Alpha Orion had finally succeeded in humiliating me—doing exactly what he wanted—Darius did nothing. That betrayal pierced through me. He just stood there, silent, when he should’ve stood up for me. I was furious beyond words, but I had no right to speak, not anymore. I could feel the council’s 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 Orion’s decision.But deep inside, I was boiling. He had stripped me of everything—my power, my title, my respect—all in one fell swoop. And for what? For that lowly slave girl, Anita? It felt like a nightmare I couldn’t 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 it’s everything I’ve done, or maybe it’s because she senses the danger I represent. But I don’t care. I’ll still go to her room and try to strike up a conversation, to pretend I’m 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 I’m trying to support her, she will lash out, creating the illusion that I’m the good one. Anita will believe I want the best for her, and that’s when we’ll have her right where we want her. I couldn’t help but laugh at the brilliance of Maya’s plan. She’s 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.“Mom, what the hell were you doing o
Luna Nora POV The next morning, I wasted no time. I needed to go to Adam’s place, and fast. It wasn’t close, and I’d be driving alone, but that didn’t matter. The only thing on my mind was finding a solution—something 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' fiancée 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 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 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