Maya's POV I couldnโt believe the words that had come out of Alpha Orionโs mouth. The humiliation washed over me in waves, leaving me furious. How could he dismiss me like that? I tried to serve him, to be noticed, but he didnโt even glance my way. The sting of being cast aside was worsened by Luna Noraโs sharp words. โDonโt you get it? Only Anita is allowed to serve him. The rest of you donโt matter. Sheโs the only special one,โ Luna Nora said, her tone laced with mockery. The way she glanced at Darius after making that statement made me think she was trying to stir something between him and Alpha Orion. Her words stung, but they also gave me insight into the tension simmering beneath the surface. I smiled inwardlyโif there was discord between Alpha Orion and Luna Nora, this was something I could exploit. With a small nod, I turned to leave, keeping my composure as best I could. As I exited the room, I heard Darius muttering to his mother, but I couldnโt make out the words. Whateve
Maya's POV I couldnโt believe what I was hearing. The maids gossiped so freely, and every word they said painted a clearer picture of the tangled web within the palace. It was more than I ever expected to discover on my first day, and I found myself eager for more. One of the maids, who had been whispering with the others, confirmed the rumors I had heard from Alpha Ethan. "Alpha Orion doesn't plan on marrying Anita," one of them said with a sneer. "All she is to him is a source of pleasure and, maybe, an heir. If she werenโt the only one who could give him a child, she would have been thrown out long ago.โ Another maid chimed in, bitterness dripping from her voice. โSheโs only special because sheโs survived what none of his other mates could. Everyone else who loved him died because of that curse. I honestly thought she'd be dead by now too." I asked the question that had been burning in the back of my mind, something even Alpha Ethan had been curious about. โBut why is she still
Maya's POV I needed a plan. Fast. I had come to the palace to eliminate Anita, but if I was going to succeed, I had to get close to her first. The only way to achieve that was by playing on our pastโback when we were best friends in Alpha Ethanโs pack. I could use that bond to my advantage, but things werenโt going as smoothly as I had hoped. Anita had changed. She wasnโt the naive girl I once knew, and I realized getting her to trust me again would be harder than I thought. After wandering around the palace, I decided to head to Anitaโs quarters. I knocked several times but got no answer. Curious, I opened the door and stepped inside. Her room was immaculate, far more luxurious than any maidโs quarters I had ever seen. There were beautiful dresses hanging in her closet, far too fancy for a servant. But it was clear she hadnโt worn them. She still dressed like a simple maid. I shook my head, closing the door quietly behind me. She really has no idea how lucky she is, I thought. But
Maya's POV I was beginning to think this plan might actually work. As Anita threw the napkin back at me, my surprise turned into frustration. โWhat is that supposed to mean?โ I snapped, though I quickly composed myself, realizing I couldnโt afford to lose control. โI helped you clean the stain off your arm. I donโt want any trouble, Maya. Please, letโs just stay away from each other. I donโt want to be friends with you again,โ she said, walking out without looking back. My mouth hung open in shock as I watched her disappear down the hallway. She had just walked away from me as if I meant nothing. Anger boiled inside me, but it wasnโt just the rejection that stung. It was the fact that my plan to get close to her was slipping away. I glanced down at my arm, where the hot porridge had burned my skin. It wasnโt the physical pain that bothered meโit was the ache in my heart, the fear that I wouldnโt be able to do what Alpha Ethan needed. Anitaโs coldness was making everything much more
Anita's POV I sat in the garden once again. This was the third night in a row, and each time, I found myself deep in thought. I was finally done with my chores for the day, and, for once, there had been no major problems. No issues with Alpha Orion, who had been unusually busy, or Darius, who had been quietly going about his business. But even with the calmness of the evening, my mind kept circling back to Maya and the strange things she had said to me earlier. I shook my head, feeling a mix of irritation and confusion. How does she expect us to be close again, to be best friends after everything? Something about her felt off. I couldnโt quite put my finger on it, but I knew Maya wasnโt here out of pure goodwill. She had an agenda, and I wasnโt going to fall for it. Not again. The more I thought about her sudden reappearance in my life, the more suspicious I became. The way she had acted earlierโฆ It was almost like she expected everything to fall back into place between us, as if n
Anita's POV โCan you just let go of me? I havenโt even tried to run away, or leave, or do anything. So, please, don't force me. Just let me go,โ I pleaded, my voice shaking as I tried to pull my arm free from Mayaโs grip. Her hold was too tight, too desperate. Finally, she loosened her grip, her fingers sliding away from my arm as she spoke. โI hate a lot of things, Anita. And one of the things I hate the most is seeing you close to Alpha Darius. He isnโt someone you should be near. You're not supposed to be in a position to be close to him.โ Her voice trembled, a teary undertone creeping into her words. โI hate that you're being used as a sex slave. But I want to help. I need to support you.โ I felt a burning sting in my chest. Her words echoed, reminding me of all the painful realities I had been trying to avoid. But why was she saying them now? And why was it all spilling out like this? Was she trying to help, or was this her way of mocking me? โStop it, Maya,โ I said, my vo
Anita's POV Standing in front of Darius, I could see the concern in his eyes, but I wasnโt ready to open up. My heart raced with thoughts of Alpha Orionโs anger and Mayaโs manipulations. I couldnโt let Darius in, not now, not with everything so tangled. โSomething is definitely wrong,โ Darius said, gripping my arm tighter. โYou canโt pretend with me, Anita. I can see through you. Youโve been acting strange for days, and I need to know why. I wonโt tell anyone, I swear. Itโll stay between us.โ His voice softened, his concern cutting through my resolve. โWeโve had our moments, talked about things. Iโve never betrayed your trust before. Let me help you.โ I shook my head. I couldnโt tell him. It wasnโt just about the shame of seeing Alpha Orion with another womanโit was about the layers of betrayal, confusion, and my own helplessness. And worse, if I told Darius, I risked dragging him into something far more dangerous. โIโm sorry, Darius,โ I said, my voice trembling as I pulled my arm
Anita's POV I stood frozen, my hand still gripping the door handle as Alpha Orionโs words echoed in my mind. Did he just say he wanted me to be his Luna? His wife? It was as if the world had stopped turning, my heart pounding so loudly I thought it might burst. This couldnโt be realโhe couldnโt be serious. The same Alpha who had kept me as a sex slave, the one who had just been with another woman, was now saying he wanted me as his Luna? I stared at him, trying to process everything, but my mind was a mess of confusion and disbelief. Was this a cruel joke? A twisted game to see how far he could push me? My lips parted, but no words came out. I didnโt know what to say, how to respond to something so impossible. Alpha Orion stepped closer, his hand still resting heavily on my shoulder. I could feel the warmth of his skin, but it did nothing to calm the storm inside me. He leaned in, his voice low and firm. "Iโm offering you a position you donโt deserve, Anita. You should be grateful.
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 couldnโt shake. But I couldn't afford to let that weight pin me down. I had one missionโfind 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 meโher 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 Noraโs 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 clockโjust 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 itโa 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 Iโd 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 roomโฆ 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 motherโs 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. โDariusโฆ someoneโs betrayed us,โ she whispered, her voice shaking. โSomeone was listening. Theyโve taken my diaryโmy diary, Darius. All my secrets, all our plans, everything is in there. If Alpha Orion gets his hands on it, everything weโve
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 couldnโt 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 Mayaโs 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. Sheโd promised to pass along Luna Noraโs 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 theyโd returned, and still, Maya hadnโt 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 couldnโt 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: โWarn Alpha Orion. His life is in danger this week. Andโฆ Anita, theyโre planning to kidnap you. Darius has arranged it, and it will happen in two days.โI felt my heart skip, the bloo
Maya povAs I sat quietly in the carriage, my mind raced with plans and calculations. Iโd 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.โDarius, have you thought about the consequences of kidnapping Anita?โ I began, my voice careful and measured. โThe 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. Thatโs the thing about mate bondsโฆ theyโre stronger than most realize.โDarius'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 havenโt considered that? Iโve already made preparations. I
Maya povI pressed myself against the wall outside Luna Noraโs 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 wouldnโt last long under this relentless hatred; in fact, I wasnโt even sure sheโd 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 Noraโs rooms provided just enough cover, thanks to the heavy stone walls that shielded me from view. Even if a guard passed by, they wouldnโt easily notice me standing here. I had to be silent and invisibleโa 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 Iโd 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 couldnโt face this alone. I needed guidanceโa 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 motherโs 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 Orionโs 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 feltโฆ off, I knew I couldnโt 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 didnโt want what