Star's POVThe next day, the energy between Helios and me was different. Tense, charged with something neither of us could fully define yet. He’d accepted the punishment, the silence between us stretched, almost tangible. But it wasn’t just silence. It was an understanding of sorts, an unspoken agreement that things had shifted between us.I could feel his eyes on me constantly, the weight of his gaze more than just a presence. He was watching me, studying me, like he was waiting for something. But whatever he was waiting for, I wasn’t ready to give it yet. Not fully.I stood in front of the large mirror in our shared quarters, my fingers tracing the edges of the ornate frame. The reflections stared back at me, eyes dark and hard, expression unreadable. Who was I becoming? The woman who pushed people away. The woman who held the reins but also had to let go at some point. I needed answers.
Star’s POVThe silence between us was heavy and almost palpable, but it wasn’t the kind of silence that suffocated. It was the kind of silence that left a lingering electricity, a promise of something more. Helios had agreed to my terms, albeit reluctantly, but I could see it in his eyes. There was a flicker of something, something he hadn’t realized he needed until I forced him to face it.I wasn’t sure what had changed. Maybe it was the punishment I had dealt him or maybe it was the way I refused to let him off the hook so easily. Whatever it was, something had shifted.I leaned back against the bed, staring at the ceiling as the faint glow of moonlight filtered through the window. I had spent years building walls around my heart, layers upon layers of ice and steel. But with Helios, those walls were starting to crack. I hated that it was happening, but a
Star’s POVThe scent of damp earth and pine spread through the night air, as I strode toward the abandoned training grounds. My pulse pounded against my skin, but it wasn’t fear that drove me, it was fury. Helios thought this was a game. He thought that if he pushed hard enough, if he played his part well enough, I’d break.I wouldn’t. Actually, I couldn’t. Not after everything. I stopped in the middle of the clearing, my breath steady despite the fire raging inside me. This was where I used to train alone, where I’d beaten my fists against the dirt, where I’d bled and clawed my way into becoming more than the pack’s discarded omega.Memories surfaced like ghosts, whispering in my ears."Know your place, Omega.""You should be grateful we let you stay at all.""Helios will never choose you."I squeezed my eyes shut, forcing the voices away. I wasn't that girl anymore. I was stronger now. I was something Helios had never expected me to become, his equal, his challenge, his reckoning. F
Star's POVThe night was suffocating with unspoken promises as I lay in bed, staring at the ceiling. My body ached from the intensity of the sparring match earlier, but that wasn't what weighed on my mind. It was the change I had noticed in Helios. The way he responded to me, the way he was starting to crave the challenge I presented.The man who once thought he could dominate everything in his path was slowly learning that I wasn’t going to bend to his will. And yet, despite the way he hated it, he seemed to enjoy it. There was an undeniable tension between us now, something deeper than just the physical attraction. It was a game of control, of trust, of power, and if I allowed it, a dangerous dance of vulnerability.But could I really let him in? The flickering candlelight cast shadows on the walls as I rolled onto my side. My heart beat a little faster, my mind swirling with questions. How long could I keep up this facade? The hardness I had spent
Star’s POVThe tension between us had thickened over the last few days. It was a dangerous mixture of desire, guilt, and curiosity. Helios had been patient, quieter than usual, but there was an edge to him, a restlessness that he seemed unable to shake. I could feel it. Every glance, every breath, every touch was laced with something unsaid, something too powerful to ignore.I had noticed it in the way he moved, the way he watched me. Helios was no longer the man who thought he had control over everything. He was… lost. Or maybe, he was just slowly finding his place beside me.It was strange, how much I had come to rely on the silence between us, on the unspoken rules we had created. It wasn’t love, at least, not yet, but it was something. Something raw, something real. And though I hated to admit it, I was beginning to crave it. Crave him.As I wandered through the castle corridors, I co
Star's POVThe quiet hum of the castle was more pronounced tonight. I couldn’t sleep, my thoughts too restless. Helios had kept his distance in the days that followed our conversation, the patience he had promised me still hanging in the air, but there was something different about it now. It felt heavier. He was waiting, but so was I.I stood at the window of my chamber, the cool night air brushing against my skin as I gazed out over the expansive grounds. The moon cast a soft, eerie glow over the courtyard, making everything appear still and silent. The tension between me and Helios had reached a breaking point, I could feel it. But there was something else, too. A thread of connection, delicate but unmistakable.The knock on the door was soft, almost tentative. I turned away from the window, heart skipping a beat. I knew who it was before I even heard his voice. “Star?” Helios’s voice came from the other side, low
Star's POVThe days had dragged on, each one heavier than the last. The tension between Helios and me was unbearable, like a cord pulled too tight, threatening to snap. And yet, there was something compelling about it, the push and pull, the battle of wills. He seemed to be adjusting to my dominance, his usual arrogance slowly bending under the weight of my commands. But it was still an unspoken understanding. We were both testing each other, and neither of us was ready to reveal our true hand.That night, however, things felt different. A subtle shift had occurred, something unspoken but tangible in the air. I had felt it in the way Helios had been looking at me the past few days, something darker in his gaze. Something that had me on edge, but in the most thrilling way.I paced around my chamber, waiting. My thoughts, like a whirlwind, were torn between my instincts to be cautious and
Star's POVThe night was filled with tension, but not the usual kind, the kind I was used to. No, tonight there was something more to it. The magnitude of Helios’s silent compliance was pressing down on me, and it was both exhilarating and terrifying. My heart pounded with a mixture of anticipation and the fear of what would come next. We were playing a dangerous game, and the line between control and surrender had never been so blurred.I paced around the room, my fingers tracing the contours of the carved stone walls, trying to keep my thoughts in check. It wasn’t just that I was enjoying this newfound dynamic, though, I won’t deny that I was. It was more than that. I could feel it in the pit of my stomach, that nagging doubt, the unsettling realization that I might be getting in over my head.Helios had changed. I could feel it in the air. His eyes no longer held the usual arrogance,
Star’s POVThe courtyard was awash with tension as the pack gathered. Their murmurs were a low hum of uncertainty. The challenge with Hutchins had ended, but the unease lingered like a storm cloud.Helios stood beside me, his face unreadable, his fingers curled into tight fists. Hutchins had not only challenged his authority but had done so under someone else's influence. Someone far more dangerous. And though the battle was won, the war was far from over.Helios exhaled slowly before addressing the pack. “Hutchins made his choice. He didn’t act alone. And though he lost, his actions threatened the unity of our pack.” His voice was strong, unyielding. “For that, I have no choice but to banish him.”A ripple of shock coursed through the crowd. Banishment was a harsh punishment, but it was necessary. Toren, one of the senior warriors, stepped forward. “Alpha, is there no other way?”“No,” Helios said firmly. “He betrayed us by allowing himself to be a pawn. Ravena has been pulling the
Star’s POVMy body shuddered with unprecedented unease, and I couldn’t shake the feeling that something worse was coming. As much as I wanted to trust in the strength of our bond, there were too many unknowns, too many things about Ravena and Hutchins that lingered like a shadow over us.Helios had grown quieter in the days following the challenge, his once-unshakable confidence now tempered with a cautious wariness. And I couldn’t blame him. I, too, felt the weight of it all. The sense of danger that had been growing like a storm on the horizon.That evening, as the sun dipped below the horizon, Helios called for a pack meeting. It wasn’t unusual to gather the members of the Moonlit Pack, but tonight felt different. The air was filled with anticipation, the usual warmth of pack camaraderie replaced by an undercurrent of tension.I stood beside him, my hand firmly clasped in his, trying to offer him whatever strength I could, though I could feel my own anxiety tightening in my chest.
Star’s POVI watched as the dust settled, the echoes of the challenge still hanging in the air. Hutchins, bruised and bloodied, was helped away by a few loyal pack members. His defiance had been met with force, but I couldn’t shake the feeling that this wasn’t over. Not by a long shot.Helios stood tall, his back straight and unyielding, but his eyes betrayed him. The weight of being Alpha, of leading with both strength and the uncertainty that came with it, was heavy on his shoulders. His hands clenched, then unclenched at his sides, like he was trying to rein in something. "Star," he said, his voice low, but steady, "We need to talk."I nodded and followed him to the balcony, away from prying eyes. The cool night air brushed against my skin, but it wasn’t enough to chase the heat gathering in the pit of my stomach. This wasn’t just about Hutchins. This was about everything.“I don’t und
Unknown POV A few months prior, Hutchins had been humiliated in front of the entire pack when Helios effortlessly defeated him in a challenge. It was a public spectacle, and Hutchins’s pride had taken a brutal blow. Since then, he had been hiding in the shadows, licking his wounds and plotting.But now, his behavior had changed. He was bolder, almost reckless. Why would someone who had just been crushed so easily return to challenge the Alpha again? It wasn’t just arrogance or pride. It was something deeper, something dangerous.Unbeknownst to most of the pack, Hutchins had struck a secret deal with a powerful ally, someone who had resources and influence that even Helios couldn’t easily disregard. This mysterious figure was, Ravena.Ravena had never been content to live in the shadow of others, but her deepest resentment came from her unrequited love for Killian, the former Alpha of the
Helios's POVThe room was filled with unspoken challenges as Hutchins turned and walked away, his footsteps echoing off the stone walls. The tension in the room was palpable, but I refused to let it crack me. His words that were meant to wound, only strengthened my resolve. I could feel the eyes of the pack on me, waiting, watching, assessing.But I wasn’t about to let them see weakness. Not now. Not ever. Star stood close beside me, still tense, her fingers brushing mine. I felt the connection between us, the pulse of the bond that had only grown stronger. But I could also sense her hesitation. I didn’t blame her. Hutchins had struck deep.“Are you alright?” I asked, my voice soft, though I was keenly aware of the gravity of the situation. She nodded, but her eyes betrayed a quiet storm inside her. “I’ll be fine,” she said, though the uncertainty lingered in her tone.“I won’t
Helios's POVThe day after Mordecai's challenge, the Pack house felt suffocating with unspoken tension. The servants moved quietly, their eyes darting nervously, the heavy weight of yesterday's events still hanging over us. I couldn’t escape the sensation that the pack, the very kingdom itself, was watching my every move.Star stayed close, though I could feel the walls she built around herself. Despite the bond, despite everything we had shared the night before, she remained cautious, as if she were afraid of being swept away by the current between us.She was beautiful, as always. But today, there was a sharpness to her gaze, a flicker of determination in her eyes that I hadn’t seen before.As we walked the corridors together, side by side, the tension in the air between us was palpable. She kept her distance, but I could sense the pull, the magnetic force of our bond tugging at her, at both of us.The silence was broken by the sound of footsteps approaching, heavy, purposeful. I tu
Helios’s POVI could detect the scent of deceit lingering in the air before Hutchins even spoke. My cousin stood to the side, his expression carefully neutral, but I wasn’t fooled. The moment I stepped into the gathering hall, I could feel the tension, the waiting eyes, the unspoken challenge crackling like a storm about to break. Then, my gaze landed on him. Alpha Mordecai.A towering brute of a man, all brawn and arrogance, his sharp eyes assessing me with an amused glint. He leaned back in his chair, arms draped casually over the sides, a smirk playing on his lips. The room had gone quiet. Too quiet.“You’ve grown soft, Helios,” Mordecai drawled, his voice laced with false sympathy. “Mating an Omega… what a shame.” A low growl rumbled in my chest, but I kept my posture relaxed, my expression unreadable.Mordecai chuckled. “Then again, I suppose it makes se
Star's POV I woke up to the warmth of Helios's body wrapped around mine, his gentle breaths a soothing melody in my ear. For a moment, I forgot about the world outside, about the expectations and responsibilities that weighed on me. All that mattered was the quiet, peaceful moment we shared.As I stirred, Helios's arms tightened around me, holding me close. I felt his lips brush against my shoulder, sending shivers down my spine. It was a gentle, reverent touch, one that spoke volumes about the depth of his emotions.I turned to face him, our eyes meeting in the soft morning light. For an instant, we just looked at each other, the connection between us pulsing like a living thing. Then, Helios smiled, his eyes crinkling at the corners, and my heart skipped a beat."Good morning, my love,"he whispered, his voice husky with emotion.My response caught in my th
Helios POV I was on my knees, yet, I had never felt more powerful. Not because I had submitted. No. Because she had chosen me. Because she wanted me here, wanted me suffering for her. And I would. Happily.Every fiber of my being screamed for her. The scent of her heat wrapped around me like a noose, tightening with every breath I took. My muscles ached with restraint, my body shaking with the effort to remain still. But I would not move. Not unless she allowed it.She was toying with me, her fingers running over my skin, her lips grazing my throat, her breath teasing the shell of my ear. She knew exactly what she was doing, testing my control, pushing me to the brink of madness. And I loved it.I had spent my life in command. Of my pack. Of my warriors. Of my own damn instincts. Yet here, with Star, I had no control. She had taken it, stolen it from me with nothing but her voice, her to