The air was thick with the unsaid words between them, each breath Natalie took carrying a weight too heavy for her fragile chest. A single tear slid down her cheek, betraying the storm inside her heart. She hadn’t expected this—hadn't expected him to look at her like that, with that depth of silent torment that mirrored her own. But there it was, a gaze that sliced through her resolve. Norwan’s eyes softened, just for a moment, before he swiftly masked it with cold indifference. It was a subtle movement, a swallow of shame, a flinch as his hands twisted behind his back to hide what he could not control—his emotions.Natalie’s whisper floated between them like a quiet confession, “It’s nice to see you again.”The words hung in the air, as delicate as her heart. But Norwan, the stone he had become, didn't let the softness of her voice reach him. His jaw tightened, his gaze shifting with a sharpness that cut through her like the very coldness in his words. But it wasn’t her he was angry
“I don’t understand...” Natalie’s voice trembled as she looked at Norwan, her gaze searching for any hint of jest or mischief. Surely, she had misheard. Norwan couldn’t be serious. He must be toying with her, playing some cruel game. Her heart twisted with disbelief.“My father would never—” she faltered, the words dying on her lips as Norwan’s icy stare cut through her like a blade.His silence was a frozen ocean, deep and impenetrable. He didn’t blink. Didn’t flinch. His lips were set in a hard line, and for the first time, his face wasn’t just cold—it was unforgiving.“He did.” His voice was a quiet storm, the words sharp as broken glass. There was no trace of doubt in his tone.Natalie’s breath hitched as the weight of his words crashed into her chest. She looked deeper into his eyes, hoping—praying—she’d find some trace of the warmth she once knew there. But instead, she saw only a storm. A storm that mirrored the chaos roiling inside her.“Not my father…” she whispered, almost t
"I can't believe that witch really did that to you!" Drixie's voice was heard all over the mansion. She was with Cora holding her hands as the doctor examined her and put medication on her wounds."Drixie, calm down." Her brother Norwan said as he looked at the doctor."How is she?" He asked. At that time, Natalie suddenly arrived with her wet dress and wet hair; she was also cold. Drixie saw her and suddenly stood up."You darn bitch!""Drixie!" Norwan called her sister in a severe voice, Drixie stopped and looked terribly at Natalie."How dare you push Cora off the cliff? Are you that desperate to manifest everyone around you?!" Drixie asked Natalie. "I wonder why my brother marries you.""I didn't push her," Natalie said. "I was about to save her that time because she wanted to jump off the cliff," she explained."And now you're lying, huh?" Drixie said and smirked. "Did you think that we would believe in you? How come she wants to jump off that cliff? She's not that crazy, unlike
Natalie can't believe Norwan is willing to terminate their mateship for Cora. Is that how she is really important? He's willing to do anything just for her. This is unbelievable, Natalie can't believe this is happening now. She didn't answer Norwan, she was just looking at him with questioning eyes. "Guards," Norwan called the imperial bodyguard, and the two walked closely to Natalie to take her away from them. They forced Natalie outside the mansion's door and forced her to kneel down. Natalie can't do anything except for crying. Until now, she couldn't believe Norwan would terminate their mateship for Cora.She feels sadness at the same time and anger for Norwan. She's the Luna of the pack, Norwan made a rule that the Luna of the pack can't be forced to kneel down, yet Norwan disregards the rule for Cora, and in addition to that, he is also willing to terminate their mateship for Cora. This is unacceptable!After the imperial guard did their thing, they left Natalie outside while
Natalie opened her eyes as she woke up, the hospital's white ceiling greeted her first before her best friend, Lynn."Natalie, I'm so glad you're awake now," Lynn said, sitting beside Natalie's hospital bed. Natalie sat down and looked around. "What happened after I fainted? Where are we?" Natalie asked and looked at Lynn again."We're here at the hospital, after Chad received your call, he rushed over to pick you up. But as he arrived at the village, he saw you on the roadside unconscious." Lynn explained. Natalie suddenly remembered how she had left the Mansion, she took a deep breath before asking another question."Where is Chad?" "He's at the nurse station arranging your papers. He also said he would go to buy you food." Lynn answered her. "What happened to you?" This time Lynn asked the question. Natalie didn't know how to explain everything to her best friend. "I... I left the Mansion already." She answered. Lynn frowned because of her answer."It's obvious, Natalie. What I
“Are you going now?” Lynn asks Natalie and watches her prepare her things. Natalie glances at her and nods before smiling at her; she then puts the ring that Norwan gave her after their mateship one year ago in a small box.“Yes.” She answered and watched the ring in the box for a minute. She never expected in her life that she would have to return this ring to Norwan. For Natalie, this ring signifies his love for her, and this is the special gift she received from him.“What are you going to do? What gift do you say you will give to Norwan?” Lynn asks and sits in front of her friend. Natalie looked at her with a fake smile.“I will give the gift that I never wanted to give,” Natalie said, suddenly remembering how she was happy with Norwan even though it was the opposite of his feelings for her.“I always wanted to be a perfect wife for him and a good wife simultaneously. But knowing these things will happen because of the wrong accusation, I will live alone again, away from him.” Nat
Norwan watched Natalie walk away from him, a smirk formed on his lips while watching her walk away from him. He couldn't believe that Natalie really broke their relationship; for Norwan, this is all stupidity as Natalie chooses to terminate their mateship to say sorry to Cora when in the first place, Norwan was the one who gave that choice to her."If that's really what you want, then go; marrying you was a big mistake in my life… now that our mateship is already terminated, I will pursue Cora now and marry her," Norwan said in his mind and sighed as he no longer saw Natalie."Am I going to pack all her things in your house?" Norwan looks to hiss Beta as it asks the question."Yes, and send it to her place. Don't leave anything from her in her room; do inform the maids to clean it up and move all Cora's things there; that will be Cora's new room." Norwan said as he start to walk away from the Moon Goddess altar.Meanwhile, as Natalie walks away from Norwan, her chest hurts like her he
Natalie is now sipping her tea while her dad is watching her; she then puts down the cup of tea on the table and looks at her dad. After their last conversation about not marrying Norwan, Natalie finally has a chance to talk to her dad and tell him everything that happened to her in Norwan's hand."What are you doing there, Dad?" Natalie suddenly asks as she remembers why her dad showering in the rain. Grego sighed, crossed his arms and legs, and leaned into his chair."Your friend told me your plan, and I followed you; I saw it all and heard it all," Grego said, looking earnestly at his daughter. "I have told you not to marry him. He had no interest in you initially, yet you're the one who wanted this, and now look what happened to you." He said to Natalie, who was now looking down to the floor. If she thinks of it, her dad is correct; if she just listens to her dad, this won't happen to her now."I just… love him, dad. I'm sorry," Natalie said, not even looking into her dad's eye.
“I don’t understand...” Natalie’s voice trembled as she looked at Norwan, her gaze searching for any hint of jest or mischief. Surely, she had misheard. Norwan couldn’t be serious. He must be toying with her, playing some cruel game. Her heart twisted with disbelief.“My father would never—” she faltered, the words dying on her lips as Norwan’s icy stare cut through her like a blade.His silence was a frozen ocean, deep and impenetrable. He didn’t blink. Didn’t flinch. His lips were set in a hard line, and for the first time, his face wasn’t just cold—it was unforgiving.“He did.” His voice was a quiet storm, the words sharp as broken glass. There was no trace of doubt in his tone.Natalie’s breath hitched as the weight of his words crashed into her chest. She looked deeper into his eyes, hoping—praying—she’d find some trace of the warmth she once knew there. But instead, she saw only a storm. A storm that mirrored the chaos roiling inside her.“Not my father…” she whispered, almost t
The air was thick with the unsaid words between them, each breath Natalie took carrying a weight too heavy for her fragile chest. A single tear slid down her cheek, betraying the storm inside her heart. She hadn’t expected this—hadn't expected him to look at her like that, with that depth of silent torment that mirrored her own. But there it was, a gaze that sliced through her resolve. Norwan’s eyes softened, just for a moment, before he swiftly masked it with cold indifference. It was a subtle movement, a swallow of shame, a flinch as his hands twisted behind his back to hide what he could not control—his emotions.Natalie’s whisper floated between them like a quiet confession, “It’s nice to see you again.”The words hung in the air, as delicate as her heart. But Norwan, the stone he had become, didn't let the softness of her voice reach him. His jaw tightened, his gaze shifting with a sharpness that cut through her like the very coldness in his words. But it wasn’t her he was angry
“Norwan…” Natalie calls again, her voice a blend of desperation and authority, but this time, it’s different. This time, she takes a step forward, the weight of every second of silence between them pulling her toward him. But before she can take another step, her father’s grip tightens around her wrist, pulling her back. “Don’t,” Don Grego warns, his voice cold, steely. His fingers feel like chains around her, but Natalie fights against them, her eyes burning with an anger she’s never felt before. She jerks free, glaring at him with all the hatred she’s kept hidden for years, the truth of what he’s done flooding her chest like a storm. “What are you going to do, Natalie?” he asks, the question almost mocking, as if he already knows the answer, as if he thinks she’s too weak to act. Her chest heaves with rage, but her answer is steady, every syllable sharp with defiance. “I’m going to talk to him.” Her gaze snaps back to Norwan, his form standing rigid, eyes cast downward. He loo
The cold wind stung Natalie’s face, but she barely noticed. Her eyes remained fixed on the scene across the border, where the tension in the air was thick. Horses pawed the ground, their hooves clattering like distant thunder. Male wolves, their eyes glowing with readiness, paced around the camp, while men, their hands resting on the barrels of their guns, stood vigilant. The war had come, and it was no longer a distant worry. It was here.But amidst the chaos, there was one thing that kept her grounded—one person. Norwan. She had been searching for him all day. Her heart raced, but she couldn’t let fear overwhelm her. Not yet. Not until she found him.Her breath came out in sharp, visible clouds, blending with the smoke of the fires rising from the other side of the border. She tried to steady her nerves, reminding herself why she was here. Why she had to find him.Did she feel hope? Fear? Both? She couldn’t tell. But she knew one thing—she couldn’t go back without him.Natalie sighe
“I already expected this to happen.” Natalie stopped walking as soon as she heard her father’s voice from the entertainment room. She slowly and silently crept closer to the door to listen to the conversation.“For sure, this has something to do with Natalie,” Don Grego added, causing Natalie to frown.“About me?” she asked herself.“What are we going to do now? I haven’t told Natalie yet; for sure, she’ll be surprised,” Natalie heard her beta’s voice talking to her dad, so she slightly peeked at them from the small crack in the door.Natalie’s heart pounded as she stood just outside the door, listening intently to her father and beta’s conversation. The words her beta spoke hit her like a cold wave, freezing her in place. “The clan is at war?” she thought, her mind racing.She felt a mix of confusion and disbelief. How could something so serious be happening without her knowing? As the alpha of the pack, shouldn’t she have been the first to know? Was her position not as strong as she
The weight of the evening’s emotions pressed heavily on Norwan’s chest, yet the silence of the moment seemed to deepen the storm brewing within him. He held the wineglass loosely, the amber liquid sloshing with each small movement, but it did little to quell the fire inside. His thoughts were tangled, each one sharper than the last. “Why does it feel like nothing is ever enough for Grego?” he wondered bitterly.He’d tried to be patient. He’d asked—no, pleaded—for freedom. And what did he get in return? Natalie, the woman he loved, tethered like a prized possession, while her father continued to tighten his grip on their lives. He couldn’t fathom the mind of the Don anymore. What was he trying to prove by keeping her so close?Norwan’s gaze sharpened as Darius’s words cut through his internal storm."My lord, everything is settled now."The words were simple enough, but they stung with the weight of finality. What did "settled" mean? The chaos he’d just heard of—about Natalie’s father
“Let me go!” A loud voice echoed in the hallway, and Norwan could hear it too. He looked at the door as it opened, and his men brought in Darius. Norwan saw the frightened look on Darius’s face, and he couldn’t help but feel pity for him. Darius was one of the men he trusted most when it came to the clan. He was like a watcher, a protector and observer, standing as Norwan’s eyes within the clan.Norwan watched as his men pushed Darius to the floor. He sighed, stood up from his seat, and Darius looked up at him as he approached.“What is this all about?” Darius asked, and in response, Norwan’s beta delivered a hard blow to Darius’s face, causing him to groan in pain.“Don’t speak to our lord like that,” Norwan’s beta said.Darius looked up at Norwan again.The tension in the air was thick, and Norwan could feel the weight of Darius's gaze on him, searching for answers. As the sounds of the fight settled, a strange feeling stirred in his chest. He had always known Darius to be strong, s
The man entered the office quietly, his steps measured as he approached Norwan’s desk. He could see the distant look in Norwan’s eyes, the way his gaze seemed lost in the fading light of the sunset. He cleared his throat, snapping Norwan back to reality.“Sir,” the man said, his tone low, “there’s something urgent. The situation with the Clan... it’s escalating faster than we anticipated.”Norwan set his wine down slowly, the weight of the words sinking in. The glass rim made a soft clink against the surface of the desk as his hand retreated. His thoughts shifted instantly—back to the pressing matters of the Clan, the danger that loomed.“I’ve been expecting this,” Norwan said quietly, his voice steady but tinged with concern. “Tell me what’s going on.”The man hesitated for a moment before speaking again. “It’s the allies we thought we had... they’ve turned on us. And there’s also talk of a traitor within. We might be looking at a two-front battle soon.”Norwan’s jaw tightened, his m
“I don’t know what’s going on in your mind, Dad,” Natalie said coldly, her eyes locked onto his. It confused her to no end—why had her father invited Amanda to their breakfast after everything he’d done to Norwan?“This is insane,” she muttered under her breath, a sarcastic chuckle escaping her lips. She couldn’t believe it.“You told me they’re our enemies,” Natalie said, her voice sharp, waiting for the Don’s response. He stared at her with a serious look, not a word leaving his lips. Amanda, equally silent, kept her gaze fixed on Don Grego, her face unreadable, as if waiting for him to break the silence.“What is this all about?” Natalie finally demanded, her patience thinning. The minutes stretched on in heavy silence.“Who told you they’re our enemies?” Don Grego finally said, his tone casual as he started to toy with his food. “I hate Norwan,” he added, as though the words were insignificant. Natalie scoffed, a humorless laugh escaping her. Her gaze flicked to Amanda, as if expe