Layla was acutely aware of the rumors circulating within the pack. Those who had previously accepted her were now pointing fingers at her. Unable to refute the rumors since they were true, she wondered who might have revealed her secret. Annabelle was no longer part of the pack, and aside from her, the only other person who knew about her secret was Demetrius. But she couldn't believe he'd start such rumors.“It couldn’t have been our mate,” Linda defended Demetrius.“Why not? Look at the way he's been punishing us. He hasn’t released Red. This is the third day, and we're yet to see him. He is avoiding us,” Layla responded to her mate in her thoughts.“I say he is not,” “He is.”“Is not,” Linda stubbornly argued.Layla noticed two others gossiping about her. When they realized she was observing them, they laughed and shook their heads, boldly facing her.“Does anyone have a problem? If you do, come to me!” Elena's voice echoed across the ground. As the overseer of the female pack tra
Layla remained silent as Elena addressed the pack. She struggled to believe that Elena would stand up for her. She believed the woman disliked her, never showing any real interest in her aside from aiding her when Annabelle attacked. Layla assumed Elena was just fulfilling her duties. She couldn't fathom why Demetrius sat there, seemingly unconcerned by the seriousness of the issue.Even if the people's accusations held truth, Demetrius should have stood by her, preventing them from speaking in the first place. Though Elena attempted to dissuade her from being present, Layla's stubbornness arose, partly a desire to disobey Demetrius's orders. He had taken her friend Red away and avoided her, refusing to share a bed. It felt unreasonable; was being held in a cell justification for such treatment?Accustomed to being disregarded, she sensed Demetrius was having second thoughts about their mating. With her tumultuous past, who in their right mind would settle for less? When Elena returne
Prince Jarod entered Annabelle’s chamber, his face a mix of determination and uncertainty. He had made a decision that would shape the future of his pack and was about to discuss it with Annabelle, the remarkable woman he had chosen to join his pack. He had reached this conclusion after his observation of her and wondered how Demetrius could just throw her out of his pack like that.“Annabelle,” Prince Jarod began, his voice steady, “I’ve decided to accept you into our pack. Your unique skills and brilliance are exactly what we need to stay safe as we plan and execute our attacks on rival packs.”Annabelle’s eyes sparkled with a blend of gratitude and excitement. She knew how hard she had worked in the last few days to show her worth. The pack had been against her for some time, as she had to compete with Freya. Finally, someone had seen her worth beyond her intimate relationship with Jarod. She had proven herself in training and strategy discussions, but now, her role would be pivota
LAYLA’S POVAs I embarked on my daily responsibilities as the Luna of our pack, the sun hung high in the sky, casting its warm rays over the territory. I had resumed my early morning training with Elena, and I was glad to see our relationship improving. It was one of those rare days when I felt a sense of contentment and inner peace. Elijah, my capable assistant, was helping me through the duties that came with my leadership role. We moved through the rowdy pack house, addressing pack matters and ensuring the well-being of the members.There were still talks, but they were dying down. Some were attempting small talk with me while others kept their distance.Elijah was not only efficient but also understanding and respectful, and I valued his unwavering support. He stood by me, even though his mate was still giving me the cold shoulder. It was evident that our partnership was harmonious, thanks to the respect and trust we had for each other. I never expected him to respect me as his l
Both Demetrius and Layla both shared a quiet moment to discuss the events of the day. The bond between them was not just one of love but also of leadership, trust, and mutual support. As they had been working on their relationship so far.“Layla” Demetrius began, his voice deep and filled with reverence. “Tell me about your day. How has it been for you?”Layla’s radiant smile illuminated the room as she settled beside her mate. “Well it’s been a remarkable day, when Elijah and I did not do much work by the has been good so far, yes he has been helping me with my duties I must say Elijah had been really helpful”Demetrius nodded in approval, acknowledging the importance of a capable assistant within their pack. “I’m glad to hear that, Layla. Having Elijah by your side is a testament to the strength of our leadership team.”Layla’s eyes sparkled as she continued, “And the morning training session with Elena was equally productive. She’s been helping me improve my physical prowess, and I
LAYLA'S POVAs I worked in the kitchen alongside Grace, the atmosphere became busier with the arrival of other pack members, including Lisa. This was an opportunity for me to engage with Lisa, who had previously expressed hesitation about fully accepting me as the Luna. All these were Annabelle's closest friend.I greeted Lisa warmly, hoping to initiate a conversation and bridge the gap that seemed to exist between us. "Lisa, it's great to see you. How's your day been so far?"She looked at me. "The day just started," she said."Sorry," I apologized, feeling stupid. I asked her some other questions, which she gave me the silent treatment too.Lisa's response was similar to what I had experienced with Grace—a silence filled with a sense of reservation. It was clear that my role as Luna was still something she was adjusting to, and I had to respect her pace.I continued with my efforts, refusing to be deterred by the challenge of breaking through her barriers too. But Lisa, however, rema
DEMETRIUS’S POVAs I sat in my office in the pack house, with Foster and Lucas, we were discussing about the burial ceremony for our fallen warriors in my pack and that of the Moonsucker’s pack. I felt sorry for those who lost their loved ones in the attack, it was high time we had the burial and put the desk to rest. I looked up when my door opened and Elijah walked in followed by Red, the expression on their faces were serious and filled with dread.The sudden interruption was startling and I was surprised to see the two looking the way they were. The presence of Elijah and Red together was not something I love seeing, since they were connected to my mate. I wondered what Red was doing here when he should be with Layla all the time.“Alpha” Elijah said, his voice was filled with urgency, “We have a grave situation. It is the Luna, she is missing and we don’t know her whereabouts”The news was not what I was expecting and it came as a blow to me, I sank back in my chair as I stared a
ANNABELLE'S POVMy heart raced with a mix of fear and excitement as I entered the abandoned cottage. Layla lay on the floor where I had bound her, her eyes wide open, focused on me. The only light seeped in from the small, out-of-reach window. Layla’s frown clearly expressed her confusion and fear. I took great pleasure in the horror on her face, knowing I was in charge now, rendering her powerless.“Layla,” I said, my voice filled with a façade of calm, “It’s not time for you to be awake yet.” I approached her.“Wait, Annabelle,” she pleaded, and I granted her a moment to speak.“Why are you doing this?” “Wrong question,” I replied with a sweet smile.“What?” She looked confused.“Ask another question; you have just one more chance,” I told her.“What have I ever done to you?” she asked me.I maintained my smile and shrugged. “I love watching you suffer like I did. You came into my life and ruined everything,” I shook my head. “You need to pay for that.”“But… it was not my fault,”