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,”
Nancy approached Lisa and Grace in the garden. She had gone through the pack house looking for the two ladies, and the garden was her last place to check before giving up on her search. She had to confront them about the issue at hand; it was high time someone did something.“Lisa, we need to talk,” Nancy said, her voice laced with worry and determination. “Do you have any idea where Layla might be? You seem to know everyone’s business in the pack, and if anyone would be in touch with Annabelle, it would be you.”Lisa, who was good at keeping tabs on the pack members, was taken aback by Nancy’s question. Her lips twitched as her brows furrowed, her lips pulled in a tight line.“How dare you question where my loyalty lies, Nancy?” Lisa asked in anger. Her voice was heavy with hurt and anger. “I might have my own way of knowing all, but I would never jeopardize the Luna's safety for anything. That's not who I am.”The tension between the two ladies was great as they glared at each other
ANNABELLE’S POVI watched the conflicted expression on Jarrod’s face, a little satisfied with this. It would show him I am not to be taken for granted. I know he still desires Layla, the lucky mate mated to two Lycan blood-related Alphas. But I was not about to reveal her whereabouts to Jarod; he would have to earn it. I intend to play this game to my advantage.“So, where is she?” “Prince Jarod,” I began firmly, my voice unwavering, “I won’t disclose the whereabouts of Layla to you just yet. I understand your desire, but I want us to reach a conclusion on this issue of Demetrius and Richard first. Then you can have Layla to yourself.”I watched as his eyes narrowed; he was angry but holding it back. His wolf was at the surface.“Annabelle, what do you think? We are on the same side in this. Layla’s disappearance could be the key to shifting the balance of power in our favor, and we will need to act swiftly. I can’t watch this rare opportunity go to waste either,” Jarod continued.I
Layla opened her eyes to the dimly lit room, her heart heavy with the realization that she was still confined in the wretched cottage. Fear gnawed at her as she took stock of her situation. It was impossible to gauge the passage of time, and the aching emptiness in her stomach told her she was hungry, and her baby was suffering because of her.Layla's eyes opened to the dark cottage where she was being held captive. Fear gnawed at her as she realized no help was coming soon enough. It was impossible to know how many days she had been in the cottage; the grumbling of her stomach reminded her that she had been there for too long. She was hungry, recalling the days in Jarod's pack when hunger was a constant companion. But her baby was not accustomed to it. Layla had no idea how her unborn child was feeling, and she hoped the Moon goddess would take pity on them. She must not lose this baby; the thought of losing her unborn child was unbearable.The room felt stifling, and Layla's body pr
ANNABELLE’S POVMy whole plan was going downhill. Grace had not gotten in touch with me, which tells me just one thing: she has been caught by the pack. She should have contacted me hours ago, but there was no news from her. My frustration was immeasurable as I made my way to the cottage; I needed to vent out my anger.I stormed on Layla, who was waiting for me. She started to speak, but I cut her short in anger, my fists clenched. “This is all your fault, you wretched being. Grace wouldn’t have been caught if not for you. You have landed her in the same position you landed me,” I said.Layla’s eyes filled with confusion and pain met mine. She looked shocked at this news; my outburst must have taken her by surprise. “What? Grace has been helping you?” She asked, shocked.“Yes, you think all my friends would turn against me?”“I…” she coughed. “That is not what I mean,” she said.“Just keep shut,” I told her in anger as I delivered a punch to her face. Her lips were bruised, and it was
LAYLA’S POVI opened my eyes slowly; the pounding in my head had ceased, and I felt refreshed, though still in slight pain. I sensed my wolf again, indicating that I was healing. But how? Did Annabelle decide to treat me? The floor of the cottage was not this soft. As I surveyed the room, I realized where I was. My last conversation with Annabelle came rushing back. So she was true to her word; she released me so Grace could be free. I had more than my life to protect now."Hey," a familiar voice said beside me.I turned to see Elijah beside me, dressed in white, relief evident on his face. "How are you?" he asked.I smiled, not trusting my voice. I felt terrible for ditching Red and getting caught by Annabelle. How would I face Red after my stunt, especially when I promised him I would behave well?"You are healing well," Elijah remarked with a nod.I looked around the room. Where was Demetrius? I expected to see him the moment I woke up, but he was nowhere around me. "Alpha," I said