The door opened without warning, and Darian turned his head just as his wife stepped into the room. She didn’t flinch, didn’t pause, didn’t even narrow her eyes. She glanced at him and the naked woman lying on top of her mate. She walked to the bedside table, opened the drawer, and pulled out a necklace. The sight of her calm, indifferent movements made his stomach twist. She didn’t care.“You’re not going to say anything?” he asked, his voice rising. He pushed the girl off him and stood, glaring at his wife. “I fuck another woman in our bed, and you couldn’t care less?”She didn’t bother looking at him. She fastened the necklace, letting the clasp click into place, then smoothed her hair. “You’re throwing a tantrum, as usual,” she said without emotion. “Unfortunately, I raised Sabrina and Lucas. I’m not interested in raising another child.”The words hit him harder than they should have. He clenched his fists and took a step toward her, but she was already walking away. She left the
The door opened without warning, and Darian turned his head just as his wife stepped into the room. She didn’t flinch, didn’t pause, didn’t even narrow her eyes. She glanced at him and the naked woman lying on top of her mate. She walked to the bedside table, opened the drawer, and pulled out a necklace. The sight of her calm, indifferent movements made his stomach twist. She didn’t care.“You’re not going to say anything?” he asked, his voice rising. He pushed the girl off him and stood, glaring at his wife. “I fuck another woman in our bed, and you couldn’t care less?”She didn’t bother looking at him. She fastened the necklace, letting the clasp click into place, then smoothed her hair. “You’re throwing a tantrum, as usual,” she said without emotion. “Unfortunately, I raised Sabrina and Lucas. I’m not interested in raising another child.”The words hit him harder than they should have. He clenched his fists and took a step toward her, but she was already walking away. She left the
Lucas’ POVI’d fought battles before, but none had ever felt as strange as this one. My claws were slick with blood, my fangs bared as I tore through another opponent. The witches had power—they could’ve crushed us if they wanted. But something held them back. Their spells fizzled in their hands, their focus locked on a chant and a name whispered through the fray: Amaris.They wanted time. I wasn’t about to give it to them.I swung hard, my claws ripping across the chest of a witch who’d dared to rush me. She stumbled back, gasping, before crumpling to the ground. My knuckles throbbed from the blows I’d already landed, but the adrenaline dulled the pain.“Elara, stay back!” I barked over my shoulder.She was exactly where I’d told her to be, pressed against a cracked stone wall. Her eyes were wide, flicking between me and the chaos in front of her. She didn’t argue—she hadn’t said a word since the fight started—but I could feel the weight of her frustration.A snarl drew my attention
Elara's POVI never thought I’d see Matthew again, much less like this.The tension in the air was suffocating as the car jolted to a halt on the dirt road. I hadn’t noticed the black SUV blocking our path until Sabrina cursed under her breath. When the doors swung open, and Matthew stepped out, I felt my stomach twist.He looked the same—broad shoulders, sharp eyes, and that infuriating confidence in his stride. But there was something different now, something unhinged in the way he carried himself.“Hand her over,” Matthew growled, his gaze trained on me.Lucas didn’t flinch. He stepped out of the car slowly, his movements deliberate and calm, but his eyes burned with fury. Sabrina followed, her hand already brushing against the hilt of her dagger.I stayed in the car, frozen. I should’ve felt afraid, but all I felt was guilt. Guilt for the way things had ended. Guilt for the way he looked at me now, like I was something he’d lost but couldn’t bear to let go.“Matthew, don’t do this
Elara’s POV“Did we do the right thing?” I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.Both of them turned to look at me.“Leaving him there to die,” I continued, swallowing the lump in my throat. “I thought… I thought being kind was the best revenge.”Lucas reached for my hand. “Elara, the world isn’t kind,” he said. “It’s cruel. And we’ll do whatever it takes to protect you.”Sabrina nodded, her eyes softening for the first time since we’d left the scene. “No matter the cost,” she added. “No matter who we have to kill.”The finality in her tone sent a chill down my spine, but it was oddly reassuring. I wasn’t alone. I wasn’t just a burden or a problem to be solved. I was… protected. Loved.I glanced between them, the two people who had become my family, and a bittersweet ache settled in my chest. “Thank you,” I whispered.The tension eased, but only slightly. Sabrina turned back to the wheel, gripping it tightly before speaking. “Are you ready for what’s next?” she asked, her tone sharp
Elara’s POVIt’s been days since I showered. Now, I was free, back home away from witches. I stood under the hot shower, feeling the water cascade down my back, soothing the aches and exhaustion that had built up over the past few days. The shower was a temporary escape, a space where I didn’t have to think about Matthew’s death, Lucas’ father, or the chaos that seemed to follow us everywhere.I didn’t hear the door open, but I caught my mate’s scent. Lucas had a way of filling a room without saying a word.“Care for some company?” he asked, his voice dripping like honey.I turned slightly, peeking out of the shower to see him leaning against the doorframe, his arms crossed and a small smile playing on his lips.I nodded, not trusting my voice.Instead of joining me under the spray, he moved to the bathtub, turning the faucet on and adjusting the temperature. The sound of water filling the tub echoed in the room. He sat down in the warm water, leaning back with a sigh of contentment.
Elara’s POVI didn’t feel beautiful. Not today. Not with the way I’d been crying on and off, my emotions swinging so wildly I couldn’t keep them straight. But Lucas didn’t seem to care about any of that. His hands were on my waist, steady and warm, and his lips brushed the side of my neck like they were drawn there.“You’re so fucking beautiful,” he said, his voice low and rough against my skin.A breath caught in my throat, and I leaned into him without thinking, letting the words sink in even though I didn’t believe them. “I don’t feel beautiful,” I whispered, hating how small my voice sounded.He didn’t miss a beat. “Doesn’t matter what you feel,” he said, his mouth finding my shoulder, kissing it like he had all the time in the world. “You are.”I let my head fall back, my fingers clinging to his arms as his hands slid down to my hips, holding me in place. He pulled me closer, guiding me until I was straddling him, the water sloshing gently around us.I could feel him, hard and ho
Elara’s POVI woke up and reached out instinctively, my hand landing on cold sheets. My chest tightened. Lucas wasn’t here.For a moment, I tried to be rational. Maybe he’d gone for a run or got pulled into something urgent. But my thoughts didn’t care about logic. My brain whispered every worst-case scenario, flooding me with flashes of the chaos we’d just escaped.The bed felt enormous and suffocating all at once. I sat up, my pulse racing. My eyes burned before I even realized I was crying.“Get a grip,” I muttered to myself, pressing my palms into my eyes. But the harder I tried to push it down, the worse it got.A sharp knock at the door snapped me out of it.“Elara? It’s me.” Sabrina’s voice was calm, like she already knew what was going on.I sniffled and wiped my face quickly. “Come in.”The door opened, and Sabrina stepped inside, closing it softly behind her. Her eyes scanned my face, and she tilted her head, her sharp senses picking up what I couldn’t hide.“You’ve been cry
Elara’s POV"We want to make this right," my mother begs. "Let us help you."I cross my arms. "There’s nothing you can do to erase years of pain and suffering.”"We can free you from Amaris," Aunt Isabella cuts in. "A ritual to expel her spirit completely."I look at them, breathless for a moment. If Amaris was gone, I could feel my wolf again. I wouldn’t be worried about my baby. I could go back to Lucas, given I won’t be worried about Amaris taking over and hurting him. I’d be free. I study their faces, looking for any sign of deception. "Just like that? You want to help me after admitting you orchestrated my entire life?""It's the least we can do," Matthew says. "Let us try to fix what we broke."My mother steps forward. "Please, Elara. Let this be our apology."I consider their offer. Part of me wants to refuse anything they suggest, but another part... "Fine," I say finally. "Do it.""We'll need time to prepare the ritual grounds," Aunt Isabella says. Hesitant, I ease up. "Fin
I have lived in many cages. Some with iron bars. Some made of illusions, some built from my own hope, crumbling when I realized no one was coming to save me.I thought I had finally escaped. That with Lucas, I had built something real. But it was all another illusion, another carefully constructed lie.Now, I stand on the edge of another choice—run, as I always have, or turn around and face the ghosts I spent my life running from. My mother, my aunt… they claim they have answers. But why should I believe them? Why should I listen?Because of the baby. Because of the life inside me, the only thing that is still mine.I have no choice but to turn back.I walk into Matthew’s pack house again. My mom is standing over Matthew, reciting incantations to try to heal his burn wounds. When they see me, everyone stops. “I only came because I want to know the truth. It’s the only way to protect my baby.’’ The quiet part I hadn’t said out loud was why. Because I was all alone now. Lucas kicked
Elara’s POV"You need to understand where it all began," my mother starts, while she helps apply ointment on my aunt's wounds. She mutters some incantations under her breath, stretching her hands over my aunt's chest. Yet again, like magic, her wounds disappeared. “Beautiful, isn’t it?’’ My aunt asked. “Scary’s more the word.’’ I admit, setting down the book. “Elara, you don’t have to be afraid of magic.’’ “I don’t want it.’’ I snapped. My mom looks back at me. She approaches me, coming to hold my hands gently. “Don’t!’’ I let out. “I don’t want to hurt you again.’’ “Elara, you’re part wolf, part witch. You’re a reincarnation of Amaris, and you’re carrying a Lycan baby. If you want, you can be the most powerful creature to ever roam this world.’’ “I just want a simple life.’’ I admitted, leaning back against the chair. “My baby deserves a simple life. Can you take the magic away? I don’t want to be cursed like this. I almost killed you for crying out loud.’’ “But you didn’t!’
Elara’s POV“I promised myself I’d never come back here,” I muttered as Matthew helped me up the stairs leading to the packhouse. “After you banished me, I had no home. Now everyone who used to bully me somehow calls me Luna. Not just that, but they think I’m some witch.”“We have much to talk about, darling,” Matthew said, smiling. “For now, you need rest.”We reached the top of the stairs, and standing at the entrance were faces I never thought I’d see again.“Elara! Oh, darling!” My mother and aunt rushed toward me, their arms outstretched.They hugged me tightly before I could react, their sudden warmth startling me. My body tensed, the touch setting off alarm bells in my head.“Easy there,” Matthew chuckled, stepping in. “She’s pregnant. Don’t crush her.”They laughed, easing away but not letting go completely.“Sorry, dear,” my mother said, brushing my hair back like she used to when I was a child. “I’m just so excited to see you again.”“Me too,” my aunt chimed in, her smile si
"Please don't do this, Alpha!" Sarah drops to her knees before Lucas. Her tears wet the ground. "She's our Luna!"I watch more pack members fall. One by one. Begging him. Pleading for me."Alpha Lucas, we need her," Michael's voice breaks. "The pack needs her."I feel their love wrapping around me like a warm blanket. But it's not enough. It's never enough.Lucas stands before me. Towering. Rigid. I search his face for any trace of the man who held me last night. Who whispered promises against my skin."I love you," I whisper. The words scratch my throat on their way out.He looks at me with empty eyes, my words mean nothing to him. He slams the door in my face. It is the final disrespect, the very thing that makes me regret knowing him. I’ve never had a place I called home that truly felt like home. Back in Matthew’s pack, it was anything but home. My parents left me a tiny house all to myself but the people around it made my life hell. Here, in Lucas’ pack, I had nothing of my own
Elara’s POVI used to catalog my heartbreaks like others collected seashells. Each heartbreak was unique, adding to my growing collection. The silent heartbreaks haunted me most. Like watching other children walk home to loving families while I returned to an empty house as an orphan. Then came the loud heartbreaks. Fists connecting with flesh, my face stuck into mud. Jeers echoing through hallways. Gum yanked from my hair piece by piece.After finding my first mate, Matthew, heartbreak came with rejection. It wasn’t after he called me to his room that night and propositioned me to become his sex slave that I felt insulted. But still, it didn’t come close to this. Standing here now, listening to Lucas speak, I understand something new. All my previous pain feels like gentle rain. This moment is the hurricane that teaches me what it truly means for a heart to break.I realize now, I’ve never known what heartbreak truly feels like until Lucas.He stands in the center of the room, look
Elara’s POV“I used to scrub these floors. Back in my old pack, they'd make me clean the hospital wing after battles, after accidents, after anything that brought real wolves in for treatment. I'd mop up blood and bandages, listening to them groan in pain while nurses rushed past me like I was invisible. Sometimes I'd hear them whisper - *stupid omega, worthless omega, don't waste medicine on her kind*.” Aurelio looked at me, really looked at me. He had nothing to say. “I remember the day I broke my arm. Three younger wolves had caught me alone, wanted to teach the omega her place. I'd dragged myself to the hospital entrance, blood dripping onto those clean floors I'd just mopped. The nurse had looked right through me, told me to clean up my own mess. I learned to set my own bones after that. Living in Matthew’s pack as the bullied omega taught me that services like health care were only available to wolves who mattered. For years, even when seriously sick, I’d clean the floors and
Elara’s POV“You’re nothing,” Mary spat, coming at me with a knife. “An inferior creature. You don’t deserve my son. You don’t deserve to live.” I tried to speak, to defend myself, but the words caught in my throat. I touched my stomach, afraid for my baby.“Oh Goddess, please help me.’’ I cried out, looking above. Mary laughed. “The goddess won’t help you. She abandoned you wolves centuries ago. She grew scared of us. How mighty Lycans had become.’’ My wolf stirred uneasily inside me, but it felt distant. It felt like she was retreating into the shadows of my mind. “Mary, please,” I managed to whisper. “I love Lucas. I would never—” “Silence!” Her roar echoed through the garden, and I flinched. Why wasn’t anyone coming to save me? Where were the guards, the warriors, the maids? Anyone. “Your love is a stain on our bloodline. You’re a mistake, one I intend to correct.” Before I could move, she lunged at me. The dagger was aimed straight at my chest, and I froze. My fight or f
Lucas’ POV“This isn’t possible. You’re dead.” The words came out before I realized I’d spoken them. “Surprise, Alpha. I’m very much alive.” His grin was wide, almost too wide, like he’d been waiting for this moment. “Do you feel it yet? Has the magic kicked in?”The air was tense, everyone held their breaths. I knew what Matthew meant, I just didn’t think the other Lycans did. The sheer number of wolves around us was too much. None of us was at full power. The forest is pumped with witch magic, which in turn weakens us. Each of us can handle fighting about 50 wolves, even while weak. That’s the power of a Lycan. However, something else was off. The magic got stronger and stronger. “Sabrina…” My father cried out. I turned to see my sister slumped against a tree, her hand pressed to her side. Her face was pale, her breathing shallow. She was slipping away, and I couldn’t do anything about it—not yet.“That’s right,” Matthew said, his tone mocking. “I laced my arrows with the same poi