Jason povThe tension in the room could cut through steel. Alpha Lowell's audacity was like a slap in the face, and Jarl was itching for a fight. "Let me at him," he growled, his voice dripping with venom. "I'd have his head on a platter if you weren't so soft."Pacing back and forth, I could feel the heat radiating off my skin, a physical manifestation of the rage boiling within. "Zip it, Jarl," I snapped, the words slicing through the thick air. "We can't let him get near Norella again. Not after last time."Jarl's anger simmered down to a calm, but his words still held weight. "I'll never let that happen," I vowed, the promise hanging heavy in the room.A sudden knock jolted us, and I barked, "Who the hell—?" But it was just Damon, slipping through the door with that knowing look in his eyes. "Sorry, man," I muttered, my anger deflating like a punctured balloon.Damon just nodded, patting my back in that annoying way he has. "Don't go after Lowell alone. It's too risky," he caution
Jason povJarl's voice echoed in my head, a constant reminder of the pain I'd caused. "Why do you always end up hurting her?" he asked, but the answer eluded me, slipping through my grasp like smoke. I shut him out, unwilling to wade through the guilt that threatened to drown me.Norella's tears had felt like chains, binding me with accusations of emotional blackmail. Yet, two days had passed, and she seemed to thrive, living with a zest that both pained and pleased me. I wanted her happiness above all, providing her with every luxury while keeping my heart guarded.Lost in these thoughts, I waited for Damon's return. His call had been brief, but the anticipation of his news kept me on edge. The sound of his car was the signal I needed, and I prepared myself for whatever he had to say.Damon's entrance was somber, his face etched with concern. "Alpha Lowell denies everything," he reported, frustration lacing his words. "He's calling it a misunderstanding and wants us to check on Norel
norella povThe night wrapped around me like a cloak, the stillness of my chamber punctuated only by the soft whisper of my own voice. "Ama," I breathed. "What are we to do?"Ama's presence was a gentle caress against the turmoil in my soul. "Norella," she soothed, her voice a balm to my frayed nerves, "he is our destined mate. Our paths are entwined, whether we will it or not."I was on the cusp of baring my soul to her when a faint noise at the door snagged my attention. My heart stuttered, caught between the echoes of the past and the fear of the unknown. The knock came again, a soft but determined sound that seemed to resonate with the beating of my heart.With trepidation lacing my steps, I moved toward the door. The peephole revealed Jason's form. My breath hitched, desire and dread warring within me."Are you there?" His hushed tone was a caress against the wood, a sound that made my skin tingle. I hesitated, torn between feigning sleep and acknowledging his presence. "Yes," I
Jason povThe grand hall's silence was a stark contrast to the usual bustle, its emptiness echoing back my own words. "Why is the palace so empty?" I murmured, a sense of unease creeping in. "Jarl?" I called out, but there was no answer, no familiar presence to ease the growing tension."Guards!" My voice rose, seeking the reassurance of their response, but again, there was only silence. "Marcos!" I called for my right-hand guard, but the void returned no reply.I hurried to the upper floor, my heart pounding with each step. The corridors were deserted, the absence of life unnerving. A glimpse of a figure turned a corner, and I chased after it. "Norella, Norella!" I shouted, hope flaring briefly, but when I reached the spot, it was empty.Norella's door stood ajar, an invitation or a taunt, I couldn't tell. I rushed in, but she wasn't there. The room was immaculate, untouched, as if waiting for her return. I searched frantically, but there was no sign of intrusion, no hint of her pres
Jason povDamon and I have shared a lifetime of memories, our bond forged in the fires of childhood and tempered by the trials of life. We grew up together, his father the loyal beta to my father, the king. Our lives were intertwined, our days filled with shared meals, shared training sessions, and shared dreams.We were the golden boys of our school, the envy of our peers. I was the top student, Damon always close behind. Together, we were unstoppable, or so it seemed. Amber, my beloved, and Clara, his, completed the picture of youthful perfection.But fate is often cruel, and it struck with vicious precision. I lost Amber to a rogue attack, a wound that time has done little to heal. Damon and Clara, now fated mates, faced their own trial as Clara fell into a mysterious coma, her condition baffling the best healers.Physically, I may have been the stronger, but emotionally, Damon was the rock. He carried his pain with a grace that I could only admire from afar. He was always there to
norella povTears threatened to spill from my eyes as I left the garden, a silent battle raging within me. "We'll be fine," Ama assured me, her voice a soft echo in the vastness of my room."Yeah, we will," I replied, more to myself than to her, as I crossed the threshold and let the comfort of my bed envelop me in its embrace. Sleep came as a merciful oblivion, a brief respite from the turmoil of my heart.**The next morning...**Sunlight streamed in, chasing away the shadows of the night as Jane flung the curtains wide. "Good morning, my lady," she chimed, her voice a familiar melody in the dawn chorus."Good morning, Jane," I greeted back, the lines between maid and friend long since blurred. She had seen the worst of what life had to offer, just as I had, and I could no more treat her as a servant than I could forget my own past."I've prepared hot water for your bath," she informed me, her thoughtfulness a balm to my weary soul."Thank you," I said, grateful for the simple kindne
norella pov"Someone is here to see you," Jane's voice cut through the stillness, a note of mystery in her tone. "She said she's an old friend," she added, as if sensing the whirlwind of questions in my mind."An old friend?" I echoed, skepticism lacing my words. The concept felt foreign; in the Blue Moon Pack, friendship was a luxury I couldn't afford, a dream tethered by the chains of my servitude. I probed Jane's thoughts, seeking the truth, but found only sincerity. She was unaware of the visitor's identity, just as I was.With a mixture of trepidation and curiosity, I rose and made my way to the visitor, Jane trailing behind me. Entering the room, I was met with the sight of Jason conversing with a woman whose back was turned to me. As she rotated, time seemed to stand still. It was Madame Margret."Greetings, my lady," she said, her voice a familiar melody from a forgotten song.Words failed me. Instead, I leapt into her arms, our embrace a silent testament to the years that had
Alpha Lowell's POV:The room felt too small to contain my anger. "How could King Jason ruin everything I've worked for, just like that?" I muttered under my breath. Years of planning, gone in an instant because he believes in some 'fated mate.' If only he knew the storm he's inviting right over his head. And then there's Maggie. It's a hard lesson; being good to people doesn't always pay off. After everything I've done for her, she still didn't do the one thing I asked. She didn't give Norella the wolfsbane when she was in this pack.I could feel the heat of my anger as I spoke to Desi. "She's going to regret it," I said firmly. "We'll see what happens when she comes back. I don't make plans that fail. They're going to pay for their mistakes, my alpha," Desi reassured me. But deep down, I knew it wasn't going to be that easy. If it were any other alpha, I wouldn't worry. But the Alpha King? I need to be more than prepared. I can't just challenge him; he's too powerful.The glass of wi
Alpha lowell pov The shadows deepened as I approached Strengha's hideout, the thick canopy above blocking out the moonlight and casting the forest in an oppressive gloom. The air was thick with an eerie silence, broken only by the distant hoot of an owl. Two of Strengha's men materialized from the darkness, their figures stiff and wary. Their eyes darted towards me, a brief flash of hesitation betraying their fear. They weren't as confident as they tried to appear."Who the hell are you?" one of them growled, his voice rough and edged with suspicion. He took a step forward, trying to mask his unease with bravado."I want to see your leader," I said, keeping my tone calm and controlled. My eyes locked onto his, challenging him silently to test my resolve."That's not the answer to my question," he snapped, stepping closer until we were almost nose to nose. The smell of sweat and fear rolled off him in waves."Tell him Alpha Lowell wants to see him," I repeated, my patience fraying at
Alpha lowell povI sat at the dining table, the soft clinking of cutlery and murmur of conversation around me doing little to penetrate the fog in my mind. The food on my plate remained untouched, its once-appetizing aroma now repulsive. My thoughts spiraled, tangled in a web of fear and frustration. How could I possibly get Norella? Each day, the reality of her situation with King Jason loomed larger, his power a formidable barrier I saw no way to breach. I gripped the edge of the table, my knuckles white, the weight of the dilemma pressing down on me like a physical force.Luna Desi's voice sliced through my turbulent thoughts, clear and sharp. "Why haven't you touched your food, darling?" Her words pulled me from my reverie, and I forced a smile, though it felt as thin and brittle as glass."Oh, I'm fine, just not very hungry tonight."She looked at me, concern etched on her face. "Are you sure? You haven't been yourself lately.""I'm sure," I lied. "Just a lot on my mind, that's a
Alpha Lowell povSubmerged in a sea of fury, I felt the sting of fresh wounds in my chest, each breath a laborious task. Power was all I craved—was it such an outrageous desire? Was I not deemed worthy? If the goddess would not grant me the mantle of moon guardian, then I would seize it by any means necessary, even if it meant embracing the flames. After all, my rise to Alpha was no stroke of luck; I was always destined for greatness, deserving of all that is good. I demand subservience, the world at my feet. Yet, as the morning sunlight kissed my face, lying in my bed of opulence, I knew that satisfaction was a sign of weakness."Good morning, my love," Luna Desi's voice broke through my reverie."Good morning, beautiful," I replied, my tone softer than I felt, and she disappeared into the bathroom.A knock at the door jolted me. "Who the hell is that?" I barked."You have a visitor, my alpha," the guard informed me.At this ungodly hour? Did they not fear me as their Alpha? "Tell wh
Alpha Lowell's POV:The room felt too small to contain my anger. "How could King Jason ruin everything I've worked for, just like that?" I muttered under my breath. Years of planning, gone in an instant because he believes in some 'fated mate.' If only he knew the storm he's inviting right over his head. And then there's Maggie. It's a hard lesson; being good to people doesn't always pay off. After everything I've done for her, she still didn't do the one thing I asked. She didn't give Norella the wolfsbane when she was in this pack.I could feel the heat of my anger as I spoke to Desi. "She's going to regret it," I said firmly. "We'll see what happens when she comes back. I don't make plans that fail. They're going to pay for their mistakes, my alpha," Desi reassured me. But deep down, I knew it wasn't going to be that easy. If it were any other alpha, I wouldn't worry. But the Alpha King? I need to be more than prepared. I can't just challenge him; he's too powerful.The glass of wi
norella pov"Someone is here to see you," Jane's voice cut through the stillness, a note of mystery in her tone. "She said she's an old friend," she added, as if sensing the whirlwind of questions in my mind."An old friend?" I echoed, skepticism lacing my words. The concept felt foreign; in the Blue Moon Pack, friendship was a luxury I couldn't afford, a dream tethered by the chains of my servitude. I probed Jane's thoughts, seeking the truth, but found only sincerity. She was unaware of the visitor's identity, just as I was.With a mixture of trepidation and curiosity, I rose and made my way to the visitor, Jane trailing behind me. Entering the room, I was met with the sight of Jason conversing with a woman whose back was turned to me. As she rotated, time seemed to stand still. It was Madame Margret."Greetings, my lady," she said, her voice a familiar melody from a forgotten song.Words failed me. Instead, I leapt into her arms, our embrace a silent testament to the years that had
norella povTears threatened to spill from my eyes as I left the garden, a silent battle raging within me. "We'll be fine," Ama assured me, her voice a soft echo in the vastness of my room."Yeah, we will," I replied, more to myself than to her, as I crossed the threshold and let the comfort of my bed envelop me in its embrace. Sleep came as a merciful oblivion, a brief respite from the turmoil of my heart.**The next morning...**Sunlight streamed in, chasing away the shadows of the night as Jane flung the curtains wide. "Good morning, my lady," she chimed, her voice a familiar melody in the dawn chorus."Good morning, Jane," I greeted back, the lines between maid and friend long since blurred. She had seen the worst of what life had to offer, just as I had, and I could no more treat her as a servant than I could forget my own past."I've prepared hot water for your bath," she informed me, her thoughtfulness a balm to my weary soul."Thank you," I said, grateful for the simple kindne
Jason povDamon and I have shared a lifetime of memories, our bond forged in the fires of childhood and tempered by the trials of life. We grew up together, his father the loyal beta to my father, the king. Our lives were intertwined, our days filled with shared meals, shared training sessions, and shared dreams.We were the golden boys of our school, the envy of our peers. I was the top student, Damon always close behind. Together, we were unstoppable, or so it seemed. Amber, my beloved, and Clara, his, completed the picture of youthful perfection.But fate is often cruel, and it struck with vicious precision. I lost Amber to a rogue attack, a wound that time has done little to heal. Damon and Clara, now fated mates, faced their own trial as Clara fell into a mysterious coma, her condition baffling the best healers.Physically, I may have been the stronger, but emotionally, Damon was the rock. He carried his pain with a grace that I could only admire from afar. He was always there to
Jason povThe grand hall's silence was a stark contrast to the usual bustle, its emptiness echoing back my own words. "Why is the palace so empty?" I murmured, a sense of unease creeping in. "Jarl?" I called out, but there was no answer, no familiar presence to ease the growing tension."Guards!" My voice rose, seeking the reassurance of their response, but again, there was only silence. "Marcos!" I called for my right-hand guard, but the void returned no reply.I hurried to the upper floor, my heart pounding with each step. The corridors were deserted, the absence of life unnerving. A glimpse of a figure turned a corner, and I chased after it. "Norella, Norella!" I shouted, hope flaring briefly, but when I reached the spot, it was empty.Norella's door stood ajar, an invitation or a taunt, I couldn't tell. I rushed in, but she wasn't there. The room was immaculate, untouched, as if waiting for her return. I searched frantically, but there was no sign of intrusion, no hint of her pres
norella povThe night wrapped around me like a cloak, the stillness of my chamber punctuated only by the soft whisper of my own voice. "Ama," I breathed. "What are we to do?"Ama's presence was a gentle caress against the turmoil in my soul. "Norella," she soothed, her voice a balm to my frayed nerves, "he is our destined mate. Our paths are entwined, whether we will it or not."I was on the cusp of baring my soul to her when a faint noise at the door snagged my attention. My heart stuttered, caught between the echoes of the past and the fear of the unknown. The knock came again, a soft but determined sound that seemed to resonate with the beating of my heart.With trepidation lacing my steps, I moved toward the door. The peephole revealed Jason's form. My breath hitched, desire and dread warring within me."Are you there?" His hushed tone was a caress against the wood, a sound that made my skin tingle. I hesitated, torn between feigning sleep and acknowledging his presence. "Yes," I