AlaricThe night air carried a bitter chill as our small group moved through the shadows of the Crescent Pack territory. Nina’s excitement was palpable beside me, her breath coming in quick, eager bursts as we approached the grounds Dave had scouted. Elena had stayed behind, coordinating with the warriors we’d gathered for this desperate plan.I tried to ignore the voice in my head screaming that this was wrong. That we were about to commit an act that would have consequences far beyond what we could imagine. But the weight of my pack’s future and Nina’s safety pressed down on me, silencing those doubts.Dave led us through a seemingly unguarded section of the territory. Too easy, I thought, but pushed the concern aside. We had to succeed. We had no choice.The massive pack house loomed before us, dark and imposing. According to Dave’s intelligence, Scarlett’s quarters were on the second floor, facing east. The windows were open to the cool night air – another stroke of luck that made
AlaricElena’s scream still echoed in my ears as we entered our pack house. The dawn light filtered through the windows, casting long shadows across her tear-stained face. But there was something else in her eyes now – a desperate, calculating look that I had seen too many times before.“We need to call Patrick,” she said, her voice hoarse but determined. “Now.”“Elena...” I started, exhaustion weighing heavy in my bones. “It’s over. We lost.”“No!” She slammed her fist against the wall, making Nina jump. “I won’t accept this. I won’t live as a common wolf. I won’t watch everything we built crumble because of that worthless girl!”“That ‘worthless girl’ is now one of the most powerful Lunas in the territory,” I reminded her bitterly. “And her mate is going to strip us of everything by midday.”Elena’s laugh was hollow, brittle. “Not if Patrick helps us. He has the strongest pack in the territory. Even Damon would think twice about challenging him directly.”“And why would he help us?”
AlaricA week had passed since Nina left for Patrick’s pack, but her absence felt like an open wound in our household. Elena hadn’t left our chambers since watching our daughter disappear into Patrick’s car, her proud shoulders finally bowing under the weight of what she’d done.I stood in the doorway, watching my mate stare blankly out the window. She’d barely eaten, barely slept. The strong, calculating woman who had orchestrated so many schemes was gone, replaced by a hollow shell that couldn’t stop whispering our daughter’s name.“The pack meeting is in an hour,” I said softly. “They need to see their Luna.”Elena didn’t turn. “Their Luna?” Her laugh was brittle, sharp enough to cut. “Is that what I am? A Luna who sold her own daughter?”“We did what we had to do to survive.”“Did we?” She finally faced me, and I almost stepped back at the wild look in her eyes. “Tell me, Alaric, what exactly did we survive for? To rule over a pack that whispers behind our backs? To live knowing o
NinaI stare at my reflection in the cracked mirror of my tiny room in the packhouse’s servant wing. The dark circles under my eyes tell the story of another sleepless night, another night spent warming Lucas’s bed, only to be dismissed before dawn like a used tissue.I wasn’t supposed to live like this. As the daughter of the Alpha couple of Moonstone Pack, I had been raised in luxury, groomed to potentially become the future Alpha. But my parents had other plans – plans that involved securing their position by offering me as a mistress to Lucas, Alpha Patrick’s son, despite him being openly devoted to having many women.The memory of that day still burns like acid in my throat. “It’s for the good of our family,” my mother had said, not meeting my eyes. My father had simply nodded, his face a mask of political calculation. They had traded their own daughter’s future for a guarantee of keeping their Alpha and Luna positions.Now, two months later, my life is a shadow of what it once w
NinaEvery breath felt like fire in my chest. I lay curled on the cold wooden floor of my room, each inhale a reminder of last night’s torture.The morning light filtering through the window seemed to mock me with its cheerfulness, while my body screamed with pain that refused to subside. My fingers traced the bruises blooming across my ribs – purple and blue landscapes of my humiliation.They’d left me here to suffer, probably hoping I’d break. The tears that leaked from my eyes weren’t just from physical agony anymore; they were tears of pure rage.Scar. Her name alone made my jaw clench, sending a fresh spike of pain through my already battered face. How could Lucas stand by and watch while she—? No. I couldn’t let myself relive it. Not yet. The memory was too raw, too fresh, like an open wound that hadn’t even begun to scab over.I tried to push myself up to a sitting position, using the wall for support. My arms trembled with the effort, muscles protesting every movement.A whimp
Nina“My lord,” the guard announced, snapping to attention at the door. “She has arrived.”“Come in.”He dragged me inside and shoved me aside.“Lucas,” I whispered, voice trembling. “The guard—”“Playing disobedient again, I see,” Lucas cut in, rising from the bed. His casual dismissal of the guard’s brutality felt like a knife through my heart.“I’m not... He...” The words died in my throat as I caught Lucas’s stare. Where I’d once seen lust, now only disgust remained as his eyes raked over my bloodied form.“Did you not know why you were brought here?” His howl made the windows shake. “How dare you show yourself to me like this!”The irony was a knife in my chest. Here I stood, having orchestrated Scarlett’s downfall, only to find myself reduced to the very thing I’d despised.“I... I am sorry, Lucas.”“Lucas!” he repeated. “What did you just call me?”My heart skipped a beat. “Master.”“Good.” He turned around and faced the guard. “Good job. You can go.”I was hurt, both my body a
NinaThe room was deathly quiet, with only the steady ticking of a clock on the far wall breaking the silence. Time seemed to slow down as I knelt before Lucas, feeling the chill of the marble floor beneath me. The oppressive atmosphere weighed heavily on us, like a looming storm ready to unleash its fury.He hadn’t spoken since Scar had been dragged away. His stillness was a different kind of torment, his silence a sharpened blade hanging over my neck. I kept my gaze fixed downward, the shadows of the room creeping toward me, threatening to consume what little strength I had left.Finally, he moved. His boots clicked against the floor as he crossed the space between us. I flinched as they came to a halt directly in front of me.“Stand,” he commanded, his voice devoid of emotion.My legs were numb and trembling as I forced them to comply. Every muscle screamed in protest, but I managed to rise, keeping my head bowed under the weight of his gaze, which bore into me like a brand.“You’v
ScarlettThe warmth of Crescent Pack surrounded me like a sanctuary, a place I never thought I’d find after all I had been through. Finn, my mate, was more than just a protector; he was my salvation, my hope, my everything.I smiled as I looked out from the window of the room Finn had given me, listening to the lively sounds of the pack outside. I had never felt such a strong sense of belonging. Finn’s people had embraced me warmly, showing me kindness and acceptance beyond my expectations. With Finn by my side, I felt safe and protected.I sat with Finn in the packhouse; the fire crackling softly in the background. There was a certain atmosphere that day, something I couldn’t quite pinpoint. Perhaps it was just the lingering remnants of my old trauma, still clinging to me like the persistent chill in my bones.“Finn," I began, my voice wavering. I had been grappling with this question for days, unsure of how to broach the subject. “What happened to the people from Dickson Pack who...
Alaric“Alaric, do you truly think this will work?” Elena asked, her fingers tracing lazy patterns across my chest.I couldn’t suppress a scornful laugh. How could it possibly fail when the Alpha King himself had shown such interest in Scarlett?If I had known she would turn out to be such an amazing asset, I wouldn’t have gifted her to Dickson. I would have given her directly to the King. By now, I could have been enjoying royal status.My eyes drifted to Elena, my beautiful yet simple-minded stupid Luna. Without the memory-altering potion clouding her mind, she wouldn’t be this gentle and kind.I remembered all too well her incessant complaints about Nina’s situation; her tears, her accusations, her demands that I intervene.I had no choice but to clear off her memories. The only memories left for her now were that Nina was living happily with Lucas.That was all I wanted her to know. I blocked all other news, especially the bitter truth about Nina’s suffering in their pack.That wo
LeonardoEverything changed when I grew. I got stronger. Strong enough to protect myself. Strong enough to step over their blood towards the throne.Strong enough to tear out the hearts of those who crossed me. Strong enough to eliminate anyone who threatened what was mine.I had sworn never to show weakness again. To maintain power, I needed to be merciless. The bodies of treacherous women who had approached me with hidden daggers and poisoned smiles littered my past.Throughout my life, only my mother had ever shown me genuine love. Everyone else came with agendas—assassins sent by enemies or manipulators seeking to exploit my position.“Leonardo,” a voice called, soft as silk against my consciousness. “Are you with us?”I tried to open my eyes, but they were heavy.“My king,” another voice penetrated the darkness. “Can you hear me?”With tremendous effort, I forced my eyes open. The world swam in a blur, but the voices reached me with perfect clarity.“Is he responding?” someone as
LeonardoAs darkness enveloped me, memories of my mother, Rose, flooded my mind in vivid flashes. These were not distant recollections, but raw wounds that reopened with each heartbeat.She had been my anchor, the only source of kindness in this world. She would whisper reassurances that I was deserving of love, despite my father’s constant assertions to the contrary.But now, all I could see was her bloodied body, her once-radiant life extinguished by the man who should have protected her above all others—my father, Alexander.My mother was the epitome of beauty, not just in her looks - her golden hair and piercing eyes made her the envy of all women in the kingdom - but also in the radiant glow of her spirit.She was the rightful Queen, the beloved daughter of King Hunter and Queen Mia, adored by everyone who knew her, except for the one who had promised to cherish her.My father never cared about her royal lineage. He resented her status, power, and the adoration people had for her
Leonardo“But...” I let my gaze drift around the room as if concerned about being overheard. “Don’t you think she will suspect I was behind it?”He waved his hand dismissively. “No, we won’t make it obvious. I will perfect everything. I have done this before, and I can do it again, my King. I will do anything to see you happy with the woman you love.”“Really?” I couldn’t keep the excitement from my voice.Now there was no need to reveal that I already had Scarlett imprisoned in my palace. I could use this greedy fool to eliminate her mate while keeping my own hands clean in her eyes.“Yes, my King.” His voice grew animated with bloodlust. “All I need to do is plant some treason papers in his pack. Then you can order the palace guards to search his territory. They’ll capture him and rip his head off right there...”He trailed off, his excited eyes meeting mine, seeking approval. “Then we can destroy his pack to eliminate any future problems. You just have to leave everything to me. I
LeonardoEverything is getting interesting. The look on Scarlett’s face as I departed made everything crystallize; it clicked the final piece of the puzzle that had been nagging at me for weeks.She and her father were never close—not from the start, according to my spies. And with the way things stand now, everything is working in my favour.I turned around and left with my Beta.“Where is he?” I asked, walking as fast as my legs could carry me.“In the throne palace,” Giovanni replied, struggling slightly to match my frantic pace.“Good.” We walked in tense silence, the corridor stretching before us like the path to my victory.Upon reaching the throne palace, the guards snapped to attention, their eyes lowered in deference and fear—exactly as they should be.“Here comes the King,” they announced in perfect unison.The massive doors swung open, and I stepped inside, my eyes immediately finding him.Alaric BlackstoneMy soon-to-be father-in-law.He immediately rose to his feet. I cou
Leonardo“This is interesting.”My body went into shock. I flinched violently, my blood turning to ice in my veins. That voice—I would recognize it anywhere, even in the depths of hell itself.My Scarlett.I turned around slowly, composing my features into what I hoped was a charming smile, though my heart hammered against my ribs like a war drum.“Having sex with a whore in the hallway. What a king you are.” Her words dripped with venom.“Who do we have here?” I asked with feigned innocence, desperately trying to salvage what little dignity remained. “My love.”The endearment felt hollow on my tongue as I forcefully pulled Mira’s hand away from me. Disgust radiated through me at the contact I had sought moments before.“My king,” Mira whimpered, her voice small and fearful.I turned back to her, my gaze hardening to steel. Without a single word, I made my message crystal clear: make Scarlett unhappy, and I’ll end your miserable life.Mira’s mouth snapped shut, terror blooming in her
LeonardoThe thought of her consumed me, burning through my veins like molten gold. I didn’t know what to do to make her happy—to make her mine entirely. Scarlett.Even her name tasted like fire on my tongue. She was beautiful, yes, but more than that—she was powerful, radiating a strength that called to me like nothing before. A woman truly fitted to be my queen.My chest ached watching her tears flow for another. Love? What feeble excuse. If I were in her position, I would choose power over love without hesitation.Being powerful means everyone fears you, respects you, worships you. Even those who claim not to love you have no choice but to bend the knee and pretend. Power rules over everything—it always has.“King, I don’t think you should go this far,” Giovanni’s voice cut through my thoughts, laced with an anxiety he rarely showed.I turned to face him, jaw tight with barely contained rage. My Beta—the one man who knew my mind better than anyone—was choosing now to act the fool?
Scarlett“Enough!” I roared, my voice cracking with desperate fury as I thrust myself between the two men. “Enough of all this!”I turned to face Finn, my heart splintering at the sight of his ravaged expression. “Please, Alpha, accept my rejection.”“Why?” Finn’s eyes were wet with tears. “Why did you choose to betray me?”“I didn’t,” I replied with a completed smugness that made me sick to my core. “I was blind before to see my worth, but I know better now. I know who deserves me.” I approached Leonardo with a seductive step.I ran my fingers across his chest in a possessive caress that made my skin crawl with revulsion. “Only Leonardo deserves me. I am powerful.” My eyes fixed on Finn, willing him to see through the lie even as I prayed he wouldn’t. “Beautiful, and I deserve to be the queen.”“Only I deserve to be your mate,” Leonardo muttered, seizing the opportunity to claim me before Finn’s eyes. Without warning, he captured my lips in a kiss so invasive it felt like an assault.
ScarlettI scoffed, shaking his hand off me violently. My skin crawled from his touch, as if contaminated by something vile. “As if I wanted this."“You don’t have a choice, honey,” he said with a smirk that made rage bubble in my chest. Without warning, he wrapped his arm around my waist, pulling me against him.The possessive gesture made my stomach roil with disgust. He used his free hand to smooth my hair before pressing his lips to my forehead.“You look so beautiful,” he smirked. “You’re finally mine, honey.”“Let me go,” I uttered, my voice tight with barely controlled fury as I stretched my hand out demandingly. “Let me have the cure.”Every second in his arms felt like an eternity in hell.His gaze met mine, holding me in place. “Don’t push it.”“What else do you want?” I snapped. “Tell me.”“Nothing,” he groaned, forging an innocent face as if I was the one bullying him. He stared at me for a while before turning away.When he turned back, he held a bottle identical to the o