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...
ScarlettThe packhouse cells were filled with a chilling silence as I made my way back to Rebecca’s cell. My steps were deliberate, my intentions clear and focused. Finn’s protective instincts had been subdued, but my desire for revenge was sharp and exact.I unlocked the cell door with deliberate movements. Rebecca’s screams echoed off the cold, unyielding walls of her cell, creating a symphony of anguish in my ears. She was shackled to a chair in the center of the damp room, her frail body trembling. Her once haughty demeanor had vanished, replaced by raw, unfiltered fear. It was a poetic sight to see the predator become the prey.“Scarlett,” she rasped, her voice weak from hours of crying. Her tear-streaked face tilted up to meet my gaze, her once-pristine blonde hair now tangled and matted. “Please... I’ve had enough. Let me go. I’ll do anything!”Anything.The word lingered in my mind, tickling a dark satisfaction in my chest. Anything? What a hollow promise from someone who had
Finn“Alpha!” The guard’s panicked voice echoed through the hall. “It’s Jack, sir. He’s not well. Something’s terribly wrong!”My chest tightened. If anything happened to Jack while in my custody, it would mean war with Stone Ridge Pack. “Show me,” I commanded, already striding toward the door. Lucas fell into step beside me, his face carved with worry.The prison air hit us first, thick with the metallic scent of blood and something else, something wrong. Jack’s agonized groans guided us to his cell, where we found him writhing on the floor, his body contorted in pain.“Jack!” Lucas rushed forward the moment the guard unlocked the cell. He dropped to his knees beside his Beta, hands hovering uncertainly over Jack’s trembling form. “What happened? What’s wrong?”Jack’s only response was another gut-wrenching groan. His eyes rolled back, sweat beading on his forehead. Whatever this was, it wasn’t natural.Lucas’s hands moved swiftly, pulling a small bottle from his pocket. The liquid i
ScarlettThe cold stone walls of the “other wing” seemed to press in on me, suffocating me with their silence.The maids had left quickly, their heads bowed in shame or fear, I couldn’t tell which.My body trembled, but it wasn’t the chill of the room that sent shivers down my spine.It was him. My mate. The man I once thought I could trust. The man I foolishly believed might stand by me.I hugged my arms to myself, replaying his words. “Don’t forgive me.” His voice had cracked, raw with pain, yet laced with a cruel finality that left me shattered.How could he? How could he be so blind, so consumed by his anger that he would cast me aside?Nina’s cries echoed in my mind. She was innocent, at least of the betrayal Finn accused her of.I had seen the desperation in her eyes, the trembling of her voice. She wasn’t lying.But Finn didn’t believe her.And now I was paying the price for daring to stand up for my sister.I paced the small room, my heart warring with itself. Part of me wante
FinnScarlett’s voice wavered with uncertainty. “I don’t know about that, Nina. How did Jack become your guard? Did you know he is the Beta of Stone Ridge Pack?”Nina’s response trembled with desperation. “No, sister, I didn’t know. He was the only one who showed me kindness. When everyone else ignored me, he became my friend. He fed me when no one else would. Please believe me, I had no idea he was their Beta.”The next words shattered the tension. “I believe you, Nina,” Scarlett whispered, her voice soft with conviction. “I know you are innocent.”My scoff cut through the moment like a blade. “Since you believe her so well,” I sneered, masking my inner pain behind a cruel smile.In one swift motion, I threw Nina to the floor. Her horrific scream echoed through the room.Scarlett lunged forward, but David’s iron grip held her back. He kept her firmly in place, preventing any intervention.“Guards,” I commanded.Instantly, they materialized at my side, heads bowed in immediate submiss
FinnThe room crackled with violent tension. “Who’s here?” Scarlett demanded, her grip on Nina loosening.“Luna,” David called, drawing Scarlett’s attention to him. “The Stone Ridge Pack is here, and they’re here for their Beta.” He paused, shifting his gaze to Nina, who was still on the floor. “Jack.” I exploded. “What the heck is going on?” I roared, my anger boiling. I knew Nina was bad news. Having her here was a disaster waiting to happen. I glared at her.The amusement lingered on her lips, but she quickly composed herself when our gazes met. No matter how fast she tried to hide it, I could see right through her. This fucking bitch. “Damon,” my Luna called, her voice shaking. “I—”“You don’t have to talk,” I growled, making her shiver. Immediately, I knew I’d made a mistake. Why did I let my emotions get the better of me? I exhaled sharply, composing myself as I stepped closer to her. “I need answers from your sister, and I don’t want you to interrupt, Luna,” I added, my to
Finn“Good morning,” I said, watching my mate stir in my arms. “Time to wake up, beautiful.”A blush colored her cheeks as her eyes fluttered open.“Morning, my love,” Scarlett murmured, pressing a soft kiss to my cheek.The gesture drew a low rumble of contentment from my chest. Even after all this time, she still had this effect on me.“Sleep well?” I asked, returning her kiss.“Perfectly.”We lingered in bed, savoring each other’s warmth until I finally spoke. “I need to get ready. I have to see Jack today.”Scarlett tensed beside me. “Jack?”I nodded. “Yes, Jack.”“Why?” Her voice had grown wary.“To interrogate him again. The last time I went to see him, I wasn’t satisfied with what he told me. So...” I studied my mate’s face, watching for her reaction.Scarlett had insisted Jack was innocent, but as Alpha, the final judgment rested with me. I hadn’t mentioned my previous visit to her - I couldn’t bear having her think I doubted her judgment.“You went behind my back?” Her voice
In the darkest corner, he stood motionless, his fingers tracing the edge of a recent photograph of them.The image captured Scarlett with her beautiful hair catching the sunlight, and Damon with his arm wrapped protectively around her waist.His breath hitched, a sound somewhere between a growl and a sob. Hatred burned in his chest like acid, eating away at whatever humanity remained.How dare they be happy? How dare they build their perfect little life while his lay in ruins around him?“Look at you both,” he whispered, his voice rough from disuse. “So perfect. So innocent.” His fingers dug into the photograph, creating deep creases across the smiling faces.His dark eyes narrowed as he studied their features. “If only they could see what I see; the destroyers, the thieves, the architects of my destruction.”Memories flooded back: how he had spent a lot of money to acquire her, yet she was stolen from him.He gritted his teeth together, hatred oozing off him as he gazed at the picture
NinaI slammed the door behind me, fury coursing through my veins as the image of them together burned in my mind.My sister’s soft moans, his hands on her body, their passionate kisses. It was torture. Pure, unadulterated torture.“Damn you, Damon,” I whispered, my nails digging into my palms until they nearly drew blood.The way he’d looked at me, with such contempt, such dismissal... it made my blood boil.And yet, beneath that anger lay something else, something I refused to acknowledge: desire.I hadn’t meant to fall for him. He was my sister’s mate, for Moon’s sake. But from the moment I first saw him, something inside me had shifted.The raw power that emanated from him, the dangerous glint in his eyes, the way he carried himself. Everything about him called to my wolf in ways I couldn’t explain.And now he was flaunting their relationship in front of me, deliberately torturing me with their intimacy. He knew. Of course, he knew.Alphas could sense these things, could they not?
NinaI lifted my head, an apology forming on my lips, but the words died in my throat.The man before me commanded attention without effort, tall and striking, with piercing blue eyes that seemed to hold depths I couldn’t fathom.He carried himself with the natural authority of someone who didn’t need to demand respect; it was freely given.Idiot. That is Alpha Damon. My wolf’s voice cut through my thoughts like a blade.I was completely captivated by his presence. He seemed perfect in every way. It felt like fate that we were meant to be together.Of course, only he deserved me. How could anyone else compare?I struggled to keep my emotions in check, but a gentle purr slipped out, revealing the intensity of my feelings even as I tried to stay composed.“I’m sorry, Alpha Damon,” I managed, struggling to keep my voice steady under his gaze. I had meant to sound confident, but his presence made it impossible.“What brings you here?" His tone was cool and controlled, but there was a hint
Finn“You’re back, Damon.” My mate’s voice trembled with relief as she spotted me. She rushed forward, wrapping her arms around my waist and pressing her face against my chest. The familiar scent of her hair washed over me.“Yes," I muttered, feeling Nina’s intense gaze on us from across the room. Her anger was palpable in her tense stance and clenched fists.I didn’t fucking care.Pulling Scarlett closer, I leaned in and kissed her deeply. She melted against me with a soft moan, her hands clutching my shirt as if grounding herself.Out of the corner of my eye, I caught Nina’s bitter glare slicing through the air like a dagger. Her venom only made me hold Scarlett tighter.Nina’s loud cough shattered the moment, drawing my mate’s attention. Scarlett pulled back from our kiss with gentle reluctance, and though irritation flared in my chest, I forced myself to stay calm.The last thing I wanted was to damage what Scarlett and I had, especially over Nina’s petty interruption.“Sister.” N