Elias’s POVI was just about to step into my car, keys dangling from my fingers when I heard the soft click of heels against the pavement.Turning slightly, I saw Lora walking toward me, a wide smile plastered on her face, her arms swinging a garment bag dramatically. Trouble."Elias!" she sang, stopping just a few steps from me. "I just picked out the perfect dress for the Moonlight Party. You're going to love it."I frowned, glancing at my watch. I had a meeting with Gazelle. I didn’t have time for this."Lora now's not a good time," I said, reaching for the car door.But she wasn’t deterred. She stepped closer, holding out the garment bag like it was some sacred offering. "Come on, just two minutes. I even got a matching outfit for you! We’ll look perfect together."I shut the door again, slowly, fixing her with a steady look."I already have a date," I said calmly. "Selene."The smile on Lora’s face froze, cracked, and then she laughed, a bright, shrill sound that didn’t reach her
Selene’s POV The soft evening breeze swept through the clearing, carrying whispers of the trees, and a chill that seeped into my bones. Despite the warmth of the fading sun, I couldn’t shake the foreboding that had taken root in my chest. Tonight was supposed to be the most important night of my life. The night I’d dreamed of since I was old enough to understand the stories of fated mates and destined bonds. Tonight, I would finally meet my mate—the one chosen by the moon goddess to complete me, to bring my life the meaning and purpose I had been denied all these years. I was standing in the center of the pack’s ceremonial grounds, surrounded by dozens of wolves from both our Blackwood pack and the visiting Silverfangs. Their curious, eager eyes bore into me, their whispers like a knife against my skin. They all knew what this meeting meant—knew that I, Selene Blackwood, was about to be mated to the powerful Alpha Leo of the Silverfang pack. It was supposed to be my redemption
Selene’s POV The moon hung high above me, its silver glow seeping through the cracks in the thick canopy of Blackwood Forest. Every step I took felt heavier than the last, my body still adjusting to the overwhelming power coursing through my veins. The whispers of the moon goddess echoed faintly in my mind, soothing yet commanding. Her gift was more than strength; it was a promise that my broken heart could be made whole again. But tonight, I was still raw. Still alone. The forest stirred with life, the sounds of nocturnal creatures filling the void. My instincts, sharper now than ever, told me I wasn’t alone. My muscles tensed as I scanned the darkness, my ears picking up the faint rustling of leaves and the soft crunch of boots against the forest floor. Someone was approaching. “Who’s there?” I called out, my voice steadier than I expected. A figure emerged from the shadows, tall and commanding, with an air of quiet strength. His dark hair was tousled, and his piercing amber
Ronan’s POV The knock at the door came like a gunshot in the quiet night, shattering whatever fragile peace had settled between Selene and me. I caught her startled expression out of the corner of my eye, her wide violet eyes reflecting the same unease creeping up my spine. “Stay here,” I told her, my voice low but firm. She nodded, but I could feel her gaze on me as I moved toward the door. My senses sharpened; every instinct told me this wasn’t a social visit. The door creaked open, and sure enough, there he was—Kael. Of all people, he was the last one I wanted to see tonight. “Ronan,” he drawled, leaning casually against the doorframe. His gray eyes swept past me and into the room, landing squarely on Selene. His smirk deepened, a look I’d come to despise. “Well, well,” Kael said, amusement dripping from every syllable. “You’ve been busy. Didn’t know you were in the business of rescuing damsels.” I stepped fully into the doorway, blocking his view. “She’s not a damsel,
Ronan's POV The cabin was quiet, save for the faint rustle of the wind against the wooden walls. Selene was upstairs, likely asleep, though I couldn’t shake the feeling that she was as restless as I was. I sat on the couch, staring into the dying embers of the fire, my mind replaying the events of the day. I hadn’t planned for this—for her. Selene wasn’t just some rogue I could take in and protect without consequence. She was a spark of something far more dangerous, something I hadn’t encountered in years. A rejected mate, carrying not only the weight of her past but a power that pulsed beneath her skin like a second heartbeat. And then there was the other complication: I was drawn to her. It wasn’t just her beauty, though she was breathtaking in a way that made it hard to focus on anything else. It was her strength, the quiet defiance in her eyes despite everything she’d been through. She was fighting to survive, and it ignited something deep inside me—a protective instinct
Selene's POV The forest was alive with the whispers of the wind and the soft hum of nature. I stood at the edge of a clearing, the tall pines towering above me, their branches swaying lazily in the breeze. The air smelled of earth and pine, grounding me in a way I hadn’t felt in years. I’d come out here to escape the weight of Ronan’s intense gaze. Being around him stirred something deep and primal within me—something I wasn’t sure how to handle. Every time he looked at me, it felt as though he could see every hidden scar, every fractured piece of my soul. And yet, I wanted him to look. The thought made me uneasy. I’d spent years building walls around my heart, protecting myself from further pain. Letting someone in—especially someone like Ronan—felt dangerous. But wasn’t I already standing on the edge of danger? I closed my eyes, letting the cool breeze caress my skin. My thoughts drifted to the moment we’d shared earlier, the way his deep voice had wrapped around me like a
Selene’s POVThe morning came too soon, sunlight pouring through the window of the small cabin like liquid gold. I stirred awake to the sound of Ronan’s low voice as he spoke on the phone. His words were muffled, but his tone carried a weight of urgency.When he hung up, I sat up in bed, rubbing the sleep from my eyes. Ronan stood by the window, his silhouette outlined by the soft glow of morning light.“What’s going on?” I asked, my voice still heavy with sleep.He turned, offering me a small smile. “There’s a meeting with the board members. I need to head back to the city today.”A pang of disappointment surprised me, but I pushed it aside. “That sounds important.”“It is,” he admitted, walking over and sitting on the edge of the bed. “But you’re coming with me.”I blinked at him, startled. “To the city?”Ronan nodded. “I’m not leaving you here alone. Besides, I want you to see where I live.”There was something in his eyes—a quiet determination that made it impossible to argue.---
Ronan’s POV The office felt suffocating despite its expansive design. Floor-to-ceiling windows offered a panoramic view of the bustling city below, but even the sight of progress and power couldn’t erase the tension gripping me. Hilliard, my ever-efficient secretary, sat across the desk, meticulously jotting down notes. We’d just returned from the boardroom, the echoes of dry presentations and tedious negotiations still lingering in my mind. “Sir, the finalized draft for the Lynton project is ready,” Hilliard said, his voice steady and professional. “Good,” I replied, leaning back in my chair. “Send it to legal for review. I don’t want any surprises later.” Hilliard nodded, but before he could respond, the door to my office opened, and Liam stepped inside. His presence was a stark contrast to Hilliard’s polished demeanor. Liam was all grit and loyalty, a man who thrived in the shadows. “Sir Ronan,” he said, closing the door behind him. His expression was tight, his tone mea
Elias’s POVI was just about to step into my car, keys dangling from my fingers when I heard the soft click of heels against the pavement.Turning slightly, I saw Lora walking toward me, a wide smile plastered on her face, her arms swinging a garment bag dramatically. Trouble."Elias!" she sang, stopping just a few steps from me. "I just picked out the perfect dress for the Moonlight Party. You're going to love it."I frowned, glancing at my watch. I had a meeting with Gazelle. I didn’t have time for this."Lora now's not a good time," I said, reaching for the car door.But she wasn’t deterred. She stepped closer, holding out the garment bag like it was some sacred offering. "Come on, just two minutes. I even got a matching outfit for you! We’ll look perfect together."I shut the door again, slowly, fixing her with a steady look."I already have a date," I said calmly. "Selene."The smile on Lora’s face froze, cracked, and then she laughed, a bright, shrill sound that didn’t reach her
Ronan’s POVI stormed out of Selene’s room without looking back, my chest tightening with something sharp and ugly. I didn’t know where I was going, my feet simply carried me across the estate until I found myself in the garden.The late afternoon sun bathed the place in gold. Roses bloomed wildly along the trellises, and the scent of lavender hung thick in the air. It was usually calming in this place. A refuge.But today, nothing could calm the churn of emotions inside me.Selene had said yes. She hadn’t even hesitated. Elias had asked, and she had agreed, just like that. It didn’t matter at all. Like I didn’t matter.I dragged a hand through my hair in frustration, pacing between the flowerbeds.What right did I have to be angry? To feel this… betrayed?Selene wasn’t mine. I had never said the words, never asked her to be mine. I hadn't made any promises. Neither had she.Hell, we didn’t even have a relationship — not a real one, anyway. A few lingering looks. A few moments when th
Luka's POVI finally pulled myself together and stepped out of my bedroom. The hallway was silent, save for the soft creak of the wooden floors beneath my boots. As I made my way downstairs, I dragged a hand through my hair, feeling the weight of the past few days settle heavily on my shoulders.I needed to get a grip.My phone buzzed angrily on the kitchen counter where I had abandoned it earlier. I picked it up and winced at the endless stream of missed calls and unread messages. Most were from the office. Specifically, from Margaret, my ever-efficient, ever-persistent secretary.Sighing, I called her back.She answered before the first ring even finished."Mr. Luka! Thank God you called back. We have several meetings scheduled for today, the board is waiting for your confirmation on the expansion project, and—""Margaret," I interrupted calmly, though my head pounded, "Push everything to tomorrow. I’ll be there first thing in the morning."A beat of silence. Then a reluctant, "Unde
Elias POV The sun beat down hard on the courtyard as I stepped over the last of the flattened corn stalks. A stupid fight, two neighbors screaming over who planted what too close to the other’s side. As usual, it fell on me to mediate. The great Elias, Alpha-in-training, mediator of crop wars.I sighed and dusted my palms on my trousers, glad it was over. I was already thinking about heading back to my quarters when I heard her. Light steps, that irritating sway in her stride.Lora.I groaned without even turning. “Why won’t you leave me alone, Lora?”“Because I’m not going anywhere,” she said behind me with that sharp little scoff of hers. “You should get used to seeing me around. I plan on being a permanent fixture in your life.”I turned to face her, brows raised in disbelief. “You’re delusional.”She smiled, smug and too confident. “We’re getting married, Elias. It’s only a matter of time.”“I’m not marrying you,” I said flatly, arms folded across my chest. “You need to sink that
Keiran's POV I was just about to leave the dining room, having pushed around more food than I’d actually eaten when the front door creaked open. The scent hit me before the sound of his boots on the tile did, smoke, blood, and something I couldn't quite name. My father.Of course, he hadn’t returned last night.I straightened, wiping my mouth with a napkin more out of habit than need. He entered the room like nothing was out of place as if walking in after a night of god-knows-what was normal. His coat was slung over his shoulder, his shirt unbuttoned at the collar, and that unreadable look he always wore sat neatly on his face like a well-rehearsed mask.“Good morning,” he said, voice calm, even. “Is Nelly awake?”I paused mid-step. “Why do you want to know?”He raised an eyebrow at me. “Watch your tone, Keiran. I’m still your father.”“I know,” I replied, my voice sharp but level. “But lately… I’ve been questioning a lot of things. You’re asking about Nelly all of a sudden, and you
Ronan's POV I knew she was trying to avoid me, and I know it's entirely my fault; I treated her like garbage yesterday. I just wanted to talk to her and to know what is running through her mind so we can talk things out and patch things up.I remembered what my mom said earlier on and what she said last night and I totally agree with it since Elias has not laid his claim on her. I can do as I please without thinking about him or thinking if I am trespassing.I watched as the door opened and she walked in with a book in her hand, immediately I stood up and walked over to her “What is that and where did you get that book?’ She looked at me and shook her head. “I remember telling you I was going to the library so of course I got it from the library. Is that a surprise to you?” she asked.“So what is it about? Have you gone through it?” I found myself asking, trying to make little conversations as she walked over to the chair and sat down. “I think this is something you and the other
Selene’s POVThe scent of warm bread and herbs wafted up from the plate in front of me as I sat alone at the long dining table, slowly chewing through my breakfast. I’d woken up earlier than usual, my thoughts too jumbled to stay in bed. Sleep hadn’t been kind either; my dreams were murky and strange, almost like warnings I couldn’t decipher.I needed answers. Answers that no one seemed to have, or were too afraid to ask for.Today, I was going to the library. I wanted to understand more about the witches, why they were banished, what they did, and most importantly, whether letting Gazelle into the werewolf realm had unleashed something darker than we realized.I took another bite of my toast, already planning my route through the archives. The tension in my chest hadn’t eased since Gazelle performed the binding. The pull between all of us, the Alpha bond, felt… off. Too intense. Too entangled. Something was wrong. Deeply wrong.The sound of footsteps pulled me out of my thoughts. I
Luka’s POVI turned again.And again.The sheets were twisted around my legs like vines refusing to let me go. My pillow was flat and warm from the weight of my restless thoughts. I stared at the ceiling, watching nothing, thinking about everything.Sleep wouldn’t come. Not with the way my chest felt heavy. Like something was pressing against it, silent and unseen.I groaned and pushed the covers off, swinging my legs over the edge of the bed. The clock on the wall blinked past 2 a.m., mocking me with its soft blue light.Maybe a drink would help.I grabbed a shirt, slid into my slippers, and padded quietly down the stairs. The whole house was dark except for a low golden glow coming from the kitchen.As I stepped in, the scent hit me first, not the sharp, burning scent of alcohol, but something more biting.Cigarette smoke.I froze for a second, frowning, then followed the trail of smoke to the dining area.There he was.Lawrence.Sitting with one hand wrapped around a half-empty bot
Selene’s POVBy the time I got home, I could barely feel my feet. Every joint in my body ached from the long day, physically, emotionally, mentally. My mind had been working overtime, running through everything that happened during the meeting with the alphas, the tension with Ronan, and worst of all, the deal with Gazelle. A binding spell. One I wasn't sure I had the strength or the clarity to deal with.The moment I stepped into the hallway, one of the maids approached with a polite smile.“My lady, dinner is almost ready. Should I have a plate sent to your room?”I gave her a tired shake of the head. “No. I won’t be coming down for dinner. Just... let Lady Eleanor and Ronan know. Please.”“Of course.”I managed a weak nod before heading to my room. I didn’t even turn on the chandelier light. The dim glow from the hallway behind me was enough to guide me inside.The door shut softly behind me, and I exhaled deeply. My heels came off first. Then I padded into the bathroom and strippe