Seven years had passed before I decided to return to the city, and I was more than determined to start afresh. I convinced myself that Daniella and Liam were living their best life together, and I vowed that whatever lingering feelings I’d once had for Daniella were long buried. It was foolish to think otherwise—or so I told myself. However, on my arrival, I was left with no donut that the Moon Goddess had other plans in store for me. Not long after I settled back in, I decided to run a few errands at Target, and that was when I saw her. She looked as ethereal as ever, and her presence still had that magnetic pull that I couldn’t resist. But something had changed—her eyes. They were still as striking and hazel-colored as I remembered, but now they carried a quiet sadness that hadn’t been there before. The worst part about seeing her again was that every emotion I thought I had buried—every flicker of longing, love, and heartache—rushed back to the surface, confirming to me that
I buried myself in work and convinced myself that if I worked hard enough if I exhausted every ounce of my energy, I wouldn’t have the time—or the strength—to think about him. About us. About what could have been, what should have been.However, I started to notice that I was becoming tired, too tired. The kind of exhaustion that seeped into my bones, making it difficult to function. At first, I blamed it on overworking, but then the nausea started. Subtle at first, like a mild uneasiness in the pit of my stomach, but soon it grew. The scent of coffee made her gag. Even the perfume I had worn for years suddenly smelled foreign. And then there were the dizzy spells—small ones at first, I also started noticing a foreign scent around me, it was nothing like the way Liam used to smell, it was different and worse, it seemed as if it was coming from within me.I should have known something was wrong but I ignored it until I almost fainted on my way back from a meeting.“Daniella, you okay
FOUR YEARS LATERDaniella’s POVThe airport was as busy as I remembered, bustling with people moving in different directions. The scent of fresh coffee and cheap perfume clung to the air, mixing with the sharp tang of jet fuel. Announcements echoed overhead, calling out delayed flights and final boarding calls. I gripped my phone tightly, pressing it to my ear as Roy picked up on the third ring. “Daniella?” His voice was warm and familiar—a tether to a past that didn’t hurt as much anymore. “Hey, Roy. I’m back.” I exhaled slowly, steadying myself. “Can you come get me?” There was a brief pause then he chuckled lowly. “Took you long enough, Thornhill.” A small smile tugged at my lips. “Yeah, yeah. I’ll wait outside.” As I ended the call, I adjusted the strap of my purse and started toward the exit, weaving through the crowd. My heels clicked against the polished floor, my heart lighter than it had been in a long time. And then I saw them. Liam Garvalle and Matilda. Ti
LIAM'S POVIt had been four years. Four years of silence. Four years of searching, questioning, and coming up empty-handed.Daniella was gone.I never thought she had it in her. Leaving me? No, that was impossible. For years, she had been by my side, unwavering, constant. She belonged there—or at least, I had believed she did. But she vanished without a trace, walking out of my life like I never mattered like we never existed.I had searched. I had sent men to track her down, combed through records, and called in favors from people who owed me their lives. But there was nothing. No trail, no whispers, not even a ghost of her existence left behind. It was as if she had been swallowed by the earth itself.I had confronted Grace and Roy more times than I cared to count, demanding answers. Their unwavering silence was infuriating. They had sworn they didn’t know where she was, but I knew better. They were loyal to her, not me. I could have used my Alpha command to force them to speak, to
LIAMS'S POVI stretched out on the couch, staring up at the ceiling, listening to the muffled sounds of Matilda moving around in the bedroom. I could tell she was still irritated but I didn’t care. I wasn’t in the mood for another night of endless nagging and passive-aggressive remarks. I needed space.Matilda didn’t take rejection well, and I knew I’d pay for it in the morning. But for now, the couch was my sanctuary. The cushions weren’t exactly comfortable, but they were better than the alternative—lying beside her, and listening to her whine about what I was supposed to do about us.I turned to my side, willing sleep to take over and drown my restlessness. My mind, however, had other plans. It drifted—like it always did—to Daniella. Four years, and still, she haunted me. I could almost hear her voice, soft and steady, cutting through the chaos of my thoughts. She had been my balance, my anchor, and I had let her slip away.Damn it.I shut my eyes and forced my body to relax. Think
I stared at Liam’s broad back as he settled onto the couch, his muscles tense, his face turned away from me. The unspoken message was clear: he wasn’t in the mood for another argument.Coward-I musedMy fingers curled into fists as frustration surged through me. Four years. Four long years I had stood by his side, played the role of the perfect partner, tolerated his cold moods and his infuriating silence. And yet, he still refused to make me his Luna. Still refused to give me the one thing I deserved after all my patience.I had no intention of being like Daniella. That weak, pathetic girl who had wasted seven years waiting for Liam to wake up and claim her. And where had that gotten her? Nowhere. She had vanished into thin air, and Liam had moved on without a second thought. Or at least, that was what I told myself.But the truth gnawed at me.Because for all his indifference, for all his apparent disinterest, I saw it—the way his gaze sometimes drifted, the way a shadow of somethin
LIAMS POVThe flight back to New York felt longer than it should have. Paris had been exhausting, not because of the city itself but because of Matilda. She had been insufferable, whining about how I wasn’t paying enough attention to her, complaining about how I still hadn’t marked her, and bringing up Daniella’s name far too many times for my liking.I had thought a lavish trip, designer shopping sprees, and five-star dining would pacify her—like it always did. But this time, she was relentless. The moment we landed, I wanted nothing more than to return to my penthouse, pour myself a drink, and have some goddamn peace.As soon as the car pulled up to my estate, I stepped out without offering Matilda so much as a glance. I could hear her irritated huff behind me, but I didn’t care. But the second I stepped into my home, that small desire was shattered.Sitting in my living room were my mother, my sister Jessica, and two of the eldest members of the pack’s council—Elder Harrington an
I was now sure that their was a gang up against me because as soon as my mother and her entourage left, my phone rang. The moment I saw Alpha Seth’s name flashing on the screen, a deep sigh left my lips. I had expected this call. The man had been pressing for an official mating between Matilda and me for years, and after the Paris trip, which had been more of a test of patience than a vacation, I knew he wouldn’t wait much longer.I considered ignoring it, but I knew better. Alpha Seth was not the kind of man who took silence as an answer. With a clenched jaw, I swiped to accept the call and put the phone to my ear.“Alpha Seth.” My voice was calm, and measured.“Liam,” his voice boomed through the speaker, all pretense of pleasantries discarded. “I assume you’re back from your little vacation with my daughter.”I closed my eyes briefly, exhaling slowly. “Yes, we are back in the city.”“Good. Then I take it you’ve finally come to your senses and are ready to mate Matilda and make her
The ceremony had reached its climax. The sacred vows had been spoken, and Matilda now stood beside Liam as the official Luna of the Hollow Pack. A hush had settled over the congregation as they waited fr their alpha to speak.Alpha Liam, stoic as ever, took a step forward and addressed the gathered pack. His voice, deep and authoritative, carried over the sea of faces, each member standing in respectful formation before the Moon Goddess Shrine.“I want to thank you all for your loyalty and dedication to our pack,” Liam said, his gaze sweeping across the crowd. “It is through your hard work, resilience, and unity that we have remained strong. The Hollow Pack has thrived because of its people, and I expect that strength to continue.”A roar of approval erupted from the crowd, chants of “Alpha Liam” ringing through the night as the pack clapped and howled in solidarity. The moment was powerful, a show of devotion to their leader, their alpha. But then, Liam turned to Matilda and gestured
The day of the Luna ceremony arrived with the first golden rays of the morning sun stretching across the Hollow Pack’s vast lands. It was a day steeped in history, one that had been celebrated for centuries in honor of the mate chosen to stand beside the Alpha, to bring unity, strength, and prosperity to the pack.The venue had been prepared days in advance, set before the sacred Moon Goddess Shrine, a towering marble structure veined with silver, standing proudly in the heart of the pack's sacred grounds. The shrine was built centuries ago by the ancestors, honoring the divine spirit that guided their kind. It was a place of reverence, surrounded by towering oak trees, their gnarled roots pushing through the earth like the veins of time itself. A river ran nearby, its waters glistening like liquid silver under the light of the sun. Ancient symbols, carved deep into the shrine's stone walls, whispered of prosperity, fertility, and the unbreakable bond between mates.For generations, t
The low hum of the pilot’s voice crackled through the cabin speakers."Ladies and gentlemen, we are beginning our descent into New York. Please fasten your seatbelts and prepare for landing."Matilda stirred from her slumber, groggy from the indulgences of the previous night. Her temples pulsed with the dull ache of too much champagne, too little sleep, and an overdose of self-satisfaction.Jane, ever the dutiful maid, hovered close, waiting for instructions."We’ll be landing soon, Ms Matilda," she said softly.Matilda let out a sigh, stretching before running her fingers through her slightly tousled golden curls."I need to change," she muttered, rubbing her tired eyes. "I refuse to step foot in New York looking anything less than spectacular.""Fetch my gold sequin dress. The one with the slit," she ordered, her voice slightly hoarse from the night of partying in Paris. Jane scrambled to retrieve the garment from the carry-on.Matilda’s movements were meticulous as she reapplied he
Matilda sat across from Liam in his study, her manicured nails tapping rhythmically against the polished oak desk. She was dressed immaculately, as always, her emerald-green dress hugging her curves, her blonde hair cascading in perfect waves. A woman who knew the power of appearances."I’m going to Paris," she announced, a satisfied smirk playing on her lips.Liam, who had been reading over some pack documents, barely glanced up. "For what?"Matilda’s smirk deepened. "To get my Luna gown, of course. And the jewelry to match. I will not be wearing anything less than perfection for my ceremony."Liam exhaled, setting down the paper in his hand. "You could find a dress here. We have designers—"She scoffed. "In this town? Please. The future Luna of the Hollow Pack deserves the best. And that means the fashion houses of Paris, not some local seamstress who stitches prom dresses."Liam studied her for a moment. He was a man of few words, but Matilda could see the irritation flickering in
After Mrs Garvalles's speech, Alpha liam addressed his subordinates again.“Thank you all for being here,” he said, his voice carrying over the sea of faces. “I know these past few weeks have been trying, but I want you all to know that as your Alpha, my top priority is the safety and well-being of this pack. Tonight, we have taken an important step forward, and I trust that we will continue to stand together. Now, I invite you all to head to the field for a light refreshment.”A roar of excitement erupted from the pack, the tension that had filled the air dissipating into laughter and chatter. The crowd slowly began to disperse, heading towards the open field where tables had been set up with food and drinks under the soft glow of overhead lights.As Liam turned to step down from the stage, the elders of the pack approached Mrs. Garvalle, their expressions a mixture of solemnity and gratitude.“Queen Mother,” Elder Harris began, his voice warm and filled with gratitude, “we thank you
The grand Hall of the Garvalle Pack was almost filled to the brim, the murmuring of voices of pack members echoed off the high wooden beams. Wolves of all ranks including the warriors, healers, scouts, elders, and even the civilians, all stood together, waiting with bated breath. It was rare for Alpha Liam to call for a full pack gathering, and even rarer that it was held under such tense circumstances. The scent of burning wood from the distant farmland still lingered in the air, a stark reminder of the chaos that had erupted not long ago.Liam stood on the elevated stage, his commanding presence highlighted by the bright overhead lights illuminating the hall. His sharp blue eyes swept over the pack, noting the wary expressions, the unspoken fears, and the silent accusations simmering beneath the surface. He knew there were whispers—rumors of internal discord, of power struggles, of betrayals lurking in the dark corners of their home. It was time to put an end to it.Clearing his thr
As the night stretched in the Alphas’ mansion. Liam stood in his office, his fingers pressing into the cool wood of his desk as he tried to organize his thoughts. Midnight was approaching, and with it, a conversation he had dreaded but could no longer avoid. He had sent a mind link to his mother earlier, requesting a private meeting. She had not questioned it, but he knew she had sensed the gravity of the matter. She was too seasoned, too intelligent not to recognize when something was deeply amiss.At precisely midnight, Liam made his way to her chambers. Liam inhaled deeply and made his way down the dimly lit corridor. His footsteps echoed slightly against the marble floors. He entered without knocking, knowing she would be waiting.His mother’s room was warm and elegant, the soft glow of the bedside lamp casting a golden hue across the polished furniture. Mrs. Garvalle sat on a velvet chair near the fireplace, a book resting open in her lap, though it was clear she had not been rea
Murmurs passed through the elders. One of them, Elder Reginald, leaned forward. “This urgency better be justified, Alpha,” he said. “This better not be another political affair concerning—”“This is far beyond politics,” Liam cut in sharply, his patience thinning. “This is a direct attack on our pack.”A hush fell over the room.Liam took a breath, steadying himself before he spoke the words that would change everything. “The explosion today at the farmland was no accident. It was orchestrated by Alpha Seth.”Gasps rippled through the room. Some warriors exchanged alarmed glances, while others clenched their fists. The elders, however, remained still, their expressions darkening. They were wise enough to know that Seth had always been a dangerous man, but this was outright provocation.Elder Vaughn narrowed his eyes. “You are certain of this?”Liam nodded grimly. “He told me himself.”More murmurs. A few of the warriors visibly stiffened. Vaughn exhaled through his nose, his fingers t
The phone rang twice before Beta Adam picked up, his voice sharp and alert. “Alpha, I was just about to call you. There’s a situation at the farmland—an explosion. I’m overseeing it now.”“I know,” Liam said, his voice tight. “Leave it and come to my office. Now.”There was a brief pause, the sounds of shouting and urgency in the background. “Alpha, with all due respect, this is serious. We need to assess the damage and—”“I said now, Adam,” Liam cut him off, his tone brooking no argument. “Hand it over to someone else. I need you here immediately.”His Beta hesitated for a second before exhaling sharply. “Understood. I’ll have Gamma Lucas take over.”Liam could hear Adam turning away from the chaos, issuing rapid orders. “Lucas, you’re in charge. Secure the perimeter, report any unusual findings, and make sure the fire doesn’t spread. Keep the warriors on high alert until I return.”Gamma Lucas’s voice crackled faintly over the line. “Understood. I’ll handle it.”Liam ended the call,