The grand hall of the Moon Pack was teeming with life-a cacophony of clinking glasses, laughter, and hushed conversations that filled the air. Roasted meats, fresh bread, and fine wine wafted through the air, almost letting a person forget this wasn't supposed to be a celebration in the first place. At least, not to me.I sat alone at the far edge of the hall, in a dimly lit corner, which incredibly fitted my mood. My stepmother, Serena, floated through the crowd as if she was the grand dame of the evening, her golden gown shimmering under the light of the chandeliers. My father, Alpha Jack Moon, stood tall beside her, laughing with the guests as if the world revolved around them.I swallowed down the bitter lump in my throat as I glared down at the half-eaten fruitcake on the small plate in my hand. Today was supposed to be my day-my twenty-first birthday, my supposed "coming-of-age." Instead of being treated like the star of the evening, I was little more than an afterthought.The p
The night was awfully still, that sort of calm which made every groan of the wooden floor and every rustle of leaves outside a little bit louder. It was weeks since my birthday banquet, but the seer's words hung in the air, there yet not quite there, heavy with implication.I had lain in bed staring out the small window of my room. The crescent moon was low in the sky, casting pale rays that made for macabre shadows across the forest. Yet, there was this real feeling that things were not quite right.A sudden howl ripped through the silence, lowered and menacing.I froze.Then another howl followed. And another.The Bloodhounds.It came upon me in an instant, and a river of fear poured through my veins. The feared Bloodhounds had arrived, oozing their cruelty and unmatched strength.I jumped to my feet, throwing a coat atop my skinny nightdress. The packhouse was in a frenzy; there were all kinds of screams and snarls being shouted. I spilled out into the hall, where people ran both w
The door creaked open and I instinctively stepped backward as my breath caught in my throat. In that room, for one second, there was only the soft echo of his boots against the stone floor.As he stepped fully into view, my lungs ran out of air.The Red Alpha was even more fearsome up close than my mind had pictured. His tall, towering physique spoke volumes about power; the green eyes felt like they were drilling right into me, holding me paralyzed with intensity. His face was chiseled, his features composed-smooth, like the lull before the storm.I said nothing. My muscles were tight while I waited for him to say something.He crossed the room, his hands clasped behind him, drinking in his surroundings. Finally, he faced me, the curl of his lip in a small, almost amused smile."You're quieter than I expected," he said with that voice all smooth and deceptively calm. "Good. I like my acquisitions to know their place."I blinked to hear his words; his words dragged me from my stupor.
(Alpha Red Pov)I stormed from her room, my breathing heavy as I slammed the door behind me. The sound reverberated down the dimly lit hall, but it did little to calm the roaring chaos inside of me. My hands clenched into fists at my sides, the nails biting into my palms.Her face had seared itself into my mind, those wide grey eyes, flashing defiance and raw fear. It was that look that had triggered something deadly inside me. I had gone into her room cool, calm, prepared to outline the do's and don'ts for this beauty and put her straight regarding her place in the scheme of things. Yet she'd resisted. She had pushed and goaded until the monster inside me broke free once more.I wasn't sure if it was her words or the defiant stare that followed, but something about her unraveled me.I quickened my pace as my boots smashed against the stone floor down the corridor to my chambers. The wolf inside me stirred violently; its rage pounded against my skull."Alpha, is everything—A servant
The pale morning light seeped through the narrow window, but it offered little comfort. My body felt so heavy, as if I was slowly sinking into the thin mattress that supported me. All my muscles ached, and my head pounded away with a dull, ceaseless pain.I shifted uncomfortably, but the movement sent a sharp jolt through the back of my skull. Gritting my teeth, I reached back and felt the swelling just above my nape. Must have happened when he threw me down after releasing me last night-my head must have struck the stone wall.The memory of his glowing red eyes flashed in my mind, and I shivered.Alpha Red.His name was enough to send shivers of fear and hatred down my spine. My throat still burns from where his hand had clutched me, and my mind replayed that one moment over and over. The sheer rage in his eyes, the monstrous strength in his grip-it was unlike anything I'd ever seen.I closed my eyes and willed it away, but my mind strayed to my mother instead. My chest constricted a
Avery's POV Gaius looked down immediately and I wondered if perhaps he was speechless or just didn't feel the need to reply to me. Either way, I knew my opinion of Alpha red was not wrong. He had shown me his true nature. A beast and a selfish monster that took pleasure in inflicting pain to me and before I could stop my thoughts from remembering my encounter with him yesterday, I saw those green orbs staring down at me like I was nothing but an insignificant piece.My heart was racing like a runaway train, my breath catching in my throat as I thought about Alpha Red's hands closing around my neck like a vice. I could still feel the pressure, the weight of his fingers digging into my skin, squeezing the life out of me. The memory was etched into my mind like a scar, a constant reminder of the terror I had faced.As I sat in the dimly lit room, I couldn't shake off the feeling of dread that had been building up inside me. What if he comes for me again? What if he tries to hurt me aga
Avery's POV I slowly opened my eyes, groggily taking in my surroundings. I was back in my room, lying on the comfortable bed. But as I looked around, I realized that I wasn't alone. A little girl's face was hovering over mine, her eyes fixed on me with a mixture of sadness and curiosity.I sat up slowly, staring at the little girl in confusion. She couldn't have been more than 10 or 11 years old, with a mop of curly brown hair and a smattering of freckles across her nose. She looked up at me with big, brown eyes, her expression solemn.Just then, Gaius stepped into the room, a look of concern on his face. "Avery, how are you feeling?" he asked, his voice soft and gentle.I rubbed my head, trying to remember what had happened. "I...I think I'm okay," I said, my voice a little shaky. "What happened?"Gaius smiled, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "You were accidentally bumped into by our little Anna here," he explained, nodding towards the little girl. "She was running and didn't see
Avery's POV I stepped into the palace grounds, my heart sinking with every step. I had been dreading this moment for what felt like an eternity, and now that it was finally here, I couldn't help but tremble with fear.As I made my way through the familiar halls, I couldn't shake the feeling of unease that settled in the pit of my stomach. I had thought that I had escaped this place, that I had left its horrors behind me. But now, as I stood outside the door to my new room, I realized that I was back where I started.I pushed open the door and stepped inside, my eyes scanning the room with a sense of trepidation. It was smaller than my old room, with plain white walls and a single window that looked out onto the palace gardens. But it was the bed that caught my attention. My stomach lurched, and I felt like gagging in disgust.I felt a wave of fear wash over me as I approached the bed, my heart racing with every step. I had thought that I was safe, that I had escaped the palace and it
Alpha Red's POV I raised an eyebrow, my mind racing with doubts. "You concluded that she was the one responsible for the explosion without investigating?" I asked, my tone skeptical.The Silver Wizard smiled, his eyes glinting with amusement. "You're right, Alpha Red. I did order a proper investigation into the cause of the explosion. And what we found was... enlightening."He paused, taking a sip of his wine before continuing. "It seems that Alpha Jack and his men had been hiding in a nearby building. They had attacked Avery, intending to hold her captive and collect the reward you had promised."My heart sank, my mind reeling with the implications. I had never intended for Avery to be harmed, and the thought of Alpha Jack and his men attacking her made my blood boil.The Silver Wizard's next words only added to my shock. "But Avery, it seems, had other plans. She retaliated against her attackers, and... well, let's just say that Alpha Jack and his men won't be bothering anyone agai
Alpha Red's POV Avery's words cut deep, and I felt a pang of pain in my heart. "Would you be asking for forgiveness and begging me if your guards had found me in the woods?" she spat, her eyes blazing with anger. "I know you would have forced yourself on me, just to teach me a lesson. You're only doing this now, pleading for my forgiveness, because you know I'm not a slave anymore. I'm not someone you can belittle, hurt, and bully."I felt a wave of shame wash over me, because I knew that Avery's words were partly true. I had underestimated her, and now I was paying the price. I had thought of her as nothing more than a slave, a possession to be used and discarded. But now, I saw her for what she truly was: a strong, beautiful, and powerful woman.But I was already in love with her, and I knew that she would never believe me if I told her. I had hurt her too deeply, and she would never trust me again. I felt a pang of sadness, knowing that I had lost my chance with her. But I also kne
Avery's POV I gazed at Alpha Red, my expression calm and detached. "I don't care about what you have to say," I told him, my voice even. "I don't need you."But Alpha Red's eyes flashed with a desperate intensity. "Our baby will need a complete home, Avery," he said, his voice low and urgent. "A mother and a father. You can't deny our child that."I pulled my hand away from his grip, my heart pounding in my chest. "You didn't want this child," I reminded him, my voice cold. "You made that clear. So you have no right to have a say in what our child needs."Alpha Red's face went pale, and he looked like he was on the verge of panic. "Avery, I'm sorry," he said, his voice rushing out in a torrent. "I'm so sorry for everything I did to you. I've been looking for you everywhere, but I couldn't find you. I've been worried sick about you and the baby. I haven't been able to sleep at night, thinking about what could have happened to you."I laughed, a dark, mirthless sound. "You deserve a fe
Avery's POV I sat there, trying to wrap my head around everything I had just heard. But nothing seemed to be working. My mind was a jumble of emotions, thoughts, and questions. I couldn't believe that my whole life, I had thought differently about myself. I was a witch, a Silver Witch, with powers and a heritage that I had never known about.But as I sat there, trying to process everything, I remembered the prophecy that the prophet had told me. I sighed, realizing that I had always underestimated myself. I was more than just a werewolf, more than just a girl with strange powers. I was a Silver Witch, with a rich history and a powerful legacy.The Silver Wizard's eyes shone with happiness as he looked at me. "I'm so glad to finally reunite with my long-lost granddaughter," he said, his voice filled with emotion.He took a deep breath, his expression serious. "Avery, I want to ask for your forgiveness. Forgive me and my late wife for not trying to protect your mother and her lover. We
Alpha Red's POV I looked up as a maid approached me, bowing respectfully as she handed me a letter. I took it from her, breaking the seal as I unfolded the parchment. My brows rose as I read the contents, my confusion growing with each passing sentence.I was invited to a party by the Silver Wizard, a man I had never met but had heard of in whispers and rumors. But what was the celebration about? I racked my brain, trying to remember the last time the Silver Wizard had held a gathering. It had been years, if not decades.I read the invitation letter again, searching for any clues as to why the Silver Wizard was hosting a party now. And then, I saw it. The party was to celebrate the return of his long-lost granddaughter.My eyes narrowed as I read the words again, a spark of curiosity igniting within me. Who was this granddaughter, and why was her return so significant? And more importantly, what did this have to do with me?I looked up, my mind racing with questions and possibilities
Alpha Red's pov I stared blankly at the documents in front of me, my mind consumed by thoughts of Avery. It had been days since she left, and I couldn't shake off the feeling of emptiness that had settled in my chest.I had sent my best guards to search for her, but so far, they had found nothing. No trail, no scent, no hint of where she might be. It was as if she had vanished into thin air.And I couldn't focus on my work, couldn't concentrate on the meetings and discussions that filled my days. All I could think about was Avery, and our unborn child. Were they safe? Were they happy? Were they thinking of me?I felt helpless, a feeling I had never experienced before. Even when my Lycan wolf took over, I had always felt a sense of control, of power. But now, I felt like I was at the mercy of fate, unable to do anything to change the course of events.I missed Avery, missed her smile, her laugh, her sparkling eyes. I missed her scent, her touch, her presence. I felt like a part of me
Avery's POV I slowly opened my eyes, groggily taking in my surroundings. I was in a strange room, with unfamiliar furniture and decorations. A kind-faced doctor smiled at me, trying to reassure me. "Welcome back, young one," he said, his voice soothing. "You've been through a lot. Just rest and let us take care of you. What's your name?" I swallowed, "Avery," my voice was raspy. "Hello, young one," he said softly. "You're safe now. You've been through a lot, but you're going to be okay."Before I could respond, a tall, imposing figure entered the room. He had piercing eyes and a strong jawline, and he radiated an aura of power and authority. But as he approached me, his expression softened, and he looked at me with a deep sadness in his eyes. He looked older than I had expected, with lines etched into his face and a hint of grey in his hair. But his eyes sparkled with warmth as he gazed at me."Avery, my long-lost granddaughter," he said, his voice trembling with emotion. "I'm so
Avery's POVI ran through the forest, my legs pumping furiously as I tried to put as much distance between myself and the danger that lurked behind. I didn't dare rest, fearing that if I stopped, even for a moment, I would be caught.But my body had other plans. I had used a lot of my newly acquired powers, and it had taken a toll on me. I was tired, weak, and my body ached all over. White, sensing my exhaustion, coerced me to take a rest. I reluctantly agreed, collapsing under a nearby tree.I sat there, trying to catch my breath, but my mind refused to rest. Alpha Jack's words kept echoing in my head - "You're a valuable asset, Avery. Alpha Red will pay top dollar for you." My heart was still racing, and I felt dizzy. I tried to shake off the feeling, but it only seemed to get worse.Before I knew it, my eyelids grew heavy, and I fell asleep, my body succumbing to the exhaustion. I was vulnerable, alone, and unaware of the dangers that lurked in the darkness, waiting to pounce.****
Avery's POV I stood my ground, looking him straight in the eye. "I'm not going anywhere," I said, my voice firm and resolute. "You can threaten to kill me, but I'll never go back to the Bloodhound Pack. I'd rather die than return to that place."He lost his temper, his face reddening with rage. "How dare you defy me!" he snapped, his voice low and menacing. "You will not speak to me in such a tone. You will show respect, or you will regret it."But I ignored his warnings, pushing on with my questions. "Did you ever love my mother?" I asked, my voice laced with accusation. "Or was she just a means to an end for you? Because from where I'm standing, it looks like you treated her poorly, like she was nothing more than a disposable pawn in your game of power."He was quiet for a moment, his anger simmering just below the surface. Then, he growled, his voice low and menacing. "You will not argue with me, Avery. You will not question my actions. If you continue to defy me, you will regret