Lenora's POV My eyes narrowed as I took in the smug expression on my step-sister's face. Her blonde hair cascaded down her back like a waterfall, but her smile was more of a snarl, revealing perfectly white teeth. What a coincidence! Why do I have to see this bitch today of all days? “Melissa,” I spat, my voice dripping with disdain. “What are you doing here?” “Where have you been, sister? We have all been worried sick about you.” Her voice sounded sweet, but I wasn't buying it. She was never worried about me. It's evident that she was only trying to taunt me like she has always done. I scoffed loudly in annoyance, rolling my eyes. “Don't pretend like you were worried about me, Melissa. We both know that you are not,” The next minute, she burst into laughter. The sound of her laughter sent a shiver down my spine. “You are right, Lenora. I wasn't worried about you. Not one bit. In fact, I was even glad that you left” Her eyes were filled with malice and her hatred for me. S
Alpha Axel's POV “Don't you think you went overboard by sending Luna Lenora away?” My Beta asked just when we were returning to the pack house. “What do you mean by that?” I stopped walking and a sigh escaped his lips. “Nothing really. I just don't like the fact that you sent her away, just like that without any money to take care of herself while ignoring her countless sacrifices for our pack. That was uncalled for,” “Are you trying to tell me how to act in my own pack?” “No, not at all. Alpha. I can never tell you how to run your pack. I was just wondering. You know how much Luna Lenora has taken care of you, taken care of the pack, acted like a true Luna, but Luna Melissa is not even making any attempts to act like a Luna,” He said and I shot him a glare. “How does a true Luna act, Derek?” “Taking care of the pack, serving the people and not just sitting at home doing nothing like your new Luna. That's how a ‘true Luna’ acts,” He said, placing emphasis on the true
Axel's POV “That wouldn't be necessary, Beta. Lenora is with someone else now!” The familiar voice repeated and I turned around to see who it belonged to. It was none other than my pregnant Luna. “What do you mean by that, Melissa?” I asked as I took a step towards her, my heart pounding in my chest, even though I couldn't tell why it was beating fast. Why was I worried that she was already with someone else? Clearly, I don't regret sending her away, right? “Greetings, My Alpha,” She greeted with a slight bow and I nodded. I took her hands in mine and gave it a gentle squeeze. “Greetings to you too, my Luna. Care to tell me what you meant by that?” “Lenora is with someone else now.” She repeated and my brows furrowed in question. “Are you sure about this?” I inquired. “Yes, my Alpha. I bumped into her at the mall today.” She answered. “Wait a minute. Who is she with?” I asked. I could see the shock register on Derek's face too. Somehow I was glad that she was
Melissa's POVI lay on my bed, surrounded by the remnants of my shattered hearts. The soft breeze blowing through the window was enough to calm me down on a normal day, but today, it did nothing to calm me down. Tears streamed down my face, soaking into the pillow as I replayed the hurtful conversation I had with him earlier:“The fact that I was the one who took Lenora's virginity on my bed is more than enough reason to trust her. If she wanted to cheat on me, trust me, I wouldn't have met her as a virgin.” What are you insinuating, Axel? Are you trying to say that since I wasn't a virgin when we met, I have a tendency to cheat on you?"I said what I said, Melissa" How could he say such a thing to me? I am Luna and the mother of his child for heaven's sake! How could he just disrespect me like that? I was still lost in my thoughts when the door creaked open and my mother walked in, a smile etched on her face. She had a bowl of freshly baked cookies on her hands and a glass o
Melissa's POV I stared out the cab window, unsure where my mother was taking me. I felt a surge of confusion when I realized where we were. It was none other than the house of Elder Torrance, the Pack's senior elder. “What are we doing here, mother?” I asked as soon as the cab pulled up in Elder Torrance's driveway. We stepped out of the cab, but she just smiled and told me to be patient. “You will know when we go in, my dear!” She winked at me as she paid the cab driver. “Greetings, Luna! Greetings Ma'am” The doorman greeted us as soon as he saw me and my mother approaching the door and I nodded at him, while my mother just waved at him. “Is Elder Torrance inside?” She asked him and he nodded as he opened the door for us and we stepped inside. “Torrance!” My mother called out and shortly, Elder Torrance appeared from one of the doors with a smile on his face. “Matilda.” He said as he pulled my mother into a hug. I watched in shock as my mother and Elder Torrance share
Melissa's POV “Mother!” A startled gasp escaped my lips, but she just shrugged. “Don't judge me, baby girl. I am a woman who always does everything to get what she wants and whoever stands in the way of me achieving my goals would have to be sent straight to hell. There are no two ways about it.” She said those words like they were the most casual things to say. I just can't believe what I heard. I can't believe that my mother was responsible for Tricia's death. It was too much to take in. Didn't the autopsy report state she took a dangerous poison that killed her? Does that mean that the reports were fabricated to cover up the true cause of her death? “Wait a minute, mother, what about the autopsy report…..” I trailed off and she scoffed. “Isn't it obvious? I did what needed to be done. Those reports were fabricated by me. I couldn't let your father know that Tricia was murdered. Therefore, I paid the doctors to have it done” “Wow!” I mouthed in disbelief and she shot me a
Melissa's POV. “Oh my goodness! Melissa!!!” Standing in the doorway was none other than my mother, her expression a mixture of shock and fury. The air in the room grew thick with tension, and even though I felt as though the ground had been ripped out from under me, I was relieved that it was my mother and not Alpha Axel. Only heaven knows what would have been my fate. What would I have said to him? It would have definitely confirmed his words earlier, that I had the tendency to cheat on him. “What the hell is going on here?” My mother demanded as she got in, closing the door behind her. My breath caught in my throat. I opened my mouth to explain, but no words came out. Damien stepped back, his hands raised in a gesture of surrender. “This isn't what it looks like, Matilda.” He said, his voice calm but firm. “I only came to say hi to Melissa and my son….” Very quickly, I slapped Damien hard across his face, thereby cutting him off from whatever he was about to say. “A
Lenora's POV I sat curled up on the cushioned chair of my balcony, my fingers lightly gripping the edges of the book I had gotten from the library. My favorite book by my favorite author, Marietta. The words on the pages blurred as my mind drifted, replaying the events of yesterday. Heat rushed to my cheeks as the memory – Alpha Zade, standing bare before me, his chiseled physique full on display. I could vividly remember how I had turned on my heels and fled faster than I had ever moved, even though the image had already burned itself into my mind. And now, as if summoned by my thoughts, I heard the door open and just then, I heard the unmistakable sound of footsteps entering into my room. My heart leaped into my throat. Even without turning, I already knew who it was. Alpha Zade. My powerful mate. I stiffened in my seat, gripping the book as if it could shield me from the presence of the only man who had been occupying my thoughts since yesterday. I didn't dare look
Zariel’s POV “How did it go?” I asked the men standing before me. I had asked them to disguise themselves as rogues, to hurt Zade. And of course, I asked them to hang around the pack, around the woods and be ever ready in case they sight Zade, so they'll attack him. I really hope they were able to succeed with it. Else, I'll kill them all. They wouldn't dare fail me. A smile broke out on the leader’s face. “It went well, Zariel. We attacked him.” My lips curled up into a smile. Good! This is what I want to hear. “You all deserve accolades for a job well done.” I winked at him and his smile broadened. “So when are we getting our payment?” I rolled my eyes. “Relax, man. I was about to come to that sooner!” “I'm sorry, I didn't mean to sound that way. But you know, people can't be trusted one bit. They'll always want to take advantage of….” My lips curled into a smile. “It's fine!” I should be mad at him for generalising me with other people, but I didn't. Not when he had just
Melissa's POV “Your guesses are right, Alpha Elijah!” I winked at him again. “Tabitha!” He let out a low guttural growl. “That old hag! She's going to regret this!” He said through gritted teeth and I just let out a small laugh. “Exactly how you are going to regret it if you ever tell Alpha Axel about our little secret!” I said in a low whisper. I couldn't tell where the courage to stand up to him came from, but I was glad that it did. “You won't dare!” He hissed and I just smirked. “Won't dare, huh?” I chucked. “Come on, sweetheart, I'd dare to set your ego on fire just to watch it burn. But don't worry, I'll let you keep your delusions. They are the only thing holding your fragile little world together!” “Melissa!!!” My mother yelled at me through the mind link and I rolled my eyes mentally. “What?” I shot back. “He's an Alpha. Don't talk to him that way. It'll only piss him off the most and we'll both be in trouble” She said again and I shrugged. “And that's exactly w
Melissa's POV “Answer me!!” He repeated when he didn't hear any words from my mother. The air grew thick with tension as Alpha Elijah stepped closer. My mother and I stood frozen, our face pale as if we had seen a ghost. Alpha Elijah was Axel's best ally and there is no tendency that he wouldn't tell Axel what he has just heard. Goodness! We are done for. “Don't make me repeat myself, Matilda!” He growled. My mother's lips trembled but no words seemed to come out. It was as if she had suddenly gone dumb and I couldn't blame her one bit. “Alpha Elijah,” my mother finally managed to answer, her voice shaking. “I…I can explain. It's not what you think. I didn't mean….” “Didn't mean what, Matilda?” His voice was low, but it carried a dangerous edge. “Didn't mean to confess to murdering Tricia? Didn't mean to lie to the entire pack about her death? Or didn’t mean to let Lenora suffer for years, knowing full well her mother was innocent?” My heart pounded in my chest as I watched
Melissa's POV “Mother?” I called out. Right now, we were currently sitting on a mat in the park and I was resting my head on her lap. It was hard, especially as my baby wouldn't let me stay peacefully, as he kept kicking me repeatedly, but I was determined to try. “Mhhmm?” She answered. “Is something bothering you, my child?” “Do you think I went too far?” I asked her as I watched her face intently. “And what are you talking about?” Her brows were knitted in confusion. I took a deep breath and exhaled. “It's about Lenora. Do you think I went too far ....” “Oh, Melissa.” She cut me off. “Not again please. Let's not talk about that bitch here. We came out here to cool our beautiful heads and not worry about some barren bitch. Don't talk about her, please.” I let out a deep breath. “No mother. I really want us to talk about this. You've been avoiding this conversation for a long time and you never let me talk about it.” She hissed. “And that's because there is nothing to talk a
Lenora's POV Us? What the hell was she talking about? Apart from Talia, Zade had never mentioned another woman in his life. The question lingered in the air. My stomach twisted into knots, but I kept my face impassive, refusing to let her see the growing tension on my face. “No,” I replied, my voice steady despite the turmoil brewing within me. “He hasn’t.” Taylor's smirk widened like a predator toying with its prey. Her eyes glinted with a cruel satisfaction that made my skin crawl. She was enjoying this, whatever game she was playing. But I wouldn’t give her the satisfaction of seeing me break. Not now. Not ever. “Well, Zade and I are together,” she said, her tone dripping with a faux sweetness. She let the words hang, savoring the moment as if they were a weapon meant to break me. My jaw tightened but I refused to flinch. “What do you mean?” I asked, my voice low and measured, though my heart pounded in my chest. She rolled her eyes, her smirk never faltering for once. “
Lenora's POV Taking a deep and shuddering breath, I forced myself to meet Luna Ophelia's gaze. Her eyes, usually so full of warmth, now held a strange intensity that made my stomach churn. “I’m sorry, Luna,” I began, my voice trembling slightly. “We were attacked by rogues, and it’s my fault….” “Lenora!” she cut me off, her voice softer than I expected. It sounded almost tender. “How can you say it’s your fault?” Her words caught me off guard, and I stared at her, bewildered. Just moments ago, her expression had been furious, her anger evident. But now she looked at me with a gentleness that made my chest tighten. “My Luna…” I stammered, unsure of how to respond. The shift in her demeanor was a bit confusing. Her anger had melted away, and now it was replaced by a calm, almost maternal concern. “You are not responsible for what happened to my son,” she said firmly, her voice steady. “You didn’t ask the rogues to attack him. Or did you?” She raised her eyebrows slightly, her
Lenora's POV The guards moved swiftly, and lifted Zade with care as they carried him back to the pack house. I trailed behind them, my steps heavy, my mind consumed by fear and guilt - the fear of losing him, and the guilt for being the reason he was in this state. I shouldn't have suggested that we walk in the woods. I should have agreed when he proposed that we go home. If I had agreed, none of this would have happened. He wouldn't be here fighting for his life. He wouldn't be on the verge of “Get the doctor!” Karl's sharp and commanding voice cut through the chaos. I couldn’t tell which maid he was addressing not when my vision was blurred by tears. I just followed them like a lost puppy into Zade’s room, where they laid him gently on the bed. “Is he going to be okay?” I asked Karl, my voice laced with concern, though my eyes never left Zade. His face was pale, his eyes shut tight, his body burning with fever. What else could those rogues have done to him in my absence
Lenora's POV “Axel threatened me that he was going to cut the mate bond if I didn't get King Zach to forgive him. You know, when a lady is in love, she'd do anything to please her man, she'd do anything to keep him and that's what I did. I was stupidly in love with Axel and didn't want to lose him.” I paused to take a deep breath. I noticed the way Zade was watching me intently. He must be eager to know if I did it or not. “Therefore I went to meet King Zach in the hotel that Axel had chosen. When I got there, he didn't only want me to pleasure him with my mouth. He wanted me to have sex with him. At first, I wanted to do it, but at the end of the day, I realised that I couldn't let Axel define my worth. That day, I was ready to lose Axel. I didn't care anymore if he wanted to break the mate bond or not.” I paused again. He was still staring at me. It was as if with each passing minute, his anger deepened. This was the kind of reaction I expected from Axel when I told him tha
Lenora's POV Even though I was sad that Zade wasn't taking me with him to the upcoming annual ball, I was glad that he cared about my safety and didn't want to take me with him, so he wouldn't lose me. Of course I was no stranger to the ugly events that take place in the annual ball. I was suddenly reminded of when Alpha Ryan, one of Axel's allies, lost his mate right before his eyes and he couldn't do anything to save her. He didn't try to save her. He just sat there and watched her get killed by King Zach the lunatic and now it got me wondering if he ever loved her or she was just a means to an end for him. I mean how would he sit back and watch his mate killed right before his eyes just because she refused to pleasure King Zach? If it were Axel, he wouldn't mind taking me there with him. After Ryan's mate lost her life right before my eyes, I had pleaded with Axel to get me out of the room, especially as I'd seen the way King Zach, the host of the annual ball was staring