Zade's POV “Oh my goodness! Lenora, I've missed you.” My mother cooed as soon as we stepped inside the house. She pulled Lenora into her arms and wrapped her in a tight embrace. A smile crept its way to Lenora's face as she returned the hug. “I've missed you too, mother.” She said, her words muffled against my mother's shoulders. “I thought I wouldn't see you again,” My mother said as soon as they pulled away from the hug. She leaned down and placed a soft kiss on Lenora's cheeks. “Of course not mother.” She said, her face beaming with smiles. “I've missed you.” “You have no idea how much I've missed you.” My mother said as she hugged her again. “What about me? Didn't you miss me?” I chirped in, but my mother rolled her eyes. “Don't be such a big baby, Zade.” She hissed before turning to face Lenora. “Come with me. I have some things to show you.” My mother said as she took Lenora's hands in hers and led her away. I could only shake my head as I watched them leave. I tur
Zade's POV “Okay, my dear. I'll take you to the pack house. There you can eat whatever you want.” I said, my voice softening as her eyes lit up with a spark of joy. The smile on her face deepened and for a moment, the weight of the world seemed to lift from her tiny innocent shoulders. “Really?” She said, her voice filled with a mix of disbelief and hope. Her small hands clutched the hem of her dress. “Can I really eat whatever I want at the pack house?” “Yes, Laura. Anything.” I assured her as I crouched down to meet her gaze. “If you want the maids to prepare a feast fit for a queen, I'll make sure of it. Even if it means roasting a whole cow for you, okay?” Her hands shot out, as she wrapped them around my neck in a tight embrace, but she pulled away almost immediately, as if suddenly remembering her place. I was about to tell her to be free with me, but she beat me to it. “Thank you so much, Alpha.” She said, her voice trembling with gratitude. She curtsied before me like th
Lenora's POV “These are Zade's pictures from when he was just a little boy.” Luna Ophelia said, her voice warm and tender, her eyes sparkling with affection. The love she held for her son was evident. It was radiating from her like sunlight. It was impossible not to smile as I watched her, her pride, her joy, her unwavering devotion. It mirrored the love Zade had for her, a bond so pure and unbreakable that it made my heart ache in the most beautiful way. “He's always been beautiful,” I remarked, my voice soft and sincere. She nodded eagerly, her smile widening. “Yes, he has always been. He looks so much like me when I was young….” Her voice trailed off and for a moment, a shadow of sadness flickered across her face, but it disappeared as quickly as it came. It was brief, almost unnoticeable, but I saw it….the way her eyes dimmed, the way her lips trembled ever so slightly. But just as quickly as it came, it vanished, replaced by her usual warmth. “This was from his first bir
Lenora's POV “Lenora…..” She called out when she didn't hear any response from me and this time I forced myself to stare at her. I nodded, the weight of her words pressing down on me like an iron. “Yes, Luna. I'm barren. I can't bear any children of my own. I can't give Zade children and it's because of her. Because of them.” “And if you want me to leave your son because of it, trust me, I'm ready to leave. I can't let your son be childless because of me.” The room fell silent. Her grip on my hands tightened, her eyes filled with a mixture of anger and sorrow. “Lenora, I'm so sorry,” she whispered, her voice breaking. “You didn't deserve any of that. No one does” I swallowed hard, tears streaming down my face. “Thank you, Luna,” I whispered, my voice barely above a whisper. In that moment, I felt a strange sense of relief, like a burden I had carried for so long had finally been lifted, even if just a little. No matter how little it was, it was worth something. Lun
Lenora's POV “Thank you so much, Luna Ophelia.” I said as I wrapped my arms around the elderly woman, the one woman who had made me feel special and loved for the first time since I was born. I feel so much better today, better than I'd ever felt in a long time. Her lips curled into a smile. “It's fine, my child. Besides, you don't have to appreciate me. I didn't do anything.” “You may not know this, but your words mean so much to me. It made me feel better, you know and I am so grateful. Thank you so much.” “It's fine, baby girl.” She waved it off with a smile . I rose up from the small couch. “I'd like to go meet Zade.” She winked at me. “I know you miss him already and I can't stop you from meeting him.” She teased me and I felt my cheeks heat up at her words. “Bye.” I gave her one last hug before walking out of the room. I made my way straight to Zade's study. “Good evening, Luna.” The maids greeted me as usual as I walked away, and I just smiled at them. I was too w
Lenora's POV “I'm sorry about what Freda said to you, okay?” I said as I patted the little girl on her hair. She smiled at me. “It's not your fault, my Luna. It's just that Freda is a bitch!” She hissed and my eyes went with shock. I couldn't believe that she knew such a curse word. “Come on, Laura. That's not a good word to say, okay?” “I'm sorry, my Luna. I just couldn't find the right words to describe Laura.” She said in a low voice and I could just smile. “You can use other words like ‘she’s annoying,’ but don't ever use the word bitch, okay. It's a bad word.” “Okay, my Luna.” I felt Zade's eyes on me and I tilted my head to the side to stare at him. He was staring at me with an intent gaze in her eyes. My cheeks felt hot all of a sudden and I quickly bent my head, in an attempt to hide the blush. “You are gonna make a good mother, you know that right?” He said innocently, but all of a sudden, the blush on my face was replaced with a look of sadness. How am I going to
Melissa's POV “How are you feeling today?” Axel's voice sounded behind me, but I ignored him. I just continued eating. “Come on, Melissa. It's been two days since that incident…..” He trailed off, but I didn't answer him. Not when I was still pissed at him. “Can you stop the silent treatment please?” He exhaled as he ran his hands through his hair. “It's really killing me.” ‘This is just the beginning!’ It was at the tip of my voice to say to him, but I stopped myself. I don't want to talk to him and I meant it. I could tell that he was about to say something, but just then, his phone began to ring and he groaned. From the side of my eyes, I watched as he fished the phone from his pants to check the caller. “What's wrong, Felix?” I heard him ask. I have come to know that Felix was his new Beta. He was made the Beta after Derek resigned, claiming that he didn't want to be Axel's Beta anymore. I couldn't believe my ears when Laura told me that Derek had been in love with
Melissa's POV A shiver worked its way down my spine and I felt really scared, but I quickly collected myself. “Mother!!” I called out in shock. Who would have thought that my mother would have such a thought running through her head? I expected to see some traces of laughter on her face, to let me know that she didn't mean what she just said and was just kidding, but there was none. Her expression remained serious, like she was just discussing the weather. Only then did I realize that she meant what she was saying. I swallowed hard, my throat bobbing as I tore my gaze away from her face. Then, as if sensing the turmoil brewing within me, her face creased into a soft smile and she took my hands into hers. “Did I scare you, my dear?” She asked, her voice dripping with false sweetness. What a dumb question! It was clear that she scared the living hell out of me and now she's asking me if she did. I scoffed, as I pulled my hands away. “Scare me? That's an understatement, m
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
Zade's POV A blush crept its way to her face at my words and I couldn't help but watch her with a smile. I watched her intently, my gaze lingering on her as she stood there. I couldn't believe what I had just witnessed a while ago. She had forgiven them. She had forgiven the same women who said those harsh words to her, the same women who had called her barren, damaged goods and garbage unworthy of being a part of the pack. She had forgiven them despite those words? I felt my jaw tightened at the memory of their cruel words, my wolf stirring angrily within me. How could she let them go easily? How could she look past the pain they had caused her like it was nothing? But that was Lenora! Her heart was unlike any I had ever known. It was vast, and forgiving, unlike Talia's. I'm sure as hell that if Talia was in Lenora's shoes, she'd have asked me to cut off their tongues, but Lenora didn't do any of those and I couldn't help but admire her strength, her ability to rise above th
Lenora's POV “We are really grateful to you for your forgiveness and we promise that it's never gonna happen again.” Sarah said this time and I nodded. “I hope you keep to your words, Sarah.” I said to her, “Now you can leave .” Almost immediately, they rose up from the floor and strode away. Now that they were out of sight, I took a deep breath to calm my raging nerves. No, I wasn't mad at them anymore. I was mad at Melissa and I wish I could get the chance to meet her again and make her pay for everything. Although I'm glad that I left Axel already, I'm still sad about the fact that I won't be able to give Alpha Zade any children. “Come on, Lenora. Didn't Alpha Zade ask you not to worry about anything, anymore?” Zoey's voice cut through my thoughts and I could only sigh. “Yes, Zoey. He asked me not to worry about giving him a child, but that doesn't mean that I'll just sit back and relent. Besides, I feel like he is only saying those words to console me.” “When will you ever
Lenora's POV To say I was dumbfounded would be an understatement. Did those women just apologize to me, or am I dreaming? The same women that had addressed me as barren and damaged goods? Did they just apologize? “I think you are!” Zoey let out a soft chuckle and I couldn't help but shake my head. “You are right, Zoey. I am dreaming, because there is no way they'd appear in front of me, just to apologise.” I pinched myself mentally to be sure if I was dreaming or not. “You are not dreaming, Lenora. They are right in front of you. They are actually standing in front of you!” Zoey said in a stern voice and now it dawned on me that I wasn't dreaming. “We are sorry, Luna. We know that we acted out of character and we shouldn't have said such words to you. We are sorry.” This time around, they spoke in unison. They must have memorized those words, to be able to say it together and at the same time. “No matter how you want us to be punished, we were ready to accept it. We are real
Lenora's POV “Let's take a walk around the pack, my Luna.” Laura said as soon as she walked into my room. I was seated before the vanity in my room, with Mara, Karl's mate, standing behind me, as she helped me to comb my locs. With a smile on my face, I turned around to face the little girl. “You want to take a walk around the pack?” “Yes, Luna. I'll also give you a tour around the pack. How does that sound?” She asked as she came to stand in front of me. I reached out and palmed her face in my hands and I gave her cheeks a gentle pinch. “That'll be great, Laura. Let's go,” “Thank you so much, Luna.” She giggled as she laid on the bed. I turned to face Mara. “Will you like to come with me please?” Her face creased into a smile, her eyes crinkling at the corners. “Of course, my Luna. I'll love to.” “Come on, Mara, you should address me as Lenora. I want to be your friend.” Her smile deepened. “It's gonna be hard, Luna, but I'll try.” “Okay, Mara, take your time!” I winked a