"Are you planning on giving me a birthday present? Because I have something in mind."Damien wiggled his eyebrows at me.I laughed and pushed him away. "Ew, no, Damien. I'm not ready for that yet."He rested his head on my stomach as we lay on the bed together.I had to admit, these past few days had been enjoyable. The bond between Damien and me had grown stronger, and we’d gotten closer with each passing day, solidifying our attraction to each other. Damien had agreed that I wouldn’t have to be introduced to the pack until I was absolutely sure I wanted to join—and be marked by him.Since I didn’t know anyone else, I had been spending a lot of time with Danielle and Blake. They were the only people I could truly consider friends when Damien wasn’t around. Surprisingly, Blake and I had grown closer.Of course, due to Damien’s jealousy, I was only allowed to be around Blake when either Danielle or Damien himself was present."You remind me of someone," Damien said, tracing circles on
I was released from the hospital hours later, with Damien tailing my every move. There wasn’t much else for me to do besides rest, so I ended up back in his room.For the most part, I ignored Damien, my thoughts consumed by the rogue attack. Had I been specifically targeted, or was it purely random? How had they even dared to enter pack territory alone, thinking they could escape unscathed?"Iris, listen to me when I'm talking to you," Damien’s Alpha tone boomed through the room, catching me off guard."What?!" I snapped, irritated."You need to reconsider joining the pack for your own safety. This attack should be a wake-up call for you," he said."I told you before, and I’ll say it again—no, I will not join your pack. I’m not a pup anymore, Damien. I can take care of myself," I argued.He sighed and looked away.I had expected more of a fight, honestly.Instead, he walked over to the bed and sat beside me, the mattress dipping under his weight. As he raised his hand to my cheek and
"You're lying. Damien said he's never been in a serious relationship before," I scoffed.Jade smirked. "Looks like your little mate is lying to you, then."With that, she turned and walked away.Why would he lie to me about something like that? Was he afraid I would do something reckless if I found out the truth?"You wouldn’t, but I will," my wolf growled angrily."Hey, are you ready? You've just been standing there looking confused."I snapped out of my thoughts and looked up to see Damien watching me.I nodded and walked over to him. We silently made our way back to the pack house, hand in hand.But before we could enter, I stopped him."Why did you lie to me?" I asked calmly.Damien turned to me, confusion flashing across his face. "Lie about what?""You lied to me about Jade." My voice remained steady, but inside, my wolf was seething at the thought of Damien ever claiming someone else as his own.Damien sighed. "Listen, I didn’t want to upset you, so I had to lie."I pulled my h
I woke up to Danielle shaking me."Wake up, Iris! It's Damien's birthday," she said, still shaking me.I groaned and rolled over, reaching for the empty spot next to me where Damien was supposed to be. Ever since the incident with Jade, things had been different between us. We weren’t exactly distant, but it felt like we were moving backward instead of forward in our relationship."Where’s Damien?" I asked lazily."He had to take care of some pack issues before his celebration. He said he misses you."I would have preferred if he had woken me up to tell me that himself, but I guess he's still being cautious—probably afraid I’ll keep giving him the cold shoulder. Not that I can blame anyone but myself for that."Iris, come on! Stop overthinking and get up. Damien wants to see you," Danielle tugged on my arm."Fine. Just go away so I can get dressed," I grumbled, shooing her off.Once I heard the bedroom door close, I sat up, looking around the room and sighing.I had never really paid
"I don’t care. I knew you guys were talking about me anyway," I said as I walked around Damien’s desk and sat on his lap.He tensed for a moment, but after a while, he relaxed as I leaned back against his chest. I inhaled his scent, letting the warmth of his presence wash over me. Being near him always made me feel whole, and touching him sent tingles throughout my body.I glanced up at his lips, feeling the sudden urge to kiss him.He looked down at me, and he must have known exactly what I was thinking because, without hesitation, he lifted me and positioned me so that I was straddling him.He tucked a stray strand of hair behind my ear before crashing his lips onto mine.An electric shock coursed through me as our lips moved in sync. His tongue brushed against my bottom lip, seeking entrance, and I granted it eagerly. My arms snaked around his neck as his hands wrapped firmly around my waist. The kiss became more intense—more desperate—as my fingers tangled in his hair, pressing my
I groaned, dreading putting on the outfit. Still, I grabbed it from Danielle’s hands and walked into the bathroom to change in peace.The white tube top had small gems attached to it, leaving my stomach fully exposed. The skirt was short and flowy, designed to move effortlessly with the dance. And, of course, I was barefoot—not that I minded, considering I was used to walking around without shoes.Stepping out of the bathroom, I barely had a chance to take a breath before Danielle gasped."You look so beautiful! Let me do your hair!" she squealed excitedly.I instinctively moved to cover the scars and marks on my arms, remnants of my time as a rogue."Fine," I sighed. "Only because I don’t know how to do my own hair."As she sat me down and started running her fingers through my tangled strands, she paused."Have these white streaks always been in your hair?" she asked curiously.I nodded. "Yeah, I was born with them. Even if I cut my hair, they always grow back." I shrugged.She cont
"Well, usually the mate is handed off to the Alpha so he can perform the ceremony. But since your mate is the Alpha, I’ll be doing it," Blake explained.Danielle giggled. "Was Damien really okay with a mateless male wolf handing off his mate?"Blake scratched the back of his head awkwardly. "Well, no. Your mother had to persuade—and practically force—him to let me do it. He’s getting into that possessive stage now that he’s found his mate."I shrugged and took Blake’s arm."Well then, we better go before Damien gets more possessive," I said with a small smile.Danielle waved before hurrying out of the packhouse.A few minutes later, Blake announced that it was time. We stepped outside, and instantly, all eyes turned toward us.If Blake wasn’t supporting me, I probably would have collapsed—my legs felt weak beneath me.The pack members lined either side of the pathway, leaving the center clear, like a wedding aisle.As we slowly walked down the middle, I kept my gaze forward, too nervo
"There is nothing to talk about," I said, my voice firm.Damien scoffed. "Don't play dumb with me, Iris. I knew I was right about you being Alpha-born. You're the daughter of Adam and Lucie Rose—the Alpha and Luna of the Moonshine Pack. I know all about what happened to your parents."That last sentence was all it took to set me off.My entire body tensed as anger surged through me."You know nothing about what happened to my parents!" I snapped, my voice shaking with fury. "You didn't witness them being murdered in cold blood! You didn’t have to run for your life when you were just twelve! You weren’t captured, tortured, and beaten for things you didn’t even understand! You don’t know anything!"I screamed the last part, my chest heaving as I glared at him.Damien looked at me, sadness darkening his eyes."Their so-called allies sure as hell weren’t there when my parents were slaughtered," I hissed.A new voice entered the room."We had no idea what was happening—or how they died. Th
"Hey, handsome, you never gave me that kiss yet," Lillian teased Damien, pouting playfully."Lily, get your ass in here before I eat your food," I heard Blake call from the kitchen.Lillian dashed toward the kitchen, and we followed."What the hell are these things?" she asked, staring at the bowl of food in front of her."It's cereal. You've never had cereal before?" Blake asked, surprised.She shook her head. "I was fed scraps most of the time... sometimes, I wasn't fed at all. I was lucky to get a meal."Blake growled, clenching his jaw. I could tell he hated hearing about the way she'd been mistreated. I knew exactly how he felt—helpless, furious, and devastated that she had endured so many years of captivity and abuse.Lillian reached out, resting her hand on his cheek as she shook her head."I have you now," she said softly. "The past is the past. What matters is that you can give me a better future." She smiled warmly.Blake sighed, grabbing her hand and pressing a gentle kiss
"The one with the power will be able to control everything. Nothing will stand in her way. It is her destiny to become the One. Good or evil is her choice, and her decision will shape the world."The voice echoed in my mind, unfamiliar yet strangely familiar.I sighed.Why was I always hearing voices?What had led me to this point where my own thoughts weren’t even my own anymore?"You awake, kiddo?"Lillian’s voice rang through my head, breaking through my thoughts."Yes, I'm awake. And please, don't call me kiddo.""Whatever. You heard that voice too?"I frowned. "Yeah… how did you know?""Duh, genius. We're twins. How else do you think I’d be talking to you right now?"I sighed. "Well, what does it mean? I feel like I’m always hearing voices, and it’s driving me insane.""We’ll talk about it later. Not today. Today, I want to enjoy pack life and harass your mate some more."I groaned. "Go harass your own mate."---A deep chuckle made me open my eyes.I turned my head to see Damien
Lillian turned to Damien. "All my life, I was told I had this darkness swirling inside me—that no matter where I went, I would always be locked away like an animal. Then I found out they took the wrong twin. I wasn’t even the one they wanted. But people always just assumed I was the dark one."She sighed, then gave a small smile."But you know what? I’m glad they took me instead of Iris."Blake scowled. "What the fuck is wrong with people?"Lillian simply shrugged. "Nothing you can do about it now. All I care about is being free and being with the only family I have left."I swallowed hard. "I used to catch Mom crying to herself quietly, and I never understood why. Sometimes, she’d call me Lillian… I always assumed she just liked using my middle name."---FlashbackI searched behind the curtains, but Mommy wasn’t there.I looked all over the house before finally making my way to my room, where I heard soft, quiet sobs.I pushed the door open, peering into the darkness. "Mommy? Why ar
I nodded. "Yeah, I'm actually hungry. And thirsty."Then Lillian smirked. "But I think I might be thirsty for you, gorgeous."She winked at Damien.His face turned red, but before he could react, I scolded her."Lillian, go get your own mate!" I snapped.She grinned. "Why bother when I can just harass yours and get on your nerves?"I groaned. "I liked it better when you were caring and nice in the forest."She laughed.Together, we walked out of the room and headed downstairs to the kitchen. As we passed by other pack members, their expressions shifted—concern, confusion, and hesitation written all over their faces."They don’t know which one is the real Luna," Damien chuckled.As soon as we sat down at the kitchen island, Lillian clapped her hands together."Alright, listen up! I want a grilled cheese, crust cut off, sliced diagonally. I’m reliving my childhood dreams here, so hurry up, handsome—I'm starving!"I giggled—something I'd been doing a lot lately.It felt… nice.I never re
I chuckled.Something about her voice was comforting, almost… familiar.It reminded me of my mother."Where have you been all this time?" Damien asked, his voice laced with curiosity.Lillian shrugged. "In rogue territory, the neutral zone. I was held against my will until I finally managed to escape. Ever since then, I’ve been watching over Iris—right up until you kidnapped her. I was stolen at birth, so I had no idea if she even knew about me… or if she hated me. So, I just kept my distance."My heart clenched. "I could never hate you. What happened to you was beyond your control."She smiled, relieved. "That’s good to know, beautiful.""Her name is Lillian Iris Rose—same as mine, pretty much," I added, glancing at Damien.He stood there, frozen, still trying to process everything.Honestly?I couldn’t blame him.I was still trying to wrap my head around the fact that I had a twin sister…One who talked way too much.Suddenly, Lillian’s face lit up. "Can I figure out the shower by m
Damien’s POV"WHERE THE FUCK DID SHE GO?!"I bellowed, my voice shaking the walls.My fury surged as I grabbed the nearest lamp and hurled it across the room toward Blake.Unfortunately, he ducked just in time."You haven’t been able to contact her through the mind link?" he asked, his voice filled with disbelief.I growled, barely restraining the urge to throw something else at him. "She’s blocked herself from me somehow! I can’t feel her at all!"It had been days since Iris disappeared.No one saw her leave.No one knew where she went.And that was the most frustrating part.How had she done this?How had she managed to completely shut herself off from me?I hadn’t slept since I realized she was gone. Not even for a second.It was like she had become a ghost—vanishing without a trace, without a scent to follow.And if she didn’t return before the next full moon, the council would declare her a rogue Luna.And rogues don’t survive.I clenched my fists and stormed out of the room, lea
"Please wake up. I need you to wake up for me."That voice…No matter how many years had passed, I would always recognize it.My mother.Her voice wrapped around me like a warm embrace, giving me the strength to climb out of the darkness and open my eyes.But when I did—She wasn’t there.Instead, I was greeted by the presence of…Myself.I blinked in confusion.It was like looking into a mirror.I slowly reached out, hesitating for a moment before my fingers brushed against warm skin.She was real.A soft giggle escaped her lips, and somehow, it warmed my heart.The feeling was strange yet familiar—like the way Damien always made me feel inside.But as soon as I thought of him, unbearable pain ripped through my chest.A sharp, aching void.I clutched at my heart and let out a painful howl as salty tears spilled down my cheeks."No, no, please don't cry," she whispered, cupping my face gently. "I’m here for you. I’ll get you back—I promise."I opened my eyes again, still struggling to
I blushed and quickly turned my back to Damien, rushing to the closet to put on a bra and find another shirt—since he had shredded my last one.As I searched through my clothes, a whisper echoed in my mind.At first, it was faint.But then it grew louder.And louder.Until it was almost deafening.Only… this time, it wasn’t my wolf speaking.‘He didn’t save himself for you.’‘He doesn’t love you.’‘He’s only using you.’‘All he wants is your power.’‘HE CAN’T HAVE US!’I froze.The words sent a chill down my spine.Confused, I slowly stepped out of the closet. My thoughts raced. What did they mean… he didn’t save himself for me?Damien’s voice snapped me out of my daze. “Iris, are you alright?”I lifted my gaze to meet his, my expression unreadable. “Why didn’t you save yourself for your mate? You really couldn’t wait?”Damien’s brows furrowed. “How did you do that?”I crossed my arms. “What are you talking about? Just answer my question.”His entire demeanor shifted. His jaw clenched
For the first time in a very long time, I didn’t feel trapped.I woke up in Damien’s arms, his warmth surrounding me like a protective cocoon.For once, I felt at bliss.Smiling, I snuggled deeper into his embrace, inhaling his scent as he did the same to me. When I looked up, our eyes met.“Do you ever wish for a normal mate?” I asked softly.He chuckled, the sound deep and soothing. “No. You make my life interesting.”I grinned, reaching up to pat his chest. “Good to know.”His fingers idly stroked my hair as he spoke. “I meant to tell you earlier, but Alpha Marcus and his mate are coming over today.”I frowned. “Why wasn’t I informed about this sooner?”Damien shrugged. “I figured you wouldn’t want to be bothered with them.”I sat up slightly, giving him an unimpressed look. “I’m the soon-to-be Luna, Damien. I need to know about these things, even if you think I wouldn’t care. Now, why are they coming?”“Just to congratulate me on finding my mate. And hopefully, they’d like to meet