I sat on the bed with my knees pulled up to my chest, rocking back and forth.It had been two days since I woke up in the hospital.Two days since I had last seen Damien.It was almost as if he were avoiding me ever since I nearly rejected him.I wasn’t even sure if rejecting him would have worked, considering he had already marked me. But at the time, I thought it was the best thing for him—and for the pack.Now, without his presence, I felt empty.The unsettling sensation gnawed at me.The door creaked open, and I quickly looked up.A boy, around eighteen years old, stood in the doorway. His mousy brown hair was slightly unkempt, and freckles were scattered across his face. He was about my height.“The Alpha has sent me to collect you,” he said firmly.I nodded, stretching my stiff limbs as I stood.That’s when I realized something.I was wearing clothes I didn’t remember putting on—an oversized white shirt and blue shorts.Brushing the thought aside, I followed the boy out of the r
I stared at him in shock and disbelief."You did what?!" I shouted.I couldn’t believe he had even thought about doing something like that.My journal was private. Secret.It may have seemed childish or silly to others, but for the longest time, it had been the only thing keeping me sane.Writing my thoughts down and reading over them later had always helped me keep myself from slipping.I turned away from him, pacing back and forth.Then, I stopped and looked back at him. "How much did you read?"Damien avoided my gaze, staring at the floor instead."I read up until you stopped making full sentences," he admitted.My stomach twisted.I hadn’t even read that far myself in years.And yet, just because he was my mate, he thought he had the right to go through my things without permission?His hand reached for my arm, gently pulling me toward him."Iris, I had to find out what was happening to you," he said.His voice was soft, but his grip was firm."That night I marked you, something h
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
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
"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
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
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
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 let out a playful bark, wagging my tail at Lillian. I had missed talking to her.As she stepped closer, I caught her scent—only it was different, unfamiliar. My head tilted as I tried to make sense of the change.She chuckled. "Blake and I finally mated."I let out a soft huff before playfully licking her cheek. It was hard to believe that my sister had gone from a rogue surviving in the woods to being mated to the Beta of the pack."Auntie Iry, who’s that? And why does she look like you?" Matty asked, eyeing Lillian with open curiosity.We had just arrived back at Lucie and John’s house. As Lucie helped Emma and Matty off my back, I stepped away to shift and put my clothes back on. When I returned, I noticed Matty watching Lillian with an intense, suspicious look."Matty, this is my sister, Lillian," I said, smiling as I wrapped my arms around her.Both children's eyes widened in shock."Auntie Lily!" Matty squealed before launching himself at Lillian, hugging her tightly.Lillian
"I'm in charge, Alpha," I whispered seductively.Damien's eyes darkened with desire as he let out a low growl."Say it again," he commanded, his voice husky.I smirked but stayed silent, letting my actions speak for me. Slowly, I trailed my hands down to the waistband of his pants, unzipping them with deliberate care. I slipped them off and tossed them aside, revealing the growing need beneath his boxers. My fingers teased the waistband before finally sliding them down, freeing him.He sat up, eyes locked onto me, his breathing heavy."Put that mouth of yours to good use," he murmured, his voice rough with need.A nervous excitement fluttered inside me—I had never done this before. But I wanted to please him. Tentatively, I ran my tongue over the tip, earning a sharp intake of breath from Damien. Encouraged, I took him in deeper, my movements slow and exploratory. His groans grew louder as I picked up my rhythm, his fingers tangling in my hair.But just as I found my rhythm, Damien su
Danielle flinched, as if just remembering the pain."It was painful," she admitted, "but I finally met my wolf! She’s so smart and funny. I can talk to her whenever I want, and she’ll never leave me. She kind of reminds me of you, Iris." She smiled brightly.Damien wrapped his arms around my waist, burying his nose into my neck."She also told me that I won’t find my mate until I’m eighteen," Danielle pouted.I giggled. "That’s because you’re of Alpha blood."She just huffed and walked back into the house."Iris, do you know who Cole is?" Damien suddenly asked.I stiffened slightly but kept my voice even. "I don’t know him personally. I only know he’s the one who killed my parents."Damien hesitated. "What were your parents like?"A small, sad smile tugged at my lips."My dad was strong and confident. He was a great Alpha—fierce, but he loved his family with all his heart. My mom… she was different. She used to be a rogue, never believed in mates—until she found my dad. She was caring
I laughed, though it came out as a strange, gargling, high-pitched noise, which only made Damien burst into laughter.I growled playfully as we approached the pack house, where a blanket lay on the steps. Damien picked it up, unfolded it, and motioned for me to shift.I did, and as soon as I was back in human form, he draped the blanket over me."It's freezing out here!" I shivered, pulling the fabric tighter around me.Damien just chuckled, wrapping his arms around me as we stepped inside.The moment we entered, shouting filled the air."You're a fucking asshole! Am I not good enough for you?!" Lillian’s furious voice rang out.Still wrapped in a blanket, she was screaming at an equally frustrated Blake."What the hell are you talking about?" Blake asked, clearly irritated."That bitch had you on the ground, flirting with you and straddling you, and you just let it happen!" she yelled.The moment she noticed Damien and me, her expression shifted. Fear and panic flashed across her fac
"Thanks, Iris," Danielle said, clutching her head in pain as her body trembled."Danielle, take a deep breath and calm down. Relax your mind and focus on shifting. Imagine yourself as a wolf, running through the forest," I instructed.She nodded, squeezing her eyes shut as the trembling grew more intense. Suddenly, she dropped to all fours, and the piercing sound of cracking bones shattered the silence of the forest.A sharp scream tore from her lips.What's happening? Damien’s voice rang through our mind link.Your sister is shifting, I replied.Thank you for being there for her. We're still setting up her birthday party, he said.I focused back on Danielle as her bones continued to shift and break, her whimpers turning into furious growls. Then, her form stilled, and a stunning dark brown she-wolf with black paws stood before me.She lifted her head and growled, her wild eyes locking onto mine. Newly shifted wolves were often overwhelmed by instincts, sometimes even attacking those
I woke up snuggled against someone's chest."Damien, get up. You've been asleep long enough," I murmured, trying to wiggle out of his grasp but failing miserably."No… five more minutes," he groaned, pulling me even closer.I sighed in defeat before turning around to face him. Damien looked so peaceful and calm in his sleep, his usual intensity softened by dreams. I reached up and gently pecked his lips, causing his eyes to flutter open."That was a lovely wake-up call," he said with a wink.Rolling my eyes, I pushed against his chest as he finally loosened his grip. I sat up, only to realize I was still completely bare from the night before. Blushing, I grabbed the white bedsheet and wrapped it around myself like a towel before heading to the bathroom.Just as I reached the doorway, I glanced back and noticed Damien lying there, very much uncovered, a smug look on his face."Like what you see?" he teased.Crossing my arms over the sheets, I smirked. "Just for that comment, you're not
"I don't want to stop. I want you," I breathed out. At that exact moment, I could tell that his wolf had fully taken over. His eyes darkened with desire as he pulled me closer, his hands trailing over my body as if memorizing every inch. My breath hitched when he gripped the fabric of my shirt—and with one swift motion, it was gone. I gasped at his boldness, my heart racing. His lips found my shoulder, leaving a trail of warmth as he moved up toward my mark. I could feel the strength in his touch, the restraint he was barely holding onto. His presence alone sent a shiver down my spine, anticipation crackling between us like a storm on the horizon. But then, an unfamiliar hesitation crept into me. I had never been this vulnerable before, never exposed to anyone like this. I instinctively moved to cover myself, but Damien let out a low growl, his hands catching mine. "Don't," he murmured, his voice husky with emotion. "You're more beautiful than anyone I've ever been with." Slowly
I walked away, leaving Lillian and Danielle behind in the destroyed living room, and made my way upstairs. Roars and shouts shook the walls, vibrating through the halls like an earthquake.Damien was furious.He wasn’t just angry—he was desperate. His mate was in danger, and he didn’t understand what was happening. Someone was threatening me, the person he swore to protect.I knew this because I felt every single one of his emotions.Standing in front of the bedroom door, I took a deep breath and pushed it open.Damien lay on his back on the king-sized bed, his hands covering his face. The room was eerily silent, a stark contrast to the rage that had just shaken the house. I glanced around. Nothing had been broken—except for the new holes in the walls."Damien," I called softly, stepping toward him.No response.I climbed onto the bed, straddling his waist, and gently took his hands, prying them away from his face.The moment I saw him, my breath hitched.I had never seen Damien this
"Get up, maggot, and bow to your Luna," Damien snarled.I had never heard Damien this aggressive before—not even with his pack members. But then again, he had always hated rogues. My sister and I were the only exceptions."I’ll bow to the girl when you bring her to me. I have a message for her," a cold, empty voice spoke from the shadows.A man sat on the opposite side of the cell, his back turned to us. He was cross-legged on the cold, damp floor, as if meditating."And what’s this message?" Damien spat."I said the message is for the fucking girl. Now bring her here!" the man shouted through the bars, catching both of us off guard.I glanced at Damien and saw the shock flicker across his face. No one spoke to an Alpha like that unless they were an Alpha themselves—or had a death wish.Something about the man's voice felt familiar, but I couldn't place where I'd heard it before.Damien stepped toward the cell, careful not to touch the bars—they were pure silver, coated in wolfsbane.