Xander's POVSurrounding me was a viscous darkness, and the air was thick with the smell of blood. My legs felt as heavy as lead, my stamina was completely depleted, and every breath seemed to mobilize the muscles of my entire body."Don't stop, Xander!"Just when I was exhausted and wanted to collapse, an urgent call came from in front of me. At that moment, a sudden cacophony of yelling erupted behind me. I turned to follow the sound and saw a vast group of rogues rushing towards my parents and me."Xander, quick!"My heart raced at the sight, just as a fork in the road appeared ahead and my father stood there, waving his hand towards me."Listen, Xander. From now on, you're the Alpha of the Blood Moon pack. I'm sure you'll bring the pack back to glory."My father finished with a small smile before giving me a firm pat on the shoulder and pushing me aside."Live, Xander!"These were his last words to me as he stood his ground, facing the rogues, before running off down the other pat
Selenar's POVThis wasn't the first time Xander had behaved like this. On many nights, I could vaguely sense him waking up in the middle of the night and sitting beside me without saying a word. Every time I woke up and looked at him, I could see the intense hatred in his amber eyes."It's nothing," Xander said coldly, giving me a look before putting on his pajamas and stepping aside.Like a child who had done something wrong, I seemed to notice Xander's abnormality. Immediately afterward, I propped myself up with my arms and prepared to get out of bed."Don't put on such a pathetic face. I don't need your concern," he snapped as I reached for a glass on the nightstand."Xander, I'm just..." I froze in place for a moment, holding my glass of water and feeling overwhelmed. At that moment, the straps of my silk nightgown slipped down, exposing a large expanse of my chest in the moonlight from the window.Xander's gaze lingered briefly before he turned to look out the window. I blushed
Selena's POVAfter a sleepless night, I waited for the sky outside my window to slowly brighten before getting up to prepare for my hospital checkup. Recently, I've been experiencing abnormal pain in my body, which intensified after Xander left me. Perhaps it's due to our bond; as Xander's hatred for me grows, my body seems to suffer along with it.Additionally, I occasionally give Lisandra blood transfusions at Xander's request because Lisandra's body is weaker. Of course, this is a way for the two of their packs to strengthen their relationship, but it's at my expense.The hospital's attending doctor, Liam, was my former senior and had always taken care of me when I was in medical school. When he heard about my health problems, he was the first to contact me to check the results at the hospital."How long has this been going on?" Liam asked seriously as he held the test report in the hospital corridor.I hung my head and nervously rubbed my fingers back and forth on my satchel, avo
Selena's POV On the way home, I feel like a walking corpse among the various pedestrians. There were housewives rushing home to cook dinner, fathers waiting to pick up their children from kindergarten, cheerful girls with flowers in hand at the bus stop, and a family of three taking a post-dinner stroll. Like any ordinary person, they may have their own troubles, but it's undeniable that they all hold expectations for life, believing in a brighter future. Yet, my own life feels almost at its end—broken family, wrong lover, and now even my own life nearly extinguished. Perhaps the moon goddess sensed my grief because suddenly, with a howling wind, raindrops the size of beans poured down. The icy rain mixed with the scent of damp earth slapped hard against my body, but no matter how cold the rain was, it couldn't match the coldness in my heart. I walked alone down the street, letting the rain soak me, then made my way back home in a daze. As I reached the door, I heard a low moa
Xander's POVI stood in the room, casting a cold gaze at Selena lying on the floor. Her face was pale, and a glint of pain flickered in her eyes, but it seemed to me that it was merely a façade."Selena, do you think you can gain my mercy by pretending to be sick?" My voice dripped with unusual coldness and obvious disdain.Selena didn't answer; she simply closed her eyes, lacking the strength to speak."Whatever. I don't have time for your act." I shrugged off her condition and gestured with my eyes toward Lisandra, who sat beside me, signaling her to leave."Looks like Selena is still in good health," Lisandra remarked with a mocking smile before tightening her hold on me. She rubbed her ample breasts against my arm as she walked, shooting me a wink. It was evident she was unsettled by Selena's interruption earlier."Let's go." I shot a final look at Selena sprawled on the floor before pulling Lisandra into the car with me."Xander, I haven't had my treatment yet today. I'm still fe
Selena's POV I struggled to open my eyes amidst a thick darkness. Around me was a brilliant halo of light, and at the center of it stood a figure. He faced me, silhouetted against the light. Though I couldn't see his face, I could sense that he was looking at me, smiling. "Xander?" I was not sure where I found the courage, but the question escaped me instinctively. The figure trembled slightly, yet didn't respond. Instead, he strode toward me, as though summoned by some silent command. Thud. The dull, heavy sound of his footsteps sent a wave of unease through me. Fear of Xander had only begun after we became Mates. Once, he had been full of life—a man in a white shirt standing in a moonlit field, gently taking my hand as we danced an elegant waltz under the gaze of the moon god. Sometimes, we'd sit quietly on the grass, surrounded by an endless sea of greenery, as if nature itself had painted the scene for us. I'd rest my head on his shoulder, eyes closed, listening to him
Selena's POVThe night was silent, and when I woke up again, I realized that Xander was nowhere to be found in the empty room. I struggled to get out of bed, feeling the pain in my chest intensify. Earlier, before coming back from the hospital, I had refused Liam's offer of a simple painkiller. I still felt a little groggy and touched my forehead absently, finding it hot as hell."Crap," I sighed softly to myself. Maybe it was yesterday's rain shower that caused this sickness. My throat was dry, and I was short of breath. Just sitting on the edge of the bed made me feel like I was about to collapse."Xander was right. You always look for an excuse to be lazy. Get up and scrub the floor."A disgusting figure suddenly appeared in the doorway. Lisandra was leaning against the doorframe with her arms folded, looking at me with contempt."What?" The fever made my mind a little foggy, and I frowned at Lisandra."Why are you pretending again? Can't you remember who you are, you lowly woman?
Selena's POV"Stop... stop!"Sensing the situation spiraling out of control, I frantically covered my chest. Xander showed no intention of stopping; his pupils slowly contracted with greed as he surveyed my body.My voice trembled, but Xander's face remained expressionless. He playfully surveyed me, gently licking his dry lips, as if he'd just heard an erotic joke."Would anyone stop me from doing what I need to do with my own woman?" Xander spoke softly."I'm going to reject you!"Seeing my threats were futile, I repeated myself."That's funny."Xander's eyes filled with laughter. He lay on top of me, his rough breath invading my space. I could feel his chiseled stomach pressing against my chest. Though I wanted to look at his lips, I dismissed the thought.Without hesitation, Xander straddled me, and as he lowered his head, I felt my nipples harden. Xander noticed and covered my breasts with his wide palms, rubbing them vigorously without mercy."No, don't."I struggled to stop him,
Selena's POVSure enough, after Xander finished his interview, word spread within the pack that he was going to hold a meeting in the evening to explain himself to the Council of Elders. With the future of the entire pack at stake, the meeting venue was already packed before noon. As the center of this event, I should have been nervous, but I wasn't.Looking at Xander's handsome yet indifferent face on my cell phone screen, I felt only a deep chill in my heart."Are you ready? We're the center of attention tonight. Come on, try on the dress I prepared for you."Gloria took out a red gown and paired it with a white tulle overlay, embellished with sparkling diamonds. As she gently swung it, it created a graceful arc."That's nice. You'll look great in this," Liam commented, nodding in satisfaction as he stood next to her."Trust my aesthetics. You'll surely catch their eyes tonight," Gloria said, folding her arms across her chest with a smug look on her face."So what do I need to do la
Selena's POVEver since Xander slapped me in the face at the packhouse, I'd been in the hospital for days, and Xander hadn't contacted me again as if I didn't exist. If this had happened before, I probably would have been demoralized and confused by useless treatments. But this time, I had Gloria with me, and she made me feel a lot better."You're suffering here while that bastard Xander is out there living it up. I'll contact a few media outlets to expose him so everyone can see his true colors," Gloria said, sitting on the edge of her bed, boredly checking the news about Xander on her tablet. The internet was abuzz with the incident; it had caused quite a stir.Lately, Xander had been bringing Lisandra to all the events he attended, with no sign of me. The media speculated that the last attack was likely due to a love affair."This skanky bitch makes me want to puke just looking at her. She's always rubbing her boobs against Xander's arm. Even though Xander's no slouch, he looks li
Selena's POV"Quickly, tell me what happened to you! We haven't seen each other for a few short years, and you've become so thin."Gloria was my best friend. After Xander and I became mates, she went abroad. In just a few short years, no one could have expected such a drastic change."No, it just happened naturally," I replied.Seeing Gloria still looking so innocent, I can't imagine how sad she'll be when she learns the truth."Are you kidding? Quickly pack up and get out of the hospital. These few years abroad have suffocated me! I'll come back, find a super handsome guy, and go completely crazy!" Gloria sat at the end of my bed with a big smile on her face.Watching this playful routine, I was in a trance, as if I had suddenly returned to our student days. Back then, Gloria and I agreed that if one of us got married, the other would follow within a year, so that our children would be about the same age. If they were both girls, they'd be good sisters, and if they were a boy and a g
Selena's POVWhen I woke up again, my head was aching almost to the point of exploding, and the air smelled strongly of disinfectant, which made me want to dry-heave. It looked like I was in a hospital room."You awake?" Liam, who heard the commotion, asked as he observed the data from the instruments."Sorry, I'm just..." I gently brushed my hair back, trying to clear my head."You don't have to apologize to me. Your body is your own, but I don't think you should have such an irresponsible attitude." Liam's eyes moved away from the instruments and met mine. His serious and earnest gaze made me a little uncomfortable, and I hung my head like a child who'd made a mistake."As I've told you before, the treatment is successful at this stage. As long as you can hold out for a few more sessions, it will slowly restore the activity in your blood," Liam continued, looking a bit angry this time."I'm sorry, but... some things are out of my control." I pursed my lips and slowly curled my knees
Selena's POV"Xander, you're finally back! I just asked Selena to clean the room; I didn't expect her to do such a thing."Seeing Xander return, Lisandra hurriedly jumped over and took his arm, making sure to squeeze out a few tears to appear pitiful."Selena, if you have any grievances, you can take them out on me. Why did you do such a thing? You know very well how important this is to Xander!"Lisandra cried her eyes out before turning towards me and blurting out her accusations.I was a bit speechless at Lisandra's false claims and just grunted coldly before twisting my face aside, lowering my body to clean the broken glass on the floor."Is that so?"Xander inquired coldly, his eyes cold and cruel, like he was looking at a dying prey.The air seemed to freeze in that moment, but I paid no attention to Xander, continuing to clean the glass before carefully putting the effigy of Xander's parents back in place."What did I ask you?"Xander's voice grew harsher as he walked quickly o
Selena's POV"Alpha, the area outside has been cleaned up, but……"Terry walked in, his expression as blank as the silence that followed the wailing outside."But what?"After the gruesome killings earlier, Xander's body bore shocking scars, but his coldness now seemed almost capable of freezing the air around him."They were all dead soldiers. Sensing defeat, they chose to take their own lives."Terry frowned as he spoke."They all died?"Xander's voice rose instinctively, causing everyone around him to suppress their reactions."Yes. We couldn't trace the source. But this incident was my fault, and I am willing to accept the consequences."Terry bowed his head respectfully towards Xander.Xander turned to look at Terry, remaining silent for a long time. No one could guess what was going through his mind.Then Xander's gaze shifted to me, scrutinizing my condition as if assessing my well-being. I couldn't shake the feeling that there was an ulterior motive behind his apparent concern
Selena's POVWhen I was attacked by the Rogues, my first thought wasn't panic. I knew I could never have attracted this much attention on my own; their targeting of the packhouse was clearly an attempt to threaten Xander by holding me hostage. What they didn't realize was that the relationship between Xander and me was already dead.When those vicious Rogues broke through the defense line, I felt no panic, only relief. Yet, deep down, I secretly hoped that Xander would arrive in the nick of time. So, when Xander did appear in front of me, I was filled with disbelief."Stop fidgeting and think about what to do," Via spoke up, reminding me of the critical situation. She understood the gravity of the moment as well."Xander, are you okay?" I couldn't help but ask as I looked at Xander, who was shielding me."These mongrels are delusional if they think they can take me down," Xander grunted coldly before turning back to scrutinize the Rogue in front of him.Looking at Xander's solid back,
Xander's POV"Alpha, the previous enemies have surrounded the packhouse. It's too dangerous to rush there now."I had just given the order when Terry immediately stopped me. Fresh blood covered his body, staining his white uniform a deep red, but there was no doubt that the blood came from the Rogue who attacked us earlier.As the Beta of the pack, Terry's strength was unquestionable, but this situation was much grimmer than we had faced before."They obviously planned this attack in detail, timing it perfectly to exploit your weakness and..."Seeing that I was unmoved, Terry continued, "There are just too many of them this time. Most of our people are at the camp. I've already notified them to head this way. There's nothing of importance at the packhouse, so when our larger force arrives…""Go back!"I grimaced, interrupting Terry. I didn't know why, but when he said there was nothing important at the packhouse, my heart felt like it had been violently stabbed. Selena's face unconsci
Xander's POVWith the coldness I'd shown Selena over the past few days, the people in the pack had gradually stopped treating her as the Luna. Coupled with the omega work I had arranged for her earlier, almost everyone looked at Selena with a hint of contempt. After all, no one in the pack had dared to disobey me yet.But I'd noticed that whenever I was about to lose control of my sanity, the wolf Sol inside me was always the first to come out against me."That's because Selena is your mate. The two of you are closely linked. If Selena gets hurt, you will also suffer accordingly. Not to mention, you're the one who initiated the trouble," Sol explained bitterly. "This is why the mate bond between you and Selena is getting weaker and weaker. The damage is mutual. You are now impaired in strength, and Selena, who has endured this for years, is definitely not as strong as she used to be," Sol said, letting out a soft sigh.This made my heart feel inexplicably heavy. Once, I was certain th