All Chapters of Howl of the Cursed Luna: Chapter 21 - Chapter 30

WILLA’s POV I shouldn’t have agreed to this. The thought repeated itself over and over in my mind as I followed Nox through the dense woods, my steps too loud, too ungraceful compared to his effortless strides. The men did the hunting in my pack—it was always the men who ventured into the woods, returning with their prizes slung over broad shoulders. Kael did the hunting. I wasn’t supposed to be out here, hunting had never been my forte …wasn’t trained for it, and certainly wasn’t used to this sort of tension coiling in my chest. The only times I’d been in woods like this was with Kael. My eyes were drawn to Nox's back as he walked ahead of me, just as Kael used to. I would admire him from behind—his lean frame, the way his back moved when he stepped over a ridge. But Nox... Nox was different, every muscle in his body rippling beneath his shirt as he climbed up the slight hill in front of us. His broad shoulders stretched the fabric just enough to make me wonder what

WILLA’s POV "Alpha, the guards—" His words died on his lips as he stepped inside, freezing as his eyes landed on me. On us. Nox lay sprawled across the cushions, his head resting on my thigh, fast asleep. His back was bare, marred by traces of dried blood and the large, angry scar that had yet to fully close. His muscles had strained … how I'd thought he might die from the pain. Yet he never once growled out. I didn’t move, didn’t flinch under Hunter’s intense stare. It was a rare thing, seeing the Beta’s expression shift, but now his usually impassive face was hardened with something that felt uncomfortably close to anger. "The scar…,” "He got it fighting the rogues," I finished for him. "Silver blade, laced with wolfsbane." Hunter's jaw clenched, his expression hardening in a way I'd never seen before. It was clear he wanted to say something—probably to me—but he seemed to think better of it. "I'll take over from here.” His voice came out low, cont

NOX’s POV “How kind of you to finally grace us with your presence, Nox," a familiar voice dripped. "One would think, being the host, you'd make an effort to arrive on time." I turned to face Luna Elara, her copper hair gleaming in the low light. A smirk played at my lips as I replied, "My apologies, Luna. I was under the impression that good hosts let their guests settle in before making an entrance.” My eyes flickered to Alpha Myron beside her, daring him to say something. He only gave a subtle nod, clearly not interested in escalating. Typical. Her eyes narrowed, but I was already moving to take my seat. The Alpha Council consisted of eight Alphas, representing the eight territories. I knew them all, for better or worse. To my left sat Talon, Alpha of the Mountain Peaks Pack. His territory was vast but largely uninhabitable. Next to him was Kora, the only female Alpha on the council. Her cleverness made up for what she lacked in brute strength. Across from me, Dar

WILLA’s POV “The priestess?" The old library keeper's wrinkled face creased further as he repeated. I nodded, my fingers absently stroking the rough edge of his counter. "Yes, is there one…, here?" My pack had one and I expect all packs to have one, but I'd never heard mention of one here. His lips parted, but no words came at first, his eyes searching mine as if trying to understand why I even had to ask. "Of course we do," he said slowly, as if explaining something obvious to a child. “Every pack has one at least.” "Where does she stay?" I leaned forward slightly, hoping my eagerness wasn't too apparent. "Uhm, ha, she…” he clicked his tongue, “She resides in the sacred grove." I frowned, trying to picture the location. Never heard the name, not like I ever left the packhouse. "How do I get there?" The keeper's lips pursed, deepening the lines around his mouth. "You don’t, child. At least not whenever you please.” His face lit up like he remembered something. “Ah

NOX’s POV His body thrashed, arms flailing wildly as he fought for air. The struggle sent waves crashing over the edge of the barrel, soaking the floor around us. With a snarl, I yanked his head back out. He gasped, each gulp of air wet and ragged, water streaming from his nose and mouth, his one good eye wild, bulging with terror. "Please... Alpha... I—" he sputtered, but I cut him off by forcing his head back under. He fought harder this time, legs kicking out, arms flailing as bubbles of air escaped him in a violent rush. Good. I pulled the guard's head up again, bringing his face close to mine. His breath came in ragged gasps, fear radiating off him in waves, fear of death that I so wanted to give him. "I swear... I'll—" "Shut up." The command silenced him instantly, his lips frozen mid-sentence. "You don't get to beg. You don't get to talk." I let my eyes rake over his pitiful form. Weak. Broken. How easily I could finish him. I could snap his neck a