All Chapters of Bound by Loyalty, Torn by Fate: Chapter 11 - Chapter 20

It was midday, and Lucille still lay in bed. Joseph had visited her room last night, clearly wound up about something, and naturally, that meant taking out his frustrations on her. Her body ached, covered in fresh bruises and new bite marks. Someone must have made a comment about her or looked at her in some kind of way if he’d felt the need to cover her in more visible bites. She had no tasks today, nothing to follow up on, and for the first time in her life as Luna, she felt sad and angry about her fate. Years ago, when she learned her fated mate was Joseph, she never once complained or fought against her fate. If this was what their Goddess had decided for her, who was she to fight it? And yet, for the last few weeks, her heart had felt heavy. Ever since she’d said goodbye to Zach, things had changed. Joseph had also noticed the change in her, despite her best attempts to hide it. Perhaps that was why he’d been rougher and more possessive than usual.“What the hell has he done to y

When Zach stepped out to greet his guests, he’d expected challenges—but not this. He hadn’t known that Alpha Joseph, whom he’d been in talks with over the past few weeks, would bring her. Of course, he reminded himself. She was Joseph’s mate and the Luna of the pack. The moment he stepped outside, he was hit by her scent, sweet and intoxicating, and his eyes found hers instantly. Sh*t.Beside him, Bo shifted nervously, clearly picking up on the tension. Lucille, though, betrayed nothing. Either she wasn’t affected by him in the same way, or she was a hell of an actress. Zach forced down a growl when he saw her hand in another man’s grasp. The man was well-built, with slicked-back blonde hair and a friendly smile that didn’t reach his steely grey eyes. That had to be Joseph. The other man, with a bulky frame and curly brown hair, gave off an air that instantly grated on Zach’s nerves, even more than Joseph did.As they approached, Zach put on his most welcoming smile. “Glad you made it

When they reached the outskirts of the forest, returning to civilisation, Zach led Lucille to the house next door to the pack house, where Nora stood outside, clearly unimpressed. "You're playing a dangerous game, Zach," she warned as she opened the front door, allowing them to step inside. "She has your scent all over her." Lucille glanced between the siblings, annoyed at being treated as though she wasn't present."Whatever this is, it ends here," she ordered, frustration boiling over. "I am right here, and Nora, I understand you don’t like me, but as a guest and Luna to a neighbouring pack here to discuss our future, I deserve respect. Your brother has a mind of his own, as I’m sure you’re aware, and I hope it’s not genetic. Maybe you can talk some sense into him." Lucille’s words made Nora falter, the sharpness in her voice cutting through the tension. Nora sighed, running a hand through her hair before glaring at Zach."I'm sorry, Luna Lucille," Nora finally said, "but you must u

Lucille closed her eyes and tilted her chin up to the half-moon, savouring the gentle breeze that brushed against her skin. She took a sip from her wine glass, her thoughts swirling as she once again cursed her fate. How could the Goddess have done this to her? Had she wronged someone in a past life to deserve the turmoil she’d faced over the years? Maybe she should raid the kitchen and drink every last drop of wine. It was hard for shifters to get drunk due to their unnaturally fast metabolism, but in her current mood, she was more than willing to try.She rolled her eyes as an all-too-familiar scent drifted towards her, threatening to cloud her senses. "Can you not leave me alone for five minutes?" she muttered, clearly irritated.“I don’t like how that male treats you,” Zach growled from the doorway, staying just out of reach.“And you’re any different?” she shot back, her voice dripping with disdain. “You’re both just as bad, treating me like I’m some sort of possession. Pathetic.

The moon was high and bright as Zach and Cole crept around the edge of the house, stopping at a long window overlooking the western side of town. They both crouched low, keeping to the shadows. Zach’s fingers elongated, claws sharp as he carefully picked the lock on the window with ease, his partial shift lending him the strength and precision he needed. Cole kept watch, scanning the darkened grounds for any sign of movement. The window opened silently, and Zach slipped through, motioning for Cole to follow before easing the window shut behind them.Inside, the room was cloaked in shadow, but even in the dim light, Zach could make out Lucille lying beneath the sheets. Her face was peaceful, almost fragile, her breathing steady. In this state, she seemed vulnerable, worlds apart from the fierce, defiant woman he’d come to know. He moved closer, his fingers grazing her hair in a gentle, instinctive gesture. She stirred under his touch, and he spotted a faint mark on her neck from where