All Chapters of Bound By The Moon: The Alpha’s Regret: Chapter 31 - Chapter 40

Bella’s POV Her name was Susan. Mid-fifties. Always wore a sunhat and walked her obnoxious poodle like it was royalty.“June!” she called as she waved and crossed the lawn. “Good to see you, dear.”June smiled politely. “Hey, Susan.”“And you must be Bella!” Her eyes sparkled with curiosity. “Heard you were staying a while.”I gave her a tight smile. “Just taking it one day at a time.”Susan’s gaze narrowed just slightly. “You okay, dear? You look pale. Not feeling ill, are you?”“I’m fine,” I said quickly.June stepped in. “Bella had a bit of a migraine earlier. Weather changes, you know? She’s sensitive to pressure.”Susan tsked. “Poor thing. You know, my cousin gets those. You might want to try lavender oil. Or garlic.”“I’ll keep that in mind,” I said flatly.After a few more pleasantries, Susan finally walked off, and June exhaled.“Thanks,” I muttered.She shrugged. “What are friends for?”I didn’t say it aloud, but I knew she wasn’t just covering for me. She was protecting me.

Sage POV I had lost count of how many days I’d been locked in this damned cell. The stone walls reeked of silver and dampness, a painful reminder that I was no longer Alpha… or at least, no longer seen as one.The curse twisted inside me like a living thing. My limbs were still beast-like, grotesque—fur clinging to patches of skin, claws that wouldn’t retract, eyes that glowed even in darkness. I could barely shift back to human form for longer than a few minutes. And those minutes? Agonizing.I slammed my shoulder into the door again. Nothing happened. The silver-lined bars didn’t even rattle. My snarl echoed through the corridor, but the guards didn’t flinch anymore. They got used to it. They just muttered amongst themselves and stood stone-still, refusing to meet my eyes.“I am still your Alpha!” I growled, my voice cracked and layered with the beast's snarl beneath it. “You swore loyalty to me!”There was silence.Only the slow drip of water from the ceiling answered me. One of t

Malrick’s POV The moment I stepped out of Sage's cell, I didn’t hesitate. I didn’t breathe. I didn’t allow the chill that crept into my spine to settle. I marched straight down the corridor and summoned the guards.“Wake the council,” I barked. “Tell them I’ve called an emergency session. Now.”They didn’t question me. They obeyed. I had cultivated that fear well.Within the hour, the council chamber was alight with torches and whispers. Elders filed in wearing hastily donned robes, some were still bleary-eyed from being roused in the dead of night. The storm outside echoed the turmoil I had been feeding them for days.Elder Myra took her seat last. Her sharp gaze found mine immediately. “This better be worth our time, Malrick.”I stood at the head of the table, postured tall. “It is. Sage is slipping. Fast. I’ve just come from his cell.”Murmurs rose.“He spoke,” I said. “Clearly. Coldly. But not as our Alpha. As something else.”Myra narrowed her eyes. “Are you saying the curse is

Bella’s POV The moon was high. Silver light rippled across the lake, and I could feel it in my bones—that tug, deep and ancient, growing stronger by the second. I stood at the edge of the forest, my arms wrapped tightly around myself as if I could somehow hold the restlessness inside.June’s hand brushed my shoulder. “You don’t have to go through this alone.”I turned to look at her. Her eyes were soft, steady. “I know. But I’m starting to think that maybe I do.”She frowned. “What are you talking about?”Harper stood a few feet behind her, arms crossed, her silhouette sharp in the moonlight. “She means she’s tired of running. Aren’t you?”I didn’t answer right away. My mind was a tangle of old fears and new truths. Malrick. The blood rites I never asked for. The rogue in the woods. Everything was catching up to me.“I can’t keep hiding like this,” I finally said. “If they want me that bad, they’ll find me anyway.”June stepped closer. “Then let them come. We’ll fight.”“You don’t ev

Bella’s POV I jolted awake, heart racing, sweat slicked my back. The garage was still. My leg ached, but the bleeding had stopped. The dream clung to me, the whisper of my father’s voice echoed in my mind.I sat up slowly, pulling the thin blanket around my shoulders.And that’s when I heard it.Liam’s voice. Low. Steady. From just outside the door.He was on the phone.“She’s here,” he said. “I’m sure of it.”There was silence and then, softer: “No. She hasn’t said anything yet. But I’ll keep watching.”My heart dropped. He wasn’t just a café owner. And I wasn’t just a runaway anymore.I didn’t say a word about the call, nor did I flinch. I didn’t ask questions either.When Liam stepped back inside and saw me wide awake, I let my eyes drift shut again, pretending to sleep. He didn’t say anything. He just watched me for a moment before turning off the light and walking away.I laid there till morning, heart pounded so loud I was sure he’d hear it through the walls.But if he suspecte