Debt and Decision

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• Alpha's Rebellious Luna   Derek's story-The Bloody Embrace

  (Derek's POV)The banquet hall erupted into chaos as police officers flooded through the entrance, their radios crackling with urgent communications. Students pressed against the walls, confused murmurs rippling through the crowd like disturbed water."Everyone remain calm," an officer announced through a megaphone. "We're conducting a precautionary search of the premises."I watched from my position near the refreshment table, my chest tight with an inexplicable sense of dread. This wasn't random. Something had triggered this response, and every instinct I possessed screamed Isabella's name.The officers moved with professional efficiency, checking beneath tables, behind curtains, inside service closets. Their bomb-sniffing dogs padded silently through the room, noses working methodically."False alarm," one officer declared after twenty minutes of thorough searching. "No suspicious devices found."Relief washed over the other students, but my frown deepened. Where was Isabella?

• Alpha's Rebellious Luna   Derek's story-The Vanishing Act and a Crucial Intervention

  (Derek's POV)The semester break stretched endlessly before me, filled with the hollow routines of pack obligations and social expectations. Isabella remained at the underground training facility with Florian, while I returned to my polished existence as the Nightshade heir apparent.I managed diplomatic meetings with practiced ease. Attended territory gatherings with the appropriate smile. Fielded questions about my academic progress and future pack responsibilities with rehearsed answers.But everything felt mechanical. Empty.When the new semester finally began, I walked the familiar campus paths with deliberate composure. Students nodded respectfully as I passed. Professors greeted me with the deference due to my bloodline.I settled into my usual seat in Advanced Territorial Politics, instinctively preparing to save the chair beside me. The words "someone is sitting here" formed in my mind, ready to deflect any ambitious classmates.Then I remembered. Our relationship troubl

• Alpha's Rebellious Luna   Derek's story-A New Agreement and Brutal Training

  (Derek's POV)As soon as I heard Isabella's words, I found the entire situation absolutely ridiculous. The past few months of our so-called relationship now seemed like an elaborate joke, and I was no longer in the mood to dwell on the deception.The scholarly precision that usually defined my every interaction had evaporated, replaced by cold calculation. I could feel my diplomatic mask slipping away, revealing something sharper underneath."Let's put our weapons down together," I suggested calmly, though my voice carried none of its usual warmth. "There's no need to make things so hostile."Isabella's smirk widened, the expression transforming her face into something predatory. "Of course. I just want money. A lot of money."I sighed deeply, the sound carrying years of accumulated cynicism. "I understand."The truth was painfully clear now. One million per month had seemed generous for a university student with expensive tastes. But for a world-class mercenary organization like

• Alpha's Rebellious Luna   Derek's story-Unexpected Reunion

  (Derek's POV)The mountain path stretched endlessly before us, winding through dense forests and rocky terrain. I adjusted my tie for the hundredth time, my immaculate suit feeling increasingly ridiculous in this wilderness setting.Beside me, eight-year-old Florian trudged along in his pajamas and cartoon slippers, his dark hair sticking up at odd angles. He'd refused to change clothes before we left, claiming he was "too tired for fancy wolf stuff.""How much longer?" Florian whined, kicking a pebble down the trail. "My feet hurt, and I'm hungry.""Life doesn't wait for comfort, little brother," I replied, maintaining my measured pace. "Pack survival means adapting to any situation, regardless of personal preferences."Florian shot me an exasperated look. "You sound like Father when he's lecturing the pack council. Do you practice being boring, or does it come naturally?"Despite myself, I smiled at his irreverence. "Respect your elders, pup.""Or what? You'll throw me off the

• Alpha's Rebellious Luna   Derek's story-A Peculiar Courtship

  (Derek's POV)I stopped dead in my tracks. Isabella's scarred scalp was right there in front of me. Silver burn marks covered most of her head in angry, raised patterns.She was cheerfully telling Dr. Mitchell about her surgery. Her voice was bright and happy, like she was discussing weekend plans instead of nearly dying."The healing went great once they got all the silver pieces out," she said with a huge smile. "The doctors said I was super lucky."Guilt hit me like a punch to the gut. How could I think she was some kind of spy? The proof of her pain was written all over her skull.I felt sick about myself. Being a Nightshade made me see enemies everywhere, even where there weren't any.Those burns could have killed her. The fact that she was alive meant she was incredibly strong.Finally, Isabella finished talking. She gathered her books and walked out, casual as anything.I made a quick decision and followed her."Isabella!" I called out. "Can I get your contact informati

• Alpha's Rebellious Luna   Derek's story-An Unexpected Encounter

  (Derek's POV)The weight plates clanged against each other as I loaded another forty pounds onto the barbell. The prestigious werewolf university's gym was nearly empty at this hour, which was exactly how I preferred it. No curious stares, no whispered conversations about the Nightshade heir, no ambitious wolves trying to strike up conversations.I positioned myself under the bar and lifted it onto my shoulders, feeling the familiar burn in my muscles. Though I didn't possess the superhuman combat prowess of the Shadow members like my younger brother Florian or Uncle Bernard, years of dedicated fitness had given me a physique that often drew envious stares from other wolves.The mirror reflected back a body I'd earned through discipline and countless hours in various gyms across territories. But this wasn't vanity – it was necessity.As the eldest son of Magnus Nightshade, I'd grown up under constant supervision. Every movement scrutinized, every word analyzed, every public appeara