Novel-novel oleh Ari Belle

Nova's POVTwo weeks passed since the night at the cliff. Two weeks of holding my daughter close, of barely letting her out of my sight, of waking in the middle of the night just to make sure she was still breathing.The fear was beginning to ease.I sat in the council chamber with Ken and Killian, our daughter sleeping peacefully in a basket beside my chair. We were reviewing the latest alliance proposals from neighbouring packs who had seen our recovery and wanted formal ties."Three more requests this week." Ken set down the stack of letters. "Everyone wants to align with the pack that survived the impossible.""Let them wait." Killian leaned back in his chair. "We strengthen what we have first. Make sure our foundation is solid before we add more complexity.""Agreed." I looked at the sleeping baby. "Security comes first. Everything else can wait."A knock at the door interrupted us. One of the guards entered and bowed."Luna, your mother is here. She is asking to speak with you

Nova's POVMy legs barely held me. Every step towards the cliff edge sent pain shooting through my body but I did not care. Nothing mattered except the tiny bundle Corvina held over the drop."Corvina, please." I kept my voice as steady as I could manage. "Do not do this. Whatever you think I did to you, my daughter had no part in it.""Your daughter." Corvina laughed, the sound high and broken. "Your perfect little daughter with your perfect mates in your perfect life whilst mine fell apart!""My life is not perfect." I took one small step closer. "You know that better than anyone. You were there. You saw what happened.""I saw you leave!" Her voice cracked. "I saw Jack fall apart after you were gone. He never looked at me the way he looked at you. Never spoke to me the way he spoke about you. I was second choice. Always second!""That is not my fault." I forced the words out evenly. "I did not ask to be cast out. I did not want any of what happened.""But you got everything anyway!"

Ken's POVI woke with my face pressed against cold stone. My head pounded. My mouth tasted like copper and ash.For a moment I could not remember where I was or why I was lying on the floor. Then it came back in pieces. Nova's labour. I was waiting outside her chambers. The door opening.And then nothing.I pushed myself up on my hands, blinking hard to clear my vision. The corridor swam into focus around me.Killian lay a few paces away, still unconscious. Beyond him, Akon and Seraphina. Guards scattered along the hallway like fallen pieces on a game board."Killian." My voice came out hoarse. I crawled to my brother and shook his shoulder. "Wake up."He groaned. His eyes opened slowly, unfocused."What happened?" He struggled to sit up."I do not know." I looked down the corridor. "Something knocked us all out."The door to Nova's chambers was open. I could see inside. The midwives on the floor. Nova sitting on the edge of the bed, her face white as death.I stumbled to my feet and

Nova's POVThat evening, after the guards had taken Lysandra away and the heavy weight of the day had finally settled, Ken and Killian sat with me in my chambers."The maid who warned you." Ken leaned forward in his chair. "Petra. She saved you and the baby.""I know." I looked at him. "I owe her more than I can say.""Then make her your personal maid." Killian spoke from where he stood near the window. "Someone you can trust absolutely. Someone who has already proven her loyalty."I thought about it. Petra had risked her position, possibly her safety, by speaking up. She had done what was right even when it could have cost her."That is a good idea." I nodded. "I will tell her in the morning."Petra accepted the position with quiet gratitude the next day. She moved into the small room adjacent to mine and began attending to my needs with careful efficiency.The weeks turned into months.Spring became summer. The pack continued its steady progress. Walls were rebuilt. Fields were pla

Nova's POVSomeone had tried to kill my baby.The thought landed in my chest like a stone dropping into deep water, sending ripples through every part of me. My knees felt unsteady.His voice was low, meant only for me. "You did not drink it. The baby is fine. You are both fine."I let him hold me for a moment. Just one moment. Then I straightened and turned to face Mira, who was still standing in the centre of the room looking like she very much wished the floor would open up and take her."Who gave you those herbs?" I asked. My voice came out steadier than I felt.Mira pressed her lips together."I will ask you one more time." I took a step towards her. "Who gave you that powder?"Silence.Ken released my waist and moved to stand in front of the maid, towering over her slight frame. "You are already going to the cells. The only question is whether you tell us willingly or whether we find out without your help. One of those options is considerably worse for you."Mira looked at him.

Nova's POVI slept better than I had in weeks. No nightmares. No restless turning. Just deep, heavy sleep that left me feeling almost human when I finally opened my eyes to pale morning light.I lay still for a moment, taking stock of my body the way the healer had instructed. The nausea was there, sitting low and persistent in my stomach, but manageable. My limbs felt rested. My head was clear.A good morning. The pregnancy was beginning to feel real in a way that was slowly shifting from frightening to something warmer.I sat up carefully, swung my legs over the side of the bed, and called for the head maid.She appeared quickly. She someone I had come to trust in the routine of daily life here."Good morning, Luna." She bowed her head. "Did you sleep well?""I did, thank you." I reached for the robe folded at the end of the bed. "I would like my morning tea. The healer's blend. Can you arrange it?""Of course, Luna right away."She disappeared and I moved to the window, looking ou