LOGINCHAPTER 18 — STRIP TEASINGKael’s POVThe door had barely closed behind her when I exhaled, long and heavy.The silence in my room stretched thin, heavy with everything unsaid. My hands were still clenched, my heartbeat far too loud in my chest.I shouldn’t have let her leave like that.I shouldn’t have let her come here in the first place.Yet, before I could talk myself out of it, the words left my mouth—sharp, commanding.“Bring her back.”The guards outside stiffened. “Alpha?”“Now.”They obeyed immediately. A few seconds later, I could hear muffled protests in the hallway—her voice, struggling, demanding they release her. A pang of guilt flickered through me, but I pushed it down. I needed to clear the air.By the time they brought her back in, I had thrown a dark robe loosely over my shoulders. She looked furious—her eyes blazing, chest heaving, strands of hair falling across her face. Even in anger, she looked breathtaking.“What is wrong with you?” she snapped, trying to wrenc
CHAPTER 17 — A HEARTFELT CONFRONTATIONArianna’s POVThe morning sun slanted through the tall glass windows, casting soft golden lines on the corridor floor as I walked briskly through the long hallway that led to Kael’s chambers. My heart was thudding in a rhythm that made no sense—half nerves, half anger, and something I refused to name.Ever since my maid told me that Kael had scolded everyone, including the wolves, on my behalf—and that he’d been in my room while I slept—I hadn’t been able to think straight. I wanted answers. No, I needed them.The guards at his door stiffened as I approached. They exchanged a quick look, and one stepped forward, bowing awkwardly.“Luna, Alpha Kael isn’t—”“Don’t lie to me.” My voice came out sharper than I intended. “I can sense he’s inside.”The second guard tried again, his tone tight. “He asked not to be disturbed.”I took a slow breath, my wolf stirring faintly beneath my skin. “Then consider this an exception.”Before either could react, I p
CHAPTER 16 — A Respected LunaAriana’s POVThe war room could wait.I told the guard I needed a few minutes, but really, I needed air — space to breathe, to think. The world around me felt different this morning, as if some invisible thread had been pulled tight overnight.When Nira came back into the room, she looked pale and restless, her fingers twisting the edge of her apron.“What were you going to say earlier?” I asked, lowering my voice.She hesitated, eyes darting toward the door again. Then she took a shaky breath and leaned in close. “You weren’t supposed to know, Luna,” she whispered, “but… the Alpha is the reason everyone changed.”I frowned. “What do you mean?”Her gaze softened, guilt flashing across her face. “Last night, after the feast — after your trial — he called the pack together. All of us. The warriors, the maids, everyone. He was furious. He said if anyone disrespected you again, they’d be punished. Banished, even.”My stomach dropped. “He said that?”She nodde
CHAPTER 15 — Whispering SecretsAriana’s POVMorning crept into my room like a shy visitor — soft, golden light spilling through the curtains, painting the walls in warmth I didn’t quite feel.I blinked awake, eyes gritty from too little rest. For a long moment, I just lay there, tangled in the sheets, my body heavy but my mind restless.The events of the previous day flooded back — the whispers, the humiliation, the crack in the earth that shouldn’t have been there. Kael’s voice. His eyes. The silence that followed.I groaned softly, pressing the heel of my hand to my forehead. “Great,” I muttered to no one. “Another day to feel like a freak.”Dragging myself upright, I shuffled toward the bathroom, feet bare against the cold floor. But halfway there, I stopped — frozen in place.Something tugged at the edges of my memory.It was faint, like the echo of a dream I couldn’t quite reach.For a second, I could almost swear… someone had been here last night.The room had felt different wh
CHAPTER 14 — Respect to a LunaKael’s POVThe morning air was razor-sharp, cutting through the courtyard as Kael strode into the gathering hall. Every conversation died the instant his boots struck the marble floor. Wolves who’d been lounging against pillars straightened, their laughter strangled in their throats.They’d all heard what happened at the training grounds. Word spread like wildfire — the Luna had fought, bled, and burned silver. And some of them, fools that they were, thought it was something to mock.Not today.“Everyone,” Kael said, voice low but carrying like thunder through the hall. “Gather.”They obeyed, forming a half-circle before him — warriors, servants, and ranked members alike. The tension in the air was so thick that it was almost palpable.“I’ll make this simple,” he began, eyes cold and gold. “Whatever happens between me and Ariana stays between us. But outside these walls…” He paused, gaze sweeping over them. “She is your Luna. And she will be respected as
Chapter 13 – Unnerving SecretsKael’s POVDawn came too quickly.The first rays of sunlight slipped through the cracks in the curtains, painting faint gold lines across my desk. I hadn’t slept a single second. Not after leaving her room.The night had been long, the silence heavier than armor. And no matter how many reports I tried to read, how many tasks I buried myself in, her face kept cutting through the haze.The streaks of dried tears on her cheeks. The way she whispered my name in her sleep.I’d stood by her bed far longer than I should have — a foolish, dangerous thing for someone like me. But I couldn’t help it. Seeing her like that... it had cracked something I thought was unbreakable.Now, as I sat in my office overlooking the eastern courtyard, my chest felt like someone had poured fire into it and locked it tight.You’re losing control, Kael.The thought burned as much as it mocked.I shoved back the chair and stood, needing to move. To breathe. Anything to get the image







