Sera's POVI sat at my vanity, absently applying my makeup while staring blankly at my reflection. Critically examining my appearance in the gilded mirror. As Luna-to-be, flawlessness was expected of me at all times. I added another layer of lip gloss, pursing my full pout into an alluring mouse. Perfect. Not a hair out of place.Despite my perfect outer appearance, I was seething inside. Ever since my dramatic return yesterday, I had expected King to come groveling for my forgiveness. Instead, silence. A timid knock at the door announced Debbie's arrival. She was my closest friend and most loyal follower, ready with all the latest gossip. I waved her impatiently."Please tell me you have good news for me. Any sign King is tiring of his little stray yet?"Debbie grimaced apologetically. "Sorry, there's been no change. If anything, he seems even more protective of her now." I ground my teeth in frustration. Debbie hurriedly continued. "But get this - I did some digging on his preciou
Dora's POVI woke the next morning feeling wrung out emotionally, but calmer than the panicked frenzy of the previous night. My mind still rebelled against the impossibilities King had revealed, but sheer exhaustion had muted my hysteria.Sunlight streamed into my room as I sat up gingerly, noticing King's absence. I felt equal parts relief and disappointment. As frightened as I still was of him, his presence also soothed something deep within, making me feel strangely protected.A knock interrupted my conflicted thoughts. Stella entered, wearing an apron and holding a tray heaped with mouth-watering breakfast foods. My empty stomach rumbled despite myself. "Hey sleepyhead, I let you sleep in. Thought you could use a nice brunch," Stella said cheerily, setting the tray on my lap before perching at the foot of the bed.I picked at the food slowly. "I'm surprised King didn't order you to feed me information about...whatever he believes I am." As disturbing as last night had been, stubbo
Dora's POVDebbie and Sera intercepted us in the residential wing before we could scurry off to our rooms. Sera fixed me with a frigid stare that had me shrinking back as I glared at her defiantly despite the exhaustion evident on my face."Well, well. Look what the cat dragged in," Sera sneered. "Decided to grace us with your presence again, did you?" I stood straighter, meeting her gaze unflinchingly. "I don't answer to you." My defiance only amused her further. "And just where have you been all day?" Sera bit out. Stella tried intervening. "It's late, we should all just get some rest..."But Sera steamrolled over her meek excuses."Permission means nothing when you have tasks to complete here!" She raged. "With your Alpha away, it is unthinkably irresponsible to take a leisure day for yourself." Stella started to object, but Debbie grabbed her arm warningly. "You would do well to mind your own affairs, omega," she hissed. "This is pack justice."Sera clapped her hands sharply.
King's POV I closed the door to Dora's room softly once she had finally drifted off, though her sleep was still fitful. My inner wolf paced restlessly, agitated after the events of the night. I needed to go for a run, to burn off some of this excess energy and simmering rage before I did something rash. "Derek," I called to my beta as I strode down the hall. He fell in step beside me readily. "I'm going for a run to clear my head. Keep watch over Dora's room until I return."Derek inclined his head. "Of course, Alpha." I was grateful for his steadfast loyalty and complete trustworthiness when it came to my mate's wellbeing. It allowed me to find some semblance of inner peace, knowing Dora was protected in my absence.Once outside, I surrendered to my wolf's urging to shift. "Shift," I commanded.My bones cracked and realigned swiftly as fur sprouted along my skin. Within moments I landed on four powerful paws, my enhanced senses taking in the woods around me. Then I was off, flying
Dora's POV I awoke to rays of sunlight streaming in through the curtains. For a moment, I just laid there blinking up at the unfamiliar ceiling, feeling restless. Then memories of the previous night flooded back in a rush - the vicious whip tearing into my skin, King arriving like a vengeful angel to rescue me, his gentle care tending to my wounds after... "Aww," I sat bolt upright, wincing slightly as the movement pulled at the tender scabs on my back. Glancing around the empty bedroom, I realized King must have left at some point during the night. His absence brought a surprising sting of disappointment. Somehow, waking to find him watching over me protectively just felt right. "Well, it can't be helped I guess."With a sigh, I climbed gingerly from the large bed and made my way to the bathroom. I turned my back to the ornate mirror, craning my neck to examine the damage. Angry red welts slashed across my pale skin, but they had closed up and scabbed over nicely thanks to some a
Sera's POVAlone in my room, I began drafting a letter to aunt Zara detailing King's ludicrous infatuation with the stray girl, and his shameful treatment of his rightful mate and Luna. Surely when aunty dearest heard how I was being scorned, she would intervene and force King to do his duty.But the childish urge to tattle to the elder felt hollow. I needed to handle this myself, prove to King and the pack I was more than some spoiled princess. "No. There ought to be another way."I found my feet carrying me to the clinic where Debbie had been resting after her...regrettable punishment. She looked surprised when I swept in imperiously, but masked it quickly."Did you need something else, my Luna?" she asked, lowering her eyes deferentially. I moved to her bedside, gently probing her injured wrist. "I've had a change of thought," I announced lightly. "While you recover, I will handle the little maid problem personally."Debbie's brow creased faintly, sensing the shift in my mood. "S
Dora's POVAfter tidying up king's room, I packed his dinner and made my way back to his room. I hoped he would appreciate the meal I had worked so hard to prepare as a gesture of thanks. But I had only taken two steps inside when a big black bird flew in through the window, knocking off a decorative vase shattering it to the floor - the raven perched on the sill of the open window.Setting down the tray, I approached the bird cautiously. "Shoo, bad bird, go on now!" I hurled a pillow at it.My missile startled the bird into panicked flight. I quickly shut the window behind it before turning back to the mess it had left. As I cleaned the shards of porcelain, my gaze landed on the food tray I had left vulnerable.My heart dropped into my stomach like lead. There perched on the salmon's surface was the fat, hairy body of a large spider. "Disgusting!" I exclaimed, swatting the loathsome thing away. It scuttled out of sight, leaving me with a tray full of perfectly good food that was no
Dora's POVI was jolted awake by the blaring sound of the morning bell, signaling the start of another day of training. "Fuck, I hate Mondays." Groaning, I burrowed back under the blankets, every muscle stiff and sore. My wounds from the whipping may have healed over, but the memory still haunted me. Before I could slip back into sleep, Stella came bounding into my room. "Rise and shine!" she sang out, yanking open the curtains to flood the space with cheerful morning light. "We've got a fun session planned for you today."I cracked one eye open to glare at her balefully. "Fun? Yesterday I was tossed around like a rag doll. What fresh torture will they put me through now?"Stella laughed, unfazed by my sarcasm. "Oh hush, today will be better, I promise." She tossed some workout clothes at me. "Hurry and get dressed so we can grab a quick breakfast."With much grumbling, I dragged myself out of bed and pulled on the training uniform. My mood only soured further when we arrived at the