(Florian's POV)The Moonlight Lounge nestled within the heart of Silvercrest Valley's dense forest was the picture of exclusivity. Despite only being open for six months, it had quickly become the gathering spot for the territory's elite wolves.I sat by the edge of the pond, watching colorful koi fish dart between lily pads. The gentle babble of water did nothing to soothe my growing irritation. Three days of silence from Natalie was wearing on my patience."Any response yet?" Zack approached, sliding into the chair beside me.I glanced at my phone screen and scowled. "Nothing.""Maybe she lost her phone," Zack suggested, straightening his jacket."Or maybe she's deliberately ignoring me," I countered, pocketing the device.The thought stung more than I cared to admit. My wolf, Logan, paced restlessly within me, urging me to find her, track her, claim her properly."The gathering's starting," Zack noted, nodding toward the main entrance where young wolves were beginning to arr
(Natalie's POV)"Remember, you need to represent our pack properly tonight," Cassidy said in a syrupy voice, adjusting my dress collar with fake sisterly concern.Her fingers lingered too long at my throat. The same fingers that had once held a silver chain around my neck during one of my "punishments."I smiled thinly. "Like you represented us so well when your mate publicly rejected you?"Her fingers froze, then dug painfully into my skin. "Watch your mouth.""Or what? You'll tell everyone how your mate had a dozen she-wolves on the side? How he laughed when you came crying about fidelity?"Cassidy's face paled, although her smile remained fixed. "You have no idea what you're talking about.""Don't I? I heard all about it from your ex-mate's beta. We had quite the conversation."This was a lie, but Cassidy wouldn't know that. Her eyes widened in panic."You wouldn't dare speak of this to anyone," she hissed."Try me," I challenged, my voice deadly soft. "Keep pushing me, an
(Natalie's POV)I sat across from Florian, feeling his eyes on me while he pointedly looked elsewhere. The tension between us was palpable, charged with unspoken accusations."The well-behaved she-wolf raised in the Silverstone pack compound moans quite nicely under me, doesn't she?" His words were deliberately cruel, designed to provoke a reaction.I refused to give him the satisfaction of seeing me flinch. Instead, I leaned forward, my voice steady."Look me in the eyes and say that."Florian's lips pressed together, his gaze fixed on a point just over my shoulder. The powerful Alpha suddenly couldn't meet my eyes.His silence spoke volumes."Your growls were more impressive than mine," I continued casually, as if discussing the weather. "How did you make those sounds... especially that last one? You're quite skilled. You should consider voice acting for adult films."His expression remained unreadable, jaw tightening slightly. I had the satisfaction of seeing his knuckles wh
(Florian's POV)As I watched Natalie walk away, I couldn't help but feel a mixture of frustration and intrigue. She moved with graceful confidence, completely at odds with the meek persona she'd displayed earlier in the evening.Just before reaching the door, she paused and looked directly at Henry, who stood frozen like prey caught in a predator's gaze."Stewart family's... which son?" she asked, her voice deceptively soft.Henry's face drained of color. He lowered his head without responding, his body language screaming submission.The door closed behind her with a soft click, and immediately Henry turned to Zack, his eyes wide with panic."Brother Zack!" he exclaimed, his voice pitched higher than normal."I'm here," Zack confirmed, seemingly amused by Henry's distress.Henry pointed at the door where Natalie had just disappeared. "She... she just... did you see that? The way she looked at me?""Seems like she holds a grudge," Zack observed casually."Will she hurt me?" He
(Natalie's POV)"Everyone, this is Zack Hunter, the owner of the Moonlight Lounge," Henry announced with a flourish, gesturing toward the sandy-haired beta wolf.Emma's eyebrows shot up in surprise. "You own this place? But it's in the protected forest area of Silvercrest Valley."Zack smiled easily, though his eyes briefly flickered to me. "Special permit. The right connections make everything possible in this territory."I remained silent, watching the interaction with detached interest. My mind was still replaying my conversation with Florian by the pond, the way his amber eyes had fixed on mine with such intensity."Is that Lamborghini outside yours too?" Cassidy asked, leaning closer to Zack. Her voice dripped with the pathetic eagerness she always showed around powerful males."Yes, it is," Zack confirmed with a casual nod, as if owning such a luxury vehicle was nothing special.Emma's eyes lit up with genuine excitement. "I love Lamborghinis! I drive an Urus myself." She
(Natalie's POV)"Boom—"The dark green sports car roared down the main road, speed cutting through the night as we left the wetland forest behind us. The engine's powerful rumble vibrated through the seats.Florian glanced at me, his amber eyes reflecting the passing streetlights. "You dared to get in without asking if I'd been drinking?"I kept my eyes forward, watching the road blur past us. "I sent you the address."His eyebrows twitched, a flicker of intrigue crossing his face. I could almost see the question forming in his mind. Was I certain he hadn't been drinking, or was I simply unafraid?The car's interior felt suddenly smaller, charged with unspoken tension. I watched his hands on the steering wheel—strong, confident, not a tremor in sight."And if I had been drinking?" he finally asked.I shrugged. "Then we'd both be in trouble."The corner of his mouth lifted in a half-smile, something like respect flashing in his eyes.The dark green sports car cut through the c
(Natalie's POV)I sat at my desk, pen in hand, copying the ancient wolf laws of female obedience for what felt like the thousandth time. The faded yellow parchment with its outdated rules mocked me as I wrote."A female wolf shall heed the word of pack males without question or hesitation."My hand moved mechanically across the page, muscle memory taking over. In the ten years I'd lived with the Silverstone pack, I'd written these words so many times I could recite them in my sleep.The relative quiet of my third-floor room was shattered by sudden shouting from below. I paused, tilting my head to listen. Angry voices ricocheted through the old pack house - Cassidy's high-pitched complaints rose above the others.I continued writing, determined to finish before whatever storm was brewing downstairs reached me.Half an hour later, heavy footsteps thundered up the stairs. Aggressive pounding rattled my door on its hinges."Get out here! Natalie Silverstone!" Victoria's voice was sh
(Cassidy's POV)I stared at the papers scattered across the floor, rage building inside me with every passing second. The elegant strokes of Natalie's left-handed writing mocked me from the ground. Each flowing character was a painful reminder of a day I had tried desperately to forget.Twelve years ago, when Grandpa was still alive, we held a grand celebration for his birthday here in Silvercrest Valley. It was the first time my uncle had returned since leaving the Silverstone pack. He brought his wife and ten-year-old daughter, Natalie, with him.The celebration was spectacular. Important Alphas from across the territory gathered to honor my grandfather. I had spent weeks preparing a special dance for the occasion, determined to make my family proud.Then Natalie arrived.I remember how she looked that day - her green-gold eyes sparkling with mischief, her dark hair flowing freely down her back. While I wore a perfectly pressed dress, she came in a simple outfit with paint stain
(Florian's POV)The morning sun streamed through the floor-to-ceiling windows of our apartment, casting long shadows across the polished floor. I had risen early as usual, completing my morning training regimen while Natalie still slept.As I walked toward the kitchen, intending to prepare breakfast, something on the wall caught my eye. I stopped, momentarily confused by what appeared to be my own reflection where no mirror should be.But it wasn't a reflection at all.Taking a step closer, I realized what I was looking at. A transparent acrylic sheet had been carefully adhered to the window. Intricate scratches covered its surface, barely visible to the naked eye. But those scratches, when illuminated by the morning sunlight, projected a perfect silhouette onto the blank wall—my portrait.The level of detail was astonishing. My usual stern expression, the slight furrow between my brows, the sharp line of my jaw, even the way my dark hair fell across my forehead—all captured flawl
(Natalie's POV)The hotel room was bathed in the soft glow from a single floor lamp. I stood there, watching Florian sleep on the sofa. It was strange seeing him like this—vulnerable, peaceful, his usual intensity momentarily softened by sleep. He was covered with only a thin blanket despite the room's cool temperature.I approached quietly, curious. I'd never had the chance to observe him like this before. He was always so alert, so in control.Without warning, his eyes snapped open. I froze mid-step, startled by the sudden movement."What are you doing?" he asked, his voice clear and alert as if he hadn't been asleep at all.I stumbled backward, caught off guard. Florian reached out with lightning speed, steadying me before I could fall."Sorry," he said, releasing me once I'd regained my balance. "Force of habit.""You weren't really sleeping?" I asked.Florian sat up, running a hand through his slightly disheveled hair. "I was. But I wake up instantly if someone approaches.
(Natalie's POV)I blinked awake, disoriented by the brightness streaming through the car window. The sky above the Northern Territory was turning white with early morning light. For a moment, I struggled to remember how I'd gotten here, my mind still foggy from the long flight.Had we arrived? I couldn't recall the landing or the transfer to this car.Through the windshield, I spotted Florian standing outside. His tall figure was unmistakable, his black coat lifting slightly in the morning breeze. Two men in discreet suits approached him, handing over a small handbag. He turned, catching me watching him, and smiled invitingly.My limbs felt stiff and numb as I climbed out of the car. The cold morning air helped clear the last traces of sleep from my mind."Where are we?" I asked, taking in our surroundings.We stood on what appeared to be a famous Northern Territory shopping street, beside a well-positioned hotel. I noticed subtle signs of pack security stationed at strategic poi
(Natalie's POV)I followed Florian through the streets, his strides long and purposeful. We arrived at another restaurant, this one perched at the top of a tall building. From the outside alone, I could tell this wasn't an ordinary establishment."This is invitation-only," Florian mentioned casually as we entered.The interior was elegant and understated, with soft lighting that created an intimate atmosphere. My stomach protested at the thought of more food. I'd already eaten too much at the venison restaurant with my classmates.As we moved deeper inside, the lighting grew dimmer. My steps faltered slightly, my night blindness making it difficult to navigate the darkened space. I reached out instinctively, my fingers brushing against surfaces to guide my way.Florian noticed my hesitation immediately. He turned back, his amber eyes glinting in the low light."Just follow me," he said, his voice gentler than usual.He took my hand, guiding me effortlessly through the restaurant
(Third-person's POV)The venison restaurant buzzed with energy as wolves from the New Zealand Academy of Art gathered to celebrate Full Moon Eve. Laughter and animated conversations filled the air as multiple tables were pushed together to accommodate the large group of twenty-five students.Samuel Carter's eyes narrowed as he watched Natalie Silverstone chatting comfortably with Charlotte Reed. His resentment had been building since she'd ignored his greeting earlier."You know," he said loudly enough for nearby wolves to hear, "some people get so caught up in their success that they forget who they used to know."Conversations around them quieted as others sensed the brewing conflict.Natalie continued her conversation with Charlotte, seemingly oblivious to Samuel's comment."I suppose that's what happens when you become a high and mighty pure art beauty," Samuel added, his voice dripping with sarcasm.This time, Natalie turned slightly, acknowledging his presence with a cool
(Third-person's POV)The four members of the Silverstone family stood frozen in shock as the tall wolf at the center of the media frenzy paused his steps. Like a sudden halt in a choreographed dance, the entire entourage surrounding him stopped as well. Beta enforcers formed a protective barrier, keeping the eager territory media at bay, but the reporters seized this momentary stillness to shout their questions."Young Alpha Nightshade, you've been in the Western Territories all these years, why suddenly return to the Northern Territory?" called out a female reporter, her voice cutting through the others.A male reporter pushed forward slightly. "Are you planning to compete for pack leadership?""Are you joining the public branch or the shadow branch?" another shouted.The questions continued relentlessly, each reporter trying to outdo the others. "Were you invited to the neutral waters cruise ship by that shadow branch young Alpha? Have you chosen the shadow branch?"A particula
(Florian's POV)The afternoon dragged on as we continued our discussion, moving from the territory expansion project to various other family matters. My father, Magnus, was particularly interested in the Eastern Territory market penetration, asking pointed questions about timelines and resources."The Eastern Territory represents our greatest opportunity for expansion," he noted, scrolling through the projections on his tablet. "But their markets are notoriously difficult to enter."I leaned back in my chair, watching how my proposal had transformed from a simple art gallery into a comprehensive market strategy. This was the Nightshade way—never doing anything by half measures."The cultural approach is innovative," Bernard admitted grudgingly. "Less resistance than direct territorial claims."Derek nodded. "Art first, then commerce, then influence. A gentler conquest."When the meeting finally concluded, Derek and I left the conference room first, leaving our father and uncle to
(Natalie's POV)The morning light streamed through the apartment windows as I packed my bag for school. Florian stood by the door, his travel bag already waiting by his feet. Instead of leaving immediately, he hovered near me, checking his watch repeatedly."Remember to take your moonlight herbs," he said, his amber eyes serious.I couldn't help but smile, the memory of his force-feeding method still vivid in my mind. He'd been so determined, holding my jaw open like I was a stubborn pup."I will," I promised."The nutritional meals will be sent to your school," he continued, ticking off points on his fingers. "Eat well. Don't smoke. Don't shift when you're tired. Get enough sleep. And protect your eyes."His concern was touching, if a bit overwhelming. It had been so long since anyone had cared about my well-being with such thoroughness."I'm not a child," I reminded him, though there was no real annoyance in my voice.Florian ignored my protest. "I'll drive the car to the air
(Natalie's POV)I set down my brush, suddenly aware of how long I'd been standing at the canvas. My body ached from the intensity of creation, but my mind felt lighter, clearer. The painting before me—"Rebirth"—captured something I hadn't been able to express in words.Florian stood beside me, his paint-stained hand still held up as if frozen in place. His amber eyes moved from the painting to my face and back again, filled with something that looked like wonder."This is..." he began, then fell silent, seemingly at a loss for words.I watched him study the artwork—the burning background, the puppet strings now cut, the silver-blue streak of his own contribution extinguishing the flames. He understood what I had painted: my life story, my transformation, my rebirth."Your hand," he said finally, "it can also serve as a painting tool?"I wiped my own hands on a cloth, a small smile playing at my lips. "Breaking rules, as you said today—anything in this world can be used for painti