(Grace's POV)The weight of Alexander’s calm, authoritative voice carried through the comms crystal. “Grace, authorize the transaction,” he said again, his tone sharp but controlled.A bitter laugh formed in the back of my throat, though I didn’t let it out. I clutched the crystal tightly, the edges pressing into my skin. Did he even hear himself? Did he comprehend what he was asking, or how it sounded?Lucas was already watching my face, eyebrows raised in curiosity—and maybe caution. His amber eyes sparkled with both concern and anticipation.“Alexander,” I started, my voice deceptively soft. “You want me to authorize a frivolous purchase? For Sophia? Using resources you granted me?”“Yes.” His answer was immediate, lacking hesitation. “Do it. Now.”It wasn’t a request. It was an order.My grip on the crystal tightened. The audacity of it sent a surge of heat straight to my chest.“You know,” I said slowly, eyes narrowing as I glanced over at Victoria and Sophia. Victoria was speakin
(Grace's POV)The room felt suffocating as I paced back and forth, my restless fingers tugging at the edges of my robe.Every now and then, my eyes darted toward the small box containing what few personal items I’d been able to pack upon leaving our den. My thoughts churned, refusing to settle.The crystals. My healing crystals.Each one carried a piece of me—my energy carefully infused over countless nights when I worked in secret. Crystals meant not merely to heal but to protect, to save. Alexander had taken them. Or more accurately, they’d been gathered under his orders in preparation for tonight’s artifact auction.I clenched my fists, a low pulse of anger burning through me. How could he be so careless? Did he even understand their true significance?My gaze lingered on the faint glow of the sky visible through the window. Tiny stars blinked back, indifferent to my growing distress. Somewhere out there, Alexander would be preparing for tonight’s event, likely without even a passin
(Grace's POV)The figure stepped closer under the soft moonlight, his presence commanding but not overwhelming. I straightened instinctively, my hand brushing against my abdomen as if my pups could sense the looming shift in energy. His scent, a blend of cedar and frost, marked him as Alpha, though it wasn’t one I immediately recognized.Lucas, ever vigilant, stepped half a pace closer to me, his omega instincts sharpening. “Can we help you?” His tone was polite but edged with caution.The man inclined his head slightly, a gesture that carried more weight than words. “Forgive the intrusion. Ryan Stone, Alpha of White Claw Territory.” His deep voice carried the distinct resonance of authority, but something about its warmth set him apart from the other Alphas I’d met.My eyes narrowed. White Claw Territory bordered ours; though not as large or as powerful as Crimson Moon, it had a reputation for elite warriors. Yet his appearance lacked any display of arrogance.“You’re far from your la
(Alexander’s POV)The moment she stepped into the room, every fiber of my being tightened. Grace didn’t belong out there, surrounded by prying eyes and lurking predators. She belonged here, with me, in the space that still carried faint traces of her scent.Her formal attire was understated compared to the others in tonight’s auction, but it struck me like lightning. The flowing fabric hugged her frame in ways that made my wolf stir with a possessiveness I barely kept in check.“Alexander,” she started, her voice steady, but I could hear the exhaustion layered beneath it. The fire in her eyes hadn’t dimmed entirely, though it flickered faintly, much like the pulse of irritation skimming along the bond between us.I crossed my arms, leaning casually by the desk though my chest churned with agitation. “Six million,” I said flatly, narrowing my eyes. “Do you think spending through pack resources will go unnoticed?”Her chin lifted defiantly. “Do you think selling what isn’t yours to begin
(Grace's POV)The vibrant hum of conversation filled the post-auction reception hall, but it felt like static to me. My steps faltered slightly as I maneuvered through the crowded room, searching for a quiet corner.My hands instinctively brushed the flowing fabric of my ceremonial robe, seeking grounding as my thoughts fluttered between exhaustion and unease.The crystals I had worked so hard to reclaim now rested safely, but my body demanded more than relief. The weight of the evening’s events—of Alexander's fury, Dominic’s subtle interest, and the ever-looming presence of Victoria—rattled my already fragile endurance.Find calm, I scolded myself, settling down at a small table near the window. A part of me longed to retreat to the sanctuary of neutral territory. My dormant wolf only amplified that yearning, her usual protective warmth replaced with aching silence.The hunger pangs began gnawing quietly, a reminder I couldn't ignore. Pregnancy. This delicate, fragile state magnified
(Grace’s POV)The room was too quiet, save for the sounds of Alexander’s steady breathing. He was close, but his presence felt like a distant mountain I could never reach.I turned slowly, setting my eyes on him. He was the Alpha of our pack, the man every wolf respected and feared, the partner I had been tied to for years.His broad shoulders and powerful figure symbolized everything an Alpha stood for. Dominance. Strength. Leadership. And to everyone else, love and loyalty to his Luna. To me.Yet, staring at him now, I felt none of that security. His golden eyes met mine briefly before he looked away, as if he couldn’t bear to hold the connection too long, as if… there was something heavy between us."Grace," his deep voice finally broke the silence, pulling me from my thoughts.I should have been completely intoxicated by him, drowning in the mate bond that drew us together with an almost primal need. But instead, my body trembled, and not from the kind of exhilaration I had once fe
(Grace's POV)The space felt too large, too empty, even with Alexander looming on the other side of the room. His footsteps echoed against the floor as he paced, his jaw tight, his golden eyes flickering with frustration. He wasn't looking at me, though. He hadn't really looked at me in days—not since he'd handed me that document.I stood by the window, watching the morning sunlight spill over the territory below. It should have been comforting—this view of the land I'd called home for four years. Instead, I felt hollow."It's settled, then," Alexander said. His voice was clipped, sharp. "We'll dissolve the bond formally after the ceremony. Three days."I didn't turn. "I know.""Until then," he continued, finally stopping to glance my way, "it's important we maintain appearances. With Helena’s health declining and the Council elections approaching, the pack can't afford any instability."His words were calculated, practical. It all sounded so… cold. I nodded, keeping my voice even. "Of
(Grace’s POV)“Alright, help me out here, Grace. How much are you planning to withdraw? Enough to fill a vault?” Lucas’s voice bubbled with excitement as he walked a step ahead of me toward the Royal Wolf Bank.I tried to suppress a smile at his usual enthusiasm. His amber eyes sparkled under the sunlight, even as the imposing structure of the bank loomed ahead of us.“Don’t be ridiculous. I’m not hauling away gold bricks,” I replied coolly, though his infectious energy made the corner of my lips twitch upward.“Well, with that check in hand,” he said, gesturing toward the paper folded neatly in my grip, “you might actually be able to!”He pushed open the massive glass door of the bank for me, motioning grandly for me to enter. I rolled my eyes but stepped inside, grateful for his lightheartedness amidst the storm my life had become.We were greeted by the polished interior of the Royal Wolf Bank. Everything seemed to shine—gold accents, marble floors, crystal chandeliers above. Wolves
(Grace's POV)The vibrant hum of conversation filled the post-auction reception hall, but it felt like static to me. My steps faltered slightly as I maneuvered through the crowded room, searching for a quiet corner.My hands instinctively brushed the flowing fabric of my ceremonial robe, seeking grounding as my thoughts fluttered between exhaustion and unease.The crystals I had worked so hard to reclaim now rested safely, but my body demanded more than relief. The weight of the evening’s events—of Alexander's fury, Dominic’s subtle interest, and the ever-looming presence of Victoria—rattled my already fragile endurance.Find calm, I scolded myself, settling down at a small table near the window. A part of me longed to retreat to the sanctuary of neutral territory. My dormant wolf only amplified that yearning, her usual protective warmth replaced with aching silence.The hunger pangs began gnawing quietly, a reminder I couldn't ignore. Pregnancy. This delicate, fragile state magnified
(Alexander’s POV)The moment she stepped into the room, every fiber of my being tightened. Grace didn’t belong out there, surrounded by prying eyes and lurking predators. She belonged here, with me, in the space that still carried faint traces of her scent.Her formal attire was understated compared to the others in tonight’s auction, but it struck me like lightning. The flowing fabric hugged her frame in ways that made my wolf stir with a possessiveness I barely kept in check.“Alexander,” she started, her voice steady, but I could hear the exhaustion layered beneath it. The fire in her eyes hadn’t dimmed entirely, though it flickered faintly, much like the pulse of irritation skimming along the bond between us.I crossed my arms, leaning casually by the desk though my chest churned with agitation. “Six million,” I said flatly, narrowing my eyes. “Do you think spending through pack resources will go unnoticed?”Her chin lifted defiantly. “Do you think selling what isn’t yours to begin
(Grace's POV)The figure stepped closer under the soft moonlight, his presence commanding but not overwhelming. I straightened instinctively, my hand brushing against my abdomen as if my pups could sense the looming shift in energy. His scent, a blend of cedar and frost, marked him as Alpha, though it wasn’t one I immediately recognized.Lucas, ever vigilant, stepped half a pace closer to me, his omega instincts sharpening. “Can we help you?” His tone was polite but edged with caution.The man inclined his head slightly, a gesture that carried more weight than words. “Forgive the intrusion. Ryan Stone, Alpha of White Claw Territory.” His deep voice carried the distinct resonance of authority, but something about its warmth set him apart from the other Alphas I’d met.My eyes narrowed. White Claw Territory bordered ours; though not as large or as powerful as Crimson Moon, it had a reputation for elite warriors. Yet his appearance lacked any display of arrogance.“You’re far from your la
(Grace's POV)The room felt suffocating as I paced back and forth, my restless fingers tugging at the edges of my robe.Every now and then, my eyes darted toward the small box containing what few personal items I’d been able to pack upon leaving our den. My thoughts churned, refusing to settle.The crystals. My healing crystals.Each one carried a piece of me—my energy carefully infused over countless nights when I worked in secret. Crystals meant not merely to heal but to protect, to save. Alexander had taken them. Or more accurately, they’d been gathered under his orders in preparation for tonight’s artifact auction.I clenched my fists, a low pulse of anger burning through me. How could he be so careless? Did he even understand their true significance?My gaze lingered on the faint glow of the sky visible through the window. Tiny stars blinked back, indifferent to my growing distress. Somewhere out there, Alexander would be preparing for tonight’s event, likely without even a passin
(Grace's POV)The weight of Alexander’s calm, authoritative voice carried through the comms crystal. “Grace, authorize the transaction,” he said again, his tone sharp but controlled.A bitter laugh formed in the back of my throat, though I didn’t let it out. I clutched the crystal tightly, the edges pressing into my skin. Did he even hear himself? Did he comprehend what he was asking, or how it sounded?Lucas was already watching my face, eyebrows raised in curiosity—and maybe caution. His amber eyes sparkled with both concern and anticipation.“Alexander,” I started, my voice deceptively soft. “You want me to authorize a frivolous purchase? For Sophia? Using resources you granted me?”“Yes.” His answer was immediate, lacking hesitation. “Do it. Now.”It wasn’t a request. It was an order.My grip on the crystal tightened. The audacity of it sent a surge of heat straight to my chest.“You know,” I said slowly, eyes narrowing as I glanced over at Victoria and Sophia. Victoria was speakin
(Grace's POV)The streets of neutral territory bustled with the hum of a thousand stories. Wolves from packs across the lands came together here, their lives interwoven for these brief moments beneath shared moonlight.Lucas walked beside me, his excitement practically radiating off his lean frame. His amber eyes darted between shop windows as he nudged me playfully.“Look there!” Lucas exclaimed, pointing ahead. His voice carried a teasing lilt. “That one—it’s calling you. Regal, stunning, and commanding enough to remind everyone just who you are.”I rolled my eyes, though a smile tugged at my lips despite myself. “I don’t need to command anything, Lucas,” I replied softly. The weight behind my words hung heavier than I intended. “I just need something appropriate for the auction. Nothing more.”“Oh, darling,” Lucas said dramatically, clutching his chest like he’d been wounded. “Don’t sell yourself short. You don’t just need robes—you deserve to shine brighter than any star in that ro
(Victoria's POV)I gasped as the air along my private den shifted.The rippling energy lacing the space cracked and recoiled as Alexander's Alpha power surged in, ripping past my wards like they were nothing. My breath hitched, and I stumbled, clutching the fabric of my robes. The rogue’s scent—still faintly clinging to me—practically screamed for exposure.No. This couldn’t happen. Not yet. I needed time to cleanse it. Time to cover my tracks.“Alpha,” I said in the softest, most desperate tone I could muster. My voice trembled with helplessness. “I—I wasn’t expecting…”“Expecting?” His voice dripped with ice.I turned slowly to face him, my heart pounding against my ribcage like it was trying to escape. The moment our eyes met, my pulse froze.His golden eyes burned with intensity, barely containing the red that threatened to bleed into them. His wolf had emerged partially, making every fiber of his presence oppressive and suffocating.“Expecting what, Victoria? That I’d find the mar
(Alexander's POV)The Silver Moon Bar buzzed with muted conversations and the clinks of glasses. Yet, I heard none of it. My wolf paced wildly beneath the surface, restless and agitated. The moon-blessed wine in front of me offered no solace. It barely dulled the chaos in my mind.I sat at the corner table with Beta James and Alpha Ryan, a visiting pack leader whose sharp eyes missed nothing. He sipped his drink leisurely, as if he wasn’t weighing every crack in my façade.“Alpha,” James started cautiously. His voice carried the kind of edge that meant he was about to tread into unwelcome territory. “Have we done enough to investigate the rogue attack on Luna Grace? There’s something off about it.”My jaw tightened. Grace’s name twisted something inside me, something I couldn’t name. I gripped the glass harder than necessary.“It’s handled,” I said curtly. Yet, even as the words left my mouth, they felt hollow. Lies told more to soothe myself than anyone else.James frowned but didn’t
(Grace’s POV)The tension sat thick between us in the hospital wing. Alexander looked at me, his golden eyes unreadable as he leaned back in his chair. His presence, even without movement, suffocated the air in the room. The untouched soup sat on the table between us.“Are you going to tell me why you’re still upset?” His voice was low but sharp, each word cutting into me.“Upset?” I echoed, keeping my tone as even as I could, though my grip tightened on the table’s edge. “Upset doesn’t even begin to cover it, Alexander.”He raised a brow, tilting his head slightly. The motion, so effortless, made heat rise in my chest. “Do tell, Grace. I’d love to hear your reasoning behind this… mood.”There it was. That signature calm arrogance. The same tone he used when dismissing something, or someone, he didn’t take seriously. My nails dug into the wood beneath my palm.“This ‘mood,’ as you call it, has something to do with the rogues that tried to kill me two days ago. Or have you forgotten alr