JAKE'S POVLyra is the last descendant of the Moonlit Pack; those words kept repeating themselves in my thoughts. Who could have known she was? To some extent, my heart leaped with Joy. After what seemed like the impossible, the moon goddess finally looked at me with pity and decided to lift this curse off me. But on the contrary, I had ruined my chances at it.The thought circled like a storm, crashing against everything I thought I knew. I had spent so much time pushing her away, justifying my decisions, convincing myself I was doing what was best for my pack. But now, the truth stood in front of me, impossible to ignore. Lyra was my true mate, the woman I had rejected and hurt, was the only one who could break my curse. I felt the weight of my mistakes pressing down on my shoulders as I leaned forward into the table with my hands supporting my temple. There was no need to beat up myself. The deed had been done and I had to find a way out of it.I reached for my phone from my poc
JAKE'S POVFor what felt like ages, the weight of my words settled into the deafening silence of the room. Both Damon and my mum sat back with their lips wide apart as if they wanted to say something but no words came out. All they could do was exchange looks of shock with each other as they tried to process the revelation I had just thrown at them.I couldn't blame them for their reaction. The irony in this sudden discovery was enough to send anyone into shock. A woman I had suddenly treated with unexplainable disdain turned out to be the savior I had longed for.Damon cleared his throat, finally getting a hold of his emotions. Pushing himself forward, he leaned into the table with his palm supporting his chin glaring straight into my eyes.“So let me get this straight,” he said slowly. “You rejected your fated mate, humiliated her, pushed her away, let Ella take her place… and now, after everything, you find out she’s the one person who can save you?”Unable to respond to his rhetor
LYRA'S POVMy body shook as the stinging cold of the night found a way to penetrate my thick sweat coat. My fingers felt numb but I held tight on my box pulling it along like my life depended on it as I made my way out of the house.The house that had once felt like my fortress suddenly became a prison, its wall closing in on me every single minute, suffocating me. I couldn't breathe neither could I think. Regardless, a part of me still felt there was something left for me behind those walls. Maybe Jake would come to a realization he had hurt me. Maybe he'd come running through those doors begging me to stay. "Stop imagining stuff, Lyra:" I muttered to myself, shaking off those thoughts as I forged ahead.The sound of approaching footsteps made my heart drop. Could It be Jake? I think he must have found out I am missing in the house. I hurriedly hastened my steps, searching for a spot to hide out but the dim light from the security lights did little to help my situation.The hurried
JAKE’S POV“Gosh! This is one hell of a heavy leash,” the first guard sighed, throwing down what seemed like a ton of heavy, intertwined rods. “What does the Alpha really need them for? Dragons had gone extinct, I would have said he wanted to use them to bind one down here in the dungeon,” The second guard responded. They both burst into a peal of laughter, careful not to let me hear them but I guess they forgot I was an Alpha and I could hear spoken words from an unimaginable distance, and second of all, I could use my mind link to hear thoughts.“How about I use those chains to suspend you both in the air? Maybe you’d learn how to be more competent and focused !” I snapped at them.“I’m sorry, we are sorry, Your Grace!” They both shuddered as they bowed to apologize before scattering out of the dungeon to continue preparations for today's event. Finally, the long-awaited full-blood moon ceremony was here.Damon walked into the dungeon, wearing a pair of baggy shorts and a matchin
CHAPTER 50JAKE’S POV“All Hail the moon goddess! The giver of life and hope! The protector of our realm!” Selene proclaimed, bowing before the temple.“All hail the mother of light!” Everyone chorused in unison, bowing to their knees with their foreheads pressing against the floor.In no time, the prayers were over and immediately followed by loud music and chants echoing through the night. I sat back in my chair, watching the event unfold before me. The pack members were jumping and twisting their bodies in rhythm to the melodious beats from the speakers.It was indeed a grand ceremony! I ought to be happy and flow with the spirit of the night but unease tightened my chest. Fear, doubts, and guilt all crept through my mind at once. I shifted my gaze to Damon who sat adjacent to me, signaling him to come over to the podium where I sat.“Have you seen Lyra since the event started?” I asked Damon, screaming aloud because my voice was almost drowned by the noisy environment.“Yes, Your
LYRA’S POVLast night was nothing short of unease. I had made myself a warm glass of milk hoping it would help but for every time I closed my eyes, voices, nightmares and unsettling thoughts kept my eyes peeled. "56, 57, 58, 59, finally 7am!" I muttered, slamming shut the alarm before pushing myself up from the bed. I had been staring at my digital alarm clock counting along with every tick sound it made till it was finally dawn.My body ached in a way I couldn’t quite explain, like I had run for miles in my sleep. My bones made a cracking sound, fixing into place as I stretched out myself, yawning. Something about this day felt cold and off as though an unseen force was pressing down on me. Ignoring the gnawing feeling in my mind I headed to the shower, before joining others to prepare for the day.I scanned to the many faces walking back and forth around the house in search of Jake but couldn't find him. He had explained the significance of the ceremony earlier. Nonetheless, I fel
LYRA'S POV"Arrh.." I grunted as a sharp pain stabbed me in my ribs. I gradually sat upright on the bed, holding tight on my side. How did I get here? The last thing I remembered was being sucked up by the moon's energy and then transforming into my wolf. Its thick white furs swayed as I shook them, seeing the surroundings from Tara's view was indeed the highlight of the night until Lucio struck. My head pounded so badly against my skull and my throat was as dry as sandpaper. As the daze gradually cleared off my eyes, I shifted my gaze to see those standing around me in the room.A pang of anger cut through my chest as their faces came into focus. Lisa and Tessa stood by the foot of the bed with what seemed like remorse or perhaps regrets in their eyes. One more person was remaining. Where is that Liar? I screamed in my head as my eyes darted to the other side of the room to see him standing stiffly by the window with his arms crossed. Patches of plaster stuck to his face with banda
LYRA'S POV“Oh my God…” I shuddered. My heart seemed like they were about to fail at this point. I clutched tight, holding it together as I took, slow, deep breath. “The maids were right." I muttered to myself. "They were not gossip after all,” My voice broke. “You were going to do the same to me too, didn’t you?”Jake shook as if my words physically punched him. “No,” he whispered almost inaudibly. “I would never—”“But you did.” I retorted, my eyes burned with unshed tears. I bit hard on my lips to stop it from trembling."And you!" I barked, turning to Lisa, who stood frozen, tears finally streaming down my cheeks. “I believed you! You were meant to be my friend but you lied to me,” I accused, my voice breaking. “You told me she died in childbirth.” My fists clenched. “You all lied.”Lisa opened her mouth, but whatever excuse she had, I didn’t want to hear it. The weight of betrayal was unbearable. Everything I had believed, everyone I had trusted stabbed me right in the chest.I b
AEMOND'S POVWalking through the halls of the pack house felt different this time. I could hear the whispers of my name through every wall I walked past. No one dared to look me in the eyes. Everyone scrambles off at the sight of me.I was headed to the cell when one of the guards ran up to me, hastening his steps to meet up with my pace.“I was informed you called for me Beta Aemond!” He said, gasping for breath.Did he just address me as Beta? What insolence! I stopped abruptly, clenching my fist with a twisted face and slowly turning around with my jaw twisting.“I am going to forgive your ignorance,” I said slowly, raising my eyes to meet that of the guard. “Next time!” I continued with a slow, dragged tone. “You don't address me as Beta! I am Alpha Aemond! And you, along with everyone else, will address me as that!” I hissed.The guard trembled as he bowed his head, apologizing for the misconception. “I am sorry, Alpha Aemond!” He pleaded.I scoffed, waving it off. “I need you to
AEMOND'S POVI paced up and down what remained of the temple, my mind racing with words Valkyrie had told me in the trance. I had to get everything from that little bi**h. I never thought things would go south and now I have to go an extra length to get her. I growled in frustration, turning to Zephyr who stood motionless staring at me.“He offered me everything, Zephyr,” I muttered, sitting on the stone ledge beside the large window, staring into the dying twilight. “All, I have to do is get the damn bond broken and everything...I mean everything will be mine!" I voiced out with every sense of certainty.Zephyr shook his head in what seemed like disbelief.“You are totally out of your damn mind!” he barked, clawing his head in frustration. “No one strikes a deal with Valkyrie and walks out whole! That’s like shaking hands with the goddamn devil. You will lose everything and I mean every single thing!” he growled in a low tone, cautious not to have anyone hear him.A low growl rumbled
LYRA’S POVJake's face twisted in anger as he sprang from his seat, pointing towards Alpha Benson. Veins, lining the side of his forehead. His eyes, once filled with warmth, now brimmed with something heavier; rage, hurt, and betrayal. I could feel it roll off him like a tidal wave. Every person in that hall instinctively held their breath.Hauling Alpha Benson in what seemed like an arm drag, Jake stepped forward slowly, his voice deep and controlled, echoing through the grand hall. “Alpha Benson of the Arrakis Pack,” he began, eyes locked with Alpha Benson. “You were once considered an ally, a partner, and a friend," he growled with a low, yet steady tone. "A father figure in diplomacy. A man I once trusted to walk beside me in strength and wisdom,” he said, holding up his chin.Alpha Benson looked up from where he knelt, sweat pooling on his forehead. He didn't dare speak. Nobody dared intervene at this moment, not even me.“But instead,” Jake continued, squeezing hard on Benson's
LYRA'S POVMy sight blurred, I could feel something dripping down my nose but I barely paid attention to it. I bent down over Ella, my hands gripping her neck. She squirmed beneath me, making gurgling sounds, her hands feebly hitting my wrists. I didn't mind I had just gone through a painful evacuation process, I damned every sting of pain I felt in my body. All I sensed was the fire within my soul, the sting of betrayal seeping through my fury."LYRA! STOP!"Selene's voice struck through the thick rage in my head like a clap of thunder. My head jerked up, hair tousled around my face, nostrils widening. I turned towards the direction of the voice and noticed her sprinting towards me. Her face was drained with fear of what I might do to Ella."Stop Lyra, You're bleeding!" she yelled, pointing down.Bleeding? The words got to me. I must have stressed my healing body with magic. I noticed my body has been slow to heal likely due to the fact Aemond was wielding part of my powers and the
LYRA'S POVI watched Jake snatch the medical reports from Selene, frantically. His eyes scanned through each line and paragraph. As soon as his hands and shoulders dropped, I realized this was not a joke.“No, No!,” I whispered, shaking my head in disbelief. "This is not true," my voice broke as I spoke. "Nothing is wrong with my child. He's healthy and fine," I stuttered, placing my hand over my stomach, hoping to protect my baby from the unbelievable news I was hearing.My vision gradually began to blur as warm fluid rushed into my eyes. I pressed down on my lip trying to stop it from rolling off my eyes but my lip trembled. I felt a string in my heart snap, as my chest constricted. The weight of Selene's announcement pressed on me, sinking me into an abyss.“Wh…What did you just say?” I asked in a low tone, my voice shaking. Somehow I hoped Selene was mistaken, maybe the scan results weren't for me.I slowly turned my attention to Jake, staring into his eyes. For the first time, n
ELLA’S POVThe sun hadn’t yet made an appearance when I exited my room, the morning chill gnawing at my skin through my cloak. I could barely see the person approaching me due to the thick morning dew. My boots lightly struck the marble floor of the corridors, each step resonating a bit more than I wanted it to. I glided like mist, sneaking by guards still on their morning duty, and past maids who wiped the sleep from their eyes and didn’t question my unusual movement this morning.I barely closed my eyes to sleep all through the night. I knew the moment Lyra woke up I would be doomed. Aemond had turned on me, I had no ally. While my mind roamed, an idea clicked in my head. Tasha, my friend from college. Maybe she could help. She owed me a favor after I helped her set up her fiance's former girlfriend so he could date her.I made my way quietly into the infirmary which was still enveloped in the silence of early morning. The scent of disinfectants filled the atmosphere, reaching my n
LYRA'S POV“Um, I think this is my cue to leave now,” Lisa chuckled nervously, making me break off from the intense lip greeting Jake and I were having. “I'd get myself hooked up with an activity around the house, probably come back to check up on you later,” she said, holding on to little Jayden who wanted to break loose from her grip and play around.“It's alright,” I nodded with a smile, biting softly on my lower lip, my face flushed with embarrassment. We both watched her step out of the room, shutting the door behind her.I heaved a deep sigh, shifting my attention back to Jake who never took his enchanting gray eyes off of my face. The deafening silence stretched for about a minute before we broke it off.“So, tell me…,” we both chorused in unison. One would think it was a rehearsed moment. “You go ahead,” I said to him. My voice was barely above a whisper with my face growing warm as I smiled softly, shifting my gaze away from his face.“I know you have a ton of questions to a
LYRA'S POVI jerked up from the bed, the heart monitors beeping faster than normal. There was chaos at the instant. Voices and chatter of people sounded muffled. My eyeballs rolled behind my head and out.“Charge! Apply pressure!” I heard a voice yell in the background, followed by a charge sent through my chest.I jerked up a couple of times before I felt calm in my body. Everything returned back to normal.“Lyra? Lyra, can you hear me?” A familiar voice rang in my ear. I groaned, slowly opened my eyes, squinting until everything shifted into focus. Turning to the right, a weak, yet soft smile curved on my lip.“Selene?” I called out faintly, heaving, weak, and slow breathing. “What happened?” I asked faintly.“You were having a heart attack. You almost drew mine into an episode too,” she teased with a smile. “Jake would have had my head on a spike.” I frowned at the mention of his name. “How did I get here? How did you find me? I made sure not to inform anyone where or how to find
LYRA'S POVI dragged myself up onto my knees, coughing against the thick smoke that rose from the crater Aemond and I had been flung away from. Tara charged towards the figure even before I could make out what it looked like.The figure gradually twisted into focus. It was tall, regal. His eyes gleamed crimson against the silver twilight of this place, a cruel smirk etched across his horrifying face. I could have mistaken him for Medusa with the manner in which his hair curled and twisted behind him; this time not snakes, but streaks of molten flames.A total contrast from Iris. Folktale had it that Valkyrie was banished from the clouds for practicing dark magic causing the world to live in chaos.Aemond writhed in pain next to me, his hair messy as he turned onto his side and coughed harshly. “Damn it,” he muttered quietly, cradling his sides. “What is he doing here?!” he growled"What is he doing here?" My face twisted in disbelief. How on earth did Aemond know him? Was this real or