LOGINANDERSON'S POVThe hallway buzzed with noise as students whispered and gossiped about how Alpha Derek had spared Sarah because she was Alaric's mate, as Lucas walked next to me.“But how?” Another voice chimed in from a group leaning against the wall."How could someone like her be mated to the future Alpha? She’s not even a werewolf. She’s a curse.”A guy snorted. “Yeah, exactly. She’s an outcast. A murderer. How is the Moon Goddess supposed to pair someone like that with Alaric? It doesn’t make sense.”"Or maybe Alaric's being punished for something. Imagine being bound to her for life."“Maybe it’s a mistake,” someone else muttered."Or maybe Alpha Derek’s lying.”“Why would he lie about something like that?”“I don't know, but it's weird."Their words faded as we moved past them.Lucas chuckled.“Seems like she’s really gotten herself into a big mess this time,” he said, shaking his head. “I mean, being mated to Alaric? That’s either the best thing that could happen to her… or the
SARAH'S POVThe darkness pressed against me while my body arched everywhere—sharp, burning pain that radiated from virtually every part of my body.I couldn’t see.Couldn’t breathe properly.I tried to shift to ease the pressure on my left side where something felt as though it was broken.But the moment I did, metal bit into my skin, because I was still caged.It was small—barely four feet wide and just tall enough that I couldn’t stand.I was curled on my side, my knees pulled to my chest, my hands shackled in front of me.The chains connecting my wrists were short, barely six inches long, forcing my arms into an awkward position.My ankles were bound the same way.The floor of the cage was uneven and rough, digging into my hip and shoulder.My dress—the beautiful emerald gown they’d dressed me in—was torn now, stained with dirt and damp with sweat from running in the forest thirty minutes ago.My hair had fallen out of its braid, tangled and stuck to my neck and face.I’d tried to
SARAH'S POVI stood in front of a full-length mirror, barely recognising the reflection staring back at me.The dress they’d put me in was deep emerald green. It hugged my waist before flowing down to the floor in smooth, elegant waves.The fabric shimmered faintly under the light, embroidered with silver thread that traced patterns along the bodice and sleeves.It was beautiful.Around my neck sat a silver choker embedded with tiny moonstones.My hair had been pulled back into a braid, woven with thin ribbons that matched the dress.I looked like royalty.Like a Luna.But I felt like a prisoner dressed for her own funeral.“Let’s go,” the maid said flatly, not bothering to meet my eyes.She turned and walked toward the door without waiting for me to respond.I followed silently, my bare feet barely making a sound against the cold stone floor.She walked ahead with stiff shoulders and a quick pace while the hallways stretched endlessly before us.She hadn’t said a single word to me si
Author's POVAfter leaving Sarah in the hallway, Alaric headed to his father’s room.Once there, he sat down in the chair across from his father.“Father,” he started, choosing his words carefully, “I need to understand something.”Alpha Derek took a slow sip from his glass, keeping his eyes on his son as Alaric asked why he’d forgiven Sarah.“I don’t get it. Why did you call her guilty in front of everyone when you believed she was involved in all those killings?" Alaric added.A low chuckle escaped Alpha Derek’s throat as he set his glass down with a soft clink.“Forgive?” he repeated, his tone dripping with amusement.He leaned back in his chair, a cold smile playing on his lips.“You think I forgave her?”Alaric’s brows furrowed. “You stopped the execution. You lied about her being my mate. If that’s not forgiveness, then—”“It’s not,” Alpha Derek cut him off sharply.His smile vanished, replaced by something far colder.“I didn’t forgive her, Alaric. Forgiveness is for the weak.
Sarah's POVIs this the life I’ll be living now? From one hell to another with no respite in sight?I stared at nothing, my mind spinning. When would the Moon Goddess finally decide I’d suffered enough? Was there ever going to be an end to this torment? Because the future I faced seemed nothing short of hell.At least before, when everyone saw me as a murderer and treated me like dirt, I had some control. I could wake up each day and choose to survive. But this? Being forced into a life I never wanted, shackled to a man I didn’t love, all because of some cruel twist of fate?This wasn’t mercy. This was a cage with golden bars.After Alpha Derek’s shocking announcement, the murmurs of dissent from the pack simmered, but no one dared challenge him.Some even said he had lost his mind after he left.I’d stood there, frozen under their piercing stares, feeling like prey surrounded by predators until Alaric appeared.He walked through the crowd as if they didn’t exist, his eyes locked on m
Author's POVThe pack members were all disappointed at Alpha Derek’s judgment in sparing Sarah’s life.Even aside that, the idea of a murderer and outcast—not even a werewolf like them—becoming their future Luna didn’t sit well with anyone. But no one dared speak up, not even the fiercest and the elders among them. They knew challenging the Alpha’s word was courting death.Before leaving the square, Alpha Derek’s sharp voice tore through the uneasy murmurs.“Anyone who disagrees with my decision,” he said, turning in a slow arc, "should step forward and say that to my face.”But not one soul moved. Even Axel, whose clenched fists betrayed his disagreement, didn’t dare to step forward.Moments later, when the crowd began to disperse, Axel, wrestling with confusion and frustration, raced after his father. His boots crunched over the gravel path leading into the dense woods behind the square. “Father!” Axel called, breathless, his voice echoing faintly between the trees. "Wait!”Al







