Mag-log inDamon’s POV. With my finger, I stirred the ice in the glass of tequila I was holding. I sat at the edge of the bar counter, watching people greet each other with cheek kisses and clink their glasses together. Typical behavior of elites in social gatherings. I averted my gaze and took a long gulp of my drink. The bitterness burned down my throat, but I set the glass down like it didn’t bother me at all. That had always been one of the reasons I rarely attended pack meetings or events. I didn’t like pretending, especially not the subtle competitions with Alphas. On top of that, most people were hesitant to approach me because of my reputation. And yet now, I found myself doing the very things I used to avoid. I had started attending these events that demanded social interaction again. Sensing my boredom, Ford left me alone instead of pushing me to socialize. I glanced over at him and saw that he was thoroughly enjoying himself on the dance floor. This last event we attended was som
Damon’s POV. “The one everyone’s been talking about lately…” Ford said, sounding intrigued. We kept walking inside the pack house with Daniel leading the way, while Ford went on about the woman he called Hailey. “I only met her once,” Ford added, a hint of interest clear in his voice. “It was at one of the gatherings, but she stood out immediately. She’s clever. You can tell just from the way she talks. And the way she carries herself… It comes naturally.” Daniel chuckled. “You’re praising her a lot for someone you only met once.” “I’m serious,” Ford insisted. “She draws attention without even trying. People notice her the moment she walks in.” I remained quiet, my expression unchanged, though I found myself listening more. “That’s exactly the kind of Luna I’ve been looking for,” Ford continued. “Someone like her.” Daniel smirked. “You already decided that after one meeting?” Ford shrugged. “You just know when you see her.” I snickered but said nothing. For someone Ford ba
Haliyah’s POV. Because of my active presence in pack gatherings, I gradually became known within social circles as a charming woman. Soon, whispers began circulating about the version of me I had created in their minds. Little did they know that the woman they now admired and spoke highly of was the same one they once looked down upon. “Your reputation is already spreading, Hailey.” I turned my attention to the voice beside me. It was Luna Catherine from the Embermoon Pack. Their pack specialized in maternal care systems, ensuring that no pregnant she-wolf was left unattended. I had met her at a previous event, and since then, she had been overly friendly with me. I went with her because she had invited me to assist in checking on expecting mothers and ensuring that the pack healers were properly attending to pregnant wolves within their territory. I wasn’t sure why she chose me for something so personal, but I agreed anyway. It was another opportunity for exposure, another lay
Haliyah’s POV. After the Lunar Ascension Banquet, I continued attending gatherings within our pack and even managed to visit other packs, all in an effort to expand my connections. Lately, Raven had not been as restrictive with me, which I found pleasing as it aligned perfectly with the execution of my plans. Or perhaps he was simply too preoccupied with his mistress to concern himself with what I do or where I go. As part of my pretense, I introduced myself as Hailey to every influential figure I encountered from distant packs. I made sure to keep my real identity hidden. It helped, at least to some extent, that Raven never introduced me as his Luna to the other wolves. I was able to take full advantage of this for my own interests. We never arrived or appeared together at every event, so no one suspected any connection between us. Perhaps he also found it convenient to let me deal with other clans alone, knowing that if any trouble arose within our pack, I would be the one exp
Damon’s POV. I approached Haliyah, a mix of jealousy and suspicion rising within me after seeing her smile and talk with another man. My wolf wanted to claim her, but I forced myself to stay in control. I needed to talk to her properly first. My jaw clenched as I took another step closer, my eyes locked on her. My wolf was furious. I could feel it demanding I act. She wasn’t mine. I had no right to feel that way. But my wolf didn’t care about reason or logic. It didn’t care about the situation, about who she was speaking to, or what this gathering meant. It didn’t care about any of that. It only saw one thing— another male standing too close to her, hearing her voice, holding her attention. And it wanted to tear that away. It wanted to step in, to pull her away from that man, to make it clear where she belonged. Why did it feel wrong to see her with someone else? Why did it feel like something was being taken from me even though nothing was ever mine to begin with? I clenched my
Damon’s POV. I adjusted the necktie of my blue tuxedo and studied my reflection in the mirror. Then, I glanced at my watch to check the time. It was already seven in the evening, and the banquet would begin at around eight. I grabbed my coat and car keys before leaving my condominium. I got into my car, started the engine, and drove toward the Grand Pack Hall. Ever since I made Haliyah an offer, I hadn’t gone back to my pack in the north. Instead, I stayed here, renting a place within their territory. It made things easier for the plan, and for my own reasons. Because the truth was, staying close to her was part of my strategy. My condition had never improved over the years. My sense of smell had always been dulled, broken in a way that no healer had ever been able to fix it. It was a flaw I had learned to live with, even if it meant relying more on instinct and sight. But everything changed when Haliyah was near. The first time I noticed it, I thought it was a coincidence. Ma
Raven’s POV. I felt an irritation flare inside me after seeing that Haliyah didn’t react at all to me and Cassandra kissing and openly disrespecting her right in front of her. I couldn’t stop myself from getting angry, especially out of embarrassment when I realized I had expected her to get jeal
Raven’s POV. I clearly heard how Damon had just offered to take Haliyah to his pack for further investigation, and she actually turned him down without hesitation. “I’ll take you to my pack. There are irregularities in the accounts. You’ll assist me in investigating them.” “No…” “I beg your pa
Haliyah’s POV. From the doorway, just as I was about to leave after standing there, lost in thought about my conversation with Damon and how he had simply walked away from me earlier, I heard the murmur of voices. I stilled by the door, straining to hear fragments of conversation as pack members
Damon’s POV. I left the room, the door shutting behind me. I ran a hand down my face and exhaled sharply. No matter how hard I tried to think straight, Haliyah’s face kept clouding my mind like a fog, with her fire-stubborn eyes and that infuriating confidence. She had refused my arrangement, fl







