로그인Celine’s POV
By dawn, I was done packing my belonging, it was pretty much a suitcase and a leather bag. I decided to retrieve from Trent’s room the reaming half of the pendant Alpha Ryan claimed to have found on me when I was rescued. It was split in two and given to Trent when he knew we were mates. It was the only clue to my real identity and finding my family; if I have one left. Trent's door creak silently and I stealthily walked in, the pendant was in a chest in his lower dresser opposite his bed so I went there directly and retrieved I froze midway back to the door- a too familiar scent hit me, his and Arianna. I squinted my eyes and saw little movement in the distance. I stood still- soft moans renting the air. I felt a prick at my hearting, excruciatingly crippling. Then the moans got bold, loud. “ Trent…oh god,yes” Arianna moaned. My brain refused to function- my limbs stiffened and gave passage to excruciating pain to embrace every nerve. After a minute of listening to the sounds of ecstatic betrayal, my legs moved towards the direction of my new room. I didn't sleep that night. Couldn’t sleep. Something was for certain- a bond had been broken, one that not even the mood goddess can fix. ****************** The next morning, I was limp from pain, having mourned my betrayal all night. Trent barged into my room and I was too weak, too betrayed and bitter to say a word. “Are you mad I wasn’t around for your birthday yesterday?” he asked. I chuckled softly. How dare he? He came closer and squatted in front of me. His eyes soft and full of emotions, he gently tucked a loose strand of hair behind my ear. “I’m sorry I wasn’t around all day and I missed it, I had to accompany Arianna somewhere yesterday and couldn’t back home in time but I’m going to make up for it. I made reservations at your favorite restaurant; will you freshen up and meet me in ten minutes?” He asked in his refreshing tone. I stared blankly at him, he smiled beautifully and for a moment I had the urge to grab and strangulate hiHebut I didn't, I laid there. “Let me make it up to you Celine. See you in 15 minutes.” He said then planted a brief kiss on my forehead. Contrary to the raging fury burning inside of me, I got dressed, got into the limousine which then conveyed me to a famous restaurant- Arianna’s favorite. I was greeted by a loud chant the moment I stepped in. ‘Happy birthday Luna Celine!’ Almost everyone from the pack was there and I failed a smile. They all took turns in congratulating me and each gave me a rose, a romantic gesture and apology from Trent. He finally approached me, looking handsome as ever with a bouquet of roses in his hand. “Happy belated birthday Celine. Thank you for being a part of my life.” He said sweetly, it would have been romantic if I hadn't caught him in bed with his beta. He asked me for a danced, we danced to my favorite solemn music and I felt ecstatic, I almost forgot all the pain and bitterness in my heart. We sat at our table to eat afterwards and a familiar scent stirred a righteous anger in me. Arianna walked up to us and sat down without taking permission. “Happy birthday Luna Celine.” She greeted, barely audibly. “I invited her, it was all her idea in the first place to throw this party, I told her you weren’t vain and would understand but she insisted.” Trent explained. I nodded. Acknowledging his words. “I felt bad he wasn’t with you yesterday because of me and wanted to do something special for you in return, can you help me peel the lobster Alpha Trent? My wrist hurt.” Arianna uttered, making herself look innocent and helpless. I snickered and ate silently, she had this ‘I'm sleeping with your mate and there's nothing you can do about it’ smirk plastered on her face. Arianna coughed slightly, drawing our attention and she asked Trent to dance with her. I sat back and watched how he held her with care and slowly danced with her, there were murmurs of how perfect they look and soon, comments and pictures filled the group chat. One of them boldly commented that I wasn’t fit to be Luna and Arianna would be perfect instead. I smiled and ate like I didn't care. When they were done dancing, they joined me at the table and Trent shamelessly peeled the lobster and even fed her, I calmly dropped my fork. “She can eat by herself, you know?” I calmly said. “She hurt her wrist, don’t be petty Celine.” Trent retorted. “I see.” I sarcastically remarked and a waiter brought in more food, announcing that Arianna had prepared it. “Why aren’t you eating?” Trent asked. “I'm not interested.” I spat back. “Arianna had prepared this food with love and not minding that her wrist is injured, you have to eat it.” Trent demanded “I’m sorry Luna Celine, I just wanted to surprise you.” Arianna muttered. I laughed sadistically seeing that it contained nuts. I looked at Trent, wondering how long he's been deceiving me. I thought he was been complacent towards me but turns out he's been sleeping with her, they both made a complete fool out of me. “What’s happening to you?” Trent asked, annoyed. “Are you acting up?” His words annoyed me greatly, how dare he! Is that why she slept in your bed yesterday? You were helping her sleep?” I spew, angrily. “So she can make me food I'm allergic to?’ Trent's face froze, he didn't deny it. Great. My heart shattered. “I think I’m having a heart attack!” Arianna suddenly cried out, obviously lying. I watched as Trent scooped her in his arms and immediately headed for the exit. He held her like his life depended on it and he didn’t spare me a look. He bolted out and left. After calmly finishing my meal, I hailed a cab and went back home. I was tired of the lies. Of always hurting. He betrayed me, hurt me in ways no one should. But not anymore. I took my bags and left him a note. ‘it’s evident you don’t want me in your life and you’re right, I’m not a member of this pack but I’ll forever be grateful to your Father for raising me, this is the least I can do for him, to free you of me. I’m out of your life, you never have to see me again and you certainly can now be with Arianna with me out of the way. Thank you for putting up with me for this long. Goodbye Trent, Celine.’Astra's POVThere was no thought process to how to pivot, how to drive a blade between ribs and twist just enough to end resistance quickly.I just went ahead to do all of that with body muscle memory or rage. I wasn't sure which one drove me now.Blood sprayed warm against my cheek. I did not flinch and I did not pause.I had learned, long ago, that disgust wastes time.The palace was a war zone in layers. Every corner of it was been engaged in battle. the outer yard burned. I could hear clashes ringing out in the inner corridors. Smaller dusky brotherhood had tried to slip in through hidden riutes that should not know about but somehow did, courtesy of their soy network. Luckily, they were met by guards who had trained for exactly this, moments like this.More ambush traps were released. Oil traps flared and those narrow halls turned into killing fields.Still, they came, they pressed.And then--I felt him.It was unmistakable, the air shifted and my chest tightened with recogniti
Astra's POVThe attack began without ceremony. We were one foot ahead so we knew exactly when The dusky brotherhood set foot on the palace grounds.We had guards looking out for us and they moment they set foot we were alerted but I was also cautious. I needed to be sure they didn't set foot into any other places except they palace and so far they didn't. And that was good enough for me.The Dusky Brotherhood set foot on palace land under the cover of pre-dawn mist, thinking darkness would favor them. Thinking secrecy still mattered.We were one step ahead.“They’re inside the outer perimeter,” The message had come swiftly through the bond from the western borders.I closed my eyes for half a heartbeat and let the palace map form in my mind-- paths, choke points, ambush lines Jerome and I had burned into memory over sleepless nights. Every stone had a purpose now.I opened my eyes and stepped forward.The first explosion hit the western outer gate like a fist from the earth itself.Th
Astra's POVThe outer districts were cleared first. Families packed what they could carry. It didn't stop them from reacting. Children cried, old men argued, and women prayed to Selena, the moon Goodness. Carts moved in long, snaking lines toward safer ground, guarded by patrols with drawn weapons.Fear was everywhere.But so was resolve.I walked through the palace halls as it happened, I was putting on my cloak now, the fabric brushing against stone. Servants bowed deeply, I could see the insolent words in their eyes. Some had tears amd other had faith. Some had been bold enough to request that they be sent back, to spend time with their family before their death. I gave them the season off. If the war ended with us victorious, they were welcome to come back, if not they were better off somewhere else.The training yard became the heart of the palace. They guards had been training for days on end. Running on nothing but water, a few bites and their combat training. Of course, everyb
Astra's POVI sat in front of the vanity mirror. I stared into the mirror and a tired, worn out lady stared back at me. She looked... pitiful, stressed, and like someone who needed urgent self care.I hadn't had the time to take care of myself since the chaos, not even the time to take a soothing bath like I loved it. I sighed heavily.Maybe indulging myself this one time would not be such a bad thing, at least before the war, before every other thing goes wrong. I had limited time though, I was supposed to be seated in my office in 30minutez, there was a lot we hadn't done, a lot we still had to do I preparation for this inevitable war.But first...I stripped off my dress, not having the time to admire my skin or my body, I went straight to the tub, filling it with water-- warm water. I dropped into the bath and for five seconds, I just let the warm water soothe my nerves. Before I jumped in with the soap and lather, gently scrubbing my body and rubbing every part of it, spending a
Astra's POVAnd that made me go after his fellows, Dalin, Clark, Silva. Including Dalin's friend, Sky.Dalin was arrogant. she held her shoulders up.like I couldn't do anything to her. Silva was a lot more careful and guarded, Clark was indifferent. And Sky wasn't as hardheaded as her friend but I could see why they were friends.I knew that I would have a sweet time torturing them. Torturing prisoners might just be my next best thing. I enjoyed it a little too much.More guards. More servants.I went after Helena and her group of friends that I remembered Mary mentioning. Helena was innocent, so were two of her friends. Unfortunately, one was compromised and so I had to retain her with the others.More numbers. More people.I had more than a dozen people detained in the dungeons, I was sure the dungeon was more full than ever in the past three nights.We sent a few home, back to their pack. That was the best because we'd killed two birds with one stone. I was getting rid of the conta
Astra's POVThe last line of the document did not blur.It stared right back at me and I stared back.The Dusky Brotherhood are preparing a surprise attack on the palace. Estimated window: 5-7days.,I read it again.And again.Then I closed the folder slowly, I was impressed that yet again, Trent was trying to go to war with me. He never learns does he?But I also knew why he had the guts and the confidence to think he could start a war, he could defeat me.Kane.The resources, the people, all of it seemed to give him some type of confidence that I would be glad to crush.I leaned back in my chair and stared at the ceiling, letting the truth settle into my bones. The portal was gone. The sanctuary was destroyed. Kane had lost patience... which meant he would stop hiding.A faint brief smile formed on the corners of my lips. It was the one thing I like about this war Trent was trying to bring to my doorsteps. It was no more a shadow war, there will no longer be backhanded means like bo







