LOGINMelissa"Stop!" I screamed again, but my voice was drowned out by the sickening crack of ribs breaking.Draven had Briston pinned against one of the pillars and was delivering blow after devastating blow. Blood splattered across the white stone with each impact, painting abstract patterns that made my stomach turn. Briston tried to defend himself but he was already too damaged and too weak."Please stop this!" I cried again while running forward. "You're killing him!"Draven didn't even glance in my direction. His fist connected with Briston's jaw and I heard teeth shatter. Briston's legs buckled and he would have collapsed if Draven wasn't holding him."Stop it! Stop it! Stop it!" I kept screaming the words over and over but Draven acted like I didn't exist.He threw Briston to the ground and my mate hit the floor with a terrible thud that made me flinch. Draven kicked him in the ribs again. Each impact produced a sound like branches snapping and Briston coughed up blood that pooled
BristonAfter Melissa had left the dining hall I sat there staring at Delilah while she continued chattering about absolutely nothing that mattered. Fury burned inside me like acid eating through my chest and I could barely hear her words over the roaring in my ears. My father sat at the head of the table looking smug and satisfied while this stranger smiled at me like she already owned me.I couldn't take another second of it.I pushed back from the table abruptly and stood without excusing myself. Delilah stopped mid-sentence and looked up at me with confusion."I need to speak with my father alone," I stated coldly. "Now."Father raised an eyebrow but nodded."Delilah, perhaps you should retire to your guest chambers," he suggested smoothly. "We can continue getting acquainted tomorrow."Delilah's smile faltered slightly but she recovered quickly and stood gracefully."Of course," she agreed. "It was lovely meeting you Briston. I look forward to spending more time together."She l
MelissaThat evening I sat beside Draven at the dining table still trying to process everything that had happened during the coronation ceremony. The crown they had placed on my head now rested in my chambers but I could still feel its phantom weight pressing down on me. I pushed food around my plate without really eating while my mind spun with questions about what came next.Draven seemed pleased with himself as he ate and occasionally made comments about the success of the ceremony. I responded with polite nods and quiet agreement because that was all I could manage. My thoughts kept drifting to Briston and the way he had stormed out of the hall. The mate bond pulled at my chest with an insistent ache that I tried to ignore.The dining room doors opened and Briston finally arrived looking disheveled like he had been running or fighting or doing anything other than preparing for dinner. His hair was messy and there were shadows under his eyes that hadn't been there this morning. He
MelissaThe day of my confirmation rite arrived and I woke up with dread settling heavy in my stomach. I had barely slept the night before because my mind kept replaying everything Briston had told me about the curse and what Draven really wanted from me. A breeder. That's all I was to him. A vessel to produce an heir and break his affliction.The maids came to prepare me early in the morning and dressed me in ceremonial robes made of deep purple silk embroidered with real gold thread. They arranged my hair in an elaborate style and placed delicate jewelry around my neck and wrists. When they finally finished I barely recognized my own reflection in the mirror."You look beautiful Luna," one of the maids whispered with genuine admiration in her voice.The hall was already filled with people when I arrived. Everyone turned to look at me as I entered and I felt the weight of their stares pressing down on my shoulders.Draven sat on his throne at the front of the hall looking more animat
Cindy The celebration lasted well into the evening with pack members dancing and drinking and congratulating me on becoming their new Luna. I wore my most graceful smile and played the role perfectly as I stood beside Kelan accepting praise and well wishes from everyone who approached us. My hand rested in his and I laughed at all the right moments and blushed when the elders made jokes about producing heirs. But inside I was counting the moments until this charade would be over. Kelan was riding high on the success of the day and his excitement was almost exhausting to watch. He kept pulling me close and whispering about our future together and all the plans he had for the pack. I nodded and smiled and pretended to share his enthusiasm while my mind was already somewhere else entirely. Finally after what felt like an eternity the celebration began to wind down. Guests started making their way home and pack members retired to their own quarters. Kelan and I walked back to our cha
KelanThe morning sun streamed through my window and I woke up with a surge of energy that made it impossible to stay in bed. Today was the day. The day I had been dreaming about for years. The day I would officially become Alpha and take Cindy as my Luna in front of the entire pack and all our allied territories except Dark Moon Valley.Alpha Draven had made that place a Den of darkness and I didn't want any form of darkness on my day of light so I didn't invite him or any of his members.I jumped out of bed and immediately started getting ready. The excitement coursing through my veins was almost overwhelming and I found myself smiling at my reflection in the mirror as I shaved and combed my hair. This was it. This was the beginning of my reign.I dressed carefully in the ceremonial robes that had been prepared for this occasion. The deep blue fabric was embroidered with silver thread that caught the light with every movement







