LUNA OF ASHES [THE MOON GODDESS RISES AGAIN]

Katherine Ashford“He will break you, Katherine.”Her mother’s voice whispered in the corridors of my mind, soft but sharp, echoing through the years. I had laughed then—too young, too certain, too desperately in love to hear caution. Now it rang louder than my own heartbeat, unstoppable.I sat on the cold stone floor of my chambers, the divorce papers spread before me, my fingers trembling against the delicate parchment. The words on the page were absolute. Irrevocable. Final.I remembered the first time I had truly seen him. Not the polished Alpha he had become, but the boy I’d first stumbled across in the training grounds—dust in his hair, muscles straining under the sun. He hadn’t been special then, just another Omega, another face among many. But something in his defiance had caught me.Curiosity turned to admiration. Admiration became obsession. I followed his victories and his stumbles as if they were my own. I whispered prayers to the Moon Goddess, hoping she would bless him,

Katherine Ashford The sound of machines. A steady beeping.When I opened my eyes, the world was white. Not the white of moonlight or snow, but the blinding, sterile white of a hospital ceiling.For a moment, I couldn’t move. I couldn’t even breathe. I thought maybe I was still dreaming — that this was some strange mercy from the Goddess.But the sharp sting of a needle in my arm said otherwise.I turned my head. A woman in pale scrubs stood nearby, checking something on a small metal tray. Her scent hit me next — human.Not pack. Not wolf.Human.Panic surged through me. I pressed a shaking hand against my mouth, trying to steady my breath. I could not let them know. If they smelled what I was — if they suspected — I’d be dead before sunset.“Easy,” the nurse said gently, thinking my fear was confusion. “You’re safe, miss. You were in an accident, but you’re going to be alright.”“Wh—where am I?” My voice cracked.“St. Vincent’s Hospital,” she replied. “You were brought in by a drive

Katherine Ashford I pulled away from him. Not because I didn't want him, but because wanting him felt like I was standing at the edge of a blade instead of holding it. Nikolai didn't move when I stepped back. He only watched me, his eyes dark and unreadable. It looked like he was deciding to either to let me go, or cage me. “I told you what I want," I said, forcing my voice to remain steady. “The crown, the power, protection, everything!" "And I told you what I want,” he replied calmly. "You." His words settled between us. I had been owned by a man before. Dominic not only owned me, he took everything from me and left me empty. Stripped me off everything that made me, Luna.“You don't get to own me," I snapped. "You don't even know me.”His gaze sharpened. I didn't look away immediately, not even when his gaze burned into me. Men like Nikolai were used to people bowing down.“I know your fear doesn't come from weakness." he said and I froze. “I…I'm not scared." I replied and h

KATHERINE ASHFORD It felt like the world narrowed to just the both of us, the heat of his body pinning me against the wardrope. His stumble grazed my cheeks and I heard a low growl leave his throat. Nikolai wasn't a man to ask or beg for anything, he took whatever he wanted without mercy. And in this moment with his thighs wedged between mine, all he wanted to do was take all I have to offer. His thigh pressed against the ache that had formed in between my legs. I was perilously close to letting him do dirty things to me up against the wardrobe, without a single thought of how this would affect my game, my plan. Me like Nikolai knew what they wanted and I wanted to know what was running through his mind. His mouth hovered above mine, hot breath fanning my face, he must have had a glass of alcohol before now. It made me feel even more intoxicated from his touch and how close we were at the moment. Gold eyes stared down at me with want, need and something more merciless. “Say it,

KATHERINE ASHFORD It felt like the moon had come to bear witness to my mating ceremony to the Lycan King. The Lycans were out to witness the ceremony, Council members, Nobles, and even wolf alpha's from other territories. I stood at the edge of the platform, clad in a silk dress that clung to my body like a second skin. My heart beat steadily, but it wasn't because I was scared, It was because I couldn't wait to become Luna of the kingdom. This was the moment I had bled for, schemed and even offered my body to get. This was it. Tonight Nikolai would mark me in front of all these people. I was about to become Luna of the Lycan realm and my enemies had no choice but to watch it happen. Nikolai stepped forward, bare chested beneath the Royal ceremonial flock. I could see every rip in his chest. The tattoos in his arms glowed under the moonlight. His hazel eyes found mine and extended his hand to me. I took it and the elder begah the ancient rites. He spoke about bonds of loyalty an