JENNIFER…..When I opened my eyes again, the healer’s wing was quieter. The sun had shifted, spilling golden light through the tall windows, and the air smelled faintly of herbs and smoke.Reis was still there, slumped in the chair beside my bed, his head tilted slightly, lips parted in exhausted sleep. Even then, his hand was wrapped around mine as if he feared I’d slip away if he loosened his grip.My chest ached, not just from the wound but from the sight of him wearing himself down for me. I shifted slightly, wincing at the pull in my side, and that was when I noticed her.Sabrina.She stood at the foot of my bed, perfectly poised, her long golden hair braided back, her face composed in that flawless, practiced smile. Her eyes flickered briefly to Reis, soft, almost tender before landing back on me.“You’re awake,” she said sweetly, though the syrup in her tone made my stomach twist. “We’ve all been so worried. The palace hasn’t slept since the attack.” I forced myself to sit up
JENNIFER….When I woke up, the world was muted, like I was drifting underwater. The first thing I felt was the pain, a searing, gnawing fire in my side that pulsed with every shallow breath.The second was warmth. Strong, steady, and wrapped around my hand. I blinked, forcing my vision to clear, and found Reis sitting beside my bed in the healer’s wing. His head was bowed, dark circles under his eyes, his fingers gripping mine as if letting go would mean losing me forever.My movements wake him up. His eyes fluttered and he looked at me. His eyes went wide when he found me awake.“You’re awake.” His voice was hoarse, raw, but the relief that softened his features nearly undid me. He leaned forward, brushing my hair back from my forehead with a tenderness that made my throat tighten. “Goddess, Jennifer… I thought…” He stopped, swallowing hard, as if the rest of that sentence was too painful to speak.I licked my lips, my voice barely more than a whisper. “I… feel like I got run over b
JENNIFER…..It had been three days since the coronation. The crown still felt heavy on my head, though Reis reminded me constantly that it wasn’t the metal that made me Queen Luna, it was the fire inside me.The pack had started to warm to me. Wolves who once gave me skeptical glances now greeted me with nods of respect. Some even smiled. I thought maybe just maybe the worst was behind me.I was wrong.That morning, as I crossed the courtyard toward the library, a sharp, mocking laugh echoed through the air. I froze, my instincts flaring. She stepped out from the training yard gates, bruises faded but her pride still clearly aching. Beta Elion's sister, SabrinaShe was smiling, but her eyes were as cold as ice.“Luna,” she purred, bowing her head just enough to mock me rather than respect me. “What a surprise. I didn’t think someone like you would… last this long.”My jaw tightened. “Is there something you want?”“Oh, nothing at all.” She circled me slowly, like a predator sizing up
JENNIFER….The morning sun was high above the pack training grounds, casting sharp shadows across the polished earth. I tightened the straps of my training gear, feeling the familiar hum of adrenaline and the mate bond pulsing beneath my skin. Today, I wasn’t going to hold back.The she-wolf from breakfast was Beta Elion’s sister, Sabrina was already there, her arms crossed, smirk sharp and challenge burning in her eyes. She didn’t even bother with words. Her stance said it all: ‘Think you can intimidate me, little Luna?’She thinks she can beat me in the fighting ring thinking she's the best female fighter of this pack. She was as powerful as her brother. That's why she underestimated me. Little did she know that I was the best fighter in my pack. I have once kicked our Delta’s ass. Huh! She thinks she has the chance to win against me. Pretty girl be ready to kiss my feet. I clenched my fists. “Let’s see how much you really know me,” I said coldly, stepping forward.The first clash
JENNIFER….When I woke up in the morning, the first thing I felt was warmth. Not just the heavy blanket draped over me, but the heat of a strong arm wrapped snugly around my waist.My eyes fluttered open, and for a moment I couldn’t remember where I was. Then everything from last night came rushing back, the fire of his touch, the way the bond had flared to life between us, the way I had whispered that I was his.And now, here I am. Curled against Reis, our legs tangled, my cheek resting on his bare chest.I froze, the reality slamming into me like a wave. Fuck… what have I done?Carefully, I tried to slip out of his grasp, but his arm tightened instantly, pulling me back against him. His deep morning voice rumbled against my ear, rough and unguarded.“Don’t even think about it, little mate.”Heat rushed to my cheeks, and I buried my face against his chest to avoid his gaze. “I…I wasn’t…”“Yes, you were,” he murmured with a lazy smirk I could hear in his tone. His hand traced slow cir
JENNIFER…..The celebration carried on long into the night. Music, dancing, and the pack’s laughter filled every hall of the palace. But for me, everything had blurred into a haze after the crown touched my head.I smiled, greeted, and raised my glass when they toasted me. Yet my heart had been beating to one rhythm only—his.Reis never once let go of my hand. And when the crowd began to thin and the music softened, he leaned close to my ear, his voice low and commanding.“Enough for tonight. Let's go to our room, you look exhausted.”The words sent a shiver down my spine.‘Is he going to claim me?’He led me away from the lights and noise, through quiet corridors until we reached his chambers, our chambers now. The heavy doors closed behind us with a soft thud that echoed like a promise.I turned, suddenly nervous. The crown still sat on my head, the gown heavy on my shoulders. “I should change now,”“You’re perfect as you are,” he interrupted, his golden eyes sweeping over me with s